"If the record was picked up by Dot Records, I would imagine that they would have wanted both sides of the record to be something by Lou alone which would account for the dropping of "So Blue""
About this Quote
This quote by Phil Harris appears to assess a decision-making process in the music industry concerning the song selection for a record. The mention of "Dot Records" suggests that this is a conversation about a particular recording label, and the context recommends that there was a consideration to consist of particular tracks on a record.
The quote suggests that the record label, Dot Records, may have had particular choices or strategic factors for desiring both sides of a record to include works entirely by an artist named Lou. This technique can be comprehended within the common service practices of the music market, where record labels typically look for to profit from an artist's marketability or popularity. By promoting tunes exclusively by Lou on both sides of the record, Dot Records might have been aiming to reinforce brand recognition and enhance audience loyalty for Lou, consequently making the most of industrial success.
The choice to drop the track "So Blue" might indicate that the tune either did not line up with this strategic vision, or it might not have been perceived as strong enough to stand alongside Lou's solo works. Additionally, "So Blue" might have included collaborative elements or contributions from other artists, which may not fit the label's preferred narrative of focusing on Lou as a singular talent.
The underlying dynamic also highlights the influence of record labels in forming the musical outputs and career trajectories of artists. Labels typically have significant control over what is launched to the general public due to their interest in protecting successful returns on their financial investments. This may lead labels to prioritize business potential over artistic expression, sometimes resulting in the exclusion of tracks like "So Blue."
In general, this quote encapsulates the tension between artistic material and industrial strategy in the music market, highlighting how decisions are typically driven by market factors to consider that may eclipse simply creative options.