By FAYETTE (205.188.209.38) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 02:39 pm:

CAN YOU NAME A SINGER(MALEOR FEMALE)OR GROUP
THAT WILL BE ON THE MUSIC SCENE FOR A LONG TIME.
AND NAME THE SINGER THAT WILL BE HERE FOR AS
LONG AS THEIR SONG'S A HIT AND GONE FROM PUBLIC
FOCUS.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.10) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 02:57 pm:

The accursed "boy bands" will be round forever. As they're all apparently cloned from the same plastic dolls, no-one will notice any personnel or name changes.

By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 03:17 pm:

Celine or Shania,

By Horse (159.53.32.41) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 03:18 pm:

The latter question:

Nora Jones

By Nish (66.119.33.170) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 03:19 pm:

Actually, the intuitive thing to say is "not many" but in analyzing it further, today's stars (using the term loosely) do a lot to stay in the spotlight, from acting, singing, making cameo appearances, etc. And the standard for longevity has gone down. So, all in all, I can actually envision Destiny's Child, Ashanti, Britney, etc. in this thing for a long time. I mean, I would never in a million years think someone with such marginal talent as Madonna would last 20 years, and look at what we have.

That's just me.

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 03:29 pm:

IF THEY CONTINUE TO GET GOOD MATERIAL AND DON'T GET BIGHEADED I THINK THAT [DESTINY'S CHILD]COULD BE AROUND FOR AWHILE,BUT THEN I THOUGHT THE SAME THING ABOUT EN VOUGE A FEW YEARS AGO{REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE BEING CALLED THE LATTER DAY MARVELETTES]AND LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM.GROUPS JUST DON'T STAY TOGETHER THESE DAYS,AS SOON AS MOST OF THEM HAVE A FEW HITS THE LEAD SINGER STARTS TO THINKING THAT HE OR SHE IS GOD'S GIFT TO MUSIC AND THAT'S THE END OF THE GROUP,THEY SEEM TO LEARN NOTHING FROM HISTORY.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 04:53 pm:

As long as the artist grows and incorporates their life's experiences into their music, their "shelf life" may last for many years. Natalie Cole, Prince, Madonna, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Brian McKnight, Aretha Franklin, U2 and Bruce Springsteen are modern-day pop music examples.

Even Justin Timberlake of 'NSYNC realized his need to grow & expand early this year which is why his solo album sounds so different than the "boy-band-bubblegum" he was spitting out for so long. His album draws from his admiration and love of R&B and Soul. Does that make his as soulful as Stevie, Marvin or even Usher? No. But I give him credit for going his own way.

I think Norah Jones has a shot at growth & longevity as long as she sticks to finding great songs and putting her own stamp on them (and having a fine producer like Arif Mardin behind the boards doesn't hurt either).

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By john dixon (205.188.209.38) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 12:09 am:

I will stick up for Norah Jones even though I felt, like most, that she was over Grammy'd. I don't own her CD but her understated jazzy vocal style and accompaniment certainly makes her the the anti-Britney, the anti-Mariah, and for that alone, she gets major points in my book.
The fact that she broke through commercially by word of mouth without radio help is encouraging. Only after she went platinum did radio begrudgingly play the single. Combine her commercial success and subsequent armful of Grammys with last years' "O Brother Where Art Thou"-similar win without any radio support and it's possible to discern evidence that people are thinking outside the box a little more and less compliant with what big bland radio has decided fits into their formula and is thereby suitable for mass consumption.

By Fred (205.188.209.38) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 12:32 am:

I think Norah Jones has all the makings of a long term fixture. She doesn't rely on her own songwriting, or tricked up recording, or any stage gimmicks. The word is that she purposely downplayed her keyboard work on the CD and has some amazing chops she hasn't shown yet.

Will she fill arenas? No. Will she work steadily? You bet. She's got Blue Note behind her who will put out everything she records for decades, even if it only sells 50,000 a pop. She will probably be getting jazz Grammys for years to come.

And don't discount genetics. Her dad knows something about the long run. Some cat named Ravi Shankar.

On the other hand, Vanessa Carlton and John Mayer don't show me much to bet on longevity.

