Back with the Blind Faith for a minute I listened to it again today as I drove to Kitchener and the track that certainly stands out for me as a killer is the final one. 15 minutes long and much influenced by earlier jazz I would say, it's a pretty cool way to end the album (contrary to Allmusic's take). The rest of the tracks don't really leave much of an impression and the opening track "Had to Cry Today" I just find plain annoying, especially at almost 9 minutes in length.

As for the laptop Stuart, Marc's advice, as self-deprecating as he is, is worth listening to. Besides obtaining the a recent model and ensuring it has USB2 also look for the ability to use firewire devices. My laptop is just about 3 years old and it has neither of the above which is frustrating at times. You can always add these capabilities after the fact with the applicable card but they don't come cheap when your dealing with notebooks instead of PCs. If you are looking for a more current model you may as well get a DVD/CD writer included instead of just CD burning capability.

As for the transfer of music from analog to digital media I still haven't perfected that art. There are many websites on this topic and I'll send you the links. On my attempts to carry this out too often the music transferred from LPs sounds distorted on the subsequent CD while it sounds fine played from the laptop before I burn the CD. Still trying to figure that out. Perhaps we can discuss further tomorrow night.

Stuart, are you still thinking about a used laptop? if so i think there are more compatibility issues to be looked at than if you are buying new. What peripherals do you expect to running with it...what are their connectivity requirements...if you HAVE to buy a used one (which i think is an unwise investment in terms of the # of hours you might have to spend in the future trying to make the thing compatible with newer technologies) make sure it has USB2 and not just USB1 since many devices start to choke on USB1's lack of speed.

That's just my 2 cents worth, which considering the amount i know about computers is actually worth about $0.002!

As for the Blind Faith, I have always felt that there where some killer tracks on the album but it had more than it's fair share of weak moments.

DJ Shadow - bought that disc a few years back and I put it right up there with the stone roses as something I just dont think is all that great....what was that elvis album....10,000 fans cant be wrong....( I wish I understood why I simply just dont get some stuff ....) On the other hand- Presence of the lord on Blind faith resulted in me going to church for 5 years during my adolescence....OK well maybe not , but you get the point.

I need some advice on laptops... I will be picking one up and Ill want to record my records onto cd as well as make compilation cds etc....Is there anything other then a cdrw that I need that you know of?

I know you're all waiting breathlessly for the Scottish verdict on the DJ Shadow disc. Well 9 years later it's still sounding pretty damn fine. I think this re-issue would make a great gift for the music loving youngster in the family. It may be a little bit too post-happy for my 11 and 12 year old nephews but it would be perfect for the discerning 17 or 18 year old. So forget about the White Stripes, Coldplay and Foo Fighters surprise them with something really cool.

Somebody want to tell me what all the fuss is about re Blind Faith? Brian? Stuart? You were the guys rhyming off various classic must-haves at the Rex a few weeks back.

DJ Shadow. Check. I'm on it.

Re Adams, no luck here with Naive and Sentimental, but I did buy some interesting piano work of his which might make a nice post script to the symphonic music.

Well, if you ain't got it looks you best be going out to get it. The first 10.0 I can recall ever being thrown out by Pitchfork. Even the Russian judge liked it. Now I should be off to give it another "9 years after the fact" spin.

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/d/dj-shadow/endtroducing-deluxe-edition.shtml

OK boys, let's go with the 16th.

I probably already know the answer to this question but hey I'm a free man for at least the next 10 days so I'll throw it out there. This weekend has a pretty incredible musical line-up hitting the city what with NXNE and other shows going on. So here's the deal. Anyone interested in seeing something tonight, tomorrow or Sunday? I've got squat going on and would like to see something that isn't jazz as that's been a bit of a letdown lately.

Sample of some stuff I wouldn't mind catching:

Friday - Fembots, Deadly Snakes etc @ Gladstone
Wolf Parade, Tangiers etc @ Comfort Zone
K'Naan (Somalian beat poet I heard on CBC), etc @ Drake

Saturday - Heavy Trash, Sadies, Cuff the Duke @ Horseshoe

Sunday - Juana Molina @ Horseshoe
Great Lake Swimmers @ Drake

Feel free to brush me off.

