Nate, just to muddy the water further. Have you noticed the spate of artists who are making terrible albums in other genres? You mentioned Van Morrison and I have been listening to his country album of late, "Pay The Devil". What a disaster, like slowing down to watch a car wreck. At times Van The Man - whose music I adore - seems to not even know what the lyrics mean. If that was not enough, Willie Nelson's side trip into reggae, "Countryman" reminds me of Yogi Berra's oft quoted phrase, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it". This record makes the Morrison effort seem palatable. Of course, my favorite in the crossover genre will never be equalled; Pat Boone's heavy metal album, "In A Metal Mood" on Curb. To hear him do "Enter Sandman", "Smoke On The Water" and other touchstones of the metal cannon is just too rich. My question is, has anyone ever done a good crossover album? And please, before someone starts spewing that Jean Pierre Rampal and Yo Yo Ma stuff, this is worse than the Morrison and Nelson slumming.
Carpener goes to Rounder and Vega to Blue Note
In the revolving door of record labels, Mary Chapin Carpenter has left Sony Nashville, where she has spent her entire musical career, and moved to Rounder Records. Carpenter was seemingly lost at Sony Nashville, more a pop singer than a country singer, they just did not know what to do with her. Clearly, Rounder's work with Alison Krause, who crossed over from bluegrass to an amazingly wide audience must have played into this decision. Carpenter has quietly amassed an amazing body of work, a new start will be a good thing. The new album is slated for a March release.
And Suzanne Vega is moving from A&M to, of all places, Blue Note. One wants to point to the sucess of Norah Jones here, but Jones musical style would seem to have nothing at all to do with that of Vega. In the end, A&M just did not seem to know how to promote or position Vega's quircky work. The Blue Note gig may not be as far out as it seems, given that they have taken a chance on much less commercial franchises than this.
Best of luck to both artists on a new beginning.
And Suzanne Vega is moving from A&M to, of all places, Blue Note. One wants to point to the sucess of Norah Jones here, but Jones musical style would seem to have nothing at all to do with that of Vega. In the end, A&M just did not seem to know how to promote or position Vega's quircky work. The Blue Note gig may not be as far out as it seems, given that they have taken a chance on much less commercial franchises than this.
Best of luck to both artists on a new beginning.