EDITOR'S NOTE
"Let the arguments begin," we announced in last week's "Music Issue '07: Chicks Rock."
And boy, did they.
Some of the arguments we expected. When you compile a list of the "best" of anything — in this case the top 10 women musicians in Tampa Bay and the 100 Must-Have CDs by Women Artists — it's no surprise when readers respond with "How could you have left out [insert name here]?"
On the other hand, we found some of the objections a little, well, literal. OK, so not all of the Chicks in "Chicks Rock" play Rock music, but we were kind of thinking that "Rock" had a wider meaning than "plays a mean guitar in a touring heavy metal cover band."
And one controversy we found downright surprising, not to mention disappointing. For anyone who hasn't already followed the dispute between the band Giddy-up! Helicopter and music critic Wade Tatangelo, you can read the series of she said/ he said/ she said comments at the end of the story or on our new music blog, tampacalling.com. Bottom line: as editor, I stand behind Wade's statements regarding what was on the record — statements backed up by senior editor Eric Snider, who was present when Wade made a phone call to a band member confirming this information. As to the larger debate of whether a performer's sexuality is relevant to a profile, I'd have to say yes — if, as in Wade's profiles, it is included among other information regarding the musician's life and work.
The following is a sampling of the many e-mails and online comments we received about the Music Issue:
THANKS
Thank you for all the work that went into this week's issue. I think that you guys and gals at CL did a wonderful job and am very appreciative. There were probably so many other women that could have been included, and I'm sure it was a difficult challenge to narrow it down to just 10. Bringing some attention to the local female talent is paying a huge compliment to us all.
Rebekah Pulley
I wanted to thank you for the coverage of the local women's music scene. Rebekah Pulley, along with Lorna Bracewell, are some my favorite artists, whether locally or nationally. Please, get out and support the local music scene, while these artists are still here in the area for us to enjoy.
Michael Stone
I've seen Bracewell, Giddy-up, Moss-Bond, Pulley and Geri X and have never been let down.
David Jenkins
Thank you, thank you, thank you for paying homage to the late, great Laura Nyro. It's about time she has been given her due and recognized for the genius that she possessed.
Barry Silber
I like the fact that there is new and old, and that for once Aguilera is getting the respect that she needs to get. Her album Back to Basics is amazing.
Mario
I too am glad to see a good sampling of talent without narrow genre constraints. It's tough to pick 100 must-have albums (of all time) but I wanted to suggest another I found, purely by chance, at a thrift shop for a quarter. It's one of those "big black CD's" as I often refer to vinyl in the presence of my students. Day By Day by Doris Day with Paul Weston is simply amazing, especially the standard "I Remember You." If you like Roberta Flack and Dionne Warwick, try to find this one.
Chris
HOW COULD YOU FORGET…?
Blues Fest performer Koko Taylor and Shirley Manson from Garbage.
Turner Arbour
You left out Melissa Etheridge!
Johanna Spielman
Just wanted to tell you that you missed the Indigo Girls!
Tracy
Did you miss Britney Spears? You know, the one that has sold $140M albums worldwide and counting?!
Jeff
Teena Marie?
Reesie
Where is CARLENE CARTER??? or KAREN CARPENTER????
Brendan Thompson
Amazing that superlative artists such as Jane Siberry, Patty Larkin, Lisa Germano, Cocteau Twins and Patty Griffin, to name a few, were missed in favor of such questionable talents as Nico, Hole and Donna Summer.
Ken
How could you include Fleetwood Mac, Sonic Youth and X without including the Jefferson Airplane? Without Grace Slick & co., there definitely would have been no X. Where's Kate Bush, Heart and Natalie Merchant? On the plus side, at least you didn't put Norah Jones in there…
LockBull
Sade, Love Deluxe.
Norah Jones, Come Away With Me.
Angela Swafford
Where is Tracy Labarbera?? Where is Gail Trippsmith?? Where is Alias Julius??
Cindy
There is another up-and-coming artist that should be on the list, Lexi Pierson. That woman has the voice of an angel.
Robert
You basically forgot one of the dopest female-fronted bands out here, fool: D'Visitors.
gwanston
I enjoyed your article on the Music Festival in Florida, Best of the Fests, but you missed one. How come no mention of the Suwanee Magnolia Festival in October? It is one of the best!
Charles Roark
SCHOOL OF "ROCK"
The title says "Chicks Rock." On your list is a harp player, a sax player, some rappers and some folk singers. By musical definition the word "Rock" does not fit these people. They may be great at what they do, but they do not "Rock." As someone in a national "Rock" band, I take this term very seriously. I don't expect trendy catchphrases (you rock girl) from a music writer.
Then, the subtitle says "woman musicians." A vocalist or rapper is NOT a musician. It is a vocalist and defined as so in the union guidelines. There are some great singers on this list, but they are not musicians. This is clearly defined by the union, it is not an opinion.
Hate to be so picky about the wording, but for those of us who do only play for a living, press is very valuable and is taken seriously.
Jimmy James
Not one of these girls rock. They play wimpy folk music or jazz. There is no rocking going on here! Don't even mention the no-talent rapper. Change the article to "10 Bimbos That Play Music Locally." But I suppose we all rock in our own special way, don't we. Loser.
Wendy
Stop fighting, kids. Putting down women who are trying their hardest, playing shows every night of the week to break away from the stereotype [and] never get any recognition or respect — finally an effort was made to encourage them to keep doing what they are doing and you shoot 'em down. You people make me sick.
X
Do you know how many musicians bust their asses every day in Tampa Bay?!!? These "chicks" that are listed are over-hyped!! I have seen all of them. … well, except the harpist. This article is just who was buddies with who. AND THESE WOMEN DO GET RECOGNITION. I have seen these women in Creative Loathing and tbt* many times. So don't be dramatic and say this is the only cookie they have had. YOU make ME sick. People are expressing their disdain for the article. They don't like the women CL has chosen nor their LIBERAL usage of the word ROCK.
XXX
Anyone who gets their panties in a bunch over the use of the word "Rock" really needs to lighten up. Rock on!
Fred
This article appears in Apr 18-24, 2007.