Brian we need a choice from you my friend. What's it to be? Thursday, Friday or Saturday?

re thursday the 16th or fri 17th, I think im fine. (Im almost definatly fine for the thursday night and Yvette would prefer it too.)

friday is do-able for me, but of the two days, thurs is better. I'm easy...but then, you all know that!

Stu, thanks for playing social conveners once again, but i think that M.E myself and I will pass on the the tickets this year. (what with her taking evening courses that she has not signed up for yet and has no idea when they are going to be)

Too bad about the no-go on the TSO for next season there Brian but totally understandable.

What isn't so much is the oversight on Helene (the hottie) Grimaud. I was just mentioning to Geoff's parents on the weekend when asked if there were any good concerts upcoming in the city that a lovely French pianist was performing with the TSO. I wish you had called.

As for the Adam's CD I picked up a copy at the library yesterday but it will be rather academic if you can't make it as that brings us down to a group of 3. Still do-able but not so much fun. How many tracks do I really want to hear off the new Coldplay disc?

If Saturday isn't the best night I could also suggest Thursday the 16th or Friday the 17th. Comments please.

I think I'm out for TSO next year, at least as of today. I may go to a couple but I'll wait and see how the new year shapes up from a life-sanity perspective.

We realized this evening that we forgot to use the tickets we had for last night's Debussy and Ravel performance, featuring the comely (not that I noticed) French pianist Helene Grimaud. Bloody annoying.

I'll try to find the Adams CD this weekend and will let you know how I make out. Derek has a theory that Stuart bought the only copy in the city. Otherwise...what'll it be?

Also, not too sure if I will make the 18th. I've been reminded, not unjustly, that there are very few Saturdays left before we have to focus on moving, getting ready for baby, yadda yadda, so another night of the week would be better. I'm not suggesting that you guys change the date though.

Sorry to interrupt you all from your diligent pouring over of the TSO schedules, but Charlotte wants in on this and here are her choices;
Definate picks; Oundjian & Heppner June 15

Optional picks: Music of remembrance Nov9
Strauss & Brahms Nov 30
Shostokovitch 11 Wed Feb 15
Herbig & Parker Mar 8
Modern Soundscapes March 30
Songs of the Earth Apr 19 (probably some god dam granola shit...sorry Charlotte))

There you have it....

back to the TSO schedule for next season......

Yvette and I are going to the Sibelius and Bruckner show Thursday dec 8,and the "Joan of Arc" show thurs may 11 (you have to hear Ewa Podles live to believe it...simply a stunner) and the following shows we are interested in, but are not fussy about which ones in particular....

Any of the Shostakovich series numbered 8, 10 and 11
Hebig and Parker fri march 10
Modern Soundscapes Thurs mar 30th

We will pick a total of 5 for the pick your own subscription series, and we will be in the very cheap seats, (where you have to bring your own walkman with a cd )

Anyone interested? If so we should co-ordinate now as the good seats do go.....

Lets be fascist and say anyone interested should post choices by mid next week and we order tickets on the following friday...
s

i'm all over it stu!

Well, I just picked up a copy of Adams work at Gregorian....Hope you guys can find a copy. (are you interested marc? havent heard from ya)

Let's go for it Stu. Assuming we can find the piece (re Derek's note) I'm very interested. Sorry for the delay, I was busy studying for and failing my CFA exam, and then stewing about it.

Still stewing about it.

Haven't checked with V about the 18th, but assume I'm in, though I may be a little later.

And Kyle, expanding the blog for other interests is a grand idea. So is going to France, for the record. I watched in its entirety, for the first time, strangely, "On the Waterfront" last night. Wonderfa.

