| Love for Sale? |
| Monday, 26 February 2007 | |
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Sex Sells--can anyone disagree with that statement?--but how much is too much?  Bond. Not James. In this often conservative world of classical music, what sells? Is it youth? Beauty? Sex? Does controversy make for better sales? Now, call me hypocritical, but I always expect to see Lil' Kim half-naked on her album covers. However, I've been sucked into the media portrayal of classical music and musicians as chaste and pure, so I never really anticipate indulging in visual pleasures of the flesh when it comes to, say, Bach. Enter 1996: Lara St. John's naked solo Bach (below) cover hits store shelves. I was in high school when this album was released. I remember thinking, "Is that... Is that her... bellybutton?! A Curtis graduate at age 17, and it's already come to this? She looks like a pre-pubescent child..." Strolling around Tower Records, I saw men clutching her bare midrift in hand (at least they made a trip to the Classical Section), eyes glazed. I don't know if they actually bought the album. Women... well, if they liked her playing before the release, they probably bought the album too. Maybe.Then Ms. St. John released 'Bach: The Concerto Album (left) Maybe I'm grasping at straws here. Lara is a fantastic performer. So why the pseudo-sexy images like those in the pop industry? I just don't know if projecting oneself as a pop star will sell classical records. But maybe that's the point. Perhaps classical musicians should portray themselves more like pop stars, or say, like the sexy vixens of bond (top right) who wear skirts so short, even Britney Spears would say, "Damn, that's a short skirt!" bond is doing commercials and selling out concerts performing what they call "classical-pop." I guess it works for a pop image. But what classical musician of color does that? We've definitely played up personality (A-hem, Ms. Battle) and we've played up ethnicity a la DBR's locks. But when it comes to sexy images, I think classical musicians of color are just a bit more reserved. Take violist Nokuthula Ngwenyama's Bach Partitas album cover (bottom right) I really can't think of one person of color who sells sexed up images. But should we? And even when we do sort of sexify it , does it help our promotion and sales? Is it a hindrance? Where do WE fit in the "image" of classical music? Share your comments.
 No. 2 : I'll be all sexy and whatnot. As a creative person, with an album or two available for the World's eyes; I can definitely see myself laying atop a throbbing mound of sex kittens, in life. But, mostly to sell more records. I too recall wandering the aisle of a record store and being pleasantly surprised by a Bach recording. Let's not forget Vanessa Mae, she's had a sexy cover or twenty. I haven't checked soundscan to know if the sexy artwork is selling more records; but they always catch my eye.
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'>   Submitted by dVRG • 2007-03-15 23:06:45 No. 1 : Princess I personally don't see what the big deal about showing some flesh is. As long as you look good, show it off! And if it helps sales, or at least gets people to notice your CD, then so much better. Yeah, there's gonna be some slack because you're Black, but that's life. Do what you want. Do what sells, without selling out or compromising your integrity. Do YOU! |
, or what I affectionately call 'Crack Concertos' since the cover looks like she needs a fix. Honestly, it looks like she's trying too hard to be sexy, but just comes across looking victimized. What gives? Is that really necessary? And most important: Did her strung out look help her sales?
for example. It's definitely sexy... but classy. | < Prev | Next > |
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