From: owner-fegmaniax-digest@ecto.org To: fegmaniax-digest@ecto.org Reply-To: fegmaniax@ecto.org Errors-To: owner-fegmaniax-digest@ecto.org Subject: Feg Digest V4 #137 Fegmaniax Digest Volume 4 Number 137 Send posts to fegmaniax@ecto.org Send subscribe/unsubscribe commands to majordomo@ecto.org Send comments, etc. to the listowner at owner-fegmaniax@ecto.org FegMANIAX! Web Page: http://remus.rutgers.edu/~woj/fegmaniax/ Archives are available at http://archive.uwp.edu/pub/music/lists/fegmaniax/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Topics: ------- ------- Robyn in London Mossy Liquored-up Re: Rock & Roll Adventures Re: magic bus Greetings fellow feglets Moo Re: Rock & Roll Adventures Re: Rock & Roll Adventures Re: finding mossy liquor Re: Rock & Roll Adventures Oh, no! Not ANOTHER "Mossy Liquor" posting...! Re: Rock & Roll Adventures In praise of smaller record shops A Few Questions for Chicago-area Fegs (others feel free to skip) mossy liquor lp Beautiful Queen....sigh. Mossy Observations DC Liquor ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 25 Jul 96 08:53:27 BST From: cliffl@gatwick.geoquest.slb.com (Cliff Lovelock) Subject: Robyn in London All, Does anyone know where the 12-Bar is? (a prodigal son returned). ============================================================ Cliff Lovelock Customer Support - Geoscientist *GeoFrame Support* cliffl@gatwick.geoquest.slb.com Schlumberger GeoQuest Voice: +44 (0)1293 55 60 15 Gatwick - U.K. Fax: +44 (0)1293 55 65 51 ============================================================ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 25 Jul 96 09:25:00 -0500 From: Jim Moore Subject: Mossy Liquored-up This is in response to the lovely feg who wished to hear all about the new vinyl release--actually, I was curious to hear what you all (y'all) thought about it, and I thought I'd take a moment to share some of my thoughts after listening to it a few times. After having a good swill of the Mossy Liquor, I can confidently say that it is a very good album, in my humble opinion. I'll go track by track, starting with (of course), the Swedish version of "ALLRIGHT YEAH". Not much to say about this one -- I think it's a great song and besides the fact that Robyn sings it in Swedish, it appears to be identical to the take which appears on Moss Elixir. It is pretty funny to listen to Robyn singing in another language, however. "Nay nay nay nay nay, okay yah!" BEAUTIFUL QUEEN is pretty similar to the Netsurfer Ghost cut. I admit that this isn't my favorite of the new songs, but I imagine that those of you who do like it will find this cut more than acceptable. The next cut, SHUFFLING DOWN THE FLAGSTONES is brilliant, absolutely brilliant. The guitar work is beautiful and even though it's an instrumental it has a certain magical feel to it -- sort of like "Heartful of Leaves" from I Often Dream of Trains. In fact, this song sort of harkens back to that CD for me, and would fit wonderfully on it. The inclusion of the electric guitar to underscore the "middle" part of the song works wonderfully. COOL BUG RUMBLE, again, isn't one of my favorites (in fact, I think I listed it on my "worst 5 list"). But, this is a good take, and I like it a lot more than the Netsurfer version. He's slowed it down a bit, added some guitars, and it came out very good. WIDE OPEN STAR is another of the "beautiful" tracks on this album. The acoustic guitar blends perfectly with the electric slide guitar parts to produce a sort of mesmerizing effect. My favorite of the new songs, EACH OF HER SILVER WANDS, was the biggest disappointment for me on this album. It seems a lot harsher than it did on Netsurfer Ghost (and when I've heard him play it live with an acoustic), and it really spoils the whole mood of the song for me -- which I feel is what makes this song so great. The reason for the "harsh" appearance, I'm sure, is that Robyn traded the acoustic guitar for an electric. Also, he has a low, droning background voice that, in my opinion, doesn't work as well here as it does on other tracks. It's still a good track, but it's missing the light, ethereal, other-worldly mood that the acoustic Netsurfer version captured so well. DECHIRICO STREET is virtually identical with the Netsurfer version, Debi Bonet on violin and all... I really, really like this song. I'm wondering how different the Moss Elixir take will be from this take, which appears to be the standard version that he plays live. AS LEMONS CHOP was the only song on the CD that I hadn't heard previously. I don't like it very much, I'm afraid, although I do think it builds a bit near the end. Just seems too messy, too rambling and lacking an inner consistency. Reminds me of "Dwarfbeat" in some roundabout, weird way. Musically, it is just a bit strange and difficult to enjoy, in my opinion. Lyrically, I like it very much. SINISTER BUT HAPPY is excellent. He's slowed it down a bit, and sings it in his lower register, which makes it a little darker than the version on Netsurfer. I think the piano really adds a lot