From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V6 #227 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Sunday, August 6 2000 Volume 06 : Number 227 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [Fwd: Lyrical misinterpretations] [KittyKat ] Today's your birthday, friend... [Mike Matthews ] Re: Jane Siberry - Hush... [Dave Williamson ] lucy songs ["JoAnn Whetsell" ] exercise music ["JoAnn Whetsell" ] Avengers/Penelope news!! [Neile Graham ] touring (SW and West coast) [neal copperman ] hey, i'm new too [RedWoodenBeads@aol.com] Re: hey, i'm new too [Brian Bloom ] Everybody else is doing it, so... ["Hotel America" Subject: [Fwd: Lyrical misinterpretations] Whoops, first post to the list in about a year, and I send it to the wrong place. Let's try again... KittyKat wrote: > > The author Sarah Vowell (contributor to PRI's This American Life) said > that she always thought that the words in the theme song to the Mickey > Mouse Club were "... for every little polar bear to hide!" > > -K > > phil@tiaranetworks.com wrote: > > > > As we're throwing out thread ideas, here is one of my favorites: > > > > Song lyrics that were not what we thought they were when we finally saw the > > lyric sheet. > > > > My favorite comes from a humor columnist called Dave Barry, who claimed that > > the opening lines from the Beach Boys' 'Help me Ronda" were; " Well since > > she put me down, there've been owls puking in my bed". > > > > Steve Miller: Jet Airliner " Big Ol' Jed got lighter" > > > > You get the picture. Any takers? > > > > Phil ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000 03:00:04 -0400 (EDT) From: Mike Matthews Subject: Today's your birthday, friend... i*i*i*i*i*i i*i*i*i*i*i *************** *****HAPPY********* **************BIRTHDAY********* *************************************************** *************************************************************************** ********************** Eli Brandt (no Email address) ********************** *************************************************************************** -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- - -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Eli Brandt August 05 Leo Martin Bridges Sat August 08 1970 BigGuy Happy Rhodes Mon August 09 1965 HolyGhost Michael Stevens Sat August 12 1967 For Sale or Lease Martin Dougiamas Wed August 20 1969 Positive Tori Amos Thu August 22 1963 Leo Sam Warren Tue August 22 1961 Leo Henk Van Wulpen Sat August 22 1970 Leo Kerry White Wed August 22 1951 Exact Leo/Virgo Don Gibson Wed August 26 1959 Virgo Marcel Rijs Mon August 31 1970 A rose growing old Meredith Tarr Wed September 01 1971 Virgo Scott Zimmerman Mon September 04 1972 Virgo Mike Mendelson Fri September 04 1964 Virgo - -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 05 Aug 2000 11:30:03 -0400 From: Dave Williamson Subject: Re: Jane Siberry - Hush... As a long time Jane fan, I agree with your assertions here. All of that said, and regardless of the fact that the songs on Hush are not Jane originals, the album is a master work and a must have. Vocally it is very pure and has an amazing layered vocal depth (with just Jane singing). "All Through the Night" and "O Shenandoah" are pieces of pure beauty. Those that did not order Hush from Sheeba before the end of July will have to wait for the Sounds True distribution release in September. I would encourage everyone to pick this one up. Dave. jjhanson@att.net wrote: > Hello folks, > > Well the pre-ordered copies of Jane's new one are > being delivered--Neal received his yesterday and I got > mine today. > > I'll be interested to hear what other people's > reactions are. I love the cover art--Neal hates it-- > too much of a glamour shot for him, but I think > it's a great picture, and great overall packaging-- > similar to Mary Lydia Ryan's Diaphanous. > > As for the music--well, very pretty and very mellow. > It will take a few more listens to form a definite > opinion, but while Jane's vocals arrangements are > quite beautiful, this hardly demonstrates the > creative genius of When I Was a Boy. I wondered > who the pianist was, because while it's quite pretty, > it's not up to Tim Ray's standards. Turns out it's > Jane herself--she plays piano, accordian, harmonica, > harp, and keyboards, as well as doing all vocals. > The only other musicians are Sandy Baron on violin > and Jennifer Weeks on oboe. So this album is definitely > Jane at her purest, but I have to wonder if it's because > she wanted to do everything herself, or she was just > being cost conscious. > > Personally, I think Jane Siberry and Sheeba are > a good example of what happens when artists try to > run the whole business themselves--they spend so much > time trying to keep the business afloat, that they > don't have time to