From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V5 #143 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Friday, April 23 1999 Volume 05 : Number 143 Today's Subjects: ----------------- of burried hatchets and other secrets... [Andrew Fries ] Re: Don't Buy Gas on... [Chris Sampson ] Re: Virginia Astley [Marion Kippers ] Charming album from Steve Earle's sister [karen hester ] Kristy Thirsk stuff [Michael Curry ] Re: Magdalen Hsu-Li [FAMarcus@aol.com] Re: Magdalen Hsu-Li/correction [Jack Sutton ] Re: Magdalen Hsu-Li ["Mickey Ferguson" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 16:08:18 +1000 From: Andrew Fries Subject: of burried hatchets and other secrets... ..in other words, my two purchases today: Cranberries and Pavo Cristatus. A most unlikely combination! When it comes to Cranberries I followed the same path as probably quite a few others on Ecto: I loved their first, a bit less so the second and never even bothered with the third. To my mind with each release they were becoming more affected, more didactic and just generally too big for their shoes. But now comes "Bury The Hatchet" and to my great surprise after giving it a spin in the shop I found myself snapping it up. This is good news: Cranberries of old are back! This CD sounds fresh and exciting again - perhaps they just needed a good holiday from each other? This time around they give up a few pretentions and are much better for it; this is just pop well done, plain and simple. And for a change, they sound like a bunch of people who enjoy playing together. If you liked their early record but then drifted away you might want to give this one a try. The Cranberries bury the hatchet and in the process discover... fun. My second purchase today has to be a perfect antithesis of Cranberries, being both totally unknown and about as far from pop as you can get. It's a local project of Liberty and Tammy, both long time members of the local music scene. Together they go by the name of Pavo Cristatus. I can't even begin to pigeonhole them, but take two classically trained musicians - one cello player, the other a singer - then give them interest in electronic landscapes, samples, boxes and pedals, throw in a pinch of desire to make their shows a visual feast as well as musical one, and there you have it. They have been known as Pavo Cristatus for about 3 years now but they appear very rarely and this is the first time they released something: it's a self titled CD of five unnamed tracks stretched over 45 minutes. In fact its appearance took me completely by surprise because I thought they gave up, it's been so long since I heard anything about them! Sadly it has always been just a part-time project so it's highly unlikely they will ever perform overseas. And I doubt if they have any chance of recognition back home either, certainly no commercial station will touch them. So I had to mention them here, for all of you lovers of the obscure, unusual, on-the-edge stuff: if you ever come across this rarity, take a plunge. Australians on the list should go to the shops and get it now. YES, I MEAN RIGHT NOW. Or at least I would, except most Ecto-Aussies seem to reside at the folky end of Ecto spectrum and this, whatever it might be, is definitely not folk! But still, who knows? Someone out there might be interested... for what it's worth, this CD will definitely appear on my list of Best Of 99! - ------------------------------------------------------ The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers. (William Shakespeare) - ------ http://www.zip.com.au/~afries/hall.html ------- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 12:05:55 GMT0BST From: Ms Elin Gyda Dreaming Girl Sjoelie Subject: Yuppi! New Happy CD! I just received my new Happy CD today! (equipoise) Am I a happy girl or what! OK, back to work. Elin ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 10:03:43 -0400 From: Steve I Subject: Attention Emmbassadors! Hiya philes, Emm Gryner has received mixed reviews here, but I think a lot of you would really like her solo acoustic even if you don't like her CD. Anyways following the big Universal label shakeup that has been occurring over the last few months Emm and Mercury have gone their separate ways, and Emm is looking at creative ways of promoting herself. And it looks like she'd like to play some Living room tour/coffeehouse type shows. (Mark Miazga take note! You too Paul!) Have a look, and if you are at all interested, email Joni Daniels: >Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 19:20:28 -0400 >To: Headline Girl , Wisdom Bus >From: Joni Daniels >Subject: Attention Emmbassadors! >Sender: owner-headline-girl@smoe.org >Return-Path: > >Emm appreciates that you guys have been so loyal, creative and passionate >in your support of her and her