Emma Shapplin

[grant]

Hi Nicola

Yes, I think you're right. "Etterna" has certainly grown on me and it will be interesting to see if I can pick out any highlights next time I listen to it. I must make a point of watching the interview too.

Perhaps because it was the first time I'd really heard Emma, but "Carmine Meo" had much more of an initial effect. The first time I heard it I thought "WOW!": the second time I was completely hooked! I suspect it may have something to do with the orchestration which is perhaps more unusual; more distinctive, than "Etterna".

I found a "Red Planet" CD on Ebay HERE is this the one you mean? It has 3 tracks by Emma.

Best wishes
Grant

[nicola]

Yes, that's the one, Grant.

I think I must prefer Etterna because of its creative quality, and I so adore it when the artist has done the composing and writing themselves, and she didn't lift a finger for 'Carmine Meo'. But just to think - she had all that in her, and EMI didn't let her have any input in the creative process? It's of little wonder that she broke her contract with them ('Etterna' was made illegally!)

If you like Carmine Meo, JD Capadiville went on to write albums just like it with an artist similar to Emma. I will have to find out the name of the project for you. I've never delved into it, myself, being a fan of Emma, and not JDC.

[grant]

Hi Nicola

Mar 29, 2010 6:10:29 GMT nicola said:

I think I must prefer Etterna because of its creative quality, and I so adore it when the artist has done the composing and writing themselves, and she didn't lift a finger for 'Carmine Meo'. But just to think - she had all that in her, and EMI didn't let her have any input in the creative process? It's of little wonder that she broke her contract with them ('Etterna' was made illegally!)

I agree, an amazing creation!

I wondered how come she had retained her name having read in your previous post that it was owned by EMI! So did she "buy" back her name as she is Still Emma Shapplin on "Macadam Flower"?

What a pity she made such a dramatic change of direction for this latest album. I suppose we'll have to wait another 5/6 years to see if her next album reverses direction again.

Best wishes
Grant

[nicola]

I assume she has rights to the name now but she isn't transparent about her activities, and there are certain reports that suggest... well, she could have a better work ethic. She was once due to perform with Sarah Brightman at a concert, but she walked out at the last minute after a disagreement with Brightman (maybe Brightman was at fault, but one would assume you would practice professionalism, and when I say last minute, I mean she was backstage, and walked out).

She did a concert at the end of 2009, and it was a disaster:

israelity.com/2009/11/10/emma-shapplin-crashes-and-burns-in-haifa/

It doesn't seem that she has much respect for fans and work colleagues alike, so whether she owns her name or not, who knows. She could simply just go through another legal battle, but figures that her name is so well known, that releasing under that name pays off the expenses.

I don't know a single thing about her as a person. Perhaps the "mystery" is part of her appeal. She only opened that website 6 months ago - there wasn't any page to find info on her at all before then. I mean, the above reports could be totally unfair/untrue, she just wants her private her life to remain private, so doesn't say anything to the press.

[grant]

She is certainly a strange one Nicola! I would love to see her perform live but if she can be that unreliable

I believe she did a concert in Greece earlier this year. Do you know how that went? Or am I dreaming again?

Best wishes
Grant

[nicola]

Yes, she did perform in Greece, but I don't know how it went. Fingers crossed that she was back on form! She never comes over to the UK anyway. She's always in the Middle East/Eastern Europe. When she's performing at all, that is!

I have tried to find some reviews, but I can't find a single one. Didn't anyone on the planet go!?

[nicola]

I found that group that JDP worked on, they're called atylantos. But... ha... they are really hard to get hold of.

www.last.fm/music/atylantos

It's very similar to Carmine Meo, though.

[larryhauck]

Hi Nicola
Please don't take this comment as rude; but since I live in the U S I have never heard of Emma. So I feel that I would be boring the HWI members if I continually focused on our artists. When I sign on to HWI I prefer to find comments relative to Hayley. I know it's acceptable to post about other artists but I think everything has it's limitations.

Larry

[nicola]

What's your point, Larry?

Seriously, I don't understand what you are trying to say? That I shouldn't post about an artist called Emma Shapplin in a thread titled Emma Shapplin? In the Other Music board? That is limited to classical. light pop, easy listening and classical crossover? That we shouldn't post threads about artists you have never heard of in America?

What is your point?

If you come to HWI to talk about Hayley, don't wander into the Other Music board and leave be others who use the Other Music board as it is supposed to be used? How about that?

If I have read your post right, which I interpret as somebody telling me not to post about a certain topic, I do mean to be rude. Who do you think you are?

BTW, Emma is totally unknown in the UK. She's a French artist. And why not pick on a thread of another artist that has over 15 pages instead of the thread that has had 20 replies in four years? Okay? Thanks.

[grant]

Hi Larry

Nicola is quite right, there are a lot of Hayley's fans here that enjoy listening to other singers as well, which is why we have the "Other Music" board.

I should, perhaps, also point out that I was initially responsible for Nicola resurecting the Emma Shapplin thread and it sorta backfired on me! I was scanning Nicola's site when I found Emma and noticed she had been linked to Tarja Tarunen, formerly of Nightwish and who my friend Steve was very much a fan. I sent him the link and he surprised me by immediately buying a CD of her.

Although he is now not sure what he thinks of Emma, he lent me the CD and I loved it - so much so that I've now got two Emma Shapplin CD's.

One last point Larry. The current discussion about Emma had just about run its course, until you blotted your copy book

Best wishes
Grant

P.S. I've also noticed that Emma has started getting a few more votes on your site Nicola so hopefully that means a few other people have "discovered" her through this exchange

[larryhauck]

Mar 30, 2010 9:09:32 GMT nicola said:

What's your point, Larry?

Seriously, I don't understand what you are trying to say? That I shouldn't post about an artist called Emma Shapplin in a thread titled Emma Shapplin? In the Other Music board? That is limited to classical. light pop, easy listening and classical crossover? That we shouldn't post threads about artists you have never heard of in America?

What is your point?

If you come to HWI to talk about Hayley, don't wander into the Other Music board and leave be others who use the Other Music board as it is supposed to be used? How about that?

If I have read your post right, which I interpret as somebody telling me not to post about a certain topic, I do mean to be rude. Who do you think you are?

BTW, Emma is totally unknown in the UK. She's a French artist. And why not pick on a thread of another artist that has over 15 pages instead of the thread that has had 20 replies in four years? Okay? Thanks.

Hi Nicola
Well there's no ill wind that doesn't blow some good fortune. I must confess I've never read the C/C thread. I have only read the posts on the last 50.
A friend advised me that you run the C/C website. I didn't know that. I suppose my comments really irritated you more because of that.
Nicola I've stuck my foot in my mouth before and this time I stuck them both in. When I pitched softball for a local team some years ago if someone hit a home run off me I would always think darn wish I had that pitch back. Darn, I wish I had that post to you back.
As soon as I posted it I had a remorseful feeling. I realize many others post about other artists.
I suppose a lot of my problem is envy since we don't have in my opinion as much good music in the U S as you folks have in the U K. Also since C/C is your website you are simply chronicling the opinions of others.
I can certainly understand your chagrin over my post and I hope you will forgive me for my insensitivity.I actually went on to your website and found it quite enjoyable.

Mea Culpa
Larry

[nicola]

This matter has amicably been taken to PM. Modify as you see fit.