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 #141 Fegmaniax Digest Volume 4 Number 141 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: ------- ------- Re: Lennon Re: New album/critics.... Re: New album/critics.... Moss Pronging douglas wolk as the antichrist a disclaimer Reefus Moons? CMJ review Re: Moss Pronging Re: Moss Pronging Returned mail: User unknown CMJ review Re: Moss Pronging Re: Lennon unhatched crablings Re: Moss Pronging Vinyl in NYC Re: Lennon A Happy Bird Is A Filthy Bird ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 00:57:21 -0700 From: gondola@deltanet.com (E.B.) Subject: Re: Lennon >Thanks to whoever pointed it out. Goes along with a general marked >Lennon influence throughout the record, and indeed the whole recorded output >of Mr. Deadly, granted- but it's REALLY obvious here. > >Susan The Hitchcock song that always knocked me out with its "Lennon-ness" is "Somewhere Apart," off Element Of Light. Compare this tune to "Remember," off the classic Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album. Pretty damn close. Element Of Light was the album that made me a Hitchcock fan, and maybe that's one of the reasons why. (That and "Airscape," of course!) Regards, GB ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 01:13:17 -0700 From: gondola@deltanet.com (E.B.) Subject: Re: New album/critics.... <[ambivalent CMJ review] > >I really do hate critics. > >Michael Well, I must admit, I've done my share of critiquing and I'm not too thrilled with the album either. This has been an awful year for many of my old-school favorites. The new Elvis Costello is weak. The new Lou Reed is weak. The new Nick Cave is the worst thing he's ever done. The new Frank Black and Ween are disappointing. The new Guided By Voices disc is really disappointing. The new J Mascis disc is AWFUL. The new Paul Westerberg is terribly disappointing. Sigh. I've got to put the Robyn album in this category too, although to a much milder degree. I was a huge fan of Respect, and Moss doesn't measure up in my eyes. I haven't heard the vinyl record yet, however. I'm crossing my fingers. Maybe I'm alone, but I really don't think Demi Bonet fits Robyn's sound. Especially on "Sinister But Happy." Not having a great year, GB ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 12:06:54 +0100 (BST) From: M R Godwin Subject: Re: New album/critics.... On Fri, 2 Aug 1996, E.B. wrote: > Well, I must admit, I've done my share of critiquing and I'm not too > thrilled with the album either. This has been an awful year for many of my > old-school favorites. The new Elvis Costello is weak. The new Lou Reed is > weak. The new Nick Cave is the worst thing he's ever done. The new Frank > Black and Ween are disappointing. The new Guided By Voices disc is really > disappointing. The new J Mascis disc is AWFUL. The new Paul Westerberg is > terribly disappointing. Sigh. I've got to put the Robyn album in this > category too, although to a much milder degree. I was a huge fan of > Respect, and Moss doesn't measure up in my eyes. I haven't heard the vinyl > record yet, however. I'm crossing my fingers. > > Maybe I'm alone, but I really don't think Demi Bonet fits Robyn's sound. > Especially on "Sinister But Happy." > > Not having a great year, > GB Hi GB I know that feeling. I went through a rough patch in the 80s when all the bands I liked were splitting up or making lousy records (I won't even mention 'Baby's Got a Gun' by the Only Ones). I livened up a bit when I saw the Rain Parade, but they split up soon afterwards. It was only when I discovered the Egyptians at Glastonbury 1986 that I was really impressed - specially when they swapped instruments for 'Tell Me About Your Drugs'. As I have said before, all this talk of violinists fills me with apprehension. I haven't heard the record (has any UK feg seen a copy of the LP yet?) but I'm worried. - Mike Godwin ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 96 09:06:00 -0500 From: Jim Moore Subject: Moss Pronging I also cringed a bit as I read that "nasty" review. (by the way, it *must* have been a review of "Moss Elixir", the CD, because he quoted from "Alright, Yeah!" and it wasn't in Swedish) But then I remembered that most people just don't *get* Robyn. I was reminded of