music. Because she is still relatively >"undiscovered", playing in clubs everywhere is not that realistic. Emm >really wants to get out and play her new songs for you and we came up with >an idea. > >What would you guys think about a grass-roots Emm Gryner tour? Goes >something like this: Emm will come to your dorm/ local coffee house/ even >your living room and play a free concert for your invited guests! It would >be up to you to gather an audience of friends and family or whomever and >entertain them in whatever way you choose. Emm would not charge for the >show, but would sell CDs (all personally autographed). It would be fun for >her to be >able to visit a lot of the places that she can't get to on a regular tour. > >What do you think? If anyone would be interested in Emm visiting and >playing, please get back to us. Any other suggestions are welcome. > >Thanks. > >Joni >jd@interlog.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 11:38:42 -0400 From: Chris Sampson Subject: Re: Don't Buy Gas on... > On Tue, 20 Apr 1999, Lord Tyr wrote: > > In honor of the high priced Gas, there is a protest not to buy any > > gas at all on April 30th 1999. As I understand it, this is supposed to be a protest (however ill-conceived) by the *gas station owners* and really only centers around commerce and their predicament at being placed between the greedy oil companies and the hacked-off customers (however unjustified... here in the US, we pay the least for gasoline). And ditto everything regarding how it won't make any difference because of the 4/29 / 5/1 effect. Drive less. Drive more efficient cars if you have to. Take public transport whenever possible. Stop complaining... (self-centered greed isn't a cardinal sin but is annoying). Chris ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 17:51:23 +0200 (W. Europe Daylight Time) From: Marion Kippers Subject: Re: Virginia Astley Hi, Neile wrote in reply to Neb about the availability of Virginia Astley's albums: > Does anyone know which ones were (briefly) available, so I can really feel > sorry for myself? I found several of Virginia's cd's in major stores in London UK, in September/October last year, and I was under the impression that these would be general available (at least in the UK). The three discs that were then available were "From gardens where we feel secure" (including "Melt the snow"), "All shall be well" and "Had I the heavens". I haven't checked recently though. In September I only bought the first two, one at HMV and one at Tower Records (where Virginia was filed in the Soul department 'because the database says so' :-) ). I now do hope that "Had I the heavens" is still available... I haven't seen any other cd by her yet. I did a search on http://www.hmv.co.uk but they didn't have any of her albums listed, and http://www.tower.co.uk doesn't have an on-line catalogue (or at least I could not find one). Your best change would probably be to inquire at tower, or to get in touch with a UK Ectophile (or with me if you have a lot of patience) to try if they are still available. > I am lucky, though, to have 3 on cd and one on vinyl. That's a pretty good > collection as far as finding her work goes. Most of that was thanks to > travelling friends. That is indeed quite a good score. I have "From gardens.." both on vinyl and on cd, "Promise nothing" on vinyl, "All shall be well" on cd, and a dubbed copy of "Hope in a darkened heart". So with that one and "Had I the heavens" my album collection would be about complete. Anyway, there is an interesting website for Virginia at http://users.netmatters.co.uk//pabs/VA/index.html with an elaborate discography. That's all for now. Best wishes, Marion n.p. Radio Veronica fm (on realaudio) n.r. Connie Palmen - De erfenis (The legacy) - ---------------------- Marion Kippers Marion.Kippers@wkap.nl ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 09:12:26 +1200 From: karen hester Subject: Charming album from Steve Earle's sister I love discovering artists I've never heard of before, and Stacey Earle's first album "Simple Gearle" (girl+Earle) charmed me with her sweet ringing voice from the first song I listened to at the shop. It is causing problems because I can't concentrate on my work with the catchy, folky, acoustic rootsy countryish melodies swinging through my head and making my toes tap despite not having listened to it for several hours. New album addiction is hazardous. From her webpage, (sound clips there too) she is now 37 and ran an evening at a local club where people like Gillian Welch played early in their careers. Earlier, she left school, married, had kids between 16-18, and toured singing backup with brother Steve on one of his more drug addled world tours, so she's not as delicate as some of these songs. She's flat-land country than