Is Amy Winehouse talented?

[ibanez468]

Quote:I do understand why people have a problem with pop stars, but there is a place for them in the music world. I think we can all agree that unfortunately the place they currently hold in music today is larger then it should be.Now THAT'S probably the best way of putting it!I can think of another similar situation pertaining to actors. Nowadays it seems like alot of the actors are coming from the music world. Rappers & pop stars, etc... I recall a certain well-known actor who was quite frustrated at the way people were starting to become actors. He complained about the fact that he spent years in acting school to become the actor that he is today. And now all you have to be is a rap star, and you're in. None 'em pay their dues the way actors used to have to. While I have nothing against how a person got in the biz, I even find it strange to see that steps that were once taken to qualify an individual to have finally "arrived", seem to be a thing of the past. Acting or music or otherwise, in alot of cases. Just my .02.ibanez468

[lucky]

She's talented enough to get the Grammy for Song of the year. How many of you all have accomplished that? I know I haven't. Yet.Lucky

[ggalen]

Quote:She's talented enough to get the Grammy for Song of the year. But how does that prove she has talent, lucky?

[vermeer]

Quote:But how does that prove she has talent, lucky?By winning the biggest talent show on earth! Vermeer

[edteja]

That's sort of like contending that the person elected president is the best, most competent person in the country. Not even close. No matter what country you are talking about.

[twilsbach]

Quote:That's sort of like contending that the person elected president is the best, most competent person in the country. Not even close. No matter what country you are talking about.especially the past seven years in America

[squids]

Quote:Quote:That's sort of like contending that the person elected president is the best, most competent person in the country. Not even close. No matter what country you are talking about.especially the past seven years in AmericaAnd again, don't get me started! Look, even Matto's wincing, ROFL!

[matto]

Quote:I probably have a different view of music than many since I was raised by one of the greatest bassists in jazz history. He and his friends amazed me every time I heard and saw them and they influenced me to demand greatness in the music I listen to...I think people's definition of "greatness" just varies. I would certainly have to disagree with the idea you seem to espouse here, namely that greatness in music equals instrumental virtuosity. To me, great music is more about communication, about inspiring an audience, making them feel something, transport them somewhere.There are a ton of instrumental virtuosos out there whose musical communication skills are confined to, at best, the stage they perform on. Do they deserve Grammies just because they can play 250 notes per minute? I think not. (And Von, you know I think VERY highly of you and your dad's musical talents and artistry, so I'm NOT talking about you, but I'm sure you know that).The bottom line for me: If you can make me cry with three chords and a pitchy vocal...good for you. If you can make me cry with 50 chords and instrumental virtuosity...equally good for you.Also, these types of questions..."Is so and so talented?" "Does so and so deserve to win a Grammy?" always seem to be kind of underhanded...because the answer to the question always seems to be implied..."no they're not...I'm 100 times more talented and my music is just amazing and yet nobody wants to sign me/buy my music "Well, IMHO 99% of people who achieve any kind of success in this incredibly difficult field DESERVE IT. Because, regardless of their innate talent or musical abilities, in 99% of the cases they have put an enormous amount of work into their careers and have made sacrifices most of us would never make.Von says only people who "were born to make music" deserve to be successful. I think people who have made it their life's sole mission and priority deserve it just as much.People always seem to think pop stars and famous actors etc "just got lucky". But if you look behind the glitz, in 99% of the cases it's mostly an enormous amount of hard work, determination, and a razor sharp focus that gets them there.So, unless we have put in that same amount of effort, we don't really have a lot of justification for begrudging them their success... Just my humble opinion...matto

[ajenkz]

Quote:Quote:I probably have a different view of music than many since I was raised by one of the greatest bassists in jazz history. He and his friends amazed me every time I heard and saw them and they influenced me to demand greatness in the music I listen to...I think people's definition of "greatness" just varies. I would certainly have to disagree with the idea you seem to espouse here, namely that greatness in music equals instrumental virtuosity. To me, great music is more about communication, about inspiring an audience, making them feel something, transport them somewhere.There are a ton of instrumental virtuosos out there whose musical communication skills are confined to, at best, the stage they perform on. Do they deserve Grammies just because they can play 250 notes per minute? I think not. (And Von, you know I think VERY highly of you and your dad's musical talents and artistry, so I'm NOT talking about you, but I'm sure you know that).The bottom line for me: If you can make me cry with three chords and a pitchy vocal...good for you. If you can make me cry with 50 chords and instrumental virtuosity...equally good for you.Also, these types of questions..."Is so and so talented?" "Does so and so deserve to win a Grammy?" always seem to be kind of underhanded...because the answer to the question always seems to be implied..."no they're not...I'm 100 times more talented and my music is just amazing and yet nobody wants to sign me/buy my music "Well, IMHO 99% of people who achieve any kind of success in this incredibly difficult field DESERVE IT. Because, regardless of their innate talent or musical abilities, in 99% of the cases they have put an enormous amount of work into their careers and have made sacrifices most of us would never make.Von says only people who "were born to make music" deserve to be successful. I think people who have made it their life's sole mission and priority deserve it just as much.People always seem to think pop stars and famous actors etc "just got lucky". But if you look behind the glitz, in 99% of the cases it's mostly an enormous amount of hard work, determination, and a razor sharp focus that gets them there.So, unless we have put in that same amount of effort, we don't really have a lot of justification for begrudging them their success... Just my humble opinion...mattoCompletely agree with you on all points. I also think even people on American Idol deserve whatever success they get, and that goes against what most other musicians believe. But, they are putting themselves out there in a huge way, every week, to be criticized by millions of people. They only get a few days to prepare a song (often one they've never heard in their life) and perform it in front of millions of people. I know this has nothing to do with this discussion, but I think a lot of people give them a hard time for not paying their dues, but I disagree, they just do it in another way.

[vicky]

I wanted to stay off this thread, because it's endlessly relative...IMO....with Amy Winehouse (the worst musician in her band)....the jury is still open.....one award means very little if she can't keep herself there (chances are she could just dissappear).....and maybe she will and maybe she won't....her persona is not very likable, and that could be a problem for her....newer and cuter, and easier to work with could come along sooner than later....With that said....Aren't we here to make money and be better at our craft?With this Taxi stuff we are not ahead of the artist curve....we're looking at what is 'right now'....some of us may be interested in developing new genres of music or applying for artists grants, but Taxi's agenda is not this....Amy's worth a listen, but if this is your business, seek the true bad-asses for info....'seek' is the key word....I'd like to know what the members of her band are listening to....Also...boo on jazz nazi's...they wouldn't call Herbie's winning album 'jazz' anyway........I'm a voting member of the Recording Academy....I'm sure many of you are qualified.....Am I the only one around here?all in good fun,,,,,vicky