Fall 2011 Tour Dates Announced

This is his self-blurb:

Who is Bob Lefsetz
Bob Lefsetz is the author of “The Lefsetz Letter.” Famous for being beholden to no one and speaking the truth, Lefsetz addresses the issues that are at the core of the music business: downloading, copy protection, pricing and the music itself.

His intense brilliance captivates readers from Steven Tyler to Rick Nielsen to Bryan Adams to Quincy Jones to EVERYBODY who’s in the music business.

Never boring, always entertaining, Bob’s insights are fueled by his stint as an entertainment business attorney, majordomo of Sanctuary Music’s American division and consultancies to major labels.

Is “intense brilliance” better than regular brilliance?

Found it.

http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2008/08/07/sales-week-ending-8308/

Lefsetz writes (in regards to blog about sales for week of 8/3/08):

22. John Mellencamp “Life Death Love and Freedom:

Sales this week: 18,885
Percentage change: -30
Weeks on: 3
Cume: 102,219

Why does he look twelve on the cover?

Act your age. Unless you think you’re really gonna get Top Forty airplay and the little kids will understand. You want to be PART of your audience, not miles away. Mellencamp should be showing every line in his face, his history, just like his audience.

If your career is based on credibility, and Mellencamp’s was, don’t do a commercial. It undercuts your cred.

The star here is T-Bone Burnett. He should have his own label.

John & Elaine’s responses:

John Mellencamp

Comment by John Mellencamp | 2008/08/07 at 17:51:39

I thought that you were a fan of music. Seems that a man of your age would have learned not to judge a book by the cover. Listen to the music, it shows every line and every scar.

As far as credibility goes, 23 albums, millions sold, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, etc. etc. etc…..35 years in the business. and for commercials, you mean no “cred” like Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, & U2?

You choose to sit behind your computer and have the illusion that you have an answer….leave your house sometime and get in the real world, the world of struggle, survival and longevity. Nothing is as it seems.

You are either for music or against it. So much negativity, how is that helping?

In the words of the great rock journalist, Timothy White “in the accomplishments of anyone there is real promise for everyone.”

PS The one thing you have gotten right is that T Bone Burnett is a wonderful producer and gentleman.

Elaine Mellencamp

Comment by Elaine Mellencamp | 2008/08/07 at 21:17:21

You must think that you are a photo critic now too…

I guess that you have become the proverbial cranky old man, hurling insults at the people who are out trying to live while you just sit and criticize.

Obviously you don’t have a wife, because if you did, she would have pointed out that when you have absolutely nothing nice to say, EVER, people stop listening.

As you seem overly eager to judge, with no regard to actual facts, I will also address your dig at John’s licensing his song for a commercial. John had had numerous opportunities for decades, and has been offered fortunes, to sell one of his songs. So after 35 years of being his songwriter, who are you to judge what he feels is appropriate for his own music or words? Bottom line, there is no longer a correlation to songs used in commercials and the credibility of the artist. Johnny Cash, no cred? Elvis Costello, no cred? Sting, no cred? Wake up to a new day, blame record company execs if you must, for putting the music industry where it is, but lambasting artists for taking matters into their own hands is just plain short sighted. My husband, I’m sure, pines for the old days sometime himself, but they are gone. We are all looking for a new way. When you write your own song then you can decide its fate.

Elaine Mellencamp

PS I took that photo of John that you mentioned, and he does look rather handsome doesn’t he? So nice of you to mention it.

@Lafayette wrote:

@TOverby wrote:

The only LA area show will be the Henley opening slot, which will of course be a shorter opener set. The tour will finish this year in SF 11/19 & 20.

http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/don-317742-greek-henley.html

Lucinda Williams’ enthralling 45-minute set was probably puzzling to the uninitiated in attendance. Performing with her trio, the unassuming alt-country singer/guitarist began with a batch of sparse numbers, often colored by Blake Mills’ tasteful slide guitar and reverb effects: first came the title track from her winsome latest effort, Blessed, then “World Without Tears,” “Copenhagen” and “Born to Be Loved.”

Once she and her group picked up steam, the crowd really got into the material, particularly a raucous “Buttercup” from the new album (Elvis Costello and Matthew Sweet guest on the studio version); “Real Live Bleeding Fingers and Broken Guitar Strings”; the jagged, Neil Young-esque “Essence”; a sinewy “Change the Locks,” where Williams’ quavering Southern drawl vocals stood out; and the sexually-charged stomper “Honeybee,” with a smoking Mills solo.

Thanks for reminding me/us that there actually was a live Lu show last weekend. I had forgotten, if ever I knew, that Blake Mills was in Dawes; I caught a few songs from them at last weekend’s Rhythm and Roots fest in Bristol–and would have engaged the frontman in conversation if I had been aware of this connection. More on that Fest coming to this Forum–haste post-haste.

@TOverby wrote:

Roanoke 10/25 presale announcement just went up on FB. Starts tomorrow morning and password if BLESSED.
Buffalo 11/6 coming next.
Just a few more dates to announce.

Count me in for Buffalo.
Venue ? Maybe U of B Centre for the Arts again ?

lwj

UB is a wonderful venue, but way to sterile of an environment for my taste.
THANK YOU!!! Tom and Lu for coming to the Town Ballroom.

@TOverby wrote:

Roanoke 10/25 presale announcement just went up on FB. Starts tomorrow morning and password if BLESSED.
Buffalo 11/6 coming next.
Just a few more dates to announce.

Dang it, I grew up halfway between Roanoke and Knoxville, but Tuesday won’t work for me. Still, good to see more dates cropping up. Thanks, Tom.

I may shuffle on over to Buffalo, LWj. We’ll figure out that set list dilemma. 🙂