By fayette (205.188.209.38) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 05:21 am:

what do you guys think about india arie.
there's something about her remind me of
roberta flack.i think she may have staying power
in a low key kind of way

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 05:49 am:

I must be getting out of touch. I have to admit, I hadn't heard of Norah Jones before the Grammy winners were announced. What am I missing? AM I missing something here?

By Uptight! (24.55.6.144) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 06:03 am:

Fayette: Agreed, India.arie seems like she would have that staying power--in a low-key way. I think she finds a modest demeanor appeals to a lot of folks.

Ritchie: I had only heard Norah Jones' song a few times on radio and MTV (of all places) in the last month. Talk about low-key.

By stephanie (205.187.255.199) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 07:42 am:

India Arie will be around for a long time she has a devoted fan base and thats better than millions of records and no job tomorrow..Steph

By Horse (159.53.238.243) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 09:20 am:

Only Time Will Tell. But with the Nora thing, I'm not to hip on ONLY doing covers. And not only does her dad know something about the business, but also A LOT Of PEOPLE in the business. I really don't hear her as a "JAZZ" artist just because she might cover a tune in that genre. I think she's just quirky and that's the flavor of the month. It doesn't really hurt that Arif was involved either. As a pianist/vocalist I'll take Diana Krall due to her stronger rooted self. It's just that everyone is tired of the Brittany type thing and Nora is a fresh new "YOUNG" face. But in actuality, she's not all that heavy. I would lay odds to anyone regarding her level of longevity or innovative success.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 10:57 am:

If I had my choice between Norah and Diana Krall I'd take Miss Jones anyday. Diana started out on a strong note with her first album but fell into a mushy trap of ballads with too many heavy strings for my taste. Norah at least employs the KISS theory - Keep It Simple, Stupid - with her arrangements and singing.

As far as marketing, Blue Note was smart to cross-market Norah from the get-go, placing her CDs in Pop, Rock & Jazz Vocal departments in record stores across the country (here in NYC, her CDs are found in both the Vocal and Pop/Rock areas). At least the label knew that limited marketing meant limited exposure.

Also, I dig the fact that Norah's success was the result of, among other things, her constant gigging and word of mouth (with some help from a few jazz-based radio stations). When radio companies like Clear Channel realized that she was selling thousands of CDs a week without their help (or rather without Blue Note paying off anyone in their company), they started playing "Don't Know Why" to save face. Now THAT'S what I call bringing corporate radio to its knees!

Finally, I disagree with Horse's assesment that "everyone is tired of the Britney-type thing and Norah's a fresh new 'young' face." That's like comparing apples to oranges. Britney has her audience and will continue to sell records to her young fans. Norah has her own audience (adults who wouldn't touch a Britney CD unless it's for their children)and she will continue to sell to them as well.

Norah definitely has a shot at longevity as long as she sticks to her strengths and continue to grow as an artist as well as with her audience.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.96.67) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 11:27 am:

Norah is a breath of fresh air.

To be honest, I didn't think there wasn't a heck of a lot else worth voting for besides our Funks, Dolly Parton and Nickel Creek which is probably why her CD won 7 Grammys instead of just a couple. I was pleased to see that she pretty obviously wasn't letting it go to her head.

By cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 11:30 am:

After that performance at the Grammy's I would have to say that Ashanti's days are numbered. Norah Jones and possibly John Mayer will be around (although I wish he would stop singing in that affected voice.)

All the greats who had the ability to stay around could perform their music live and thereby guarantee that their music would survive in the hearts and minds of the public. A lot of people make fun of Cher but that diva had a hit in 1965 and last year still came up with a Gold album and a #1 Dance hit, 37 YEARS LATER!!! That is longevity!