dedicate to creating music. Jane's > Sheeba releases so far have comprised of a odd collection > of random sounds (A Day in the Life), songs written > when she was a teenager (Teenager), three live CDs > (The New York Trilogy), and now Hush, a collection > of folk standards. Don't see a new Jane composition > in the bunch (ok, perhaps a couple of the live songs > were new, but most were not)--and the New York Trilogy > could definitely have used more production (or > at least rehearsal time). > > Jane may have felt overly pressured and constricted > when she was on a major label, but they gave her the > time, money, and production assistance required to > create a true masterpiece--When I Was a Boy. Something > I doubt she's capable of on her own. But at least > she is continuing to put out records. > > While I wish Sheeba the best, and I'm rooting for > Jane all the way, and will continue to probably > buy everything she releases, I really wonder if an > artist can be at their creative best while answering > telephones, filling orders, scrambling for funds for > studio time, etc. The fact that Jane, an established > artist with lots of experience is having difficulty, > makes me wonder what the real chances of success for any > unknown artist doing this are. Jane has enough of a fan > base that she can actually sell stuff for ridiculous > prices, and charge phenomenal prices for house concerts. > Something unknowns don't stand a chance of accomplishing. > I guess the Ani DiFranco's of the world really are a > rare breed. But then Ani has a persistence and > dedication that very few people possess. > > Well, enough ranting--on to listening. > > n.p. Jane Siberry - Hush > n.r. The Magician's Tale - David Hunt > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 05 Aug 2000 12:24:22 EDT From: "JoAnn Whetsell" Subject: lucy songs Did anyone mention Jill Sobule's "Lucy at the Gym" from her new album _Pink Pearl_ yet? Of course, this Lucy isn't a particularly good role model for a newborn but... JoAnn lp: Aimee Mann _Whatever_ nr: A New History of India, Stanley Wolpert ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 05 Aug 2000 12:44:23 EDT From: "JoAnn Whetsell" Subject: exercise music Hello all. I come out of lurking. Welcome to all of the new people. I've been reading the posts, but not writing much. Mostly at work and at the gym, haven't been to a concert in ages, though I'm hoping to make it up to ectofest. Anyway, most of my music listening has been at the gym lately (thank goodness for e-zone cd players attached to every cardio machine) So my recent listening has been this: PJ Harvey, RID OF ME This is, as far as I'm concerned, the ultimate exercise music. It never fails to pump me up. Tori Amos, TO VENUS AND BACK Disc 1, venus orbiting. Best motivating songs on this album are "Bliss," "Juarez," and "Riot Poof." Morcheeba, BIG CALM Chumbawumba, TUBTHUMPER Don't laugh. I've always enjoyed this album; it's fun. And it makes great work-out music. "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never going to keep me down" What could be more motivating than that? Snakefarm, SONGS FROM MY FUNERAL Lamb, FEAR OF FOURS Just rediscovered this album by taking it to the gym. I got it a while ago and kind of liked it but didn't listen to it. It's pretty cool. DIfferent. Needs more listens, but it will get them. I'm also looking to make an exercise mix tape, fast-paced stuff, so I'd appreciate any suggestions. JoAnn ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000 11:06:38 -0700 From: Neile Graham Subject: Avengers/Penelope news!! For anyone interested... - --Neile >Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000 22:52:47 -0700 >From: Phuzz >Reply-To: phous@earthlink.net >MIME-Version: 1.0 >To: penelope >Subject: Avengers/Penelope news!! > > Hi Everyone, > >Here's the latest news from >http://www.penelope.net/ the Penelope Houston >/Avengers site. > >I recently found, in my local record store, NEW VINYL copies of the >Avengers original LP. I bought all they had, and am offering them at shows >and through mail-order. These appear to be new reprints from England. They >contain the whole original LP of classic songs - >1. we are the one >2.car crash >3. i believe in me >4. open your eyes >5. no martyr >6. desperation >7. thin white line >8. paint it black >9. the american in me >10. white nigger >11. uh-oh >12. second to none >13. corpus christi >14. fuck you (live) >This LP has been out of print and very hard to find for years! Don't miss >this chance to hear it! > >If you want a copy please send $15 + $3.20 (US postage) to: > >Penelope Houston >PO Box 5001 >Berkeley CA 94705-0001 > >Cash, Check, or Money Order accepted. >And do it now! Supplies are limited! >California residents add $1.24 state sales tax. >For shipping