From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V5 #43 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Sunday, February 7 1999 Volume 05 : Number 043 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Monsters of Grace (was Koyaanisqatsi Online) [Heather Russell ] Re: Blondie's "No Exit" [jjhanson@att.net] Commentator's bio with picture ["Craig Gidney" ] Twin Moon [Steve I ] Re: How do you pronounce "Slean" [Steve I ] Tori on 20/20 [cinders blue ] alt.music.ecto ["Foghorn J Fornorn" ] Re: Mini-disc question(s) [Kim Justice ] Question from Happy ["Xenu's Sister" ] Tori Tonight! [kerry white ] CD Review: Katheleen Michaels: Faces, Traces, and Timelines ["Jeffrey H] Heidi Berry + KOD ["Tim Finney" ] RE: Question from Happy ["Foghorn J Fornorn" ] Re: CD Review: Katheleen Michaels: Faces, Traces, and Timelines [Bill M] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 06 Feb 1999 10:17:27 -0500 From: Heather Russell Subject: Monsters of Grace (was Koyaanisqatsi Online) > Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 12:06:30 -0600 (CST) > From: "Joseph S. Zitt" > Subject: Koyaanisqatsi Online > > Of interest to some, from today's Zentertainment mailing: > > FILM SCOUTS and the INTERNET PROTOCOL MULTICAST > INIATITIVE have teamed up to broadcast the film KOYAANISQATSI > over the Internet, this Sunday, February 7th, at 7pm PT. > KOYAANISQATSI is directed by Godfrey Reggio and includes > a spectacular score from Philip Glass. The film will be shown > as the centerpiece of the IP MULTICAST SUMMIT, the premiere > event for on the advancement of IP MultiCast technology, in > both > high and low bandwith for the best connection. > http://www.filmscouts.com > > > - - ---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------- > |||/ Joseph Zitt ===== jzitt@humansystems.com ===== Human Systems \||| > ||/ Maryland? = <*> SILENCE: The John Cage Mailing List <*> = ecto \|| > |/ http://www.realtime.net/~jzitt ====== Comma: Voices of New Music \| Speaking of which, I had the opportunity to see Robert Wilson and Philip Glass' new collaboration Monsters of Grace last weekend, billed as the first 3-D opera. Robert Wilson and Glass had previously collaborated on Einstein on the Beach. The text was taken from several poems by the famous 13th century mystic Rumi. Seeing Monsters of Grace inspired me to buy a collection of his poems... The Philip Glass Ensemble performed the music while the 3-d all-computer animated film was projected overhead. It was a very surreal, mystical experience, with subtle changes in perspective designed to produce subtle changes in perspective in the audience. Nothing was ever quite as it seemed. In one sequence, there seemed to be the top of a white dandelion on the screen, but then gradually you noticed it was breathing, it elongated and then seemed to resemble a tribble-like creature, then the perspective changed once again to reveal a sleeping polar bear. In another sequence, one red tube and one blue tube with fluids pulsating out of them are eventually revealed to be connected to what at first seems to be half of a human form, from the torso down to the feet, then the perspective changed again to reveal that it was in fact a giant human hand. Everything was very subtly done - those who were expecting a six-flags like 3D f/x ride were very disappointed, but I thought the subtlety and mystical imagery of the visuals better matched the words of a mystic as performed by a minimalist. Here's a review that appeared in the Village Voice: http://www.villagevoice.com/arts/9851/carr.shtml - - heather - -- |*********************************************************| | Heather Russell | | My music site: http://www.freecloud.com/heather | | The Mending Wall: http://www.unc.edu/~gumption/tmw.html | | Email: hrussellatbellsouthdotnet | |_________________________________________________________| "I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when 'The Simpsons' is on television." --- Anita, age 6 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1999 10:27:37 -0800 From: Valerie Nozick Subject: Happy/ecto press Wasihngton City Paper has a studio diary by Lisa Moscatiello this week. If you don't know her, she's a folk singer based here in DC. The Happy connection is that she's recording int he same studio Happy uses, and mentions it AND ecto in her studio diary. http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/indc/popquiz/popquiz.html I'm not sure if this feature is in just the online version of City Paper or if it's also in the print version. ==> Valerie ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1999 15:49:09 +0000 From: jjhanson@att.net Subject: Re: Blondie's "No Exit" I've been really looking forward to this