And then there is the Queen, Aretha. Now she may have been dressed at the Grammy's as though she was the Queen of Bed, Bath and Beyond (LOL!!)but that legendary lady at 62 has unquestionably lasted. This appeared in Liz Smith's column today:

"Finally, there was Aretha, the Queen herself. Dressed in elegant black satin, dripping in diamonds, her hair snatched up and topped with an amusing volcano of feathers, this titan of soul was on fire with "It's My Turn." She ripped into "Chain of Fools" as if she were singing it for the very first time. When it ended, with all the performers up on the stage jamming with Aretha, you knew you'd been entertained"

You go girl!
Michael

By Common (209.2.55.168) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 12:34 pm:

"The Queen of Bed, Bath & Beyond.." LOLOLOL! You ain't right, Cleo! LOL! I love her but sometimes, Ree's taste in clothes can leave one, shall we say, speechless?! LOL! But she's still the Queen, no buts, ifs, ands about it! :o)

By Eli (151.197.5.69) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 12:51 pm:

Personally speaking and in my opinion, there are no current "artists" who's faces will be emblazoned onto"Mount Rushmore" so to speak.
I am no prophet butI think that the days of Britney have passed and N'sync are out of sync.
Ashanti "sings" so flat that it was torturous.
Ja Rule sounds like a broken foghorn. He could have been on the intro to Sea Cruise!
That whole Murder Inc. thing is questionable.

Alicia Keys, last years darling. Overrated at best.
Lauren Hill???????

India Arie has a shot.She can relate to the average Jane.

Bruce Lundvall at Blue Note, whom I know very well is a class act and I am happy for him and his staff for the Norah Jones success.

By douglasm (68.113.15.28) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 01:09 pm:

Hard to tell. When i go back to my youth 30 years ago--well, maybe 40--and think of the folks who we thought then would last a long time, it's hard to predict just who will still be popular 10 or 15 years from now. Cher and The Rolling Stones are the only two that I can think of that have spanned 3+ decades continuously churning out popular records, although there are probably others.

By cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 01:24 pm:

Eli:

I agree with you and especially about Alicia Keys. Although she has talent I believe her success has more to do with Clive Davis's publicity skills more than anything else (it is a shame he can't do the same for Deborah Cox, who is wonderful). Last year I was at a singer's night that BB King's in New York used to have every week. During this night, singers of New York theatre and Broadway fame put on a show. On this particular night I was sitting at a table near Alicia Key's mother who was giving a run down of her accomplishments and what she was about to do. As she was doing this, a video came on of the great Broadway diva Lilias White (who had done a few songs at the club a couple of weeks before) singing Alicia's song Fallin. Lilias sang the song into the next life. The entire room stopped and stared at the video and when it finished broke into applause and amens. It was then I realized the difference between greatness and amplified talent.

By fayette (205.188.209.38) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 03:09 pm:

in my opinion i think india arie is more talented
than alicia keys. keys may have the advantage
glamour wise. but india is beautiful in her way.
i hope she makes it for the long haul.

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 04:24 pm:

REGARDING NORA JONES FATHER...RAVI SHANKAR!!!...HE REALLY HAS HAD LITTLE OR NO IMPACT ON HER CAREER...SINCE HE HASN'T SEEN HER FOR OVER 10 YEARS!!!...STU

By rhythmqueen (199.180.18.5) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 06:46 pm:

I must agree with Eli. Alicia Keys album wasn't that good and was severely overrated. As for Miss Aretha, she subtely let them know from her short little R-E-S-P-E-C-T that she still has it going on. They should've let her and Bonnie Raitt (whom I got to see this summer--she rocked) perform. They can still run circles around the new kids and sound alot better.
I can't believe they let No Doubt and Avril perform--neither one impressed me--no doubt...
There's still alot to be said about raw talent...

By Eli (151.197.38.83) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 07:49 pm:

The four stages of an "artists" career:

1.Who's Alicia Keys
2.Get me Alicia Keys
3.Get me a young Alicia Keys
4.Who's Alicia Keys


NUFF SAID

By Nish (216.148.244.38) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 10:00 pm:

Eli - HAHAHAHAHA! Sad but true!

I LOVE Norah Jones' album. I had a great feeling about her from day one, and her album didn't disappoint me. Her simple songs and different voice remind me of a heady mixture of Phoebe Snow, Dusty S., and a jazz chanteuse (not any particular one). I don't think she'll necessarily be a "star" but more like an acclaimed long time artist. Kind of like how Angela Bofill isn't a star, but she is an acclaimed artist who regularly churns out great music.

