From lindaleed@earthlink.net Mon Feb 04 07:31:19 2002
Subject:Re: VK7 at the SuperBowl - getting power from where?

Hi Bruce,

I wasn't meaning to attack you on this matter because all the reasons
you list make perfect sense.

However, if people want to see a live performance it should be that,
clams and all. It is just a personal gripe I have.
Otherwise, I could just stay home and listen to studio perfect
recordings and save my money for an event ticket etc..and not need
binoculars.......

I think too that this practice has allowed allot of people to get into
the business (and stay)....... who take a great deal of time developing
an image rather than having the real musicianship to back it up. I think
that being able to produce live is a very important criteria for being a
musician/entertainer. Image is one thing, however the assumption by the
biz that we are all a bunch of simple-minded lemmings who will buy
anything that is stuffed down our throats enough times is an attitude I
find insulting and the deceptive practice of miming is one of those
things, IMO. The biggest case in point: Milli Vanilli.

And I know Paul McCartney could produce so I think he was just going
along with the program as he has nothing to lose as far as credibility.
He's got nothing to lose by doing this kind of thing on occasion.
However, acts like both of the Jacksons, Madonnas, Mariah Careys, etc..
in the biz prolly couldn't do it without this mime type of back-up and I
find that ridiculous that they can charge what they charge and maintain
the high profiles they do with their slick visual packaging that lacks
content musically, IMO.

I can't confirm that the all of the last acts I mentioned do this as I
doubt that I would ever purchase a concert ticket to see any of these
artists, although I certainly have heard rumors in regards to them using
this kind of thing for "live" concerts.

Linda

Bruce Wahler wrote:

> Linda,
>
> >This mimed stuff IMO is crap, all of it. I don't care who it is or
> what
> >the circumstance. I don't care if whoever can't do their dance steps
> >etc... without miming to prerecorded vocals, etc..
> >
> >This kind of stuff has always irked me. American Bandstand was ok for
>
> >that. I heard Ed Sullivan would never allow it and kudos to him for
> >having ethics in this matter.
>
> I'm not defending the practice, merely explaining the how-to's. I'm
> sure that there was a huge pressure on this year's Super Bowl to get
> everything not just safe from terrorism, but damn near perfect. Even
> if someone wanted to perform live -- I would hope that both Sir
> McCartney and Ms. Carey were up to the task -- I doubt that they would
> have been allowed to take the risk. Actually, the performances seem
> to take second seat to the visuals in the recent Super Bowl pre-game
> and half-time entertainment, anyway. I often wonder why artists
> bother -- oh, wait ... it's the cash ...
>
> I personally hate the pantomiming, but once you cross that bridge,
> eliminating excess wires and such makes a lot of sense, both for
> safety's sake, and to minimize setup and tear-down times. How many of
> us have tripped over a wire during a quick setup?
>
> And yes, kudos to Mr. Sullivan for his integrity in this area.
>
> Regards,

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