Important Recording Artists

[Adey]

I guess we all recognise KB as a recording artist of great importance and significance, but who else do we think deserves the title of Important (rather than just good) Recording artist and why?

Just to clarify, I can't abide Elvis Presley at any price, but only a fool would say he wasn't important. Got it?

Share your thoughts if you will..

[Sven Golly]

Good thread.

As you said about Elvis, I'm assuming we don't necessarily need to like their music. Some important artists have brought about change for better OR worse.

Billie Holliday
Sinatra
Tony Bennett
Bob Dylan
Woodie Guthrie
BB King
Simon and Garfunkel
Yardbirds
Hendrix
Beatles
Beach Boys
Kinks
Temptations
Stevie Wonder
Marvin Gaye
Carole King
Kate Bush of course
Peter Gabriel
Bjork
Run DMC
Beastie Boys
Nirvana
Chili Peppers
Madonna (gag)
OutKast

These are only the tip of the iceberg (I'm sure I've missed several) but they are no doubt important in the sense of influence, success, and talent. Many of their influences can be traced to more obscure sources such as Lead Belly, Howlin' Wolf or Black Gospel music, not to mention jazz greats)

I did not include a few such as the Rolling Stones, who are important, but tried to keep the criteria to include innovation. Artists with influence and talent as well, such as PJ Harvey, Portishead and so on, do not meet the level of success in Adey's worthiness level of "Important"... at least how I interpret the word.

[Al Truest]

I also like this thread, Adey. Maybe we can elaborate on ones we agree on. Or maybe we want to come up with a "Top 50" consensus list.

Sven, I agree with all of your's. I do not like all of them, as with my additions here, but they do meet the criteria, as you guys have established. You admit to not mentioning jazz greats...shame! Also great songwriting, producing, arranging, and composing help qualify some of these:

Miles Davis
Coltrane
Herbie Hancock
Dave Bruebeck
Steely Dan
Quincy Jones
Michael Jackson
Weather Report
Joni Mitchell
Sarah Vaughn
Dinah Washington.
Carly Simon.
Loreena McKennett

[Adey]

Great, I hoped you folks would be enthusiastic. Potentially we could cover a lot of ground here - perhaps we need to organise it, maybe define categories. How about these to start, add the ones I've missed or say what you think is not an appropriate category.

Crooners/Balladeers
Trad Blues
Electric Blues/R'n'B
Trad Jazz
Modern Jazz
Jazz Fusion
Folk [inc electric]
Gospel
Soul
Funk
Pop [inc singer/songwriters]
Rock
Metal
Rap
Hip/Hop
Miscellaneous

I would be sympathetic to condensing some of these if you feel it's appropriate, ie all jazz, all blues etc. If we can agree the categories, we can fill in names (so hold the ones you have). Are we happy with these? Shout up, I'll go with the flow. I thought we'd leave classical/orchestral alone, unless you think otherwise? I could comment but I'm barely an amateur.

When we've got our lists we'll elaborate as suggested. This could take a few weeks..

[Al Truest]

I prefer condensing it. There are just too many categories. Because you and I left out:

Country/Western
Swing
Bluegrass
Celtic
World ( you pick )

So I'm for these:

*Folk/Country- Western, Bluegrass, Celtic,
*Jazz - Traditional, Acoustic, Fusion, Modern, Swing, Big Band, Scat or Crooners
*Pop - Mainstream popular 'radio' music', balladeers and pop whores
*Rock - Punk, Art, Metal, Glam whatever
*R & B - Hip-hop, Rap, Soul and Blues
*Classical- Composers and Performers.
*World - Fusion or Traditional

The top 50 would be a great goal. For our purposes, how does this sound?:

Select (in no particular order) your selections for the best in their genre. 'Important' should include

* Influence
* Originality
* Talent (writing, producing, arranging, and/or performing)
* Success

Chose the top 20 from "Rock" and 5 each from the other 6 categories. We will then debate the issues and come up with a consensus top 50 list. I hope it is OK to let this original idea of your's, Adey, develop.