Well since I only have Dereks ok about the Adams work, and since the 18th is only 2 weeks away, I think we will have to postpone this for the next club after dereks, (unless you lazy bastards email your acceptance in the next day or so)
s

while it is indeed possible that a nice bottle of bordeaux will be consumed while in paris, we will be most looking forward to the burdundies and southern rhone wines of the chateaux we'll visit in person. aggravated you all enough? okay. but be sure to play an edith piaf disc in my memory.

also, when i get back, or more likely sometime in early july, i would like to revamp the blog a little bit to make room for posts about other passions and diversions. i think in doing so, we will see less lag times between posts. i know that some days i feel that i don't feel like posting about music but i may have just seen a really interesting film that i want to discuss.

any objections to doing so? discuss.

a deux semaines!

The Adams piece works for me. I have a few discs with works by him but not that particular piece. My only quibble is that there appears to be only one recorded performance of the work and that is on Nonesuch from 2002. So there won't be any discussion of variations in performance and more pertinently it might be difficult for each of us to get our hands on a copy. The proposed CD club night is still Saturday June 18. (I think you mentioned the 20th Stuart).

Since Brian expressed no objections when I spoke to him of that date and Kylie will be sipping Chateaux Margaux by the banks of the Seine let's make it official.

with regard to dereks upcoming cd club, if we are still into a classical music review, tell me if there is any interest in John Adams. I keep coming up against references to his work and there is quite a large body of work. Some of you may have some of his stuff. "Naive and sentimental" music keeps coming as as a hotly debated masterwork ( or not)....its also a topic about music in general which I have debated with some of you.... How about it boys? If you already know this piece, is there other Adams work that interests you? WE should decide soon as the 20th is near...

I'm dying to throw on my copy of Machine Head and listen to Highway star and Lazy, but alas, i still have not gone out and replaced my stylus after it got trashed at our New Years eve party. yeah yeah yeah...space truckin'!

I'd still be up for the 18th and i promise to stay for more than one beer!

Speaking of essentials, all you Pavement fans will be glad to know that i finally picked up a copy of Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain and am enjoying it immensely. While i was at Vortex i also managed to snag a used copy of Shout Out Louds first release which is pretty cool since it was only released last week and when i tried to get it at Soundscapes, they didn't even have it in their computer...can you say promo copy!

Following up on some of those fitful conversations of Saturday night I'd like to once again propose that we have a CD listening night at my place on Saturday June 18. I think you were all amenable to this after 5 or 6 pints but in the sober light of day you may have second thoughts. Let me know if this still works.

I must say that these evenings at the Rex turn out to be awfully expensive as not only do I drop close to $100 on the night but I also end up spending about the same again a few days later after the musical round table (that would be you lot) recommend about a dozen "essential" CDs that I am so obviously missing from my, what I thought was comprehensive, collection. Felt like a true rocker this afternoon as I picked up Deep Purple at HMV. I'm beginning to wonder if you're all part of a record company cabal looking at me as a way out of the deep funk the music business found itself in over the last few years. Surely there can't be that many essential discs. Still holding out on the Elton John and Elvis until I've had a few more pints.

Sorry to be delayed in contributing, its not been the best of weeks for me. On top of my mothers serious illness (which some of you know of) I picked up a terrible case of poison ivy (so bad my doctor misdiagnosed it as shingles), and a pedestrian is suing me for a collision we had... in which he walked into my car while I was reverse parallel parking..... ( the fact that he hit me because he was looking at his cell phone seems not to count for much in pedestrian / vehicle accidents)....
So in the spirit of compartmentalising ones troubles I turn to music ( the only true mental saviour) and pick up marc's thread about solo artists....

Id have to say that while true... most solo artists have a great help from terrific bands, (Mick Ronson w Bowie, Marsalis with Sting (during his non police days) etc...,however I think the solo artist in these situations is usually the overwhelming controlling player by a large degree.

In fact my very limited exposure with songwriting made me think that it is very difficult to have a democracy work in a band. Even in the most sucessfull bands like the beatles democracy was limited --paul might write a verse in one of Johns songs ie "a day in the life" or visa versa. Or with bands like led zepp where Jimi page wrights the music and Plant wrights the lyrics. There are few truly collaborative songwritting partners that I can think of where they both contribute to the music of the song. Brian you may have additional insight here....

look out for "the shout out louds" international release May 24...smokin'!

