From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V11 #177 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Monday, June 27 2005 Volume 11 : Number 177 Today's Subjects: ----------------- summer time (a long one, I'm afraid) [Adam K ] Mercury Rev is the new Yes [Russ Van Rooy ] At times I think we're almost there... [Paul Blair ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 26 Jun 2005 18:21:21 +0100 From: Adam K Subject: summer time (a long one, I'm afraid) As I sit here, contemplating the fading of this summer's day and chewing on one of Prendergast's home-made poppyseed muffins (uncannily more-ish and mysteriously soothing), my thoughts have drifted to, amongst other places, Glastonbury Festival and the merry mayhem within. I eagerly await Mr Gray's report on this, if his tent was not washed away in Friday's floods, and if he managed to survive the one fragment I saw, New Order rounding off their Saturday night headlining set with their England football anthem, replete with a pantomime horse and Keith Allen, dressed as a matador and accompanied by the sound of Ian Curtis spinning in his grave. They looked, for all the world, like 4 pissed-up, middle-aged, middle-management types at karaoke do. I suspect that it suited the mood and that Glastonbury had much, much more to offer. In the meantime, good news from other fronts: Thea Gilmore's rather brief US & Canada tour schedule is duplicated, clumsily, below. Now signed to Sanctuary records, she is busy recording her latest album, which she mentions in this article: www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2005/06/21/010705_thea_gilmore_swap_feature.shtml And her schedule: _Canada___ July 22^nd - 24^th The Calgary Folk Festival, Calgary http://www.calgaryfolkfest.com _USA___ Wednesday July 27^th Chicago - Schubas http://www.schubas.com Friday July 29^th Boston - Passim's http://boston.about.com/od/artentertainment Radio - Sunday July 31^st Dave Marsh Radio Interview Tuesday August 2^nd - Arlington - Iota Cafi http://www.iotaclubandcafe.com Radio- Tuesday August 2^nd Fine Tuning XM 76 Satellite Radio Wednesday August 3^rd - New York - Seaport Festival http://www.seaportmusicfestival.com Thursday August 4^th - Philadelphia - Tin Angel http://www.tinangel.com _Canada__ again..._ August 6^th - 7^th Edmonton Folk Festival, Edmonton http://www.efmf.ab.ca Moving on: Pina, who gave the world the magnificent "Quick Look" three years ago, is FINALLY back with a new album, "Guess You Got It", released on July 2nd. For more on this: www.prerecords.co.uk/pina/ and, if you don't have "Quick Look", you really, really should. Finally, it's not exactly ecto, but Bob Mould (ex-Husker Du, ex-Sugar), one of the finest male singer/songwriters around, one who can knock the current generation of wet whiners into a cocked hat, is due to release a new album, "Body of Song" on July 26th. From what I can gather, it's a return to his guitar-based style, as opposed to the electronica he dabbled with for his last album. And really, truly, finally, more Van der Graaf re-issues are on their way, along with Peter Hammill's first solo album. Life, as Prendergast continually sings to himself while dusting the inside of my sock drawer, is good. For once, the scoundrel has it right. adam k. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Jun 2005 11:20:56 -0700 From: Russ Van Rooy Subject: Mercury Rev is the new Yes Many Ecto fans like Yes. Happy Rhodes has pointed to Yes as an important influence. I recommend the new CD by the band Mercury Rev "The Secret Migration" for such people. You will hear on this album great soaring echo drenched slide guitar, all maner of mellotron and and electronic keyboards, fabulous drumming, complex bass lines. You will have to get past the lead singers high pitched Neil Young-ish voice , definitely not Jon Anderson - but that just adds color to the overall sound. Somewhat similer to Sigur Ros. Very ethereal , dreamy songs with good beats. - - Russ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Jun 2005 17:39:23 -0400 From: Paul Blair Subject: At times I think we're almost there... This hit the news the other day; maybe this mission will clear up once and for all the mysterious identity of the friend in Phobos: http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/dn7576-russia-planning-double-assault-on-mars.html Then again, given the Russians' performance on the Solar Sail mission, at other times I think we'll never get there... ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V11 #177 ***************************