Jan 21 2010
Joss’s Microcosm [Joss Stone on the Tonight Show]
Joss Stone is on The Tonight Show singing her latest single. I’m glad to hear that she’s realizing that trying for the pop hit isn’t helping her career.
It’s not her fault that she can sing circles around Fergie.
But it is her fault that she didn’t recognize on her last effort that playing Fergie’s game wasn’t going to win her any fans or credibility.
But in trying to sing to a crowd outside of her market, she lost herself and her voice.
It’s not a bad thing to have a small audience anymore. Th industry has changed. There’s too many channels, too many web sites, too many chances to change the station. It’s not the same industry. You can’t assume that the backstreet boys and Britney model works anymore. Ke$ha may have the public’s attention now but where is she in 5 years? Heck - 5 months??
Joss has talent, just like Dave Matthews has talent. Just like U2 and Phish. What does Joss lack? It’s the thing that separates the Daves and Bonos from the rest - it’s the story.
Joss is legit. She can sing. When she came out she was the prodigy who was going to save blues music. Now? Is this even the same lady? Same voice and a better performer but where is the spice that drew us in and could sustain a career.
Joss looks like a model, but her career probably should follow closer to Harry Connick Jr. than it does Fergie. Which is, funny enough, the career that will generate the most money over the long term.
Talent trumps. But it’s only one part of the equation. Playing your game and not someone else’s is the other.
This is really a microcosm for what’s happening in the whole music industry. Editing and studio production are becoming more and more obvious as the image of a pop star is more important than the talent of the artist. But it’s not the Jay Sean’s that have the long careers - it’s the ladies and gentlemen who have the abilities. It’s the Elvis Costellos.
I know nothing is going to change but it’s important to know why sometimes, even the best of us can’t win at certain games.
Update: Fixed some misspellings, added a conclusion.
