The Singer or the Song?

After writing yesterday's post, I started to think about the singer and/or the song. Which is more important? Can a well written song bring a not so great singer to another level? Can an amazing singer lift up a poorly written song? Is it a case of chicken and egg?

In any case, pondering those questions reminded me of a great musical experience I had a few years back. My husband works for a music company that works with the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, so we were invited to attend a benefit they were having featuring singers and songwriters of famous 80s hits. Each singer/songwriter was going to discuss how they wrote their most famous song of the decade and then sing it. After a round robin, they would discuss a famous 80s song they wish they'd written, and then sing that. The panel consisted of Cy Curnin from The Fixx, Patty Smyth from Scandal, Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian from The Hooters, Desmond Child, and Cyndi Lauper. The event was hosted by Rob Thomas.

I wish I could remember all the details of that night. What I remember most is how passionately they spoke about songwriting, about the feeling they got when they made the connection and knew the song was good. They were proud of their work, but not in a boastful way. It resonated with them that people still remembered and enjoyed their work, and seeing them perform songs like "One Thing Leads to Another," "The Warrior," "All You Zombies" and "She-Bop" in an acoustic setting was fantastic.

The best part of the night was listening to them talk about the songs they wish they'd written. They had nothing but praise for their fellow songwriters, and a kind of reverence and awe. Cy Curnin chose "Rock the Casbah" by the Clash. Patty Smyth chose "The Boys of Summer" by Don Henley and talked about how she was privileged to work with him on a duet. Desmond Child picked U2's "With or Without You." Cyndi Lauper brought the house down with a version of "Sexual Healing" by Marvin Gaye. It was definitely a thrill to see and hear.

So, what's more important, the singer or the song? Damned if I know. I'm just glad to be in the audience.

John Mayer: Emo Appeal

Let's talk John Mayer today, singer, songwriter, guitar player, man about town.

I kind of don't get the appeal.

Let's start with the reason we're here in the first place, the music. To be honest, his voice kind of grates on my nerves. Every singer has a unique vocal style, I understand that, but Mayer's warble is a little too wobbly. I've really tried, but the only song of his that I really like is "Waiting for the World to Change." It grabbed my attention from the first minute I heard it, but I think that's more to do with the lyrics than anything.

So I have to give the man props on his songwriting abilities. "Daughters" is a beautiful piece, but I just can't stand to hear him sing it. Is that wrong?

Much has been made of his guitar playing. Why? He's not the first, nor will he be the last, singer to strum a six string, so what's the big deal? I caught a recorded live performance on TV recently, and I have to say, he also makes some of the worst guitar-player-faces I've ever seen.

And what's up with the man's ability to attach himself to beautiful, successful women? Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Aniston.... That whole soulful, emo musician thing is really working to his benefit.

Mayer has stated that he's "closing up shop on acoustic sensibility." He's got a new album coming in November. I hope he brings the rock and changes my mind.

What does it take to be a Diva?

Last night was the VH1 Divas Live show. After a few years' absence, this year featured Adele, Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis, Miley Cyrus, India Arie and host Paula Abdul.

Now, while there is no doubt that these ladies are all extremely talented, I wasn't sure "Diva" was the right word used to describe them. So I turned to my trusty dictionary, and got this definition:

Diva - a distinguished female singer; prima donna; a very successful singer of non-operatic music. It is a word derived from the Latin word divus, meaning god.

Yes, they are distinguished, and yes, they are successful, but Diva-like? I'd have to say no. These ladies have miles to go before that title should be bestowed on them. But I have no doubt they'll get there.

Obits are Piling Up

Is is just me, or are a lot of famous people dying lately? It seems you can't watch the news without seeing another famous face with dates underneath it.

First this week, we lost Patrick Swayze after a horrible fight with pancreatic cancer. Now today, Mary Travers of folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary has had her name added to the ever growing list. I'm not puffing the magic dragon, and I know I'm getting older, but this is getting extreme.

Of course I went digging around to see if I could get an approximate tally of celebrity deaths, and I happened to find a list of Rock Star Deaths in 2009. It was staggering. The person who's compiling it not only included really famous people, but anyone who had anything to do with music in their lifetime, be it for film, TV or what have you. Part of me thinks it's a commendable thing to do, but another part of me thinks, dude, that's a bit creepy. Check it out for yourself at maximumink.com.

