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 #160 Fegmaniax Digest Volume 4 Number 160 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: ------- ------- Uncarved Pumpkins - A Review (catchy title eh?) Three cheers for Surfer Ghost Re: the wreck of the arthur lee Hot US/Canada tour news! Robyn and the "Greasy Quiff" LP Re: Robyn and the "Greasy Quiff" LP Arthur Lee wrecked again Re: Robyn and the "Greasy Quiff" LP more firefly stuff firefly and birdshead Album poll August 23rd ------------------------------ From: HAMISH_SIMPSON@HP-UnitedKingdom-om4.om.hp.com Date: Mon, 26 Aug 96 12:37:10 +0100 Subject: Uncarved Pumpkins - A Review (catchy title eh?) Item Subject: cc:Mail Text Having listened to "Pumpkins" four times in the last week or so, I thought I'd get in first with my opinions. Remember these are my opinions. Feel free to voice your own and bound to respect mine. (Would have put a smiley there but I think they're particularly sad.) I'm not going song by song, rather just some disconnected thoughts. First up, thanks to John Jones for his sterling effort. (John- you'll get a better pressie for vol 2.) I hadn't expected the tape to be all acoustic and solo(ish). In response to the solo/band debate, I was struck by the way the "stripped down" arrangement showed the strength of some of the material, e.g. "Birdshead", "Surgery" (the only non-cover I had heard before). I thought, however, that some songs needed a little more, e.g. "September Cones" was crying out for a Hammond organ part underneath somewhere and I like the harmony vocals on the original of "Surgery". I thought that some songs, especially "Alright Yeah", sounded weak without a band. (On the whole I tend to listen to bands more than solo artists so previous experience may have a prejudicial effect.) Of the covers, I was really impressed by the two Syd songs, both the vocals and the guitar arrangements. (What sayest thou Mr Godwin??) I didn't like "Strawberry Fields" (never really liked the Beatles), "Charlotte Anne" (like Cope but not this song) and "Man In The Moon" (gave up on REM about 6 years ago). I must say the RH version of CA is a lot better than the JC version and I won't skip it on future listens as often as the other two. Does anyone know who was backing on MitM? I liked the "disposable" little ditties (even though "Video Cleaning Service" was slightly marred by a typically over-enthusiastic DJ) especially the Dylan and Neil Young impressions. (Who was he doing on "Same Box All Along"?) "Loved Dysentery Fix". In relation to the similarity of songs debate, I noticed a slight style similarity between "Surgery" chorus and "Evil Guy". I don't have a problem with it, they are both great (although tape speed seems a little out on EG). My fave songs (in no real order) were "Lobster Man", "Devils Coachman", "Surgery", "Evil Guy", "Dominoes", "Gigolo Aunt", "Birdshead" and "You've Got". I must say, regarding DC, that the out of tune guitar actually works quite well (although I assume it was done mainly in jest). I haven't heard the original but I would like to hear RH do this with ONLY a string section, using the same "slightly off" tuning and jerky, insistent rhythm for the verse and the flowing style of the chorus. An awesomely powerful song and definitely my fave from the tape. On the whole there were very few low points on the tape, the only song I didn't take to at all (except the covers noted) was "Yes I Do" which I thought was a fairly meaningless mushy love song. (The Woj Whittaker [no relation I'm sure] whistling solo didn't help.) I am not impressed by the harmonica on "Someday, Someway" either. I think Folkies, Pseudo-Folkies, RH and Alanis Morrisette should realise that ability on the "organ" is inversely proportional to the number of notes you play simultaneously. (Personal dislike alert.) My only concession to this harmonica style is "Luminous Rose" where it is used more as an effect than an instrument. All in all this is a lovely collection of "stuff". Full marks to JJ. Hamish (the easily impressed) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 13:16:00 -0400 (EDT) From: Eric R Neffke Subject: Three cheers for Surfer Ghost My only hope about this upcoming Rhino comp is that it won't merely include a bunch of songs that I already have. I feel obligated to buy it if only to have "Surfer Ghost" on CD (which would have been, IMHO, one of the better tracks on Moss/Mossy if it was included). But hey, no matter what, at least this sudden flurry of RH releases is better than seeing no new Robyn at all. Whatever, Eric N. ************************************************************************** * Eric R. Neffke - Amateur Musician and Student at Canisius College * * e-mail me: neffkee@gort.canisius.edu * * "I only get jealous when I listen to the Beatles" - Raymond McGinley * ************************************************************************** ------------------------------ Subject: Re: the wreck of the arthur lee Date: Mon, 26 Aug 96 10:31:26 -0700 From: Tom Clark >He was most recently busted for shooting at a >ceiling in retaliation for neighbors complaining about noise. >Apparently, Lee has been suffering