a party back in 1990 at which I tried to sneak a tape of our hero's stuff onto the party mix sound system -- and suddenly everyone became aware of the music -- like it was thrust into the forefront for the first time that night -- and they all started acting like I'd put Barry Manilow on or something (apologies, Barry). All I did was to spoil a good mood and alienate a bunch of friends from Robyn's work forever. At another gathering I can remember discussing "new" music with some friends, and one guy stated quite plainly that of all the new stuff (new back then) that was on MTV his MOST HATED was that "damn Robyn Hitchcock and those damn carrots dropping on his head from the sky wearing that damn stupid hat", etc., etc. Also, in all the jillion, gazillion times I've ever been to a record store I've never, ever once come to the "Robyn Hitchcock" section and found another human being looking at his selections. (No, I haven't found any animals or ghouls there, either) What am I trying to say here? Well, as much as I love Robyn and wish him all the success and fame and wealth and happiness in the world -- I think that he'll always be "quirky" and never "mainstream". I don't suspect that he'll ever have more than what's always referred to as a "cult following". I've heard quite a few statements lately like "maybe this will be his big, breakthrough CD", or "maybe WB will be able to market this better so Robyn will get more recognition/sales, etc." on the Feg! list, and I'm afraid that these folks are going to be disappointed if they think Robyn will suddenly turn into the next "Hootie". I hope that no one takes this as a slam on Robyn -- because I'm probably one of his biggest fans. It's just that for some reason or another his style of art just doesn't have widespread commercial appeal. But maybe that's what makes being a big fan so special... Deep thoughts, Jim Moore jimm@dbu.edu ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 10:10:34 -0500 From: Tim Bugbee Subject: douglas wolk as the antichrist michael brage writes (after reading what he considers a scathing review): >I really do hate critics. >Michael well, michael, maybe critics aren't too enamored of deer-in-the-headlights, sycophantic fans either. after listening to _Moss Elixer_, i'd have to admit that mr wolk's view aligns quite nicely with mine. robyn's been treading water since _eye_, and although sometimes andy's bass playing was a bit too florid, he and morris are sorely missed. perhaps i should just admit to myself that the halcyon days of when hitchcock records really mattered to me are at a close, esp. now that he is being marketed as "adult alternative". sounds vaguely like some kind of S & M thing. tim, who is currently listening to one of the best records of '96, silkworm's _firewater_. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 09:49:18 -0600 From: mbrage@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu (Michael Brage) Subject: a disclaimer Fegs, When I wrote that I hate critics, I was riding on an emotional petrol type of fuel. I had just came back to work from a great two week vacation in Israel. I'm a little frustrated at work currently. Post vacation blues set in. I was listening to Mossy Liquor and enjoying it when I saw the review. But, I really don't hate critics. I was just frustrated that the review was negative. I am a person who has enjoyed all of Robyn's work except for an occassional song here or there. By the way, I went to Tower Records in Tel Aviv and found all of the Robyn Hitchcock CDs and Soft Boy CDs in the bins. I was amazed. I wonder if there are any fegs in the Middle East? Michael ------------------------------ From: pearceja@mailgw.wl.wpafb.af.mil Date: Fri, 2 Aug 96 10:59:37 -0400 Subject: Reefus Moons? Hello fellow fegs, I was recently browsing a CD catalog for The Laser's Edge (they specialize in progressive music, which I suspect many of you hate) when I came across an entry for a group called Reefus Moons. The entry is as follows: REEFUS MOONS - Uptight Sound from the Message Tree "UK Barrett/Hitchcock style psychedelia" Anyone know anything about this? Could be interesting. Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 96 08:23:00 -0800 From: Russ Reynolds Subject: CMJ review Susan, I believe the original post said Elixir, also quoted a line in English from Alright Yeah, so my assumption is it was a review of the CD...Don't see how anyone who hasn't heard the CD yet can dispute a reviewer's assessment, but as I understand it there are a few on this list who got ahold of an advance cassette. I was sent an advance copy of the CD myself earlier this week, and I must say I'm not so sure the reviewer in question was too far off the mark. So far I'm finding Liquor to be a much more enjoyable package than Elixir. >Susan >An Eye-head who thinks "Beautiful Queen" is scrumptious. I'd love to hear what you think of the souped up Elixir version...really the only track which I think was improved on. -russ (sorry for the double post, Susan) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 11:35:54 -0400 (EDT) From: Eugene Subject: Re: Moss Pronging On Fri, 2 Aug 1996, Jim Moore wrote: > I was reminded of a party back in 1990 at which I tried to sneak > a tape of our hero's stuff onto the party mix sound system -- and > suddenly everyone became aware of the music -- like it was thrust > into the forefront for the first time that night -- and they all started > acting like I'd put Barry Manilow on or something (apologies, Barry). > All I did was to spoil a good mood and alienate a bunch of friends > from Robyn's work forever. At another gathering I can remember > discussing "new" music with some friends, and one guy stated > quite plainly that of all the new stuff (new back then) that was on > MTV his MOST HATED was that "damn Robyn Hitchcock and > those damn carrots dropping on his head from the sky wearing > that damn stupid hat", etc., etc. Also, in all the jillion, gazillion I often also sneak robyn on at parties and basically whenever I can. Many of my friends enjoy some of his music. A lot get annoyed that play him so much, but eventually, if they move away, they end up getting some robyn because they miss it. (they make fun of me for playing it so much that they would occasonally sing to me the pixies "dig for fire" with altered lyrics "I'm playing my robyn, I'm playing my robyn, I ask him, will you turn that shit off, no it is not my desire, I'm playing my robyn...") Still, I've turned many people onto robyn. Most of my friends love she doesn't exist and the album of I often dream of trains. I've probably successfully converted at least ten probably more people to either owning an album or wanting a mix or something. I don't think it's hopeless for robyn. I remember about five years ago I was sitting in Pizzaria Uno and robyn came on (So You Think You're In Love) and I was thrilled. It made me think that there could be many people who would enjoy him. (I was also once in a restaurant and heard vibrating playing) In terms of the person who said that they felt unconfortable with robyn being marketed as "adult contemporary." The truth is, this album is what Robyn wanted to make. He had been playing those songs, very similar to what they sound like on the record at least (and in some cases a little better or worse) before he had a contract with anybody, and by no means changed what he was doing after he signed. Personally, I think most of his new stuff is great. I remember reading interviews with him around respect and perspex island with him talking about how he wanted to be more straightforward and stuff, and I was afraid that it really meant that he would be more bland. And though he has done some more poppy stuff, I definately think he is doing what he wants, and I happen to like it. Basically, I don't think Warner Brothers is doing anything bad to robyn yet. -Eugene ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tipper Gore said to Lou Reed, "Lou Reed, how can we communicate better with our children?" Lou Reed responded, "We would probably have to sit down and talk about it over a bottle of scotch, and maybe, some crack." It's back! My lovely Humor Home page: http://hamp.hampshire.edu/~ebmF92 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 16:44:36 +0100 (BST) From: M R Godwin Subject: Re: Moss Pronging On Fri, 2 Aug 1996, Jim Moore wrote: > I was reminded of a party back in 1990 at which I tried to sneak > a tape of our hero's stuff onto the party mix sound system -- and > suddenly everyone became