Someone actually wrote to me offlist, saying it's unethical to post about a non-techno Detroit artist, and I take that point, and felt momentarily chastised, but, then again, I feel that in order for techno to reach a wider audience in the US and beyond we need to see it as part of a wider music culture, not isolate it entirely. It's interesting that, like Motown's HQ, Madonna felt compelled to leave Detroit - though, to be fair, she was determined to be a dancer not singer - whereas the next generation of techno acts (mostly) stayed and now Eminem is staying. That represents a turnaround. Maybe it's generational? Maybe there is a sense of 'reclaiming' or 'reasserting' Detroit. I often wonder if Veronica Electronica, as she once dubbed herself, knows that the 'electronica' she has been recording has antecedents in Detroit. She has discussed 'techno' in an interview published in Mixmag a few years ago - in general terms. Some industry people are now saying that Detroit is the next music hotspot like 'Hotatlanta' was in the 90s. I wonder if there is a sense of this in Detroit? What implications does it have for the electronic scene? I admit I am a fan of Madonna's. I think any female who grew up in the 80s would see her as more than a pop artist. I don't think I would have done what I've done in life without that kind of role model as a kid. Joan Mitchell has accused her of ushering in the manufactured pop star, and she hrself is now retiring because of the malaise in pop, but I feel Madonna was more sophisticated. Madonna has wrtten some very brilliant pop. I rate Ray Of Light, the last albums were uneven, though. Incidentally I hear there is an Octave One remix of the new Massive Attack single. Anyone know anything more?
> Heh, well when was the last time Madonna was IN the Detroit area, and what > the hell has she ever done for Detroit? > > She moved to New York before a lot of 313 subscribers were born... > She's my age for gawdsakes (45) though I'll give it up to her for being > in better shape than me. > > Musically my opinion of Madonna is that she sang on a couple of decent > Jellybean tracks and did OK, but the rest of her stuff is pretty average > pop music. Voicewise, she has about a 7-half step range, and her delivery > rarely rises above a jr high glee club level of artistry. > > If you want a laugh sometime look at the sheet music for 'Music' -- I like > the guitar tab, where the verse is G Major, and the Chorus is G Minor. I > bet George Gershwin would be jealous... > > On Sun, 4 May 2003, The REAL Mxyzptlk wrote: >> Rochester...Northern (slightly east) suburb. >> >
