From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V4 #5 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Monday, January 5 1998 Volume 04 : Number 005 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Today's your birthday, friend... [matthewm (Mike Matthews)] Re: 18 cd's [Andrew Fries ] Re: Ectogathering: DC ["Joseph S. Zitt" ] Re: Red hand in hand ["Joseph S. Zitt" ] Re: More lists ["Joseph S. Zitt" ] Deanna Kirk in People Magazine [Riphug ] VPK [hillaryj@mindspring.com (Hillary Jackson)] Vonda on WB [Michael Pearce ] acquisitions [Cheri Villines ] Re: Vonda on WB (and new discs) [Horter3 ] Re: Vonda on WB [Philip David Morgan ] H's Top 10 of 1997 [Heather Russell ] Ivy ["J. Wermont" ] Re: acquisitions [Bill ] PRIME CD/VPK Correction [Carolyn Andre ] Re: Jonatha Brooke mailing list? [Jeff Wasilko ] The rest of Neile's 1997 list (long) [Neile Graham ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 5 Jan 1998 03:00:11 -0500 From: matthewm (Mike Matthews) Subject: Today's your birthday, friend... i*i*i*i*i*i i*i*i*i*i*i *************** *****HAPPY********* **************BIRTHDAY********* *************************************************** *************************************************************************** ********************* Paul Cohen (pmcohen@netaxs.com) ********************* *************************************************************************** -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- - -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Paul Cohen Tue January 05 1954 Capricorn Tony Garrity Mon January 08 1962 Pool of Life Greg Bossert Tue January 09 1962 OfTheTimes Troy J. Shadbolt Thu January 14 1971 Capricorn Chris Sampson Wed January 15 1964 Void where prohibited Dennis G Parslow Fri January 17 1964 ...of the Saint Ross Alford Thu January 17 1957 Positive Nancy Whitney Mon January 19 1959 slippery when wet Sarah Noelle Pratt Ferguson Tue January 20 1970 Seanympf-Aquarius Terry Partis Sun January 22 1933 Rocker Sarah McLachlan Sun January 28 1968 Aquarius Ilka Heber Mon February 01 1965 Mermaid Bob Lovejoy Sun February 02 1947 Aquarius Diane Burke Sat February 02 1963 slow children Timothy S. Devine Tue February 03 1970 Aquarius Stephen Thomas Fri February 04 1966 Aquarius - -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 02:34:22 +1100 From: Andrew Fries Subject: Re: 18 cd's basil@naxs.com (Brad Hutchinson) writes: >I'm a little guilty feeling about Veda Hille's _Path of a body_ since the >booklet asks that one not tape the cd. I have to do it to listen to it in >my car. That's where I get to "learn" music the best. So I've already >broken the rule and my catholic upbringing is haunting my sleep. Does this >mean I'll have to be a cassette copy? I wouldn't lose any sleep over this... surely they mean not to make a tape *instead* of buying the CD, but nobody could object to you making another copy for yourself once you bought the disk in question. Just like it's perfectly legal (and moral) to make a backup copy of whatever software you buy. It only becomes piracy when you try to distribute your copies to others. Actually some of the indie artists who are are on much tighter budgets than large corporations and could be expected to be more concerned about lost revenue are actually remarkably relaxed about the whole thing. I just dug up my copy of a disk by Penelope Swales which carries the following note: "It is, of course, illegal to make copies of this album, but if you really want one and can't afford it please send me a few bucks at [given above] address. Please don't rip off independent artists!" n.p. Penelope Swales - "Returning on Foot" (and wondering when will I finally get my copy of Ingrid Karklins' Red Hand - after hearing so much praise I'm really itching to get my hands on it!) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jordan: Hey Amy do you love me? Amy: Yeah. Totally. Why? Jordan: Just, "I love you" can mean a lot of things, like "You'll do until someone better comes along" or "I can't describe how I really feel but I know I'm supposed to say this" or "Shut up! I'm watching TV"... The Doom Generation Visit my site devoted to little-known Australian bands... http://www.zip.com.au/~afries/hall.html - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 1998 10:10:58 -0600 (CST) From: "Joseph S. Zitt" Subject: Re: Ectogathering: DC On Sat, 3 Jan 1998, Valerie Nozick wrote: > Hi all, and especially DC-area ectophiles! > > I'm planning a small ectogathering next Saturday (Jan. 10) to welcome Chip > Lueck (who is visiting) and Tim Cook (who moved here several months ago, but > hasn't been officially greeted) to the DC area. All ectophiles are invited > -- even Meredith and woj will be hoofing it down from New Haven. Argh -- I'd love to be there, but I'm performing in Baltimore that evening. One of these years I gotta meet everybody! ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 1998 10:53:57 -0600 (CST) From: "Joseph S. Zitt" Subject: Re: Red hand in hand On Sun, 4 Jan 1998, charleydarbo wrote: > I'm happy to see Thor is still with Ingrid: his drumming was, for me, a > very important part of the performance I saw at Lounge Ax a few years > ago. Ya gotta hear the tape, also for sale at Ingrid's site, of Thor's old band Stick People. It was an amazing group, with great vocals (by Malford Milligan, now with Storyville), wonderful songwriting (by Craig Ross, who had the solo album Dead Spy Report (or something like that) a coupla years back), and splendid drumming by Thor. And wonderful work by the bass/cello player whose name I'm embarassed to have forgotten... Picture Marvin Gaye fronting '80s era King Crimson to get a vague approximation... ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 1998 11:04:00 -0600 (CST) From: "Joseph S. Zitt" Subject: Re: More lists On Sun, 4 Jan 1998, Neal Copperman wrote: > touch (though not exactly necessary). (Maybe this is the year for a > re-release of Bryars' Sinking of the Titanic disc?) It's still available on the Point Music label (see http://www.pointmusic.com/gbryars.htm ). ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 1998 15:10:29 EST From: Riphug Subject: Deanna Kirk in People Magazine After seeing Deanna Kirk perform in concert last month (opening for Jane Siberry).....and spending time talking with her, I just want to share with everyone Deanna's great musical talent! ;-) She currently has two albums out -- "Mariana Trench" and "Where Are You Now"; the latter was reviewed in a recent issue of "People" magazine: <> Her CD's are available through Borders or CDNow and the URL for Deanna's webpage is: http://www.blackbirdusa.com/deanna.html Definitely worth a listen! *hugs and kisses* Jill :D ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 1998 18:47:22 -0800 From: hillaryj@mindspring.com (Hillary Jackson) Subject: VPK Hi all, Just wanted to let you know that "Blue Apples" by Vyktoria Pratt Keating is NOT out of print. It's on the PRIME CD label,(same label as Susan McKeown's "Bones" and "Through the Bitter Frost and Snow"), and you can order it by calling 1-800-PRIME-CD, or by e-mailing them at mail@primcd.com. They have a new web site too: http://house-of-music.com/primecd. "Blue Apples" is an older release so that's probably why it's not in stores. Hillary - -------------------------------------------------------------- "My heart is dirty my life is clean."--Veda Hille - -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 1998 12:33:29 -0800 From: Michael Pearce Subject: Vonda on WB > Subject: (this message has no title) > > While going through some stuff I found a couple of old coppies of a > magazine called 'GIG for working musicians'. In the Jan. 1990 issue > in a column about up and comers called 'getting signed' mixed in with > Animotion, and hair bands Warrant and Pretty Boy Floyd I find a review > of none other than Vonda Shepard. Here's a bit of what they said... > > "Vonda Shepard has so much going for her that it's downright unfair. > She is gorgeous, she can sing the birds out of the trees, she writes > beautiful songs, and as if all that weren't enough, she is as sweet > as can be in person. I mean, save some for the rest of us, girl! > Fortunately she is generous with her gifts, as her self-titled debut > album for Warner Bros. demonstrates. If there's any justice in the world, > her album will go mega-platinum; then she will be elected Goddess of > All Earth, and our troubles will be over." > > I think they kinda liked her... I called around the country and finally got ahold of Greg Gellar at WB in New York. He handles reissues. He said they are "strongly considering" putting this out again. A few letters to him at WBNY (sorry, no address) wouldn't hurt! Michael ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 1998 17:59:23 -0600 (CST) From: Cheri Villines Subject: acquisitions What a good day! I just had to share it with some folks that would definitely understand. Stopped into the local used cd shop and walked out with Jonatha Brooke, Jen Trynin, Carrie Newcomer, Tanya Donnelly, and Kacy Crowley. *hops up and down ecstatically* Ok, ok, I know I am not supposed to be so happy about finding good artists abandoned in the used bin, but it is such a boon for me that I can't resist. :) I have only listened to Jonatha in depth, but have skimmed the others and liked what I heard. I can't wait to dig into Carrie's cd "Visions and Dreams". Jonatha is wonderful; what a lovely voice and lines from her lyrics stay with me all day even though I don't find the music catchy at all. take care, Cheri p.s. a big hug to William Gill, glad you finally joined! ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 1998 19:43:30 EST From: Horter3 Subject: Re: Vonda on WB (and new discs) While I was doing some crazy CD shopping this weekend, I saw two Vonda albums. One self titled, and I forget the name of the other one. I was tempted but not tempted enough. And not stricken enough to remember the titles either. And this was in Border's and Tower, so she does have a coupla CD's out and available in major chains. What I got: Ivy-Apartment Life: I love this!! I bought based on a comparison to Stereolab whom I desire more and more. To find Adam Schlesinger as one of the main members was equally impressive. I adore his pop sensibility with Fountains of Wayne. Lucky lucky me. Ani DiFranco-Puddle Dive:Collecting the past...I like it, but it just doesn;t quite have the depth I find on DIlate or NAPG. Doesn;t mean I won't listen to it, just that I will pop on Dilate more often, and swell in glow and the hum. Emily Bezar-Moon in Grenadine: This one hasn;t quite grabbed me yet, but I am definitely leaning towards it. It sounds like something I would expect to find highly recommended on ecto. A little KaTe, a little Tori, and more. This one will grow on me I am sure. Underworld-Dubnobasswithmyheadman: For those soothing trancy moments. Not as strong as Second Toughest but it is grooooovy. And I picked up Belle and Sebastian a few weeks ago. I had only heard one of the radio tracks (like Dylan in the movies) and picked it up after seeing it mentioned on so many top 10 lists locally. Reminds me of Style Council without the jazz influence. The Jam without the punk. Heck, it might even BE Paul Weller. Great songwriting. Esp the title track, If you're feeling sinister. And that's the show...thanks for coming out...goodnight HORTER!!! ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 05 Jan 1998 19:39:45 -0500 From: Philip David Morgan Subject: Re: Vonda on WB Good Evening, Michael: > > While going through some stuff I found a couple of old coppies of a > > magazine called 'GIG for working musicians'. In the Jan. 1990 issue > > in a column about up and comers called 'getting signed' mixed in with > > Animotion, and hair bands Warrant and Pretty Boy Floyd I find a review > > of none other than Vonda Shepard. Here's a bit of what they said... > > > > "Vonda Shepard has so much going for her that it's downright unfair. > > She is gorgeous, she can sing the birds out of the trees, she writes > > beautiful songs, and as if all that weren't enough, she is as sweet > > as can be in person. I mean, save some for the rest of us, girl! > > Fortunately she is generous with her gifts, as her self-titled debut > > album for Warner Bros. demonstrates. If there's any justice in the world, > > her album will go mega-platinum; then she will be elected Goddess of > > All Earth, and our troubles will be over." > > > > I think they kinda liked her... > > I called around the country and finally got ahold of Greg Gellar at WB in > New York. He handles reissues. He said they are "strongly considering" > putting this out again. > > A few letters to him at WBNY (sorry, no address) wouldn't hurt! Will this help? Warner Bros. Records, Inc. 75 Rockefeller Plaza (Time Warner Building) New York City, New York 10019-6908 (the other home base is:) 3300 Warner Boulevard Burbank California 91505-4694 Philip David 5 January, 1998 ____________________ http://www.li.net/~philipda/welcome.htm ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 05 Jan 1998 20:29:57 -0500 From: Heather Russell Subject: H's Top 10 of 1997 Well, it seems like everyone's doing their 1997 Top 10 lists. Here's some of my favorites this year, in no particular order: Loreena McKennitt-Book of Secrets Steve Earle-El Corazon Mark Eitzel-West Sarah McLachlan-Surfacing Joe Jackson-Heaven and Hell Fiona Apple-Tidal Bruce Cockburn-The Charity of Night Ben Folds Five-Whatever and Ever Amen Squirrel Nut Zippers-Hot Bjork-Homogenic The Simpsons-Songs in the Key of Springfield. Favorites I've been listening to a lot lately that didn't come out in 1997: Kate Bush-The Sensual World Jane Siberry-Maria Emmylou Harris-Wrecking Ball Cocteau Twins-Treasure Aaron Copland-Outdoor Overture. Happy 1998, Heather - -- |***********************************| | Heather Russell | | http://www.freecloud.com/heather | | hrussell@bellsouth.net | |___________________________________| ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 1998 18:01:03 -0800 (PST) From: "J. Wermont" Subject: Ivy > Ivy-Apartment Life: I love this!! I bought based on a comparison to > Stereolab whom I desire more and more. To find Adam Schlesinger as one > of the main members was equally impressive. I adore his pop sensibility > with Fountains of Wayne. Lucky lucky me. I listened to this last night at the Tower listening station (I was also prompted to investigate it by someone's post here), and I liked it OK, but ultimately I couldn't get into it because there was something kind of lightweight about the music. The playing and arrangements were great, but the chord progressions were just too major-7th-ish and lite'n'lively for my taste. The guitar playing seemed to promise a powerful release, and I kept waiting for them to pull out the stops with something dark and driving, but the music stayed restrained and never stopped skimming the emotional surface. Then again, I didn't like Fountains of Wayne all that much, either. And I really expected