Here's a more sensible comparison, as suggested. I love both these artists. Several years ago, I bought a box of 300 old 45's for five bucks. After digging around amongst all this forgettable eighties crap, I came across Laurie Anderson's O Supermanb/wWalk The Dog. Once I got over the post-modern shock, I became fascinated with the record and played it constantly. Here was a song primarily consisting of one note - a middle C, at that - with a woman's raspy synthesised voice overtop, for eight minutes. And yet it completely fascinates you and holds your attention for the duration. I now own all her LP's. I don't think she's ever done a bad album or song. (Oh, except "Example #22" ) Stunning conceptual artist and violinist.

Then we have Yoko Ono, who was one of the pioneers of female rock, acknowledged as an influence by Kate Bush, The B-52's, Courtney Love, Nine Inch Nails, Cyndi Lauper and so on. Basically invented punk with the Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band and Fly records, long before the so-called "punk revolution" in 1976. Classically trained pianist and vocalist. Became a succesful pop artist during the 80's while in her 50's, and a successful 2000's dance artist while in her 70's. Simultaneously defies ageism, sexism and racism.

Which one?

in their given style and circle, to pit laurie against yoko is like pitting prince against sly. even though the latter might have taken their craft to another level, they wouldn't exist without the former.

Anxiety said:

That's a well-phrased summation.

I'm gonna go with Laurie just because she's taken performance art to an inventive level.

Yoko's "Kiss, Kiss, Kiss" is funky as fuck. I say, Yoko.

BinaryJustin said:

anyone ever heard yoko's song "o'oh"?

talk about FUNKY.

CynicKill said:

i'll agree in that i find the whole of laurie's stuff to be far more accessible than yoko's music (though don't get me wrong, "rising" will always ALWAYS kick my ass), but i think that if you really take a good look at yoko's art and the fluxus movement in general, you'll find that without her and that movement, there'd be no laurie anderson. i'm sure laurie would be the first person to say that, too.

I like Laurie Anderson, but Yoko is way above her, IMHO. Just from the sheer volume of her work... and so much of it is fascinating and just damn good. Yoko is the most unjustly maligned artist in music history, in my opinion. if those who slag her off would listen to her music objectively, and actually give it a chance... there are some great tunes.

death of samantha.

approximately infinite universe.

you're the one.

hell in paradise.

turned the corner.

ask the dragon.

walking on thin ice.

moving on.

yang yang.

open your box.

coffin car.

peter the dealer.

she gets down on her knees.


just to name a handful of my faves.....