Why Talent Isn’t Enough: My Review of 20 Feet from Stardom
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- Опубліковано 21 лис 2024
- In today’s video, I explore the 2013 Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, directed by Morgan Neville. It tells the untold story of incredibly talented backup singers like Lisa Fischer, Darlene Love or Merry Clayton, who, despite their immense talent, never quite made it to the centre stage. The film explores themes of success, exploitation, and the emotional journey of artists.
I'll share my personal impressions of the documentary, uncover the behind-the-scenes secrets of iconic music moments, and reflect on what true success really means in the world of music and beyond.
#videoessay #music #documentary
For educational purpose
Narrated and Edited by Antoine Abou-Samra.
Footage from 20 Feet From Stardom (2013)
Artists showcased:
Lisa Fischer
Joe Cocker
George Harrison
Ringo Starr
Darlene Love
Ray Charles
Merry Clayton
Luther Vandross
David Bowie
Mick Jagger
Ike and Tina Turner
Lynn Mabry
Bruce Springsteen
Táta Vega
Lou Adler
Claudia Lennear
Sting
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I've been listening to Lisa Fischer for over 30 years. What an amazing talent, and 20 Feet is a spectacular documentary!
Wow, 30 years! That's some serious dedication! A fantastic talent! And her philosophy and approach to music are so humbling.
Likewise and she’s incredible !!!!!
Lisa Fischer doesn't want to be a solo commercial singer. She did release one album and the lead ballad received a Grammy. But she loves touring with rock bands.
She’s an absolutely brilliant and beautiful woman.
It makes sense that Luther Vandross adored her & even produced tracks on her debut album 🙌
Such a pity that these talented artists don't get the recognition the truly deserve.
It is indeed. That is one of the reasons I loved the documentary, because it is such an important issue. Heartbreaking, actually.
Lisa. Lisa Fisher and r&b fans know exactly who she is. Rolling Stone fans def knows who she is.
And I guess you are one of these fans 😀. Fantastic taste!
@@ATableForTwoFilms And so am I
Yes ma'am!!!! She was very popular when I was young.
Luther gave her her flowers
I remeber Lisa Fischer once stated that she never imagined the vigors and pain of being an recodring artist. During her promotion for the album "So Intense", she lamented that the politics with the record labels and executives deterred her from doing another album. She stated she was content with just being a backup singer. Today, she does very well on the concert circuit. It may not be stadium shows but she loves the small intimate setting of the venue. And lets not forget, many artist rarely makes money from record/album sales. The system is against recording artist and the only people making money are the record labels. The record label robbed the music fans of such of wonderful and cherished singer, who can really sing.
Thank you for your comment. You are pointing at a very important point, which is the definition of success. For Lisa Fischer, it is not being a superstar or playing huge arenas, but being able to be herself and play/sing the music she wants.
The industry has changed so much, and some of the winners are the labels and the streaming platforms. Navigating the industry for an artist has got so much harder. For her to make it on her own terms is a great achievement, and success.
You write what I wanted to write. It's not a failure to walk away from the horrible business side of it. Lisa is successful because she's doing what she lives. She's a true artist. Nowadays, you don't have to be signed to a major label. If you have the talent, it's best to go it along instead of being "made" or robbed. Having said that, I still feel bad for the ones who really wanted it. Music, politics, and the business are different things.
I've always felt that.... I've held many positions where I was supposed to get that raise or position and got passed over.... It's never fair!...
Thank you for sharing this. It's great point. In the documentary, Sting talks about the issue of fairness. Indeed, it is never fair. But it should not stop us from trying and pursuing what is meaningful to us. And it's not easy.
So many things have to come together at the same time for anyone to become a big star in the music industry. It's the right timing, the right song, the right production, and the right promotion and distribution. The most important thing is doing what you love and making a decent living doing it.
Well said! There are so many factors out of our control. It's so much better to focus on the things we can have an impact on: what and how we create.
What is a shame is that these voices had SO MUCH to do with the success of such huge classic songs. And they were underpaid, and given no chance to succeed because of the business. So much talent left penniless and no career to show up
Great point. That is one of the underlying themes in the documentary, and one that is heartbreaking and also revolting. Sadly, it happens in many industries. As Sting says, "it's not about fairness." Unfortunately.
Let’s keep it real every one is not built to be a star! That another level another of hunger. Not to take anything away from the talent.
this is what happens when you dont agree to sell your soul
That is a very interesting point. But what happens when you need to pay the rent, or pay for your children's tuition. These are hard choices to make. And I think everyone has a different way to answer this conundrum.
EXACTLY
it's music BUSINESS. being talented doesn't mean your product is sellable.
I did agree on this, not everyone that's successful as sold there soul so not everyone that's not as refused to sell there soul. The thing everyone forgets is that music is just another trade like every other trades, how good you are don't determine how successful you will be in every single trade you are in. It has more to do with wether or not you have that thing that sells you to the greater group, ie,; a special product or products everyone wants to pay for. I'm a song writer and artiste, and I've had the pleasure of being in the studio with artistes that have a great song but ended up never making it because the production is too basic. Honestly a lot can go wrong with ur music, it may be the lyrics or the performance, or the delivery or just a terrible luck. If any of these or more goes wrong your beautiful voice won't save you. I still believe luck is the main thing here, cos with luck you will find someone who understands ur story and what you are trying to do and the best way to deliver that product. A producer once said' if like the song, at least a million listeners will. Song producers know how to make songs that sells, other just know how to make music. Like wise , song singers are great at singing, others aren't great at singing but not how to write a song that sells. But don't forget the Luck part of it.
