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 #480 ecto, Number 480 Wednesday, 10 March 1993 Today's Topics: *-----------------* An Ectophiles Guide to Good Music (again, but revised) On calling radio stations Re: Jane Siberry call for volunteers/a publicity scheme Re: Jane Siberry/K.D. Lang Re: Equipoised Ecto Fete! Happy thoughts... Totally non-Happy stuff, although it makes me Happy :-) EIA k.d. and some happy ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 9 Mar 1993 13:01:21 -0800 (PST) From: Neile Graham Subject: An Ectophiles Guide to Good Music (again, but revised) There have been enough people say they're interested in the idea to give this a try. I've been emailing Mary Lou about this and I think we've come up with a variation on the original idea which might be more workable. Instead of going through the archives, why not start from scratch? After all, when people wrote about groups they didn't think they were contributing to something like this and the info might not be appropriate in a survey, and besides the material is still in the archives if anyone wants to look it up, and there may in the future be an index to make it easier to find info. So, what we'd like to propose is starting from the beginning. I've made up a survey form people could fill out about groups they're familiar with and want to comment on. We'd like to make it open so that any number of people could comment on any number of bands/singers/recordings and we could compile the info. We foresee this being available on the archives somewhere and also in print for those of us still wedded to that medium (me). ****But before we get going, two things: 1) Volunteers: The work would be a matter of compiling the info from email sent to you into one entry for each group/singer. Shouldn't be too difficult, especially if we have a couple of people working on it. We should break up the bands alphabetically, but we'd like to see one person compiling stuff on Happy, one on Kate, one on Jane, one on Tori (maybe other suggestions of people there would be a whole lot of comments about?) then alphabetical groupings for other ecto bands. 2) Getting it right before we start--we'd like comments on the form that follows. Does anyone have any additions/edits/suggestions/deletions? THE FORM: Name of Band/Singer: Country of origin: Type of music (ethereal/rock/folk) generally: Covers/own material?: Albums: Title: Catalogue #s: Availability: Ecto priority (must have/recommended/recommended for certain tastes [please specify]): Comments (please keep brief): Title: etc. We'll wait for about 10 days to get the final format ready and a list of volunteers (please?) then will post the final format with instructions (with any luck they won't be confusing) Volunteers and suggestions for format, please reply to this message to either me or MaryLou: neile@u.washington.edu marylou@bnr.ca Thanks folks! Let's hope this one flies! ======================================================================== From: alan moorse Date: Tue, 9 Mar 93 16:43:28 -0500 Subject: On calling radio stations I spoke to Kevin yesterday, and he said that he and Happy would appreciate it if we all called the stations in our areas that *should* play Happy's music and asked them to do so. That way, the ones that have it will be encouraged to do so, and the ones that don't will be inspired to get it. He said that sometimes albums sent to stations follow people home, and the stations end up without a copy to play. Some stations get a bunch just to counter this phenomenon. On another topic, my wife, who doesn't particularly like Kate's music, has become a mild fan of Happy. She recommended Warpaint to a co-worker, who went into the Troy Music Shack last week to get it. He picked up two Happy discs, and asked the counterman if he could hear one of them before he bought it. He got both (I forgot to ask which ones), and one of the shop employees bought another. alanm ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 09 Mar 93 16:40:09 EST From: Tamar Boursalian Subject: Re: Jane Siberry Hi! Yngve (which is such a cool name!) was asking about Jane Siberry, so I thought I'd put in my $.02 worth. "The Walking" was my first Jane album, and still my favorite. But I think if your wallet can handle it, you should get that one and "Bound by the Beauty" because it's very different from "The Walking", and because I think that no one is complete until they've heard the song "Everything Reminds Me Of My Dog" :-) Just for the record, I too really like "Blind Man's Zoo". I used to listen to it a lot, and I can't say that the new one has really captured me at all (unlike Equipoise or anything else Happy). I don't suppose anyone out there would know the address for the Phish e-mail list? Have a good one! --Tamar (boutame@yalevm.ycc.yale.edu) ======================================================================== From: alan moorse Date: Tue, 9 Mar 93 17:16:29 -0500 Subject: call for volunteers/a publicity scheme When I spoke to Kevin yesterday, the reason for the call was a publicity idea I had a few weeks ago. We're going to talk about it further tonight, but in the meantime, I'd like to ask for volunteers to help (or potentially help) with it. Here's the idea: Journalists, especially at newspapers, get