From: owner-fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org (fegmaniax-digest) To: fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org Subject: fegmaniax-digest V7 #452 Reply-To: fegmaniax@smoe.org Sender: owner-fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk fegmaniax-digest Tuesday, December 8 1998 Volume 07 : Number 452 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Terry's Classical Question (long) [The Great Quail ] Re: best of 98 [Nur Gale ] Re: Terry's Classical Question (long) [Terrence M Marks ] whacking proggies... [Mark_Gloster@3com.com] Re: whacking proggies... [Eb ] Re: that classical stuff [amadain ] Re: holy doodoo! they updated it! ["Capitalism Blows" ] if you didn't get your fix with the feg trees... ["Capitalism Blows" ] Texas party.... [tanter ] Re: that classical stuff [Joel Mullins ] Re: Texas party.... [Joel Mullins ] Re: whacking proggies... [overbury@mustang.cn.ca] Re: allsortsastuff [james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 7 Nov 98 18:43:09 -0500 From: The Great Quail Subject: Terry's Classical Question (long) Hmm. I just re-read this letter over before I sent it, and I am ashamed to say that I went off the deep end. I apologize for the length; but I love classical music, and I just couldn't seem to end it! I will send this NOW, before I rewrite it and add twelve more pages of Wagner, Wagner, Wagner. . . >And incidentally, what sort of classical music do you-all reccomend? Oh, Terrence . . . thou hast the can of worm openeth. Seriously, though, that's a hefty question. The world of classical is sooo varied. What are you looking for in your classical music? If you want to pony up specifics, I'd be glad to help -- I'm actually fairly good at match music up with people's tastes. But since you said "classical" I will take you at face value, and skip the postmoderns and minimalists, from Cage to Glass to Tan Dun. That's a whole different ball of wax -- and I only omit it ruefully. (But is saying that, I would like to agree with Capuchin that Gorecki is almost necessary.) I will also omit Opera (Oh! Wagner, my Teutonic God, I am sorry!) and all the difficult Modern Music based on Schoenberg, that lovely stuff that Eb is currently digging. (Eb! Try Berg's "Violin Concerto.") All of these omissions are sinful, but I grok that you are currently more concerned with the standard idea of classical, right? So, my recommendations for basic "classical" music: Beethoven -- First and Foremost!!! Beethoven is one of the true geniuses of all music, any time, any place. His music is so filled with emotion and passion -- and not the shlocky syrup of Tchaikovsky, no; Ol' Louie Van B. could write music that justs flood your heart with so much real, genuine passion that I am amazed it doesn't take you apart molecule by molecule and compeltely rebuild you. It didn't matter if it was a lone piano, a string quartet, or a whole symphony; he simply mastered the form and pulled miracles from it. I recommend anything, but especially Symphonies 3,5, and 8; His "named" piano sonatas ("Moonlight, Appassionata, Pathetique, Waldstein, Tempest & Hammerklavier"), and my favorite, the "Kreutzer" sonata (for violin and piano.) His String Quartets set the standard for that medium, and his piano concerti simply rock. Mozart -- Another genius, of course, but not quite as *passionate* or intense as Beethoven. Mozart is more of a clever boy, able to do things with melodies and instrumentation and voices that astonish the mind and really make you glad to be alive. His operas are, in my opinion, his most rewarding music, but his Requiem is pretty impressive as well. (Although Beethoven's symphonies are much more rewarding than Wolfie's, Symphonies 40 and 41 are popular favorites.) Try "Marriage of Figaro," and "Don Giovanni" for a pair of amazing operas, and his great and slightly controversial Requiem is mandatory, so buy it now, or my little quail minions will stack all your Moneys CD's into a ladder and peck you in your sleep. Bach -- the other member of the Big Three. Bach is technically Baroque, not Classical, but what the hell. Bach is pure math set to music and raised to the level of angels. Very very spiritual; when I die and go to Heaven (uh-huh, right) the gates will burst open with an explosion of Bach. I recommend any of the Brandenberg Concerti; but the