From: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org (shindell-list-digest) To: shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Subject: shindell-list-digest V2 #350 Reply-To: shindell-list@smoe.org Sender: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk shindell-list-digest Friday, December 1 2000 Volume 02 : Number 350 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: [RS] top ? list [Rongrittz@aol.com] Re: [RS] Waiting for the count much less the recount [HEYJC01@aol.com] [RS] TGW versus SNP ["Norman A. Johnson" ] [RS] Re: TGW versus SNP [Rongrittz@aol.com] [RS] Ron's top 5 ["Norman A. Johnson" ] [RS] I know Peter Mulvey's in NYC, but.... ["Donald Robertson" > A splendid idea, 'cause there's nothing I hate more (except, maybe, lima beans) then "Here Are My Favorite CDs But I'm Not Telling You Why I Chose Them Or Why You Should Consider Buying Them" lists that tell me nothing except what you bought. The best thing about these lists (and by that I mean the Shindell-list and others like it) is that they open up our eyes and ears to music we might not have discovered otherwise. So, a little explanation as to WHY you chose your Top Ten CDs would be a welcome thing. Also, I'm a fan of having these Top Ten lists be about the best CDs you discovered, not necessarily ones that were released this year. Truth be told, there probably weren't ten CDs released in Y2K that I'd ever recommend . . . but plenty more from prior years that I was turned onto this year that make my "Essential CDs" list . . Dave and Tracy's "When I Go" is a perfect example. And one last thing. It's only November. Can we put off sharing our lists until, you know, the year is actually over? RG ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 19:49:10 EST From: HEYJC01@aol.com Subject: Re: [RS] Waiting for the count much less the recount My original idea was to have everyone list their top 10 best CD's that were released in 2000. We could do less, but more is better because it gives more depth to the list. Theres lots of music out there, and sharing your "Best of" is a great way for all of us to discover new artists. I'll volunteer to compile the individual lists and submit them to the list after year end. So start putting your favorites together and email them to us all. Thanks Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 19:45:24 -0500 From: "Norman A. Johnson" Subject: [RS] TGW versus SNP Not to start other "Dar versus Richard" war because I refuse to answer whether Dar or Richard is a better artist, let me explain briefly why I like THE GREEN WORLD more than SOMEWHERE NEAR PATERSON. SNP has some really nice songs ("Confession", "You Stay Here", "Wisteria, "Calling the Moon") & I like the production better on it than on REUNION HILL. It seemed sometimes on RH that Larry would throw everything and the kitchen sink indiscriminately and he's more discriminating on SNP. But I think Dar has written at least one, for lack of a better word, transcendent song on her new album, that being "After All". There is not a song on SNP that I feel in my head and in my heart like I do with "After All". I don't think TGW is an easy album, either to listen to or to write (for Dar). She took many chances and for the most part, did well with them. I didn't see that with SNP. I also feel that THE GREEN WORLD fits together extremely well as an album-- instead of just a collection of songs. It's a perfect album but it's very, very good. Norman ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 22:31:06 EST From: Rongrittz@aol.com Subject: [RS] Re: TGW versus SNP Norman, Norman, Norman . . . There's a reason they make chocolate and vanilla, of course, but I don't think TGW can hold a candle to SNP, and I'm guessing that TGW will barely sneak in to my Top Five of Y2K (since I'm pretty sure the top four slots will be taken up by the two Carter/Grammer albums, SNP and Kris Delmhorst's "Appetite"). I'm sorry, but I have no idea what Dar is trying to say to me on TGW. Look, I absolutely agree that it holds together better than either "Mortal City" (an inconsistent hodge-podge of the silly, the serious, and "Honesty Room" leftovers) or "End of the Summer," and I don't need to be in the mood for it, like I do with "Honesty Room." But everyone keeps talking about the "chances" Dar took with TGW, and I'm not sure how much of a "chance" you take when you make what's basically a nice pop album. To me, Richard's the one who takes chances by NOT straying from what his heart and gut tell him to do . . . by not, for example, making the potentially breakthrough "faux country" album he could make if he'd just sell his soul to the devil (see: Mary Chapin Carpenter) and write twelve songs like "Kenworth" or "TV Light." But again, that's just my opinion. RG, RG, RG ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 23:12:37 -0500 From: "Norman A. Johnson" Subject: [RS] Ron's top 5 Ron wrote: >>There's a reason they make chocolate and vanilla, of course, but I don't think TGW can hold a candle to SNP, and I'm guessing that TGW will barely sneak in to my Top Five of Y2K (since I'm pretty sure the top four slots will be taken up by the two Carter/Grammer albums, SNP and Kris Delmhorst's "Appetite"). >> Well, I guess we'll just agree to disagree. I have only TT from that Carter/ Grammer team