Although she's not in any popular genre, I think Bebel Gilberto is a GREAT artist who should be around for a long time. Her "tanto tempo" cd is fantastic, and it has the perfect balance between classic bossa nova and electronica.

Jill Scott is okay, she might be around.

Alicia - Nah.

By Eli (151.197.39.96) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 11:22 pm:

Alicia K.... Woman or "man"....
inquiring minds want to know????
Women do not sit as she does nor stand as she does.
Just a thought..nothing else.

By StingBeeLee (155.139.50.14) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 12:33 pm:

What I don't understand, concerning Lauren Hill and A. Keys, is why they wait to put out another album? Norah Jones is already working on her next album. That's one of the keys to longevity, to try to stay in the public's eye. There is always someone younger and hungrier ready to take your place. You got to ride that horse while it's up and running.
I would put out an album at least once every 18 months. And Aretha always shows em who's the queen, on the VH1 divas special, some (Celine Dion) tried to challenge her and she turned into Tyrannosaurus Rex and started devouring the junior devettes.

By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 12:52 pm:

Eli...you never cease to amaze ! I'll just say..."good observation". (LOL)

WRT Lauryn Hill...after her "ghost writers" sued following the release and success of "The Miseducation....", Ms. Hill seemed to develop a case of writer's block and album #2 was much delayed. (Another one of those "things that make you go hmmmm........")

By fayette (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 05:09 pm:

maybe we should all give alicia keys posture
lessons hmmmmmmm.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 07:18 pm:

Hey Gang:
Lauryn Hill did come out with a live double CD of new material from her appearance on MTV Unplugged last year. The CD sold quickly until folks realized that she wasn't of strong voice on the album and she rambled too much in between songs (never mind the tunes were mostly improvised pieces she was making up on the fly). From what I was told at the time from some colleagues at Sony Music, Lauryn was going throug some heavy personal problems with her significant other (Rashan Marley, Bob's son). Hopefully she'll get herself together to make a new studio album (with no ghost-writers...).

As for Alicia Keys, she needs to stop strutting around like she has something important to say and just make another album. Her posturing at the Grammys was so unnecessary (so much so that one of the crew members in the pit was caught on camera telling her that she had 20 seconds to wrap up her announcing the nominees for best new artist). I really thought she had some promise but now I can't wait for James Brown & Betty Newsome to sue her pretty little a-- for copping "It's A Man's Man's Man's World" on her song "Fallin'" (don't believe me? - listen closely to the chord changes on the verses of "It's A Man's...World" and the ones on "Fallin'" - I rest my case).
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 08:24 pm:

KevGo.....Alicia appeared at the most recent Essence Music Festival and (so I was told) was doing that same posturing & urging the crowd on. While trying to hype the crowd....she said she'd never heard/felt XXXXXX thousand people yelling "for her". A lady down front screamed..."And you won't !!" (And as usual...Frankie Beverly and turned it out !)

By Eli (151.197.5.16) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 11:10 am:

It's a MAN'S world, hmmmmm??? See, I told y'all.
Talk to the hand!!!!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 01:05 pm:

Hey, Bobby:
To think...it was Ronald Isley who first spotted the similarities between "Fallin" and "It's A Man's World." I hope the Godfather has a damn good lawyer...
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.101) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 01:36 pm:

Hey, the Godfather has been known to misappropriate the occasional tune from the likes of the Isleys or even David Bowie, too. Although I will agree that the ledgers are tilted strongly towards people owing him rather than him owing people.

Grammys & longevity of public success do not necessarily go hand in hand (ask Christopher Cross), but I hope Norah keeps it together and keeps pushing herself creatively. She can sing and play, which puts her two up on a lot of the other big name folks in music today.

Bob's mention of Nickel Creek does make me ponder whether or not these "newgrass" artists are music's (and especially musicians') best hope for the future. A Jazz revival would be nice, too.

