HRC Music & Technology News "Bob Dylan bores me to tears -- Simon Cowell"

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Czar of Cheese
Member Since: Jun 09, 2004

You put that there just for me, didn't you dB? :-)

Just another reason to loathe Simon Cowell.

Jim

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 12, 2007 01:26 pm

hehehe, well, not for you exclusively, but I had to laugh and think to myself "who's gives a crap what this guy thinks and why?"

Where did this dude come from? I always read about his credentials being great, but never get many details outside of vague references to bands with short-lived successes.

Paula Abdul, OK, aging and still hot, moderate drinking problem it seems from the show and has a few hits along with a laundry list of choreography credits for everybody that matters... info at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_Abdul

Randy Jackson, an actual musician, played with Journey during their reign toward/at the top of the charts. Produced and managed many big names...lots of info here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Jackson

Simon's Wikipedia is at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Cowell and is mostly American and Pop Idol info and lots of info about who he knows and hob-knobs with more than anything, including the mention of him passing on Spice Girls (gotta be kicking himself looking back) and Take That. Not much substance in it...some but not a lot even though it's a long page.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Jan 12, 2007 01:38 pm

I think it's obvious by watching the show, Simon has no idea about music or music production. He tries to hide this by being overly harsh so no one will question him, give himself that air of credibility/authority. But not once has he given a lick of constructive criticism, and I'm pretty sure it's because he's one of those, "I don't know how to make something I like, but I know it when I hear it" types. Honestly, he would have no clue how to tell any of the singers how to improve themselves other than to make a better song choice. Never once has he given a reason why something is "terrible". Basically, simon is a business man trying to pretend he know something about music.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 12, 2007 01:41 pm

On the whole, I agree with you, but at the same time, he has made a heck of a lot more money than I have in music...which means he must know something...presumably marketing...but he must have fooled a lot of people.

I do find this excerpt from Wikipedia funny:

Dropping out of school at 17; Cowell took a few menial jobs, but did not get along well with co-workers and bosses, until his father -- who was an executive at the recording giant at EMI Music Publishing got him a job in the mail room. He worked his way up to record producer, but left during the early 1980s to form E&S Music, an independent music company. Cowell soon bolted from EMI to start his own label, which went bankrupt. He returned to EMI, then quit and started another independent label, which went bankrupt in 1989, leaving Cowell deep in debt and forcing him, at 30, to move back home with his parents. Along with fellow EMI clerk Iain Burton, Cowell again left EMI a short time later. They formed an independent record label called Fanfare Records.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Jan 12, 2007 01:47 pm

Quote:
presumably marketing


Exactly.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jan 12, 2007 02:00 pm

Wow he's as bad in the music industry as the people he makes fun of on AI are at singing!

OK now we're all going to have to think up things that we'd say to him as if he were a contestant on Music Industry Idol :-D

Czar of Cheese
Member
Since: Jun 09, 2004


Jan 12, 2007 03:54 pm

I'd call him a boob.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jan 12, 2007 04:00 pm

LOL. Or maybe an ***.

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Jan 12, 2007 06:10 pm

and yet he is THE thing that makes the show. the show would fail without that expectation of 'what's he gonna say next?'


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 12, 2007 09:50 pm

Little Big Man syndrome. He has failed miserably several times. And now finds fame in being a scoundrel. Nothing wrong with that I guess. He is the guy the public loves to hate. And indeed the show might not be the same without him. I would guess he knows something more about the business end of it all yes. But I agree he probably knows very little of the true production end of it which is apparent in his failures with his own label's. Love him or hate him, he has obviously done something right. Marketing, yes that is definitely his strong suit.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jan 13, 2007 08:41 am

I'm thinking he's got more of an ear than most people would give him credit, but on a VERY popular TV show, that's known for his sour-mouthed comments, he's on a gold mine, and all he has to be a jerk.

Have you noticed all the other shows he's been producing now? He's behind 3 or 4 other ones out there now. Maybe not as popular as AI, but still, they're out there.

I'm behind him more than you guys are. I've never been a Dylan fan either. The singing just doesn't do it for me. Plus, I'm not really from that era, so it doesn't hit as strong for me.

Plus, he has really complimented some of the real strong singers, add to that, they've already got two musical type judges, plus Paula's showmanship. They need a heavy to balance out the judging =).

