Posts Tagged ‘singing

26
Feb
25

Current Misunderstanding of Music and Talent

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[I know I’m going to sound like a progressive grown-up turning into his parent (if my parents could type this well), but…]

There’s a distinct misunderstanding of musical talent that has become commonplace in recent years…probably since 2008. I’m talking specifically about female singing “talents.” There have been so many sharp rises from YouTube debut to scantily clad stage show that I’ve lost count and have ceased to enjoy most music from female “artists.” I can’t call them artists when they’re parading in their underwear. I could call them runway models…but not artists.

It’s difficult for me to appreciate a woman’s talent(s) when she’s trying to be sexy. That’s also why women have fantasies of sexy utility workers. The former are not interested in the labors of the latter; they’re just starved for sex and crafting fantasies. Well, sexual fantasies may be creative…but they’re not musical talents.

Unfortunately, we are drenched in attractive women, most of which feel the need to perform scantily clad, which pleases the men (and some women…and some in-between) in the audience. But, that doesn’t give me any drive to attend a concert or buy an album. If I’m buying the album to see the most attractive performer, I’m buying an adult magazine…not a record of great music.

What’s even sadder is when performers of a previous generation, someone like Jennifer Lopez or Shakira, who have matured (not aged in some horrifying, miserable way), feel a need to compete with these younger models. Jennifer Lopez is perpetually looking like someone desperate to be told she’d still hot. I’ve never thought she was unattractive…until she looked desperate for attention.

I just saw Shakira at an awards show with her two sons…who are close to teen age…and she’s doing her familiar belly-dancing on stage. You don’t talk about your family and then go do that on stage in front of them. It just feels…wrong. If my mom, who’s not bad looking, got up on stage and did that…I’d be nauseous if not also confused. [It also would have been nice to hear Shakira sing in English after giving her acceptance speech in English, but…]

If you’re concerned about the competition or no longer being considered attractive, you can take a big sigh of relief because I still think you’re hot. But, trying to be like these younger gals…is not smart. Followers are never trendsetters…they’re just the confetti left behind the parade. Even if you’re not so unique that you shine like the brightest star, you’re still good for who and what you are.

[I know Shakira is an Aquarius, and that often means she’s concerned about being compared to others. Aquarius types want to stand out and be unique. If you tell an Aquarius woman she reminds you of someone, she may get annoyed. Well, you’re not being unique dancing in your underwear and shaking your hips on stage, and that’s not making me interested in your music, which you’re promoting. Honestly, I find Shakira more attractive than talented because I have yet to see past her stunning face, even if I do hear beauty in her voice. I’ve struggled to understand most of her songs; so it’s hard to appreciate the music.]

I thought we were making progress in how we identify and respect all genders, including women. I thought women were finally supposed to get respect and equal billing. How does performing in your underwear and posing for similar photos achieve that?

[Let me sidestep to address one other performer in particular, Taylor Swift. Now, I’ve seen her wear some odd and occasionally skimpy outfits. But, more often, she performs with class. She also has that crazy way of crafting with numbers, often related to her birthday. If anyone is an artist, it’s her. I just don’t care for much of her music because…well…you know. ‘So many bad relationship songs. There ARE other things to sing about (than just your latest ex). And, no matter what anyone else says, I think she’s a little young to be doing a tour of eras. That sounds like something Cher kept saying she was going to do closer to retirement, not when she’s hosting a TV show with Sonny Bono.]

You’d think all of these smart, talented women would grasp this concept. [You’d also think, after so many years, some other “artists” in other music styles would give up singing about drugs, alcohol and wealth to stop people from submitting to crime, both sexual and financial, as well as other bad habits.]

I’m sorry, ladies. Many of you are very attractive…but you’re not artists worthy of any trophy…unless you’re competing for Miss Universe or the front cover of Victoria Secret’s catalog.

Mic drop.

17
Apr
19

Who Makes a Better Jerrica Benton?

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Who makes a better Jerrica Benton, from the 1980s Jem cartoon, if she was converted into a better live-action movie figure than the poor attempt made a few years ago? Taylor Swift or her “bad blood” rival Katy Perry?

Isn’t it ironic those two would even suggest such a thing as bad blood between them? Which only emphasizes my question and thoughts on the matter.

Now, you take Tay Swift. She’s got the height. She’s got the grace. She’s got blonde hair, even if it’s not that pale, buttery blonde Jerrica sports. But, if I had to pick a singer to match up with Jerrica Benton, in terms of behavior and appearance, I’d favor Taylor Swift. Jerrica’s wardrobe/style suits Tay. And, you see how Tay likes to fly around the world doing good deeds, sort of like Jerrica always looking for some charity to support. [While Katy is better known for kissing just about every guy you’d think was unworthy of her.]

