Lauryn Hill has released one studio solo album, it came out 20 years ago and is regarded as a masterpiece. The BBC link examines the album. The point is made that if you make one great album, there isn’t too much need to make any others.
Since 1998 Neil Young (taking as an example) has released 16 studio albums, 3 live albums, at least 4 box sets and 8 live archive releases. Of the 16 studio releases there have been a few good to great efforts and many not up to that standard. Of course Neil made classic albums in the 60s, 70s and 90s, but which approach is best? A perfectly created masterpiece and nothing else, or releasing albums whether or not the inspiration is there?
bungliemutt says
Hardly anything that Neil Young has released since Sleeps With Angels was worth the time of day, but I’m sure Neil felt that each new project he flitted between was as inspired as anything he delivered in his ‘classic’ years. Perhaps the point is learning to temper ornery self indulgence with some proper quality control. Neil Young meticulously manages his career archive, so clearly cares about his legacy, but has seemingly lost the ability to differentiate between what contributes to that legacy and what tarnishes it.
The answer to the OP is, I guess, somewhere in between the two approaches.
dai says
Lots to agree with there.
Leedsboy says
Is the best way The Blue Nile way? Four albums and only one song I don’t love (War Is Love since you ask). I’d like more stuff but it would make them less special.
dai says
Also:
Kate Bush – Two albums of original studio material since 1993 (one is a corker)
Peter Gabriel – One original studio album in same period (not a corker)
bungliemutt says
See also Gerry Rafferty – suspiciously quiet of late.
dai says
But still more prolific than Kate or Pete…
retropath2 says
Blue Nile or Neil? Ask their accountant?
Tiggerlion says
These days I lean towards Lauryn Hill. Life is too short to listen to 16 shite albums.
Baron Harkonnen says
Life is too short and that’s a fact. 16 studio albums? Not enough, beauty is in the ear of the listener.
I’d rather listen to any Neil Young album than this ‘masterpiece’ from Ms Hill.
bigstevie says
I’m with you Baron. Lauren Hill’s masterpiece can be found in any charity shop.
dai says
Can’t say I’ve ever heard it, but I think I’ve heard 15 of the Neil albums, pretty hard going at times.
Tiggerlion says
Miseducation is a mighty fine album. It’s 70 minutes long but I’ve been able to give it the attention it deserves over the years. I could do without those pesky kids, though. They get on my nerves.
I can’t say I’ve listened to anything Neil Young has released since 1998.
dai says
I like Silver and Gold, Prairie Wind and Psychedelic Pill quite a lot. Le Noise is ok too.
Moose the Mooche says
“I could do without those pesky kids, though. ” – your children get in the way of enjoying music? You monster!!
atcf says
Lately I’ve started making playlists of artists I like but who seem to have no concept of quality control. I’m not sure I’ll listen to their full albums again any time soon. Case in point: Ryan Adams. You can make a fantastic ‘Best Of’ but there’s an awful lot of chaff to wade through to compile it.
The Miseducation Of is a wonderful album. But you do have to ask what’s going on that she’s never managed to release a proper studio follow up.
paulwright says
6 or 7 kids (with one of Bob Marley’s sons), jail time for tax evasion, several half arsed bits of shows and recordings…
She has been busy.
Just not with making decent records it appears.
Mike_H says
Lauryn Hill’s approach suggests complete indifference to stardom and “the industry”.
Neil Young’s approach suggests he’s not fully in touch with the real world any more.
Neela says
Has Neil ever been in touch with the real world?
Neela says
A number of the albums Neil put out in the seventies where considered failures at the time, but are now regarded as classics (On The Beach and Tonight’s The Night especially).
I’m not saying A Letter Home, recorded in Jack White’s bathroom, will be considered a classic in 40 years, but things are not always what they appear to be at first glance. Especially not when Neil is involved.
Kaisfatdad says
You got me curious, Neela!
Here are Jack, Neil and the bathroom!
In action
Neela says
Nice, @kaisfatdad, but as far as the actual album goes – don’t expect too much. Not one of Neil’s best.
Though I must admit I wouldn’t mind one of those booths.
MC Escher says
It depends on how you feel about the artist concerned of course.
I still listen to Miseducation regularly, it makes me laugh, cry, sing and dance. I would take probably leave the area if forced to listen to anything that Mr. Young has released since ‘Freedom’
deramdaze says
Where would those Uncut/Mojo Specials be without artists with a handful of great albums and a load of tat following on?
Funnily enough when it comes to Neil Young/Dylan etc. it is often the overlooked/lousy (i.e. “recent”) stuff that is the most interesting thing to read about.
The trick is to just never listen to it.
Junior Wells says
I expect that would be Shakey’s response- you dont have to buy it / listen to it. Similarly Dylan commented one when a producer , maybe Lanois was fretting….it’s just a record …I’ve got [insert number] of them.
Lauryn Hill has just done the festivals and some other shows down here. Only comment I could find was “fiery performance”.
I agree about reading of lesser known records being of more interest. I know enough about Hwy 61 ,BOTT etc. Gimme the lowdown on say Empire Burlesque or WTF was going on with Down in The Groove.
Sewer Robot says
As someone who grew up on punk propaganda, I’ve always believed if you made one ace record (and, better still, got to perform it on TOTP) then immortality was yours. For example, The Flying Lizards’ definitive version of Money was enough to make them gods chez ‘bot and it’s only recently I discovered they also had a rather groovy dub album on their C.V.
Ms. Hill is scheduled to headline the Pitchfork festival in the summer (someone clearly adheres to the old “if you book them, they will come” logic – we’ll see..) celebrating 20 years since she did some work.
But what a work! If the muse hadn’t deserted Stevie by 1998, this is the kind of tuneful, conscious, poppin’ record he might have made.
I’m afraid Neil’s never done it for me. I bought Decade as one of those I really should get into this homework-style purchases, but beyond Like A Hurricane and a couple of the strummy ones it didn’t appeal…
Baron Harkonnen says
You love what you like and you like what you love. Simple.
Johnny99 says
I have never felt the need to listen to Lauryn Hill.
I still don’t
I have most of Mr Young’s output except the last two or three
The Good Doctor says
There seem to be a number of bands who make a sport of knocking ’em out these days especially the contemporary Psych bands like Thee Oh Sees (or whatever they’re called now) and that King Gizzard and His Lizard Wizard. We’re supposed to admire the fact they release 3 albums and upteen EPs, singles and collaborations in a year – yes I know that was par for the course in the 60s/early 70s but these bands have no concept of Quality Control.