The on-going debate about the treatment of women in the music industry exploded over the last few days. The Guardian was quick to offer its own impassioned comment in response to a review of Madonna’s new album on its pages that fell over itself to talk about anything except the music but the damage had already been done. Readers queued up to voice their outrage at her age being referred to so prominently, anyone daring to rationalise the review outed for being male and therefore entirely the problem. In amongst the fury, it’s easy to overlook the fact it was a 4-star review…though her producer still manages to take much of the credit for this. You’d be on the right track if you guessed he’s a man.
We spoke to legendary singer, Barb Jungr about her own experience as a musician in a world which is struggling to shake off and ageist, sexist image.
“I think the really interesting thing for women in the arts is the invisibility that happens over a certain age. Battling that takes quite a lot of strength of purpose. Madonna is really interesting, because people feel that they have a right to talk about her in a way that I don’t think people really talk about men. The brilliant David Hepworth on Twitter makes the point and it was a good one, but people DO talk about the Rolling Stones in terms of their respective ages but I’ve never heard anybody comment on Mick Jagger’s clothing. And the notion that she has somehow past it. No one would’ve dared say that about Nina Simone. So, there is clearly a whole set of double standards working and they’re not just working with men and women but they’re working in-between genre. I kind of think if we are going, “okay you can be who you want and what you want” (I’m talking about sexuality and gender obviously), then why can’t you do whatever you fucking want at whatever age you are? I really love Mary Beard who, my God, takes it on the chin on a daily basis. Social media…wow! But she gives as good as she gets because she is a smart cookie and I would say the same for Bonnie Greer”.
Barb Jungr will be performing tracks from her new album, Bob, Brel & Me at this year’s Edinburgh Festival on August 24th
skype – quitegr8