From: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org (avalon-digest) To: avalon-digest@smoe.org Subject: avalon-digest V4 #115 Reply-To: avalon@smoe.org Sender: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk avalon-digest Tuesday, April 13 1999 Volume 04 : Number 115 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: [AVALON] Shooting the messenger ["Martin Stockman" ] [AVALON] '83 Radio City Show Needed ["Decophile" ] Re: [AVALON] Shooting the messenger ["Will" ] Re: [AVALON] Shooting the messenger [jspellman@banet.net] Re: [AVALON] Shooting the messenger [dawndalion Subject: Re: [AVALON] Shooting the messenger Collen wrote >You can all shoot me for being the messenger of opinions that you don't >like, but the truth is that for all his being photographed at art openings >and chi-chi parties, Mr. Ferry is a minor rock star of dubious value >because of his age and because he doesn't fit in with the current >bottom-line-driven-youth-oriented music world. I am not saying I don't >think he has any talent. And this is not to say that he can't land a deal >with a major record label. But I would have to think that should he find >someone who is willing to sign him, it would be a small label and any >tours would be either extremely extensive in an attempt to sell the record >as widely as possible (a la the early days of the Barenaked Ladies) or >very small in an attempt to lose as little money as possible. I think you're right and you're wrong. We've discussed before how Bryan's star shines brighter outside the USA and how the rest of us have reminders of his presence almost daily via assorted mediums of communication. 'Twas ever thus. Mackay reflects ruefuly in Radio 1's The Bryan Ferry Story - the text of which Gareth is proposing to release to the list soon - that it was a disappointment financially to never break the States but as "cultural people' we were happy to have Euopeans appreciate Roxy's work. (My take on the US non-popularity is the radio-play idiosyncracy of Stateside music. It is frankly bewildering to a Londoner that a society should have black stations and white stations, a musical appartheid, and it seems Bryan's music has always been considered too funky for redneck rockers and too eccentric for the soul boys in the land of opportunity.) To complete that digression I'll add one comment : Somewhat perversely I envy the cult nature enjoyed by Stateside Avalonions. I feel more comfortable loving Bryan/Roxy when they're out of favour. If he's too popular then I know he's veering to an "Oh Yeah (on the radio)" commercialism rather than the experimental arty textures of his less popular output. (Eg the remixes of Spell On You.") If Bryan happens upon this Avalon entry I hope his outsider consciousness empathizes with my argument - although I suspect there are times when he'd prefer the cash ! So is Bryan a minor rock star of dubious value as Collen asserts ? Certainly not from where I'm standing. His recent TV appearance was eagerly anticipated by fans, of course, but also by my friends with no Ferry agenda : People were curious to see an English pop icon in an amusing situation. Thats the key I think. He is an icon. Like Bowie, Costello, Sting, you name 'em ; Take Sting as a comparison. Massive in the States, I guess, but here virtually on a par with Bryan in the UK public's psyche. Whatever Bry's recording impotence, his lowish recent sales, he is still thought of fondly as the man who broke the progressive rock chart stranglehold in the seventies and has consistently brought style and wit to the denim-clad, po-faced, world of popular music. Meanwhile we wait..... Martini - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 19:17:19 -0400 (EDT) From: Colleen Matan Subject: Re: [AVALON] Shooting the messenger On Mon, 12 Apr 1999, Martin Stockman wrote: [...] > the States but as "cultural people' we were happy to have Euopeans > appreciate Roxy's work. (My take on the US non-popularity is the radio-play > idiosyncracy of Stateside music. It is frankly bewildering to a Londoner > that a society should have black stations and white stations, a musical > appartheid, and it seems Bryan's music has always been considered too funky > for redneck rockers and too eccentric for the soul boys in the land of > opportunity.) [...] > Thats the key I think. He is an icon. Like Bowie, Costello, Sting, you name > 'em ; Take Sting as a comparison. Massive in the States, I guess, but here > virtually on a par with