Yeah, it's something that exists within those with the "artistic temperament". We can't just leave things well enough alone. It's definitely a temptation for me, and I'm still new at this game lol.
Was it a timing thing for you? For me, I was in such an excited and enthusiastic hurry to publish I only gave my first few books three drafts when they could have used more.
Writers and painters seem to be the primary set of artists that seem to keep the ship steady from day one until it's time to go.
Musicians appear to work much differently. Back in the 90s most bands put out an album once every year or possibly two years, occasionally three, and now if they're still around you are lucky to get a new one every decade. Age might affect how they think of their art in a way others don't since there is performative aspect to it. Remember that Bob Dylan has been on an "endless" tour for something crazy like a decade at this point and doesn't seem like he will be stopping until he dies. I doubt he would be pumping out recordings if he was staying home instead.
At the same time, if I went to see, say, a Less Than Jake show today, a band that has been around for 30 years, the chances I would hear a song from their early indie vinyls that I would love to hear would be astronomically low. Especially when they have a new album to promote. There just isn't enough time in an evening to contain 30 years of music. Something has to give and, unfortunately, the stuff maybe three of us attending would like to hear would be the first to go. Bit of a pickle.
On the other hand, as a writer, I can't go very long without either writing, editing, or thinking up an idea that has to be written down. Perhaps there will come a day where the tank will run dry and I'll simply not be able to do it anymore. But I somehow doubt it. There is still too much to do and far too little time to do it in.
I wonder if it’s the physical demands of live performance that make this an either/or for musicians regarding albums/live shows. I mean, the Rolling Stones are still at it—perhaps they find writing and recording new music too boring? Or maybe they truly have nothing to say. Mellowed by their millions.
This one hit hard and has been on my mind since reading it. I cried at the Rush lyrics.
People might not like their music, but Neil Peart was a hell of a lyricist as well as a drummer. Can you believe he wrote that when he was only 30?
Yeah, it's something that exists within those with the "artistic temperament". We can't just leave things well enough alone. It's definitely a temptation for me, and I'm still new at this game lol.
I do it too: I rewrote one novel and am almost finished with another before I republish. It’s hard to let our work go sometimes.
Hell, Blatty took another pass at the Exorcist for its 40th anniversary edition in 2011.
Same here. The novel I just completed and the one I am working on now are major revisions of books I published in 2018.
Was it a timing thing for you? For me, I was in such an excited and enthusiastic hurry to publish I only gave my first few books three drafts when they could have used more.
Writers and painters seem to be the primary set of artists that seem to keep the ship steady from day one until it's time to go.
Musicians appear to work much differently. Back in the 90s most bands put out an album once every year or possibly two years, occasionally three, and now if they're still around you are lucky to get a new one every decade. Age might affect how they think of their art in a way others don't since there is performative aspect to it. Remember that Bob Dylan has been on an "endless" tour for something crazy like a decade at this point and doesn't seem like he will be stopping until he dies. I doubt he would be pumping out recordings if he was staying home instead.
At the same time, if I went to see, say, a Less Than Jake show today, a band that has been around for 30 years, the chances I would hear a song from their early indie vinyls that I would love to hear would be astronomically low. Especially when they have a new album to promote. There just isn't enough time in an evening to contain 30 years of music. Something has to give and, unfortunately, the stuff maybe three of us attending would like to hear would be the first to go. Bit of a pickle.
On the other hand, as a writer, I can't go very long without either writing, editing, or thinking up an idea that has to be written down. Perhaps there will come a day where the tank will run dry and I'll simply not be able to do it anymore. But I somehow doubt it. There is still too much to do and far too little time to do it in.
I'll be at this for as long as I can be.
I wonder if it’s the physical demands of live performance that make this an either/or for musicians regarding albums/live shows. I mean, the Rolling Stones are still at it—perhaps they find writing and recording new music too boring? Or maybe they truly have nothing to say. Mellowed by their millions.
Rush and Blur are two bands that I absolutely love. Nice post.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, and that you also have impeccable taste in music.
Excellent post, I've been thinking about this topic a lot.
Glad you enjoyed it. Care to expand on your thoughts a bit?
Very well written. I always appreciate how deeply you think about these things.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and my obsessing over unimportant esoteric minutiae. Strength in numbers!