From: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org (oppositeview-digest) To: oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Subject: oppositeview-digest V7 #83 Reply-To: oppositeview@smoe.org Sender: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk oppositeview-digest Friday, July 15 2005 Volume 07 : Number 083 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: OV: Recent live gigs? ["Wilson Associates" ] RE: OV: Recent live gigs? ["Jane Armstrong" ] Re: OV: Recent live gigs? ["Ed Minton" ] Re: OV: Recent live gigs? [Andrew Douglas ] Re: OV: Recent live gigs? [Dave ] Re: OV: Recent live gigs? ["Elizabeth Osborne" ] RE: OV: Recent live gigs? ["Marie McCahon" ] Re: OV: Recent live gigs? [Susan Gardner ] Re: OV: Recent live gigs? ["Elizabeth Osborne" ] Re: OV: Recent live gigs? [Bokken2@aol.com] Re: OV: Recent live gigs? ["Libby Graham" ] OV: RE: recent gigs etc. ["Sherry Bokser" ] OV: Recent live gig ["Duncan" ] Re: OV: Recent live gigs? ["Duncan" ] OV: Re: RE: recent gigs etc. ["Steven & Cindy Meyer" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 10:05:07 +0100 From: "Wilson Associates" Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? Doug is spot on about the UK radio and our DJ's generally must be related to someone high up 'cause nothing else explains their presence. But since when have the charts or radio been a relection of 'good' music? I never listen to music radio as even the token 'rock' station in the UK generally plays it safe. True, there is the odd niche show and until recently, God bless him, there was John Peel. But the charts and radio is generally mass market c**p aimed at the young and vacuous and the middle-aged and unadventurous. I rely on the excellent music press (thank you Q, amongst others), the internet, recommendations (thank you OV'ers) and pot luck with live bands. I would always get so frustrated that my beloved Dels never got more airplay, but then the UK radio audience isn't looking for something to make them think. My ex just laps up Magic FM, a truly awful concoction of mind-numbing blandness and she is typical of UK radio audience. She skipped through my Maroon 5 album refusing to listen to any song that hadn't been a single! Not surprisingly, she never did get Del Amitri because 'she couldn't be bothered with lyrics'. Aarrggghhhh! I would say that while there has been a huge growth in really cool and enjoyable bands and songwriters in the UK, some of which have made it commercially, at least an equal or greater number of bands/singers I have discovered over recent years have come from the States. I can't say whether the UK is better than the States for growing talent, but my gut says it is not. What's good is very, very good, but in the States I get the feeling you have a little more time to tour small, develop your music and find an audience. But hey, what do I know? Actually, one thing I do know is that I haven't heard a thing I liked by anyone French since Ca Plane Pour Moi! by Plastic Bertrand. Ha! And he was Belgian. ;-) - ----- Original Message ----- From: "doug brown" To: Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 7:55 AM Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? > "I think most stateside OVer's will agree that the > music scene in the UK seems to have remained much > more focused on music that concerns itself with > intelligent lyrics, inventive melody and harmony than > what what's been going on in the US charts." - Ed > > Hi Ed. =) > > I can assure you that every time I have been to > England I have found the radio waves there clogged > with mindless drivel that manages to make our pop > charts look good and how they find such annoying djs > (presenters or whatever) is beyond me. > > -Doug > > > > . > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 13:57:05 +0100 From: Andrew Douglas Subject: OV: OT: website help If Kevin or anyone else involved in the design of the delamitri.co.uk site is here could they email me? I've been asked to find out how to setup a members login facility for a website and wanted to know if anyone had done this and what they used to do it. Any suggestions welcome. thanks for your help, Andy ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 14:26:08 +0100 From: "Jane Armstrong" Subject: RE: OV: Recent live gigs? Oh I'm so boring!!! We're having to watch the pennies so I've hardly been to any gigs this year, apart from the usual John Otway/Eddie and The Hot Rods/Sweeney gigs which have been a staple diet for the Armstrong family over the past few years. However, we did all go to see Tears For Fears in May. Yes, Curt and Roland have got back together and played an amazing set. Great lighting, good range of songs both old and new. Roland's voice is still very versatile - and although the press tried hard to make out that he and Curt were still at eachothers' throats, they seemed to have a great on-stage relationship. They have taken the micky out of the media in recent interviews every time they are asked how they get on. I've always liked them, and my children started listening to them after Everybody Wants To Rule The World in his school play, so all four of us went up and the kids thought they were brilliant too. They have got a great new album out