I read this article yesterday - http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=ent...vd&id=81863.

I couldn't believe what he said about Chris - seriously, a douchebag?? Come on. So I felt compelled to write the guy who wrote the story. Told him his 'special knack' must be broken and had no clue how he could come up with those opinions of him. He wrote me back, and I'll admit he was nicer to me than I was to him. His comments don't really explain how bitchy he was in the article...here's what he said -

"Thanks for your feedback- it's always good to hear from readers, whether they agree with me or not.

At EDGE we try to set ourselves apart from standard (often boring) reviews that just spout info about the DVD, concert, etc. My info/comments on his demeanor was based on a personal encounter with Chris as well as stories I'd heard from working in LA for years, and from watching this DVD. I've gotten about a dozen responses so far, and all but one other person agreed that- especially in the last few years- he seems grouchy, unhappy, cranky, etc.

I do appreciate his music and think he's brilliantly talented; I hope that came through in my comments."

Has anyone ever read anything similar? To me, this just seems so far out of left field...

(Ok, why can't I edit the post heading thingy? It's bugging me that the 't' is missing! lol)

I don't get why he would even put in those comments. It's suppose to be a review of the DVD. Not very professional journalism.

OK, this is going to be controversial, but EDGE is for Boston readers of the gay lifestyle ... so maybe calling CI that kind of ugly name is just for some flair -- However, it certainly isn't an "edgy" adjective. The writer (notice that I don't call him a "journalist") says in his review that his perception of Chris' demeanor is based on intuition. Why would he write something like that? To get attention!!!
If he didn't like Chris, why did he bother to write about the newly re-issued DVD? My "intuition" is that he is a frustrated musician, like so many critics.

I just ordered this new DVD -- it's supposed to be a limited edition that has a personally written and signed note by CI. I haven't received it yet.

I think Chris is generally a nice person, but everyone does have an off day. I have seen him be a little snarky with a fan or two and the snarkiness went right over the fans' head. In one case, he was kinda mean, but I have to admit, the fan irritated me too, so Chris and I shared a smirk over that one.

Lisa, that was an interesting website review of Chris's "Soundstage Christmas" DVD that you found. I've been to some of Chris's concerts & he never seemed grouchy, upset, or in a bad mood. The writer didn't write his review well.

-Deanna

Not very professional.Musn't be interested in him.

Wonder if he was just out to piss us all off,coz if he was,
HE DID A GOOD JOB OF IT DOWN ERE!!!

But thanks Lisa nehoo.

Cheers,

he is so wrong about Chris

I think I'll put it down to him being a frustrated musician, or maybe he came onto Chris and that was why he got a rude response . Or else he's just a grumpy asshole, who knows.

Well it's good that kind on non-fan review[size="4"][/size] happens very rarely.

Well JB, that may be so, but you must admit that the writer of the article in question is not exactly a Journalism Major...

UP

P.S. 'Senior Editor' my **s. "Salzenstein is the Senior Editor, Style & Travel for EDGE Publications". You reckon the 'senior' part means he's retired....

That, or it's a one man show, and he's it.

Yeah Lisa, I bet your right. Probably doesn't do many reviews either...If you are truly reviewing the DVD then review the DVD. Otherwise don't f'n review it.

What ever happened to journalism and journalistic ethics?!?! Sounds like someone could get in trouble for that kinda slander if you ask me.

Guess the author of the article is just looking for a rise outta fans...I thought the it was called the Edge, not the Drudge...stick to the facts...what you say might be your personal opinion, but phrase it a different way. Geeze.

UP

I think you've got it about right. The writer was likely rejected in some way.

I find it difficult to take this review seriously. After all, the writer proclaims himself a "professional shopper". I much prefer reviews written by people with an iota of music background. To me, it's somewhat of a conflict of interest if a person is asked to write a review (if indeed, he was asked) and accepts the assignment when he so obviously has an axe to grind with Chris. I can only assume the "reviewer" is not familiar with the concept of objectivity when writing a review. It is not only unprofessional to attack a performer's character within a DVD review, it is just plain WEIRD. One more thing. If Chris is such a fill-in-the-blank to friends, family, and co-workers, WHY has his band stayed with him for over 22 years? Hershel is "new" at only, what, 13 years? (I may not be exact with those numbers.) Yeah, that's the kind of record that says Chris is hard to work with, is cranky, blah, blah, blah. Another thing -- Chris is working once again with Producer Eric Jacobsen, whom he has been working almost exclusively since the first CD in 1985.