the Gillian Welch Appalachian kind, and the music is personal rather than stories of other people (she refers to herself directly in three songs). Similar territory to Iris Dements first album (kinda). Her voice can get gruff and could handle rockier songs but mainly its clear other than a gorgeous flutter that doesn't threaten to fly off around the room in the Emmylou/ McGarrigle sisters way. Sometimes she sounds like Nanci Griffith but without the false accents and preciousness. Is this *really* her first album? I haven't noticed her name on her brother's albums but will have to check if she sings on any, now. KarenneraK ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 16:20:23 From: Jack Sutton Subject: Re: Magdalen Hsu-Li Hi, I did a review for the Harmony Ridge Music site about Magdalen Hsu-Li's CD Evolution. Below is that review, feel free to use it for the EctoGuide. Magdalen Hsu-Li writes very personal songs and she doesn't use kid gloves or obtuse phrases to get across her point. She's from the new breed of female artists that gets right in your face, not to be arrogant or mean-spirited, but to rise to the level necessary to awaken awareness of unenlightened behavior sometimes evident in our society. "Chick Pop" is a good example of the male dominated music industries attitude toward female artists, and sadly, too often the American Status Quo, as evident by: "Chick Pop Chick Pop Singing in America....land of the free Home of the brave home of the slaves Home of the slaves to GOD and Christianity. "Submissive" is another look at the male attitudes with respect to Asian women. It's written from the experience of being there, facing the fear, and doing something definitely not 'submissive' about it. Magdalen's music to me ranges from cutting edge Avant-garde somewhat reminiscent of Laurie Anderson, to modern jazz, folk, pop ala Ani DiFranco and Tori Amos. She plays a very powerful hard driving piano, and has assembled a fine array of musicians to compliment her vision and musical essence. Jack Sutton Harmony Ridge Music www.hrmusic.com At 03:33 AM 4/21/99 -0400, you wrote: >Hi everyone, > >I'd also like to do an entry for Magdalen Hsu-Li. She just played my >coffeehouse, and I was absolutely enthralled by her live performance, >much more than on CD. > >Has anyone seen her live or listened to her CD? I'd love to get other >opinions about her on her entry. Since I told her I found out about her >from this list, she's been anxiously looking at the EctoGuide pages for >when her entry would come up. > >For more info about Magdalen, check out >http://www.netmusic.com/magdalenhsuli > >Mark > >-- >Mark Miazga e-mail: miazgama@pilot.msu.edu >580 West Akers Hall East Lansing, MI 48825 >(517) 353-3321 http://www.msu.edu/~miazgama > >Program Coordinator of The Common Grounds Coffeehouse. Cheap Concerts >every Friday night in the basement of Akers Hall. Schedule, booking, and >mailing list info at: http://www.msu.edu/~miazgama/coffee > >"Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, >something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else >would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be >part of unanimity." >--Christopher Morley > >"If only God gave me a clear sign! Like a large deposit into a Swiss >bank account in my name." -- Woody Allen > > > > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 19:26:14 -0400 From: Michael Curry Subject: Kristy Thirsk stuff Hi all, I wanted to pass along the latest news about Kristy Thirsk (formerly of Rose Chronicle), and while I was doing so I figured I might as well pass along the news from the last few months for those who haven't been keeping up. All of this news comes from VOX, a excellent Kristy Thirsk fan site: http://www.geocities.com/~voxweb >Latest News: April 21, 1999 > >Crossing the Border > >Those KT fans living south of CanuckVille will no doubt be thrilled >by the latest news from Experience Soundescape Productions: > > " We are... in the process of scheduling a western USA tour for >her band later this summer. It looks like the cities will be Seattle, >Portland, San Francisco, Sacramento, LA, Orange County, and San Diego. >This will be a great way to introduce her new CD. " > >Also, curious about Balligomingo? > > " Anyone interested in the project should mail info@soundescape.com. " > >Other Recent News: >April 8, 1999 >Mea Non Culpa: EP! >I have just been informed that Kristy's recording session commencing >next week is for the recording of material for a commercial EP! At >last all her promising new material will be commited to disc. Stay >tuned for any developments... > >March 29, 1999 >Studio Bound >Kristy and the band will be entering the studio in April to record >demo material for about a week. More to come... > >March 2, 1999 >'Justify My Label' >Contrary