Stevie: Sell-out or good businesswoman? - Page 2

desertangel · #16 10-12-2006, 02:14 AM

Her solo career might have been a lot worse had she not conceeded to many who produced her songs. Sorry, but I'm not a big fan of her demos so I'm happy she realizes they need work and that she allows people to "change" her songs so much, even if it does aggravate her. I think in that respect she's smart.

strandinthewind · #17 10-12-2006, 07:59 AM

^^^^

I agree, but I still LOVE her piano demos from the 70's

I also think she can be over produced. I think the paino demo of Love Is is far superior to the CD cut, on which to me her voice sounds like a computer and it has too many overdubs. So, I think that while she is an artist who cannot play any instrument or produce very well and, therefore, wisely hires those considered to be very talented, that is a crap shoot that can explode in her face.

In the end, I think she is best when her songs are mostly straight forward and without gimmicks. Her fist two solo records are good examples of what I mean. More current examples are Its Only Love, the Love Is demo, etc.

Then again, the song TISL is tricked up and it works great for me.

My $0.02

ELIUD · #18 10-12-2006, 10:32 AM

I think she's an absolutely terrible business person. She's a great rock star and will go down in history as one of the best and most charasmatic ever, but she has very little know-how in marketing herself. Like Strand said she does love money and if she wanted to generate more, she's missing so many opportunities. For example, now is the time to release her book and not spare the ugly details (sex sells). Yes I know Stevie is too good to hurt people's feelings and likes to retain her mystery yadda yadda yadda, but this is a discussion about whether she's a good business woman and not whether she should be canonized. Also she could have gone the route of so many celebs and released a perfume, a clothing line, a jewelry line, the whole shabang. She'll never do that. She also has a sexy ass speaking voice and could have been doing commercial voice-overs FOR YEARS, making money very discretely hand over foot. For God's sake she won't even get a tourbook out on time to sell at her concerts! Don't tell me - it's "her people" who won't do that for her. She's the decider! She could do a country album or an album of covertunes but she won't. And what better time to celebrate Stevie than Halloween - but who's got the big benefit party every year with all the celebrities showing up in all the costumes- Bette Midler! She knows how to rake in the cash! Sorry people. You are confusing business savy with basic rock star dos and don'ts.

JazmenFlowers · #19 10-12-2006, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELIUD

I think she's an absolutely terrible business person.

I kiiiinda agree with what you're saying. I do think that Stevie became a rock star before all the things you mentioned really became the norm and I think she's been sheltered so much or really is unaware that she doesn't really relate herself to being "one of those celebs" that could/should do that. that's just a half-ass guess.

I do love your point about voice overs though.

strandinthewind · #20 10-12-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELIUD

. . . She's the decider! . . . .

Just like W

and - touche' on your points, though I think she would have lost much of the mystery that surrounds her if she had had too much exposure in too many areas.

Johnny Stew · #21 10-12-2006, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELIUD

I think she's an absolutely terrible business person. For example, now is the time to release her book and not spare the ugly details (sex sells). Also she could have gone the route of so many celebs and released a perfume, a clothing line, a jewelry line, the whole shabang.
Sorry people. You are confusing business savy with basic rock star dos and don'ts.

I have to respectfully disagree, as I believe part of her business-savvy is knowing not to oversaturate the market until people are utterly sick of hearing about you... which is exactly what would happen if she had her name on a clothing line, a jewelry line, perfume, etc., etc.

While I'd love more MUSIC-related releases, I'm happy that Stevie hasn't whored her name out to various non-music-related products like Britney, J-Lo and so many others have.

sparky · #22 10-12-2006, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

I do think that Stevie became a rock star before all the things you mentioned really became the norm and I think she's been sheltered so much or really is unaware that she doesn't really relate herself to being "one of those celebs" that could/should do that.

I agree with Eliud almost 100%. You don't give Stevie enough credit for
being a capable and conscious human being. I mean, she's a friggin TV addict -she knows what's going on with the world and what other people do with their careers. It's not like she lives in a shoe with with no electricity.

She has done some great stuff for select charities and is very generous with her time. But as far as the marketing and bigger business angles - it's a truckload of missed opportunities. All of that stuff can be done in a graceful way. J-ho and Brintey and their tacky **** are not the only way to do it.

JazmenFlowers · #23 10-12-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky

I agree with Eliud almost 100%. You don't give Stevie enough credit for
being a capable and conscious human being. I mean, she's a friggin TV addict -she knows what's going on with the world and what other people do with their careers. It's not like she lives in a shoe with with no electricity.

She has done some great stuff for select charities and is very generous with her time. But as far as the marketing and bigger business angles - it's a truckload of missed opportunities. All of that stuff can be done in a graceful way. J-ho and Brintey and their tacky **** are not the only way to do it.

this is true. I have been read.

Johnny Stew · #24 10-12-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky

She has done some great stuff for select charities and is very generous with her time. But as far as the marketing and bigger business angles - it's a truckload of missed opportunities. All of that stuff can be done in a graceful way. J-ho and Brintey and their tacky **** are not the only way to do it.

I don't know, it just always seems crass to me. Though maybe something like Cher's Sanctuary line might be interesting... but that might be more chiffon and shawls than any human could stand.

JazmenFlowers · #25 10-12-2006, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

but that might be more chiffon and shawls than any human could stand.

bring it on. I'd be in heaven.

Johnny Stew · #26 10-12-2006, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

bring it on. I'd be in heaven.

Ok, I should have said... "more chiffon and shawls than any human other than Jazzy could stand!"

JazmenFlowers · #27 10-12-2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

Ok, I should have said... "more chiffon and shawls than any human other than Jazzy could stand!"

that's better.

Johnny Stew · #28 10-12-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

that's better.

Well, I have to stay on your good side.

sparky · #29 10-12-2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

I don't know, it just always seems crass to me. Though maybe something like Cher's Sanctuary line might be interesting... but that might be more chiffon and shawls than any human could stand.

I'm not even really talking about product endorsement. The very tip of the iceberg would be the paltry low quality merch. Then there are all the "projects" that have been mentioned over the years. It doesn't have to be perfume and crappy leg warmers. There are so many different classy things that could be done. How about a Taschen book of all the really great photos over the years? The HWW, Preston, and Diltz photos alone could make a 200 page coffee book. You hire an editor and art director, get an attorney for clearances and then proof the damned product when it's done. It ain't brain surgery. Alas, I shouldn't waste my breath. This is just another verse in a song I have been singing to death for years. It's my own f*cking worn out Rhiannon.

Ghost_Tracker · #30 10-12-2006, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevie_Buck

We've often heard it mentioned by Lindsey that he was/is always trying to branch out and go against the mainstream when it came to his music (take the 2-Disc SYW argument) no matter what it will cost him. This, supposedly, was the driving force behind all of his solo efforts. So, in that regard, with such quotes from Stevie as "I pray to the commercial gods" and her doing "what's best for her band", would you label her as a sell-out to the industry (straying from her "art" and looking towards finances and risks) or simply a good businesswoman?

Just wondering what you guys thought.

Personally, I think she was just stroking the guy's ego in a sarcastic, fun way; and expressing loyalty to her band. Like they said in "Top Gun," You NEVER NEVER leave your WING man!" Something a survivor like Stevie understands intuitively, i.m.o. She at least tries to be loyal to Fleetwood Mac first and foremost, because that's her "bread and butter" and maybe because that's simply how she feels.