to - I grew up in the 60's and loved all those British Invasion bands. And "That Thing You Do" is a lot of fun (I even bought the soundtrack), so I was disappointed that I didn't like FoW more. Too much ear candy, maybe? While at the listening station, I also heard Holly McNarland's album "Stuff" and ended up buying that. It was the first time I'd heard her and I really liked it. Very intense! I like her voice, the music blends rock and acoustic intruments very well, and this one does have that dark and driving sound that I love. One of the songs (the 2nd track) did sound a bit familiar - I'm pretty sure I've heard it before. What are others' opinions on her? Joyce ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 05 Jan 1998 18:16:09 -0800 From: Bill Subject: Re: acquisitions >Cheri > >p.s. a big hug to William Gill, glad you finally joined! *blush* :) And thanks for the lead, Cheri. :) - - William "Bill" "Billy" "wagill" Gill. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 05 Jan 1998 21:24:27 From: Carolyn Andre Subject: PRIME CD/VPK Correction At 06:47 PM 1/5/98 -0800, hillaryj@mindspring.com (Hillary Jackson) wrote: > >Just wanted to let you know that "Blue Apples" by Vyktoria Pratt Keating is >NOT out of print. It's on the PRIME CD label,(same label as Susan >McKeown's "Bones" and "Through the Bitter Frost and Snow"), and you can >order it by calling 1-800-PRIME-CD, or by e-mailing them at >mail@primcd.com. They have a new web site too: >http://house-of-music.com/primecd. just wanted to correct something - Prime's website is at its 'regular' domain URL: http://www.primecd.com the one Hillary quoted is one at which I 'test drive' pages before putting them on PRIME's "real" website. on to VPK - I do thank Hillary for pointing out that Blue Apples is available on Prime; obviously I was asleep while reading the recent postings about VPK and missed the assumption that it was out of print. oh - and if you're *really impatient* and want to bypass the PRIME main pages, which list all the artists whose material they carry, the PRIME VPK page is: http://www.primecd.com/vicky.htm ... there's a 'low tech' .wav / .au sample from "Buffalo" there, too. (and apologies if a duplicate of this shows up eventually; I wrote a quick response from work this afternoon, and forgot my Pine mailer was configured with an address this list doesn't "know") Regards, Carolyn Andre - ------------------- Chicago, IL / USA | Support Independent Music! Use the Internet candre@enteract.com | Carolyn's House of Music: http://house-of-music.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 20:34:04 -0500 From: Jeff Wasilko Subject: Re: Jonatha Brooke mailing list? On Sat, Jan 03, 1998 at 12:14:28PM -0500, 00jnweiser@bsuvc.bsu.edu wrote: > Hey All. Does anyone know if there's a Jonatha Brooke Internet Mailing > list? I signed up for something on her webpage, but I don't think it's > an e-mail type deal. I'm growing tired of the flamewars and other stuff > on FTE and have really started to get into to Jonatha's music (amazing!). > Please let me know if you know of one and how to subscribe. :) Thanks. I don't know if there is one, but if someone wanted to manage a list for her, I'd be glad to give it a home here... - -Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 04 Jan 1998 01:44:48 -0600 From: Neile Graham Subject: The rest of Neile's 1997 list (long) Here's the rest of my 1997 list, divided into two groups: the also goods and the don't forgets. Yesterday I sent out my top 3 + 10 more. Warning--this is lengthy. Yack yack yack. - --Neile - ----Some really good stuff I don't want to overlook---- Mari Boine--Eallin Live versions of songs from her earlier albums. Gives a sense of how brilliant she must be live. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in her contemporary/world/sami music. Very listenable and dynamic, even though I don't understand the lyrics. Scandinavian, available in U.K. and U.S. Eliza Carthy & the Kings of Calicutt--Eliza Carthy & the Kings of Calicutt Great contemporary playing of traditional folk, and Eliza Carthy's voice is getting better with every album. Those of you a little disappointed with the new Waterson:Carthy might do well to pick this one up. These are great musicians and Eliza Carthy shines in this setting. U.K.--available in U.S. in stores that carry U.K. folk. The Changelings--Changelings, The [1996?] The Changelings--Terra Firma Dead Can Dance with a little less bombast? Cocteau Twins with a more Middle Eastern flair? Whatever--this is definitely ethereal and definitely interestingly structured sonically. Listen and dream. Both albums are good and highly recommended for those who love world/ethereal music. U.S.