which has largely been ignored by the press/radio and British public, but which is the first record to really excite me for simply ages!! It's called "Everybody Loves A Happy Ending" and there are some really outstanding tracks on it. My favourite is "Call Me Mellow" and I must have played it at least a couple of times every day since the album came out. It was slated in Q magazine - they gave it only 1 star - but I love it and think it's their best to date. Some may criticize it because it is heavily Beatlesque with strains of Pink Floyd - but since I love both those bands it'll do for me. We're going to Guilfest this weekend www.guilfest.co.uk and hope to make some new discoveries there and if so, I'll report back. Cheers Jane ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 08:35:27 -0500 From: "Ed Minton" Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? >I can assure you that every time I have been to >England I have found the radio waves there clogged >with mindless drivel that manages to make our pop >charts look good and how they find such annoying djs (presenters or whatever) is beyond me. Ha! Doug, I will bow to your first hand experience. My exposure is definitely limited: primarily, Uncut and an occasional chart. But, at least the UK has U2, god bless 'em. Is there an American rock act even remotely comparable today? - -Ed ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 14:51:31 +0100 From: Andrew Douglas Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? Technically that would be Ireland! ;) On 14 Jul 2005, at 14:35, Ed Minton wrote: > Ha! Doug, I will bow to your first hand experience. My exposure is > definitely limited: primarily, Uncut and an occasional chart. > > But, at least the UK has U2, god bless 'em. Is there an American > rock act > even remotely comparable today? > > -Ed ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 07:08:53 -0700 (PDT) From: Dave Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? I finally got to see Michael Penn perform a couple months back and he was great. It was just him and a keyboard player. He's got a new album coming out August 2 that's quite good (it's streaming in QuickTime from SpinArt Records) and is coming back to Chicago in September. A few weeks prior to that, I went to a taping of PBS' SoundStage with The Wallflowers, who I've seen several times now and this was the best I ever heard them sound. Their new album is one of my current favorites ("G-d Says Nothing Back" and "Here He Comes (Confessions of a Drunken Marrionette)" would make papa Bob proud). Sadly, I didn't have the spare cash to go see them again the other night, so of course, reports are it was one of the best shows of the tour! Last week I saw two shows by Peter Himmelman. No acoustic guitars in site (a first - and I've seen him over 30 times) which makes sense because his newest album, Imperfect World, also is electric-centric. Peter's always brilliant and he had a full band backing him up and they were thoroughly rockin' the joint. I've got tix for U2 here in September and I'm looking forward to that. As far as albums go, here's what I've been listening to lately: Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm Michael Penn - Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 Ray LaMontagne - Trouble Coldplay - X&Y Elvis Costello - King Of America (Rhino re-issue) The Wallflowers - Rebel, Sweetheart ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 09:30:14 -0500 From: "Elizabeth Osborne" Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? I love Michael Penn and will definitely have to check out his new album. Jane, I loved your post on Tears for Fears. Back in high school I proudly displayed their posters on my bedroom walls! I love their new single, but haven't picked up the album (but surely will). I agree that Roland and Kurt sound amazing still after all of these years. I feel so lucky that bands like TFF and the Finn Bros. (and many others mentioned during this thread) have been able to withstand the test of time and still entertain and be successful as true artists. There is nothing like seeing performers you have loved for years, doing what they love, doing it better than they did 10 years ago, and having the time of their lives. The two concerts I have been to this year are the Finn Bros. in Feb., and Green Day in May - yes, two totally different shows, but nonetheless both were amazing. It was fun to watch Neil Finn get up in the middle of the concert and kick his chair back and go into one of many amazing guitar solos...also fun was watching Billie Joe Armstrong breakdance a little bit for us! Currently in rotation in my car are Weezer (Blue Album), Beck (Odelay), Superdrag (Regretfully Yours), and Enzo. Can hardly STAND the radio! DJ's still think it is really cool to talk about nonsense while the songs are beginning and then amazingly display their skill for shutting their traps just as the performer utters his first word.....jeez.... That's my two cents! Elizabeth - ----Original Message Follows---- From: Dave To: oppositeview@smoe.org Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 07:08:53 -0700 (PDT) I finally got to see Michael Penn perform a couple months back and he was great. It was just him