From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V9 #3 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Sunday, January 5 2003 Volume 09 : Number 003 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Today's your birthday, friend... [Mike Matthews ] Happy New Year/Once More with feeling/etc ["Adam K." ] Favorites of 2002 ["Jack Sutton" ] Re: ecto-digest V9 #2 [cyo@landoftheblind.com] best of 2002, kinda sorta... ["John Zimmer" ] Re: Farscape ["Michael Pearce" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 4 Jan 2003 03:00:03 -0500 (EST) From: Mike Matthews Subject: Today's your birthday, friend... i*i*i*i*i*i i*i*i*i*i*i *************** *****HAPPY********* **************BIRTHDAY********* *************************************************** *************************************************************************** ******************* John Sandoval (sandovalj1@cox.net) ******************** *************************************************************************** -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- - -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- John Sandoval Wed January 04 1967 Capricorn Paul Cohen Tue January 05 1954 Capricorn Tony Garrity Mon January 08 1962 Pool of Life Greg Bossert Tue January 09 1962 OfTheTimes Troy J. Shadbolt Thu January 14 1971 Capricorn Chris Sampson Wed January 15 1964 Void where prohibited Dennis G Parslow Fri January 17 1964 ...of the Saint Ross Alford Thu January 17 1957 Positive Nancy Whitney Mon January 19 1959 slippery when wet Sarah Noelle Pratt Ferguson Tue January 20 1970 Seanympf-Aquarius David Beery Tue January 20 1976 drum Terry Partis Sun January 22 1933 Rocker Sarah McLachlan Sun January 28 1968 Aquarius Ilka Heber Mon February 01 1965 Mermaid Bob Lovejoy Sun February 02 1947 Aquarius Diane Burke Sat February 02 1963 slow children Timothy S. Devine Tue February 03 1970 Aquarius Stephen Thomas Fri February 04 1966 Aquarius - -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 04 Jan 2003 16:38:24 +0000 From: "Adam K." Subject: Happy New Year/Once More with feeling/etc Just to wish everyone on the list a very happy new year, and hope that it's full of good vibes and good music.k Speaking of which...finally got to see the Musical Buffy. At the risk of being totally redundant from being so far behind, can I just repeat what everyone else has already said about this? Stunning/hilarious/someone give Amber Benson her own deal/Josh Wheedon is god. I want this on DVD. I want it now. Failing that, I might try and track down the CD. If only I'd seen it sooner, I could have asked for it for Xmas! Xmas discs include Thea Gilmore's "Songs from the Gutter" (includes a bonus cd of unreleased material) and an EP of hers called "As if". I've only had a chance to listen to "Songs..", and it sounds great: rockier than "Rules for Jokers", but verbally as clever and as cutting as ever. Also got "Hate" by the Delgados, which I'm listening to for the first time right now. I don't really want to leap into frist impressions, as this often goes awry, but their last album, "Great Eastern", was a stunning, epic whirl. If you like Mercury Rev, Grandaddy or Flaming Lips' latest stuff, check them out. Also got Sigur Ros' "( )", which I haven't had a chance to hear, yet. I also got myself the DVD of Nektar's reunion gig in New Jersey last summer, which I might sit down with tonight. And feel old. Tom McRae, who I saw a couple of years ago at a small club in Camden, is playing the Shepherds Bush Empire in March. This is a deserved quantum leap for the man, playing for a couple of hundred to playing a couple of thousand (next stop, Wembley Stadium....er, if they ever rebuild it). Can't wait for his new album. Finished last year reading Jeff Noon's "Falling Out of Cars" -- disappointing, too stylised and playing with images for playing's sake. A bit wanky, really. Started this year reading Wilkie Collins' "Basil". I always loved "Woman in White" and "Moonstone", and came across this in a 2nd hand bookshop, thought I'd give it a whirl. Again, best for 2003 to everyone, adam k. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Jan 2003 11:23:07 -0800 From: "Jack Sutton" Subject: Favorites of 2002 Hello, Another fine year in music, and as usual, Ive only heard a small portion of the gems out there. Ive put together a list of my favorites out of the stuff Ive had the opportunity to listen to, and am so thankful to this list, the internet, and other music lovers from sparing me the offerings of corporate America. There is no real order to the selections below, but Narissa and Katryna and Ellen Mc Ilwaine spent a lot of time stimulating my inner ear. Narissa and Katryna Nields- Love And China Ive always been infatuated with Narissas and Katrynas voices and the way they work together with beautiful harmonies and spine tingling voice gymnastics and inflections, the best of any two voices working together Ive ever heard. Love and China is the master creation of these two talented sisters. At first listen it seems to have a heavy country feel, but further on as you try to pigeon hole it ( I dont know why I do that), you realize, this aint country, its got a country flavor, but its just pure Narissa and Katryna genius. Nanci Griffith- Clock Without Hands  One of my all time favorite artists, I consider her the goddess of folk music, an icon, a legend. When names like Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joanie Mitchel, Bill Monroe, and Jimmie Rodgers rolls off ones tongue, Nanci Griffiths name will also spill from such tongues. Listen