Isn't dude some kind of Vampire slayer or something? Why is he worried about what people say about him on Prince.org? I am confused? Does the guy have a first name like Bob or Timmy? Oh wait his First name is Van? Last Name Hunt? Really? Did his parents not like him? Maybe that was here he was conceived? in a Van? Who cares?! :-)
_____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of squarepeg72 Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 5:46 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [LoveSexyDC] Van Hunt responds to the criticism he's received from Prince.org from his blog: Sunday, January 13, 2008 it's none of your business what other people say about you... Category: Blogging but, I have read my own press. Not all of it. Just enough to not be able to turn back. it's gone to my head. I can remember once going on okayplayer-trying for the 15th time to find some new info on D'angelo's still nascent record-and "stumbled" across a thread about the Prince comparisons that have been made about ME... some of the comments on there were downright destructive. I never even imagined that you could mix the words "p**ssy" and "musician" while stating an opinion:) Some were supportive. Even fewer were constructive or managed to put forth what I would deem accurate analysis. It all made me sick. Because I knew that NOBODY really knew what the f*ck they were talking about. I am neither as perfect as the best that has been said about me nor as mediocre as the worst that's been said. It's ironic. Just two nights ago an associate called and asked if HE should go on line and address some "false accusations" that were made about HIM. I told him, "hell naw. Don't even give those fools any energy. That's what they live for...to dismantle people and overcompensate for their personal problems...all from behind a computer screen." And, alas, here I am. Last night I was on the computer with my son. He likes to look up biographical information on the 43 presidents. (And to think, at 5 years old, all I wanted to do was the 'robot'). After he'd his fill he asked if I would google "Van Hunt's Son." I pondered his reasoning and the potential for damage that I was ignoring. I was reluctant when I said, ". . .o. . .k..." I pressed enter. and right there, at the top of the page was a heading, "Van Hunt is Prince's Son." This time it was Prince.org. "Oh, Jesus" I whispered. I had to have it. Double Click. I read the first line, "there aint sh*t about Van Hunt that's genius." Or something to that effect. My son reads almost as fast as i do. But, I caught him before he got to the curse words. I said "go play." He started to challenge the order. I put on my transformer face. He found a toy. I read on. Of course, everyone on the thread was a Prince fan (so am i). But, to my surprise, this time I emerged from the comments without any long- term scarring. Some people didn't know enough about me to form an opinion. Some people knew enough to be enthusiastically supportive and encouraging of my work. Some were, obviously, musically inclined on top of being Prince fans. Some didn't give a damn. The debate seemed to be fueled by the bodyguarding of Prince's legacy and about the question of whether or not I was a good musician. They mentioned other musicians who would supposedly wipe the floor with me (even 10 year old musicians). What they don't realize is that I've played guitar with, for and beside most of their heroes. And, I doubt that any of those musicians would say that I couldn't hold my own. What they don't know is that guitar isn't even my first instrument. Piano is. What they don't know is I never set out to make improvisational solo records. I fast forward through Prince's guitar solos. not because they're not good. i'm just more interested in other aspects of his work (like the writing and the arrangements). As a matter of fact I would be more likely to listen to Thelonious Monk play one of his tinkly excursions than I would Art Tatum. Charlie Parker could MAKE you hear modal scales in fourths-using major minor 11ths and do it before you notice that Mccoy Tyner or Oscar Peterson didn't even have his hands on the keys. but, i put my money on Johnny Hodges. slow notes by the most beautiful horn tone in the business. Ask me who's the better singer, Sam Cooke or Muddy Waters, and I'll say, obviously, Sam Cooke. But, ask me who I prefer to listen to and, well... Muddy is my man! And, if u listened to Sly's 'there's a riot goin on' you would not walk away from that record claiming that George Benson or Herbie Hancock need be worried about claims on their Godliness. But, it's MY favorite record. What they don't know is that 'their man', while he is an incredible talent and entertainer, he WILLED his biggest hits into being. Because he HAD to be a star. (IF) he no longer writes great songs it's only because being a great songwriter was never his goal. Being relevant was/is. Prince wanted to be the best recording artist/entertainer there ever was. And, he is. but, he MADE himself learn how to write hit songs because he knew he had to in order to reach that plateau. he no longer has to have hit songs. now, his songs only serve as a means to an end - vehicles for what he loves to do - PLAY! he still practices scales like a 20 year old music student. and, he's 50! they don't even understand HIM! and yet, they hang around a site dedicated to him trying to break down who I am?!. What they don't know is that Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Duke Ellington...THOSE are natural-born, great songwriters. They wrote hundreds of them- consistently. Nary a dud in their entire career. What they don't know is that Michelangelo was an artist. Marlon Brando was an artiste (emphasis on the 'iste'). Each more naturally skillful than any of the people I've mentioned. Ayn Rand, Tennessee Williams... craftsmen. Read 'Fountainhead' or watch 'Night of The Iguana'. the work is more fine tuned and sharp and sophisticated than any of the people I've mentioned. They don't know that THESE are the benchmarks for me. Not their obsolete little argument over who has the best album of the last 20 years that was played on the now invisible and inaudible "black radio." What they can't comprehend is the lengths I have gone to create what is my highest ideal...for their world to sneer at...and that it is quietly reaching critical immunity because of the dues that i have paid. So, kiss my a** while you decide if i'm worth your respect. it shouldn't matter to me; and, i am glad to say that it doesn't anymore. and, i will tell my child the same thing the next time he asks me to google Van Hunt's son: it's none of your business what people say about you :) details on my future coming tuesday. V H . ------------------------------------------------------------------------- NewPowerNewYork Mailing List website: Www.NPNY.Org ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe? Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED], in body place npny ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions/Help?: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