It’s interesting to start to think about the solo performer and their relationship with bands as they go through the various evolutions of their careers. I tend to think that there has been some kind of radical shift in the popular music industry over the past 40 years. When you look at the careers of people like Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Lou Reed and countless others, they had strengths as solo performers but they moved in and out of collaborations with other artists and various groups.

Was Springsteen a solo performer or was he just the front man for the E Street Band? The product of his more truly solo work, Nebraska is equally brilliant but very different from his work with the band.

I think that much of what we think of as being a “solo career” is not really a solo career but rather a well know artist being the frontman(woman) for a new band. Are you ever really a solo artist unless you are, for example, M Ward up on stage alone with his guitar (and an electronic device playing along side you)? …sure Bjork has a strong personality which is totally Bjork, but is she really a “solo artist”?

No man is an island.

…Did not every great solo artist start out in one band or another before they went off on his or her own?

Having said that, one of my fav solo albums of recent times that I keep coming back to is Mike Ness’s Cheating at Solitaire…quite different from his Social Distortion work.
metaBeats

That kinda was my point actually, that Malkmus pales when compared to the work of his previous band.

And this is where you lot step in if you so wish and let me know when the solo guy has flown higher than his ex-band (can't think of many although Bjork springs right to mind) and conversely where the muse seems to have deserted the fellow when it's all on his or her shoulders.

By the way that Pavement track so did it for me that I picked up the deluxe "Crooked Rain" package at HMV today for a lovely $15 (part of a 2 for $30 gimmick). It's a 2 CD set with 49 tracks. Since I never owned the original it was a no brainer. I think Pavement is a perfect example of one of those bands we always seem to be discussing who make 5 good to great records in a less than 10 year span and then get the fuck outta dodge while still riding high in the saddle. You have to respect that.

Thanks for the music links Kyle. Onto my mini-disc they shall go.

Derek, just reread my post and your post and realized that i completely misread your point, that we both like the new track but i'll stand by the other comments about liking the earlier stuff better etc. Okay, back to work...

I kinda like that new Malkmus track though I take your point about his new stuff versus the Crooked Rain track. I thought his second solo effort was dreadful, with songs devolving into ackward noise and boored sounding vocals a 1/3 of the way in (where pavement at least waited until 2/3 of the song had expired before pressing the distortion button and checking out). While Pavement was never a band to carefully polish its musical arrangements into packaged little pop ditties, the noise and distortion seemed to serve a purpose, with overlaid guitars crunching along in an ode to kicking back, and clever lyrics suggesting that they could be making a more profound statement if they bothered. And I dug them. Still do.

Also dug the Cloud Room track you suggested. Perfect track to kick off the summer and looming may 2-4 weekend. I usually check that salon site every week or so but hadn't done so in awhile.

Just did a check of my itunes and noticed that I've downloaded/ripped just over 1,000 songs this year (2005), most of them from legitimate sites, some from emusic.com, some from borrowed/bought cds. Here's a list of my faves thus far (have included links to free tracks where available:

"Fortress" - Pinback
"Broadway (So Many People)" - Low
"Engine Driver" - The Decemberists
"Sunshowers" - MIA
"Woman King" - Iron & Wine
"So Little to Give" - Creeper Lagoon (from 2002 but just discovered this year)
"In a Funny Way" - Mercury Rev
"Take it Easy/Love Nothing" - Bright Eyes
"Let's Move" - The Foreign Exchange

Malkmus alert. His new disc is in record stores next Tuesday for those who are still interested. Some might say that his time is just about up. Check out the free track at the Matador website from the new record.

http://www.matadorrecords.com/stephen_malkmus/

Then compare it (unfair I know) to the free previously unreleased Pavement track that was made available on the re-package of "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain". Despite it's age (over 10 years old) and the fact it wasn't even on the original disc it still works for me.

http://www.matadorrecords.com/music/index.html

One more song you should check out and enjoy immensely at least the first two or three listens and then you'll never get it out of your head:

http://www.salon.com/ent/audiofile/index.html

Look for it under Thursday May 12, 2005: "Hey Now Now" by the Cloud Room. Bit of Pulp, some Echo and of course Interpol/Walkmen.

