From: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org (avalon-digest) To: avalon-digest@smoe.org Subject: avalon-digest V9 #323 Reply-To: avalon@smoe.org Sender: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk avalon-digest Friday, December 24 2004 Volume 09 : Number 323 Today's Subjects: ----------------- =?iso-8859-1?Q?Re:_[AVALON]_Most_Listened_To._=A0Odds_and_ends. ?= [rober] Re: [AVALON] Most Listened To. =?x-user-defined?Q?=A0Odds?= and ends. [KB] RE: [AVALON] Mamouna ["Guy Lawley" ] =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Re:=20[AVALON]=20Most=20Listened=20To.=A0=20Odds =20?= =?ISO-8859-1?Q?and=20ends.?= [] Re: [AVALON] Most Listened =?x-user-defined?Q?To=2E=A0?= Oddsand ends. [K] RE: [AVALON] Mamouna [Daniel Atterbom ] To leave the list, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon-digest ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2004 12:24:08 +0100 (CET) From: robert@rwhiteford.freeserve.co.uk Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Re:_[AVALON]_Most_Listened_To._=A0Odds_and_ends. ?= KBP writes: :> And "Mamouna"? - I'm in Daniel's court here - it is an > under-rated masterpiece. Unfortunately it has received > significant ridicule because some prefer 'raw and edgy' to > 'perfectly composed' music - isn't that personal preference, > not a measure of 'good or better'? Interesting point KBP makes here. I can't say I consider Mamouna a masterpiece and have moaned about the production a few times. I guess it is personal preference. It's not the "raw and edgy" thing that puts me off it though - I actually really like the perfectly produced and composed "songs" on Avalon for instance. I think this is because they retained some energy and clarity which seemed a bit lost on Mamouna. The Only Face and Your Painted Smile are really beautiful compositions - others like Wildcat Days and the tortuous Which Way to Turn ? waste time and the uptempo tracks lack a real driving rhythm. Chain Reaction is a cracking track though. Maybe KBP is right that it is under-rated. But there is defintely something missing - I remember one review - maybe Q magazine saying that it fell short of greatness - but not by much. Cheers Rob - -- Whatever you Wanadoo: http://www.wanadoo.co.uk/time/ This email has been checked for most known viruses - find out more at: http://www.wanadoo.co.uk/help/id/7098.htm ___________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2004 11:02:30 -0500 From: KB Porter Subject: Re: [AVALON] Most Listened To. =?x-user-defined?Q?=A0Odds?= and ends. Rob wrote: "I actually really like the perfectly produced and composed "songs" on Avalon for instance. I think this is because they retained some energy and clarity which seemed a bit lost on Mamouna." I agree, Avalon has mystical dreamy qualities and a sexy seductive sound while Mamouna evokes a darker side of life, if you will. The former is energizing and uplifting when contrasted to the latter, and appropriately so: Mamouna's 'darker side of life' tapestry explores the damaged psyche wrought with depression and destructive behavior - the downside of life that not everyone has had the misfortune to experience in their lifetime. Perhaps this is a reason why some listeners respond positively to Mamouna (We relate to the music's content.) while others respond negatively (We do not relate to the music because we have never suffered mental illness, destructive personal behavior, or because we have not come to terms with our personal problems and the music repulses us because we are unable to reconcile.). Regardless, Mamouna is richly dense in a heaviness befitting its intended atmosphere. I doubt many would like this album if it had the same feel as Avalon's lightness or happy and satisfied mode. I do find the song "Avalon" an interesting parting song for its name-sake album. A hint of personal and introspective melancholy and wanting is evident. I personally feel that "Avalon" is Mr. Ferry's swan song. From there his romantic persona transitions into a tragic one. I credit his inner strength for his ability to bring Mamouna into daylight - no small or easy task IMO. I finally got around to viewing "The Porter" yesterday. "A Fool For Love" (AFFL) accompanied with grand piano is great, much much better than the version on Frantic. Still, I wish Mr. Ferry hadn't swiped some lyric from "Love War" to augment AFFL, and overall I prefer the 'purer' version from Alphaville. Best wishes. KBP ___________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2004 16:21:54 -0000 From: "Guy Lawley" Subject: RE: [AVALON] Mamouna Just cos, yes, it gets a lot of negatives, and I know I've said it before, but... I do think Mamaouna is a highlight of Ferry's career (one among many) and a masterpiece of sorts. It took me a long time to "get it" and it was thanks to a previous discussion on this list that I went back to it after a long gap. I agree with Rob that "Chain Reaction" is an outstanding track, also love the title track, "39 Steps"; every track can grab me if I'm in the right mood. Season's greetings to one and all. Daniel, you sound as if you're in a good mood; me too, just one working day left before the break... XX Guy - -----Original Message----- From: owner-avalon@smoe.org [mailto:owner-avalon@smoe.org] On Behalf Of robert@rwhiteford.freeserve.co.uk Sent: 23 December 2004 11:24 To: KB Porter; "" Subject: Re: [AVALON] Most Listened To. Odds and ends. KBP writes: :> And "Mamouna"? - I'm in Daniel's court here - it is an > under-rated masterpiece. Unfortunately it has received > significant ridicule because some prefer 