to what was previously reported, Kristy's cover of "Justify >My Love," recorded in collaboration with electronica mastermind Bill >Leeb, will not be released under the Delerium tag, but as a Frontline >Assembly tune. [note: there's now an mp3 of this song available on the VOX web site.] >Apparently, Nettwerk Records not only now owns the Delerium name, >but is still bitter over Cleopatra Records' re-issue of seven other >"inferior" post-Nettwerk Delerium titles. I guess all's fair in love >and... nevermind. > >- For the full tentative track listing of Cleopatra's "Virgin Voices" >Madonna tribute, try the following link: >http://www.hallucinet.com/cleopatra/madonna.html > >February 14, 1999 >Kristy Reborn - Again >During a recent visit to L.A., Kristy laid down vocal tracks for a >new project entitled "Balligomingo". The release, "Beneath the >Surface", should be available by late summer. Garrett Schwartz of >Experience Soundescape Productions had this to say: > > " The Balligomingo project is an electronic/ambient project that >we're working on which mixes a new age feel with more aggressive drum >and bass; similar to Crystal Method. Hopefully this will be another >outlet to let Kristy's angelic/ethereal voice out. (When you hear her >sing in the studio, it makes you sweat! She has a gift for ethereal >sounds like no other singer in the world!) " Mike np: Sleater-Kinney -- Sleater-Kinney nr: Queen City Jazz by Kathleen Ann Goonan | Michael Curry / mcurry@io.com / mcurry@smoe.org | | http://www.io.com/~mcurry | | "Am I bitter? Do I sound bitter?" -- Veda Hille | ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 19:34:09 EDT From: FAMarcus@aol.com Subject: Re: Magdalen Hsu-Li In a message dated 4/22/99 7:26:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jsutton@hrmusic.com writes: << Magdalen Hsu-Li writes very personal songs and she doesn't use kid gloves or obtuse phrases to get across her point. >> Based on what youv'e said in your email i'd love to know more about her. I tried to follow the net address you gave me and I couldn't seem to make the cconnection. Is that the address for your review or/and is there a web page for magdalen? fred ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 16:52:48 From: Jack Sutton Subject: Re: Magdalen Hsu-Li/correction Sorry, I posted an incorrect URL for Magdalen Hsu-Li. It should be: Jack Sutton Harmony Ridge Music www.hrmusic.com At 07:34 PM 4/22/99 EDT, you wrote: >In a message dated 4/22/99 7:26:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time, >jsutton@hrmusic.com writes: > ><< Magdalen Hsu-Li writes very personal songs and she doesn't use kid gloves > or obtuse phrases > to get across her point. >> > > >Based on what youv'e said in your email i'd love to know more about her. I >tried to follow the net address you gave me and I couldn't seem to make the >cconnection. Is that the address for your review or/and is there a web page >for magdalen? > > fred > > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 18:56:41 -0500 From: "Mickey Ferguson" Subject: Re: Magdalen Hsu-Li I placed an order with Ladyslipper yesterday, and "Evolution" was one of my must-take-a-look purchases. I remember reading a snippet about her on the list recently, and the Ladyslipper review won me over. >There's a buzz about this outspoken performer, so listen up! Described by many as a pioneer among Asian-American women in music, her contemporary songs reveal an awareness about issues affecting Asian-American women as well as other minorities. This 1998 debut release includes Submissive, which deals with prejudices and stereotypes between minorities, and hatred against gays and lesbians. More pop/alternative than rock, her music includes some fine piano playing. She was a finalist in the Lilith Fair Talent Search, and has toured extensively, including many appearances with Women's Music artists. If you haven't yet heard her, tune in now!< There are also 3 sound clips available at: http://www.ladyslipper.org (probably best to do a search) Can't wait to have a listen myself! Best regards, Mickey Austin TX USA - ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, April 22, 1999 6:34 PM Subject: Re: Magdalen Hsu-Li | In a message dated 4/22/99 7:26:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time, | jsutton@hrmusic.com writes: | | << Magdalen Hsu-Li writes very personal songs and she doesn't use kid gloves | or obtuse phrases | to get across her point. >> | | | Based on what youv'e said in your email i'd love to know more about her. I | tried to follow the net address you gave me and I couldn't seem to make the | cconnection. Is that the address for your review or/and is there a web page | for magdalen? | | fred | ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V5 #143 **************************