Listening to these David Gray cds as well as reading his little bio on his own website you get a real sense of his musical artistry. And while reflecting on that, I realized there seems to be two type of musicians--two poles if you will: artists and entertainers. Now of course I'm simplifying things, as that's how we make life simpler to understand.
But think about it. Would you call AC/DC artists? No, they're definately out to entertain. Britney Spears, definately not an artist, artistry requires an inherent intelligence.
I started to think about all the musicians who might be considered great artists, Gray would be one in my mind, Dylan is possibly the Michealangelo of musical artists, Sufjan is definately an amazing artist (However he does a good job of making his music entertaining from a visual standpoint, from what I heard and saw at the Atlanta concert). These three come to mind when I think of artists who finely craft their lyrics, and the music that delivers the words. They may not be the three you think of, but they're fresh in my mind right now.
I think every musician starts off with that key decision: artist or entertainer? That sort of motivates their music in a way. Bands who just want to entertain seem to just want the fame and money. You don't see too many rappers out there who are in it for the artwork of rap, they want money. Which if I could ryme sometime I'd make some sweet dough, don't you know.
You gotta have respect for the guys who are more concerned with the craft than with the cash. The guys who still play the small venues and don't go for the big stadium tours.
Posted by holtonian at October 5, 2006 09:54 PM | TrackBackWhat about Back in Black? That album is about as timeless as it gets.
As far as the rap statement. While there are many rappers who don't display any sort of craft to their work, there are many who do (even ones in the commercial mainstream): Ludacris, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Tupac just to name a few.
Putting David Gray in the same vein as Dylan and Sufjan is just plain wrong. I would invent a 3rd category for him: entertainers trying to pass themselves off as artists.
Posted by: davidm. at October 6, 2006 10:29 AM