On the bright side, at least we know there is a re-release of the Christmas DVD, featuring "I'll be Home For Christmas". One thing to agree with -- "Chris Isaak is an extremely talented performer." Jason Salzenstein? You are not.

Oh I don't take this stuff too seriously, and so what...it is only his opinion.

the important thing is, we know he's lovely.

"I can only assume the "reviewer" is not familiar with the concept of objectivity when writing a review. It is not only unprofessional to attack a performer's character within a DVD review, it is just plain WEIRD"


Way to go, Fifi! Succinctly put!

Thanks, Silversands

I didn't want to start a new topic for this but I had an e-mail back from the reviewer. (I, along with a number of others, wrote to him to give him our opinions on his "review" (and I use that term *very* loosely.)

He wrote back to thank me for my e-mail and said this:

Thanks for writing to me to express your opinion; while I might not share it, I always like to hear from readers.

In fact, your email- as well as a handful of others- inspired me to write a follow up piece, which you can read here if you'd like:

http://www.edgeunitedstates.com/index.php?...3=&id=80333

Hope you continue to read EDGE!

Note that anything in bold is from the e-mail I wrote to him. I guess he thinks we're all a bunch of crazed fans. (Maybe we are....but we also are very passionate about Chris Isaak's music and I don't think Jason was expecting that.)

Chris Isaak, d-bags, and hate mail
by Jason Salzenstein
EDGE National Style & Travel Editor
Wednesday Oct 29, 2008

EDGE Senior Editor Jason Salzenstein is used to receiving a lot of feedback on his stories (it might have something to do with the fact that he’s the most opinionated person we know). This time however, the backlash was somewhat intense- especially considering he practically showered the subject of his review with praise.

Read what he has to say:

As a writer- especially one with strong opinions- I’m used to getting feedback on my stories. Normally the great majority of comments I receive via email (my address follows every feature) and in person (at weekly meet-and-greets) are overwhelmingly positive. And while I love compliments and positive feedback, I tend to take them with a grain of salt- if only to avoid becoming overly confident, or further enlarging my already fairly large ego.

Some of the emails I received in response to my recent review of the Chris Isaak Christmas DVD, however, are less than loving.

I wouldn’t say that any of the responses I got could be classified as hate mail, but I was surprised at the tone of some of them, and impressed by the passion and zeal that Isaak fans have for their idol.

What was especially strange to me was the fact that only a week ago I wrote a rather lukewarm review of Madonna’s latest tour (or what a like to call her hot mess on stage), and received only one irate comment on the network, and a single negative email. Who would have thought that Isaak fans were more passionate than Madonna freaks?

In case you haven’t read the original review of Chris Isaak’s Christmas DVD, here’s a summary: I think he’s a d-bag, he seems grumpy and pissy to me, I’ve heard from friends that he’s a grouch, but he’s an excellent entertainer, great on stage, and the DVD is good.

Let me be clear about one thing: I stand by everything I said. If you’re looking for an apology or an admission of error, you should click on another story because you’re not going to get it.

I met Mr. Isaak at an after-party for an awards show in Los Angeles a few years ago. He wasn’t a total a-hole, nor was he the worst celebrity I’ve met; but he certainly had an attitude, and his mood could best be described as grumpy, cranky, agitated- and yes- pissy. Of course we all have bad days, and if it were just that experience I probably would never have mentioned my opinion of him- or his demeanor- in my review.

Unfortunately, without getting into details, I have first hand knowledge through at least four people who have worked in or around "the industry" in Hollywood who related what was essentially the same information to me.

After receiving the first few emails from passionate (read: slightly crazed) fans telling me that "I was so wrong; Chris is the nicest guy you’ll ever meet," I admit- I was taken aback. Was it possible that I was completely off base? Did I just catch him on a bad night? Are my powers of intuition failing me?

No.

In fact, when I called three of the people who I’d recalled telling me stories about Chris’ demeanor, all three of them essentially said the same thing. (To be fair, one woman said that since then she’s met him again and he was charming and kind- although "kind of distant and a bit cold.")

The bigger point- at least for me- is that readers wondered why I was "mixing (my) personal opinions of Chris Isaak’s character with a musical critique of his music in a DVD review."
I’m sorry, have you read many features on EDGE?