costs outside of US please email me! > >Or buy it at one of my upcoming shows! >Fri. August 25 at 9:PM at Old Ironsides in Sacramento > >Thurs. Sept 7, 2000 at 9:PM at The Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco >for details. >http://www.penelope.net/shows.html > >Thanks, >Penelope > >PS to be removed from this list, email us! > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Neile Graham ...... http://www.sff.net/people/neile ....... neile@sff.net Les Semaines: A Weekly Journal . http://www.sff.net/people/neile/semaines The Ectophiles' Guide to Good Music ....... http://www.smoe.org/ectoguide ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000 12:19:24 -0600 From: neal copperman Subject: touring (SW and West coast) Greetings in ecto land, I've got a couple of questions that maybe someone out there can help me with. I have a friend who is heading out of here (here being Albuquerque NM) to do a show in Santa Cruz. Unfortunately for her, most of her other leads have fallen apart, so all she has is a show in Las Vegas. That's not a lot of shows for a ton of driving. If anyone in CA (preferably LA and SD, SF is so amazingly well covered in the bab_news pages) has any suggestions, I'd appreciate it. The other thing is that I'm trying to set up a list of possible venues in my area too. Ok, if my area is Albuquerque, I could do that this afternoon. But for people to come out here, they are going to want to do a loop tour to get a lot of shows in. If there is anyone out there in neighboring states (AZ, CO, northern TX, WY, UT, [NV?]) who could get in touch with me, I'd like to pick your brains on the subject. Thanks, neal np: Women's Focus radio show - KUNM ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000 22:47:07 EDT From: RedWoodenBeads@aol.com Subject: hey, i'm new too Hey, my name is Joe. I'm 16 years old and I come from somewhat of a musical family and circle of friends. I've been looking at the Ectophiles Guide to Good Music for a long while now and I just thought I'd get on this list since it contained some of the best music articles I've seen on the web. Actually, I have never even heard of Happy Rhodes before ecto, although I'm sure I'll get around to it someday. And now, I am going to rave about some of the music that is most dear to me =) I imagine I should begin with 10,000 Maniacs. They are my absolute favorite thing on the planet period. I am in love with everything about them, from Rob Buck's shimmering guitar style, to the far-spanning, historical/political lyrics, Natalie's voice, Mary's voice, the whole band's groove, John Lombardo's songwriting, I'm just a 100% mega fan. I own everything that could possibly have anything to do with them. I'm not sure if any of you have had the fortune to come across the John & Mary albums, but they are some of the most brilliant pieces of art to emerge from the 20th century. Also like Natalie Merchant's TIGERLILY album, but not too big on anything she's done after that. Have any of you heard the new maniac record THE EARTH PRESSED FLAT? It is breathtaking to say the least. So if you ever want to know anything about 10,000 Maniacs, I am the one to ask. But if you want tips on their music, don't ask me cause I'll tell you to buy it all! Another artist who has really been a tremendous presence in my life is Jeff Buckley. I am sure most of you have heard him and I am sure many of you are fans. His elegant pop stuff is just too much, I can't get over how unique, how innovative he was. There are times when it really hits me how hideous it is that his life ended at such an emryotic stage in what could have been a highly prolific career. Just think about it. It's horrible. The Sundays are probably my biggest band next to the maniacs and the beatles. I think they are a particularly talented group, every one of them. Harriet Wheeler is a superb vocalist (she hits notes most people only dream about), David Gavurin is a really natural, really creative guitarist and they have an extremely tight groove. More into the first two records, but the new one is excellent as well. Now this is an artist I can rave about. Mary Margaret O'Hara. The word genius usually comes to mind when I'm listening to MISS AMERICA, one of the best albums of the 80's. Such an interesting style, and so much diversity. She can go from trippy improv to slow, sad country to jazzy grooviness to wonderful melodic pop stuff with nothing less than complete ease. I also think the guitarist, Rusy McCarthy, who worked so much on that record was very unique and very interesting, and I find myself really getting into his riffs. I'm still trying to get my hands on the CHRISTMAS ep, and man will that be a wonderful day when I do. I'm a huge Smiths fan. Everything about them was so interesting. For one thing, they were