On Hart's and Bonamassa's latest album Seesaw, Hart does a cover of Tina Turner's "Nutbush City Limits," and knocks it out of the park. When the video of the recording of the song was released, I showed it to everyone I knew. The reaction I received from nearly everyone was one word, "Wow."
This morning on Twitter, I saw Joe Bonamassa retweeted something Gene Simmons (yes, KISS) had tweeted earlier.
Beth Hart's cover of the original, NUT BUSH CITY LIMITS by Tina Turner is surprisingly convincing for a white singer. Check it out
In fairness, Bonamassa replied "I agree, she sang great."
But the tweet by Simmons really bothered me, which is why we are all here today. I thought it might be time to have a little discussion about the inclusion of race in his tweet. While there is no denying there are musical lines drawn in genres of music preferences between races, is it ok to compare an individual voice by race?
Here are the two videos, first the original by Tina, then Beth Hart with Joe Bonamassa. They both kick ass.
What do you guys think?
when you played Beths version a while ago,I thought WOW great cover.Never did the fact that she is white enter my pea brain.Just a great singer blessed with a wonderful voice singing.Yes she did a strong show at NYC Winery,keep on singing Beth Hart.
ReplyDeleteyes, wow was all that was needed.
DeleteGene Simmons..........well now, not pleased with his statement, but not surprised by his choice of words. The only positive note I see is "check it out" maybe the only intelligent thing he said............
ReplyDeleteI thought we had moved beyond the need to define someone's vocals by race.
DeleteTo me... if you close your eyes it is hard to tell who's who! Both fabulous but Gene... or are we looking at the pollitically correctness of his statement which I hope not. If anything I wish he would have said... "for a white girl" because I would agree! Great tune... great performances!
ReplyDeleteYour words "if you close your eyes," is it exactly. Just listen and let the music speak. It's not a matter of being politically correct, which I could give a shit about, it's just goes to the idea of it makes no difference if she's black or white, so why mention it. Thanks for commenting.
Deleteridiculous
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard Joss Stone, Duffy, Adele, Amy Winehouse? They're all lilywhite British girls who sounds like 1960s soul and r&b singers.
talent is talent. comparisons bring on expectations which are rarely fulfilled. race comparisons are exactly what you said... ridiculous.
DeleteBeth has been around for years ... and has always kicked butt. Who cares what color anyone is? My ears and brain only tell me if they're worth listening to. I will say that comment goes along with the "White Men Can't Jump" philosophy, which is mostly used as a joke style of put down. Besides, Gene Simmons is very old school, and shows it continuously. Good Job!
ReplyDeletethanks rich, yes if we all would only rely on our ears and brain. making the assumption that his brain is in good working order is another thing.
DeleteGene Simmons espouses some pretty antiquated thinking. I think if anybody still thinks white girls don't have soul, they should listen to some Christina Aguilara among others as proof that it's just not true.
ReplyDelete