Mass in B Minor is simply breathtaking. Now, let's advance the clock a bit, skipping Wagner, another favorite of mine but a bloke who wrote only complex operas that cost zillions of dollars to buy because they are longer than fifteen Merchant Ivory films laid side to side. . . . We come to: Bartok -- a "modern" but one who stuck to classical forms -- he just jazzed it up a bit in his old Transylvanian way. Bartok is the real "King Crimson" of classical. Indeed, Bartok is Fripp's favorite composer and it shows in many of his 70s guitar excursions. His music is very intricate and surprising, punctuated by dissonance and bursts of frenzy, and often settling down to groove with very lovely folk-based melodies. Not "easy listening" at all, and takes a while to get used to, but very intellectually rewarding. I recommend his String Quartets, especially No. 3. Shostakovich -- Again, a modern composer, but one who worked primarily in classical forms. Shostakovich is probably the greatest composer of this century; oppressed by Stalin and experincing WWII first hand, he made some of the most heartfelt and shocking music I have ever heard. There is life, vibrancy, and blood in every line of his music -- from the frenetic and dissonance of his warlike marches to the heart-raking sorrow of his slower movements. His String Quartets are the best example of string quartets since Beethoven, and his symphonies are masterworks that hit you hard on all levels: emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. I recommend his String Quartets (especially No. 8 and No. 15), Symphony No. 5, 7, and 8; and his Violin Concerto -- one of my favorite pieces of music. Also: Stravinsky -- Classical's Picasso, modern music wouldn't be the same without him. Try "The Rite of Spring;" what you think of that piece is pretty much a litmus test. Those who love it are ready for Modern music, those who hate it better stick with Brahms. Debussy -- Gentle, whole-tone Debussy. His almost ambient style takes a while to get used to, but patience is rewarded with such *beautiful* music. Ravel, Fauvre, and Rameau are also similar. (Frogs!) And: If you really want fun, accessible music that is actually quite good despite being considered less than serious by snobs, try these two old warhorses: Holst's "The Planets" -- John Williams learned everything he knows from good ol' Gustav. You just simply cannot dislike this suite of symphonic pieces! Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" -- Hell, try the real *or* the ELP version. Avoid, in my opinion, these popular favorites: Brahms: A backwards-looking second-rate Beethoven. Most of his work is either boring or derivative. Tchaikovsky: Some folks LOVE him, but I think he is way too simple, and his music is so transparently emotional, like Hallmark Cards or Hans Zimmer. Haydn: He was great, yes, but Mozart blew him out of the water, so go right to Mozart. Um, sorry for being so verbose, and good luck. I will gladly offer you any more advice or suggestions! And by the way, if you are going to buy a classical CD, it's always a good idea to get advice or check the Penguin Guide. There are so many versions out there, and the difference between a good version and a poorer one is tremendous. Unless of course it's Brahms; then they all suck. - --Quail PS: OK, I can't do it. Sorry. I must write more. Here's a VERY brief guide to contemporary music with some good introductions: Minimalism: Philip Glass -- Warm, living crystalline beauty. Start with "Glassworks" and "Songs form the Trilogy" Steve Reich -- The sound of the interlocking machineries of life. Try "Music for 18 Musicans." Terry Riley -- Intricate, spry, spiritual music. Try "Cadenza on the Night Plain" Post-Minimalism: John Adams -- A less minimal, more romantic Philip Glass. "Violin Concerto" or "Harmonielehre." Henryk Gorecki -- Sorrowful music from the heart, builds like an unstoppable revelation. Try "Symphony No. 3" Gavin Bryars -- Quiet, subtle, beautiful music with a slightly jazzy feel. Try "Between the National and the Bristol" Post-modernism: Tan Dun -- A dazzling and completely original synthesis of Asian and Western music. Try "Ghost Opera" or "Out of Peking Opera." Michael Dougherty -- An American joker. Try "Metropolis Symphony," based on Superman. Alfred Schnittke -- The heir to Shostakovich. Try "Collected