…Then you listen to some of Katy Perry’s songs on One of the Boys album. And, I kid you not; she sounds like Jem’s singing voice (which, if you didn’t know, was not the same voice used for Jem/Jerrica dialogue). Not to mention, some of the songs would rock a Jem movie soundtrack. I get little glimpses of the Jem cartoon opening blended with a sort of music video when I listen to Katy sing. And, if you look at the piece of photo-manipulation I recently made, you can see how Katy’s face matches up with the Jerrica doll box art; I didn’t have to do much to make a photo fit. [With a rare photo of Taylor Swift that was lit well enough to fit the cartoon image on the right, I still had to do some airbrushing and blending to make the two work together.] But…Katy is a bit moody and reckless, at times, which reminds me of Pizzazz from the Misfits. [Jerrica would never pierce her nose. But, Pizzazz might…and Katy has worn a–bleh.]

So, what I am thinking…is maybe Tay plays Jerrica/Jem, and Katy plays Pizzazz. Tay has the natural beauty, grace and gentle demeanor. But…Katy has the right vocals for Jem’s singing voice, can probably rock any makeup combo a Jem character requires and morph her whole appearance to match…

Urgh. What do you think?whomakesabetterjerrricabenton-taylorswift-or-katyperry-looks-versus-vocals_jem-photo-fusion-ap-CSPP-1

25
Jan
19

Perform Yourself! Background Dancers Suck.

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Have I mentioned how background dancers annoy me? I’m quite sure this isn’t the first time I’ve felt the need to spout off about them. Cool as they may try to be, pretty as some may be, what sense do they make? And, when did this become a contageous problem? What ever happened to performers having to stop their show to get extra people off the stage?

If someone I genuinely like to hear sing has background dancers, I am inclined to turn away. I just can’t stand them nor can I understand the point of them.

If I want to watch people dance, I’ll go to a ballroom or buy a ticket to some bigger production with sole focus on dancing to music.

If someone giving a speech had a bunch of people shaking their butts next to the podium, would that make you like the orator more? Would you even hear most of what he or she says? And, what would the dancers be “saying” to enhance the speech?

I can just see a priest giving his Sunday sermon with a “choir” of dancers moving around him. I am so sure people coming to pray and hear “the good word” would appreciate that performance. I am also sure more people would be talking about the dancers than the sermon itself…which is so wrong.

I am not a fan of rap. And, if a rapper–who tries to recite a novel in a matter of minutes–has background dancers, I am not going to grasp an ounce of the “gold” they are supposedly spewing. And, I am certainly not going to buy their albums…because no magic is going to reproduce the dancing balloon butts that stole my focus…unless we’re talking about holograms. But, then, am I buying a hologram projection of pop-o-matic butt action or music I care to hear in the background of my life?

A half-dozen or more Magic-Mike-and-Ike extras are not an improvement to anyone’s performance…with the small exception of being a sports star with his or her own entourage of cheerleaders. And, even that would be distracting.

In fact, if you are dictionary-challenged, the definition of “distraction” includes a stage and a performer outnumbered by people doing something other than what the performer is doing.

[It’s like playing a video game with cheerleaders or spectators choosing to walk in front of the TV screen. How am I supposed to see what I am doing? How am I supposed to concentrate while you think you are boosting my morale? I don’t even like people talking while I am focusing on a video game; it’s very distracting. And, I only get more stressed out and upset when I lose while distracted versus losing from my own lack of skill. I cannot talk and play. So, don’t talk while I am playing…unless we’re both playing and it’s a silly game meant to be fun.

I really miss the old Atari days of two people sitting to play a simple game for points. The games never demanded more than maybe ten minutes apiece, even if you played more than a dozen games and burned through a few hours. No codes or other devices were required. And, the games were nowhere near as violent as too many modern street-crime and warfront simulators are. The concern for warping minds was nothing compared to what it is now. But, I am drifting off the subject.]

**If background dancers need to share the stage, how about having them introduce an act or follow a performance like an intermission? That would actually enhance a performer’s appeal. Make the background a foreground or aftershock to keep the good vibes going. Don’t overlap talents…if that can even be called a talent.**

Back in the day of the sequin-gloved superstar known as Michael Jackson, before things got really sad and weird with him, turning that high-voiced little black boy into a pale, disfigured scapegoat, if he had other dancers with him on stage, they moved like a unit. Or, it was more like a musical with various people doing different things on one stage. But, I cannot recall ever feeling as distracted and annoyed as I am now. I remember watching Lionel Ritchie videos, with so many colorful people moving around him, and not feeling nearly as bothered as I am, today.

[However, I was never a fan of collaborations like Run DMC and Aerosmith. It was fun for lip-synching at talent shows. But, I did not enjoy listening to that noise as much as I favored Billy Joel or Huey Lewis and the News.]

There is just something different about this modern plague of background dancers that makes me want to scream.

If you’re the main attraction on a stage, own it. Don’t share it (unless it’s a duet/group performance). And, let the “sideshow” lead the parade or cover your exit.




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