and a keyboard player. He's got a new album coming out August 2 that's quite good (it's streaming in QuickTime from SpinArt Records) and is coming back to Chicago in September. A few weeks prior to that, I went to a taping of PBS' SoundStage with The Wallflowers, who I've seen several times now and this was the best I ever heard them sound. Their new album is one of my current favorites ("G-d Says Nothing Back" and "Here He Comes (Confessions of a Drunken Marrionette)" would make papa Bob proud). Sadly, I didn't have the spare cash to go see them again the other night, so of course, reports are it was one of the best shows of the tour! Last week I saw two shows by Peter Himmelman. No acoustic guitars in site (a first - and I've seen him over 30 times) which makes sense because his newest album, Imperfect World, also is electric-centric. Peter's always brilliant and he had a full band backing him up and they were thoroughly rockin' the joint. I've got tix for U2 here in September and I'm looking forward to that. As far as albums go, here's what I've been listening to lately: Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm Michael Penn - Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 Ray LaMontagne - Trouble Coldplay - X&Y Elvis Costello - King Of America (Rhino re-issue) The Wallflowers - Rebel, Sweetheart ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 16:26:26 +0100 From: "Marie McCahon" Subject: RE: OV: Recent live gigs? I also live in the UK but think Red Hot Chili Peppers could give U2 a run for their money. I am a fan of both. Regards Marie - -----Original Message----- From: owner-oppositeview@smoe.org [mailto:owner-oppositeview@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Ed Minton Sent: 14 July 2005 14:35 To: Opposite View Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? >I can assure you that every time I have been to >England I have found the radio waves there clogged >with mindless drivel that manages to make our pop >charts look good and how they find such annoying djs (presenters or whatever) is beyond me. Ha! Doug, I will bow to your first hand experience. My exposure is definitely limited: primarily, Uncut and an occasional chart. But, at least the UK has U2, god bless 'em. Is there an American rock act even remotely comparable today? - -Ed ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 10:40:13 -0500 From: "Elizabeth Osborne" Subject: RE: OV: Recent live gigs? I agree...and don't get all mad at me over this, but I have been very disappointed with U2's last couple of albums. I was excited to get the lastest one and was really disappointed that I only like one song on the entire CD. I think that my problem is that I love the OLD U2 the very early U2 AND I would imagine that if I saw them perform live my opinion might change because I have had more than one friend see them and say that it was a life-changing experience. To each his own, I suppose! Elizabeth - ----Original Message Follows---- From: "Marie McCahon" To: "'Ed Minton'" , "'Opposite View'" Subject: RE: OV: Recent live gigs? Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 16:26:26 +0100 I also live in the UK but think Red Hot Chili Peppers could give U2 a run for their money. I am a fan of both. Regards Marie - -----Original Message----- From: owner-oppositeview@smoe.org [mailto:owner-oppositeview@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Ed Minton Sent: 14 July 2005 14:35 To: Opposite View Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? >I can assure you that every time I have been to >England I have found the radio waves there clogged >with mindless drivel that manages to make our pop >charts look good and how they find such annoying djs (presenters or whatever) is beyond me. Ha! Doug, I will bow to your first hand experience. My exposure is definitely limited: primarily, Uncut and an occasional chart. But, at least the UK has U2, god bless 'em. Is there an American rock act even remotely comparable today? - -Ed ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 11:57:36 -0700 From: Susan Gardner Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? Elizabeth Osborne wrote: I agree...and don't get all mad at me over this, but I have been very disappointed with U2's last couple of albums. I was excited to get the lastest one and was really disappointed that I only like one song on the entire CD. I think that my problem is that I love the OLD U2 the very early U2 AND I would imagine that if I saw them perform live my opinion might change because I have had more than one friend see them and say that it was a life-changing experience. To each his own, I suppose! Elizabeth Oh Elizabeth, that is interesting - I felt the same say! The only song I thought was really brilliant on How To Dismantle... was 'Vertigo'. There were two others that I liked okay, but overall the album was a disappointment to me too. I actually thought the band sounded almost formulaic, like they were resting on their laurels & just cranking out songs that were similar to things that worked in the past. I had hoped that all the songs would pack a punch like Vertigo did. TTFN Susan ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 11:00:28 -0500 From: "Elizabeth