From: owner-fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org (fegmaniax-digest) To: fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org Subject: fegmaniax-digest V9 #56 Reply-To: fegmaniax@smoe.org Sender: owner-fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk fegmaniax-digest Sunday, March 5 2000 Volume 09 : Number 056 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: surprising statistic [Eb ] RH b-day ["Justin Manuel" ] eb all over the world ["FukStik 2000" ] Mail Order Happiness [Michael Wolfe ] [vtsusan@earthlink.net: more about RH & Paul McCartney tribute] [woj sven] Bram [MARKEEFE@aol.com] A blatant promotion of a favorite unsigned band (Terrence content 50%) [T] A blatant promotion of a favorite unsigned band (Terrence content 50%) [T] Storefront screenings ["FukStik 2000" ] in case you missed it ["FukStik 2000" ] laughs all over the world [Eb ] Re: more about Paul McCartney tribute (plus XTC news) [steve Subject: Re: surprising statistic >Eb wrote: >> On February 11th, 2000, Pet Sounds was certified as a Gold seller by >> the RIAA. In *February, 2000*! > >Pet Sounds or the Pet Sounds sesssions box? Pet Sounds! Eb ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 03 Mar 2000 18:18:14 PST From: "Justin Manuel" Subject: RH b-day March 3rd is Robyn Hitchcock's birthday! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 03 Mar 2000 22:39:39 PST From: "FukStik 2000" Subject: eb all over the world somebody asked this in an interview. the cbc realtime interview, i'm thinking? anyhow, apparently robyn and michele celebrate a lot of anniversaries, and august 23rd is one of them. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 04 Mar 2000 06:15:09 +0000 (GMT) From: Michael Wolfe Subject: Mail Order Happiness Okay, I got A Star For Bram on Tuesday, and I got Storefront Hitchcock today. Neat. First, Storefront. Goddamn MGM. Vivisection's to good for 'em. The poor thing's an utter chop job. Hello? A director's commentary? A Robyn commentary? How cool would that be! Not today, though. Extra songs (the missing I Got a Message absolutely LEAPS to mind) would have been keen. The sleeve promises 4 songs written for the movie, yet with Storm Lantern MIA, I only count 3. They can't even get their own damn facts straight. Just a shitty menu, subtitles and -- get this -- it's not even widescreen -- letterboxed, anamorphic, or otherwise!! Who does MGM think is going to buy this? A bunch of idiots who only want 75% of a movie? Damnit. It cuts out my favorite part, where Tim peers through the storefront window during 1974. You just see the edge of his head. Fucking Ted Turner could have colorized Double Indemnity and I wouldn't have been quite so pissed off. Well, I guess the bright side is that the film gets saved for posterity, and in lieu of actual distribution (another middle finger for MGM), everyone (more or less) who wants to see it has a reasonable means of doing so now. Or at least, the middle 3/4's. Jerks. I swear, it's like cutting away the Mona Lisa except for her smile. That's the important part, right? *sigh* Okay, deep breaths. I'm glad that I own it. It's a good movie. There... Must... end... on a... positive note. The news on the Bram front is much better. Quite a satisfying effort, in my opinion. General observations, and then initial impressions on tracks: *Not quite as lush as Jewels. Nor is the mix of songs as satisfying, in my opinion -- it's more heavily weighted towards mid- and up-tempo numbers. Which makes sense, if this is what was "left over". *That said, the individual tracks are all quite strong (with one or two exceptions, see below). This is no You & Oblivion, in my opinion (and speaking as one who's not terribly fond of Y&O). *Jon Brion has really interesting ideas w/r/t percussion, and rhythm sections in general. I think I like them a lot. The upright acoustic base that's so prominent on this album is a natural companion to Robyn's superlative acoustic playing. *Nice production design. Especially for a self release. It's cool to have it next to Jewels, and for it to really be a companion album. The tracks: Daisy Bomb -- I don't know what all y'all are complaining about. I really dig this one. The female harmonies really make it for me. It seems like such a simple tune with an almost inane time signature at first, but then the interupting chorus and the fuzzy guitar. Finally Robyn brings it all home with the beautiful Daisy Bomb refrain. Neat. Might even be my second favorite song on the disc. I Saw Nick Drake -- I like the orchestration for this song a lot, and how Tim's guitar takes the bass part for the middle third of the song. It also follows DB very well. However, each guitar part is essentially only