Dear Brenda, I was extremely intrigued by your comments about Alicia Keys and would love to hear more about Clive Davis, the record industry, and the machinery that takes one from obscurity to fame.
You are the first person I've come across that did not feel Alicia Keys was the "end all" that the rest of the music industry is making her out to be. I really like her, but I agree with you that Eryka Badu(sp?) and Jill Scott are extremely talented even though they are not making the headlines that Alicia Keys is making right now. I was especially intrigued at your comments concerning Alicia's and India's performances on the Oprah show. As a singer, I am going to take your comments to heart and make sure that my sound is as solid as Jill Scott's sound. Jill Scott may have more of a track record performing in front of audiences. From what I understand, she had a role in the musical, "Rent." Sometimes, you read a post and the information provided is so thorough and interesting, it's like you food for the soul. I am so hungry to learn everything I can about this business. You have given me some very valuable, well written information concerning my area of the industry. I would be honored to hear anything else you have to say about this subject on or off line. Thanks so much for your comments! Sherelle NP-Star Trek-Next Generation In a message dated 12/08/2001 12:05:17 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 18:31:59 -0800 > From: "Brenda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: Alicia's uninspiring Keys/back after a long break (NJC) > > > I think Alicia's popularity stems from not only the fact that she is very > attractive (and thus "marketable") but also that she is the marquis act for > > Clive Davis' label J Records. After being tossed out of Arista under the > guise > of being too old (having passed BMG's draconian age limit for members of > the > executive suite), Clive was intent on proving that he was really sacked for > > being too successful and thus too powerful. (BTW - Arista has been a shell > of > its former self since the reigns were given to L.A. Reid.) > > Clive is arguably one of the most powerful record executives when it comes > to > media manipulation (probably only second to Tommy Mottola). He has the > press > in his pocket. (Witness Whitney Houston's embarrassing and public drug > abuse > descent which even the mainstream media started covering after Clive's > departure. Her problem started long before she married Bobby Brown but > Clive > kept the wolves at bay for years.) And he has pulled out all the stops for > > Alicia. Success breeds success for new artists and he made sure that her > album > charted high the first week. She's had all the right magazine covers and > television performances. It's been years since an independent label has > pulled > off something like this. Clive is proving that he can not only have > success > with immense talents like Whitney & Aretha but also with mediocre talent > like > Alicia. > > Alicia's appearance on Oprah undoubtedly helped her with the soccer mom > set, > although she sounded like she was at a high school talent contest to me - > nervous vocal cracks and all. (India Arie was on the same show and did > only a > little better. Jill Scott, however! Quite simply, she rocked the house.) > I > thought Alicia's performance of the Donny Hathaway tune was rife with pitch > > problems and not fitting the genius legacy of the man, let alone the fairly > > high calibur of performances that evening. (If you want a treat, hear > Kenny > Lattimore or Donny's daughter Lalah perform it.) > > If you want the real goods on "new soul" check out the new album from > Alicia's > label mate Angie Stone. > > Brenda
