The-Unmentionable

The-Unmentionable OP t1_j2ebfr6 wrote

As I read these comments I think my surprise was really just that.

I was a teen when she was at her peak of celebrity and just assumed she was so famous because she had that “star quality” meaning she was a natural born performer with a brilliantly jazzy voice.

Now that I’ve explored more of her life and work this past year I was very much not expecting her to be such a normal person who just wanted to make and sing songs for herself.

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The-Unmentionable OP t1_j2bzep0 wrote

I can pretty easily imagine myself as a musician and performing would be my least favorite by a landslide. Her discomfort with it so evident.

Yes her voice is really the reason why she got any fame at all IMO. I did fail to mention her talent as a lyricist! The words were perhaps a bit simple but she knew her vocal emotionality would add all the necessary subtext. And in general I think she had a natural skill for saying a whole lot with few words in her songs.

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The-Unmentionable OP t1_j2bczlw wrote

Oh I know, she was a standout artist. I’ve enjoyed her music for years now but never bothered looking at her performances. I was surprised that such a mainstream artist didn’t have more of a pop star presence. Not necessarily dancing to choreo but like, commanding the audience’s attention so to speak.

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The-Unmentionable OP t1_j2b8tc3 wrote

Idk I’d say putting on live performances is part of being a musician as a career. People can make and release music without the skills to put in a good live performance but it’s part of the job if someone chooses it as a career choice and signs on to a major label.

I don’t think anyone needs to be mainstream pop star level dancing or engaging but, it the eye contact in particular was just difficult to watch. I can only guess that her team would have worked on improving that if they didn’t have to focus so much on getting her sober and healthy.

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