--mail order. Paula Cole--This Fire Finally found this used--I didn't want to pay full price because I wasn't a major fan of _Harbinger_, though I loved seeing her when she opened for Sarah McLachlan (in that show at least, she blew Sarah out of the water--Sarah seemed to be playing by rote that night) and I love her cover of "Jolene". Anyway, I like much of this disc, though it's never going to be up there with my favourites. I like her passion, but her lyrics sometimes just don't match the power of her singing (like that "bitch in heat/liar" thing repeated so many times it doesn't escalate but weakens it). I still think she's got a lot of promise but she hasn't reached it yet, for me at least. U.S.--widely available. Cranes--population four So the Cranes got a little more melodic and have a couple of acoustic songs. I think it shows signs of growth and makes for a far more casually listenable album--though that may be what the Cranes' fans were objecting too. I like it--all the best features of the Cranes and more melodic, too. Delightful. U.K.--widely available in the U.S. Sandy Denny--The BBC Sessions 1971-73 Damn. No one has a voice like this--rich and expressive in both traditional songs and her own. Such a delight to find alternate live & radio versions of these great songs. I especially like the simple arrangements (with some of her work the style of the arrangements can be a barrier for me really enjoy the songs) I could listen to Sandy forever. This was the single most expensive disc I bought this year and worth every penny. U.K.--limited release. Devils Wielding Scimitars I love Suzy Callahan's voice and played this so much the first week I had it that I started getting sarcastic comments from the person who tries to share a house with me. Gradually I started to get tired of all but two songs, which I still feel as though I could listen to forever: "Did You Lie?" and "Talk To Her Sister", and you know, now after only letting it rest a week I'm enjoying the rest of them again. I suspect I'll be liking this one for a long time. U.S.--mail order. Anna Domino--Favorite Songs from the Twilight Years 1984-1990 [not 1997] A delightful collection of her best work. Really. I wasn't too interested in her earlier discs, but started finding her work with the _colouring in the edge and the outline_ ep intriguing enough to follow her and track down her hard to find discs. This is the best because it focuses on her best work. Ethereal, a touch experimental. Very ecto. Europe--import stores in the U.S. Mila Drumke--Illinois _Gathering My Name_ is way too soft and formless for my tastes, but after the first song of _llinois_ I find that the album has plenty of energy to make me sit up and listen. Doesn't bear too many repeated listens for me, but she has a lovely voice and I agree that her version of "Under The Ivy" is a surprise delight. It's very different from Kat''s but she pulls it off with flair. Her own songs are good, but not knockouts--in other words, she's very good, but was overshadowed by others for me this year. Pleasant listening. U.S.--mail order. Katell Keineg--Jet This one surprised me. I wasn't a big fan of _O Seasons O Castles_--it just lacked that something that keeps me putting a disc into my player. I don't mind the album, but I forget about it. However, _Jet_ has so many wonderful songs that I found myself obsessing on it. That made the album wear out its welcome for a while, but I still enjoy this whenever I play it. A strong album, mature and wide-ranging songwriting. U.K.--wide distribution. Mary Jane Lamond--Suas e! A sweet, clear voice singing Gaelic with simple pleasant backing. A little more world-popish than her first album, but the traditional elements are front and centre. Very pleasant listening in one of my rare quieter moods. Highly, highly recommended to you trad music fans out there. Canadian. Barbara Manning--1212 Another overlooked indie. Barbara Manning created the sound that Liz Phair made famous. This is probably Barbara Manning's strongest album with some great and emotive songwriting and some great covers, particularly of Tom Lehrer's "Rickity Tickity Tin." Like fellow indie Lois Matteo, she just goes on making her own music in her own style and luckily some people take notice. Good stuff if you like gentler indie rock. U.S.--stores that carry indie rock. Mazzy Star--Among My Swan I really enjoyed this--much more than their second disc, but it still doesn't take the place of their first in my heart. I love Mazzy Star's style, but their first album had such a huge impact on me it's going to be hard for them to top this. Still, I like this one second best of their three albums so far. U.S.