kanye throwing a tantrum for not winning an award at the VMA backstage....what a flaker... http://dlisted.com/node/14987
tell that to scott storch or the doctor who gets paid $100k-$250,000 to produce an album...and the mo-fo's do multiple albums a year for many artists...living on palm island with 15 cars and a 65ft sunseeker in the backyard..cmon they dont throw that kind of loot to just anyone....if no talent is needed by all means take the freaken job already.... scott storch .....about 17 mill in 2006 the doctor ...close to 30 mill in 2006... and dont forget timba....30 mill in 2006 and has produced some sick music for justin, fity and the mother bee herself....
Hey Canyon, you have quite a bit more solid musical background than I would ever have, good job. I think back to how the Big Band fans thought that "3 chord Rock and Roll" was just "noice" - and the fact that without that "E" "A" "B" run we would never have heard Chuck Berry in the first place, LOL. I actually think that after learning basic chord structure, that a lot more creativity developed among true artists. Heck, a lot of BB's great stuff is generally pretty easy to play...just not with the soul and the fantastic nuances he exhibits. I played with an extended family garage band during the Summer, really fun, no experts (except for the drummer and the "other" guitar player), so we were able to bang out a bunch of the oldies...I really enjoy that. My "skill" is limited to the guitar. I still have my old Martin D-28 from the 1960's, a couple of Fender strats, and a cool "Alabama Tour" special Epiphone that was given to me at a concert, back stage here in Vegas a few years ago. I don't play that one, of course...might be worth something some day, LOL. Anyway, let's hope those with the real talent persevere and thrive for generations to come. Don
Today's rap artists generally lack the talent needed to pull off much. Without sampling, many of them don't exist. Look at this industry review of Kanye's material: "The College Dropout" and "Late Registration" both relied on Otis-Redding-meets-Alvin-and-the-Chipmunks soul samples. The production on West's latest doesn't just fast forward the past, it also basks in the future-present. He samples French robot duo Daft Punk on "Stronger" (and even goes as far as featuring them in his video) and produces his own space disco beat on "Flashing Lights," a gentle giant of a track that would sound at home in the hippest clubs of Paris or Berlin. My relatives who are heavy in the genre constantly want to listen to my old school to see what they can "Sample." Not recreate, but sample! I have a large mental (and physical) database to draw upon to evidence my statements. When Alicia Keys sang "You Don't Know My Name," I showed my cousins where that sample came from. The same for several Beyonce and Jay Z collaborations. You see I spent a lot of my youth not only with real studies, but also living on "B" sides of hits and albums. eBay is loaded with sample tracks for the would be stars of tomorrow. For $10 (plus shipping) you can buy Timberland, Jay Z and Kanye samples and loops. Some created, others bought for marketing. All electronic and sterile, but in the mode that makes this all cookie cutter. About a month ago I had a lady stop by because she said she was a singer and she heard that I might be able to help her out a bit. I took her into the music room fired up the old Roland and asked her what key she is in. She looked at me like a deer in the headlights. Not unusual, many of these talents have no clue. We found her key and range and then I asked her to warm up with a skat exercise. She asked me what was skat? I told her about Ella and a little history. After teaching her a few scales, she quickly realized that she was really monotone based in all that she did. Sadly though, she tired quickly and we stopped after about an hour of voice and breathing exercises. As she was leaving, she let me know how disappointed she was in what we'd done. She also told me that none of her shows had ever been problematic and that I expected too much of her. In many aspects, arenas and challenges, I think we've dropped the bar too low to allow minimal effort and ability to be mistaken for achievements. And all of this in the interest of allowing "feeling good about the effort" to be the measure of accomplishment. The new measure seems to be, "If you feel good and it feels good, then you've done it." And we are told not to compare because that tears down one or the other. Each is not graded as good or bad, they're just different. That allows us to rank the best out of the worst and call it a milestone. And without an anchor or a starting base, we'll continue to drift in the abyss... And don't worry about the oneupmanship thing, I just want to know that you're out there pitching! No ego issue here. I love it when other brothers are challenging the masses to do better! The claim is that there were (and are) no male, positive role models and images for the youth to have as alternatives. We need to constantly prove that to be a lie!
canyonman, Pretty cool. What that must have been like growing up with all that talent around constantly.