[Xanadu]

Al said:

I prefer condensing it. There are just too many categories.

This is a good idea... I hope it doesn't fizzle out before there are some contributions. I also agree with the categories, but I do think that Crooners/Balladeers (or similar category) should probably remain separate from Pop. I see how you'd consider them together, but Madonna, Prince and Britney should be separate from Crosby, Sinatra, and Clooney, no? Because, in my opinion, there's no one more influencial than Crosby in radio friendly "pop" music, or as prolific as Sinatra.

[brillo69]

Xanadu said:

This is a good idea... I hope it doesn't fizzle out before there are some contributions. I also agree with the categories, but I do think that Crooners/Balladeers (or similar category) should probably remain separate from Pop. I see how you'd consider them together, but Madonna, Prince and Britney should be separate from Crosby, Sinatra, and Clooney, no? Because, in my opinion, there's no one more influencial than Crosby in radio friendly "pop" music, or as prolific as Sinatra.

How about changing the Crooners/Balladeers catogory to Easy Listening?

[Adey]

OK lots of ideas on this one for categories and otherwise. Let me digest what you're all saying and I'll amend. I agree too many categories, and I thought of more since I last posted. This could be worthwhile, thanks for your suggestions everyone.

[Sven Golly]

Paul said:

How about changing the Crooners/Balladeers catogory to Easy Listening?

I like that idea Paul. Zan your point is also well taken. If we add "Easy Listening" what about "New Age" as well? We could limit the choices or increase the list to 100. Either way, I'm ready to post mine. Adey, since it's your idea, make the call.

[Sven Golly]

Xanadu said:

This is a good idea... I hope it doesn't fizzle out before there are some contributions. I also agree with the categories, but I do think that Crooners/Balladeers (or similar category) should probably remain separate from Pop. I see how you'd consider them together, but Madonna, Prince and Britney should be separate from Crosby, Sinatra, and Clooney, no?

I don't even know that I will necessarily include Madonna AND Britney for example. ( and of course you are right about separing the balladeers and crooners from "Pop" - even though Sinatra was probably the first teen idol ) I believe the "important" designation may limit the list to unique talent moreso than successful. You could however argue the cultural influence, for example, of Britney over say the much more talented Christina. My list will not include many clones who may have been hugely popular.

I really do not think this thread will fizzle. It is provocative and informative. I know that I will hang with it.

[Al Truest]

Maybe we could each pick five of each to start. We could debate the merits and vote to include all, or vote off some off after a few weeks before we prioritize the list.
Innovation, I agree, may limit some great artists that may lack the vision and artistry of the true icons of the genres.

Set the rules Afey, and let's go.

[Adey]

Al said:

I prefer condensing it. There are just too many categories. I'm for these:

*Folk/Country- Western, Bluegrass, Celtic,
*Jazz - Traditional, Acoustic, Fusion, Modern, Swing, Big Band, Scat or Crooners
*Pop - Mainstream popular 'radio' music', balladeers and pop whores
*Rock - Punk, Art, Metal, Glam whatever
*R & B - Hip-hop, Rap, Soul and Blues
*Classical- Composers and Performers.
*World - Fusion or Traditional

The top 50 would be a great goal. For our purposes, how does this sound?:

Select (in no particular order) your selections for the best in their genre. 'Important' should include

* Influence
* Originality
* Talent (writing, producing, arranging, and/or performing)
* Success

I hope it is OK to let this original idea of your's, Adey, develop.

Yep, thats fine Al. Making it up as we go along anyway!

I like AT's categories, but at Paul & Xan's suggestion I'm adding Easy Listening, for folks like Sinatra/Bing etc.
We need to keep this manageable, so pick 5 from each category, and pick 10 from the category you are most familiar or comfortable with. (If indeed there are 5 or 10 important artists in that category!) Don't feel pressured to comment on a category you're not familiar with - if you don't do jazz for instance, just leave it.