--widely available. Holly McNarland--stuff Good, but not as immediately catchy as her _Sour Pie EP_. She has a strong voice and strong delivery. The songs here just aren't as witty and are more didactic than the Sour Pie, and she seems to keep grabbing for the easiest rhyme which makes her lyrics seems a little dumb sometimes. I miss that lighter touch, but you know her delivery makes her songs compelling, especially such songs as "Water." And when I listen to her sing the wordless "Mystery Song" I begin to suspect I'd listen to this woman sing the phone book if she did it with this kind of conviction. Canadian--good U.S. distribution Mrs. Torrance--Porn EP Mrs. Torrance--I'm the Bird Weird pop noise. A strange but not unpleasant voice. Noise and twange. I don't think I've heard anything like Mrs. Torrance--who aren't that far off the scale of alt rock but are definitely going in their own direction. Their first album (can't remember the title) was pretty forgettable (see?) but the _Porn EP_ and _I'm The Bird_, the album that follows (and has most of the songs from the EP) is not. Very worth tracking down and listening to. Canadian. My Scarlet Life--Trypnotica Great trypnotica. I confess to being a little disappointed that there wasn't anything as majorly quirky and playful on this album as "Lunch with Gandhi" from their previous disc, but the direction they're taking definitely suits the talents of this band. Swirly soundscapes with great vocals--works either as mood/background music but rewards close listening as well. U.S.--mail order. Pale Nudes--Wise to the Heat Strange and experimental but full of hooks--that defines almost everything Amy Denio touches, and certainly this disc. Pale Nudes is a group with Amy Denio working with some excellent and interesting German musicians. Amy Denio's sound (accordian, sax, her vocal techniques) is all over this, though. Wonderful! U.S. and Germany--mail order. Portishead--Portishead I like the production and love Beth Gibbon's voice. This is a lovely album that I like _nearly_ as much as their first, and it might even wear better over time. Highly listenable, emotive, lots of guts and power. U.K.--widely available Pram--Gash Yeah, Pram makes some pretty weird sounds. I love it. Toy pianos rule, and so does Pram's vocalist Rosie, who sings like she's on a floor that's tilting below her feet. Damn delightful stuff. Not for the faint of heart, but will charm the socks off other people. Like me. Or someone else you've never met. I would give other albums of their's a higher priority than this one if you've never heard them, but it's still way good. U.K., but they're on a totally obscure Seattle label I've never heard of before and I live in Seattle. Mail order, I think. Red Stars Theory--But Sleep Came Slowly Mostly male vocals (though Lois Maffeo guests on one track). Rock in the Low, slow vein made by excellent musicians. I like their sound and what they do musically and sonically, but they need a stronger vocalist (like Lois) to really make this stand out. As it is, i''s great listening and shows a lot of promise. U.S.--indie--mail order. Siddal--the crossing [199 Siddal--mystery and the sea ep I just discovered this group this year, though I'd heard some pieces here and there before. This is dreamy, atmospheric, ethereal pop in the Area/Hex/An April March vein. U.S.--indie, mail order. Sarah Slean--Universe EP Well, it's clear that her sound is maybe a little too like Tori Amos no matter how she might not want it to be and she's a little young, but boy did these songs stick in my head and prove themselves playable over and over and over again (yes, this was another obsession). She's got a lovely voice and a good sense of song structure and she's only going to grow from here. I really enjoy this tape and look forward to hearing more from her! Canadian--at shows only. Velvet Belly--Lucia Great, smooth vocals. I love this when I listen to it, but somehow doesn't seem quite as memorable to me as their previous two albums _Window Tree_ and _The Landing_. Still a good album, though, and the lead singer's voice is a delight to listen to. Norway. Gabriel Yacoub--Babel There's something about French folkrocker Gabriel Yacoub's voice and sensibility that I just love, and so far I think I'm the only person on ecto who loves him and Malicorne's later work so excessively. Ah well, it may be because of my weird tastes for both traditional and experimental music. This, his new disc (many thanks to Yves) is another wonderful collection of his work. While maybe not as earthshattering to me as his previous disc, _Quatre_ which is one of my Desert Island Discs, this also has musical moments so wonderful I can hardly bear to listen to them without trying to sit you all down to listen to them, too. This man knows how to craft a melody so it hits your spine and makes your heart leap. Or mine at least. France--mail order in U.S. - ----Some other music of note in my year---- An April March--It Goes Without Saying More of their ethereal rock--lovely vocals over swirling, guitar with some crunchy beats. If you like this type of music and their previous work you will like this. Canadian--U.S. label--mail order. Anita Best--Crosshanded Great a capella renderings of traditional Newfoundland folk songs (Celtic in origin). Anita Best has a lovely voice, and if you like simply presented traditional music, get this disc! Canadian--mail order. Brigid Boden--Brigid Boden [1996] Pop-disco-world-Celtic, this is a lively one. Brigid Boden has a sweet voice and she bounces up traditional songs. It's a lot of fun, but not something I listen to a lot. Not sure where this is from. Ireland? Canada? The