Errors-To: owner-ecto@ns1.rutgers.edu Reply-To: ecto@ns1.rutgers.edu Sender: ecto@ns1.rutgers.edu From: ecto@ns1.rutgers.edu To: ecto-request@ns1.rutgers.edu Bcc: ecto-digest-outbound@ns1.rutgers.edu Subject: ecto #401 ecto, Number 401 Thursday, 21 January 1993 Today's Topics: *-----------------* Re: ecto #400 Today's your birthday friend... A net gain and other stories a Happy phantom Stuff SO/US Yet Another 1992 List Faffin' about a Happy phantom Strange Phenomena The Flat Earth Dolby Surround SO/US Sarah McWhat? ======================================================================== Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 0:39:41 EST From: WretchAwry Subject: Re: ecto #400 > ecto, Number 400 Amazing! Jessica, you're wonderful! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I'm influenced by my friend If there's a reason to cry Oh friend you'll be (friend you'll be) Forever close to me I've confided in you my friend Now we have something to do Oh friend you'll be (friend you'll be) Forever close to me Oh and when the time comes For them to see We'll still be... Oh living on faith of heart Keeping love and fear far apart We'll be running our own lives Making someone out there realize That we have a place We've escaped the human race HerHapsterness Vickie ======================================================================== Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 2:15:30 EST From: WretchAwry Subject: Today's your birthday friend... HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ken Taylor! Vickie ======================================================================== Date: 20 January 1993 16:02:26 CST From: Subject: A net gain and other stories I have developed a firm belief that this computer system is a Republican :-). For most of yesterday--and most of today--it was excruciatingly slow to give any sort of response, and kept dropping sessions repeatedly. The pinnacle of this Marathon of Mishugoss was when it lost my file of the day's saved postings from the comp-academic-freedom-talk mailing list (which, happily, I was able to reconstruct--I think--by saving the day's postings to the alt.comp.acad-freedom.talk newsgroup, which are essentially the same as the loose postings in the mailing list). We shall see if this rogue machine settles down now that the transfer of power is a _fait accompli_. The fact that the weather in this town has gotten slightly warmer over the course of the afternoon is a hopeful harbinger. As fate would have it, the new book _The Internet Companion_ has a foreword written by Al Gore, who sponsored legislation to upgrade the Internet's principal U.S. backbone to a National Research and Education Network (NREN). Coincidentally, the new issue of the _Columbia Journalism Review_ has a piece on the utility of the Internet for journalists, as well as one on Gore's pre-Congressional career as an investigative reporter. We, as net people, should undoubtedly be pleased at the fact of a soulmate in the vice presidency. This afternoon, _Fresh Air_ interviewed Harry Shearer on a baby boomer's impressions of the inauguration. He said that it gave him pause that the musical program included the Monty Python theme (which is, in reality, one of those old British brass-band pieces by the likes of Elgar, Holst, and that lot); and that it had him waiting for the gorilla foot to come crashing upon the Capitol at the end of the tune :-). The recent discussion in these pages of Fairground Attraction's recordings reminded me that sometime in late 1988 or early 1989, I picked up a sale cassette which I now remember to have been _First of a Million Kisses_. It is a strange feeling to know that your tape-buying behavior was years ahead of its time, without even knowing it back then. Now if I could only figure out which of my piles it's buried underneath... :-) Mitch ------------------------------------- "The last man nearly ruined this place/He didn't know what to do with it/ If you think this country's bad off now/Just wait'll I get through with it" --Rufus T. Firefly (Remember: A majority of members of Congress surveyed last week indicated their support for Administration policy in Fredonia) ------------------------------------- In memory of Audrey Hepburn In memory of Elizabeth Wood ======================================================================== Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 00:55:41 PST From: stevev@greylady.uoregon.edu (Steve VanDevender) Subject: a Happy phantom It never seems I have much time to write for Ecto any more, although part of that problem this evening is that I spent much of my net-time this evening arguing on the exceptionally nerdy topic of whether you could use the HP 48 IR transmitter/receiver pair to measure short distances. :-) Having just read Mitch's latest missive, where he mentioned that the Monty Python theme was some part of the inaugural ceremonies, I feel obliged to correct him by pointing out that said theme is the "Liberty Bell" march by John Phillip Sousa, and therefore rather likely to