As this is the Salon site you may have to watch an ad in order to get into the site.

I might well be up for checking out the rex on the 14th. I was over at Jackson's studio yesterday and he threw on a new disk he got as a freebie for shooting it's cover and liner note photos...no other than William Carn. Turns out he is an old friend from Jackson's former life as an aspiring musician. Very solid sounding disk all the way through and i'm sure i'll get around to buying a copy soon. (perhaps good enough that i would have done so even if there was no connection through Jackson!)

Hey boys, the trombonist sounds very hip, but sadly is not the day that I've targeted....I was planning on May 28th. And May 14th is the day of Joe Lovano, n'est ce pas Derek? Let's see if we can find something equally groovy for the 28th (not to suggest you shouldn't go see Billy Carn on the 14th). Re pick 5, I like the Vengerov/Shostakovich night, also liked the so far unmentioned Shosto night with the two cello concertos (which are beautiful) and the eleventh symphony - which is dark and dramatic, Feb 15 and 16. Also interested in the John Adams and the new music on that bill. The April 6th Hungarian night with Kodaly, Liszt, and Bartok looks pretty great too.

Stuart I'm in for the pick-5 series for next season's TSO schedule. I've got their new program in front of me and the following would be my picks. Maybe we can discuss it over a beer or two in the next few weeks. Brian maybe you can pick a few from these.

October 5 or 7 - Kissin playing the complete Beethoven piano concerto cycle over two nights. I would be up for either night or even both.

November 30 or December 3 - Stephen Hough playing the Brahms 2nd piano concerto with Strauss' Don Quixote

March 30 - the Modern Soundscapes show you mentioned that contains the John Adams piece.

May 5 - Simon Trpceski playing Tchaikovsky's piano concerto no.1 with the 1st Sibelius symphony

June 1 or 3 - Shostakovich's violin concerto no.1 (Vengerov) or no. 2 (Janine Jansen) with his symphony no. 10

For the life of me I just know that I have something going on Saturday May 14 but I'll be damned if I can remember what it is, so let's say I'm free that night and you jazzbos are up for a night at the Rex there is a quintet being led by William Carn on trombone, that I'd very much like to see. Here's a review of their new disc from the Star several weeks back:.

WILLIAM CARN
Other Stories (Indie)
Trombonist William Carn is a charter member of the impressive new generation of players that is making an impact in these parts. You'll hear why on his debut CD, recorded in August, which shows off imaginative composing abilities as well as his bright, open playing and appealing, polished tones. Carn wrote all nine tunes here, and his top-bracket band revels in music that signals a keen ear for lyrical melody and creative harmony. With saxophonist Kelly Jefferson there's a powerful front line and since Juno winner David Braid is on piano, you know you're in for a good time. Kieran Overs on bass and drummer Anthony Michelli provide the pulse, the bassman turning in strong solos, too. All the bandsmen stretch and there's good rapport between them and the composing contrasts are well illuminated. Appealing tracks: "Malice," "Time Flies" plus the duo of "Ghosts" and "Ghosts 11."

i apoggelize for the spelling, Ill have to use a spellcheckkque...
Brian - I havent seen live music since M Ward a month ago....Ill go see anyone , even your little sister "in braces and boots "(sorry.. Elton John quotes have no place here I know...)Derek, and I had been bemoaning this and since there are no rock/pop acts that we really dig at the clubs now (cept Arcade fire ) maybe the Rex in the next week or so is just the ticket....Maybe Brian or Derek (the experts) can make a pick and we can consider this a warm up to the JAzz festival...Weeknights after 9pm are fine w me as well as the weekends...
s

Count me in for a couple of nights of the classical - particularly the (more) modern stuff if it interests you. My man Dmitri would be right at the top of the list - John Adams as well. I won't do a full pick 5 this year as I will undoubtedly be in "Holy Fuck we have two kids!" mode for a little while in the fall (and through to about 2009 conservatively).

Which jazz are you in for Stu? Joe Lovano? I might be up for a night at the Rex in late May (just before my week-long study blitz).

Stuart, your spelling is atrocious. I thought Architects were the equivalent of modern Renaissance Men? I guess not. Maybe it's Bankers.