version I have is from A&M Canada. Brown, Sam--Box Well, sadly Sam Brown is back to her pre-_43 Minutes_ sound again. I enjoy this every once in a while, but I connected so strongly with _43 Minutes_ that I had hoped I would like this more. Ah well. U.K. Meryn Cadell--6 blocks With her third (and first indie) album, Mery Cadell seems to be concentrating more on songs rather than performance pieces. The music is quite wonderful, and of course so is her voice, but it somehow it just doesn't grab me as much as I would think it would have. Some great background vox by Mary Margaret O'Hara. Eliza Carthy and Nancy Kerr--Shape of Scrape Good renditions of trad. folk. Lively reels. I prefer Eliza Carthy's other work better, though. U.K. Martin Carthy--Sweet Wivelsfield [reissue] Martin Carthy--Landfall [reissue] Not my absolute favourites of Martin Carthy's work, but still highly listenable and I love the way he presents traditional folk with his brilliant guitar work and his expressive voice. U.K.--available in U.S. in stores that carry a good selection of world folk. Clan Alba--Clan Alba [1996] I should have liked this more , but I guess it goes to show how weird my tastes are in trad. folk music. This album is a kind of supergroup of Scottish traditional musicians and singers, and basically I find it uninspiring. I listen to it and I wanted it badly when I heard of it and heard discussion of it on a couple of celtic folk lists, but I don't love it. I expected something more, though I'm not sure what that more is. U.K.--mail order only. Emm Gryner--the original leap year This is pretty mainstream pop for me, but there are a couple of songs on here, including "49 Days from Alcatraz" that stuck in my head pretty well. Canadian. Craig, Sara--Miss Rocket After the astounding _Sweet Exhaust_ and the previous, wonderful, _Sara Craig EP_ this was a bit of a disappointment to me. Quite pop. A lot of fun, but the songs haven't worn as well on me. There are wonderful moments and Sara's voice never disappoints. I just don't find it as compelling as her earlier work. Canadian. Indigo Falls--Indigo Falls Occasionally a little overwrought, this album has some lovely moments, especially when they seem to be letting the music going where it wants and aren't trying quite so hard. I kinda want to tell them to just ease up and let go. Especially the overuse of synths and the guitars squalling. Passe, honey. Let the voice and compositions take over. They want to, you know. But just when I think this is too forced and artificial for my taste there's something lovely. U.K. Lanterna/Scenic--Live Recordings [single] I don't listen to the Scenic part of this. But this reminds me that Henry Frayne is a brilliant guitarist. He creates emotional soundscapes like no one else. Heaven. Only iffy because it's and I can't much be bothered with the Scenic part of this and it is only a single. U.S.--mail order from Parasol. Low--Songs for a Dead Pilot More of Low's slow rock. Bleak. And there's actually one repeated guitar cord that drive me mad. Still, what Low is doing can be intriguing. Is this a concept album?? U.S.--widely available or mail order. Pamela Morgan--On A Wing And A Prayer Very smooth pop. Doesn't usually hit within my radar, but her work in Figgy Duff and with Anita Best made me notice her stunning voice. If I listen to it and not the songs, I love this. Those with a more friendly relationship with smooth pop will LOVE this. Canadian. Muzsikas & Marta Sebestyan--Morning Star Apparently this is an album of studio recordings of their best-received work from their concerts. If you like world music, especially Eastern European, you will love this. They are great live. Marta Sebestyen's voice is strong throughot. Not sure why I'm not more excited by this, though--I prefer _The Prisoner's Song_ or _Blues for Transylvania_ or Marta Sebestyan's early solo work. Hungarian--widely available in U.K. and U.S. Beth Orton--Trailer Park Really, really uneven. A couple of the songs are way catchy and others I can't bear to listen to and have to hit the skip button. Still the good stuff is so compelling I'll put it in my player, but not often. U.S.? U.K.? Widely available. Perfume Tree--tide's out ep More of Perfume Tree's noisy, ethereal rock. There are great moments in this, but I found it a little less consistently interesting than some of their previous recordings, esp. _A Lifetime Away_. Still, if you like their sound, you will like this. Canadian. Pet--Pet [1996?] I picked this up used because the fact that Tori Amos produced this made me curious about it. It's heavy-ish mainstream alternative rock, with female vocals. The lead singer's voice is not that unlike Tori's. I enjoy this when I listen to it, but it doesn't call to me from the shelves. U.S.