album, as I was a big BLondie fan way back when. VH-1 has been playing the video for Maria quite a bit, and I must say it's quite a good video-- at least for BLondie. I figure this album can't be any worse than The Hunter (even though I happened to like a few of the songs on that album.) Jeff Hanson ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 15:30:12 -0500 From: "Craig Gidney" Subject: Commentator's bio with picture I'm Craig Gidney , a Washington DC native. My path to ectophillic music started in the 70s, the era of the 80 track tape, with such singer-songwriters as Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Rickie Lee Jones and Carole King commencing and cementing my love of poetic lyrics and beautiful vocals. When I first heard Kate Bush's "Watching You Without Me" on the radio, I had changed forever. My tastes lean toward the ethereal (e.g. Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Projekt roster) with stints into experimental ( Stereolab, Pram), ambient (Aphex Twin, FSOL, Vidna Obmana, Eno, Steve Roach) and trip-hop: (Lamb, Portishead). While I tend to veer away from the folky sound, nothing is set in stone -- I love Kristen Hersh's solo material, for instance. I hope that my reviews are helpful! ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 06 Feb 1999 10:58:27 -0500 From: Steve I Subject: Twin Moon >jeff >np: "Twin Moon", Sarah Slean >( do I really have to wait for this album?) I feel the same way. Her indie cassette was also delayed but that was due to lack of funds more than anything else. This time it's more her own perfectionism, wanting to re-do things as she learns more about writing and recording. It's an excruciating wait, but I can assure you it will be worth it. Would the fellow who had trouble downloading the Twin Moon MP3 please email me privately? I seem to have lost his post. Has anyone else had problems downloading it? BTW it was nice seeing those recent posts about Brenda Kahn and Sam Phillips, there hasn't been a lot of talk about those two for awhile now. Epiphany in Brooklyn and Martinis and Bikinis are incredible albums. Steve ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 06 Feb 1999 10:58:30 -0500 From: Steve I Subject: Re: How do you pronounce "Slean" >I've finally bought Sarah Slean's _Universe_ cd and really love it. What >is the correct prononciation of her last name? Does it rhyme with >"mean"? Yes, that's right. >I want to play the cd on my radio show (on WPKN), and I should >at least pronounce it correctly!! That's so cool... I've heard so much about WPKN through ecto over the years, it's really great to hear that someone will be playing Sarah on it, that will be wonderful exposure for her. Michael typed: >I'm so excited about Sarah Slean and I haven't even heard her yet! >After all this talk I called and ordered it yesterday. The guy who >answered the phone at IndiePool asked which disc I was ordering. >When I said Sarah Slean, he said, "I should have guessed." Really??! I wonder how many CDs she's selling through those guys!? Steve ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 06 Feb 1999 13:11:38 -0500 From: cinders blue Subject: Tori on 20/20 >Date: Thu, 04 Feb 1999 18:20:04 -0600 >From: Shannon >To: torinews@smoe.org >Subject: Tori on 20/20 > >I just received word from the producer that Tori's segment will air on the ABC >news program 20/20 on Monday, Feb. 15. Check your local listings for times. > >This segment focuses on how Tori affects sexual assault survivors through songs >like "me and a gun", RAINN, and Tori's public speaking about the issue. The >segment will include interviews with Tori and several survivors, including >myself, and hopefully some clips of the Newark, NJ show as well. > >there is a small possibility this date could change (if a major news story >comes up, for instance) and i will let you know if that is the case. Otherwise, >tune in on Feb. 15. > >shannon > >-- >"do you know what this is doing to me here in my head?" >-tori amos >__________________________________________________________________________ >To unsubscribe from ToriNews, e-mail torinews-request@smoe.org with the >word "unsubscribe" in the message body. > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 14:27:50 -0500 From: "Foghorn J Fornorn" Subject: alt.music.ecto "which female performer would you like to f@*k?".." It amuses me that my mail browser interprets this censored expletive as an email address. Computers... gotta love 'em. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 13:49:48 -0600 From: Kim Justice Subject: Re: Mini-disc question(s) At 8:28 PM -0600 2/5/99, kerry white wrote: > [...] Any thoughts on what to get? How many different brands are there? >Etc? Etc? A good way to get started with Minidisc is to go for one of Sony's bundles, which include a JE5x0 home deck and portable player; that's how I got started with Minidisc, anyway. Sony and Sharp are the brands with the easiest availability in the US, since Best Buy and Circuit City carry both, with Best Buy having the more serious committment to MD. There's also a nice reference to all things MD at http://www.minidisc.org See you on the Funway, kj - -- justicek@home.com (Kim Justice) http://members.home.net/justicek "There are always new beginnings, even for people like us." ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 06 Feb 1999 18:13:06 -0600 From: "Xenu's Sister" Subject: Question from Happy An intruguing one, at that!! === Happy asks: The question is: Who would you like to see Happy opening for? or What acts do you think Happy would be well-suited to open for? Answers/suggestions should be sent to RoyandLeon@aol.com === Here was my answer: Personally, I wish you could have opened for B.L.U.E. The audience was 95% male and they *need* to be aware of you. Peter Gabriel, of course, is the number one person on my wish list, and since he's finishing up his new album (called "Up" I hear) I assume he'll be going on tour. I hope Samson looks into what he's up to. It's hard to think of anyone else because you'd overwhelm anyone else, and headliners don't like it when the opening act is *too* good. (I imagine that's why, with the exception of Bill Miller, Tori's opening acts have always been sucky guys.) But if you were to tone yourself down and not be so damn talented, then maybe you could open for someone *other* than Peter. :-) :-) Vickie ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 18:23:21 -0600 (CST) From: kerry white Subject: Tori Tonight! Hi, PBS Sessions: whole hour with Tori Amos. bye, KrW It was the least I could do! And never let it be said that I didn't do the least I could do. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 06 Feb 99 18:35:21 PST From: "Jeffrey Hanson" Subject: CD Review: Katheleen Michaels: Faces, Traces, and Timelines Thanks to Neile Graham, I got to review new ectophile Bill Mazur's musical partner's CD for the Ectophile's Guide. Here's what I wrote after reviewing Katheleen Michael's Faces, Traces, and Timelines: Comparisons: Linda Perry, Early Heart (Magazine or Dog and Butterfly -era), Eva Cassidy General Comments: Katheleen Michaels has a mellow, restrained style most reminescent of Linda Perry's In Flight album. She never resorts to emotional histrionics flashy musicianship, or catchy hooks, but relies on her quite capable voice, and the competent musicianship of her band to draw listeners in. Her multi-tracked harmonies add richness and depth to the recordings, creating a wonderful laid-back, introspective mood. Album Comments: When listening to anything new, it's hard to not make comparisons. The first 3 tracks of the debut album by Katheleen Michael's feature acoustic guitar, and her layered harmonies instantly remindeded me of early Heart, without Ann Wilson's high shrill range or bombast. Her voice also reminds me of Eva Cassidy, though not quite as strong. Track 4 introduces electric guitar (played by ecto's own Bill Mazur), which introduces a darker almost Pink Floydian element to some of the tracks. By track 6, I realized that the mood of the album is almost identical to Linda Perry's (of 4 Non-Blondes fame) solo album, In Flight, a mood that continues through to the end. It's a great album to sit back, relax, and listen, inviting one into a reflective, introspective space. Music and Lyrics are credited to Katheleen Ruppel and William Paul Mazur, whom I assume are other names for Katheleen Michaels and Bill Mazur. The lyrics at first seemed a little too straightforward, and easily dismissable. They hardly contain the poetic and obscure musings of say, Tori Amos or Veda Hille, however on repeated listens, they offer a sense of optimism mixed with resignation all gained through difficult experience, a mood well matched by Katheleen's voice and Bill's guitar playing. Favorite tracks of mine are "How Long", "Father Joe", and "Message of Love (The Lullaby)". Overall, the album probably won't wow on first listen, but will reward those who persevere. Katheleen's voice is very nice, and she uses it well--but with restraint. The musicianship and arrangements are all quite good, but never flashy. There are few standout tracks (i.e., no immediate hit singles are evident), but there are no losers either. Although the songs themselves are all quite diverse, the overall mood of the album is created and sustained throughout. A great album to put on for a quiet evening at home with a bottle of wine. Ecto Priority: Medium-High : I think a lot of ectophile's will enjoy this album, plus it's not often we get to help support our own! ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 13:11:59 +0000 From: "Tim Finney" Subject: Heidi Berry + KOD Considering the recent discussions about Kitchens Of Distinction, and the fact that many people here love Heidi Berry, I thought many of you would be interested to know that Heidi has teamed up with Patrick Fitzgerald (singer/bassist of KOD) in a new band called "Lost Girls". Their first single (called "Needle's Eye" or something like that) was described as a late-nineties update of This Mortal Coil's version of Song Of The Siren. Personally I can't wait to hear this inspired grouping. Bring on the album! Incidentally, since the KOD thread here a few weeks ago, I managed to find two more of their albums, their debut "Love Is Hell" and third album "The Death Of Cool". The first I was slightly disappointed with, as I'd heard it was their best. However Patrick's singing is so off-kilter as to be truly unpleasant at times, and while the tunes are more distinct, they lack the lushness of later work. It's worth the price of admission though, for "The Third Time We Opened The Capsule" which is their best pop song ever, and maybe one of *the* best pop songs ever, with a stunning instrumental chorus that I can't get over. I am also very very fond of the Chameleons-esque rush of "Courage, Mother" and the sonic-cathedral closer, "Hammer". Oh, and the artwork is absolutely brilliant. "The Death Of Cool", on the other hand, is a brilliant album with non-descript artwork. Musically it fulfills the different promises of the first two albums, but without their different faults (inconsistancy and over-consistancy, respectively). This album has turned KOD from a band I merely wanted to love to a band I truly do love. In many ways they tried to go in all directions on this one. The short pop songs are faster and more breathless than before, but have more lush overlaid guitar and bass parts so that it sounds like the atmospheric parts of the earlier albums being played at three times the speed. Best examples here for pop thrills are "4 Men" which almost trips over itself, "When In Heaven" which is actually dancy and "Smiling" which is a clasic Smiths-like pop song. The other side of the album are the longer, epic songs which stretch to roughly eight minutes, and traverse from pristine echoes ("Gone World Gone") to all out grunge ("Blue Pedal"). They have marvellous textures which take many listens to recognise - - definitely a headphone album. The final song, "Can't Trust The Waves" is a beautiful song with Julian the guitarist singing. His lovely, fey vocals are better suited to the genre than Patrick's nasal approach, so it's a shame this is the only song he sings in. Anyway, I definitely recommend The Death Of Cool as a great starting point to the band. Many regards, Tim ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 21:41:34 -0500 From: "Foghorn J Fornorn" Subject: RE: Question from Happy I think any of the surviving "progressive rock" acts would be good candidates. The audiences are predominantly male, the artists are generally secure enough to accommodate a strong opening act, and the audience would no doubt be receptive to a Happy Rhodes show. Specifically: - - Yes, obviously, in whatever incarnation they may tour as these days; - - Peter Gabriel, as Vickie mentioned; - - Emerson Lake and Palmer could have been a good choice but they've disbanded on Greg Lake's departure, however rumor has it that Keith Emerson has some very interesting collaboration in the works. Don't know if that will include a road show. Unfortunately, unless heavily hyped by the music press this effort obviously wouldn't have the name recognition of an ELP, so the headline draw would be sharply reduced. - - King Crimson still tours although it appears difficult to schedule the full band anymore, hence the substitution of various ProjeKct lineups. Those too suffer dimished recognition. - - Marillion or Fish, although we're obviously getting into diminishing returns on headliner recognition here. - - Jethro Tull is probably due for another tour, although I'm not sure about their draw potential these days. - - Steely Dan is rumored to have a new album coming out and they've had successful tours in recent years. Mike (aka Fog) - -----Original Message----- From: owner-ecto@smoe.org [mailto:owner-ecto@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Xenu's Sister Sent: Saturday, February 06, 1999 7:13 PM To: ecto@smoe.org Subject: Question from Happy An intruguing one, at that!! === Happy asks: The question is: Who would you like to see Happy opening for? or What acts