String Quartets" or "Viola Concerto." Very emotional and slightly "difficult." Luciano Berio -- Italian wizard, friend of Umberto Eco, uses electronic effects. Try "Sinfonietta" for a pomo Babel of music unlike anything you've ever experienced. Various Contemporary: Christopher Rouse -- Heavy American Metal, influenced by Led Zeppelin and Shostakovich. Try "Trombone Concerto" or "Symphony No. 1" James MacMillan -- Scottish Romantic with a taste for dissonance. Try "The Bezerking" piano concerto. Gyorgy Ligeti -- Master of many forms, and a bit spooky. Try his haunting and very unsettling "Requeim," used in "2001 A Space Odyssey." Sir Peter Maxwell Davies -- English psychedelia, now settling down in his old age. Try "The Devils" or "The Lighthouse" for a real head trip. Stephen Albert -- American Romantic and Joycean. Try "Symphony Riverrun" for an example of how an old form can still express beauty and delight and yet sound thoroughly modern. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Great Quail, Keeper of the Libyrinth: http://www.rpg.net/quail/libyrinth "Countlessness of livestories have netherfallen by this plage, flick as flowflakes, litters from aloft, like a waast wizzard all of whirlworlds. Now are all tombed to the mound, isges to isges, erde from erde . . . (Stoop) if you are abcedminded, to this claybook, what curious of signs (please stoop) in this allaphbed! Can you rede (since We and Thou had it out already) its world? . . . Speak to us of Emailia!" --James Joyce, Finnegans Wake ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Dec 1998 18:52:36 -0500 (EST) From: Bayard Subject: holy doodoo! they updated it! ok, nothing really new, but they did at least change the look. http://wbr.com/robynhithcock they still have that ghastly message board. i did find this there though: (let me know if you have any further info on this) On 10/15/98 08:59 Lia Quetu wrote: I believe the Robyn album you are all searching for is called, Globe of Mellow Cheese, a transitional work in which Robyn pitted his then sassy Egyptians against an upstart backing band he'd seen at a local Laser Tag bar, Chilli Jesus Frieze. The tracking of the album alternates between songs by Robyn alone, Robyn with the Egyptians and Robyn with Chilli Jesus Frieze. The latter pickup group shines on "My Alternative Waistband and The Horse it Rode In On," while the Egyptians all but stagger through ELO reduxes like "There's an Eye in My Soup" and "How's Your Denim, Elliott?" Robyn alone of course steals his own show with "Sieve With a Face" and the folky "Don't Step There, It's a Headstone, Not a Rock!" __________________________________________________ On 10/15/98 04:59 Mosscat wrote: > Can't think of any RH song featuring croaking frogs - it could however have been a song called 'Charlton Heston' by an Irish band called Stump - which is basically a rhythm track of croaking frogs and 'rubber band' bass along with a list of old testament style ramblings punctuated by the chorus 'And Charlton Heston put his Vest On' . It was on their second album which I think was released on Ensign/Chrysalis 1989/199 0 time. __________________________________________________ On 10/09/98 19:08 Cynthia wrote: > Very late one night I was listening to the radio, dazing in and out ... when I heard this strange tune featuring the sounds of frogs croaking and other assorted noises. I thought I heard this attributed to Robyn Hitchcock and crew. Tonight I bought the "greatest hits" CD because I noticed a song mentioning frogs. I listened to this song, but heard no frogs. Was I dreaming this "frog" serenade? Do I have the wrong band? Did I waste my money on this CD? Please email the response, if possible. Cheers, Cynthia in Buffal ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Dec 1998 16:17:20 -0800 From: Nur Gale Subject: Re: best of 98 > > > And incidentally, what sort of classical music do you-all reccomend? hmmmm.... Dolph mentioned Arvo Part whose early material is wonderful... especially Tabula Rasa and Missere, but his subsequent releases have been a let down for me. Right now, i'm into a big Henryk Gorecki phase... check out his 3rd Symphony. Especially the Electra Nonesuch release with Dawn Upshaw singing soprano. Utterly breathtaking. My fave for jazz with classical leaning is Jan Garbarek's new release Rites (Europe only... US