Sounds like some of the Anti-JK sentiment comes from in some peoples
opinions him ripping off Stevie et al; part from lahge pop start
behaviour (20 cars in the garage I heard); perceived hypocrisy.
But 2 other things that might be worth mentioning: I did see some bad
live reviews from UK dates a few years ago. Elson - maybe he has not
always been as tight?
The other more interesting point I have to make is that I am always
hearing about English loathing of successful artists. I say English
because I never hear this from Scots; Welsh; Irish. In JKs case it goes
something like this - he's there at the beginning; signs to Acid Jazz;
the scene takes off; he says Adios to Eddie Pillar pisses off to Sony
for a 10 record deal and that's it. The English hate him. We can't wait
for him to release a bad album and spend the rest of his life wishing he
hadn't sold out. I have heard this so many times and about so many
artists. [Want my opinion? The artist stays true to his/her art, well
good luck. If no - so what? No-ones' forcing you to buy the record/watch
the movie/look at the painting.] Gary Oldman and Tim Roth are good
examples I guess: both in Meantime, both brilliant. Roth since then -
good and bad, independent and mainstream but I think now thought of in
England as "Hollywood". Oldman - quite a lot of bad actually, but to
finance good (Nil By Mouth). A little more disparaging about Hollywood?
(he says he's going to give up acting). Oldman gets the props in Sight &
Sound. I think maybe a little of this with Jay. And if you think I'm
wrong, just watch the Propellerheads backlash in England now that they
are being distributed by Speilberg and his mates in the US. Expect to
see them driving Formula 2 within the year!
JK