I think music was way harder to make and learn an instrument many moons ago and there was a lot less of it..Now everyone and there dog is trying there hand at it.
It was only 13 years ago I had a tape player to rewind back to the bass part, then rewind again, and again and again.. I think generally when you have to work harder for it, you get a better result. Not always of course.
I will say this, the days of people like Stevie Wonder, Prince, Micheal Jackson, etc have long gone. At least in popular music. Its all become watered down somewhat.