release due in February). Garbarek has been dormant for about 4 years, and this is definitely his magnum opus and well deserving of the wait. Then in World Music, "As Night Falls on the Silk Road" by Ghazal (persian and indian improvisations by Kayhan Kalhor and Shujat Khan... the latter the son of Ustad Vilayat Khan and the hottest sitarist on the circuit) is outstanding and permanently located in my CD. One of my top 10 CDs for the 1990s. pax, nur np: Kitil Bjornstad, The Sea (w/ Terje Rypdal on some ripping guitar) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Dec 1998 19:34:10 -0500 (EST) From: Terrence M Marks Subject: Re: Terry's Classical Question (long) > Seriously, though, that's a hefty question. The world of classical is > sooo varied. What are you looking for in your classical music? Well, a number of things. I've picked up a few classical things in the past, and generally wasn't too pleased with them, apart from Debussy. Bach's harpsichord work (Goldberg variations[1], well-tempered clavier) just seems too wanky. I picked up Tchaikovsky's "Pikovaya Dama" (yep. in Russian) and gave up after three discs. I'm probably going to give that one away to the Russian dept. here. 1: The liner notes, read after I bought it, basically presented it as "they found the best keyboard-player in Germany and tried to write something he couldn't play, then got him to play it" which makes it sound like it's the root of everything that's wrong with prog. I picked up the Funk & Wagnall's Family Library of Great Music 22-disc set (there was a 3-for-a-dollar sale and I could either get classical, bad 70s or bad 50s.) The Hadyn disc (Surprise Symphony #94 in G) seems interesting so far, but I haven't listened to much, and the rest of it seems kinda samey. It's like I'm listening to it and then half-an-hour later I'm like "Is this thing still playing?". I'm willing to write this off as a bad set and try to find the composers' works elsewhere. (I'd tell you about the rest of what I got, but it's mostly either early 80s stuff that's mostly normal or percussion jazz, which isn't really that popular or interesting, apart from Provacative Percussion 1. Well, I did get a 2-album set of "Tennessee Ernie Ford sings hymns that all sound like 'Amazing Grace'" or something like that. And a Rod McKuen spoken-word album that any of you can have in exchange for shipping costs. And Cat Steven's "Numbers" album. If I had any expectations for Cat Stevens, I would've lowered them after hearing that.) Also, I'm working on a comic strip, and I'd like give one of the characters decent taste in classical music, and she's the pre-impressionist type. (My tastes in classical music run towards impressionism.) (And not Beethoven. Beethoven in comic strips has been done.) > Now, let's advance the clock a bit, skipping Wagner, another favorite of > mine but a bloke who wrote only complex operas that cost zillions of > dollars to buy because they are longer than fifteen Merchant Ivory films > laid side to side. . . . Yeah. I'm willing to skip both opera and expensive things. Thanks to all of you for your help. I'll probably spend a few hours in the music library checking most of these guys out. Incidentally, do the Classical Music Guides generally have good or bad things to say about Tomita's work? (or is he even listed?) Only 8 more days until Beethoven's birthday. Terrence Marks normal@grove.ufl.edu np. Grieg, Piano Concerto in Am ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Dec 1998 19:00:14 -0600 From: "Gene Hopstetter, Jr." Subject: Plush, Ralph, Twee, and Rufus >From: Zloduska >Subject: Did someone say PLUSH?! [snip mondo Plush/Liam Hayes info] Thanks for the mondo Plush/Liam Hayes info! I'll pick up that other 7-inch, too. >From: Eb [snip Ralph Internet auction] Yikes, those Ralph collectors are as bad Proggies (I can say that, 'cause I've been both at one time or another). Good thing I held on to that "Man's World" 7-incher -- I could sell it and retire. >Still, Gene used the word "twee," [to describe Plush] which again scares >me off a bit. I don't blame you. But I was using "twee" in the lush, voluptuous, Brian Wilson sorta way, not the cute, trendy, "Hey, We're Cute Girls In The NME Band Of The Week" way. Twee, naff, frog-strangling, they're all so confusing; guess I'd better polish up on my RockCrit jargon. But it is a great album. Recorded very well, too, I think. For some reason, I imagine him playing his piano on a rolling hill on the coast of Wales when I listen to it, which is a shame, because I know that in reality it was probably recorded in Steve Albini's sweaty little dungeon/recording studio. But the Plush album does make me want to buy Rufus' album, 'cause I'm enjoying the Guy and His Piano thing now. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Dec 1998 17:13:47 -0800 From: Mark_Gloster@3com.com Subject: whacking proggies... Y'kno, whacking proggies is great for fun, profit, and laughs, but I still remember fondly wasting some of my youth while listening to the grand large big huge bigness of early Yes, ELP, and Genesis. The greatest drummer in all of Nevada (oooh ahhh!) named his van "Tarkus." I still would consider myself a big fan of the early stuff. I also think that Genesis, despite its changes has continued to work positively for their art, even though it hasn't been terribly progressive. Of course, that was all before Love Beach and Tourmato: albums which predicted and acted out the demise of progressive music. These two albums made the diet copycats of themselves seem substantial. Bands like Styx and Kansas suddenly seemed like they had an intelligent voice, even at times when they did not. Certainly less successful bands were able to continue making music in their idiom, but for the most part prog rock began a very painful death in about '78. I think punk music made us all a bit more self-conscious of squidgy, foofy thinking (see "Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there). Lyrics took on more immediate importance to music, and it made me think a bit more critically about justifiable art and why are there vocals if the words suck, etc. The ultimate exception for me is King Crimson. Every time they do anything, they throw out their preconceptions of what to do and then they go all the way into it. Sometimes it makes Shoenberg seem melodic. Sometimes it is highly cacophonous. It is always intense. For me, they are the band that has come closest to the ideal of progressive music: the have continued to move forward and challenged themselves and their audience to go places that are never comfortable or easy. Seeing them live is seeing the best of the best do things that nobody else can do. They are also things that most people wouldn't necessarily choose to do if they could. Also, there are many bands that are clearly _not_ prog rock, but have obvious proggy roots: Cure, Loud Family, Depeche Mode (wouldn't exist without Pink Floyd), Shark Foster and Fib Blubber Marx, etc. (Think about it before sending that flame.) That is my selective defense of prog rock. I'll go back to work. Happies, - -markg A man of many hats. Most of them have bells, but some have propellers. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Dec 1998 18:07:46 -0800 From: Eb Subject: Re: whacking proggies... Mark: >Of course, that was all before Love Beach and Tormato: albums which >predicted and acted out the demise of progressive music. >Certainly less successful bands were able to continue >making music in their idiom, but for the most part prog rock began a very >painful death in about '78. While Love Beach and Tormato were omens (and certainly the end of ELP and Yes as creatively respectable artists), I've always contended that the coffin lid was abruptly slammed on prog-rock with the arrival of the vapid, monster-selling Asia debut (released in 1980, I believe?). The fact that one album could announce the sell-out betrayal of so many prog-rock superstars at once totally crippled whatever sustenance was left in the movement. Prog never recovered -- it's been strictly a cult item ever since. Of course, the advent of punk in 1977-1978 was a factor, too. >The ultimate exception for me is King Crimson. Every time they do anything, >they throw out their preconceptions of what to do and then they go all the >way into it. Sometimes it makes Shoenberg seem melodic. Sometimes it is >highly cacophonous. It is always intense. For me, they are the band that >has come closest to the ideal of progressive music: the have continued to >move forward and challenged themselves and their audience to go places that >are never comfortable or easy. True enough. 