FMS-Blog : The Wildly Whimsical, Mostly Musical WebLog
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Another Crappy Cover
It's no coincidence that the aritcles on this blog are largely very positive about the live music events that are taking place in Bradford, West Yorkshire and beyond, whilst being largely critical of the various 'artistes' that seem to make it big and find their way onto our television screens and radios. The popular music market, you see, is flooded with utter crap, pedalled as talent by various groups who have the idea of making large amounts of money (or continuing to do so) closest to their hearts. These people know and care little about good music, let alone think of artistic integrity. It's all about making a quick buck at the expense of Joe Public who seems all too willing to buy into whatever rubbish they happen to be pedalling this week.
Take Jordan as an example: I'm ashamed that I even know this girl's name given that she's famous for absolutely nothing. Last night, when I got in from teaching singing to the Northern Academy of Performing Arts kids in Skipton, I switched on the tv and flicked through a few music channels, chancing upon Jordan and her hubby, Peter Andre (who, by the way, is also famous for very little... oh, apart from that awful single in the early 90's that the public have been sucked into buying twice so far!) singing A Whole New World, from the great Disney movie, Alladin.
Now, don't get me wrong - I like this song a lot. It won awards for the best film song the year that it was released and really turned the farce-comedy that was Alladin into a romance film for youngsters. All good stuff - but, PLEASE... have you heard Jordan and Peter singing this??? Well, actually, I've been doing the song with various groups of children from primary school kids to fairly advanced theatre-types over the last month and I can tell you that it sounds considerably better when the latter sing it than Peter and Jordan's attempt. Frankly, the producers of the J&P version have done a very lame attempt to rip off the 'reprise' recording made by Luther Vandross and Vanessa Williams (recorded at the time of the film's release), even down to the music video recorded in short black and white scenes. Why must the people who run our music industry put us through this?? There is SO much talent in the UK - just drop in at any amateur show, whether it be a metal gig, a folk group or a musical, to see what potential the musicians of this country have. I fail to understand why the public is willing to continue buying rubbish just because the faces on the sleave are a bit famous, if only for having large breasts.
Speaking of live musical talent, it's the Topic Folk Club singaround tonight at the Cock and Bottle pub in Undercliffe (at the top of Church Bank, in Bradford), so get yourself along for a friendly drink and some great alternative tunes.
Take Jordan as an example: I'm ashamed that I even know this girl's name given that she's famous for absolutely nothing. Last night, when I got in from teaching singing to the Northern Academy of Performing Arts kids in Skipton, I switched on the tv and flicked through a few music channels, chancing upon Jordan and her hubby, Peter Andre (who, by the way, is also famous for very little... oh, apart from that awful single in the early 90's that the public have been sucked into buying twice so far!) singing A Whole New World, from the great Disney movie, Alladin.
Now, don't get me wrong - I like this song a lot. It won awards for the best film song the year that it was released and really turned the farce-comedy that was Alladin into a romance film for youngsters. All good stuff - but, PLEASE... have you heard Jordan and Peter singing this??? Well, actually, I've been doing the song with various groups of children from primary school kids to fairly advanced theatre-types over the last month and I can tell you that it sounds considerably better when the latter sing it than Peter and Jordan's attempt. Frankly, the producers of the J&P version have done a very lame attempt to rip off the 'reprise' recording made by Luther Vandross and Vanessa Williams (recorded at the time of the film's release), even down to the music video recorded in short black and white scenes. Why must the people who run our music industry put us through this?? There is SO much talent in the UK - just drop in at any amateur show, whether it be a metal gig, a folk group or a musical, to see what potential the musicians of this country have. I fail to understand why the public is willing to continue buying rubbish just because the faces on the sleave are a bit famous, if only for having large breasts.
Speaking of live musical talent, it's the Topic Folk Club singaround tonight at the Cock and Bottle pub in Undercliffe (at the top of Church Bank, in Bradford), so get yourself along for a friendly drink and some great alternative tunes.