such a powerful and solid band. I doubt any artist achieves Morrisey's simultanous sophistication and blatant emotional expression. For example the song "Panic". He's raving about the political turmoil in England and then just gos into this bridge about burning down a disco and hanging its d.j. The transition is instant and so fluid, god the man's brilliant! I also love The Innocence Mission. they were hugely influenced by the maniacs, and I think they took 10,000 Maniacs' somewhat delicate sophistication to its most personal, most quiet territory. I'm more into the first three albums than the new one. While I like it, it's a bit too folkish for me and I doubt I would've gotten into them if that was their typical sound. Particularly with the first two albums they did such a nice job with atmosphere, mixing guitars with keyboards while still keeping it simple. GLOW, the third album, is more guitar oriented and very different but I like it just as much. Love Karen's lyrics too. While they might not be as literate and sophisticated as Natalie Merchant, John Lombardo or Morrisey, there's something to be said for their humility. She takes on the point of view of other figures in her life quite often, and it's very interesting. Oh, and then there's the Cowboy Junkies. Killer band, massively original. A lot of their roots are in late-70's punk rock. Michael Timmins and Alan Anton originally went to New York to play in a punk band, but when that didn't work out they came back to Toronto where the Junkies' quiet, country sound was cultivated. While they are clearly drawing from the slow, sad waltzes of Hank Williams and Patsy Cline, I think their music retains a great deal of the punk movement's individualality and melancholia. I heard they weren't too happy with how the new record sounded (it was more rock oriented) but I really loved it. The new album, which will be out in 2001, will sound more like LAY IT DOWN (1996). Ok, one last band! The Bats. They're from New Zealand and they're sort of a chiming, bouncy post-punk folk rock band with a highly individual sound that owes as much to Gang of Four as it does to The Byrds. I'm not sure if they are still together or not, they haven't released a studio album since 1995 and there is so little info on the web, but they are really worth getting into, especially if you like to hear something very original while still very melodic. I suggest DADDY'S HIGHWAY or FEAR OF GOD to start. Alright, I'm done ranting and raving! Hope I didn't bore to many of you, later! Joe ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 05 Aug 2000 20:10:31 -0700 From: Brian Bloom Subject: Re: hey, i'm new too Joe, If you're a big 10,000 Maniacs *and* Sundays fan, then you'll want to investigate (if you haven't already) Sunfall Festival... http://www.sunfallfestival.com I haven't yet bought their albums, but after hearing their clips, I'm gonna order all of them. ;) Just thought I send along the pointer since I too am a Sundays fan, and this new band tickles the same nerve. :) moo. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 05 Aug 2000 23:49:43 EDT From: "Hotel America" Subject: Everybody else is doing it, so... Hey, y'all...I'm Chuck, from Granville, OH, and I'm new to the list. I first discovered the Ectophiles' Guide through allmusic.com (the All Music Guide). They had an entry for an artist named "Emily Bezar", who they said was similar to Bjork and Tori Amos and whose influences were Kate Bush and Laurie Anderson. With those comparisons, I HAD to hear this woman... so I searched for her on the net and found her site. I listened to the sound clips, immediately bought ALL of her CDs, and followed a link from her page to the Ectophiles' Guide. And here I am! It was such an awesome feeling to discover a group of people who have the EXACT same taste in music as me, especially when it seems like the whole world is buying the crap being played on the radio (and in record quantities!) The info: I'm 19 years old and I'm a sophomore at Yale. I play the piano, sing, and write songs, and most everything else I do is music-related as well. I perform pretty regularly on the Yale campus, but I want to start playing around New Haven and hopefully in New York City this coming school year. (The music scene on the Yale campus is pretty sad.) My favorite artists are Tori, Ani, Jeff Buckley, Ben Folds Five, Indigo Girls, Joni Mitchell, Duncan Sheik (who I STRONGLY believe should be in the Ecto Guide), and the wonderful Emily Bezar. (Actually, she JUST sent me an e-mail thanking me for a review of her album that I posted on amazon.com -- it made my WEEK!) Anyway, I'm SO happy I found my way into the world of Ecto and really glad to be here! ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V6 #227 **************************