do you think Happy would be well-suited to open for? Answers/suggestions should be sent to RoyandLeon@aol.com === Here was my answer: Personally, I wish you could have opened for B.L.U.E. The audience was 95% male and they *need* to be aware of you. Peter Gabriel, of course, is the number one person on my wish list, and since he's finishing up his new album (called "Up" I hear) I assume he'll be going on tour. I hope Samson looks into what he's up to. It's hard to think of anyone else because you'd overwhelm anyone else, and headliners don't like it when the opening act is *too* good. (I imagine that's why, with the exception of Bill Miller, Tori's opening acts have always been sucky guys.) But if you were to tone yourself down and not be so damn talented, then maybe you could open for someone *other* than Peter. :-) :-) Vickie ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 06 Feb 1999 22:18:42 -0800 From: Bill Mazur Subject: Re: CD Review: Katheleen Michaels: Faces, Traces, and Timelines Jeff, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I really appreciate your very kind assessments of our music and Katheleen's beautiful voice. I also really want to thank you for taking the time to listen to the CD a number of times, to really get a good feel for what we are about, before writing your review. Katheleen will be very pleased to hear of your review. She is currently recuperating from an extremely difficult, but very successful surgery. She is going a little stir crazy and is anxious to get out playing again. This news will certainly cheer her and help her recovery. Also, I really want and need to express my gratitude to Neile for allowing me to submit our music for consideration. Sincerely, Bill http://www.kmichaels.com Jeffrey Hanson wrote: > > Thanks to Neile Graham, I got to review new ectophile Bill Mazur's > musical partner's CD for the Ectophile's Guide. Here's what I wrote > after reviewing Katheleen Michael's Faces, Traces, and Timelines: > > Comparisons: > > Linda Perry, Early Heart (Magazine or Dog and Butterfly -era), Eva Cassidy > > General Comments: > > Katheleen Michaels has a mellow, restrained style most reminescent > of Linda Perry's In Flight album. She never resorts to emotional histrionics > flashy musicianship, or catchy hooks, but relies on her quite capable voice, and > the competent musicianship of her band to draw listeners in. Her multi-tracked > harmonies add richness and depth to the recordings, creating a wonderful > laid-back, introspective mood. > > Album Comments: > > When listening to anything new, it's hard to not make comparisons. > The first 3 tracks of the debut album by Katheleen Michael's feature acoustic > guitar, and her layered harmonies instantly remindeded me of early Heart, > without Ann Wilson's high shrill range or bombast. Her voice also > reminds me of Eva Cassidy, though not quite as strong. > Track 4 introduces electric guitar (played by ecto's own Bill Mazur), > which introduces a darker almost Pink Floydian element > to some of the tracks. By track 6, I realized that the mood of the album is almost > identical to Linda Perry's (of 4 Non-Blondes fame) solo album, In Flight, > a mood that continues through to the end. > > It's a great album to sit back, relax, and listen, inviting one into a reflective, > introspective space. > > Music and Lyrics are credited to Katheleen Ruppel and William Paul Mazur, > whom I assume are other names for Katheleen Michaels and Bill Mazur. > The lyrics at first seemed a little too straightforward, and easily dismissable. > They hardly contain the poetic and obscure musings of say, Tori Amos or > Veda Hille, however on repeated listens, they offer a sense of optimism mixed > with resignation all gained through difficult experience, a mood well matched by > Katheleen's voice and Bill's guitar playing. Favorite tracks of mine are > "How Long", "Father Joe", and "Message of Love (The Lullaby)". > > Overall, the album probably won't wow on first listen, but will reward those > who persevere. Katheleen's voice is very nice, and she uses it well--but with > restraint. The musicianship and arrangements are all quite good, > but never flashy. There are few standout tracks (i.e., no immediate hit > singles are evident), but there are no losers either. Although the songs themselves > > are all quite diverse, the overall mood of the album is created and sustained > throughout. A great album to put on for a quiet evening at home with > a bottle of wine. > > Ecto Priority: > > Medium-High : I think a lot of ectophile's will enjoy this album, plus > it's not often we get to help support our own! ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V5 #43 *************************