I've listened to Esperanza for years now and each one of her albums has shown a substantial amount of musical growth. With each new album I need a few listens before I'm able to really enjoy it because it's often so different from her previous work (and different from a lot of other music being produced now). Her vocal melodies are always so unexpected when compared to the music, she's certainly not your average musician. I always get the impression that Esperanza is making music that genuinely expresses herself which is really refreshing.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Esperanza Spalding : You gotta watch this
- Thread starter Murdoc_420
- Start date
Well she's no katy perry...
I started watching the full show vid. Pretty cool. Makes me want take the kids to see the ATL show in April.
Kind of funny. If she made a pop record she'd be a sellout.
I started watching the full show vid. Pretty cool. Makes me want take the kids to see the ATL show in April.
Kind of funny. If she made a pop record she'd be a sellout.
I did not call Tal out for anything. I was not the one that first mentioned her. Another person compared her and Esperanza's latest projects, and I said Tal is no where near Spalding as a singer. I just stated what 99% of music lovers feel is a fact.
I've been hearing some buzz about her new stuff, will watch this when I get home from work.
I gotta ask...some of you are saying this performance is "corn" - what does that mean?
I gotta ask...some of you are saying this performance is "corn" - what does that mean?
that was me, lol. i just think she is being "corny" in the video. honestly, i love being the "band" clown on stage, but she takes it to a level of "corniness" that i just can't relate to. she's acting a bit too much, imo.
i hear comparisons to Bowie being mentioned. Bowie made his character portrayals very believable and natural. the ES alter ego seems forced on her.
maybe she is clinically schizophrenic. if so,.. i apologize.
99%, eh? So the quote you replied to didn't actually compare them, but rather pointed out a similar pattern in the direction of their works ("trying to win something this year") -- saying two people are changing their styles to try to win awards doesn't suggest anything about how they compare to each other. If the comment had been "looks like Tal is gunning to take down the reigning Grammy winner" or something like that, then you'd have something to take umbrage at.
Hopkins
Commercial User
She is a fantastic player, but I was never really drawn to a song because of my instrument, or an artist because they play the same instrument as me. At the end of the day, her style of music just isn't for me.
I guess I hit a sore spot, and that was not my intention. I gave my honest opinion about her singing, and I suspect my opinion is pretty common among those who follow great bassists. If not, it's my honest opinion, I'm not out to insult anyone or attack someone's favorite artist.
She is the cover artist of this month's Bass Player magazine. The article goes well into the stage persona discussed here, "Emily." It is a very good discussion, and has some depth to the conversation.
What some folks seem to be taking as "overacting" in the video, I would interpret as acting for the stage rather than acting for the camera. On stage, you play to the back of the house while a camera gets in close and amplifies your projection of presence.
What some folks seem to be taking as "overacting" in the video, I would interpret as acting for the stage rather than acting for the camera. On stage, you play to the back of the house while a camera gets in close and amplifies your projection of presence.
People may be looking at this as an MTV video promoting a radio friendly single when it's the opening number for a boundary pushing, genre blending theatrical concert.
I get being weird, but there is way to do it where it really works from a musical perspective, instead of just being self-indulgent and awkward. To me, these are pretty bad songs. I am a big fan of her though. Love her playing and tone and her voice is really good. She has a vibe that just works great. But not on this. At least this is an alter ego thing that can be filed away hopefully in a few years when she releases new stuff under her real name. I never got into alter ego stuff, I always found it self indulgent and needless.
If you want weird and creative with great bass playing AND good songwriting - check this out (maybe she should too..lol) :
If you want weird and creative with great bass playing AND good songwriting - check this out (maybe she should too..lol) :
This IS rock music (well, rock fusion at least - and certainly more in this genre compared with her earlier works). I'm a huge fan of hers. Unbelievably amazing talent. And in response to an earlier poster - yes, I am also surprised when fans of music (especially bassists on this forum) state that they've never heard of her. I mean, she did win a Grammy for best new artist a few years ago (beating out Justin Beiber - I would think that would stick in someone's craw - haha).
Anyway, for you fretless players out there - she almost NEVER looks at her fingerboard (whether playing electric or upright). According to her interview within BP (yes, she was on the cover!), she learned upright by way of the François Rabbath method. And here I have trouble playing in tune on my Pedulla Pentabuzz while looking and with fret lines!
really? well i reserve the right to speak my mind. maybe you should read her last interview!
The one in JazzTimes ?
She's on the cover there too.
I didn't find it very enlightening...
Why are you always so hyper defensive of every national/global bass player? None of them will swoop down, proclaim you their internet white knight, and then bequeath you their magical instrument for safekeeping. Relax.