18 years ago today, Eb ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Dec 1998 20:29:04 -0600 From: amadain Subject: Re: that classical stuff >That kind of thing. Steer clear of the high romantics, though >(Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Liszt, Spandau Ballet etc). Tchaikovsky is ANNOYING! For once, I have to agree with Quail's opinion on something (don't be alarmed, I'm sure it won't happen again for another 50 years). You nailed it, TGQ. Tchaikovsky is classical music for people who don't actually like music. Now, I really really like Chopin. He's one of those "high romantics" you're dissing, right? Well, he shouldn't be. You're going to tell me you hate Chopin's Ballade in F Minor? How can you hate such a lovely thing? I'd also recommend Scriabin, as he is wonderful and mad and great and I love him to pieces. Piano Sonata No. 1 is a good starter. I personally love a lot of more modern stuff, really dig Aaron Copland, worship "Le Boeuf Sur Le Toit", and dig dig dig Mussorgsky's "Pictures At An Exhibition", the piano one (much more than the seemingly more popular orchestrated version) but probably this is more modern than what Terry is looking for for the character he describes. Love on ya, Susan ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Dec 1998 18:21:26 PST From: "Capitalism Blows" Subject: Re: holy doodoo! they updated it! "lia quetu" is clearly "the quail" in some language. which language, i do not know. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Dec 1998 18:32:37 PST From: "Capitalism Blows" Subject: if you didn't get your fix with the feg trees... firstly, i apologize to all those fegs who are also on the dan bern list, and will be having to see this for the jillionth time. but, dan is playing three "experimental wednesdays" at a bar in new york city this month. dan, duke mcvinnie, martha wainright (did i spell that wright?), and "merle," the drum machine. the first one was last week, and was by all accounts, smashing. included a new, ten minute song which some are calling dan's Visions Of Johanna. anyways, a guy with a $7,000 recording setup is taping all of them, and has kindly offered to tree them up. i have selfishly offered to administer the tree. knowing there are many dan fans hereabouts, i thought i'd mention it. if you'd like to participate, mail me (not bayard!) the following: - --name - --e-mail addy - --branch or leaf - --format you'd like to receive - --if branching, format(s) you're willing to copy to ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Dec 1998 18:58:24 -0800 From: Carrie Galbraith Subject: Re: that classical stuff At 6.29 PM -0800 12/8/98, amadain wrote: >Now, I really really like Chopin. He's one of those "high romantics" you're >dissing, right? Well, he shouldn't be. You're going to tell me you hate >Chopin's Ballade in F Minor? How can you hate such a lovely thing? Definately Chopin. Well, if you asked me, I'd say that these have been excellent suggestions, but overlooking the chorale work that is out there. Mozarts Requiem is a good example.. But when it's all said and done, there will only be Bach. I am particulary fond of the Passion of St. Matthew. My god what a beautiful piece! When you are ready and open to it, listen to some opera. (Yes, Quail, I am in agreement about Wagner). Who can listen to Puccinis' La Boheme and not help but wipe a tear from their eye as Mimi dies? See it live at least once. It's one of the few indulgences I allow myself now that I'm an adult and make my own money - season tickets to the San Francisco Opera. For years I went "stand-up" to the opera (el cheapo but rather grueling in some 5 hour extraveganza). The other music I listen to more than rock (and its myriad of genres) and opera is "Early music" (and I'm not talking Gregorian chants here). Anytime anyonw wants some suggestions in this area, just give a holler. Be Seeing You, - - Carrie "Questions are a burden for others. Answers are a prison for oneself." **************************************************************************** M.E.Ketone/C.Galbraith meketone@ix.netcom.