Kate's Voice

[hofmann@nrl-css.arpa (James B. Hofmann)]

>>Sure--she has a really dumb voice.  Americans don't put up with dumb voices.
>>
>>--John

Maybe it's no so "dumb" as it is "out of context" with the narrow reservations
that American rock fans reserve for "art rock" wherein Kate is seemingly
categorized (and she has been doing stuff like dance mixes to get out
of this stifling category).  As Andrew points out, people like PEe Wee
Herman (who doesn't really make music...but has a great soundtrack for
his show) and Bruce Springsteen have "dumb" voices (at least to Andrew
and similar aht-snobs) but their voices fit the context of their work.
Pee Wee is silly and has a silly voice.  Springsteen capitalizes on
the great myths of working class, American style for an audience willing
to put up with his stereotypes and therefore the gruff, raw voice fits
well. (Ditto For Dylan).  Kate's voice doesn't seem to fit her music, 
to a lot of Americans, I think.  This is conjecture, though, and I feel
if she and her record company wanted to, they could "sell" her to 
the Americans though not without significant trade-offs.  Anyway, why
care?  You're essentially able to get her new recordings, so it's not
like the American mainstream shunning of Kate isn't hurting you.  

I'd be more interested in hearing how Kate does in OTHER countries besides
America and England?  How about some of you Norwegians or Japanese
filling us in?  Or whomever...