Post by Adey on Feb 27, 2004 3:23:13 GMT
Only just come on line so I'm late to this. Too early for it after tea, too late for it now!
It's tough - ask me as a 17yr old and the answer would be different, but I'll answer in the now. I'm like RT, a musician, so I have to say her musical talent. Yes there were great female artists before KB, but I don't think there was a better female musician working in the pop field. Lots of men certainly, and that's part of it. With great determination she has elbowed herself into a world that was virtually a male preserve up untill that time. She has even gone on from there, and now sits firmly in the British pop/contemporary aristocracy. She is up there with Elton, Gabriel & Sting. (Maybe Clapton/Eno/Collins are in there too). Think about it, if Kate wants them, people come running these days. I mean World Class musicians: John Williams, Nigel Kennedy, Davey Spillane, Peter Erskine too now, if the reports are to be believed.
She has crossed over and introduced limited pop audiences to other fields of music. And she even combines them!
In the pop arena, who but Kate was mixing traditional Irish music with Bulgarian Folk?
In doing all of this, she has opened so many doors for the female artists who came after, and showed them they can be accepted as equals. It's no wonder that the later generation of innovative lady artists revere her and sight her as one of their great inspirations.
Look at the styles she has explored - calypso, reggae, rock, celtic, ambient - there are many more. When the new album finally arrives, she will suprise us all once again I have no doubt. I truly believe that at this time she has no boundaries and there is no musical direction that she isn't prepared or talented enough to explore.
RT has mentioned some of her techniques as a musician, I could explain several more. But thats not the point. While most of us are struggling to get our heads around where she is at any one point, she's already gone and is exploring somewhere else where no-one thought to go.
I can't begin to tell you how important a musician I believe Kate actually is, and that's not hero worship - its an objective assessment. With respect, I believe an acknowledgement that she is incredibly talented musically, barely scratches the surface.
The other points, important but lesser in my opinion:
Lyrical Abilities - what's to say? Another amazing talent. Poetry was mentioned, I ain't arguing with that.
Vocal Delivery - her voice is pretty unique I guess, but it's her phrasing I love. It's so suprising at times - you expect her to come through the front door, but she sneaks in 'round the back.
Subject Choices - I agree with your point. Let me illustrate with 2 choices, though neither are faves of mine: Heads We're Dancing & The Infant Kiss. She can even write about the conflict between men and women in such a way as to not offend either sex, yet still make her point.
Feminity & Appearance. This is the one I would have picked as a 17yr old. Classy sexy not trashy sexy. Madonna was not even on the same planet..
Theatrical Performances - Another one for the 17yr old Adey. I saw her on the tour, and was entranced. I won't lie, I cried in places, laughed in others, was shocked/thrilled in equal measure. It was unique. There are better exponents of mime, there are better dancers, but she put it all together like no-one before or since. Even now, I would rate this as compelling Kate aspect no 2, because it's the hook - the thing that draws people in. Once she has your attention, KB will demonstrate all these individual talents for your delight and amazement.
Dance Presentation - see above.
I think your compelling aspects were very well chosen Xan. I hope this rambling post is sufficient to demonstrate where I stand on each of these.
It's tough - ask me as a 17yr old and the answer would be different, but I'll answer in the now. I'm like RT, a musician, so I have to say her musical talent. Yes there were great female artists before KB, but I don't think there was a better female musician working in the pop field. Lots of men certainly, and that's part of it. With great determination she has elbowed herself into a world that was virtually a male preserve up untill that time. She has even gone on from there, and now sits firmly in the British pop/contemporary aristocracy. She is up there with Elton, Gabriel & Sting. (Maybe Clapton/Eno/Collins are in there too). Think about it, if Kate wants them, people come running these days. I mean World Class musicians: John Williams, Nigel Kennedy, Davey Spillane, Peter Erskine too now, if the reports are to be believed.
She has crossed over and introduced limited pop audiences to other fields of music. And she even combines them!
In the pop arena, who but Kate was mixing traditional Irish music with Bulgarian Folk?
In doing all of this, she has opened so many doors for the female artists who came after, and showed them they can be accepted as equals. It's no wonder that the later generation of innovative lady artists revere her and sight her as one of their great inspirations.
Look at the styles she has explored - calypso, reggae, rock, celtic, ambient - there are many more. When the new album finally arrives, she will suprise us all once again I have no doubt. I truly believe that at this time she has no boundaries and there is no musical direction that she isn't prepared or talented enough to explore.
RT has mentioned some of her techniques as a musician, I could explain several more. But thats not the point. While most of us are struggling to get our heads around where she is at any one point, she's already gone and is exploring somewhere else where no-one thought to go.
I can't begin to tell you how important a musician I believe Kate actually is, and that's not hero worship - its an objective assessment. With respect, I believe an acknowledgement that she is incredibly talented musically, barely scratches the surface.
The other points, important but lesser in my opinion:
Lyrical Abilities - what's to say? Another amazing talent. Poetry was mentioned, I ain't arguing with that.
Vocal Delivery - her voice is pretty unique I guess, but it's her phrasing I love. It's so suprising at times - you expect her to come through the front door, but she sneaks in 'round the back.
Subject Choices - I agree with your point. Let me illustrate with 2 choices, though neither are faves of mine: Heads We're Dancing & The Infant Kiss. She can even write about the conflict between men and women in such a way as to not offend either sex, yet still make her point.
Feminity & Appearance. This is the one I would have picked as a 17yr old. Classy sexy not trashy sexy. Madonna was not even on the same planet..
Theatrical Performances - Another one for the 17yr old Adey. I saw her on the tour, and was entranced. I won't lie, I cried in places, laughed in others, was shocked/thrilled in equal measure. It was unique. There are better exponents of mime, there are better dancers, but she put it all together like no-one before or since. Even now, I would rate this as compelling Kate aspect no 2, because it's the hook - the thing that draws people in. Once she has your attention, KB will demonstrate all these individual talents for your delight and amazement.
Dance Presentation - see above.
I think your compelling aspects were very well chosen Xan. I hope this rambling post is sufficient to demonstrate where I stand on each of these.
