Us Soul - Is It Over?

[Guest JJMMWGDuPree]

Let's face it, most artists are only in it for the money. If they can make it doing what they really want to do then they're dead lucky, most major artists will, on the quiet, admit that they hate their biggest hits, and that covers artists from Robbie Williams to Frank Sinatra to Mary J. Blige (No, before anyone asks, I've not spoken to any of them, just heard stuff 3rd or 4th hand... ).

The trouble is that what's popular is now decided by people studying computer printouts. No one's prepared to take a chance on anything different without some kind of guarantee, and that's where Britain actually has an advantage by being tiny and overcrowded. It's comparatively easy for an artist to break out over here. It would only take a few months hard labour to get yourself known over the whole country, who can then decide for themselves if you're worthy of 'the buzz'. The whole of the United States only has 5 times our population. To create a similar buzz from nowhere is pretty much impossible. Certainly you can get lucky, but by and large guys looking at spreadsheets are looking for more of what sold yesterday rather than what just might sell tomorrow.

At this point I'd say "Let's hear it for Daptone!" for holding the torch for small indie labels in the states.

[Corbett80]

Did anyone see Winehouse on the Brits last night? Utterly deplorable. Couldn't understand a word she 'sang', she bumbled and tottered around the stage like some sort of pissed aunt and generally did herself no favours. In fact she thoroughly insulted a very good backing band with her crapness. The poor love.

'At this point I'd say "Let's hear it for Daptone!" for holding the torch for small indie labels in the states.'

Ab-soul-utely!