Regards,
Ken

By Horse (159.53.238.243) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 03:29 pm:

Eli,

You've got it right regarding the rushmore thing. The roots just aren't there to draw from. It's only good because we've been told it's good and nothing heavier is being offered. I appreciate your honesty and straight forwardness. There are few people with even balls to tell it like it is. If the industry was ran that way, we wouldn't have half the shit crammed down our ears. There are leaders and there are followers.

Peace

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 04:18 pm:

Hey Folks:
Speaking of those with longevity, check out this article on Daryl Hall & John Oates from the NY Daily News.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/story/63138p-58901c.html

By Steve LItos (209.100.86.4) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 04:50 pm:

Horse- The Norah Jones CD has a mix of a couple of covers, a couple of self-penned songs, and the majority of the songs were written by members of her band (They played on the album tracks). It's not a "covers" album, but they are new songs not written by Norah Jones.

By cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 05:34 pm:

I work some very young people and they go on and on about American Idol. One day I got a bit tired of the discussion and said to them, "Do you think these people are stars?" The answer, of course was yes. I then said, "Where is the "new" Aretha, James Taylor, David Ruffin, Anita Baker, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Nancy Wilson, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Marvin Gaye, Elton John, Cher, Diana Ross, Jimmy Scott, Al Green, Luther Vandross?" Their answer was that I was an old fogie and living in the past. I drew in a breath and said, "Yes, I would rather LIVE with these people in the past than merely exist wit the plastic so called stars of today.

By Loveunlimited (65.238.58.105) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 06:32 pm:

Old foggie and glad of it. When I listen (try to) to todays crop of singers....YIKES! Few have a "voice", can't stay on "pitch" and either whisper or whine. Hmmm. Give me the good old Motown, Wall of Sound, Stax, etc. days.

By Nish (66.119.34.39) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 06:33 pm:

Well, at 22, I must be an old fogie, too, because I'd much rather listen to the people you've mentioned rather than these no-talent-havin scam artists of today.

By FAYETTE (64.12.97.7) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 06:47 pm:

HAVE YOU ALL NOTICED THAT ALL THE FEMALE
SINGERS OF TODAY HAVE A JANET JACKSON TYPE
VOICE?????

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 06:49 pm:

Cleo/Michael:
Just think, those who called you an old fogie today will have the next generation call them the same.
It just goes to show what a lot of today's kids have missed (or have chosen to miss) the great stuff we had and STILL have to listen to.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.200.153) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 07:52 pm:

I hate to say it but all the bad-mouthing of todays music sounds exactly like the bad mouthing we got as the first generation of rock and roll musicians in the late 50s. The musicians and adults constantly shot us down every chance they got!!
Music tastes change and young people like their OWN music just like we liked our own music.They don't care about quality,they like the beat or the tune,just like we did at their age.

Don't get me wrong as I am just as unhappy with most of the crap I hear like everyone else.
The thing is my ears can still hear the insults we received,so I'm very tolerant of young peoples taste in the music of today!! I just don't care for most of it

Lynn
P.S.My hand still shoots out like a bullet to change to a blues or jazz station,if I hear what sounds like a top 40 station!!

By fayette (152.163.188.68) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 08:00 pm:

i noticed a lot of younger people listen to
different types of music. i have a 14 year old
nephew that listens to louis armstrong's
WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD, and i can bearly
remember that song myself.hmmmmmmmmmmm

By DF (24.168.8.162) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 08:27 pm:

Norah Jones = The end of Dianne Reeves at Blue Note. Dianne's Sarah Vaughn Tribute album was hated by Blue Note (the label would not back it!). Word is is that Blue Note wanted producer Billy Childs to submit a demo (what an insult--Billy's a legend on the jazz scene). When the album won the Grammy, Blue Note could have cared less.

Alicia Keys. Since she was hyped as this great musician, I thought her album would have heavyweight studio players like Steve Gadd, Anthony Jackson, Ray Chew, Victor Bailey, etc. I thought it would have some real musicianship What came out was a disappointing album of synth hip hop beats and simple keyboard fills.