'raw and edgy' to > 'perfectly composed' music - isn't that personal preference, > not a measure of 'good or better'? Interesting point KBP makes here. I can't say I consider Mamouna a masterpiece and have moaned about the production a few times. I guess it is personal preference. It's not the "raw and edgy" thing that puts me off it though - I actually really like the perfectly produced and composed "songs" on Avalon for instance. I think this is because they retained some energy and clarity which seemed a bit lost on Mamouna. The Only Face and Your Painted Smile are really beautiful compositions - others like Wildcat Days and the tortuous Which Way to Turn ? waste time and the uptempo tracks lack a real driving rhythm. Chain Reaction is a cracking track though. Maybe KBP is right that it is under-rated. But there is defintely something missing - I remember one review - maybe Q magazine saying that it fell short of greatness - but not by much. Cheers Rob - -- Whatever you Wanadoo: http://www.wanadoo.co.uk/time/ This email has been checked for most known viruses - find out more at: http://www.wanadoo.co.uk/help/id/7098.htm ___________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ___________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2004 11:41:24 EST From: DEAGLERR@aol.com Subject: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Re:=20[AVALON]=20Most=20Listened=20To.=A0=20Odds =20?= =?ISO-8859-1?Q?and=20ends.?= kbporte@attglobal.net writes: > "Love War" from Alphaville! > I too wonder what would have been thr results of releasing Alphaville instead of ( in my humble opinion) the vastly inferior Frantic. The rawness of AV is just what Mr. F needed to shake up his "product", instead of the burnished, nouvel cuisine (one perfect pea on a plate) of (the obviously misnamed) Frantic. I agree Love/War is a standout. The sirens are there 'cause the cops have been called to the scene of a "Domestic Disturbance". What is the song about?: BF has been done wrong and there's gonna be hell to pay. "all the pride, and the pain, and the fighting" No white flag of surrender, no "honey I'm sorry", no "can't we all just get along" he means to tear "her" play-house down. "it's do or die in the neighborhood, can't you feel there's a fever rising, I'd kill you if I could" There's some pleasure tho in getting a bit of his own back: "It's sweet inside like a bitter pill" I love the percolating rythm, & the jangly rime scheme. (Win or loose, blow a fuse, then accuse me, but I don't know why) The "flowers in The rain" part is there to provide a bit of rest & contras. All the aggression in the rest of the song is 'cause "you really hurt my pride, played me for a fool" I suppose L/W will never be released as the "flowers in The rain" part was folded into Frantic's version of Fool For Love. More's the pity. And, er...thanks, KB. Neither Christmas nor New Years, and we didn't have Kwanzaa back in Paleolithic times either. Like Stealers Wheel, "Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle" I suppose it's redundant to mention that Jesus was also a Capricorn. Happy whatever it is you celebrate. Regards, R Deagle ___________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2004 12:28:49 -0500 From: KB Porter Subject: Re: [AVALON] Most Listened =?x-user-defined?Q?To=2E=A0?= Oddsand ends. "Like Stealers Wheel, "Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle"" Richard - I have always loved that song. The first time I heard it I wondered if it was Stephen Stills, whom I've a fondness for, especially his work with Manassas. Great post on "Love War". I've heard slightly different lyrics in some instances. such as, "It's sweet inside the bitter pill" Meaning, the only plus to this bitchfest's is the heated sex that follows during the make-up. And, "Win or loss, you refuse and accuse me. But I don't know why." Meaning, regardless of this fight's outcome, 'Lucy, you hold a grudge and we don't make-up' (no sex, no love, no forgiveness to repair damage), 'you're crazy, Lady'! "I suppose L/W will never be released as the "flowers in The rain" part was folded into Frantic's version of Fool For Love. More's the pity." Exactement, mon ami. Best wishes. KBP ___________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2004 20:28:47 +0100 From: Daniel Atterbom Subject: RE: [AVALON] Mamouna At 16.21 +0000 04-12-23, Guy Lawley wrote: >I do think Mamaouna is a highlight of Ferry's career (one among many) and a >masterpiece of sorts. I do too, and Mr Ferry likes it himself. >It took me a long time to "get it" and it was thanks to a previous >discussion on this list that I went back to it after a long gap. > >I agree with Rob that "Chain Reaction" is an outstanding track, also love >the title track, "39 Steps"; every track can grab me if I'm in the right >mood. To me Mamouna is like a long religious chant. It's perfect to work to. I always enjoy having it on when I'm writing or editing. >Season's greetings to one and all. Thank you. >Daniel, you sound as if you're in a good mood; me too, just one working day >left before the break... Yes I am. The holiday season is over us (and if I may be a bit personal, Guy's and my mutual non-Roxy friend was here not so long ago). I've shopped Christmas dinner och our pug puppies are adoreable. - -- Daniel ___________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ End of avalon-digest V9 #323 **************************** ======================================================================== For further info, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: info avalon-digest