When we started EDGE Publications, we chose the name EDGE for a reason. As a senior editor, I hope that the content, style, and ’voice’ of our original pieces- whether editorials, reviews, columns, or lifestyle features- reflects the edginess that gives us our name. We’re not trying to be USA Today, The New York Times, or Entertainment Weekly; if you want a boring play-by-play of a CD or a list of songs that an entertainer sings in his or her concert, go to one of those sites. At EDGE, we value the opinions- and quirks- of our writers, and encourage them to allow their personality and personal opinions to come through in their writing.

I was also scolded for using the word "douchebag" by a reader who couldn’t "believe (I) used that word in a review." (Although to be fair I actually said "d-bag," which I consider to be a bit softer.) I don’t know if she was offended by the word itself or the fact that I was using it to describe her hero, but personally I hear that word at least once a week, and when the shoe fits... Trust me, I could have said worse.

It was pointed out by another reader that Isaak’s "band has been with him for over 20 years and his producer has stuck by him since 1985," which I admit, could mean that he’s extremely charming, warm, generous, and agreeable- although not necessarily.

Listen- I’m willing to acknowledge the possibility that my intuition was completely wrong, and that the experiences described to me by friends were exaggerated or weird flukes. I wonder though if any of the fans who wrote to me would be willing to admit that perhaps they’re slightly obsessed with Mr. Isaak, and that they’re likely to attack anyone who says anything negative about their idol?

What makes the situation even more comical in my eyes is the fact that it seems to me that none of this musician’s uber-fans actually read the entire review; I think they simply scanned it for negative comments for which they could attack me. Considering the fact that the first sentence made it clear that I wasn’t in love with Chris ("I admit I’m not a huge Chris Isaak fan..."), yet I nonetheless went on say that "when it comes to musicians... who can pull off an excellent musical performance on stage, Isaak is in a very small club of extremely talented performers," you’d think these readers would give me a friggin’ break.

What it comes down to is this: if you like an entertainer, great. If you don’t, fine. But don’t look at one review as the be-all, end-all of his or her CD, DVD, or movie. You’ve got a choice when it comes to what music you listen to, what movies you watch, and what publications- or reviews- you read. Likewise, accept the fact that not everyone is going to agree with your musical- or personal- opinions, and let that go.

I certainly don’t care if you agree with mine.

And he's still an asshole.

okay.

first off....he's got that whole hollywood insider thing.

so what?

Secondly, we all can be jerks. Every last person on this planet. We all know he's lovely, but he can be a bit cranky too! I listened to last few interviews, and the one where he's talking about getting a new tv and all that, well, let's just say it can summed up that he just isn't interested in changing for other people.

He doesn't have to be all sunshine and roses, and god knows he's been nothing but wonderful to all of us. This doesn't change the fact that his music so beautiful, it made my life a little better for hearing it.

Maybe Chris does get grumpy and pissy when he has to deal with unprofessional assholes like Jason Salzenstein.

"I wonder though if any of the fans who wrote to me would be willing to admit that perhaps they’re slightly obsessed with Mr. Isaak, and that they’re likely to attack anyone who says anything negative about their idol?"

Yes, we all can be grumpy and pissy whether or not dealing with the likes of Mr Salzenstein. Criticism either good or bad comes with the territory, and I think too much is being made of the term d-bag. As he said, he could have written far worse.
I've seen him (CI) up close being quite nasty to a friend of mine. It happens, and it's not the end of the world. Though she never got over it!!

what happened?

I can tell you that Mr. Writer man doesn't like to be called names, either. Huh. Poor baby.

That writer guy must not have many people reading him if the most comments he got from his reviews was from a few of the fans from on here ...

I'm not not totally in love with all the stuff Isaak puts out, but calling someone a d-bag is slightly (more than slightly) inappropriate (especially when you're writing a published cd or dvd review. )

Did anyone on here fax that review to Isaak's management at HK?? Bet Sheryl would defintely have some sort of recourse the way that review was worded...

Anyway, you guys reaching out and touching the writer like that probably made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside in the glow of knowing that he got more than the standard 2 people that usually read his articles (his mom and himself-since he's the editor/proofreader)!?!?

UP

And if it weren't for Google alerts, he wouldn't even have had that. Ha!

I feel like reaching out and strangling the writer.

At least he knows who he's dealing with now:

"I wouldn’t say that any of the responses I got could be classified as hate mail, but I was surprised at the tone of some of them, and impressed by the passion and zeal that Isaak fans have for their idol."

Take that, you so-called "reviewer". Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.............insert more angry faces here!