their story ideas from a lot of different sources, one of which is story tips from professional PR hacks or from interested citizens. The office I work in does this all the time, and so RPI's name gets published all over the country (U.S.) and a bit in Canada. Over the past five years, we've built up a list of reporters at most of the larger papers and radio and TV stations in the country. My boss has given me permission to use this list for a citizen's tip letter. I'm going to write up a letter and send it to entertainment and technology editors/writers that we have on that list. Here's the story (minus numbers and details that I'll get tonight): COMPUTER NETWORK SPREADS THE WORD ABOUT YOUNG ARTIST (or some such headline) A two-year-old computer mailing list of fans has helped musician Happy Rhodes get the word out about her new album, Equipoise, and has resulted in orders from as far away as Australia. And Rhodes doesn't even own a computer (another thing I'll check with Kevin tonight). So the point of the letter will be that this is a trend, that communication on the net is having an effect on the arts, and that this is a great example on which to base a story. Where y'all come in, or can if you want and if we're lucky; A story sells best to a reporter or editor if it has a local angle, a connection right there in town. What I would ask of interested Ectophiles is this: If you live in an area that has a decent-size paper (The New York Times is huge, the Washington Post is huge, the Albany Times-Union is barely decent-size, as is the ...)... dumb idea. Look, if your local paper is what you consider decent-size and you're willing to talk to a journalist who might know not the least little thing about computers or about Happy, please send me a note saying that you'd be willing and telling me the name of your local paper, the name of the place you live (town, neighborhood, etc.), a phone number at which you can be reached, and the times you're available there. Oh, and your non-net name if there's any doubt I would know it. What I'll do in each letter is say that there's a local connection, and it's so-and-so, who you can reach at such-and-such a number at these times. I'll also give contact info on Happy and Kevin, and on me in case they want to make sure I'm really not a flack. I'm going to post these letters myself, so I won't be mailing to Europe or Australia (sorry). Here's an example listing -- Alan Moorse local paper -- Albany Times-Union, MetroLand, Troy Record (ugh!) lives in scenic South Troy can be reached at (518) 272-3024 evenings Thanks alanm ======================================================================== Subject: Re: Jane Siberry/K.D. Lang Date: Tue, 09 Mar 93 17:30:19 -0500 From: jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu Steve Fagg responded to Yngwe with: >Otherwise, try "Bound by the Beauty" or "The Walking" first. These are >her two most recent albums and are quite similar in feel. They are >also both excellent! My personnal favourite has turned out to be her >first album (just called "Jane Siberry") which was only released on CD >last year, but it's not very representative of the way her music >sounds these days so it's probably not a good place to start. I >wouldn't bother with "No Borders Here" or "The Speckless Sky" until >you decide you're really keen on Jane. Y'know, _No Borders Here_ was my first Jane album (and it was entirely on the net's (and specifically Vickie's) recommendation; I'd not heard anything by Jane when I bought the album). I liked it on first listen and quickly grew to love it. A month or so later, I bought _Bound By the Beauty_ and was very disappointed in it. It's got a strong country feel to it (though I wouldn't actually classify it as 'country'), which basically doesn't appeal to me. I grew to love _Bound By the Beauty_ as well, but I still don't like it as much as _No Borders Here_. I will note, however, that most of my faves from _BBtB_ I consider to be better than most of _NBH_. _NBH_, however, is a more *consistently* better album. And "Map of the World Part I" is one of the best pieces of female ethereal music ever recorded. Ever. Ever. ;-) As long as I'm here, I'll throw in my vote and say that _Blind Man's Zoo_ is definitely my favorite 10,000 Maniacs album. In fact, it's the only one I consider worth listening to on a regular basis. (and this is 2+ years after I got it, Meredith...;-) Jeff ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 9 Mar 93 22:59:25 EST From: WretchAwry Subject: Re: Equipoised Yow! Busy, busy...I got 3 inquiries about Happy tonight and 4 last night! I'm sending out FAQs and trying to answer "which one should I buy?" Here's what I told a very nice fellow from Singapore. > If you can get: > One....toss a coin for Warpaint or Equipoise > Two....as above, plus Ecto > Three..those 3 > Four...those 3, plus Rhodes I > Five...those 4, plus Rearmament > Six....yes, you have then achieved Happyness :-) > (And just because poor little Rhodes II gets put at the bottom of the > list means nothing. It too is a wonderful album.) (All IMHO, of course.) :-), so, what do people think about that? Any major disagreements? Heyo, there's a bloke from Scotland (are Scottish guys "blokes" or something else altogether?) who wants to hear