aware of the music -- like it was thrust > into the forefront for the first time that night -- and they all started > acting like I'd put Barry Manilow on or something. As a matter of interest, which track(s) did you try? The Pit of Souls, Parts 1-4 and Furry Green Atom Bowl? Or Flesh #1 and So You Think You're In Love? - Mike Godwin ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 15:47:19 GMT From: Mail Delivery Subsystem Subject: Returned mail: User unknown This is a MIME-encapsulated message --PAA02483.839000839/clairseach.ecto.org The original message was received at Fri, 2 Aug 1996 15:22:41 GMT from majordom@localhost ----- The following addresses have delivery notifications ----- mdj2@ukc.ac.uk (unrecoverable error) (expanded from: :include:/usr/local/majordomo/lists/fegmaniax) ----- Transcript of session follows ----- 451 bootleg@netvoyage.net... netvoyage.net: Name server timeout ... while talking to mercury.ukc.ac.uk.: >>> RCPT To: <<< 550 Unknown local user 'mdj2' 550 mdj2@ukc.ac.uk... User unknown 451 rob@nimbus.demon.co.uk,Jim@jimbower.demon.co.uk... reply: read error from punt-1.mail.demon.net. tom.miesch@chrysalis.org... Deferred: Connection timed out during initial connection with chrysalis.org. 451 paul@pcts.demon.co.uk... reply: read error from punt-3.mail.demon.net. --PAA02483.839000839/clairseach.ecto.org Content-Type: message/delivery-status Reporting-MTA: dns; clairseach.ecto.org Arrival-Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 15:22:41 GMT Final-Recipient: RFC822; majordom@clairseach.ecto.org X-Actual-Recipient: RFC822; mdj2@ukc.ac.uk Action: failed Status: 5.2.0 Remote-MTA: DNS; mercury.ukc.ac.uk Diagnostic-Code: SMTP; 550 Unknown local user 'mdj2' Last-Attempt-Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 15:25:44 GMT --PAA02483.839000839/clairseach.ecto.org Content-Type: text/rfc822-headers Return-Path: owner-fegmaniax Received: (from majordom@localhost) by clairseach.ecto.org (8.7.5/8.7.3) id PAA02479 for fegmaniax-outgoing; Fri, 2 Aug 1996 15:22:41 GMT X-Authentication-Warning: clairseach.ecto.org: majordom set sender to owner-fegmaniax using -f Received: from zygot.ati.com (Zygot.Ati.Com [157.22.243.1]) by clairseach.ecto.org (8.7.5/8.7.3) with SMTP id IAA02474 for ; Fri, 2 Aug 1996 08:22:39 -0700 (PDT) Received: by zygot.ati.com (Smail3.1.29.1 #1) id m0umM41-0006jSC; Fri, 2 Aug 96 08:22 PDT Received: from Connect2 Message Router by ksjo.ksjo.com via Connect2-UUCP v1.00; Fri, 2 Aug 96 08:24:52 -0800 Message-Id: <98FBE53001E92200@ksjo.com> Date: Fri, 2 Aug 96 08:23:00 -0800 From: Russ Reynolds Organization: KSJO San Jose, BayCom Partners Subject: CMJ review Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT X-Mailer: Connect2-UUCP v1.00 Sender: owner-fegmaniax Precedence: bulk Reply-To: Russ Reynolds --PAA02483.839000839/clairseach.ecto.org-- ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 96 10:53:00 -0500 From: Jim Moore Subject: Re: Moss Pronging Yeah, Thanks Eugene for the the other side of the coin. Yes, I should have said something like this, too: I have successfully "converted" a few, too. And they are always grateful that I turned them on to Robyn because he's so groovy. In fact, I have a lawyer friend in DC who recently told me that his favorite Robyn songs are "Bones in the Ground" and "I Used to Say I Love You". I had forgotten that I gave him about 3 tapes of RH mixes about 5 years ago -- and he really dug them. He even picked up "Perspex Island" at a used CD store and likes it a lot. So you're right, Euguene. Thanks for the balanced perspective. There is hope. Go Robyn! Jim Moore jimm@dbu.edu ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 09:07:26 -0700 From: glen@net5.com (Blint with a 'B') Subject: Re: Lennon At 00:57 02.08.96 -0700, E.B. wrote: >The Hitchcock song that always knocked me out with its "Lennon-ness" is >"Somewhere Apart," off Element Of Light. Compare this tune to "Remember," >off the classic Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album. Pretty damn close. I always heard "Somewhere Apart" as being similar to "I'm Losing You" from _Double Fantasy_. --g "The flowers of intolerance and hatred are blooming kind of early this year -- someone's been watering them." --Robyn Hitchcock, "The Devil's Radio" Glen