Don, That Epiphone is a true keeper. But it already is worth a ton. Look at those priceless memories of yours! Martin D-28? Date us both there. The acoustic anchor of any great sounding bunch from the past. LOL! My youth was blessed with a ton of experiences, contacts and benefits (read the upcoming book, shameless plug). Many good, many marginal, and some horrific. But music was a real release for me growing up. And the parents and cultural flavors just are a bit of the seasoning that makes the wine great in my latter years. I'm comfortable with BB through Ella. From the Mama's & Papa's to Jimmy Durante. Charlie Pride to the Mitch Miller bunch. And if that isn't scarry enough, I KNOW THE WORDS!! I even remember when William Shantner released his album. That might be considered one of the early precursors to the gangsta offerings of today. Oh God, the mind Races: You'll see green alligators, and long neck geese. Some humpty back camels and some.... If, I, Could, turrrrrrrrn, back the hands of time.... Rammmmmmmmm, Bliiiiiiin, rooooooose. Ramblin rose.... I know a place. Ain't nobody cryin'. Ain't nobody worried. Ain't no smilin' faces.... I really enjoyed meeting you about a year or two (or was it three) ago in Chicago. We must sit down one day and just musically reminisce.
Some more scary stuff...I can still recite Bob Dylan, word for word on many songs from Highway 61 and before. "Once upon a time, you dressed so fine, threw the bums a dime.....Didn't you?" LOL. And, of course many Jimmy Buffett and most Kris Kristofferson songs. Just saw Kris live in Lauglin, all alone with his guitar, no band no special effects except for a power point for some "politcal songs" - here's one (not sure of your feelings about Iraq, but a pretty good song for an old peacenik like Kris. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rxm17Soz3c Old one with Dean Martin. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp7diuCodvE Some random stuff from my Youtube vids. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zms7m3PhgGY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQCRq6Papvs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1G5t31mQt0 One of my all time favorites, seen them a zillion times. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJt86UqHtX8 One of the best guitar players ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngpNzUXO6Lo Ok, don't want to bore you any more - but if you happen to bored, check a couple out - post a couple of your favorites. Getting back to trading, LOL. Don
I'll never forget the day Big Jimmy got tossed out of a Heat game for harassing the REF....he was like 4 rows in front of me and was heckling the ref for a while before getting tossed out on his margarita ass...
And they really were great talents. It was truly an experience to go to sleep with all the live street corner harmony in the basement. Or to wake in the morning to mom hitting the high's (she was a true five octive soprano) of a gospel staple while she made breakfast. My grandparents lived in Gary, two blocks from the Jackson clan. So you know we loved visting them. The musical community was a tight group back in the day. No posse's riding with AK-nuttin's. The community that I grew up in was a major feeder for pro sports also. The little community that I grew up in and the surrunding five ajoining cities was the raising grounds for over 250 pro athletes during my youth. That area lead the nation as the concentration of what was considered talent of all types in the African American community. When you throw on Chicago proper the number is amazing for how many pros are from the 25 mile radius. Back in the day it was nothing to go to the local school yard and share the court with the Chicago Bulls players (they were our cousins and uncles). Down on the baseball field some of the old negro league memories were being shared with the actual players all while a few of the Cubs or Sox players shagged flies with the high school best. Or just the kid from down the street with a glove. And what was real funny to us kids was that there were better players not playing and they were mostly ok with it. The guy at the corner played strikeout after work with the Cub players and struk out half the team. Two Knick players (cousins of the lady at the corner) lost to the local college talent and were sitting on the court sharing a beer with the winners. All while Lou Rawls practiced "Tobacco Road" with his band a few blocks over in the backyard for his upcoming show. Ahhhh, the summer neighborhood memories...Remember that Quincy Jones Guy, his cousins (the Hunts) lived in the house behind my folks and he was in the yard crooning with Wilson Pickett and they played.....