from Parkinson's disease and was >not taking his medication. Considering his affliction, he may have been aiming at the floor! -tc ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 13:31:06 -0500 From: "Gene Hopstetter, Jr." Subject: Hot US/Canada tour news! Just off the FireFly chat, from Robyn himself: "Bill [Bragg] and I are supposed to be doing a co-headline tour starting October 25th in Montreal. Toronto the 27th, Detroit the 29th, Chicago the 30th, Minneapolis November 1, Denver the 2nd, Seattle the 5th, Vancouver the 6th, SF the 8th, LA 9th, Atlanta the 12th, DC the 13th, New York the 14th, Philly the 15th, and Boston the 16th. This is as public as it's been made." +++++++++++++++++ Internet Publishing Specialist + Gene Hopstetter, Jr. + Cadmus Digital Solutions +++++++++++++++++ http://cjsinet.cadmus.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 14:09:19 -0500 From: "Gene Hopstetter, Jr." Subject: Robyn and the "Greasy Quiff" LP Here's some banter I had with Robyn during the FireFly chat about the "Greasy Quiff" LP, which Aiden described on 6/17/96 as "_Greasy Quiff_ was recorded in the early 1970s, by the 'Toby Jug & Washboard Band'. (TJ&W was an in-joke - whenever two or more CFC bands collaborated they used this name.) It featured a mob of rather duff folkies, including a young Mr Hitchcock, Mr Rew (allegedly - he isn't in the photo on the cover) and Nick Barraclough, later of Radio 2. Side A was a studio recording; side B was live at CFC. It is absolutely awful; only 99 were pressed and they were only sold at CFC gigs; because of this rarity, prices have gone up to silly money (US$1000-ish)." I asked: "Robyn, did you know that copies of "Greasy Quiff" LP are going for US$1000 a copy? Does that frighten you? Don't know how much "Jet Set Flyer" costs, though." Robyn sed: "I don't know what the Greasy Quiff LP is!" Then I sed:"Greasy Quiff" LP recorded in the early 70s by the Toby Jug & Washboard Band, only 99 were made. You're supposed to be on it." Robyn sed: "That sounds like a fake. I've never heard of Toby Jog and as far as I know, I'm not on it." Hmm, does anybody actually own this thing? Glad I didn't shell out US$1000 for it... +++++++++++++++++ Internet Publishing Specialist + Gene Hopstetter, Jr. + Cadmus Digital Solutions +++++++++++++++++ http://cjsinet.cadmus.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 16:34:35 -0400 (EDT) From: Bayard Subject: Re: Robyn and the "Greasy Quiff" LP According to Aidan, the rest of the boys admit to being on the record but Robyn "denies it if he possibly can". I've heard a small bit of both quiff and jet set flier and DON'T want to hear any more! (: Whoever's on it (it doesn't sound robynesque to me, FWIW), it's crappo. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 12:49:38 -0700 From: gondola@deltanet.com (E.B.) Subject: Arthur Lee wrecked again >"Arthur Lee, leader of the legendary '60s psychedelic band Love, has >been sentenced to eight years in prison. WHOA!!!!! Does anyone have further details? Is he already "inside?" EB ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 17:42:14 -0500 (EST) From: Tracy Aileen Copeland Subject: Re: Robyn and the "Greasy Quiff" LP On Mon, 26 Aug 1996, Gene Hopstetter, Jr. wrote: > Robyn sed: "I don't know what the Greasy Quiff LP is!" [...] "That sounds > like a fake." While I can't blame anyone for denying their involvement with _GQ_, why would someone bother to fake such a thing long before Hitchcock had any audience to speak of? I've been told that the other musicians who've played on them will shamefacedly fess up, but I haven't asked any of them myself ... > Hmm, does anybody actually own this thing? Yes. It's quite real, and exceeded in unlistenability only by _Jet Set Flier_. There's really no point in buying either one of them unless you're an absolutely rabid completist, in my opinion. Tracy "spiced and used to flavor drinks" Copeland ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 18:02:05 -0500 From: jojones@mailbox.syr.edu (John, Jacci, & Madison) Subject: more firefly stuff I was only on the chat for a moment or two--lots of lag, and my computer froze up, and I had to leave for a doctor appt. I did capture a bit of it. Did anyone log a copy of the entire chat? I would be interested in reading it. Keep in mind that these comments are in reverse order--it reads from end to beginning. ONe bit of info gleaned from this: Robyn has no plans to host or be on 120min these days, which is a shame. It has been truly boring for forever. But TV appearances are planned, most likely on Conan, eh? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-- (38 seconds ago) Indier: Robyn, somehwta bizarre question, but I recall hearing about you discovering a dead body on the beach in Rio while on a spring break trip sponsored by local bore radio station WHFS. Can you provide any details on this event? (50 seconds ago) Cryethorpe: don't worry you're not missing anything on 120min. Its all a load of dross crap. i've taped it recently tho hoping to catch a glimpse of any new video of yours. (51 seconds ago) Shawn7: Robyn, who is your favorite author? (53 seconds ago) bruce433: What prompted you to move out of the DC and Annapolis area? (57 seconds ago) HBrandt: Robyn...please tell us about the Jonathan Demme documentary project? (57 seconds ago) Evilla: Robyn, do you have plans to tour to promote "Moss Elixir"? We miss you here in 9:30 Club Country. (1 minute ago) anakin25: What's the thing you hate the most about the music field or the company's (record) you've been on ? (1 minute ago) Robyn_Hitchcock: Holt: If that's Jefferson, identify yourself with the names of your two dogs. (1 minute ago) boy_howdy: Robyn, why is it that so often on EPs and b-sides you have songs that are way better than certain tracks that make it onto your albums? "Ghost Ship" and "Watch Your Intelligence," and "Tell Me About Your Drugs," to name just three...those deserved better than to be buried that way. (2 minutes ago) Robyn_Hitchcock: figgy-- Yes. I'm talking to someone at a NEw York publishing company. And hope to finish a book of short stories next year. (2 minutes ago) Smiley:-): NE1 here know Hobbes? (3 minutes ago) Robyn_Hitchcock: Cryethorpe: No, but we may be doing some television in October. Wouldn't be surprised, but I don't even know what's on 120 Minutes tehse days. (3 minutes ago) Shawn7: Robyn, can you come to my birthday party? (4 minutes ago) Holt: Robyn - Any plans to work with REM again? (4 minutes ago) figgy!: Robyn - your liner notes are always a great read. Any chances of a book? Short Stories? (4 minutes ago) phish69: hey robyn whats up??, , (4 minutes ago) Cryethorpe: Robyn- do you have any plans to host or appear on MTV's 120 minutes programme? Your past appearances there have been memorable, and its been over 3 years since you last blessed their studios. (4 minutes ago) Robyn_Hitchcock: I think it's fine. I've received some interesting things of mine that I didn't know I'd done. The short answer re. more bootlegs is, I don't know,, but I'm sure more things will slip out. I don't like the term official bootleg though, either something's a bootleg or it's not. These are just tapes, we weren't even under contract when we did them. (5 minutes ago) Smiley:-): Hello....... Robyn are you related to Alferd Hitchcock? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 18:14:02 -0500 (CDT) From: sdodge@inforel.com (Susan Dodge) Subject: firefly and birdshead Ah yes, successful address transfer finally completed! Was in Seattle over the weekend, where I met up with fellow listmember Cynthia Petersen, who was an extremely cool person and excellent host (above and beyond the call of duty!) :). Best to you! I noticed that Morris Tepper had been playing in a club there on the 15th (alas, before my arrival)- does this mean he is not on the tour? If anyone knows anything about this, please share the wealth :). I was at the Firefly chat (I was LadyFuchsia, for anyone else who was there and might care :)), but alas do not have a transcript. I would very much like to see one, especially for the beginning of the chat as I was bout 25 minutes late in getting there. Finally, re: the Ukrainians- oh, that's nothing. Wednesday I was in a burrito joint and what comes over the radio but "Woolly Bully" in Spanish! with love from your favorite solipsist- Susan P.S. Love you too, Rex :). Thanks! P.P.S. Who is going to the Chicago show on October 30th? Please get in touch if you so desire and we can hang out before or after. Ditto for those going to see Jojo. See ya! Needless to say, anyone commuting from far-off parts is welcome to crash at my humble abode, but I'd have to make it a first-come, first-serve type deal as I have a pretty small apartment (and even smaller futon- make your reservations now, savvy travellers :)). And finally- P.P.P.S. What was that next to last song in part 2 of the Isle of Wight transcript and where might one obtain a copy thereof? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 18:24:15 -0500 (CDT) From: sdodge@inforel.com (Susan Dodge) Subject: Album poll Sorry to bother you all again, but I have clean forgotten who I was supposed to send the album poll votes to, so I'm sending them here. Your Humble Servant's Top Ten: Eye Underwater Moonlight IODOT Element of Light Fegmania Invisible Hits You and Oblivion (see, somebody DOES like it :)) Black Snake, Diamond Role Can of Bees Invisible Hitchcock What's the deadline for this poll? I'm eager to see the results. Susan who walks like Bo Diddley and needs no crutch ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Aug 96 17:23:00 -0800 From: Russ Reynolds Subject: August 23rd I think someone asked recently about the significance of August 23rd (as in August 23rd Music). Did anyone ever give an answer? A check of the pages of rock history shows the following: birthdays: KEITH MOON(1947), GENE KELLY(1912) events: JOHN LENNON marries Cynthia Powell (1962) BEATLES release "She Loves You" (1963) BEATLES "Help!" opens in theaters (1965) Last VELVET UNDERGROUND gig (1970) I somehow think the date has a stronger significance to Robyn Hitchcock than any of these events. His Dad's Birthday? Deathday? The day he signed with WB? Anybody know? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The End of this Fegmaniax Digest. *sob* .