one measure repeated and repeated, and it gets kind of monotonous. Adoration of the City -- I first heard this on the GAMH 1998 recording, and I wasn't too impressed. Seemed a little repetitive (as Nick Drake still does). Then I heard it on this most recent tour, and began to warm to it a bit as more instruments were added. Now I'm all over it with this album version. The horns do it, big time. I might even add a bit more horn. Robyn sounds soulful, and by jing, it suits him. 1974 -- This is great. I thought that this song was written for more instrumentation since the first time I heard it (sense a pattern?). The best part, though, is that the late psychedelic sound suits perfectly the period that he's singing about. Neat. I Wish I Liked You -- The lyrics could use a bit more in the way of invention, yeah. But the blues don't require the trickiest rhyme schemes, anyway. Someone said it sounded like an Invisible Hitchcock outtake, but I don't agree. It sounds a bit like Star of Hairs, I guess, and Robyn isn't often doing the blues, so yeah, it would be well suited to an album of misfits. But I think the segue from 1974 is rather smooth. Anyway, the subject matter is great for a blues piece -- the bitter, accusatory lyrics somehow seem perfect for a form that has more often been used in the service of self-loathing and self pity. Again, the simple, throbbing bass drum is a really interesting and pleasing choice for percussion. Nietzche's Way -- I like this song a lot. The melody's great. But for once, I'm not sure Brion does this one justice. I'm not entirely convinced that there isn't a better version of this one that hasn't yet been recorded. The drum fill is great, but, like, a bitchin' electric guitar has to kick in after it or something. The lyrics are great in any case. Philosopher's Stone -- Fan-ta-stic! I loved this song the first time I heard it, and this version is everything that I'd hoped for. The only thing that I think might be even better is adding a sitar and tablas. That'd be really cool. But yeah, I'm quite likely to skip back to the beginning of this track once it's finished. The Green Boy -- This one hasn't made much of an impression on me yet. It sounds ever so vaguely like something David Bowie might do, which is an interesting direction for Robyn. Judas Sings (Jesus and Me) -- Wouldn't be at all out of place on Respect, which is just fine with me. In fact, I'd say that it fits better on Respect than some songs on Respect do. I love those lyrics, too. His voice sounds great, and this is one of the most interesting melodies he's written in a long time. Antwoman (Dub) -- Not terribly offensive, as these things go. But I don't listen to music to simply be "not offended." An early frontrunner in the sweepstacks for song most likely to cause me to grope around for the stereo remote. I Used To Love You -- Nice to hear a piano piece, certainly. This one doesn't do much for me, though. Pretty good. Nothing I'd skip over, certainly. The Underneath -- I dig this one. The instrumentation reminds me strongly of Sleater-Kinney, of all things. The lyrics are first rate. Is it about a backing band/session musicians? That's sort of my guess, but it feels kind of like its a subject of slightly more import from the tone of the song. Good stuff in any case. Sits right next to Elizabeth Jade. Well, anyway. That's my (long-winded) take on it. This post has been brought to you by the number 7 and the letter "E" and a half bottle of Canyon Road 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon. Good night. - -Michael Wolfe ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2000 10:03:01 -0500 From: woj sven-woj Subject: [vtsusan@earthlink.net: more about RH & Paul McCartney tribute] - ----- Forwarded message from Susan Townsend ----- Date: Fri, 03 Mar 2000 19:43:23 -0800 Subject: more about RH & Paul McCartney tribute From: Susan Townsend To: Hi, >From Q Magazine Online (http://www.qonline.co.uk/news/default.asp?mode=link&ref=1899) An 18-track Paul McCartney tribute album boasting an impressive selection of artists is due for release later this year. Launch.com reports that the as-yet-untitled long player will feature renditions of McCartney's solo output from Brian Wilson (a version of Dear John) Squeeze (Junior's Farm) and Foo Fighters (Jet). XTC team up with John Cleese for a version of Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey while Robyn Hitchcock is to duet with Mary Hopkins on Goodbye, the song that McCartney wrote for Hopkins in 1969. The track listing to date is as follows: Owsley Band on the Run Foo Fighters Jet Neil Finn - tbc XTC (with John Cleese) - Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey Ben Folds Five - Listen