but I'm sure WHEN I GO is terrific too. I guess that might be on my 2001 list. I like Kris' album as well; I think I bought that in '99 and thus it's probably on that year's top five for me as well. Norman ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 00:07:06 -0500 From: "Donald Robertson" Subject: [RS] I know Peter Mulvey's in NYC, but.... If he's playing on a bill with a whole bunch of other people, and may only be doing a few songs, why not trek down to Chapter One Books in Highland Park, NJ and see the phenomenal pholk siren Tina Vero, as she shares the bill with an incredible singer/songwriter (and fellow shindell-lister) Rich Boniface. Start your holiday season off right with these two tremendous talents on one bill. A guaranteed good time. Showtime is 9:00 pm, 12/1/00. If you're not familiar with her yet, check out her website, tinavero.com. Buy the cd, see the shows, and enjoy her immense talent. I guarantee you will be glad you did. OK, back to lurking for another few more months. peace, chip ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 01 Dec 2000 00:21:55 -0500 From: "Gene Frey" Subject: [RS] As Ben Stein would say, Lists other than Franz Hey you guys, Sorry, Ron, but I got a look at the releases scheduled for December, and I feel completely confident that my 2000 best-of choices will not change. Besides, this is just in time for all those holiday shoppers to get some swell ideas for a gift for their Aunt Frances. Remember, you asked for details. They're in here. This is very long. If anyone disagrees, I think the best way to express it is to tell everyone what you chose, and why. Nobody's right, nobody's wrong. Here goes: Top 5 CDs released in 2000: 1) Road Rage by Great Big Sea - The best party you were never invited to. A rare live disc where the energy never lets down. These guys can really play, and the audience sings along with practically every word. I dare you not to. If they come to your town skip the uncle's funeral, the cousin's wedding, the kids' graduation, whatever - go see them. A total, absolute joy. 2) SNP - The great tracks are simply great (Wisteria, Confession, You Stay Here). The rest are merely excellent. But, you already knew that. 3) Tanglewood Tree by Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer - Perhaps you've heard of them? More consistent than When I Go, without a weak track on the disc. 'The Mountain' is my favorite, but it's the best among many. 4) And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out by Yo La Tengo - Mellow enough to make the Cowboy Junkies sound like Korn, I listened to this a few times before I realized how much I really liked it, and I like it more every time. Not an everyday listen, and it works as well in the background as in the foreground, but it is as captivating as it is simple. Absolutely not smart, shimmering pop. 5) The Green World by Dar Williams - Too few tracks that I really liked. 'Spring Street' and 'It Happens Every Day' are my favorites. I really thought this would grow on me, like Mortal City and End of the Summer did, but it just hasn't. I hardly listen to it any more, after just three months. Besides, I like Richard's version of 'Calling The Moon' better. So shoot me. I like Hendrix 'Watchtower' and Arlo's 'City of New Orleans' better than their famous writers' versions too. Honorable mentions: Maroon by Barenaked Ladies (Pinch Me is very cool) Life'll Kill Ya by Warren Zevon ('My S***'s F***ed Up' is a killer) Breach by The Wallflowers (I need more time for this one) In Blue by The Corrs Top 4 discoveries of 2000 (some ten years later than everyone else): Eddie From Ohio - Especially their first and last - A Juggler on His Blades and Looking out the Fishbowl. Too smart to be weird, too funny to be melodramatic, outstanding live, totally entertaining. The DIY ethic at it's best. Moxy Fruvous - Sorry, Vanessa. I laughed (Pisco Bandito) I cried (well, not really), I learned all the words to every version of 'King of Spain' I could get my hands on. That the same band could make Thornhill and The C Album fascinates me. Dave and Tracy - If Tanglewood Tree is an A, When I Go is no worse than an B+. One groaner (Don't Tread On Me), less Tracy on vocals, but still in the top 10 CDs I bought in 2000, regardless of when it was released. Great cover photo as well. Dido - If only for one song (Here With Me) that I will still be playing 30 years from now. I don't know why this song crawled into my brain, but it has, and there's no sign that it's going anywhere. The rest of her 'No Angel' CD is pretty good as well. Biggest disappointment of 2000: No question, 'Righteous Love' by Joan Osborne. I waited five years for the follow-up to the sublime, sensual, harsh, beautiful, gut-wrenching, intense, classic Relish. I bought 'Righteous Love' on the release date, and found a slick, overproduced, soulless batch of mediocre songs and uninspired covers (Make You Feel My Love? Didn't TWO people just cover that on Hope Floats?) sung in an offhanded manner. This took five years? I could have cried. I haven't been so disappointed since I found out Laurie Partridge wasn't really playing that keyboard. Gene F. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com ------------------------------ End of shindell-list-digest V2 #350 ***********************************