[Dixielandjazz] No problem with vanity CDs, if....

[Norman Vickers]

Musicians and Jazzfans and DJML

From:  Norman Vickers, Jazz Society of Pensacola

 

A word of explanation for listmates on 
DJML.  We were discussing on the Musicians and Jazzfans list a post from NPR
entitled "Best Jazz of 2011-so far." There were some comments about relative
unknown artists and independent labels.

 

Listmate ( on Musicians and Jazzfans) and jazz journalist Ken Dryden of
Chattanooga, TN has given some pointers about how he thinks about recordings
he receives for review.  It was good advice, so I'm sending to both lists.

 

( If DJMLers want to consider joining our much smaller Musicians and
Jazzfans list, drop me a note and I'll send a longer description of how the
M&JF list works.  Then you can make an informed decision.)

Thanks all.  

Norman

 

From: Ken Dryden [mailto:askkendryden at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2011 11:10 AM
To: Norman Vickers
Subject: No problem with vanity CDs, if....

 

Norman:

 

I used to dismiss many self-released CDs without a thought, but the wise,
not widely known musician increases his/her chance to get heard by doing
some of the following things:

 

Avoid recording all originals, especially if you are young and/or this is
your first CD. But be sure to include a few if you feel they are strong.

 

Avoid covering nothing but familiar standards or jazz works, include at
least an obscurity or two by a great composer. The more times a piece has
been recorded, the harder it is to make a major impression interpreting it,
particularly if the leader is a newcomer.

 

Hire at least one well known musician, even if he or she is a guest on just
2-3 tracks. You might also learn something!

 

Make sure the song titles, composer/lyricist credits, musicians' names and
instruments are spelled and identified correctly. You won't believe how many
artists and labels skip this step.

 

Give your label a name even if it is self-released. Editors for many outlets
will not assign self-issued CDs without a label name or catalog number.

 

Hire a jazz journalist to write liner notes. If he or she isn't one of those
instantly recognizable names, have him or her include a byline identifying
where he or she writes or broadcasts. A good one will take time to interview
you via phone or email to flesh out your story.

 

Consider hiring a jazz publicist. Most writers and broadcasters are happy to
give referrals to those who do a good job. Make sure the press materials are
carefully checked for errors, there's nothing like getting one that claims
the leader guested with "Lou Tabakin" and plays songs by "Richard Rogers"
and "Willard Robinson" (spelling errors were deliberate).

 

With between 600-800 CDs arriving annually at my house, I have to have some
kind of system to prioritize what to hear, as there simply aren't enough
hours in the day to hear everything.

 

Note: CDs with rappers, turntable scratchers or smooth jazz are discarded
without further comment at my house, as are Andrew Lloyd Webber songbooks.

 

Ken Dryden

jazz journalist