turn up in patriotic American ceremonies. Angelos asked me where he might find Thomas Dolby's _The Flat Earth_. The reason his mail bounced is that greylady has had some minor networking problems that I have mostly been able to solve by making sure her connectors are properly seated -- a fix that was defeated Tuesday when someone else decided to experiment with the relibility of various connection schemes and left her unplugged from the net, which irked me greatly when I came in to check out why she was off the net. Anyway, I have no idea how and where to find _The Flat Earth_, although it seems like it should still be available somehow. My brother was able to find it a few years ago new. It might be easier to get it used than new by now, though. Someone (I forget who) mentioned that they had named their cat Boo. I found this quite ectosynchronous since I have a friend who is another rabid Kate fan and soon-to-be _Warpaint_ owner (he sent off his order today) who also has a cat named Boo. To Vickie: Please feel free to keep posting about your recovery process. Your revelations have certainly come faster than my ability to make meaningful comments about them, which would seem to be a positive thing for you. It seems you've done the most important thing, which is recognize the significance of those episodes of abuse in your life, and face the memories rather than look away from them. Last Sunday I found what must be the rather rare _Jane Siberry_ re-release CD ("Original 1980 Recording with additional liner notes and photographs", including a terribly unflattering cover photograph). I haven't had much chance to listen to it yet, but while over at a friends I made a tape of it for myself so I can absorb it at more leisure. What I heard sounded great. The notes by John Switzer and Jane herself are quite enligtening. I also got k.d. lang's _Absolute Torch and Twang_, which lives up to its title -- perhaps a little too much; it's close to exceeding my ability to tolerate country music, but k.d.'s voice more than makes up for it. I think I'll be happier with _Ingenue_ when I get it. ======================================================================== From: Ken Taylor Subject: Stuff Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 17:55:29 WST Wow - Even ecto-lurkers het Birthday wishes.. Thanks especially to Steve Fagg for his email.. It was the first HAPPY Birthaday I recieved.. I actually stumbled into my Birthday at my computer last night while doing some programming - I got to bed at 2am and slept through the first half of the day (until 1230) - boy I needed that sleep.. I've been meaning to get in touch here for a LONG time (I've been lurking since about ecto200, and here we are at 400 !) and I hope I can start being more involved.. Jessica, count me one vote for daily digests - It would be nice to be a bit more up to date.. On a different note: > Kjetil writes: > > Still going through my old mails: I think small mugshots would be a > > nice addition to the Ecto File. I can volunteer to maintain it if > > Martin thinks they are not appropriate. > > And Martin replies: > We had some discussion on this about this time last year... it was > decided, I think, that we agreed it would be a good idea to have a > directory in the ecto archives with ectophile photos, but no-one > really had the equipment and time to get it set up. Greg's Happy > concert photos were also going in there, if I remember correctly. > Perhaps if someone were to collect photos via snail and email and > scan them all at once? Hmmm... Why don't I get the photos you've got, Martin, and at least we can make a start. I'm more than happy to do the image capture (either video, photo or slide(transparency)) If you want to add your mugshot, mail it to me downunder (see the address in the list (or email me)) and I'll grab it.. Thanks again for the birthday wishes... Ken ======================================================================== Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 10:29:29 MEZ From: Dirk Kastens Subject: SO/US Scorpii said: > Hmmm...I don't think I could agree with that evaluation. SO has many points > over US in terms of non-homogenized style, but then again it also includes > "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time", two songs of which I became utterly sick > really quickly. "Red Rain" is headed that way. Not even "Steam" is so > quick to lose its luster. I forgot to mention that I always skip "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time" when I listen to SO.