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 08:31 pm:

Lynn,

I understand what your saying about the reaction to the "new" sound during the fiftys. However, where are the strong hooks with the great melody lines in todays' music. To many of todays singers are much to busy trying to blow their wad trying to sing licks all over the song to the point of trashing what little of a lame melody the song had in the first place. Half the songs don't even have a bridge or b-section to create a build which would result in a release from the hook. That's what tugs at the heart. To many emulaters and not enough heart to carry the story and emotion of the song. The shittier the music gets, the weaker the roots are going to be to draw from. And that has become very evident. That's why your hand shoots out like a bullet to run from the "pop" radio stations. Your simply not being moved because your roots are much deeper my friend.

Peace
Horse

By FAYETTE (152.163.188.68) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 08:41 pm:

HORSE I AGREE. ALL THE SINGER SOUND ALIKE.
FEMALES SOUND ALIKE MALES SOUND ALIKE.
THERE ARE A FEW THAT CAN HOLD THEIR OWN THOUGH
ROBERTA FLACK=INDIA ARIE
JAMES BROWN=MYSTIKAL
MARVIN GAYE=USHER
BILLIE HOLIDAY=ERYKAH BADU
MINNER RIPPERTON=MARIAH CAREY

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.200.153) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 09:08 pm:

Horse, what you posted is "right on the money" how I think about todays situation in popular music(i.e.top 40).

The next Berry Gordy or Phil Spector is going to be the person that can get all the things you said plus a way to make it sound new and hip to young ears!!!

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 09:16 pm:

Amen Lynn..!
Godspeed..!

By LTLFTC (12.210.76.205) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 09:37 pm:

The bottom line is , regardless of the quality/content etc of Norah Jones' music ; if she looked like , I dunno , Ethel Mertz or whoever she'd probably be another anonymous coffehouse singer we'd never heard of.

SteveK

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 09:43 pm:

HEY STEVE: WHATS WRONG WITH THE VIVACIOUS VIVIAN VANCE...AKA...ETHYL MERTZ???...SHE WAS A FOX IN HER DAY...AND WAS ALWAYS JEALOUS OF LUCY GETTING THE "GLAMOUR" PART!!!...JU GOT SOME SPLAINING TO DOO!!!...STU

By LTLFTC (12.210.76.205) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 09:47 pm:

Yeah ,Stu , you're right on the moola. Ethel was a bad choice.....butcha get my drift.

SteveK

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 09:51 pm:

STEVE: NOW *FRED* MERTZ WOULD BE MORE LIKE IT...PLUS...HE WAS A MEAN...SARCASTIC...ALCOHOLIC...UNPOPULAR MORON!!!...WILLIAM FRAWLEY...RIP!!!...STU

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 09:57 pm:

Stu,

You are Cracked..!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 10:00 pm:

Folks:
While we're on the subject of talent and what is out there for us (and what isn't), I posted an outgoing letter I prepared for a record label I'm launching in a few weeks. Rather than cutting and pasting it again, I offer this summary.

In a few days, I'll be sending out promotional copies of a sampler from my label, LIBRA RECORDS LLC. Libra Records is an independent company that is driven to create, sell and market soul, jazz & pop music for the adult audience. Our goal is to return to the basics of music creation � talent (from singing to instrumentalists), strong songwriting that tells a story, musicianship with instruments (NO SAMPLES ALLOWED), creative arrangements and melodies that grab the listener�s ears and keeps their attention. In addition, our artists will perform live shows in a manner that is professional, classy and entertaining.

So far, I have three acts on my roster - The Walker Project (contemporary jazz), Kim Smalls (R&B) and Sacha (jazz/pop/Carribean) - and in the process of forming a partnership with trumpeter/arranger Harold Everton for him to produce/write material for my artists. I'm also launching a publishing company that will circulate songs within the industry for artists to record. Brunswick Records will distribute my label.

After being in the biz for 20 years (radio, retail and labels) it's time to the money where my mouth is. If anyone is interested in a sampler please email me your address at kevingoins@juno.com.

Thank you,
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 10:05 pm:

KEV: AS WE'VE ALL SAID BEFORE...YOU GO FOR IT GUY!!!...I'M CONVINCED THAT YOU'VE GOT YOUR S#!% TOGETHER...AND I'M CERTAIN THAT THE "MUSIC GODS" WILL SURELY SMILE DOWN ON YOU!!!...GOOD LUCK!!!...STU

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 10:06 pm:

Kev,
It sounds great, I wish you the best of luck in your endevour to bring a new light to the industry. Thanks for sharing your vision.