to the song, too. The only thing that bugs me about it is the part where he keeps repeating the word "time". Other than that, it's perfect. This song, musically, seems to fit in with the "Airscape" and "One Long Pair" genre of tunes--for me. Anyone else agree? Disagree? TRILOBYTE is great, too. Pretty much the same as the Netsurfer version, except the guitar work is much crisper and better, in my opinion. A great song -- quite funny and witty -- but, yeah, it wouldn't have fit too well on Moss. DEVIL'S RADIO is, I think, the best track on the album. The understated, smooth, drumbeat adds so much to the song -- it's like night and day. Also, the background sax blends so well -- it seems perfect -- not at all like the blaring sax parts in his earlier stuff. I know I'm fawning here, but I really, really, really think Robyn's done something special with this one. I just hope the Moss version is similar. Finally, the album ends with HELIOTROPE, perhaps the most beautiful of all the "beautiful" tracks on this album. This was already one of my favorites of his new stuff, but Robyn manages to even improve on it some! The background voices give it a haunting, touching effect, and definitely connect with the "spiritual" realm. Guitar work is stunning, and listening to this slowed-down version is much like a worship experience. Well, there you have it -- in my opinion a fine, fine piece of work, indeed. I'm interested to hear your thoughts and feelings on it, as well as any criticism of my thoughts and feelings (yes, I can take it). I know that some will disagree with me in places, but that's okay. We're not all going to think or feel the same about something as personal as music. Thanks for letting me share... Jim Moore jimm@dbu.edu ps. "Balloon Man" is on the kidRhino soundtrack for the "Dumb and Dumber" cartoon show. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 15:30:16 +0100 (BST) From: M R Godwin Subject: Re: Rock & Roll Adventures On Tue, 23 Jul 1996, James Dignan wrote: > I thought Buck had only played on PI, QE and Y&O... Did I get it wrong > again, or does three count as "many"? It depends on your counting system. As an economist, I can manage 1, 2, 3, Many, but some more primitive life forms, (e.g. birds counting their eggs) only seem to manage 1, 2, Many. What would the IQ of a rock journalist be? - Mike Godwin "Rock journalism is people who can't write writing about people who can't play for people who can't read" - FVZ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 15:36:32 +0100 (BST) From: M R Godwin Subject: Re: magic bus On Tue, 23 Jul 1996 Jim@jimbower.demon.co.uk wrote: > Oh by the way, for those that know me, my band has split up, though we > still have plenty of CDs left if anyone wants one. Mike Godwin has one if > that helps anyone feel more comfortable in asking. That's true. I am waiting for the rarity value to shoot up now that Freud Squad is no more. As the Pillory Vendor said "Buy now while Stocks last". - Mike Godwin PS to Jim: sorry to hear about the band. I was looking forward to the next album! ------------------------------ From: HAMISH_SIMPSON@HP-UnitedKingdom-om4.om.hp.com Date: Thu, 25 Jul 96 16:14:38 +0100 Subject: Greetings fellow feglets I'm taking the advice of woj and introducing myself as "just subscribed". I have been into RH for about six years now and don't have nearly enough stuff. (My favorite so far is the Kershaw CD by quite a long way.) I gather from some of the conversations I have read in the archives that there is a video release of GLTHO. Where do I get this? I am also interested in Soft Boys stuff. I only have the Portland Arms album. Has anyone rereleased any of the studio stuff? Anyway, I will sit back now and listen to the conversation for a while. Hamish ------------------------------ From: firstcat@lsli.com Date: Thu, 25 Jul 96 09:59:45 Subject: Moo So Waterloo in Austin doesn't take AmEx so I'm driving there to get my copy Saturday...so far no sightings of it in Houston... ...on a completely unrelated note...If you get the chance to see Soul Coughing live do it...it was the best show i've seen in years jay "And does she ever whisper in his ear all her favorite fruit?" ---Camper Van Beethoven ------------------------------------- Jay Lyall Channel Sales Director Livermore Software Laboratories, Intl. 2825 Wilcrest, Suite 160 Houston, Texas 77042-3358 1-713-974-3274 jay@lsli.com Date: 7/25/96 ------------------------------------- ------------------------------ From: "Aaron J. Sparrow" Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 11:35:45 -0500 Subject: Re: Rock & Roll Adventures On Thur, 25 Jul 1996, Mike Godwin wrote: > On Tue, 23 Jul 1996, James Dignan wrote: >> I thought Buck had only played on PI, QE and Y&O... Did I get it >> wrong again, or does three count as "many"? > It depends on your counting system. As an economist, I can manage > 1, 2, 3, Many, but some more primitive life forms, (e.g. birds > counting their eggs) only seem to manage 1, 2, Many. What would the > IQ of a rock journalist be? > - Mike