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 09 Dec 1998 21:03:58 -0500 From: tanter Subject: Texas party.... won't happen. Not enough feggies around/interested. Maybe in the late spring, memorial day time...? Marcy :( ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Dec 1998 21:01:46 -0800 From: Joel Mullins Subject: Re: that classical stuff > Well, if you asked me, I'd say that these have been excellent suggestions, > but overlooking the chorale work that is out there. Mozarts Requiem is a > good example.. I'll agree with this. I love chorale music. Check out John Rutter's Gloria and Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms. - --Joel ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 08 Dec 1998 21:17:12 -0800 From: Joel Mullins Subject: Re: Texas party.... tanter wrote: > > won't happen. Not enough feggies around/interested. Maybe in the late > spring, memorial day time...? What's this? A feg party in Texas? Great! I'm interested and should be around. Keep me updated. =Joel ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Dec 1998 22:11:49 +0000 From: overbury@mustang.cn.ca Subject: Re: whacking proggies... Eb (the Golden Fog) observed: > While Love Beach and Tormato were omens (and certainly the end of ELP and > Yes as creatively respectable artists), I've always contended that the > coffin lid was abruptly slammed on prog-rock with the arrival of the vapid, > monster-selling Asia debut (released in 1980, I believe?). The fact that > one album could announce the sell-out betrayal of so many prog-rock > superstars at once totally crippled whatever sustenance was left in the > movement. Prog never recovered -- it's been strictly a cult item ever since. That's when I thought I got off the bus. King Crimson, as previously noted, is the surviving exception. But what about XTC? Don't tell me "Millions" isn't progressive! And "River of Orchids"? Proggies gotta love that! It's not all that far from Gentle Giant, now is it? The death of so many prog bands was their refusal to progress, no? ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 9 Dec 1998 17:14:40 +1300 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: Re: allsortsastuff >Don't forget "I don't know how to stop" by Peter Gabriel oh the shame. Blame tiredness. The title is, of course, "No Self Control". >I have been managing by starting EE separately, then copying the equations >into Word, but that is hardly satisfactory. Any ideas? I suppose saying "Use Claris" would be facetious... > And incidentally, what sort of classical music do you-all reccomend? Dvorak, Bartok (especially for King Crimson fans), Smetana, the two Schu's - - the man and his brother Bert - Holst, Elgar, Bach (JS), Mahler, and just about any Russian composer from 1880-1920. Plus many of the modern classical minimalists: Glass, Budd, Reich, Riley, Bryars. Throw in Copeland, Villa-Lobos and (although I don't think he's truly 'Classical') Gershwin for good measure. >If any of you are waiting for one more recommendation before you >spring for Monday's Lunch, here it is. I second that - the bouncing finned one has produced some great songs here, and also Dolph's great CD. Any of you worried from earlier comments that it might sound overly overtly Christian: if you can stand Bruce Cockburn, you can stand Dolph. Both of these CDs are fine, fine music >In addition to getting Dolph's, James' and Mark's CDs, you ough to also >get The Favorite Color's "Color out of Space" (which I, unfortunately, >don't know the order info for). if that's me you're referring to, thanks for the comments, but it's just a tape from me... I haven't got the technyulogicality for CDs... yet. Also many thanks and a big "aw shucks" to Mark for his comments. >> I'm not sure what "Middle Eastern wiggle thing" Eb is referring to re. the >> XTC demos, as that description only seems to fit one song that I can think >> of. (Personally, I think it's about time they started exploring other >> types of music besides Ye Olde Beatles/Beach Boys/Kinks quirky pop thing, >> but that's just me...) well, they've been doing that for years as well... you need to hear some of their album tracks from albums past: "Deliver us from the elements" anyone? James PS - some sad recent deaths, but not celebrity big enough celebrities for you to have heard of them probably. But maybe some of you knew of them... RIP Morten Skjefte - founder of the Church mailing list "Seance" RIP Aaron Hopa - Waikato rugby player RIP Ian Gunn - stalwart member of Australian science fiction fandom ------------------------------ End of fegmaniax-digest V7 #452 *******************************