Thursday, April 14, 2011

How Far Can An Artist Stretch Before The Fans Reject?

By Jamie Freveletti


I just came home from seeing Robert Plant and his Band Of Joy at Chicago's Auditorium theatre. Up until two days ago I had no idea I'd be there, but on Friday morning I heard Mr. Plant interviewed on the local radio. He sounded intelligent, thoughtful and interesting. A far cry from the man in the band known for its excess and I was surprised by the interview. And since I've lately been on this "why aren't you grabbing at life more?" kick I thought, Well, here I am, living not three miles from the Auditorium Theater and I'm letting this concert roll by. How foolish is that? I got home, hit the web and found last minute tickets.



Less than twenty four hours later I was sitting twenty feet from this artist and watching him sing songs that bore little resemblence to his Led Zeppelin days. No problem for me, because the band broke up before I began to buy records with my own money. I've never bought a Led Zeppelin album. In contrast, I do have his latest Gone Gone Gone with Alison Krauss and Angel Dance on my ipod.



Like Steven Tyler on the recent country music awards, Plant hits his notes and is a consumate professional. These rock and roll guys can make it happen, can't they? Indeed, the man's voice was astonishing. In this age of auto tune and backing vocal tracks it's always obvious when an artist who didn't work with such crutches appears on stage.



After opening with an unusual arrangement of Black Dog and making the crowd crazy, it became clear as he sang his new music that the audience, though respectful, was itching to hear another Zeppelin song. And as I sat there I thought about artists and how they become brands. How some of the readers I know tell me, "I love John Sandford, but only read his Davenport novels, never his Flowers stuff." But at least those two protagonists belong to the same mystery genre. What Plant was doing was blues infused alternative, far from the hard rock and roll of his Zeppelin days. I wonder if the Sandford fans would tolerate it if he wrote a romance along the lines of Nicholas Sparks? Would they reject him? Force him back into the mystery world?



I was discussing this with a few other writers I know and some pointed out the obvious successes, Nora Roberts/JD Robb, Grisham's crime and family novels. And yet, one author friend stated it pretty succinctly: "I don't think authors that are brands can branch out too far. Imagine if Beyonce decided to sing country. It could be the best country album ever, but the fans would probably reject it because it would be too much of a stretch."



But as an artist, part of the creative process requires stretching, learning, imagining and attempting. While the corporations that manage an artist's career may shudder at creative need to try new genres--they know all too well that there are fans who will reject the attempt no matter how well done-I think the artist needs to take that risk. Having done it allows him or her to return to the familiar with a renewed sense of imagination and possibility.



Plant eventually launched into (just two more) Zeppelin songs (Ramble On and Tangerine) and wow, did the audience go wild. As a man who gave me the impression that he rarely laughs out loud, I was heartened to see his face break into a large smile as the crowd roared and rose to its feet. Whatever he must think about being locked into the past, it was clear that he understood that for these fans that part of his history will never go away and his rendition of these old favorites had a fresh new sound. No Jimmy Page shredding and heavy bass, but a cool bluesy vibe that worked.



I also was heartened by the fans. It was clear that they loved him and while they wanted the past, they paid money and listened to his present, which is what I thinks readers do, too. Watching both Plant and his fans embrace the new and honor the past to create a vibrant, still relevant career made me happy that I'd taken the plunge and got off the couch. And I guess it's obvious now that I'm going to have to keep getting up and getting out. Because life-- and art-- should be lived and enjoyed. Don't you agree?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the best artists can blend both the old and the new. For example, Tom Jones keeps his career going because of new music but he sings the old stuff, too.

Your very own Laura Caldwell is an example of an author who started out in one genre and segued into another - I'm still not sure where to place her, genre-wise - but I love every word she writes, so it doesn't matter. I read it all. :)

Jamie Freveletti said...

Hi Kathy! Laura is a great example. She's moving in new directions all the time and it's all done well, isn't it?

Dana King said...

It can be done, but timing and luck are key here, too. Some depends on the artist's talent, and some depends on the tastes and open-mindedness of the core audience.

The best examples I can think of for singers who could changes genres successfully are Willie Nelson and Linda Ronstadt. They were well established enough that much of their fan base was curious when they tried something different, and good enough to satisfy not only them, but fans of the new style.

The artist also has to be aware of his own gifts and limitations. Sting seems to be able to move freely among styles, but I doubt he'd be well received if he took it into his head to sing Wagner operas on stage.

No offense, but Beyonce would not make the best country album ever.

Jamie Freveletti said...

Dana--still laughing about Beyonce comment!

Maryann Mercer said...

Sometimes I think it depends on the fans rather than the artist. Catherine loved U2 as long as they were edgy, but once they went a bit more commercial, they were "boring". In a way, we all tend to classify favorites in a specific niche and then (hopefully temporarily) shudder when they stray. Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis have new CD collaboration, assisted by Norah Jones... great artists, right? We hear comments at the store in the vein of "Willie doing jazz? Or pop? What?" Still, it's a great combo of voices and styles. Willie singing something from Light in the Piazza? Not a good idea. Fans can be afraid of the unfamiliar. I re-discovered Robert Plant when he teamed with Allison Krauss and Styx's Dennis DeYoung when he did a solo CD...both men have great voices and want to share those voices with their fans. Glad you had a good time Jamie :o)

Jamie Freveletti said...

Thanks Maryann--had a great time! Since everyone's talking about Willie Nelson, I think I'd better check it out.

Lori Rader-Day said...

Your "getting off the couch" comment hits close to home. Uh, where I'm sitting on the couch. But I just signed up to go to Bouchercon in St. Louis. Victory in our time.

Jamie Freveletti said...

Bouchercon! I'll be attending. Looking forward to meeting you there!

Lori Rader-Day said...

Oh, cool! See you in St. Louie!

Pascal Marco said...

Very well done, Jamie. As someone who has purchased and played Plant's Zeppelin vinyl music literally hundreds and hundreds of times, I think I might have been one of those who pined for him to "ramble on" had I seen him in concert. However, as a fan of Alison Krause's music, too, I'm also quite delighted by the creative relationship they have formed.
Your premise is interesting and I imagine it must be extremely difficult for someone like Plant (or writers) to breakaway from what has brought them so much success and, frankly, pure adulation. I should only wish for having a problem like this one day.

nike free run cheap said...

I just signed up to go to Bouchercon in St.

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