Thinking about all this started me on another tangent. What were the most shocking, horrible, unbelievable rock star deaths of all time? Obviously, there's Elvis and John Lennon, but aside from them, here's my top five.

1. Sid Vicious - yes, he died of an overdose as so many other rock stars have. But he died of that overdose while out on bail for the murder of his girlfriend Nancy Spungen.

2. Kurt Cobain - suicide was the official cause but the rumors about Courtney Love having done him in still circulate.

3. Randy Rhoads - a gifted guitar player who hated to fly dies in a small plane crash.

4. Brian Jones - see my earlier post on this one. I loves me a good murder mystery.

5. Cliff Burton - this probably wouldn't make most people's lists, but being the Metallica fan that I am, I had to include it. Hearing James Hetfield describe how he went looking for him out in the dark on the road after the bus accident is heartbreaking.

Call me morbid, but you can't deny it's fascinating.

Wanted: A Lead Singer

Is it really that hard to find a lead singer for a band? Will a band go to any length to find just the right person?

Apparently so.

First, there was reality TV and the program Rock Star. At first, I was opposed to the idea of the show. The first season of Rock Star took place to find a new singer for INXS. As a big fan of the band, it bothered me that they would, I don't know, stoop to such a commercial level to find a replacement for Michael Hutchence. In my opinion, Michael Hutchence was a great frontman and shouldn't be replaced. But of course, money talks and music is a business, and the band wanted to carry on. So after weeks of work, eliminations and drama, J.D. Fortune was chosen as the new singer for INXS. But, apparently, that was only temporary. I've read that they are making a greatest hits album with different singers on each track.

Remember a while back, I mentioned that I never watched an episode of American Idol? Well, that being said, I cop to being addicted to Rock Star: Supernova back in 2006. This struck me as different from the original series because it was a new band coming together to search for a lead singer, not trying to replace someone. And hey, how could I not have watched a show featuring Dave Navarro as host, and the band looking for a singer consisting of Tommy Lee, Jason Newsted and Gilby Clarke? Again, after weeks of eliminations, the guys chose Lukas Rossi (definitely not the right person but hey, what do I know?). They released one album, toured with former contestants from the show, and then phhttt! Nothing else. Lukas Rossi has done some small club dates but not much else.

Judas Priest had the nerve to replace one of the greatest metal vocalists of all times, Rob Halford, with Ripper Owens. They found him from a Judas Priest cover band. Okay, so they got a movie out of it, but again, a mistake. Rob returned to the fold and they toured this past summer performing the entire British Steel.

Fuel tried to hire Chris Daughtry after seeing him perform one of their songs on American Idol. He was smart and said no, and he's become popular with his own band. Styx replaced Dennis DeYoung with Gowan. Queen toured with Paul Rodgers singing for them. I would like to smack the person who thought up that pairing, because to even try and replace Freddie Mercury is a sacrilege. Journey found their new lead singer from YouTube. YouTube! Will the madness ever end?

The only band I can find that had equal if not better success with a new lead singer is Van Halen. Now, we'll have the Dave vs. Sammy debate another day, but if anything, this list should be a warning to all bands - take care of your singers!

Rock Band vs. Guitar Hero - it's all Rock n' Roll to me!

With all the hoopla surrounding the release of the Beatles Rock Band game, I decided to do a little research on the games to see what they were all about and try and figure out which one was better. I'm a mom, so naturally, I did what all moms would do in this situation.

I asked my kid.

My son is seven and has played both games. He got very serious when talking to me - video games are very important in his world. In his opinion, Rock Band is better because you can play all the instruments, whereas in Guitar Hero you're limited to guitar and drums.

Honestly, I don't know. I'd be hard pressed to choose. Guitar Hero has an Aerosmith and Metallica version, two bands I personally love. But now Rock Band has the Beatles. Tough choice.

I checked out the lists of songs available to play along to and was surprised by the variety and sheer number of songs. My son has asked me to download songs for him that he's heard while playing the game. Personally, I think anything that exposes kids to all different kinds of music is a good thing.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Okay, Kanye. Who died and made you God? Who are you to take away Taylor Swift's moment at the MTV Video Music Awards? According to everything I know about you, you were raised by a single mom to have respect for women. Where was the respect for Taylor Swift last night? Seriously, I hope you're ashamed of yourself. It was a very tasteless thing to do.

Beyonce, however, was all class and all heart when she invited Taylor Swift onstage to have her moment.

And to Taylor Swift, congratulations.