When all participants have given us their lists, I'll take it away and compile master lists, that we can comment on, or maybe even vote (as was suggested).

The start point is here ---------------------------------

If you've provided a list already, categorise it and resubmit. If for some reason you're unable to indentify the musical genre (category), submit the name anyway and I'll categorise it.

I hope to God that this is clear. Ok, lets go..

[Al Truest]

*Easy Listening-

1. Frank Sinatra - Blend of jazz and pop created the first teen sensation.
2. Ella Fitzgerald - Laid the groundwork for Arethea Franlklin, and other great female vocalists.
3. Tony Bennett - Able to reach audiences for over 50 years
4. Johnny Mathis - Ethereal and timeless
5. Bing Crosby - terrible father - legendary talent, with influence on countless artists

*Folk/Country-

1. Bob Dylan - for songwriting and influence
2. Patsy Cline - the first class act in country. remarkable talent. Died too soon.
3. Tammy Wynette - Storyteller. Voice like a wounded animal. Painted pictures of the despair in poverty and ignorance.
4. Johnny Cash - Outlaw, punk, rock star sensibilites and appetites. Huge influence.
5. K.D.Lang - Trust me on this. She will be a legend.

*Jazz -

1. Charlie Parker. Maybe the most respected of all jazzmen.
2. Coltrane - Legend
2. Weather Report - Zawinul - Pastorius and Shorter. My favorites!
3. Miles Davis - Precise, paradigm of the form.
4. Chick Corea - Still influencing rock and jazz fusion.
5. Herbie Hancock. Brought the form to a hip-hop generation

*Pop -

1. Michael Jackson - Needs no explanation - too bad he's the only one who believes that he's Peter Pan.
2. Quincy Jones - The driving force behind Jackson. Most influential producer and engineer around.
3. Madonna - Exclude Brit and Christina
4. Phil Spector - Wall of Sound and Girl groups.
5. Cher - Hate to say it, but can't deny it.

*Rock -

1. Kate Bush - You have to ask?
2. Steely Dan - First use of jazz fused with cutting edge lyrics and jam tight muscianship. The prototype for generations to follow.
3. Beatles - Changed the form
4. Peter Gabriel - innovotor artist
5. Kinks - Prototype for hundred clones.
6. Jimi Hendrix - Unique, powerful, influential.
7. Simon and Garfunkel - Writing, harmonies, etc
8. Joni Mitchell - Writing, performing, influencing.
9. Nirvana - Groundbreakers
10.Chili Peppers - Ska, hip-hop, rock still cranking.

The rest are self explanatory. Please agree or disagree.

*R & B -

1. Billie Holliday
2. Marvin Gaye
3. Stevie Wonder
4. Aretha Franklin
5. James Brown
6. Supremes
7. Beastie Boys
8. Run DMC
9. Prince
10.BB King

Funk:

1. OutKast
2. Parliment Funkadelic
3. Earth Wind and Fire
4. Sly Stone
5. Gap Band

*Classical-

1. Mozart - The first rock star
2. Rachmaninoff -
3. Michael Kamen
4. Martha Argerich
5. Sarah Brightman

*World -

1. Loreena McKennett
2. Sade
3. Susheela Ramen
4. Afro Celts
5. Dissidenten

That's 55. Weed out 5 or more. Please post additions or subtractions. I think we need to make it 100. 50 best 'rock' and 50 best 'other' There are too many good one's left out.

[brillo69]

Am I too late for this?

I Would like to add the following artists.

1. The BeeGees.
2.Queen.
3.Aerosmith.
4.David Bowie.
5.Elton John.

All of the above have been around for at least 4 decades and are still immensly popular, even with the 'BubbleGum Pop' bridgade.

I would class these as important and influencal.

Use these or ignore.

[Susanne]

I'd like to suggest...

~ Leonard Cohen

~ Cat Stevens

~ Al Stewart

~ Eurythmics

~ Paul Simon {*World: Fusion}

~ Ladysmith Black Mambazo {*World: Traditional and Fusion}

Love, Susanne