Don't know BJM, though I heard them about a bit in Winterbottom's "Nine Songs", where other types of BJ's were also featured. They sounded pretty good if a tad irrelevant.

I'm such a loser - I actually checked out the hyacinth and crocus sites.... anyone else? 'fess up.

Re Archer Prewitt, Marc, it's very solid singer/songwriter stuff, doesn't have the "vibe" element of the Sea and Cake. Reminds me about of Paul Kelly, a fave Aussie s/s of mine who was around from about 1985 - 1995. here's a link to him (Kelly, that is) on allmusic if you're interested.
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:9yen97l7krat

The CD I forgot to bring which I think a number of you might like is The Earlies, which is a trendy-ish mix of organic and synthetic sounds, with an overriding dreamy melodic quality to it.
Here's a link. Note: I suck at this linking stuff.
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/e/earlies/these-were-the-earlies.shtml

Funny you should mention the Blow Monkeys, Derek. My parents recently cleaned out their basement and unearthed some hidden vinyl gems of mine from the mid-80s, among them the 12" singles for 'Digging Your Scene' and 'It Doesn't Have to Be that Way', both of which look as though they've been played a sum total of once each. I just downloaded the Labrador tracks so will listen to them on the journey home this afternoon and leave my feedback here soon.

Thanks for the BJM suggestions, Stuart. I managed to snag most of their back catalogue from their website, yesterday (kudos to Derek for spotting this) and listened to most of Take it from the Man! on my walk into work this morning (good morning for a long walk--just enough chill in the air to stave off perspiration but i digress...) . Think this album would be great to listen to on a Sunday afternoon (sorry Bri, I know you're all about Sunday morning tunes this days) in the dog days of summer, perhaps sitting on a back deck, drinking beer, think 'Between the Buttons' and 'Their Satanic Majesties Request' for Stones' influence placemarkers. Digging this scene for sure.

Any date in June is probably out for me as we're off to Paris for two weeks in mid-June and I'm gonna be in southern California at the very end of the month for a conference. July will probably be better as my travelling ratchets down a few notches in the summer months.

Also count me in for the jazz Derek....

Thanks for the tips and a cd club at your place in the hot weather (hopefully to come) would be great. You once mused about soon having the technology to do so up on the roof deck, which would be even greater.....
The new TSO schedule is out for next year and there are a number of things Im interested in. Sibelius Violin Concerto, Shostakovitch piano, cello and violin concertos, some John Adams, Lists piano concerto... Yvette and I are going to be going for the nose bleed seats this year. I didnt mind Brians seats at all, and as much as we found great seats closer this year, we are doing the spent too much money on the house penance.
Anyone interested in any of the above let me know and we can coordinate. You can do a pick 5 of your own choice which seems best to me. Im also open to other sugesstions....
s

Stuart, far be it from me to leave you hanging once again.

It's my day off today (yeah you prats probably think that's everyday for me) and I headed over to the small record store on McCaul Street called Penguin Music. My main reason for heading there was they are the only store in the city that I've seen carrying the Aussie band the Lucksmiths new CD. I picked up their last disc while down under a few years ago and I might have even played it at a CD club in the distant past.

The guy behind the desk was right into the band and said the new disc was fab. After flattering me on my choice he then proceeded, like all good salesmen, to try and sell me something else. He pulled off the shelf a disc by a Danish band called Labrador and said I should give it a listen on the deck. Having nothing else to do I listened to 4 or 5 tracks. Good disc, if a bit on the sweet side. If you like Camera Obscura, the Blow Monkeys, Stereolab etc, check out the band's website at:

http://www.labrador.dk/

Kyle I'm thinking you'll like these guys and perhaps Stuart. Brian and Marc check it out regardless.

One other note. I picked up the Jazz festival program today and I'd recommend that we check out (for those available) David Murray and the Gwo-Ka Masters. It's a free event on Friday June 24 at 4pm. Bit of a crappy time slot but hey it's free and their disc of last year is incredibly funky.

Another CD club in June suits me fine. I might even host if it forces me to stick around until the end of the night.