My favorite AI moment: when the 'very bad' singer auditions, and fails, he says he learned to sing from Paula's 'Learn to Sing' DVD. The three judges couldn't stop laughing. They guy went outside and stomped on the DVD, bad-mouthing PA. It was hilarious.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Jan 13, 2007 03:08 pm

The man is without doubt an arrogant, foolish *** of a man for sure.

He irritates the HELL out of us over this side of the pond too...indeed, I'd often thought about going along to the audition just to give him a dig or ten ;-)

Still, he was humbled by an 89 year old granny over here in the last series.

Rich fool though...but FOOL all the same!

Coco.

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003


Jan 13, 2007 04:23 pm

I watched a deal on Biography channel on him and He did have a pretty successful past and was behind some pretty big names as I recall. The fact that he failed several times trying to launch a record label doesn't really mean alot IMO. He does have a knack for knowing what people like/want. We all make the same kind of statements as Cowell, we just wouldn't say it to their face or where they'd likely get wind of it. No denying it gets ratings and makes what would otherwise be a very boring show IMO worth the occasional watch.

To me Dylan falls into the same category as Neil Young, Arlo Guthrie and the like you either like them or you don't, none are great singers to most but are very gifted writers. I personally like all three but I know just as many who would say the same as Cowell if not worse. :D

Dan

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 13, 2007 08:13 pm

Wow, maybe I will be the Simon Cowell of HRC and tell everybody their music or singing or such sucks. Do ya think we'd get some big ratings.


Maybe not.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jan 13, 2007 09:34 pm

Hahaha yes Noize! Be the resident boob!

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Jan 13, 2007 09:48 pm

Quote:

"I've never been a Dylan fan either. The singing just doesn't do it for me."

Thanks pjk.

I think Bob's tunes are fine, but he should have just let somebody else sing them as he sat back, soaked in the royalties, and STFU.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 13, 2007 10:22 pm

OK then its settled. Next person to post a song gets it. I'm gonna make em cry like a baby.

Come to think of it I think there has only been one occasion that someone was actually bad enough someone else mentioned getting voice lessons.

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Jan 13, 2007 10:33 pm

OK Noize, slay me. Pick me apart. I might need it.

www.homerecordingconnecti...sic&id=3791

I can already feel the burn.


Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003


Jan 13, 2007 10:53 pm

I'm not saying it's how one should act or that I even agree with what He says. I rarely watch AI, but when I have I don't think I've heard anyone that actually sucked, but I've heard some that the other judges suger coated, that does no good either IMO. I don't know if the ratings would drop if He wasn't there, but I suspect they would.

Dan


Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Jan 13, 2007 11:31 pm

As I read this thread, I kept wondering, "Who is this AL guy?." Then I finally realized it was an acronym for American Idol.

Somebody needs to fix the Arial font so that the Capital I's can be distinguished from the lower case L's.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 13, 2007 11:49 pm

Herb, if I could quit giggling quietly in the corner I'd maybe try and rip on ya, but I can't. I had already heard the one, but not the others. I gotta admit the rap thing had me laughing out loud with the wife sleeping upstairs soundly. If the boyz were here they'd think I had gone nuts.

I can't rip on it cause it is not bad at all. What in the world possessed you to write that rap?

And beside that, you gotta get outa key or something, or off timing. And none of the above applied to that rap at all. If I played that for Tuna he'd have it in his mp3 player and be playing it for the homies at school.

Anyway, nice try but I can't rip on it, I just can't. At least till I quit laughing.

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Jan 14, 2007 12:12 am

It was a mood I was in at the time. Angry about life. I couldn't listen to "Doncha Learn" for a long time because it was embarrassing, and I just recently decided to dust off the old open reel and digitize it for the ages. I've put aside a lot of the anger that inspired the piece, and now I can look back and laugh at how amusing it is.

Feel free to download it and use it for loops or whatever you want. The low tom that I bent down is F#.

Herb

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 14, 2007 12:22 am

Loopin it, now I had not thought of that. You might have sparked an idea there. I can see the anger part, but also it is a good listen and makes some good points at things people may not look at that same if they hear it.

Member
Since: Aug 13, 2005


Jan 14, 2007 09:18 am

Yes,I like the recordings,it reminds me of the attitude and humour of Steve Martin.Well done Herb,you're definitly through to the next round.;)

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