To What The Man Said Fountains Of Wayne - Baby's Request Squeeze - Junior's Farm Brian Wilson with the Wondermints - Dear Boy Barenaked Ladies - Junk Matthew Sweet - Every Night The Merrymakers - No More Lonely Nights Sloan - Waterfalls John Faye Power Trip - Coming Up or World Tonight They Might Be Giants - Ram On The Interpreters - Maybe I'm Amazed Echo & The Bunnymen - My Love Robyn Hitchcock & Mary Hopkins - Goodbye World Party - Teddy Boy - ----- End forwarded message ----- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2000 11:35:58 EST From: MARKEEFE@aol.com Subject: Bram A star for Robyn, I say! And a smiley face and a lollipop, too :-) I got my copy yesterday and have only had the chance to give it one listen, but I'm taking it with me to Santa Fe for a long weekend and will listen to it several more times there. Anyway. It's great!! If you haven't ordered yours yet, you're crazy. I'm fairly certain that I'll come to regard this album as more than just a collection of out-takes or as the dorky younger brother of "Jewels." I think it's leagues better than other categorically similar albums like "Mossy Liquor" or "Groovy Decoy." After only one listen, I don't have too much to say about the individual songs, but I can tell you that I liked all of them (with the possible exception of "I Don't Dream of Dubwoman"; I share Michael Wolfe's sentiments on that one). Oh, and I *really* liked "1974," which surprised the heck out of me, because I've *really* disliked it in the past. Go buy Bram now!! :-) - -----Michael K. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2000 12:33:19 -0500 From: The Great Quail Subject: A blatant promotion of a favorite unsigned band (Terrence content 50%) No! Not the Cure, Rush, or even Oasis! Some of you may remember my talking about PopCanon, a small band from Gainesville, Florida. The Libyrinth promotes them heavily, because they have weirdly literate songs about people like Pynchon, Joyce, Borges, Eco, Coover, Derrida, and others. They sound a bit like an unholy union between They Might Be Giants, XTC, Camper Van Beethoven, and a bus crash between a ska and klezmer band. Anyway, they are going on a small tour of the Eastern states, where they are basically opening for other bands. I really dig these guys, and they pretty much have "Fegband" written all over them. Their schedule is: Saturday 4 March at the Galaxy Hut, Arlington VA Sunday 5 March at Pontiac Grill, Philadelphia PA Tuesday 7 March at the Spiral Lounge, NYC Wednesday 8 March at the Velvet Lounge, Washington DC Thursday 9 March at The Rawbar, Wilmington (Wrightsville Bch) NC Friday 10 March at Caledonia, Athens GA Saturday 11 March at the Club, Duluth GA And you can read more about them at: http://www.libyrinth.com/joyce/music/pop_canon.html Anyway, I just thought I'd mention . . . I personally will be at the NYC show. If anyone does check them out, let them know that the Quail sent you from the Feg List. I would love to rope them into a "Grooving on an Inner Plane" for Gess Flush Fore! - --Quail ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2000 13:09:58 -0500 From: The Great Quail Subject: A blatant promotion of a favorite unsigned band (Terrence content 50%) No! Not the Cure, Rush, or even Oasis! Some of you may remember my talking about PopCanon, a small band from Gainesville, Florida. The Libyrinth promotes them heavily, because they have weirdly literate songs about people like Pynchon, Joyce, Borges, Eco, Coover, Derrida, and others. They sound a bit like an unholy union between They Might Be Giants, XTC, Camper Van Beethoven, and a bus crash between a ska and klezmer band. Anyway, they are going on a small tour of the Eastern states, where they are basically opening for other bands. I really dig these guys, and they pretty much have "Fegband" written all over them. Their schedule is: Saturday 4 March at the Galaxy Hut, Arlington VA Sunday 5 March at Pontiac Grill, Philadelphia PA Tuesday 7 March at the Spiral Lounge, NYC Wednesday 8 March at the Velvet Lounge, Washington DC Thursday 9 March at The Rawbar, Wilmington (Wrightsville Bch) NC Friday 10 March at Caledonia, Athens GA Saturday 11 March at the Club, Duluth GA And you can read more about them at: http://www.libyrinth.com/joyce/music/pop_canon.html Anyway, I just thought I'd mention . . . I personally will be at the NYC show. If anyone does check them out, let them know that the Quail sent you from the Feg List. I would love to rope them into a "Grooving on an Inner Plane" for Gess Flush Fore! - --Quail ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Great Quail, Keeper of the Libyrinth: http://www.libyrinth.com The places I took him! I tried hard to tell Young Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell A few brand-new wonderful words he might spell. I led him around and I tried hard to show There are things beyond Z that most people don't know. I took him past Zebra. As far as I could. And I think, perhaps, maybe I did him some good... Because finally he said: "This is really great stuff! And I guess the old alphabet ISN'T enough!" --Dr. Seuss, "On Beyond Zebra" ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 04 Mar 2000 13:30:33 PST From: "FukStik 2000" Subject: Storefront screenings anybody remember the precise date (in november '98) that the movie was screened in newcastle? ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 04 Mar 2000 14:04:31 PST From: "FukStik 2000" Subject: in case you missed it from this week's Savage Love: "also, i'd like to reassure my fellow americans that there are worse game shows out there. [referring to Who Wants To Marry A Multi-Millionaire?] For instance, new zealand's state-ownded television network recently showed footage of a man stapling his penis to a crucifix and setting it on fire." did you view this, james? (and/or was it somehow your "brainchild"?) ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2000 14:14:26 -0800 From: Eb Subject: laughs all over the world I see that this year's Brit Awards gave a "Lifetime Achievement Award" to the *Spice Girls*?? I mean, even if their music was *great*, this would be a dumb choice because of the brief length of their "lifetime".... Eb, again thankful that he avoids the UK music press ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2000 01:21:59 -0600 From: steve Subject: Re: more about Paul McCartney tribute (plus XTC news) woj sven-woj: >XTC (with John Cleese) - Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey From Chalkhills: 02/28/00 - ---------------- Just spoke with Andy. Here's the deal . . . Mastering (for the third and final time) is being done this week. Bob Ludwig (the man who is mastering it) loves the album. Since there is usually a two month window to send out long form promo discs to magazines for review, etc. the release date might be in May. Also, TVT has requested that the album not be called "Apple Venus Volume 2" (at least not as the main title). XTC is not opting for the 'name it after a lyric from the last one' scenario this time though. So far a possible title is "Our Shiny Heart" which refers to the 'x ray of a cross section of a solarized apple' look to the cover art. Don't count on the band doing a song for the McCartney tribute. Very little time, discomfort about appearing on tributes (especially Beatles' related ones) and the question of how they would do the song to begin with may doom the whole thing. Martin Newell has sent Andy some recent demos. 03/03/00 - ----------------- Hi All, Having heard in a record store yesterday more stuff about the upcoming McCartney tribute album I thought I'd give Andy a call to get the lowdown on it. XTC were approached (they received a letter), but haven't replied and won't be doing so. " I wouldn't touch a tribute album with yours " he said. He really admires Macca and said he was very influenced by him but really wants to drive as far away from more Beatles comparisons thank you very much. Perhaps of more interest to the list is this : The New Album : was mastered and approved yesterday. It is titled "WASP STAR" and subtitled "Apple Venus Volume Two". Why ? Well, the radio stations didn't play the last album "because it had strings on it". So they wanted to ensure that the idiots in radio didn't immediately figure that "Volume II" meant "more strings". It will be out in the 3rd week of May. Promo copies are due in a week or two. What else is new ? Well, no promo activity lined up (yet). He got another guitar from Dennis Fano and was very delighted with it - apparently Dennis made it for him on a whim. So Andy wrote and recorded a jingle for him to put onto his website !!!! He played it to me and it's very cool ! Kinda "My Brown Guitar" - like. I said to him " it sounds like something but I can't quite put my finger on it " to which he replied " that's my whole career ! ". I don't know when it'll be on the Fano website but I'm sure we'll be hearing about it when it gets there. Conversation turned to the book+CD that appeared recently "a school guide to XTC". Andy had not heard of it and wasn't exactly pleased because they (XTC) weren't asked about it. I read him the list of songs and he audibly cringed on the 'phone. He reckoned the tapes are from a PYE or DECCA audition session. - - Steve _______________ We're all Jesus, Buddha, and the Wizard of Oz! - Andy Partridge ------------------------------ End of fegmaniax-digest V9 #56 ******************************