Well I guess Im greatfull that there was a bit of a rant at Kyles , since it has jump started the metabeats site again. I cant tell you how sick I was at seeing my last blog everytime I checked for signs of life. ( now that Ive said that Im sure no one will wright another blog for some time and I will be fated to live thru this again..)

Re BJM I have a couple discs. "their satanic majesties 2nd request" , which is pretty good stoner stonesesque (but more fucked with) messy rock. I prefer their more recent disc however, "and this is our music" which I find less repetitive and tighter....but along the same lines. YOu could also consider a recent 2 disc compilation. I dont think they merrit more then 1 or 2 discs or a couple dozen ripped tracks...but they are pretty great when you are in the mood for it.
s

With respect to the BJM if you head to their website they have made available almost their entire back catalogue on-line. They've had it there for more than a year so I don't think they'll be disappearing any time soon. Like their tunes a lot.

http://www.brianjonestownmassacre.com/mp3.php

The Beethoven/Schubert disc is indeed mine as I have the sleeve with no CD. I'm hoping that someone has the Rattle Sinfonietta CD as I don't seem to have it. It's not due back at the library for a few weeks.

I'm sure we played more and I just got lazy about keeping track. Two housekeeping notes: I have a library cd case for the classical piece (Sinfonietta) by Janacek and also a Beethoven/Schubert disc w/out the case. I think these are both yours, Derek but I could be wrong. Let me know as I'm sure the library disc needs to get back sometime soon.

Also, I've learned through my wife that the flower pot on our kitchen counter was indeed a hiacynth, as Marc had skillfully noted, and not a crocus, as Derek and I claimed. These links should put everyone's minds at ease:

Hyacinth
Crocus

We watched 'Dig!' this weekend, a documentary about the Dandy Warhols and Brian Jonestown Massacre. Even if you're not a big fan of either band, I think you'll find it fascinating to watch how two sets of musicians grapple with questions of creative integrity, what it means to be successful, and how to navigate the pitfalls of the music industry. And man, do they ever make different choices. Rent it so we can discuss it further (here or over beers).

I was unfamiliar with the music of BJM prior to seeing 'Dig!' but will soon be picking up some of their stuff. Kind of a layered, psychedelic jangly pop sound that seems to channel a late 60s vibe while still sounding quite new. Most of their catalogue is available at emusic.com so I will probably download it once my monthly alottment refreshes. Anyone own any? Thoughts, opinions, rants?

Personally i think a little hissyfit is a fine way to end off an evening of drinkin'!

Brian, as for the territory covered in the session, i have to agree with you...all i can say is i'm glad i managed to make it through MY stack! May i suggest that we try and ramp up the frequency of meetings just a touch. Since it seems to take three to four months to plan one, maybe we should start planning now. I personally would not be opposed to meeting in the end of June. Summer always seems to be so hard to get everyone together and then the next thing you know...

...and no one got around to playing this Archer Prewit two of you were going on about a few months ago...is it a must have?

Personally i think a little hissyfit is a fine way to end off an evening of drinkin'!

Brian, as for the territory covered in the session, i have to agree with you...all i can say is i'm glad i managed to make it through MY stack! May i suggest that we try and ramp up the frequency of meetings just a touch. Since it seems to take three to four months to plan one, maybe we should start planning now. I personally would not be opposed to meeting in the end of June. Summer always seems to be so hard to get everyone together and then the next thing you know...

...and no one got around to playing this Archer Prewit two of you were going on about a few months ago...is it a must have?

No probs Derek. Booze, movies, and music, sometimes a lethal combination. It's certainly made me want to see Vera Drake (though possibly not talk about it in a public forum).

Kyle, I can't quite believe we only did three rounds each, but I guess we did get a late start. Does make me wonder why I brought about 15 disks. Hmmmm...maybe it's time I started a CD club in which I'm the only member.

Thanks again for hosting. Look forward to the next one.

As far as omissions go you failed to berate me for behaving like an ass last night. My apologies to one and all (esp. Kyle) for leaving in such an unruly fashion. Perhaps the book club will be jealous when they hear how passionate our discussions can become when it involves music and other artistic matters.