a sampler tape. I haven't told him about Doug yet, because I though I'd ask if there's someone in the UK who would do the honors. We actually need a European "Doug" but I won't go that far to ask. I'd just like to get the guy from Scotland taken care of right now. Huh? Huh? Couldja? Couldja? Someone? The Real McCoy Doug opines: > Here is my long-awaited (yeah, sure :) ) review of the latest gem from our > hero Happy Rhodes. Thanks for this Doug, it's great! But uh... > Stop me if you've read this before, but _Equipoise_ didn't grab me on the > first listen. However, after the second, I could second a certain Ectophile's > opinion: "It's *WONDERFUL*!" :) [though I'm probably short a few *'s and > !'s. :) ] It's close enough. Passes my muster! > they affect, with one exception. Happy needs some trusted editor to shorten > her songs. Too many of them seem to me to run on pointlessly. 11 songs in > 61:14? :P Oh, I don't know. As far as I'm concerned, some songs are entirely too short.... > "He Will Come/The Flight" has been covered fairly fully by other posts, and I > definitely agree that they cover the female and male sides of the same story. > In general, this interconnected pair is one of the highlights of the album, > and, after first hearing it live almost a year ago, it's nice to finally > understand all of the words right. :) (I'm too embarrassed to mention what > words _I_ first heard in the chorus of "The Flight". :) ) "He's just, he's bare, and when he comesza" is what *I* heard, so your ears couldn't possibly have heard it any stranger than mine! > Happy probably put "Out Like a Lamb" on _Equipoise_ to give us Ectophiles > something to argue about (and for Vickie to smirk about, while she holds some > of the keys. :) :) Smirk? Moi? Nah..."bemused interest" is more like it. Seriously, it is fascinating to hear the different interpretations. > "Save Our Souls" is the first Happy song to truly irritate me. I thoroughly > disagree with her philosophy from one end of the song to the other. I'll save > you my full ranting and raving, and just raise one example. The basic theme > is Happy's singing for the aliens to rescue earth, so much so that a better > title might be "E.T., phone back!" :) This theme of rescue is underscored by > the song titles initials, and Happy even sings "S.O.S." in the background. > However, I completely reject this throwing up one's hands, throwing in the > towel in disgust at the world's troubles. It reminds me of some isolated > Christian sects who huddle in remote corners of the globe, waiting for > Rapture. Well, if you wait for God to solve the world's problems, if you wait > for extraterrestrials to solve the world's problems, nothin's gonna happen. > Problems are only solved by our rolling up our own sleeves, and getting our > hands dirty. End of grumbling. [I will admit the slight possibility that > Happy may not be playing this entirely straight, but the same theme of running > from problems is apparent in "Runners", too (though she may not be playing it > straight there either. :) )] Steve said exactly what I would have said, so I won't repeat. However, I will say this. Though many of the songs on EQP are open to various interpretations, so I keep my mouth (somewhat) shut (most of the time) (generally) even if I know the "truth" behind the song, when Happy's philosophy and point of view are so seriously misunderstood, I have to pop up and say something. Sorry Doug, you are *way* off base. Read Steve's reply again. It's what he said, and I don't just *think* that, I *know* that, because Happy and I talked about it. If you don't like the song, or how she words the message, that's fine. Just as long as you know that your interpretation above is WRONG WRONG WRONG! (Personally, I love the song, everything about it. The lyrics are perfectly clear to me. The key words to knowing that she's being sardonic are "and *yet* here we are") (And, once again, it's a FRENCH HORN, not a trumpet!) Whew! (Doug, you know I love you, right? *HUG*) > As others have noted, "Closer" serves as the fulcrum point of _Equipoise_, > likely Happy's most personal song on it. Lacking any knowledge of the true > context of the song, I'm not going to enter the tar pit of trying to decipher > her lyrics. However, it certainly has one of the best metaphors I've ever > heard: > > Sticks and stones thrown, > Shattered my bones > Glue them back with rhythms and tones Yes! I also especially love her reference to us (yes, *us*) in the line "Every word volunteered for my army" > (By the way, "He Will Come" has a bad clinker of a mixed metaphor, which I'll > leave for you to discover. :) ) ??? > I'm surprised that no one has singled out "Temporary and Eternal" for praise > yet. The song is certainly unambitious, but amid its quietness is a > surprisingly complex song about reincarnation, about the ending of two lives > which I interpret as sequentially belonging to a single reincarnated person. > On the song's surface is the wonderfully portrayed wistfulness and regret of > looking back at our always imperfect lives. Yet this is partially countered > by the optimism of looking forward to getting it right in our next life. Yet > this is in turn countered by the fact that we'll probably just screw it up > again anyway. I