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Fast Forward
Good A&R management
More thoughts about the business of Artist & Repertoire
management (A&R); and are we in India really on track.
The A&R man ideally has two specific tasks: the first
is identifying and choosing the artists into whom the music
label is going to invest time and money. Here, the A&R’s
judgement is put to test, as he has to strike a fine balance
between what he considers exciting music, and what he thinks
will sell.
Once the artist has been chosen, the second task is to help
the artist record the right kind of album. The latter is increasingly
important, and that sounds a warning bell. In its anxiety
to ensure a hit album, the music company may make a decision
detrimental to the artist’s music and his/her originality.
That’s where a good A&R scores by striking the right
balance, with not allowing his artist to compromise on his/her
originality, nor losing sight of music that sells. And getting
together a team of lyricists, music directors and arrangers
who will complement the artist’s voice and sound.
Other than that, the A&R is also an image builder, he
decides the ‘look’ of the artist/act for shows,
for appearances, and today for endorsements, etc. A classic
case study is Brian Epstein who managed The Beatles. Brian’s
importance to The Beatles and management was significant,
more than their music, he developed their career. He cultivated
their image — of the suited mop-haired foursome. Once
Paul McCartney went to see the Rolling Stones when they were
playing at a club in London. Paul kept telling his companions
that he was annoyed that they (the Rolling Stones) got to
wear whatever they liked on stage. This was because Brian
Epstein made it mandatory that The Beatles wear suits for
every gig. The Fab Four resented Brian’s management.
But ironically, it was the suits that helped make The Beatles
the darlings of every generation, and make them into icons
and a family act, which the Stones could never be.
Looking at the local scenario, the closest we almost came
to a full fledged A&R management team was when Crescendo
(now BMG Crescendo) took off in the early 90s. It was founding
father Suresh Thomas’ vision that Crescendo evolve as
a talent and artist management company primarily, and the
record label would be secondary. His brief was specific: that
not only would they scout the talent, but provide the artist
with an image build-up, shows and then the ultimate —
the album. At last someone was going about this business of
talent managing the right way. Suresh was often seen with
his discovery, a Glam Rock act — Hazzard. And they were
always in keeping with their image — long hair, a few
trinkets and way-out clothes. Hazzard soon became a regular
on the live music scene; and yes, they finally did their album.
In the meanwhile, Thomas and Crescendo happened upon Anaida,
Mehnaz and many more. Mehnaz was another one to do shows before
she finally did her album; and her stock repertoire was a
fine play-list of pop and jazz versions. Just how much of
image building was needed is questionable, because as the
grapevine had it, then Mehnaz had her own code of dressing
dictated more by her religion than her showbiz dazzle. But
one can never fault her with a lack of stage-presence.
But soon, the business of making music took over the business
of making musicians, and now talent & artist management
is really not such an up-front issue at BMG Crescendo. Not
that new artists are not promoted by other labels. But not
many labels have a person solely devoted to artist management,
and none of the labels have really scouted for fresh talent
and groomed it. This lack of talent scouting is one reason
why no new sound has emerged on India’s pop music scene.
And why none will, unless the industry professionals really
take cognisance of the fact that what is now needed is a professional
set up in terms of making music. We have equipment of standard,
our technicians too are not to be writen off, but what we
do lack are new artists, new voices and new attitude.
Aadesh signed by Karan
Aadesh Srivastava, the talented drummer-turned-music director
has finally hit big-time. He is one of the three music directors
signed on by Karan Johar for Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. The
other two music directors are Sandesh Shandilya and Jatin-Lalit.
One song recorded by Aadesh has been sung by Amitabh Bachchan,
Alka Yagnik and Udit Naryan, an ‘item song’, it
is six-and-a-half-minute long, and is penned by Sameer. Aadesh’s
earlier hit song was Sona sona from Major Saheb.
Jatin-Lalit go pop
 Having
successfully done film music, the brothers Jatin-Lalit are
now turning their sights towards a private album. Between
their film assignments, they are working on a pop album and
Lalit will sing for that as well. They have a fine sense of
melody and harmony, now if they can get hold of some soul-stirring
lyrics, they will have a winner on their hands.
Lennon’s Imagine all-time fave
John Lennon’s classic Imagine has been voted UK’s
favourite single in a TV survey. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
and The Beatles’ Hey Jude came in at second and third
in the poll by Channel 4.
Ashutosh Rana - singing villain?
We have heard of enough of our heroes croon a few lines or
a full song. But now, the shoe is on the foot of the arch
villains. Ashutosh Rana, the Bollywood’s regular psychopath,
is singing not one but three songs for a forthcoming film,
where he also plays a hero. Instead of giving him the script,
the producer Kewal Krishna gave him the audio type of these
three songs. When someone expressed a doubt if the villain
could sing, he shot back, “I am a theatre person, in
theatre if you can’t sing you are as good as out.”
Now Elvis on the net
After The Beatles, it’s Elvis Presley on the net. The
site elvis.com, which made an appearance during Christmas,
featured Elvis’ beloved Graceland mansion in Memphis,
with the extensive front lawn dressed up in Christmas decorations,
many selected by Elvis himself. Visitors to the site found
free Elvis holiday musical e-cards to send to friends and
family, a special Elvis flash trivia game, never-before-seen
Christmas items from the Elvis archives and extensive holiday
Elvis items from Shop Elvis.
Additionally, Warner Home video has now announced the release
of the rockumentary Elvis: That’s The Way It Is - Special
Edition, featuring a newly re-mastered and remixed version,
available for the first time ever in stereo. Produced by award-winning
filmmaker Rick Schmidlin, the special edition documents Presley
at his peak during the celebrity-attended August 1970 Las
Vegas concert series, and reveals a seldom-seen personal side
of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. It includes close-ups
of Presley’s famous footwork and guitar work, cut-aways
of the band, never-before-seen footage, including 10 musical
numbers, and Elvis’ off-stage antics.
Rare, behind-the-scenes footage shows Elvis interacting with
the TCB Band and his back-up singers, the Sweet Inspirations
and The Imperials, as well as his off-stage antics. The film
captures the inimitable style of Elvis as he sings 27 dynamic
songs including Love me tender, Blue suede shoes, Bridge over
troubled waters and Suspicious minds. Both the VHS and DVD
versions will contain an add-on — the original theatrical
trailer and a new documentary Patch It Up: The Reconstruction
of Elvis: That’s the Way It Is. Elvis Presley influenced
the world’s entire popular culture and changed the face
of Rock ’n’ Roll. 23 years after his death, ‘the
King’ continues to move audiences with his legendary
music. Bruce Springsteen said, “There have been a lot
of tough guys. There have been pretenders. And there have
been contenders. But there is only one King.” Mick Jagger
praised him by saying, “He was a unique artist - an original
in an area of imitators.” Bob Dylan stated, “Hearing
him for the first time was like busting out of jail.”
And John Lenon said simply, “Before Elvis, there was
nothing.”
--
Piroj Wadia
Also see:>>>
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