(The programming facility of a CD player is one of the most ingenious achievements of mankind). The two songs are not bad but they really mar the atmosphere of the album, like "Steam" does on US. BTW, "Mercy Street" turns out to be my all-time favorite PG song. Bye. Dirk ======================================================================== From: S.L.Fagg@bnr.co.uk Subject: Yet Another 1992 List Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 10:44:31 BST On Wed, 20 Jan 1993 at 11:39:50 -0800 (PST), Neile Graham wrote: > Yes, I know this is really late. > > Here's my real 1992 list in no particular order: Well just to prove that we limeys can be even tardier, here's *two* 1992 lists from me... First up, 1992 releases. When I checked back through my list I found I'd only bought ten 1992 releases last year so the top ten was rather more than somewhat self selecting! In alphabetical order: Peter Gabriel Us Steve Harley Yes You Can Sophie B. Hawkins Tongues & Tails Annie Lennox Diva Manfred Mann's Plain Music Plains Music Lou Reed Magic & Loss Shakespeare's Sister Hormonally Yours Jane Siberry Summer in the Yukon (compilation) June Tabor Angel Eyes Various The Boys Are Back in Town (compilation) Out of which I think (today) I'd have to nominate Steve Harley's "Yes You Can" as my album of the year for 1992. When it came to pre-1992 releases I bought last year there were too many great albums, especially as more and more classic back catalogue became available on CD, for me to be able to select just ten, even when I restricted myself to only one album per artist (e.g. I bought four albums by Al Stewart and five by Jane Siberry last year, and of course four by a certain Albany resident of our acquaintance), so here's a top 20 oldies from my 1992 purchases: Tori Amos Little Earthquakes (1991) David Bowie Scary Monsters (1980) Camel Raindances (1977) ELO On the Third Day (1973) The Enid Salome (1986) Flanders & Swann At the Drop of a Hat (1960) Julia Fordham Swept (1991) Jerry Fafferty Nightowl (1979) Sarah McLaughlin Solace (1991) The Moody Blues On the Threshold of a Dream (1969) Van Morrison It`s too Late to Stop Now (1974) Bonnie Raitt Home Plate (1975) Renaissance Tales of 1001 Nights, Volume 2 (1990) (compilation) Happy Rhodes Rhodes I (1986) Roxy Music Avalon (1982) Klaus Schulze Moondawn (1976) Jane Siberry Jane Siberry (1980) Al Stewart & Shot in the Dark 24 P/Carrots (1980) June Tabor with Martin Simpson A Cut Above (1980) Yes Close to the Edge (1972) It must be clear that many of the above purchases were inspired by discussions here on Ecto. Thanks to all whose enthusiasms led me to new music this year, and especial thanks to Klaus and Neile who helped in the actual acquisition process! -- Regards Steve Fagg ( S.L.Fagg@bnr.co.uk +44-279-402437 ) BNR Europe Ltd., London Road, Harlow, Essex, CM17 9NA, UK *** "Better drowned than duffers. If not duffers, won't drown". *** ======================================================================== From: S.L.Fagg@bnr.co.uk Subject: Faffin' about Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 12:02:56 BST On Thu, 21 Jan 93 at 10:44:31 BST I wrote: > Jerry Fafferty Nightowl (1979) That well known singer-songwriter who had a big hit with "Faker Feet". Typist? Me?? Well I am wearing a tie, but I'm not Brahms. -- Regards Steve Fagg ( S.L.Fagg@bnr.co.uk +44-279-402437 ) BNR Europe Ltd., London Road, Harlow, Essex, CM17 9NA, UK *** "Better drowned than duffers. If not duffers, won't drown". *** ======================================================================== From: special K Subject: a Happy phantom Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 9:39:52 EST Steve said: > I also got k.d. lang's _Absolute Torch and Twang_, which lives up > to its title -- perhaps a little too much; it's close to > exceeding my ability to tolerate country music, On her latest concert tour, she and Ben Mink rearranged several songs from her previous albums. "Big Boned Gal" had an almost circus music sound to it and "Didn't I?" was sort of Middle Eastern. The new arrangements and kd's intros to the songs were extremely entertaining. > but k.d.'s voice > more than makes up for it. I think I'll be happier with > _Ingenue_ when I get it. I'm sure you will. Don't delay, get it today!! special K "I'd like some more mango chutney, please...." -- kd ======================================================================== From: "Michael Blackmore" Date: 21 Jan 93 11:12:38 EST Subject: Strange Phenomena Where coincidence meets it's a small world note: I got a call from a friend yesterday that I hadn't seen for six months or so, and we went out to dinner. I happened to mention Happy to her and she pipes in: "Oh yeah, I know her. Doshie (her local folk/singer apartmentmate) stayed with her when she (Doshie) had to play a gig in Albany. She seems cool." Too funny! "Still awaiting my first Happy album!" - Michael B. ======================================================================== Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 11:45 EST From: Sam Warren Subject: The Flat Earth >Angelos asked me where he might find Thomas Dolby's _The Flat >Earth_. Anyway, I have no idea how and where to find _The Flat Earth_, >although it seems like it should still be available somehow. My brother was >able to find it a few years ago new. It might be easier to get it used than >new by now, though. I have been able to find The Flat Earth on CD only once. And it was an import (from the UK), so it was about $20 for six songs. I have not seen a domestic pressing on CD, which is not to