ska invita
back on the other side
im going to get hold of it 
Björk and David Attenborough
- Thread starter Firky
- Start date
Johnny Vodka
The Abominable Scotsman
Best thread for this? Not sure.
But Bjork is narrating a documentary based on Merlin Sheldrake's fungi book, Entangled Life.
But Bjork is narrating a documentary based on Merlin Sheldrake's fungi book, Entangled Life.
WhyLikeThis
Something, something, something
Johnny Vodka
The Abominable Scotsman
On BBC4 tomorrow evening. Not sure I realised it's only ~40 mins. Thought it was more feature length.
Derek S-H
Klaatu. Barada. Nikto.
I'd forgotten about that programme, mostly because it was so disappointing.
All Bjork did was talk about herself when, arguably, he is far more interesting than her. She just didn't seem that interested in him, even though he would undoubtedly be a fount of knowlege in one of the key subjects she appears to be passionate about - the natural world and our relationship with it.
Having said that, I am aware of the power of editing to create a misleading perception of people and events, so what was left out may also have played a part. But having said that, my perception of her was reinforced a few years' later when I watched a tribute show to her.
It was a music event and she was on the front row. Various Scandinavian artists made an appearance and sang their favourite Bjork song on stage. The wonderful Robyn appeared and absolutely nailed "Hyperballad", she basically owned it.
The camera cut to Bjork and she sat there absolutely stony-faced because she knew she was being upstaged and she clearly hated it. She didn't see it as respect and appreciation, she saw it as a threat (my interpretation) and there was no editing involved here, you could clearly see it written all over her face.
So yes, great artist, not so great person.
All Bjork did was talk about herself when, arguably, he is far more interesting than her. She just didn't seem that interested in him, even though he would undoubtedly be a fount of knowlege in one of the key subjects she appears to be passionate about - the natural world and our relationship with it.
Having said that, I am aware of the power of editing to create a misleading perception of people and events, so what was left out may also have played a part. But having said that, my perception of her was reinforced a few years' later when I watched a tribute show to her.
It was a music event and she was on the front row. Various Scandinavian artists made an appearance and sang their favourite Bjork song on stage. The wonderful Robyn appeared and absolutely nailed "Hyperballad", she basically owned it.
The camera cut to Bjork and she sat there absolutely stony-faced because she knew she was being upstaged and she clearly hated it. She didn't see it as respect and appreciation, she saw it as a threat (my interpretation) and there was no editing involved here, you could clearly see it written all over her face.
So yes, great artist, not so great person.
Chilli.s
mingling jets and statuettes
she did smile and clap though, it was a great performance too.
AverageJoe
...
I dunno. Imagine a 59 year old trailblazer in any industry who inspired 100s or 1000s of people to follow their trade watching a tribute to her by a 45 year old.
I thin Bjork had tears in her eyes at one stage. Her fixed face was probably more concentration and appreciation as opposed to aggression.
It's going to emotional for Bjork either way.
I thin Bjork had tears in her eyes at one stage. Her fixed face was probably more concentration and appreciation as opposed to aggression.
It's going to emotional for Bjork either way.
story
Changing the facts
Jeez, assumption much?
Imagine having a camera pointed at your face while you’re watching a show filled with people paying you tribute in your chosen field and offering their own interpretation of your contribution to that field. Would you have a charming engaging receptive appreciative look on your face the whole time?
And if you’ve spent almost the whole of your life, from childhood into elderhood, being scrutinised, approached by strangers in public, had lights and cameras pointed in your direction at times when you weren’t expecting it, would you feel happy and comfortable about that? Would your default setting be “Yeah that’s fine, bring it on” or do you reckon you might find that kind intrusive. It might even affect the way you feel about going out in public and being observed.
She probably feels at risk of, well, of what you’ve done here really: assumptions made, judgment passed, decision made, and no way to respond.
There’s plenty of footage of her having a bad time under the gaze of the camera. Maybe holding it together in public is a big ask and a big achievement for her.
Or perhaps you’re right and she’s cold judgmental self serving and jealous.
ETA
Dunno about the Attenborough thing, not watched it. Maybe she was nervous /shy of the great man and talked over her nerves? Maybe he’s a great listener and draws people out really easily? Maybe she’s been conditioned from childhood onwards to perform and it’s become embedded in her behaviour and personality?
Or yeah, you could be right and she’s a diva who can’t bear to give anyone else any space, especially if they’re perceived as equal or possibly greater than she is.
story
Changing the facts
Also that performance by Robyn is good an all but it’s not great. She nailed it technically but she don’t bring anything new or innovative to the song.
If you wanna see someone not enjoying a cover of their own song, check out Sting’s reaction while José Feliciano does Every Breath…
If you wanna see someone not enjoying a cover of their own song, check out Sting’s reaction while José Feliciano does Every Breath…
Sasaferrato
Super Refuser!
Ouch.
Derek S-H
Klaatu. Barada. Nikto.
May I draw your attention to this Thread:
Musicians you idolised as a teen who turned out to be dickheads
An obvious one - Morrissey. I think I was still making excuses for his latest stupid outburst in my early 20s, but I've hated the guy for years at this stage. I don't feel much anymore when he comes out with his claptrap. There are still one or two of my old mates from my teen years who try...
www.urban75.net
But then, you probably already know all about it?
I think you make some good points: none of us really know anybody in the public domain. Rather like the rest of us, they have good days and bad days or beliefs and opinions we share or not. So how about I amend my initial post slightly by saying that my impression of her isn't too positive. Does that meet your exacting criteria of personal judgement?
Derek S-H
Klaatu. Barada. Nikto.
In the Thread I linked above, someone mentions her and how disappointed they feel about what she's become musically.
I'm not too bothered about all that because no one stays the same throughout their whole life (that would be a bit weird if they did), but I do think she's become a bit pompous and up herself, like she takes herself terribly seriously.
Her first two albums were quite playful and fun, but I understand that she was struggling with grief during the recording of her 3rd album (I might be wrong on that) and subsequently it was more sombre and downbeat. And I just feel that professionally (and maybe personally), that's the direction she went down and never came back.
The Attenborough programme just confirmed all this in my mind, maybe somebody else who didn't really know who she was or care about her music might have perceived it differently.
I'm not too bothered about all that because no one stays the same throughout their whole life (that would be a bit weird if they did), but I do think she's become a bit pompous and up herself, like she takes herself terribly seriously.
Her first two albums were quite playful and fun, but I understand that she was struggling with grief during the recording of her 3rd album (I might be wrong on that) and subsequently it was more sombre and downbeat. And I just feel that professionally (and maybe personally), that's the direction she went down and never came back.
The Attenborough programme just confirmed all this in my mind, maybe somebody else who didn't really know who she was or care about her music might have perceived it differently.