to Clock Without Hands and youll agree. (this may be a 2001 release, but to me its 2002) Amanda Byron- Rabia Replied Below is an e-mail I sent to Amandas management after I heard her Cd. I think this totally explains my feelings: Thanks for sending Amanda Byrons CD, Im highly impressed. I think she is very unique and has the talent and spirituality to get the attention of a lot of like minded people. She has an incredible depth of various traditions and delivers with conviction, honesty and love. Im practically speechless because she touches that part of me that cant really be expressed in words, its a higher level of communication. Im really excited because she reminds of some of my favorite artists, such as Sharon Burch , a Navajo singer , Jennifer Berezan, an outstanding spiritual being, Consuelo Luz, who does ancient Sephardic music, Pharoahs Daughter and eclectic mix of Jewish devotional and modern music, and Cantor Rita Glassman, a loving talented fellow traveler on the spiritual path. Jenn Lindsey - Gotta Lotta The title of this CD could define Jenn Lindsey, a little Ani, a little punk folk flare, but a lotta soul and determination. I am Not Going Home Yet pretty much could sums up her gumption. Emm Gryner - Asian Blue The more poppy Emm gets, the more I love it, she got all the talents, songwriting, voice, and arrangements to be as good as it gets. Right now, I think a lot of people would like to take a Northern Holiday with Emm. Asian Blue gets you in the right mood. Becki Digregorio - gods,s empty chair This ones got some pop right off the first note and it continues thru out. The arrangements are crisp, clean, and full bodied with an entourage of fine musicians holding it all together. Fine songwriter, a lot of variety from hard driving rock to laid back acoustic and sometimes the feel of times gone by. Aziza Mustafa Zadeh - Shamans For those who dont know Aziza, She was from Azerbaijan and her father Vagif Mustafa Zadeh was a well known jazz composer and pianist. Although Im not that familiar with her career, it seems with each additional album she lets her hair down a little more, gets a little wilder, and lets the music flow thru her. I guess some people would consider her Jazz, but to me shes a little more experimental and free form like Keith Jarrett. Shamans , her latest CD is a good showcase of her musical talents and creativity. Catie Curtis - My Shirt Looks Good On You Catie Curtis never disappoints , she is one of the finest singer songwriter around, My Shirt Looks Good On You is just another creative addition to her legacy. Ralph Stanley & Friends- Clinch Mountain Sweethearts Ralph Stanley and Iris Dement, Lucinda Williams, Pam Tillis, Gillian Welch, Dolly Parton, Maria Muldaur, Joan Baez and more..come on it doesnt get any better than this.cross my heart. (the cd says 2001, but Im sure its a 2002 release) Josie Kreuzer -Beggin me Back good title to my favorite Rockabilly artist, every thing she does is beggin me back for more. Warning, can have detrimental effects on non- Rockabilly fans. Carol Lipnick- Hope St. Ok, weird artists can light my fire, Diamanda Galas is one, Carol Lipnick is another. Although not closely related to Diamanda, she has her own weirdness. She has the beginnings and uniqueness to turn heads and hopefully get some much deserved attention. Shes just weird enough to make it. Suzanne Mcdermott - The Glory Suzanne Mc Dermott may be the most positive songwriter Ive heard. Her music sets your soul free and just makes you feel good. You cant help feeling good around Suzanne music, another gem from this gifted artist. Holly Figueroa- How It Is  Holly to me is one of the most amazing artist that have grown incredibly quickly Im very impressed with the sophistication she has developed in a brief period of time. How It Is has all the elements of a great singer songwriter, plus the addition of some fine musicians and arrangements. A very fine creation indeed. Azam Ali -Portals of Grace There is something about the haunting sounds and melodies of music from the east. Perhaps, its just the foreignness it has to westerners not used to such musical creations. However, there is a familiar ring that intertwines the music but also the cultures of all humanity into a underlying oneness that is forgotten or suppressed by most. This music tends to reawaken the stuff that binds us all together. Id say light the incense, dim the lights, pull out the relaxant of your choice and enjoy this masterpiece, and send a copy to George Bush. Pharoahs Daughter - Exile Pharoahs Daughter Exile This group lead by Basya Schechter is rapidly becoming one of my favorite middle eastern exotic sounding groups. Exile, their 3rd CD is a superb mix of middle eastern feelings flavored with some spirituality and a dash of pop. Ellen McIlwaine -Spontaneous Combustion Ellen Mcilwaine a blues artist from Canada has been around for awhile, paid her share of the blues dues and has delivered her just payment for such fees. Spontaneous Combustion, her latest has just been unveiled for all the world to treasure. Although the entire album is excellent from top to bottom, several songs exceed the norm of blues, even the norm of any western pop creations. Perhaps the fact that Ellen spent a great deal of time in Japan and has been influenced by Eastern artists may explain the unique exotic Eastern sound to her music. Sidu (Grandmother) is one of the most creative, innovative pieces of music Ive ever heard. At first it sound like some sort of American Indian chant, then classical Indian raga, then some Navajo dialect singing. Her guitar sounds like a sitar, her singing Indian Classical, but what she is doing is actually scat singing Japanese syllables ( she was raised in Japan) into what I first thought was an integration of American Indian and Classical Indian into one, which is a natural fit. Im not sure if that was her intention, but I suspect shes well aware of the connection. Eliza Gilkyson - Lost and Found Eliza reminds me of a few other artists that effect in a similar way. I will hear some stuff and think just OK, then boom Im blindsided by something that knocks my socks off. Lost and Found is that kind of CD. Right nice piece of work. Kind regards, Jack Sutton Harmony Ridge Music www.hrmusic.