YOU PEOPLE love hating! Yall sell your souls at your 8 to 5 every day while making pennies !
Well done! Love it!
Thank you for your kind words. I am so happy you enjoyed the video!
This is something I've always known having great interest in showbiz; but to hear such talented people speak about their experiences is incredibly sad
Lisa Fischer has an amazing voice. I remember when I first hear How and I ease the pain. Brilliant and it was a huge hit and she won a deserved grammy (thatyear was a tie with Patti LaBelle), but how in the hell was the followup Save Me not a hit? That was a classic!
Thank you for sharing your love for Lisa Fischer. What a fabulous artist!
Sad to say but looks and charisma are equally important. Arguably more important.
Two of the famous and successful singers in music history were once background singers, Mariah Carey and Mary J Blige. But there is not too many others background singers that had success, that I know of. Maybe Kelly Price, who was one of Mariah’s background singers.
You can also add Luther Vandross to your list. He was a background vocalist for David Bowie, Chaka Khan, Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Donna Summer and Roberta Flack.
@ yes indeed!
You can add Whitney Houston to that list. She sang back up for Chaka Khan. Check out the album credits on Chaka‘s album called naughty you’ll find sissy Houston, Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross used to read album credits when I was an early teen so I recognize those names when they became big, and I got a chance to see all of them Perform .
I would add Kelly Price to that list too ( I forgot) , she sang background for Mariah Carey in the 90’s before her solo debut.
Super interesting 🤠
Feel like watching the movie now 🎼
Loved it 🔥
Thank you! The documentary is incredible, I highly recommend it 😀
I wish this was longer
Thank you for your comment. I can highly recommend watching the full documentary, it's wonderful. And if you like video essays, here is the first one I did on why we need stories: ua-cam.com/video/vLswpaLKKlI/v-deo.html. It's a commentary on John Yorke’s book “Into the Woods”
@ ♥️
@ yes I’ve seen the documentary but there’s something special about your commentary and analysis that I wish was longer 😃 I’ll check out you’re recommendation.
@@ilikeitlikethat7305 You are so kind. Thank you. Let me know what you think of the other video essay.
I don't understand why Luther Vandross didn't support Lisa Fischer's solo career. She was one of his back up singers. He could have helped her if he wanted to. When you make it bring someone else along. Your light will still continue to shine. Sad.
He thought did. I saw her singing solos at his concerts. Luther was a backup singer for many stars. Longevity is with backup singers. Look what happened to so many of the stars.
It's an interesting point. In the documentary, Lisa Fisher talks about her career and outlook on her life as an artist. She won a Grammy, so she must have been supported by people in the industry. But it seems she never really felt comfortable under the big lights, on her own. I suppose what is important for the artist is to be in a place and space that feels right, and where they can express themselves freely.
She was supported by him.
Luther was a huge supporter of Lisa’s solo career era
He literally co wrote 3 songs on her debut album ‘So Intense’ (1991) & he co produced 4 songs too.
And on his 1996 Secret Love album he has a duet with her called ‘Whether or not the world gets better’ - She is fully credited as a featured artist on that.
Like I know she once addressed the lack of a second album ever being made as ‘energies shifting’, which really tbh could mean anything from Lisa herself was not feeling it or perhaps industry politics?🤔
Who knows. She is still an amazingly talented lady, still out here performing 🙌
He did, he was responsible for her solo career.
"Backup singers" are most often not given the recognition they deserve even if the backup singers are an integral part of a group that has a lead singer...The Marvellettes or Martha and the Vandellas..etc. This is largely the public's fault as most people do not take an interest in anyone in the group except the lead singer. Most people don't even bother to learn the names of any of the group members except for the lead singer.
Thank you for your comment. It is an interesting point, never really thought about.
Talent has never been enough! So many variables involved such as race , gender , skin tone , proximity to beauty and the proximity to talent that is willing to take you to the top. Marketing, fans and politics. I hate when yall say "sell your soul" Yall literally out here selling your soul every second at your jobs making minimum wage and still not creating! Thats life. Its never been fair. Even the most beautiful of the blondes that are perfect! Still dont always make it. We are living on stolen native land built by slaves on dirt where they burned woman for being "witches"
Ike was a pimp that's St.louis 💯
Clearly such a waste of SO much talent amongst black females with true soulful voices. The richness and quality of their natural voices is often imitated but rarely if ever matched - and even then, why veer from the real deal? That sound has become the standard for excellence in all MOBO and its imitators. What a shame they chased fame and lost out. Even those that apparently 'won' only realised it was a false path leading to destruction (check Billie Holliday, Whitney H et al for a few examples). Sadly, an evil music business where it's not what you know/do but who ...
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Indeed there is so much talent that goes to waste. But thanks to fan like you, who recognize these talents, there may be a way for these artists to make a living, and continue creating.
I lmew since I was a kid im the 80s. You have been brainwashed if you think this is a new discovery! I guess you Swifties are disappointed, huh?😂😂😂
She just screaming that’s not singing
she's completely on pitch. her tone is crystal clear and she going from octave to octave. not many people "scream" like that.
🙄 Whatever, man.
They forgot about Rosie Gaines too.
💎 & 🦪
Thank you for reminding us of Rosie Gaines. Fantastic talent who had a solo career, and played also for Prince.