Osborne" Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? Yes, Susan, that is how I felt, too. Glad I am not the only one! Of course, one of my absolute favorites - Morrissey - and I feel blasphemous saying this, but his latest album...I bought the CD, listened to it a couple of times, and gave it away. I actually didn't enjoy it and it didn't grow on me like some of his other solo albums. Elizabeth - ----Original Message Follows---- From: Susan Gardner To: Elizabeth Osborne CC: Opposite View Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 11:57:36 -0700 Elizabeth Osborne wrote: I agree...and don't get all mad at me over this, but I have been very disappointed with U2's last couple of albums. I was excited to get the lastest one and was really disappointed that I only like one song on the entire CD. I think that my problem is that I love the OLD U2 the very early U2 AND I would imagine that if I saw them perform live my opinion might change because I have had more than one friend see them and say that it was a life-changing experience. To each his own, I suppose! Elizabeth Oh Elizabeth, that is interesting - I felt the same say! The only song I thought was really brilliant on How To Dismantle... was 'Vertigo'. There were two others that I liked okay, but overall the album was a disappointment to me too. I actually thought the band sounded almost formulaic, like they were resting on their laurels & just cranking out songs that were similar to things that worked in the past. I had hoped that all the songs would pack a punch like Vertigo did. TTFN Susan ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 12:31:54 EDT From: Bokken2@aol.com Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? Hitting to all fields: Darren: congrats on the 12'er. Just remember, in life as in guitars; if you end up tuning all the other 11, you probably started with the wrong one. Radio: commercially, pretty much schlock everywhere you go. Sadly, some of the best stations left are some of the smaller, more rural NPR outlets whose existences are threatened the most by this last round of budget cuts. Streaming on-line is the way to go, and it's letting many artists and great stations have an audience they never could have dreamed of even a decade ago. Check out _www.wncw.org_ (http://www.wncw.org) out of NC, also _www.wpvm.org_ (http://www.wpvm.org) out of Asheville here. Wonderfully eclectic blends. Best show: hmm. . . would have to be Michael Johnson. Yes, he's still around. "Bluer than Blue", "I Know This Night Won't Last Forever", all still sound great. He's been a songwriting hero of mine for a long time, but doesn't play out much now. I got to see a show and meet him at Minnesota Folk Fest, and he was gracious and funny. He gave me what I consider to be the ultimate piece of musical advice: "instead of 'will they like me?' or 'I hope they like me', or even 'I want them to like me', every time you take the guitar out of the case, think 'what specifically do I want to GIVE to this audience I'm about to play for?" Turn THAT over in your brain for awhile, see how it works for the rest of life as well. It'll knock you on your ass. Best find: probably Lynn Miles at the same show. I'm pretty cynical when it comes to songwriting and don't get impressed by much, and hers is just so dive-in-and-swimmable. Joel Underwood Asheville, NC _www.joelunderwood.net_ (http://www.joelunderwood.net) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 17:51:35 +0100 From: "Libby Graham" Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? I highly recommend Boo Hewerdine and the ever wonderful Glenn Tillbrook ..... And someone else mentioned Gary Clark (ex of Danny Wilson) - how I wish he would start recording/touring - his solo album is still one of my all-time favourites. Libby ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 14:16:18 -0400 From: "Sherry Bokser" Subject: OV: RE: recent gigs etc. It's been very cool to see all of these old names on the screen again! Darren - --you're so lucky to have had the chance to see Pink Martini -- I'm hoping that they'll be playing when I'm in Europe at the end of the year and that I'll get to see them live. Is your video of their songs & your interview up on the web anywhere? Cindy et al. -- I'm psyched to have the Bodeans coming to NY when I'm in town this September. I've really missed them! (they always seem to be passing through when I'm gone) Any news on whether Kurt'll be doing another solo album? I loved Shy Dog. Next gigs: Son Volt, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Rodney Crowell, Raul Malo Sherry ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 21:06:28 +0100 From: "Duncan" Subject: OV: Recent live gig Motley Crue @ Glasgow ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 21:14:32 +0100 From: "Duncan" Subject: Re: OV: Recent live gigs? I also went to see them in Glasgow on their tour and they were fantastic,sounded exactly the same as they did all those years ago. - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jane Armstrong" To: Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 2:26 PM Subject: RE: OV: Recent live gigs? > Oh I'm so boring!!! We're having to watch the pennies so I've hardly been > to > any gigs this year, apart from