Admittedly, I had heard of Yanni before attending BlissDom09 in February, but I don’t believe I had ever really heard Yanni’s music before then. As one of the surprises at the blogging conference, attendees were treated to watching a portion of the performance from a concert Yanni and four young singers gave in Mexico. We were then able to meet two of the singers. It was wild. It was fun. And if I weren’t looking like such a middle-aged woman I would post the pictures of me standing next to Ender Thomas and Nathan Pacheco to prove that I was there. But, even in the blogosphere, I have my vanity.
Nathan Pacheco, Chloe, Ender Thomas and Leslie Mills, the voices on the Yanni Voices CD
Since going to Nashville, I have received the Yanni Voices CD for being a participant. And the music works, for me. For instance, I can drive my kids and indulge in my nerdy appreciation of operatic singing (Nathan Pacheco) for one song and, during the next songs, my kids can appreciate the pop-like groove of Leslie Mills or Chloe. There is one piece, “Our Days,” that is so ethereal that I’ve recommended it for my husband’s yoga practice. The concept is that Yanni’s music now has lyrics, written by the four young voices. Ender Thomas provides a bit of a Latin groove to his songs and all of the pieces have something to offer.
So what does this have to do with creativity? To me, when an artist stops trying new dimension of a craft, the creative muscle gets cramped. While some may argue that when one music group shifts its output to be less like the album before it is a betrayal. However, not expanding one’s creativity and trying new things seems to be more of a betrayal. If an artist cannot grow or change, then creativity and the exploration of creativity ceases, as well.
It’s funny you mention this because someone else had said that Yanni was ‘selling out’ by doing this project or ‘if it ain’t broke…’-theory but I completely agree with you about taking risks in creativity and stepping outside of your comfort zone. Sometimes, that’s when creative magic happens but how would you know if you didn’t try…. Thanks for this thoughtful review. I’m glad you like the music!
Being creative, to me, means to meet a challenge and poke and experiment. I tend to get bored following in the same routine, which is why writing energizes me. I can write fiction, non-fiction, poetry or just play. Each day is a new subject and new challenges. (Heck, parenting can be the same way!) If one keeps trying the same thing and it’s not working/growing for you, what about approaching it creatively. I trust that music is very similar.
What is funny about the “selling out” comment–how often have we heard that with other successful creatives?
Thanks for the comment, Barbara.