From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V7 #371 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Sunday, December 30 2001 Volume 07 : Number 371 Today's Subjects: ----------------- technical movie question [Neal Copperman ] Re: music as x-mas gifts [Neal Copperman ] BETTY holiday show in NY [Neal Copperman ] halou dates [Neal Copperman ] Best of 2001 ["Dave Williamson" ] 2001 Favorites [Jessweiser24@aol.com] Beth Orton ["Mark Harbott" ] Re: Beth Orton ["phclark" ] Re: Beth Orton ["Mark Harbott" ] Omnipop - Sam Phillips ["Karen Hester" ] this is pulp country! - kristi rose ["Karen Hester" Subject: technical movie question My parents went and saw Lord of the Rings already. I haven't had the chance as I've been on a roadtrip through the wilds of southern NM and AZ. (Meth, sorry I didn't have e-mail access. I passed through Tucson while you were there!) Anyway, my folks, after watching that long movie, then sat through all the credits too. And they saw credits for Hammerheads and Greens. Anyone know what these people do? neal np: Songcatcher soundtrack (This should probably be on a year's best list. If you have any tolerance for traditional accoustic/country-type music, you will love this.) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 09:38:41 -0700 From: Neal Copperman Subject: Re: music as x-mas gifts At 9:51 AM -0500 12/19/01, Jeffrey C. Burka wrote: >And in keeping with a tradition, when I went to say hi to Susan >after the set, she once again greeted me as Neal. I pointed out >that, no, Neal was still in New Mexico...and which point she >remembered making the same mistake last year. That's really funny, particularly since I had just seen Susan about a month before that. Though I guess if she can't tell us apart, it must have been quite confusing as I had just told her I was staying in NM for at least another year. Really, Jeffy and I don't look more then superficially similar (male, similar height, long black hair). neal now shuffling over: come on die young - mogwai where blue meets blue - andrew calhoun Songcatcher soundtrack Turning Pages - Andrew McKnight Refuge: a benefit for the people of kosova nr: The Tin Drum - Gunther Grass ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 09:51:10 -0700 From: Neal Copperman Subject: BETTY holiday show in NY I haven't seen Betty in ages, so I'm not really sure what their show is like these days. However, Ulali is playing with them, and they are a stunning trio of native american women. Looks like this was a great series of holiday concerts, and tonight is the last one. BETTY: 2001 Space Holidays: The band celebrates the season and The Greatest City on Earth with new music and four Saturday concerts at Joe's Pub from December 8 through the 29th. Each night will feature two Space Holiday All-Stars, including Jane Siberry, Toshi Reagon, Maggie Moore, Dan Zanes and more. Holiday Storytellers will light up each night with a tale to treasure, including Oxygen's Stephanie Miller and Marta Rayven and more to be announced. Ms. Claus will help BETTY pick the naughiest or nicest audience member, who will win a cornucopia of gifts and a freshly-baked Porch Pie! The four 2001 Space Holidays celebrate Outer Space, Office Space, Parking Space, Practice Space, Inner Space, Cyber Space, Personal Space and more... 8:00 pm Joe's Pub 425 Lafayette NY, NY 212.539.8770 http://www.hellobetty.com neal ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 09:55:26 -0700 From: Neal Copperman Subject: halou dates One of Neile's faves comes to her backyard. (Triple bill at the Crocodile though. Unless they are playing first, you might just stay home!) neal SEATTLE: Saturday Jan 19 @ The Crocodile KEXP Anniversary show w/ Pedro the Lion and Juno PORTLAND: Friday Jan 18 @ 'A Supper Club' VANCOUVER: Tuesday Jan 15 @ The Railway Club w/ The Hermit SAN FRANCISCO: Thursday Feb 7 @ The DNA Lounge ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 12:39:36 -0500 From: "Dave Williamson" Subject: Best of 2001 As it seems that time, here are my favourites from the year in no particular order (other than alphabetical). Contrary to what some have said, I found a lot that was appealing to my ears this year. Afro Celt Sound System - Vol 2 and 3 This group continues to fascinate me with an interesting blend of styles and sounds. Laurie Anderson - Life on a String Only sorry I missed the tour that followed this recording. David Byrne - Look Into the Eyeball Guess the Heads are just ingrained in my bloodstream. Cowboy Junkies - Open Michael lets loose in the studio - until this album you had to see them live to catch him playing like this. Meant to be played with the volume up and no other way... Ben Folds - Rockin' the Suburbs Just a great pop album. Emm Gryner - Girl Versions What Strange Little Girls was not. Hennessey - Life on AM Radio This underground band out of Ottawa continues to be one of the best hidden treasures in Canada. Dave Matthews Band - Everyday Despite the critical dumping on the collaboration with Glen Ballard, this album has a groove to it. Oh Susanna - Sleepy Little Sailor In my opinion her best, and a bit of a coming of age album. Over the Rhine - Films for Radio First exposed to this band on the last Junkies tour - one of the most enjoyable initial acquisitions I made this year. Have since been diving into their other material. Pearl Jam - Vol 62 from Vegas Got pointed at this one as the one in the mass collection to pick up - raw and energetic, and some different takes on a number of their own (and cover) tunes. Ron Sexsmith - Blue Boy You either love him or hate him. I don't