The Logic Off Topic list

John Matthews wrote:

> I think its because we ( in the UK, I am speaking as an Englishman on
> this)
> have one foot in the US and the other in Europe, plus Britain's
> colonial
> past puts British bands and musicians in a unique position to be able
> to
> absorb more varied culture and create more original music from these
> influences (look at the mixed influences of the Beatles, Stones, and
> Led
> Zeppelin for example).
>

  I'm not so sure the UK has a mortgage on creativity, it's just that
marketing, distribution and , most importantly, music consumers there
make it much easier for creative artists to breach the barricades of
mediocrity. Historically US markets and media have been dictated to by
corporations who choose the music which will have a place in the sun.
Somehow, the UK has allowed all-in-sundry to access markets, and,
consequently, if successful there, produce enough sales for the US
corporations to 'adopt' them and introduce them to the american market.
 Just look at blues and soul music in the 60's. Imported from the US
underground and re-exported back to the US mainstream.
And individual artists like Hendrix, Talking Heads etc, who had to go
with British labels to make their way to market. I'm sure there are many
more examples that can be added to the list.

In other words there is more pressure on american artists to conform,
even if they have genius hidden away in their road cases somewhere.
Because they know they have to fit the template to eat.

[the preference of the british music press for artists who are more from
leftfield is probably is a big factor too]


Dave Eager