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 10:14 pm:

HORSE: CRACKED YOU SAY!!!...AS IN...DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YA...WHERE THE GOOD LORD SPLIT YA!!!...STU

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 12:00 am:

Ok.....Here's a thought:
Listen to Norah's cut of The Nearness Of You.
Bottom Line....Sounds like a Drunk Carol Channing.

By IrvingtonGroove (12.22.43.240) on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 01:09 am:

hi folks. can i add my two cents here? let's face it, there's a big difference between talent and production. Production techniques have come so far since the heyday of Detroit Soul. ANYBODY can be made into talent -- that's why we have so many soundalike but glamourous singers. I mean, Madonna is a good example of somebody who really can't sing live -- she has to be 64 tracked! Yet she isn't just successful - but a staple at this point (yuch!). They are literally punching in vocals note by note!

By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 01:53 am:

IRVINGTON GROOVE: YOU'RE SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT...I'VE SEEN THE PUNCHES HAPPEN..."AD NAUSEUM"!!!...THATS WHY WE HAVE SUCH "STERILE" SOUNDING MATERIAL COMING OUT OF MANY MAJOR RECORDING VENUES!!!...BUT THERE IS STILL YOUNG TALENT OUT THERE...AND HOPEFULLY...MOST WONT GET RUINED BY AN INDUSTRY THAT WOULD SUBVERT THEIR NATURAL TALENT FOR THE EXPIEDIENCY OF PUTTING OUT A FORMULATED PRODUCT!!!...STU

By FAYETTE (152.163.188.68) on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 09:35 am:

STUBASS IS SUCH A WISE MAN

By Scratcher (65.132.78.233) on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 10:34 am:

Punching in the vocals "note-by-note" of some singers by some producers is nothing new.

By john dixon (205.188.209.38) on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 10:43 am:

Irvington Groove & Stu, you are both so right and a perfect example of that is Faith Hill's performance on the Grammys the other night. She could not hit the notes of her Grammy award-winning song and at one point mid-song tried taking the whole performance down to a lower key and lost the tempo the band had set in the process. I was so embarrassed for her that I muted the sound for a bit; her face looked pained and it was painful to watch. Faith, and this goes for all those drop dead beautiful singers with moderate vocal chops, should be careful in the song selection process to pick songs IN THEIR RANGE. Because, for Faith and the song in question, "Cry", with punch-ins you'll eventually get it just right in the studio, but if, as intended, the song is a hit, then you've got to reproduce that performance live for tv and concert appearance, setting up a rather pathetic spectacle for everyone to witness if you can't actually sing the song without studio trickery.

By Eli (151.197.38.173) on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 12:10 pm:

Throughout my quest, I can truly say that my musical journey has been an enigmatic one.
I have gone from one extreme to another in one single bound.
I have worked with some of the greatest singers of all time and have also worked with novices
who have no experience whatsover.
It gives me pleasure to give life to new music and to help the younger people fulfill their dream.

On the other side of the coin, I have been talking to Jimmy Scott about the posibility of going into the studio. H e told me that he wants to record Love wont let me wait as well as several new ones written just for him.

Music is truly the Universal Language of all souls.

By rhythmqueen (12.64.60.139) on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 12:28 am:

I must agree with what Nish was saying a few lines up. I'm in the younger crowd and I would much rather listen to classic R&B than today's music. The majority of my repertoire consists more of the 60s R&B than any other genre. I think the current stuff is for face value and is very superficial--no roots (restating the above),

John D. as for Faith's live Grammy performance--she was drunk---bottom line. And if you saw any of the other performers--No Doubt and Avril were the same way.

Sheryl Crow and James Taylor were were among the few that sound like their CDs.

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 12:39 am:

Stu,

No....Cracked as in "defective", in a sort of humorous kinda way..! and pretty quick witted too..! But that's what makes yourself sooooo cool..! ( even if you don't dig Michael Jackson)