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 04 Jan 2003 10:39:10 -0800 From: cyo@landoftheblind.com Subject: Re: ecto-digest V9 #2 Micheal Curry mentioned a "Joni" night with Merrie Amsterburg singing Woodstock. If you attend this concert, please let me know how she covered it, I am curious because I just finished recording it for my new CD, it's been a favorite of mine my whole life. I am in the west or I would go hear the tribute! I love Joni, though I doubt if anyone can hear it in my music, perhaps my quieter Celt songs. And hello and hey to Noe Venable, I am a fellow performer, ecto-head for years (I lurk more than write as I am too busy making music to talk about it much)...and San Francisco woman. Please add me to your list of house-doings. I have friends/fans that have told me to go see you and I must admit I haven't yet, so hopefully an email friendship with another artist will force me out of my home studio now and then. Hook me up, would love to perform there also, recording all winter, a new album AND a soundtrack, ugh, so won't be performing til March, but anytime after that. Glad to see you make the list. This woman is supposed to be great, do my fellow ectos know that??? all my favorites of the year are old....I did get Peter G.'s, of course, I love the song I grieve, which I had heard before, but not much all the album touches me besides that. A bit dark, but then, perhaps I am getting light in my old age....tee hee peace to all and happy new year friends, cyoakha grace ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Jan 2003 12:33:10 -0800 From: "John Zimmer" Subject: best of 2002, kinda sorta... Michael Curry wrote: > Vienna Teng - _Waking Hour_ > After seeing this on quite a few "best of 2001" lists, my friend > Jennifer decided to order herself a copy and get me one too. It's > absolutely great, so if you're at all interested in wonderful songs, > a great voice and excellent piano playing, get yourself a copy. Which I did, and I couldn't agree more. In fact, my copy of the Virt Records remix/rerelease actually is labelled as published & copyrighted 2002, so my list (which I told myself I wasn't gonna do, but what the hell) includes her. If anybody has a problem with that, take it up with Virt. :) She was also a major highlight of the year's live concerts for me, despite being booked into one of the divier venues hereabouts. So, in no particular order, here goes: Vienna Teng - _Waking Hour_ (see above) K's Choice - _Almost Happy_ I never seem to get tired of Sarah Bettens' voice. More ballad- driven than previous releases, there's no follow-on to "Not an Addict", but then who really could? Still, this album has some beautiful songs on it -- and a second live disc! Sixpence None the Richer - _Divine Discontent_ I firmly believe that, if this had been released when it was finished (2+ years ago), instead of languishing in label/legal limbo that whole time, this thing could've gone platinum. As it is, they've given us a beautiful album that deserves much more airplay and attention than it's getting. OTOH, if it had gone platinum I'd probably be sick of "Breathe Your Name" by now... Emma Shapplin - _Etterna_ This was the year I discovered Emma Shapplin. A French pop/opera soprano with inevitable comparisons to Sarah Brightman, I consider Emma the greater talent by a wide margin. Both this album and her debut, _Carmine Meo_, knock me on my posterior -- and neither is available in the US except as an import. Well worth tracking down. Oh, and she's kinda pretty, too. ;) Rather a short list, I'm afraid, which is why I was reluctant to put one together. Still, I thought it worth mentioning some deserving artists that might otherwise fall through the cracks, and that certainly made my year more enjoyable. Conspicuously absent from this list are Tori and Beth Orton, both of whom released very interesting albums that I'm still trying to wrap my head around. More about them when I've figured out what I think of them. John PS: I was going to give URLs for Emma Shapplin websites, but none of them -- not even her old label, Pendragon Records -- seem to be accessible at the moment, which is somewhat distressing. On the off chance that they resurface, check out emmashapplin.net and .org -- last time I checked (when things were working) emmashapplin.com took you to Pendragon. Strange. ------------------------------ Date: 4 Jan 2003 17:38:38 -0800 From: "Michael Pearce" Subject: Re: Farscape For those in the USA wondering where to get region-free DVD players I ordered mine from http://www.220-electronics.com. They had one model for $129 and another for $239 that also removed Macrovision copy protection. Get yours now before the MPAA orders the Customs department to block them from import. Michael ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V9 #3 ************************