Bryan in the UK public's psyche. Whatever Bry's > recording impotence, his lowish recent sales, he is still thought of fondly > as the man who broke the progressive rock chart stranglehold in the > seventies and has consistently brought style and wit to the denim-clad, > po-faced, world of popular music. Fellow Avalonions, I had thought it was obvious from the context of my remark that it was the recording industry, and not my unworthy self, I was referring to when I commented on Mr. Ferry's "dubious value." And we shall see if and exactly what kind of record deal this Icon of Non-Demin Clad Rocque is able to land for himself. As for the ap[p]arthaid which exists here in the vast wasteland known by some as the United States, yes, that is exactly how it is. Playlists are strictly monitored--upon pain of imprisonment--to ensure that radio stations do not ever ever EVER mix 'black' and 'white' music. The same, naturally, goes for other outlets of popular culture. It's backwards and even barbaric, but as Americans we are--alas--not "cultural people" (or even Euopeans, for that matter), and we must carry that cross. I would write more, but it's that time of the evening when we gather in the trailer park, barefoot, to drink beer out of cans and spit, so I must bid you all "Adieu." Colleen - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 19:20:16 -0400 (EDT) From: Colleen Matan Subject: Re: [AVALON] Rich List 1999 On Sun, 11 Apr 1999, Bahi Para wrote: > Which reminds me - Colleen, may we have the answers to your quiz? I would love to provide them, but as it is not my quiz--but one from Vapor that I reprinted without permission--I am afraid I must reveal my ignorance to you all and say that I cannot provide a complete set of correct answers. Colleen - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 19:18:56 -0400 From: "Decophile" Subject: [AVALON] '83 Radio City Show Needed I`m looking for a copy of this show on tape or CD-R. Please e-mail me off list. Thanks. Gene - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 18:44:00 -0500 From: "Will" Subject: Re: [AVALON] Shooting the messenger Just don't spit where you sleep. Will - ----- Original Message ----- From: Colleen Matan To: Sent: Monday, April 12, 1999 6:17 PM Subject: Re: [AVALON] Shooting the messenger > > > > On Mon, 12 Apr 1999, Martin Stockman wrote: > > [...] > > > the States but as "cultural people' we were happy to have Euopeans > > appreciate Roxy's work. (My take on the US non-popularity is the radio-play > > idiosyncracy of Stateside music. It is frankly bewildering to a Londoner > > that a society should have black stations and white stations, a musical > > appartheid, and it seems Bryan's music has always been considered too funky > > for redneck rockers and too eccentric for the soul boys in the land of > > opportunity.) > > [...] > > > Thats the key I think. He is an icon. Like Bowie, Costello, Sting, you name > > 'em ; Take Sting as a comparison. Massive in the States, I guess, but here > > virtually on a par with Bryan in the UK public's psyche. Whatever Bry's > > recording impotence, his lowish recent sales, he is still thought of fondly > > as the man who broke the progressive rock chart stranglehold in the > > seventies and has consistently brought style and wit to the denim-clad, > > po-faced, world of popular music. > > > Fellow Avalonions, > > I had thought it was obvious from the context of my remark that it was the > recording industry, and not my unworthy self, I was referring to when I > commented on Mr. Ferry's "dubious value." And we shall see if and exactly > what kind of record deal this Icon of Non-Demin Clad Rocque is able to > land for himself. > > As for the ap[p]arthaid which exists here in the vast wasteland known by > some as the United States, yes, that is exactly how it is. Playlists are > strictly monitored--upon pain of imprisonment--to ensure that radio > stations do not ever ever EVER mix 'black' and 'white' music. The same, > naturally, goes for other outlets of popular culture. It's backwards and > even barbaric, but as Americans we are--alas--not "cultural people" (or > even Euopeans, for that matter), and we must carry that cross. > > I would write more, but it's that time of the evening when we gather in > the trailer park, barefoot, to drink beer out of cans and spit, so I must > bid you all "Adieu." > > Colleen > > > > > > > > -------------------- > To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: > unsubscribe avalon > - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 23:50:14 -0400 From: jspellman@banet.net Subject: Re: [AVALON] Shooting the messenger Martin Stockman wrote: > I think you're right and you're wrong. > > We've discussed before how Bryan's star shines brighter outside the USA and > how the rest of us have reminders of his presence almost daily via assorted > mediums of communication. 