don't believe in reincarnation, but such a simple beautifully > expressive song makes me wish I did. :) Wonderfully put! I agree 100%! It's always been one of my favorites, I must have forgotten to say it. I get chills when she sings "Going to fly" > Happy certainly let her quirks run loose in "Cohabitants", from the odd > variety of voices to the lack of a clear melody to lots going on in the > background to having the lyrics be an exchange between two sides of herself. > I see the lyrics as the story of Happy's "light" side (mostly voiced in that > distorted voice) discovering and dealing with her taunting "dark" side, an > explicit theme of _Equipoise_. I assume this song will grow on me. :) Almost certainly guaranteed! Keep at it. > "Play the Game" is another clear political song. At least it doesn't irritate > me, though I can take it or leave it, even musically. One line does bother > me, though. In my experience, I have heard "Your [rules] don't apply to me" > used only by scuzzballs and creeps trying to excuse completely inexcuseable > actions. The association is just too strong in my mind to break, and Happy > certainly doesn't belong with that crowd. That's just me, though. As for the > song as a whole, other women have covered this theme better than Happy over > the past twenty-odd years, and "Play the Game" strikes me as too serious, too > good-vs-bad, too trite. It badly needs a dose of Happy's humor. Oh wow, I *really* disagree that it's humorless. For me, the *music* is what gives the song a touch of whimsy. It fits in well with so many of her earlier songs, songs that carry a heavy/important message wrapped in light, whimsical music. And it is an important message, one that I don't consider political, but social. Aaaaaaand, I don't believe that I personally have heard this theme covered better. "Trite"? I won't even get into it, let's just say I disagree. > Someday I'll be able to concentrate on the lyrics for "Mother Sea", but I just > have no desire to. I simply let that gorgeious piano and wonderful high voice > wash over me, the musical equivalent of walking along the seashore letting the > incessant noisy surf wash deep into my psyche, taking away any emotional > disquiet unreachable by any other agency, leaving behind a clean and quiet > soul, which may be part of the song's point anyway. Beautiful! Yes, yes...oh yes indeed! > It's *WONDERFUL*! This sounds so familiar...hmmmm. Btw, have I said lately how much I *LOVE* Equipoise???? Let me know, now, just in case I haven't! Vickie ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 9 Mar 93 23:17:37 EST From: justin@campion.crim.ca (Justin Bur) Subject: Ecto Fete! Hey, that's French for a gathering of ectophiles. In french 'cause we hope to organize something fun and wonderful here in Montreal. Yes, it is the first annual Ecto Fete brought to you by Justin and Liz (she formerly of Boston) somewhere around the 7th or 8th of April. Lots of food, lots of music, at least two languages (Justin and Eric [the other housemate] are both bilingual; Liz is working at it). If you are within a day's drive, come! That means YOU footah and jessica. Actually, if people are interested, we can shift things to that weekend but we'll ahve to share the occasion with the easter bunny (hey, he or she is probably not bad company!). Anyways, let us know. Mail accepted by Justin (justin@crim.ca) or Liz (lizzylou@world.std.com) tee hee liz (and justin who is lurking over my shoulder screaming about end-of-term papers and mistakes in the text). ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 9 Mar 93 23:00 EST From: robert@deepspace.nj00802.sai.com (Robert Lovejoy) Subject: Happy thoughts... Here I am pinching myself, fortunate to be connected to the internet and on this amazing list. About a year and a half ago, I was just going to the store to get groceries. It was a sunny fall Saturday morning and it started normally enough. But when WXPN played Feed The Fire, it seems my life changed. I've already posted that story; now I am on Ecto. The digests lately have been full of reviews and opinions of Happy's music. People are careful not to flame. Respectful dissent abounds. Is this the same human race I read about in the news? It's hard to review Happy's music. For me, it's so deep and personal all I can say is that in general I love it. I remember when I first got Rearmament I played Til the Dawn Breaks quite loud! Her Voice filled the room, the storm raged, catharsis! Perhaps other people, who had more normal childhoods, failed to see what I saw in that song. So much of her music reaches me on a deep inner level. Equipoise is still unfolding in me. I like all the songs. Maybe I'm just simple! What amazes me is that all of us come together via modems and share our revelations of this unique artist's gifts. Before Ecto I was on Genie, over in the music categories trying to tell people about Happy's music. The gist of the responses was "You should talk to Meredith!". Prodigy, too, showed little interest. But on this list, Happy's music is paramount. Most of my previous posts were similar gushes of amazement, so I promise to try and make this my last gush! I wish I had more I could say intellectually about her music, I just know it strikes a deep resonant chord within