My friend Sandy deBellis, who went to see Rod Stewart with me last year, sent me this press release… read it and tell me what catches your eye:
"Expanding its creative investment further, Universal Music Group has signed iconic artist Rod Stewart to a long-term worldwide recording agreement, it was announced today by Lucian Grainge, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Stewart and his manager, Arnold Stiefel.
As part of this multi-album deal, the two-time Hall of Famer has teamed with Grammy award-winning producer, songwriter and Verve Music Group Chairman David Foster to record his first Christmas album. Stewart's warm, expressive and distinctively raspy voice is proving a perfect fit for the holiday classics. The album will also feature a handful of star-studded vocal duets and is scheduled for release this fall via Verve Music Group. "
So here is what I notice:
1. Why buy Verve Records, the greatest Jazz label of all times, to release oldies? What are they thinking of? I went to an Elizabeth And The Catapults party at Verve a couple of years and wasn't sure why they were on the label as well, but indie folk is closer than jazz.
2. This isn't a 360 deal, this is for recording only. The concept appears to be that fans of the 1970s superstar are more likely to buy albums. Not a bad idea either, within reason. Still, i wonder how much they are paying him