When I saw the category this week was supergroups, my first thought was the Traveling Wilburys. And there it is at the top. I think you're absolutely right about the secret to their success being that they just did what they loved.
Interesting read on supergroups. I think the only supergroup I ever heard and was interested in were the traveling Wilburys, who put out some really fine music.
In my estimation, most of these attempts flop spectacularly. How about “We are the world”? Literally dozens of the top elite singers of the day getting together in a big chorus and overall sounding spectacularly ordinary. OK, as they each took a shot at singing part of a verse where you got to hear what they could do, but it was obvious that no one “left their ego at the door.”
This is a real common thing about America: how can we make something that’s already good even better? There’s nothing wrong with a good cup of coffee, but we have to fuck it up with 17 different types of toppings and flavors so that it’s not even a cup of coffee anymore.
You see this all over the place, whether it’s blue jeans or coffee or “supergroups”. In my estimation, usually the original version is the best but we always seem to have a tendency to want to overdo it. I had an English professor once in college, who said that America “specialized in the great Styrofoam air-conditioned fuck.“ (and usually fucked it up in the process.) Spot on in my opinion.
I don't think the supergroup is a particularly American thing. It seems to be a British invention, if anything. Cream was the first so-called "supergroup," and then Blind Faith, the Dirty Mac, the Plastic Ono Band all came along before Crosby Stills Nash & Young (who I'm surprised not to see here) or the other American supergroups. And "We Are the World" was inspired by Band Aid's "Do they Know It's Christmas," which is possibly even worse.
Ben, I think you're absolutely right! My examples stand but the origins of all this were not nearly as well thought through as your analysis. Mea Culpa!
I am still amazed that, given they included one of the best rock singers of all time, PLUS one one of the best guitarists, that The Firm managed to put out an album that sucked so hard.
When I saw the category this week was supergroups, my first thought was the Traveling Wilburys. And there it is at the top. I think you're absolutely right about the secret to their success being that they just did what they loved.
They might be the quintessential super group
Can’t express enough how much I disliked the firm
Interesting read on supergroups. I think the only supergroup I ever heard and was interested in were the traveling Wilburys, who put out some really fine music.
In my estimation, most of these attempts flop spectacularly. How about “We are the world”? Literally dozens of the top elite singers of the day getting together in a big chorus and overall sounding spectacularly ordinary. OK, as they each took a shot at singing part of a verse where you got to hear what they could do, but it was obvious that no one “left their ego at the door.”
This is a real common thing about America: how can we make something that’s already good even better? There’s nothing wrong with a good cup of coffee, but we have to fuck it up with 17 different types of toppings and flavors so that it’s not even a cup of coffee anymore.
You see this all over the place, whether it’s blue jeans or coffee or “supergroups”. In my estimation, usually the original version is the best but we always seem to have a tendency to want to overdo it. I had an English professor once in college, who said that America “specialized in the great Styrofoam air-conditioned fuck.“ (and usually fucked it up in the process.) Spot on in my opinion.
I don't think the supergroup is a particularly American thing. It seems to be a British invention, if anything. Cream was the first so-called "supergroup," and then Blind Faith, the Dirty Mac, the Plastic Ono Band all came along before Crosby Stills Nash & Young (who I'm surprised not to see here) or the other American supergroups. And "We Are the World" was inspired by Band Aid's "Do they Know It's Christmas," which is possibly even worse.
And I'm laughing at "Do they know it's Christmas", omg. Forgot about that turd.
Ben, I think you're absolutely right! My examples stand but the origins of all this were not nearly as well thought through as your analysis. Mea Culpa!
I am still amazed that, given they included one of the best rock singers of all time, PLUS one one of the best guitarists, that The Firm managed to put out an album that sucked so hard.
As someone more familiar with RATM/Soundgarden, I think the critics are too harsh re: Audioslave... but they have a point.
The Crust Brothers even though they played covers.