know anyone in the middle. Suzanne Vega - Songs in Red and Gray Never liked much of her previous stuff, but this is a very enjoyable listen and grows on you more each time. The Waltons - Liv Why this Canadian prairie band never made it, I will never know. Just not too many bands with vocal harmonies like these guys. Probably too bad that they didn't keep getting John Switzer to produce their studio stuff. Lucinda Williams - Essence I just like everything she's ever done, and this one is no exception. Disappointments: Tori Amos - Strange Little Girls Nobody can convince me this was anything other than a quick filler album to fulfill her contract. Radiohead - Amnesiac I loved Kid A and I think this is a great band, but Amnesiac has continued to feel like a collection of depressing outtakes from Kid A. Jane Siberry - City I just wish Jane would dump the Sheeba experiment and focus on writing some tunes again... Honourable Mention: U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind While this was a year 2000 album, I will always associate it with 2001. It is one of their epic albums (and probably the most complete from start to finish) - I probably played it more this year than anything else I own. I really could care less how popular this album or the tour was - their return to form in recording and on the stage is what people will remember 2001 for in music. Catching the tour in Montreal and Boston was certainly high in my live music highlights this year. Cheers and happy new year, Dave. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 14:14:31 EST From: Jessweiser24@aol.com Subject: 2001 Favorites Wrote this a few weeks ago, modified slightly... 2001 Favorites (no order!): - -Dave Matthews Band "Everyday" - -Ben Folds "Rockin' the Suburbs" - -Ryan Adams "Gold" - -Ani Difranco "Reveling/Reckoning" - -Bob Dylan "Love and Theft" - -Ours "Distorted Lullabies" - -Emily Wells "Politikal Havok" - -Brenda Weiler "Live" - -Dashboard Confessional "The places you have come to fear the most" - -Tom Mcrae "Tom Mcrae" Tracks that rocked my world in 2001: - -Lennon "My Beautiful" - -Liz Pappademas "Say When" - -Ours "Sometimes" - -Ryan Adams "Harder now that it's over" - -Meghan Toohey "Turn Around" - -Holly Miranda "Losing Faith" - -Brenda Weiler "Bold" - -Melissa Ferrick "E-mail" Also listened to and enjoyed these lots in 2001: John Mayer "Room For Squares" Matthew Good Band "The Audio of Being," Michelle Branch "The Spirit Room," Alicia Keys "Songs in the key of A minor" Radiohead "Amnesiac" Albums I'm most looking forward to in 2002: John Lardieri "The Suicide Sessions" (London Sire; think John Mayer only...better) Lindi "The Taste of Forbidden Fruit" (independent) Patty Griffin "1000 Kisses" (April 9, ATO Records) Sarah Slean "The Nightbug Orchestra" (Feb, Atlantic Records) and studio albums from Tara, Sarah McLachlan, Paula Cole, Emm G, Dave Matthews Band, and others... Jessica www.jessicaweiser.com | www.aftersilence.net debut LP "after silence" coming 4/200! ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 18:23:10 -0600 From: "Mark Harbott" Subject: Beth Orton Hey everyone Anyone know if Beth Orton has plans to release anything new sometime soon? That's all folks... Mark ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 17:36:08 -0700 From: "phclark" Subject: Re: Beth Orton Springtime, I'm not-very-reliably informed. Can hardly wait. Just got a 12" copy of "Don't Wanna Know..." yesterday, which may have to tide me over. Peter C -=High Performance Analogue=- www.redpoint-audio-design.com - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Harbott" To: Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2001 5:23 PM Subject: Beth Orton > Hey everyone > > Anyone know if Beth Orton has plans to release anything new sometime soon? > > That's all folks... > > Mark ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 18:42:53 -0600 From: "Mark Harbott" Subject: Re: Beth Orton Oh good! Sounds promising....was listening to Trailer Park earlier today..and was just marveling again at her voice.......mmmmm. Thanks for the info! Mark - ----- Original Message ----- From: "phclark" To: "ecto" ; "Mark Harbott" Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2001 6:36 PM Subject: Re: Beth Orton > Springtime, I'm not-very-reliably informed. Can hardly wait. Just got a > 12" copy of "Don't Wanna Know..." yesterday, which may have to tide me over. > > Peter C ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2001 15:56:30 +1300 From: "Karen Hester" Subject: Omnipop - Sam Phillips new to me reviews. Omnipop (Its only a flesh wound Lambchop) by Sam Phillips Melodic rock, sometimes experimental; knowingly clever lyrics; voice maybe too [nasal?] for some. At first many tracks seemed misfires to me, instrumentation and lyrics that were more interesting than enjoyable. Further listening lifted song by song out of "odd but cute" into the realm of toe-tapping, singing-along, or sitting there with an appreciative expression, and now I find it difficult to see why this album is seen as a failure by some fans. "Entertainmen" rocks and the lyrics cut. The circus-tinged "Animals on wheels" is a giddy spinning carousel of a song, though sometimes it sticks in my head longer than I want it there. The perky brassy "Zero zero zero!" is too cute, like "Animals", but here here for the praise for such an important number (or non-number). Then you move into more emotional territory as the horns in "Help yourself" flop around helplessly like the fatalistic singer, who sings "didnt see the trap, fell in deep  youre going to help yourself to me." The music pulses as though trapped in sleep but with a memory that it should be trying to wake. The later song "Where are you taking me" is similar lyrically and musically in its resigned entrapment and the slide down. "Help yourself" leads wonderfully into "Your hands", the albums centre, which drags the listener down "as the earth gives out under, my soul feels like a stone", and then she falls. The guitars rise and fall like waves with a dangerous pull, breaking against the drums, and sometimes the sound textures call out like dolphins. She sings "I wrap this longing around me, and wait for some sign of you, my balance is gone", and I imagine she has gone limp and lets the music toss her about. Then back to cute with catchy pop "Power world", and slip of a song, crunchy guitar "Compulsive gambler." "Faster Pussycat to the library!" only works when you know the title, and yes it is cuter than musical. The dark "Slapstick heart" breaks the lyrical fall of the album, when after "lost my balance, fell like rain", she lands in an ocean of tears and "thats when I knew I couldnt swim at all." Odd that I first thought this album was about infatuation with technology (the photos) and that the clever controlled lyrics represented her strength. Omnipop has as much helplessness as cuteness. Karen (nl: 'Elvis: the way it is' in the background) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2001 15:58:10 +1300 From: "Karen Hester" Subject: this is pulp country! - kristi rose This is pulp country! by Kristi Rose Retro country, rich warbling rough edged voice, narrow appeal. Available at Cdbaby.com. With its 40s pulp fiction cover of a slutty girl leaning against a tumbling shuttered shack, a burnt fragment of Kristis life story ("if Kristi Rose was gonna find out what was goin on in the big wide world I got into my Daddys 1963 Oldsmobile), and the exclamation mark in the title, it is hard to take this album seriously. Much of the music is over-the-top old-time country, like the opening tune Peggy Lees "Johnny Guitar" and the trashy b-grade western instrumental "Theme from Pulp Country". There are strings and tears in Kristis voice and fiddles and steel guitars and it is all terribly silly. Later, however, you realise that the best tracks are the ones written by Rose, and these are heartfelt and real gems. In the confused "Come back tomorrow" she declares "I dont want you.. I dont love you, right now. Come back tomorrow. Maybe Ill feel differently", and the narrator is compelling in her passion despite her self-absorption and instability. "All the right reasons" and "Cry to heaven" could only be improved if sung by Patsy Cline. The loud guitars of "Cry to heaven" and "Angry, no more" drag you deep into Kristis world of blood, guilt and ghosts and love gone wrong. The gorgeous ballad "All is gone" should take on life beyond the entertaining persona Rose has crafted  it has a dignity and almost mediaeval melody that lift it above the cute genre touches that both enhance and limit "This is pulp country!" Karen ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2001 18:40:56 +1300 From: "Karen Hester" Subject: sleepy little sailor - Oh Susanna Sleepy little sailor by Oh Susanna Disturbing Americana with a nautical theme, sometimes overwhelmingly beautiful; one of my favourites of the year but if you dont like her earlier stuff you wont like this one! Perhaps begin with the melodies, because they are exquisite, and once you have heard the lyrics youll find it hard to detach your unease from the pure beauty of the music. Oh Susanna (Suzie Ungerleider) is a storytelling singer in the old ballad form and often crafts her tales to unfold gently through the song, and then twist you tightly at the unexpected end. In the vein of the classic Alabaster" from earlier lp "Johnstown", are Sleepy little sailor and Forever at your feet. These are both co-written with bassist Bazil Donovan (whos he?) and are among the most beautiful and swoonsome melodically. The former brushes your consciousness so delicately with its sighing melody, brush-tipped drums-sticks, stately upright bass and lyrics which lull you in like a lullaby, then shake you awake when you understand the unhealthy love this now-grown philandering sailor has for his mother. "Forever at your feet" sways gently through its years of unmet devotion, and the strings, piano and upright bass hold the beauty up so gracefully. Similarly gorgeous is "Beauty boy", a song of misbegotten worship and self-degradation. "St. Patricks Day" is built around plucking waves of a mandolin and regrets a lost love. Other songs are more of heartland/folk/Americana, such as "All that remains" is the ballad, almost legend, of someone sea-born, torn from their near-slave mother and her shame, now on land and overcoming the beckoning limbs of a tree (come, my child, hang from me) with their resolve that "you cant be no saint, no sinner, no lamb, when the devil himself says you aint worth a damn, but you can live without fear of damnations reign, and fight till whats right is all that remains." Also taking this line musically are the lovely single "River Blue", and "Sacrifice", which reveals the narrators unreasonable nature slowly. The louder guitar songs "Kings road" and "Teds so wasted" are fine, just not as stunning as the delicate pieces. "Ride on" has a strong western "Johnstown" feeling. The only song I dont care for is "Ive got dreams to remember, an Otis Redding cover. Its difficult to type with a cat climbing over the keyboard. Karen. ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V7 #371 **************************