Godwin Peter Buck played on Globe of Frogs as well, certainly on "Flesh Number One", and I think on "Chinese Bones" too. So it is conceivable, if improbable, that rock journalists can distinguish between 3 and many. But what's more troubling is the lack of a middle ground between the highest precise number to which they can count, and simply many. I myself find the concept of 3 a bit overwhelming, but I can at least distinguish among 1, 2, a few, and many. Really, though, it's a matter of statistics and not mere counting. Peter Buck has played on 4 of the 18? (depending upon whether or not you count live albums, etc.) albums released by Mr. Hitchcock, which according to my percentile scheme (none, some, many, most, all) fits squarely in the category of some, not many. Aaron ------------------------------ From: TchdnJesus@aol.com Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 12:15:00 -0400 Subject: Re: Rock & Roll Adventures In a message dated 96-07-25 10:36:44 EDT, hssmrg@bath.ac.uk writes: >On Tue, 23 Jul 1996, James Dignan wrote: >> I thought Buck had only played on PI, QE and Y&O... Did I get it wrong >> again, or does three count as "many"? GOF, on "chinese bones" and "flesh number one." still 4, within the context of the number of Robyn records, strikes me as more of a "several" than a "many." >It depends on your counting system. As an economist, I can manage > >1, 2, 3, Many, > >but some more primitive life forms, (e.g. birds counting their eggs) only >seem to manage 1, 2, Many. What would the IQ of a rock journalist be? 13, 14, maybe 15 for the really good ones. about two ralph reeds [terrifying leader of the (not terribly) christian supremacist movement here in the loofly usa]. ------------------------------ From: TchdnJesus@aol.com Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 12:15:08 -0400 Subject: Re: finding mossy liquor In a message dated 96-07-24 17:02:38 EDT, hbrtv219@dewey.csun.edu writes: >Even if I drove down to >the store [Tower] and asked him to order it he would not. That is odd, since >they have a huge banner inside that says "We do special orders". Screw him. supposedly that only refers to their mail order service, which i've never used, so i can't say how good it is[n't]. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 10:46:51 -0900 From: BC-Radio@corecom.net (Brett Cooper) Subject: Re: Rock & Roll Adventures Aaron wrote: >Peter Buck played on Globe of Frogs as well, certainly on "Flesh >Number One", and I think on "Chinese Bones" too. I think he plays on "Sleeping With Your Devil Mask", too. I can't be for certain, though. Brett ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 14:39:15 -0700 From: notop40@ix.netcom.com (Will Harris) Subject: Oh, no! Not ANOTHER "Mossy Liquor" posting...! Hey... Well, this is my first posting to the list since returning after a fairly lengthy absence...and, since I don't recall posting much of anything during my original time on the list, no-one probably missed me. But, anyway, I'm back, and I figured I'd alert everyone that A) I managed to pick up a copy of the "Mossy Liquor" LP today, and B) there are still two copies at Planet Music, in Virginia Beach, VA. Planet Music DOES do mail order, and, although I have neither their address nor their phone number in front of me at the moment, if there's anyone who's really all that desperate to obtain a copy of it, I'm sure I can hunt up the appropriate information. And, of course, if there's anyone in the Tidewater/Hampton Roads area, I'm sure you can find your way there...although you might alert the list if you're going to pick up one of those copies, so the others don't get their hopes up. BTW, it's $10.99. Latah, WILL P.S. Now...if only my record player still works... ------------------------------ From: HAMISH_SIMPSON@HP-UnitedKingdom-om4.om.hp.com Date: Thu, 25 Jul 96 16:24:25 +0100 Subject: Re: Rock & Roll Adventures > On Tue, 23 Jul 1996, James Dignan wrote: > > > I thought Buck had only played on PI, QE and Y&O... Did I get it wrong > > again, or does three count as "many"? > I may have missed something in the early part of this thread but Peter Buck also played on "Flesh No 1 (Beatle Dennis)" from GOF (as did Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze - presumably Andy Metcalfe returning a favour?). There was also a version of this available on a flexi-disc free with the fanzine "Bucketful of Brains" which was just RH and Buck. The flexi also includes a live, and typically Hitchcockian, version of the song "Deck of Cards" (the sad one about the soldier in the church) performed by the Soft Boys. Hamish P.S. I would say four was the bare minimum for "many". ------------------------------ From: bootleg@netvoyage.net Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 15:29:51 -0700 Subject: In praise of smaller record shops I had a pleasant surprise waiting for me when I went into the store I ordered Mossy Liquor from. The guy behind the counter told me that because I had to wait a couple days to get the LP, he had a present for me. Then