'Twas ever thus. Mackay reflects ruefuly in Radio > 1's The Bryan Ferry Story - the text of which Gareth is proposing to release > to the list soon - that it was a disappointment financially to never break > the States but as "cultural people' we were happy to have Euopeans > appreciate Roxy's work. (My take on the US non-popularity is the radio-play > idiosyncracy of Stateside music. It is frankly bewildering to a Londoner > that a society should have black stations and white stations, a musical > appartheid, and it seems Bryan's music has always been considered too funky > for redneck rockers and too eccentric for the soul boys in the land of > opportunity.) > > To complete that digression I'll add one comment : Somewhat perversely I > envy the cult nature enjoyed by Stateside Avalonions. I feel more > comfortable loving Bryan/Roxy when they're out of favour. If he's too > popular then I know he's veering to an "Oh Yeah (on the radio)" > commercialism rather than the experimental arty textures of his less popular > output. (Eg the remixes of Spell On You.") If Bryan happens upon this Avalon > entry I hope his outsider consciousness empathizes with my argument - > although I suspect there are times when he'd prefer the cash ! > > So is Bryan a minor rock star of dubious value as Collen asserts ? Certainly > not from where I'm standing. His recent TV appearance was eagerly > anticipated by fans, of course, but also by my friends with no Ferry agenda > : People were curious to see an English pop icon in an amusing situation. > > Thats the key I think. He is an icon. Like Bowie, Costello, Sting, you name > 'em ; Take Sting as a comparison. Massive in the States, I guess, but here > virtually on a par with Bryan in the UK public's psyche. Whatever Bry's > recording impotence, his lowish recent sales, he is still thought of fondly > as the man who broke the progressive rock chart stranglehold in the > seventies and has consistently brought style and wit to the denim-clad, > po-faced, world of popular music. > > Meanwhile we wait..... > > Martini I couldn't agree more Martin. US is the most shallow country as a whole. Too many categories. We are afraid of sex but we glorify violence. But I try not to let it get me down. Am I the only one who saw Bryan on the "Duran Duran" VH1 inside the music? There must be other DD fans out there. I was half asleep and saw him talking for 15 seconds, missed most of it. They repeat so much I didn't bother taping. And I must say I am in total envy of this years graduating class of my old school the Berklee College of Music. I thought it was very cool getting my diploma handed to me by George Benson. This years class will get sent on their way with a speech and sheepskins handed to them and handshake by none other than David Bowie. He is being given an honorary degree and two nights before graduation the students give a concert featuring his music w/ different singers for each song. David sits in the middle of the Performance Center with wife Iman Jones and watches. Of coarse I can get nowhere near this because each student gets only two tickets and I don't know any of them. That and they already have all my money. I knew I should have taken another nine years off after high school. Jim - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 21:09:30 -0700 From: dawndalion Subject: Re: [AVALON] Shooting the messenger Jim, Wow...pretty interesting about the Music school. David Bowie handing out diplomas! Only Bryan Ferry or Wolfgang or a lil' of the ole' Ludgwig van would haven topped that in my mind! Cool. And YES, I DID watch and enjoy Duran Duran on VH1, and I did not take my eyes off the screen for fear I would miss my DEAR Mr. Ferry. He appeared approximately 17 Minutes into the program. Gotta shove, Goodnight all, Dawne - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ End of avalon-digest V4 #115 **************************** ======================================================================== For further info, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: info avalon-digest