Vanessa to Violin as Hendrix is to guitar - Discussion

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 7:18 am

Hello,

Im just curious, I'm always hearing how Vanessa has said she wants to do for violin what hendrix has done for the guitar.
Has She dont it yet?
What exactly is she planning on doing...?
Im just confused by the statement...

Wouldn't it mean that she would take the playing to a new level and create things that have never been created etc...

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 8:02 am

Hi Kevin,

My take on that statement when I heard it was that it was all PR (promotional rhetoric). A catchy sound bite for the media.

You may not be familiar with Vanessa's early years but her mum used to put out these info sheets (passinging them off as press releases) that made all kind of statements. Later, once more famous, much of her conversation was scripted and carefully practiced. I wont go into details of specifics as it could be embarrasing for her in certain respects. I was really looking forward to reading her Autobiography and see if she discusses any of this and if so, how honest she is with it.

Xanthippe · Post by **Xanthippe** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 8:48 am

I have never read anything about what Vanessa-Mae meant by this. Also, I don't know whether she actually said it herself or that it was a statement on a pr sheet.

I really don't consider this statement that important, but I can think of several things that she might refer to by this. Technical virtuosity, popularity of the instrument, sales figures and so on. I have noticed for a long time that here in Europe, the violin has become much more popular in modern music since Vanessa-Mae came to the scene. I don't intend to say that this can all be credited to Vanessa-Mae, but she played a role in this that is for sure. The enormous success of Nigel Kennedy with his interpretation of the Four Seasons is also part of this.

As for Vanessa-Mae and PR statements. Vanessa-Mae has been criticized for given pre-edited answers in interviews. However, how original can you be if the same question about 'missing childhood' is asked to you for the .... time? I have seen Vanessa-Mae on TV shows where she was very open, funny, original and detailed in her answers, showing that she is really an intelligent and self-thinking person.

I am too very curious to read in her autobiography on her experiences with the press.

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 10:27 pm

Well I wasn't sure if they were PR statements or whatever. I was just waiting to see how what shes done in her career is anything like what Hendrix did for the guitar.

Xanthippe · Post by **Xanthippe** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 6:56 am

Vanessa-Mae was and is the only instrumentalist who successfully features the violin as leading solo instrument in modern pop music.

That is quite an achievement which substantiates her statement about doing for the violin what Hendrix has done for the guitar.

Jason Tee · Post by **Jason Tee** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 3:35 pm

what has vanessa got to do with hendrix?

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 4:57 pm

No, shes the only person to go "main-stream" People have and still are using the violin as a solo instrument in "pop"-ular music.

Jason the Hendrix thing is a long time ago Vanessa said, her company said, her mom said, somebody said it for her, somebody told her to say it (i dunno, one of these is true) That she wanted to do for the violin what hendrix has done for the guitar. (which i personally think is more than taking the violin mainstream, i mean come on...There were other popular/mainstream guitar players well before hendrix, thats not all he did)

Xanthippe · Post by **Xanthippe** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 8:02 pm

Opinions on Jimi Hendrix vary a lot too. Some find him the best and most renewing guitar player ever, others value him as very good, or just average and nothing special. The same holds for Vanessa-Mae of course, as for any other out-spoken personality in whatever discipline. Personally, I find Jimi Hendrix technically a very gifted player, but his music does not appeal too much to me. I know a few good songs of him that I like, but that is all.

Vanessa-Mae is exceptional in her own way. I think she achieved a lot to be proud about. To compare her with Jimi Hendrix is useless in my mind. Both artists are unique entities and have their own significance for their instruments.

Arioch · Post by **Arioch** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 8:25 pm

Even thoe Vanessa-Mae and Jimi Hendrix are two seperate entities, Just like Vanessa-Mae at the young age of 24, Hendrix led the world with his talent and Style that made the likes of Eric Clapton and Jimmy Pages mouths gape open.
Music Critics world wide slated Hendrix just like how the Beatles were and just like how our Vanessa is today with her Style and Vigour!
What Vanessa-Mae has done to classical is what Hendrix DID to blues. REMOVED IT from the past, Modernised it and placed it in the Future.
Hendrix was slated and called every bad name under the sun, but now he is treated like a god.
I listen to Vanessa-Mae's Music the same way as I listen to Hendrix, with ABSOLUTE PLEASURE (TOTALLY MIND BLOWING!). :laugh:

Xanthippe · Post by **Xanthippe** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 8:35 pm

Well Arioch,

You're right, that is for sure. You mentioned a real similarity to both careers.