he handed me the advance CD of Moss Elixir(for free). The picture on the cover is an upside down duck. On the back is a black cat. I already had the cassette, but I have to admit I was getting tired of turning it over. One more thing...has anyone else heard that Jonathan Demme's next film project is supposed to be a documentary about Robyn Hitchcock. Peter ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 25 Jul 96 21:33:33 CDT From: Truman Peyote Subject: A Few Questions for Chicago-area Fegs (others feel free to skip) First: Where can I get Mossy Liquor in Chicago? As David Byrne says, "Speak up, I can't hear you". Nobody's answered me yet, and the (admittedly) little legwork I've done hasn't turned up much, so I'm waiting to see if one of you lovely souls has one or knows where I can acquire one close to home (I'd prefer not to mail order unless necessary). Second: Is anyone going to see Southern Culture on the Skids and Jon Langford at the Double Door this Saturday? If you are, drop me a line ASAP and we'll figure out a way to meet up there. Cordially, Susan ........I see you and you see me/And ain't that wonder?- R. Davies ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 08:57:21 -0400 From: sharedon@mbcc.mass.edu (Don) Subject: mossy liquor lp saw many copies of this for $8.99 at Newbury Comics in Boston. you can order it from their website, too. N.C. is a very fine chain of stores in the Boston area specialising in new music, indies, imports, etc. go for it!! don ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 11:27:18 -0800 From: kreichs@rain.com (Karen Reichstein) Subject: Beautiful Queen....sigh. Just gotta gush over Mossy Liquor...I know, I know, as if we haven't seen enough postings already. But even though my Feg sister and I are stuck with a crappy Goodwill turntable which lets out a droning, reverb "WHAAAAA" the minute it's turned on, at least it emits sound. I know I've heard "Beautiful Queen" before, probably from a bootleg tape somewhere. But I don't remember it sounding quite so luminous and lovely and lyrical.....more Robyn musings on bellies, fruit and phosphorus. Deni Bonet's violin here keeps hitting me with a deja vu of some mid-to-late period Beatles songs, mainly "A Day in the Life." Does anybody else see this resemblance? In any case, it's the violin here that makes this rendition so, well, sensual. It has a snake charmer sort of effect on me. Ah. karen Yoda on error handling: "NO!! Try not! Do or do not. There is no try." ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 12:34:53 -0700 From: Nick Winkworth Subject: Mossy Observations Mr. Reynolds raised his virtual hand and said: >that would be me...then that would be my thanks headed in your direction. A good tip. Anyway, here are a few random thoughts I'd like to share. Comments, rebuttals etc. welcome. 1) UK Fegs please comment (I've been living in the US for too long now!): As an ex-pat Brit, "Liquor" looks American to me, but I can't quite put my finger on why. The only association I have now is that of alcoholic beverages (engl. "distilled spirits"). Am I confused? Is there another spelling? Is Robyn making an american reference or does this seem perfectly english to you? 2) I assume the cat on the inside picture is Robyns? A sly reference to "Shadowcat" perchance? 3) I think Mossy Liquor hangs together amazingly well as an album. Definitely worth releasing - and worth the price of admission. It's also a good indication of his recent touring form. 4) Cool Bug Rumble and Trilobyte which were such a hit live fall strangely flat on record. I'm not surprised they did not make to the CD. 5) On the other hand, Wide Open Star, which I frankly did not care for in Robyn's live set, is the one real surprise for me on the record. I've been going around humming this for the last two days! Maybe that one should have been on the CD. 6) "As Lemons Chop" is new to me and IMHO is the only disposable track on the LP. [Should have been chopped? ...a lemon? ...(sorry)] 7) Devils Radio however just begs for radio play (even if only college stations!). Can't wait to hear the CD version. 8) When are WB going to acknowledge Mr. H on their Web Site?? (Maybe if you don't have product available you don't exist). The only mention I could find was in the "college radio" section (it is SO compartmentalised here), not even under "alternative". Oh well. Finally my top 3: De Chirico St., Beautiful Queen and Devils Radio ...and guess what? They're all on the CD! -Nick ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 13:39:32 -0500 From: shmac@ix.netcom.com (Scott Hunter McCleary) Subject: DC Liquor As of 1:10 pm, the downtown Washington, DC Tower Records was denuded of its last copy of Mossy Liquor. *gleeful screech* Some are born to greatness, some of us just find it in our job descriptions. SH McCleary 3052 S. Buchanan St., #A1 Arlington, VA 22206 shmac@ix.netcom.com The homepage: http://www.nalu.org/text/id.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The End of this Fegmaniax Digest. *sob* .