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Topic History of: Leona - No1 on Billboard; well done Simon, Clive and most of all... Max. showing the last 5 posts - (Last post first)
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Walter Sobchak
Lets not confuse being 'thoroughly bloody nice' which any fool can see Leona is and the quality of her album and its depth of radio friendlypotential singles. The Duffy album really does have 4, the jury is still out as to whether Leona has more than 2.
The Ryan Tedder story on the other hand is a real cracker and may well re-surface once researched ,on the Street of Shame, no doubt.
Good Ears
I heard that Sonny sourced the track, but your story sounds more likely. Whatever happened Sonny was definitely involved in getting those tracks to Simon/Leona.
In regard to the earlier comment regarding singles, the album contains at least 3 possibly 4.
Had the pleasure of working with Leona pre X Factor and she was then and still is now an amazing singer and generally lovely person. She deserves everything that comes her way.
itsmyparty
Ryan Tedder was interviewed a few weeks back whilst promoting with One Republic in the UK, and was asked how he hooked up Leona/Syco/Sony BMG with Bleeding Love.
Turns out a mate of his in the States showed him a couple of videos of her performing on X-Factor (which had been uploaded by fans on YouTube - new model sticking its nose in again). He said he was blown away by her voice and immediately thought he'd like to get in touch and work with her.
He contacted an industry friend in the UK to inquire if they'd heard of Leona or the TV show (he didn't have a clue what X-Factor was then) and whether he might be able to put him in touch with her as he'd been interested in trying to get Leona signed up to a record deal at Interscope.
Who did his friend work for? SonyBMG.
Tedder was told the show was still ongoing, Syco/SonyBMG had first pick of all acts in the show, that they were expecting her to win and were already describing her as "our artist". It was then that Tedder said he though he had the perfect first single for her - "Bleeding Love" which he'd written with Jesse McCartney - and would like to come on board to produce it as well.
Now he didn't say who that industry friend was at SonyBMG ... Sonny Takhar possibly?
BR
Agreed - actually Air Traffic is a good comparison. They have not yet had a "Killer single" yet are gaining popularity around the World in the same way but at a slower rate.
There is more than one way to get success. Leona eventually has done it via X Factor and a massive single and album.
Other quality UK acts like Air Traffic may take the same sort of route as bands like Snow Patrol and Nickleback and even Coldplay. Small single successes followed up by decent album sales and then topped off at some point by a commercial single which opens them up to the mass market.
UK music has some great successes. For anyone to come on here and slag off LEONA is quite simply stupid when she is such a fantastic artist. Jealousy will lose you friends and get you knowhere.
whatonearthisgoingon?
Other boards niggle on about "she's only a Brit school hype" and "not as good as Air Traffic" and other rubbish... this seems an overwhelming "well done" with just a touch of "but can she build a real career?".........
I think, whatever the parlous state of music, this is a real hit by a good pretend star.