my soul. Life is good. BTW, I picked up an old Gentle Giant album, "In A Glass House", on CD this past weekend. What a great album that was! Those ectophiles who enjoy prog rock should pick this up; GG had great chops! Bill - I posted several times asking about Tasmin Archer before your note came in. I had no idea she was doing well in Europe! I couldn't get the song "Sleeping Satellite" out of my brain so I went out and bought the cassette single. She does remind me of Tori a little, esp. on the acoustic version of the song (piano, acoustic bass, acoustic guitar, and percussion accompaniment). It's a nice song! Recommended Ear Candy for Ectophiles! Yngve - "Bare Trees" is one of my favorite Fleetwood Mac albums! Unfortunately my tape of it is growing old; I guess I should start to look for the CD! Yes, it's a shame about Danny Kirwin. He was a brilliant guitarist. Mitch - I saw Tower of Power when I lived out west, guess it was 1972! They were great and remain a fond memory! Nice to read that snippet! BTW, I've received your mail and am sending hard copies to Susanne! Thanks for your consistant (and well articulated) support! Happy will be in Philly in two weeks! OK local and regional ectophiles, where do we meet? Who makes the plans, where do I sign, how much tape stock will I need? Fear not, I'll be taping all the interviews! Those of you coming for the in-store signing - see you there! Thanks for reading this! I just wanted to say one more time how different and special people on this list are. And that may be poor syntax but it's a good observation. Take care all, and thanks for all the news, info, and good feelings! Bob L. ======================================================================== From: "Michael Blackmore" Date: 10 Mar 93 09:44:26 EST Subject: Re: call for volunteers/a publicity scheme Alanm, I'll volunteer. Here's my info: Michael Blackmore local paper -- Medford Transcript, Medford Gazette, Boston Globe lives in intriguing Medford, MA can be reached at (617-391-5603 evenings - Michael B. ======================================================================== From: "Michael Blackmore" Date: 10 Mar 93 10:37:12 EST Subject: Totally non-Happy stuff, although it makes me Happy :-) Rosanne Cash's new album is in the stores! Yea! Three cheers! I'm buying it this week. TCFW (Too Cool For Words)! ****SILLINESS WARNING IN EFFECT!**** My apartmentmate and I had two very recent discussions about Ms. Cash that offer some amusement: 1) I was watching her Interior's Tour Concert video. My apartmentmate Bill entered the room and asked what I was watching. I told him and he replied "Boy, there really must be nothing on tv now!" I reply, "Before you say anything more keep in mind that I adore Rosanne Cash, and would inflict severe bodily harm upon anyone who would criticize her or her music!" He slinked away in silence. ;-) 2) Another time I wondered aloud why Ms. Cash hasn't called me to see about going out on the town with me. After all, she and Rodney Crowell have been apart a long time. Bill pointed out that it was probably a matter of publicity. "She, of course, has always wanted to go out with you, but would never, ever hope that she would have a chance with you." sayeth Bill "Logical," I replied "so if I alerted her to the fact that I might be willing to spend time with her (in between my busy social life), that she would rush to call me?" "Absolutely!" retorted Bill. ;-) - Michael B. ======================================================================== Subject: EIA Date: Wed, 10 Mar 93 13:07:09 EST From: Angelos Kyrlidis E(cto) I(nformation) A(gency) report requested: Call me clueless, but I know only two Throwing Muses songs (Fish and Dizzy). But, I have been hearing raves recently, and therefore I am tempted to go see her live at Nightstage this Saturday. It is billed as Kristen Hirsh so does anybody know what I should expect? I guess asking if it's worth seeing is futile... Angelos ======================================================================== Date: Wed, 10 Mar 93 13:44:06 EST From: Laura Clifford Subject: k.d. and some happy I just read that k.d. lang will be on MTV Unplugged on March 28. Also heard that Newbury Comics in Harvard Sq. now has a Happy Rhodes section filed under the 'R's.... Laura ======================================================================== Subject: Re: k.d. and some happy Date: Wed, 10 Mar 93 13:59:16 EST From: Angelos Kyrlidis Laura writes: >Also heard that Newbury Comics in Harvard Sq. now has a Happy Rhodes >section filed under the 'R's.... And it's about time they did! Now if you want to get there from Logan... :) Oh, BTW, *BIG* thanks to Mike Matthews for the wonderful Equipoise scans! I've only looked at them at my black and white X-display so far, and will later go and print them out in color! Angelos 'Cut the cackle, cause we're getting to the facts now'-TR ======================================================================== From: special K Subject: k.d. and some happy Date: Wed, 10 Mar 93 14:47:42 EST > I just read that k.d. lang will be on MTV Unplugged on March 28. One more small detail. It's on at 10pm EST. special K ======================================================================== 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)