say that it doesn't exist. Has anyone else seen it? You may be able to find it rather easily on LP (some stores actaully carry them), or tape. >also got k.d. lang's _Absolute Torch and Twang_, which lives up >to its title -- perhaps a little too much; it's close to >exceeding my ability to tolerate country music, but k.d.'s voice >more than makes up for it. I think I'll be happier with >_Ingenue_ when I get it. If you love kd's voice, I think you will definately enjoy Ingenue. You may also enjoy her songs. Yes, they're less twangy, and her writing is very impressive too. I think it's her best album so far! ======================================================================== Date: 21 Jan 93 10:59:32 EST From: Mike Mendelson Subject: Dolby Surround Jens: > Seriously, your recommendation is noted. Now it's just a question of > whether I should go for TFE (seems to be the favorite) or A&H > (with Eddi) first. Well, it depends on whether you're going for the later or the better. As far as album-quality, TFE kicks A&H's bananas. TFE is a full level or two of magnitude, IMHO, better than A&H. Literally *every* song on TFE is *genius*. Dolby's debut, Wireless, is great, but TFE is brilliant. Now, about Aliens. This is a fully funkified album, and it has some great moments. As I mentioned a while ago, it really has grown on me in the last year... even the silly Cube song is more than just listenable now. I don't know how he does it, but Dolby records the most awesome bass-guitar *sound* I have ever heard. It is very sharp and clear and no album takes advantage of this more than Aliens. The title track is euphoric, and the bass-line in Airhead is contagious and makes me want to jump up and dance on the roof of my vehicle. Hot Sauce is Mexican funk at its best. True enough, this album is a radical departure from TFE, but it is in my opinion so far (and I've listened to A&H alot) a good deal better than A&H in innovation and energy. I find A&H, while still quite enjoyable, a very clicheed effort, from a man for whom, from his very first single that sounded *nothing* like *anything* *anyone* had ever heard before, the word cliche has been absent from his vocabulary. Using a Beatles refrain, relying on 38-special power chords, singing a song about why people fall in love... the list goes on. There are two or three remarkable songs on A&H... the rest are pleasant, perhaps even hooky, but altogether too unremarkable. Too bad. Anyways, don't count Aliens Ate my Buick out before you give it a good number of listens. Side 'B' is even better than side 'A'. And definitely spend money on TFE before A&H (assuming you can find TFE -- it may be out of print). BTW, does anyone know if the original version of Wireless ever made its way onto CD? I have never found it in *any* format, but I know one of the songs that was cut from it was Liepsig (sp?) which appears on one of Stewart and Gaskin's album. Man, I *wish* I could find the original LP!!! -mjm ======================================================================== From: Scorpii Subject: SO/US Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 12:33:30 EST Forwarded message: > From DKASTENS@dosuni1.rz.uni-osnabrueck.de Thu Jan 21 05:17:45 1993 > Message-Id: <9301211000.AA18445@ns1.rutgers.edu> > Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 10:29:29 MEZ > From: Dirk Kastens > Subject: SO/US > To: ecto@ns1.rutgers.edu > Dirk sez: > I forgot to mention that I always skip "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time" > when I listen to SO.(The programming facility of a CD player is one > of the most ingenious achievements of mankind). The two songs are > not bad but they really mar the atmosphere of the album, like "Steam" > does on US. BTW, "Mercy Street" turns out to be my all-time favorite > PG song. > > Bye. > Dirk > On skipping "S" and "BT": good plan! I can't do that, unfortunately, as I bought "So" back in the dark ages when I didn't have a CD player, so I must hit FF if I just can't stand it. I don't have too many probs with "Steam" though...it's just kind of annoying. "Mercy Street" IS a completely brill song, although I still must love "Solsbury Hill". Totally irrelevant bit: I bought my first cassette in months yesterday. Dead Can Dance's compilation _A_Passage_Of_Time_. I really LOVE that stuff. Drewcifer ======================================================================== From: Scorpii Subject: Sarah McWhat? Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 12:37:22 EST This is picky, but it's been getting up my nose. "Solace" is not Sarah MacLaughlin's album. The name on the CD is Sarah McLachlan (n.b. the Mc, not Mac). After all, I get annoyed when I'm identified as "Simchick" or "Simchek"...I have no doubts that Sarah would feel the same way. Drewcifer ======================================================================== The ecto archives are on hardees.rutgers.edu in ~ftp/pub/hr. There is an INDEX file explaining what is where. Feel free to send me things you'd like to have added. -- jessica (jessica@ns1.rutgers.edu)