Artists who make their cash early, THEN comes the good stuff

[funky_nomad]

There are those who make it big early on, then spend the rest of their careers trying to reach those high spots again. There are those who take years to make it big then sell out for the cash and cruis along in their comfort zone ever-after.

And then there are those who make it big early and use this is a springboard to create their masterpiece, free of any pressures.

Exhibit A - Maria McKee. Made it big with Lone Justice, then penned Show Me Heaven and A Good Heart, but, rather than live off the royalties made this:



which is as angry, tortured and visceral as "pop" albums come. At times it can feel almost invasive listening to it. And it is brilliant.

Yours?

[Moleskin]

Well, that is a fantastic album. I agree with your nomination wholeheartedly.

[Insouciant Western People]

That's not to say that The Walker Brothers didn't make some very fine records. But the greatness of his music rose in directly opposite relation to his sales.

[dang65]

I guess people like Kate Bush and Bjork would count in this category? Big hit single and album, then they spend as long as they like making more and more experimental stuff.

Though I'm not an expert on either of those, so maybe not.

[doctorlouie]

...but, rather than live off the royalties made this...

Isn't this exactly wrong, though? She probably is living off the royalties and need never chase the dollar again. That freedom has allowed her to make work with which she's happy. I haven't heard the LP in question.

[funky_nomad]

Isn't this exactly wrong, though? She probably is living off the royalties and need never chase the dollar again. That freedom has allowed her to make work with which she's happy.

Which differs from this:

And then there are those who make it big early and use this is a springboard to create their masterpiece, free of any pressures.

Exhibit A:

in what way?

[FOR5]

For someone whose only ever heard Maria McKee sing Show Me Heaven, can you please tell me what the fuss is all about with her, she seems to get a fair bit of praise round here and from music critics - (I apologise in advance for my ignorance).

[Bungo the Mungo]

For someone whose only ever heard Maria McKee sing Show Me Heaven, can you please tell me what the fuss is all about with her, she seems to get a fair bit of praise round here and from music critics - (I apologise in advance for my ignorance).

'cos her brother was in Love, and she was sort of modestly sexy for a while. One for the poetry boys.

[Neige]

Well, that is a fantastic album. I agree with your nomination wholeheartedly.

Me too... !!

Of course, regularly getting royalties makes being adventurous a lot easier.

What's interesting with Maria McKee is that neither of her two turgid million-sellers (Feargal Sharkey's A Good Heart and her own Show Me Heaven) soils any of her albums.

[Moleskin]

Well, that is a fantastic album. I agree with your nomination wholeheartedly.

Me too... !!

Of course, regularly getting royalties makes being adventurous a lot easier.

What's interesting with Maria McKee is that neither of her two turgid million-sellers (Feargal Sharkey's A Good Heart and her own Show Me Heaven) soils any of her albums.

Unfortunately she has now released a version of 'A Good Heart': it's on her most recent album.

[funky_nomad]

For someone whose only ever heard Maria McKee sing Show Me Heaven, can you please tell me what the fuss is all about with her, she seems to get a fair bit of praise round here and from music critics - (I apologise in advance for my ignorance).

I find McKee a bit meh when she's doing the saccharine stuff like Show Me Heaven, to be honest.

But get her angry, and it's different kettle of fish. And she was bitingly angry on Life Is Sweet, the lyrics more than the music (although the latter shreds at times).

A couple of clips from Life Is Sweet might be enough, but if not listen with a lyric sheet.

Absolutely Barking Stars
[youtube]BYyhbnfOGPs&feature=related[/youtube]

Scarlover
[youtube]rCpeVcH4bb4&feature=related[/youtube]

[Insouciant Western People]

McKee's If Love is a Red Dress (then hang me in rags) off the Pulp Fiction OST is a belter.

[Neige]

Well, that is a fantastic album. I agree with your nomination wholeheartedly.

Me too... !!

Of course, regularly getting royalties makes being adventurous a lot easier.

What's interesting with Maria McKee is that neither of her two turgid million-sellers (Feargal Sharkey's A Good Heart and her own Show Me Heaven) soils any of her albums.

Unfortunately she has now released a version of 'A Good Heart': it's on her most recent album.

I'm not very keen on it anyway, the last couple albums left me rather cold.
But I'll never forget her performing the Life Is Sweet material in this small local club (the Mühle Hunziken), certainly one of my top ten concerts: