From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V15 #285 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Thursday, December 2 2010 Volume 15 : Number 285 To unsubscribe: e-mail ecto-digest-request@smoe.org and put the word unsubscribe in the message body. Today's Subjects: ----------------- No birthdays, just a monthly listing [Mike Matthews ] Gift-giving time [Adam Kimmel ] 2010 [Adam Kimmel ] 2010 lists [Jeff Hanson ] RE: 2010 lists ["Michael Quinn" ] Top 8 of 2010 [Paul Jensen ] Re: Gift giving season is upon us [raven@igc.org] Re[2]: Gift giving season is upon us [raven@igc.org] Fwd: Gift giving season is upon us [Neile Graham ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2010 03:00:05 -0500 (EST) From: Mike Matthews Subject: No birthdays, just a monthly listing - -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Marvin Camras Sat January 01 1916 Tapehead Jeanne Schreiter Tue January 03 1967 Capricorn John Sandoval Wed January 04 1967 Capricorn Aly Fields Thu January 04 1990 Yield 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 Alex Bertran Fri January 15 1971 Capricorn Denis G Parslow Fri January 17 1964 ...of the Saint Ross Alford Thu January 17 1957 Positive Sarah Morayati Tue January 17 1989 Capricorn 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 Steve Hughes Thu January 24 1963 Aquarius 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 Doug Burks Tue February 14 1956 Blank Jim Sturnfield Thu February 18 1954 Aquarius Juha Kannisto Wed February 18 1970 Aquarius Joel Siegfried February 19 Penguin Crossing Linda Saboe Tue February 20 1951 aimless Teresa Ross Wed February 23 1977 pisces Michael Curry Fri February 24 1967 Pisces Paula Shanks Mon February 25 1952 Pisces Brni Mojzes Fri February 26 1965 the vanishing boy Mark Bianchino Wed February 26 1964 Pisces Marius Voina Mon March 03 1980 Pisces Peter Clark Thu March 04 1948 Pedestrian Tim Steele Fri March 08 1963 Pisces Matt Bittner Thu March 12 1964 Pisces kIrI Hargie Fri March 13 1970 Pisces Bob Dreano Thu March 13 1958 Pisces Randall K. Smith Sat March 15 1969 Pisces Jessica Skolnik March 16 Pisces Patrick M. Kingsley Sat March 17 1962 Yin/Yang Alan Sodoma Thu March 18 1965 LuckyLurker Daniel Wed March 18 1959 Wednesday's Child Kim Justice March 18 Pisces Barry Wong Thu March 19 1970 Merlin Graham Dombkins Fri March 19 1965 Pisces Ian Young Wed March 19 1969 Squiggol Jeff Wasilko Wed March 19 1969 Pisces Geoff Carre Sat March 20 1954 Pisces John Stewart Sat March 21 1970 Aries Bob Brown Thu March 22 1951 Ham Valerie Nozick Thu March 25 1971 Aries Tom Proven Sat March 27 1971 Eat at Joe's Jennifer Albert Wed March 30 1966 Aries (w/Cancer rising!:) Warpaint Mon April 01 1991 Brilliant! Michael Pearce Wed April 03 1946 Pegasus Michael E. Bravo Mon April 05 1971 Dandelion Wine Brion McIntosh Sun April 06 1958 Aries Marcel Kshensky Thu April 06 1950 Aries Bill Mazur Mon April 06 1953 Aries Sun/Cancer Rising David Dixon Tue April 07 1970 Aries Heidi Heller Mon April 08 1974 Aries Jill Hughes Sat April 09 1955 Aries Klaus Kluge Sun April 10 1960 Unicorn Steve VanDevender Sun April 10 1966 Racer Art Liestman Fri April 10 1953 Repeat Stephen Golden Sat April 10 1971 Jokey Michael Bowman Wed April 11 1962 Aries Wolfgang Ullwer Fri April 11 1969 Widder Janet Kirsch Thu April 11 1974 Aries Kristen Scallion Fri April 12 1974 Aries Jerry Tue April 13 1971 Aries Stuart Myerburg Mon April 14 1969 Aries T-Bone Wed April 15 1992 happy cat Jeff Hanson Sat April 16 1966 Aries Michael Klouda Mon April 17 1967 Aries Noe Venable Tue April 20 1976 Aries Harry Foster Sat April 21 1956 NiceGuy Kjetil Torgrim Homme Thu April 23 1970 Taurus Jeff Burka Thu April 24 1969 GoFlyAKite Christine Waite Tue April 25 1972 Taurus Matt Adams Thu April 26 1962 Taurus Brad Hutchinson Tue April 28 1964 What sign? Geoff Parks Sun April 30 1961 Taurus Marty Lash Sat May 01 1948 Taurus Barney Parker Fri May 02 1986 happy cat Gray Abbott Tue May 03 1955 Suprised Tamar Boursalian Tue May 03 1966 Taurus Richard A. Holmes May 07 Taurus Steve Ito Fri May 08 1970 DA Bull... Brian Gregory Thu May 09 1963 Eclectic Catherine Sundnes Sat May 09 1970 Very Catzy Heidi Maier Wed May 10 1978 Taurus Patrick Varker Wed May 12 1954 Torius Philip David Morgan Sat May 12 1962 Chinese Tiger in Bull Clothing Steve Fagg Tue May 13 1958 Nightwol Karel Zuiderveld Fri May 13 1960 Stier Michael Colford Wed May 16 1962 Taurus Christopher Boek Tue May 19 1970 Taurus Julia Macklin Mon May 20 1968 ethereus Yngve Hauge Fri May 21 1971 Gemini Lisa Laane Tue May 22 1973 Gemini Jewel Kilcher Thu May 23 1974 The Gem Chandra Sriram Thu May 27 1971 Gemini Taina Sahlander Mon May 28 1973 Gemini Urs Stafford Thu May 31 1973 Give Way Onna Addis June 01 Gemini Perttu Yli-Krekola Thu June 02 1966 Kaksoset Alexander Johannesen June 03 Gemini Alex Gibbs Thu June 08 1967 Betelgeuse Gleb Zverev Tue June 09 1964 Gemini Sonja Juchniewich Mon June 10 1963 Pegasus Joerg Plate Mon June 12 1967 Gemini Chris Montville Tue June 13 1978 Gemini Ectoplasm (original name) Mailing List Thu June 13 1991 Fuzzier blue Paul Huesman Wed June 14 1967 coffee drinker Mark R. Susskind Wed June 15 1966 Gemini Dave Upham Sun June 15 1958 Gemini Mike Matthews Mon June 16 1969 Pr. SAFH Albert Philipsen Mon June 17 1968 Gemini Neal R. Copperman Thu June 17 1965 Gemini Susan Kay Anderson Tue June 17 1969 Gemini Ecto-The Mailing List Tue June 18 1991 Fuzzy blue Tracy Barber Mon June 18 1956 Gemini Greg Dunn Thu June 18 1953 + Paul Blair Thu June 18 1964 Objectivist Mike Connell Sat June 18 1955 Apollo David Lubkin Fri June 20 1958 OurLady Marisa Wood Fri June 20 1969 Gemini Cheri Villines Sun June 20 1965 Gemini-Leo rising Ray Misra Sat June 20 1970 Gemini Nik Popa Sun June 22 1969 Cancer Teresa VanDyne Thu June 23 1960 Cancer Dave Torok Mon June 24 1968 Cancer Ethan Straffin Thu June 24 1971 Cancer Kevin Dekan Mon June 27 1960 Cancer Samantha Tanner Tue June 30 1970 Wild Goose Henning Rech Fri July 01 1960 Cancer BunkyTom Tue July 02 1968 Cancer Anders Hallberg Tue July 03 1962 Cancer Kevin Harkins Thu July 05 1973 Cancer Laurel Krahn Mon July 05 1971 Cancer John J Henshon Mon July 05 1954 The Year Of The Horse / Ruled By The Moon Jim Gurley Mon July 06 1959 Cancer Courtney Dallas Fri July 09 1971 Catte Michael Peskura Sat July 09 1949 HallOfFamer Finney T. Tsai Sat July 09 1966 Cancer Larry Greenfield Tue July 11 1950 Virgo Rising; Gemini Moon Marion Kippers Tue July 13 1965 Kreeft Ellen Rawson Thu July 13 1961 Double Cancer Mitch Pravatiner Mon July 14 1952 Cancer R. Rapp Wed July 14 1954 On a Gray Eye Sojourn John Zimmer Sun July 16 1961 Cancer Dan Stark Sun July 16 1961 Cancer Kevin D. F. Highnight Thu July 17 1975 Cancer with Pisces Moon Cathy Guetzlaff Mon July 18 1955 Cancer Vlad Sat July 18 1970 Warning: severe tire damage Jani Pinola Thu July 20 1972 Jonquil Alvin Brattli Sun July 27 1969 Lefthanded Christy Eger Smith Thu July 27 1944 Horse Crossing Shirley Ye July 27 Lioness woj Sun July 28 1968 children at play John Relph Sat July 28 1962 Leo Bob Kollmeyer Wed July 28 1971 Leo Steve Lusky Tue July 29 1952 Bike! Kate Bush Wed July 30 1958 God Chuck Smith Wed July 30 1958 Reboot Yves Denneulin Fri July 30 1971 Lion-Heart Joel Kenyon Wed July 31 1963 Leo Allan Anderson Sun August 04 1974 Signifier/Signified Eli Brandt August 05 Leo Amanda Williams Tue August 05 1969 phoenix Martin Bridges Sat August 08 1970 BigGuy Rosana L. de Oliveira Wed August 08 1973 Leo Happy Rhodes Mon August 09 1965 HolyGhost Loretta Pontillo Tue August 15 1978 Leo Queen of the Jungle Tori Amos Thu August 22 1963 Leo Sam Warren Tue August 22 1961 Leo Henk Van Wulpen Sat August 22 1970 Leo Kerry White Wed August 22 1951 Exact Leo/Virgo Don Gibson Wed August 26 1959 Virgo Marcel Rijs Mon August 31 1970 A rose growing old Meredith Tarr Wed September 01 1971 Virgo Scott Zimmerman Mon September 04 1972 Virgo Mike Mendelson Fri September 04 1964 Virgo Richard Dean Wed September 06 1967 Virgo Jason Gordon Tue September 07 1976 monkey collector David Blank-Edelman Sat September 09 1967 Neon Holly Tominack Thu September 10 1970 Virgo Sharon Nichols Wed September 11 1963 Sic Luceat Lux Heather Russell September 11 Total Virgosity Karron Lynn Lane Tue September 14 1751 Ophelia Virgo Troy Wollenslegel Mon September 18 1972 Virgo Mark Frabotta Sun September 19 1965 Don't even THINK about parking here Joe Zitt Sat September 20 1958 Will Hack for CDs Ani DiFranco Wed September 23 1970 Virgo Lord Tyr Mon September 24 1979 Libran Paul Kim Sat October 01 1977 fetal position JoAnn Whetsell Fri October 01 1976 Pendulum Ella McCrystle Tue October 03 1967 Libra William Gill Wed October 05 1960 A wide-eyed wanderer Birdie Breeze Mon October 05 1959 OooOoooWheeee Dan Riley Sun October 08 1961 Libra Neile Graham Wed October 08 1958 pen Quenby M. Chunco Tue October 08 1968 Crunchy Frog Mike Garland Wed October 08 1952 Creature_of_the_Night Irvin Lin Tue October 09 1973 Libra Michael C. Berch Wed October 10 1956 No parking Chris Gagnon Sat October 10 1970 Libra Wolfgang Drotschmann Thu October 13 1966 Waage Gracescape Fri October 13 1967 unbalanced Brian Bloom Tue October 14 1969 Libra Erik N. Johnson Tue October 16 1962 Handle with Care Kim Klouda Tue October 17 1967 Libra Anthony Amato Sat October 20 1973 Libra Suzanne DeCory Tue October 22 1968 Balancing Libra Dave Steiner Sat October 24 1959 Scorpio Tara MacLean Thu October 25 1973 Scorpio Jessica Koeppel Wed October 29 1969 Scorpio Kat Crowder Sat November 01 1969 Bunnies Katie Dougiamas Sat November 02 1974 Scorpio Anthony Horan Fri November 04 1966 Positive Michael Sullivan Mon November 05 1962 Scorpio Anna Pryde Wed November 05 1975 Scorpio Sun; Sagittarius Moon; Pisces Rising Hope Wed November 05 2008 Scorpio Jens Brage Sun November 08 1964 Scorpio Rising Lynn Garrett Sat November 08 1958 Scorpio Sam Murgie Fri November 08 1957 Scorpio Rachel Kramer Bussel Mon November 10 1975 Scorpio Neb Rodgers Tue November 10 1959 Space Available - Inquire Within Ken Latta Sun November 11 1951 Scorpio Craig Gidney November 11 Scorpio Michael Doyle Wed November 12 1969 Scorpio Luz Burrow Sat November 12 1966 Happy Cat Jenny Bruce Mon November 14 1966 fire-horse scorpio Dave Cook Mon November 15 1971 Scorpio Jeff Pearce November 16 Orpheus Naama Avramzon Mon November 18 1974 Scorpio Jeff Smith Mon November 19 1962 Crash Kevin Bartlett Fri November 21 1952 Scorpio Sun - Capricorn Moon - Virgo Ascent Claudia Spix Wed November 23 1960 Schuetze Anja Baldo Tue November 23 1965 Garbanzo Tommy Persson Wed November 25 1964 Sagittarius Pat Tessitore November 26 Sagittarius Valerie Kraemer November 26 Sagittarius Justin Bur Fri November 27 1964 Sagittarius Sue Trowbridge Sun November 27 1966 Skytten Ward Kadel Tue November 29 1977 Sagittarius Jesse Hernandez Liwag Wed November 29 1972 Water Rat Mirko Bulaja Sat November 30 1974 Block Juha Sorva Thu December 02 1976 Sagittarius Chip Lueck Thu December 05 1968 Sagittarius Lenore December 05 sagi Michele Wellck December 08 Sagittarius Jeremy J. Corry Fri December 11 1970 Sagittarius Renee Canada Tue December 13 1977 Sagittarius Julie C. Kammerzell Sun December 15 1968 Sagittarius/Scorpio combo Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti Sat December 15 1956 queen_nefertiti@prodigy.net Laura Clifford Tue December 17 1957 Sagittarius Dirk Kastens Tue December 17 1963 Sagittarius Milla Wed December 17 1975 Sagittarius Chris Schernwetter Tue December 17 1974 Sagittarius Sherry Haddock Sat December 17 1960 Sagittarius Tracy Benbrook Tue December 18 1973 Sagittarius Mark Lowry Mon December 22 1969 Capricarius Kay Cleaves Wed December 22 1976 Prancing Pony Uli Grepel Wed December 25 1968 Steinbock Joseph Wasicek Sat December 25 1976 Brown Eagle Stuart Castergine Mon December 30 1963 You Are Here ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2010 04:57:15 -0800 From: Adam Kimmel Subject: Gift-giving time I'm mentally mulling over my 2010 list, but the frontrunners by a mile are Anais Mitchell's "Hadestown" and Thea Gilmore's "Murphy's Heart". Shearwater's "The Golden Archipeligo" and The New Pornographers' "Together" are also really good (although I find the latter a bit lyrically puzzling), and I very much liked Laura Viers' "July Flame". Joan Armatrading's "This Charming Life" is also utterly brilliant, a real rocking and thoroughly energised album that really took me by surprise. I seem to have had more frustrations and disappointments than usual this year, that's for sure. Adam K ____________________________________________________________ Share photos & screenshots in seconds... TRY FREE IM TOOLPACK at http://www.imtoolpack.com/default.aspx?rc=if1 Works in all emails, instant messengers, blogs, forums and social networks. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2010 05:07:06 -0800 From: Adam Kimmel Subject: 2010 Actually in terms of my "Best of" list, I've just had an e-mail telling me that the new Over the Rhine CD, "The Long Surrender" is on its way. It could be a list-changer, you never know. It ain't over til the....um, well, 'til Karin Bergquist sings. Adam K ____________________________________________________________ Send your photos by email in seconds... TRY FREE IM TOOLPACK at http://www.imtoolpack.com/default.aspx?rc=if3 Works in all emails, instant messengers, blogs, forums and social networks. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2010 15:26:23 +0000 (UTC) From: Jeff Hanson Subject: 2010 lists It is still a bit early, but here are the top 14 albums that I liked best/listened to most this year....(in order of acquisition rather than favorite) Lisa Ekdahl - Give Me That Slow Knowing Smile B B B Lisa's done albums in her native Swedish, jazz standards in English, and an album of poetry by boyfriend B B Salvador Poe--this is an all original English album that captures her quirky pop/jazz with a bit of hte B B B South American flavor of the Salvador Poe album Sarah Slean - The Baroness B B B To me one of my favorite Sarah Slean albums - a bit more restrained/reserved, but some really B B B beautiful material on this one Tom McRae - The Alphabet of Hurricanes B B B Another strong effort from Mr. McRae Haris Alexiou - Love WIll Find You Wherever You May Be B B B And another strong effort form Greek singer Haris Alexiou, including collaborations with Motorcycle Diaries score composer Gustavo Alfredo Santaolalla, and others. B B B Robin McKelle - Mess Around - a great fun, funky album--a bit more lively than her past standards albums Polly Scattergood - a weird little debut that I find quite absorbing Ryan Star - 11:59 - first discovered Ryan when he was a contestant on Rockstar Supernova.B This isn't as good as some of his covers on that show (his "Losing My Religion" can still send chills up my spine), but a good solid effort Red Horse - great "Cry, Cry Cry" style ablum from Lucy Kaplansky, Eliza Gilkyson and John Gorka Antony and the Johnsons - Swanlights--amazing packaging (if you get the full book), not quite as emotional as some of his earlier releases, but still a beautiful album.B Only complaint is that lyrics get really repetitive on a couple of the songs Casey Stratton - Myths and Stars - a double album of songs inspired by Greek Myths from one of the most prolific indie songwriters around Kim Wilde - Come Out and Play - a great "comeback" album from one of my 80's favorites Over the Rhine -The Long Surrender -- worth waiting for Adam--this is a great album--carrying on from where The Trumpet Child left off Lynn Miles - Fall for Beauty - another great solid effort from one of my favorite Canadian folkies Jann Arden - Spotlight - a combo live album/DVD.B Live album focuses on recent releaes--DVD includes some great interview footage and all of her videos ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2010 11:33:33 -0500 From: "Michael Quinn" Subject: RE: 2010 lists Right now my top 10 for the year would look something like: 1. The Legendary Pink Dots - "Seconds Late for the Brighton Line" 2. Thea Gilmore - "Murphy's Heart 3. Brendan Perry - "Ark" 4. The Besnard Lakes - "Are The Roaring Night" 5. Stripmall Architecture - "Feathersongs For Factory Girls Part 1" 6. Retribution Gospel Choir - "2" 7. Laurie Anderson - "Homeland" 8. The Arcade Fire - "The Suburbs" 9. Cowboy Junkies - "Renmin Park" 10.Lisa Gerrard and Marcello De Francisci - "Departum" The new Over the Rhine album might crack the list. I haven't heard it yet. Mike - -----Original Message----- From: owner-ecto@smoe.org [mailto:owner-ecto@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Hanson Sent: December-01-10 10:26 AM To: ecto@smoe.org Subject: 2010 lists It is still a bit early, but here are the top 14 albums that I liked best/listened to most this year....(in order of acquisition rather than favorite) Lisa Ekdahl - Give Me That Slow Knowing Smile B B B Lisa's done albums in her native Swedish, jazz standards in English, and an album of poetry by boyfriend B B Salvador Poe--this is an all original English album that captures her quirky pop/jazz with a bit of hte B B B South American flavor of the Salvador Poe album Sarah Slean - The Baroness B B B To me one of my favorite Sarah Slean albums - a bit more restrained/reserved, but some really B B B beautiful material on this one Tom McRae - The Alphabet of Hurricanes B B B Another strong effort from Mr. McRae Haris Alexiou - Love WIll Find You Wherever You May Be B B B And another strong effort form Greek singer Haris Alexiou, including collaborations with Motorcycle Diaries score composer Gustavo Alfredo Santaolalla, and others. B B B Robin McKelle - Mess Around - a great fun, funky album--a bit more lively than her past standards albums Polly Scattergood - a weird little debut that I find quite absorbing Ryan Star - 11:59 - first discovered Ryan when he was a contestant on Rockstar Supernova.B This isn't as good as some of his covers on that show (his "Losing My Religion" can still send chills up my spine), but a good solid effort Red Horse - great "Cry, Cry Cry" style ablum from Lucy Kaplansky, Eliza Gilkyson and John Gorka Antony and the Johnsons - Swanlights--amazing packaging (if you get the full book), not quite as emotional as some of his earlier releases, but still a beautiful album.B Only complaint is that lyrics get really repetitive on a couple of the songs Casey Stratton - Myths and Stars - a double album of songs inspired by Greek Myths from one of the most prolific indie songwriters around Kim Wilde - Come Out and Play - a great "comeback" album from one of my 80's favorites Over the Rhine -The Long Surrender -- worth waiting for Adam--this is a great album--carrying on from where The Trumpet Child left off Lynn Miles - Fall for Beauty - another great solid effort from one of my favorite Canadian folkies Jann Arden - Spotlight - a combo live album/DVD.B Live album focuses on recent releaes--DVD includes some great interview footage and all of her videos ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2010 13:33:46 -0600 From: Paul Jensen Subject: Top 8 of 2010 I've narrowed my list down to 8 that deserve lots of love and attention. A great year for music, but quite a few challenging releases that took a lot of effort to get to know. :-) #1. Fight Like Apes: "The Body of Christ and the Legs of Tina Turner" This incredibly talented group from Ireland released my #1 favorite album of 2009, titled "The Mystery of the Golden Medallion". In a flash, they're back with a sophomore album, "The Body of Christ and the Legs of Tina Turner." Somehow they've whipped together a new batch of songs that are even more fresh, playful and oddly mature than their debut. This band is the real deal. Singer MayKay's clear voice shines through layers of catchy synths, guitars and feedback. It's a beautiful and unique juxtaposition. The album opens with the great "Come On, Let's Talk About Our Feelings", in which the band pleads with us to "Please accept our sincerest apologies" for what's to come. From there, we're whisked through 11 tracks dealing with anger, frustration and disappointment - but done with great exuberance, as if MayKay knows she'll come through it all with a smile. In the band's debut album she threatens, "I wanna cut you with glass! You haven't got such a pretty ass, now!" Here, a more wise and mature MayKay reflects, "I can't keep writing songs about cutting you up.." Instead, later, she decides she wants to "pull off your arms and play in your blood!" I love the reference to her earlier song, and the playful way she suggests she's trying to grow up and move on, but not too quickly. Once we reach the album's final number, MayKay sounds a bit defeated and weary during the first few lines. But she soon finds a last bit of inner-strength and confidently tells herself "You can't let that bog you down! I will not take your shit, you skinny cow!" It's an empowering moment, and wonderfully delivered. It's a strangely cathartic track after the journey you've taken with the band. You can tell it's a good moment for them, as well. Near the end, MayKay repeats "I think I just came.. I think I just came.." over and over. A truly satisfying album - one you may need a cigarette after listening to. #2. Laurie Anderson: "Homeland" "Homeland" is haunting, poetic and spare. This album was years in the making, and the result is one of Laurie's most successful albums. It's also a great entryway to her extensive body of work for those unfamiliar. #3. Joanna Newsom: "Have One on Me" A hefty, sprawling, difficult album. This album requires effort and patience from the listener - but those who stick with it will be rewarded with an emotional journey of a relationship's beginning, middle and end. #4. CocoRosie: "Grey Oceans" When I heard the first few tracks from this album, I was convinced it was an April Fool's joke. There was no melody or beauty to be found in its strange world. In fact, I had such a strong reaction to it, I kept coming back to it.. what are these girls thinking?! And somewhere along the way, I had a complete change of heart. This album is daring, original, strange and unexpected. It's their most cohesive work - an album I have come to enjoy from start-to-finish. (I can't say the same for all of their albums) It's worth another listen if you initially dismissed it, the way I did. #5. JJ: "No. 3" An exciting discovery from Sweden, whose album "No. 2" flew under my radar last year. (note: if I had heard it, "No. 2" would have easily made my top 10 for last year!) Her voice has been compared to Tracey Thorn. The songs on this album are light-as-air. In fact, check out the track "Light" - featuring outdoorsy insect noises and lots of lovely humming and whistling, as she ponders: "Where would I be if you had the right to choose?" over and over again. #6. Laura Veirs: "July Flame" This came out in January 2010, which means it may get overlooked at this time of year. A shame, because this is one of Laura's best efforts, featuring a broad range of instruments and sounds and her trademark poetic lyrics. #7. Sally Seltmann: "Heart That's Pounding" Whenever I need a pick-me-up, this album does the trick. #8. Liz Phair: "Funstyle" Recently, I've encountered a few people who claimed that "Funstyle" was their #1 album of the year. Furthermore, that it's their favorite Liz Phair album ever, even topping "Exile in Guyville". I had written "Funstyle" off after a single, half-hearted listen through. "Juvenile, embarrassing garbage!," said Paul. So, I was quite shocked to hear of the devoted following this album has gained. Since then, I've given it several more listens and will admit that it's growing on me. Liz is obviously pissed off at her unsupportive record label, and this project is a joyous "screw you!" to them. "Funstyle" is more satisfying when listened to from start to finish. When listened to as a whole, you'll enjoy some nicely crafted pop songs ("Satisfied", "Miss September", "And He Slayed Her") as well as amusing, tongue-in-cheek, self-depricating, intentionally bad songs ("Smoke", "Bollywood", "U Hate It") It's an entertaining train-wreck, and I think that's exactly what Liz was going for. The final track ends with Liz accepting an award as a cheering audience showers her with love. It's ballsy and kinda hilarious. Honorable mentions: Jonsi: "Go" Eluvium: "Static Nocturne" Amiina: "Puzzle" Natalie Merchant: "Leave Your Sleep" Wanted to like, but didn't: Sufjan Stevens: Age of Adz Nellie Mckay: Home Sweet Mobile Home Owen Pallett: Homeland (only a few tracks that I liked) Belle & Sebastian: Write About Love Paul - -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "This is the time. And this is the record of the time." -Laurie Anderson ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:26:53 -0800 From: raven@igc.org Subject: Re: Gift giving season is upon us Sue Trowbridge wrote: > One of my favorite year-end musical round-ups is the NPR listener > poll. So far they're only taking nominations: > http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2010/11/18/131408194/nominate-your-favorite-albums-of-2010 > and there are over 1,000 comments posted on that blog entry (yikes), > but on Dec. 1 -- hey, it's already Dec. 1 on the East Coast! NPR published their "50 favorite albums of 2010" a few hours ago: http://www.npr.org/series/131413130/npr-music-s-50-favorite-albums-of-2010 - -- John ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:55:09 -0800 From: raven@igc.org Subject: Re[2]: Gift giving season is upon us raven@igc.org wrote: > NPR published their "50 favorite albums of 2010" a few hours ago: > http://www.npr.org/series/131413130/npr-music-s-50-favorite-albums-of-2010 Just started scanning these 50 albums, but the first thing I saw was Esperanza Spalding and "Chamber Music Society", I've been listening to her a lot this year... followed by Mavis Staples who I'd seen live in Chicago with her family back in the 1960s... so many more I want to check! - -- John ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2010 21:49:31 -0800 From: Neile Graham Subject: Fwd: Gift giving season is upon us Oops! Just sent this to Mike instead of to the whole group. Here it is. - --N > From: Neile Graham > Date: December 1, 2010 3:04:52 PM PST > To: Michael Curry > Subject: Re: Gift giving season is upon us > > > Michael Curry wrote: > >> It's that time of year again, and I was wondering of any ectophiles had compiled their "best of 2010" lists yet, to help guide me in my gift shopping (and gift requesting). >> >> I'm especially looking at you Neile! > > I guess I need to wake up, then! Damn, I was having such a great nap. > > We bought surprisingly few albums this year. > > > My Top Ten (it's scary how many of these are imports): > > 1. Sandy Denny Box Set > > Without a doubt, the most amazing musical event for me this year was investing in the new Sandy Denny Box set. This has 19 discs of her music--all her official recordings and lots of other material--basically, everything that still exists except unofficial live recordings and things they couldn't get the rights to, like her vocals on Led Zepplin's "The Battle of Evermore". > > It also is gorgeously packaged, includes a hardcover book with new photographs, etc. Truly an amazing thing, and I agree with the forward--she deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as the best 20th C vocalists, such as Billie Holiday. An amazing legacy of work. > > > 2. Emily Portman, The Glamoury > > For anyone who like trad folk at all--even though most of the songs are her own compositions. Gorgeous voice, and songs that give me shivers. Which is amazing because I like very, very little neo-traditional songwriting. > > > 3. Joanna Newsom, Have One On Me > > Complicated tapestries of songs, could listen to this forever > > > 4. Smoke Fairies, Low Light and Trees > > Gorgeous harmonies, and again a type of music (country/Americana) that I don't normally care for. This is their first official full-length album and it's wonderful. > > > 5. Glasser, Ring > > Lovely, twining electronica, but distinctive and catchier and really stand out to me. Lovely voice. > > > 6. Sophie Hunger, 1983 > > Thanks to whoever mentioned her a few years back--she's an impressive songwriter and has quite a stylistic range > > > 7. Tunng, ...And Then We Saw Land > > Tunng is never less than brilliant > > > 8. Lonelady, Nerve Up > > A trip back to the 80s, but fresh. > > > 9. Moulettes, Moulettes > > Again, a style I don't normally appreciate (sort of gothic carnivalesque) but I love this. Great vocals and really fun songs, especially the single, "Devil of Mine" which also had an amusing video (who watches videos any more?) > > > 10 Jesca Hoop, Hunting My Dress > > Can I count this again for 2010? I did buy the new U.S. version this year... > > > Also enjoyed: > > * Kristin Hersh, Crooked (would be in my top ten if no Jesca, as even though her songwriting is as strong as it ever was sometime the damage she's done to her voice makes me sad) > > * Sleigh Bells, Treats (one of the best driving-around-in-the-summer albums in years) > > * Robin Holcomb and Talking Pictures with Wayne Horvitz, The Point of It All (7 songs + interesting instrumentals) > > * Laurie Anderson, Homeland > > * Jim Moray, In Modern History (trad and neo-trad folk) > > * Sufyan Stephens. The Age of Adz > > * Under Byen, Alt Er Tabt (love the band, but this one hasn't stuck with me as much as their previous releases) > > * Zoe Keating, Into The Trees (lovely cello instrumentals) > > * Kathryn Williams, The Quickening > > * Baxter, Tell Me Like It Is (remember them? Thanks, Anna!) > > Disappointments: > --Final Fantasy/Owen Pallett, Homeland > --Beach House's Teen Dream (loved it at first & now can't listen to it) > --Emily Jane White, Victorian America > > Best belated discovery > Tegan Northwood > > For music books, I would say that Patti Smith's _Just Kids_ certainly deserved the National Book Award it received. A fascinating read! Jim also read and enjoyed Kristin Hersh's _Rat Girl_ but it's still in my To Be Read pile. > > --Neile ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V15 #285 ***************************