--widely available. Maddy Prior--Flesh & Blood Maddy Prior's voice is as strong and expressive as ever. This is collection of mostly traditional songs and songs based on traditional tropes by Prior and her husband, Rick Kemp. I enjoy most of the material very much, though I could do without some of the overwrought pop toward the end. Anyway, this is among the best of her recent solo albums. U.K. Jane Siberry--Child Jane is a genius, I know, and she's a favourite genius of mine. But I just don't like holiday music, and not even Jane can make me like it. This is my problem, I know. The version of "The Caravan" and "Hockey" are brilliant and I love them, but this is Xmas music, folks. My problem. Damn. This is in this final category because of my failings, not Jane's. Canadian, but widely available, at least this time of year. Patti Smith--peace and noise I loved _Gone Again_, but this album just doesn't make that much of an impression on me. I enjoy listening to it, but it hasn't got its hooks into me like _Gone Again_ or her earlier, classic work. Like _Dream of Life_, this is good but not an insistent as my favourite of her work. Still, any Patti Smith has value to my ears. U.S.--widely available. Sneaker Pimps--Becoming X I loved this when I first heard it, but it didn't stand the test of time with me very well. Still, I spent a large part of 1997 listening to it. U.K.--widely available Kinnie Star--Tidy A strange mixture of spoken word, angry rock, noise, performance art. Canadian--widely available in U.S. Steeleye Span--live at last! [reissue] Steeleye Span--Original Masters [compilation reissue] Steeleye Span--Storm Force Ten [reissue] Steeleye Span--Sails of Silver [reissue] Steeleye Span--Time Steeleye Span just ain't what they used to be. Still there are some wonderful songs on _Time_. It's just that these reissues show how great they were, even when weren't necessarily in their prime. _Live at Last_ is a delightful live recording of some great material. _Original Masters_ is their first (as far as I know at least) compilation album--I got it when I first fell for Steeleye Span and it has my favourite of their songs on it. _Storm Force Ten_ has two great Bertold Brecht/Kurt Weill covers on it and some of Steeleye Span's best neo-trad songwriting on it. _Sails of Silver_ has a couple of good neo-trad songs, like "Gone To America". U.K. special order (reissues), widely available (_Time_) Stereolab--Dots and Loops I find this album a little uneven. I've never been fond of Stereolab's more pop side, and there's some display of that here, but some of these tracks that I like a lot. U.K.--widely available. The Sundays--static and silence I always liked The Sundays but never _loved_ them and was hoping this album would make the difference. Sadly, no. They're always compared to Innocence Mission, but somehow they've never grabbed me like The Innocence Mission have. A very pleasant, enjoyable listen but this isn't the album that's going to make me a big fan of theirs. U.K.--widely available. June Tabor--aleyn I love June Tabor's voice--it's deep and expressive and is shown off well in this collection of songs. I still like her versions of traditional songs and contemporary ballads best--and have some problems with some of the cheesy backup of the pop songs. Ah well, she does a great version of Richard Thompson's "The Great Valerio" and of "Bentley and Craig" (a ballad about the two kids whose story was the basis for the movie _Let Him Have It_ . The best of her recent recordings IMO. U.K.--widely available. Suzanne Vega--nine objects of desire Why can't this music stick in my head? I enjoy it when I listen to it, but it melts away in my memory as though it never existed. I can remember nearly every song on her first album. U.S.--widely available. Waterson:Carthy--common tongue I love their first album, and like this a lot. A couple of the songs make me hit the repeat button a lot, but the jigs and reels just don't do it for me on album. I like them live, but I guess I need to see the musicians to enjoy them. I love all three of the voices, though, and Martin Carthy's guitar work and Eliza Carthy's violin. U.K.--widely available. Wendy Wall--Wendy Wall [not 1997, can't remember the year] I picked this up cheaply after hearing Meth (and someone else? sorry I have a _lousy_ memory) comparing her voice to Happy's. Yes, there are similarities, and I kind of like this disc. U.S.--indie. Weeping Tile--valentino I still like Sarah Hammer's voice and the way this group sounds, but this hasn't reminded me to put it in the player. This isn't quite as outright noisy indie rock as _Cold Snap_ nor is it as folky as their _eepee_. I think I need to listen to it more, and I think it will reward more listening especially as I think the band enjoys what they're doing. Makes such a difference. Canadian--I've spotted it in the U.S. - ----Haven't had them long enough to form an opinion of---- Hooverphonic Donnette Thayer--Chaos and Wonder - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Neile Graham ..... http://www.sff.net/people/neile ..... neile@sff.net The Ectophiles' Guide to Good Music .... http://www.smoe.org/ectoguide - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V4 #5 ************************