E. Uber Web Weaver/Information Superhighway Chauffeur Tel +1 707 585 1470 Fax +1 707 585 0366 Pgr +1 707 973 0237 glen@net5.com http://net5.com/~glen =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | NET5.COM | | Internet Presence & Network | | Service Providers | | 5715 Redwood Drive | | Rohnert Park, CA 94928, USA | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 12:17:39 -0400 (EDT) From: Bayard Subject: unhatched crablings this is a final call for contributions of rarities for the next compilation. here are the contenders thus far: > Lost Time, Green, The Angel Upstairs, Flesh is Not For Eating > (improv), I'm A Man (blues cover), It Should Be Darker, I Thought I saw > Julian Cope (this is Chain Mary to the Bed, except with Cope instead > of "somebody else"), I dreamed i saw St Augustine (Dylan), Wild Mountain > Thyme/On The Radio/Over You/Another Bubble medley., Draft Morning (Byrds), > To Be Alone with you, Rabbit Train, Mystery train, kung fu fighting, > braindeath, eight miles high, my dead relations, the vomiting cross, > the leopard, the bones in the ground, mr rock n roll fom the kennel club, > surfer ghost from the surfer ghost tape, consider me gone, love, > shadowcat, dwarfbeat, the unpleasant stain, chain mary to the bed, > desolation row or some other dylan bit, dark globe, the yellow snake, > snow strike,the main thing, satellite of love, weasel turned his back, > coney island baby (aka football for the coach), cherry red daughter in > a gazebo. pretty much all live & interesting. Basically the idea is to allow people who, unlike me, don't collect every unreleased minute, to hear some unusual takes without amassing a tape collection that fills the room. naturally it will be tape-treed so you can all listen for free. Response to the idea of collecting spoken bits was lukewarm, so i probably won't do that. the soft boys (and to a slightly lesser extent, the nigel & the crosses) rare tapes are really too lo-fi to sound good in a mix with the solo stuff, which I have mostly on DAT and first-gen or better analog. if you have any other ideas about what to include, please email me! big thanks to those of you who tape & collect shows (and you know who you are). ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 96 09:39:00 -0800 From: Russ Reynolds Subject: Re: Moss Pronging > I remember about five years ago I was sitting in Pizzaria Uno and >robyn came on (So You Think You're In Love) and I was thrilled. It made >me think that there could be many people who would enjoy him. (I was also >once in a restaurant and heard vibrating playing) well, it seems someone at Uno likes Robyn Hitchcock! I too was in an Uno (Fremont CA) about 4 or 5 years ago and I heard [One Long Pair Of Eyes, I think]. I asked about the music since I couldn't find a jukebox, and it turns out they were playing a tape someone had made. Maybe the same tapes are distributed to the entire chain? Now I'm hungry. -russ. ------------------------------ From: shmh@netcom.com (Marge Holland) Subject: Vinyl in NYC Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 13:01:27 -0700 (PDT) Anyone able to find the new RH vinyl in new york city?? I've looked along St. Marks place, Midnight Records and a few others but haven't had any luck. Please post where the gem lives...thanks. Marge ------------------------------ From: Critica@aol.com Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 16:11:35 -0400 Subject: Re: Lennon I agree, "Somewhere Apart" is utterly Lennonesque. I always felt "Falling Leaves" on "Invisible Hitchcock" was really Lennony too. --Becky ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Aug 96 13:28:00 -0800 From: Russ Reynolds Subject: A Happy Bird Is A Filthy Bird am I experiencing a faulty recovered memory or did someone on this list once say they requested "filthy bird" at one of Robyn's shows and his response was that he doesn't do that one any more? That song is fast becoming one of my all time RH faves (revision of an earlier opinion expressed in this space when I described the non-Liquor tracks on Elixir as being "typical robyn hitchcock accoustic songs" or some such hogwash...man, as a critic, I really hate me.) russ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The End of this Fegmaniax Digest. *sob* .