- Consequence of sound
- Festival outlook
“You know, of course, Jack was the most publicized thing about The Raconteurs. And I think, unfortunately, he sort of eclipsed the other guys in the band. And that’s not him personally. I think the press did that. The press sort of said, ‘Jack White and company’ or ‘Jack White and his band,’ rarely mentioning the other people who had a huge, major part in the music. I’m really proud of my contributions to that band. And it’s just a little sad to not be acknowledged for that.”
Brendan Benson on his experiences as a member of The Raconteurs, which, at least from a musical perspective, did prove to be quite successful. So did his recently released solo release. (via Nashville Scene & TFB).
TAGGED AS: Brendan Benson, Jack White, The Raconteurs
comments (7)
The song writing chemistry between Brendan and Jack is phenomenal and surpasses TDW and TWS in terms of complexity and balance for me. I would be terribly disappointed if another Racs album didn’t materialize. But I can understand Brendan’s sentiment. I read a PASTE article on the Racs shortly after I saw them for the first time and the interviewer was a blubbering IDIOT who clearly fawned over JW and disregarded the rest of the band. I rarely read people’s opinions on the bands I’m most passionate about but if that article was any indication of the overall ignorance and obstinance of the media, then I feel for the other artists.
I have been a White Stripes fan forever and i just caught It Might Get Loud. Jack White blew my mind. any true fan should not miss it. http://bit.ly/4SGSGV
Big Raconteurs fan here, I’ve seen them live five times now, and every time it was a huge thrill. The band was a wonderful collaboration, and I hope they’ll be back.
That being said, they don’t begin to compare with The White Stripes; but then, nobody does. The Raconteurs are about on a par with Jack White’s other wonderful and amazing band, The Dead Weather. If anything, I would have to give the edge to The Dead Weather, both in terms of the album and live shows. The big drawback with The Dead Weather is that Jack White is not front and center doing his nuclear explosive Rock Star of the New Millennium thing in that band, since he’s on drums; so that brings it back to an even tie. (But it’s also great to see him on drums, and especially to hear his drumming style, which seems to be pushing The Dead Weather wherever they go.)
I have to admit that I have not listened to much of Brendan Benson’s solo music; I have tried, but it’s just too soft-edged for my own tastes. Even with The Raconteurs, there were some songs that he brought to the table that I was not fond of, especially “Together.” Music is just a very subjective thing, and I’m sure he must realize that there is a great distance between his solo efforts and what The Raconteurs were doing, and that great distance is due mainly to the great presence of one Jack White. So it was never a sure thing at all that the intense interest in The Raconteurs would carry over to a similar interest in Brendan and his solo music.
Like another post here said, Jack White is such a powerful charismatic presence, that it’s pretty much impossible to notice anyone else when he’s on stage. (Although Alison Mosshart does manage to attract more rapt attention than Brendan ever did; it helps that Jack is stuck behind the drums there. As soon as he steps out front with Alison, it’s very clear who the star is.) I keep reading interviews with Brendan where he’s either complaining about all the interest and acclaim Jack gets, or else saying that it bothered him before, but now he’s used to it. He’s a smart guy, but it all seems a little naive. He’s in a band with the biggest young rock star of the decade. He’s standing there in one corner calmly crooning mildly pleasant pop tunes, while over in the other corner there is an awesome, freakalicious thunderstorm, earthquake, thermonuclear explosion and core meltdown going on — with sex on top.
So yeah, you could either feel miffed and petulant at being so dramatically overshadowed by the force of nature that is Jack White; or you could realize what an amazing opportunity it is, just to be up there on the same stage as him. It’s all a matter of perspective.
The last time I checked The Raconteurs were listed as all songs written, recorded and produced by The Raconteurs. Jack and Bredon wrote songs together, I can hear Jacks writting in songs Brendon sang as well as the other way around. I love The Raconteurs and have seen them live three times, and Jack is who every one is amazed by. Jack is who you can’t take your eyes off. Any band Jack will ever be in, will be jacks new band or other band. I love Brendon and he is a fantastic artist, but Jack White III is becoming an icon and has ruled this decade.
Brendan Benson is the best thing about the Raconteurs. His songs are infinitely better than Jack’s. It’s a shame, though, that his solo efforts don’t live up to the Raconteurs stuff.
Completely understandable. But its like Bob Dylan and “the band”. Sure “the band” are damn good musicians, but of course they come second to Bob Dylan. The rest of the Raconteurs HAD to know what they were getting into.