the usual John Otway/Eddie and The Hot > Rods/Sweeney gigs which have been a staple diet for the Armstrong family > over the past few years. > > However, we did all go to see Tears For Fears in May. Yes, Curt and > Roland > have got back together and played an amazing set. Great lighting, good > range of songs both old and new. Roland's voice is still very versatile - > and although the press tried hard to make out that he and Curt were still > at > eachothers' throats, they seemed to have a great on-stage relationship. > They have taken the micky out of the media in recent interviews every time > they are asked how they get on. > > I've always liked them, and my children started listening to them after > Everybody Wants To Rule The World in his school play, so all four of us > went > up and the kids thought they were brilliant too. > > They have got a great new album out which has largely been ignored by the > press/radio and British public, but which is the first record to really > excite me for simply ages!! It's called "Everybody Loves A Happy Ending" > and there are some really outstanding tracks on it. My favourite is "Call > Me Mellow" and I must have played it at least a couple of times every day > since the album came out. It was slated in Q magazine - they gave it only > 1 > star - but I love it and think it's their best to date. Some may > criticize > it because it is heavily Beatlesque with strains of Pink Floyd - but since > I > love both those bands it'll do for me. > > We're going to Guilfest this weekend www.guilfest.co.uk and hope to make > some new discoveries there and if so, I'll report back. > > Cheers > Jane > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.8.11/45 - Release Date: 09/07/2005 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 14:35:16 -0500 From: "Steven & Cindy Meyer" Subject: OV: Re: RE: recent gigs etc. Hi Sherry, Glad you are gonna get to see BoDeans. I have no idea about the solo stuff, and what they are up to in that regard, but they do have a website with lots of info at www.bodeans.com Re U2 - Sorry, can't stand them anymore. Personally, I wouldn't walk across the street to see them. Cindy - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sherry Bokser" To: Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 1:16 PM Subject: OV: RE: recent gigs etc. > It's been very cool to see all of these old names on the screen again! Darren > --you're so lucky to have had the chance to see Pink Martini -- I'm > hoping that they'll be playing when I'm in Europe at the end of the year > and that I'll get to see them live. Is your video of their songs & your > interview up on the web anywhere? Cindy et al. -- I'm psyched to have the > Bodeans coming to NY when I'm in town this September. I've really missed > them! (they always seem to be passing through when I'm gone) Any news on > whether Kurt'll be doing another solo album? I loved Shy Dog. Next gigs: > Son Volt, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Rodney Crowell, Raul Malo Sherry ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2005 09:30:47 +0100 From: "Joe Brady" Subject: RE: OV: Recent live gigs? If you like the dels you will love Ezio... www.ezio.co.uk Joe R.T.I.D"Dont be fooled by imitations We are the hoops that rock the nation..." >From: "Jane Armstrong" >To: >Subject: RE: OV: Recent live gigs? >Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 14:26:08 +0100 > >Oh I'm so boring!!! We're having to watch the pennies so I've hardly been to >any gigs this year, apart from the usual John Otway/Eddie and The Hot >Rods/Sweeney gigs which have been a staple diet for the Armstrong family >over the past few years. > >However, we did all go to see Tears For Fears in May. Yes, Curt and Roland >have got back together and played an amazing set. Great lighting, good >range of songs both old and new. Roland's voice is still very versatile - - >and although the press tried hard to make out that he and Curt were still at >eachothers' throats, they seemed to have a great on-stage relationship. >They have taken the micky out of the media in recent interviews every time >they are asked how they get on. > >I've always liked them, and my children started listening to them after >Everybody Wants To Rule The World in his school play, so all four of us went >up and the kids thought they were brilliant too. > >They have got a great new album out which has largely been ignored by the >press/radio and British public, but which is the first record to really >excite me for simply ages!! It's called "Everybody Loves A Happy Ending" >and there are some really outstanding tracks on it. My favourite is "Call >Me Mellow" and I must have played it at least a couple of times every day >since the album came out. It was slated in Q magazine - they gave it only 1 >star - but I love it and think it's their best to date. Some may criticize >it because it is heavily Beatlesque with strains of Pink Floyd - but since I >love both those bands it'll do for me. > >We're going to Guilfest this weekend www.guilfest.co.uk and hope to make >some new discoveries there and if so, I'll report back. > >Cheers >Jane ------------------------------ End of oppositeview-digest V7 #83 *********************************