"Will Elvis help Diana as an artist?"

[johnfoyle]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... Columnists

The worlds of jazz and pop occasionally commingle, but usually there's tension between them. Take the marriage of Elvis Costello and Diana Krall. In the latest Downbeat magazine, five musicians are asked, "Will Elvis help Diana as an artist?" -- a loaded question prompted, in part, by the six tunes Krall co-wrote with Costello for her upcoming CD.

The answer from Krall sideman Russ Malone? "Diana . . . doesn't need any help or validation. If anyone benefits, it'll be Elvis."

Last Nov. 25, Costello was scheduled to perform in the New York club Iridium to mark the 76th birthday of alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, who guests on Elvis's latest, North. Costello was to play a few numbers with jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, and then they'd do Elvis's Someone Took the Words Away with jazz bassist Gary Peacock, as well as a drummer and Konitz.

However, at a rehearsal, Peacock objected, reportedly saying, "I don't play backup for no rock star." According to Elvis, he, Konitz and Frisell reluctantly agreed that, sans bass, "the arrangements sounded rather like a three-legged donkey." The singer said he told Iridium he wouldn't play, and Iridium reportedly said it would "fire" Peacock to keep Elvis on the bill.

Costello's management declined the offer; Iridium still advertised Costello's name. When fans beheld no Elvis, "a near riot ensued," said an item entitled Mr. Diana Krall in Jazz Times magazine.

[Clover]

It's a toss up, there are a lot of factors, such as, is the "star" in the relationship on the decline or in full bloom.

Examples -
Paul Simon/Edie Brickell (her career tanked with his "help") - He was not in full bloom.

However speaking of In Bloom - Kurt Cobain wrote live through this for Courtney Love, and it made her a star.

Personally I feel the mix of Jazz and Rock is a dicey business.