Thanks to all for coming out last night. Here is the unofficial list of what was brought/played:

Brian

Micah P. Hilson and the Gospel of Progress - Micah P. Hinson
Black Mountain – Black Mountain
Colin Blundstone – One Year

Derek

ta del lugat - Dungen
Lennie Tristano/The New Tristano – Lennie Tristano
Thunder, Lightning, Strike - The Go Team

Kyle

The Grind Date – De La Soul
Bright Eyes – Digital Ash & Wide Awake It’s Morning
Wheedle’s Groove – The best of Seattle Soul Funk 1965-75
Mercury Rev/The Decemberists

Marc

Jeen O'brien "can't get it out of my head"

Stuart

I am a bird now - Anthony & the Johnsons
The Very Best of – Maria Callas
The Man Comes Around – Johnny Cash

Let me know if there are any mistakes/omissions.

Well, I seem to be able to access metabeats again, so I offer the following observations: Arcade Fire has somehow grabbed the cover of Time magazine. Inside is a whole section on the Canadian "Indie" scene. This coming after the Sunday NY Times articles seems pretty impressive. The question that remains is whether all this pproves to be the "kiss of death" to them or whether a great band like this can actually become commercially sucessfull when it gets its due exposure. I had the startling discovery last week of switching thru radio stations on the car and hearing the Arcade Fire on (you wont believe this) Chum FM .......
I suspect all these things are just abberations and the likes of Brian Adams will still rule the airwaves. Still it makes you hope.....
yours truly
the over the top optomist

April 14 works for me.

any resolution on a date for the cd club happening behind the scenes, or are we looking at booking something in late june? (2006) ...like i said, i'm good for just about any date

She was also in China Moon, another moody (if predictable) thriller with Ed Harris which I enjoyed. She was a good tragic figure for a few years. And beyooteeful too. I saw Blink about ten years ago - loved the mood of the piece, and the music, and made a point of buying the soundtrack (which I never do), and then one of the Drovers records. I'll dig the CD's out...play it for you at the CD club.

And kudos to you for the City Girl choice - a great song. I've only started listening to it in the last month or so, but love it.

Re Gian's latest list - I took a look, and am, not surprisingly, not impressed. The overlap with the as yet unpublished (also undecided, unconsidered, and unexistent) BD 50 are 4 strong winds, Heart of Gold, Suzanne, The Weight, Universal Soldier, Echo Beach, Rise Up, and definitely Coax Me. A number of other goodies on the CBC list but not good enough for my Top 50. Hey, they had a chance to put on Pagliaro and they blew it.

What ever happened to Madeleine Stowe? She was in some decent films in the early '90s...Short Cuts, Last of the Moochachas (okay, Mohicans, but Sarah prefers pronouncing it thusly so I follow), 12 Monkeys....and then just sort of disappeared. I enjoyed 'Blink' (though the best blind woman thriller has to go to 'Wait Until Dark' w/ Audrey Hepburn) but I don't remember the song at all. Did you see it recently? Do you own the album? If so, I'd like to hear it again.

And one more movie song - from the little-seen but quite excellent thriller "Blink" (1994 - Michael Apted...great rental), there are three memorable songs by Chicago based Celtic rockers "The Drovers", who appear in the film as well. Each of them is good in its own way, though my fave is the opener "The Boys and the Babies", energetic trad-Celtic beat mixed with an angsty-punk vocal, and a rollicking trombone to carry it along. And it didn't hurt to have a beautiful, blind (well, not really) Madeleine Stowe playing violin in the band. Ar.

'Play Misty for Me'! What a great film, and a sad reminder that I still do not own a cool black convertible porsche like mr. eastwood drives through monterey in that flick. Great song as well.

A more recent film that I forgot to mention was 'Lost in Translation', which featured 'City Girl' by Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine (as well as some older gems from MBV and Jesus & Mary Chain).

On a purely administrative note, I have to change the next music club date from april 7th to, well can we do the following thursday, april 14th? I'm hoping that won't be too big of a problem for everyone.

Also, I didn't get a chance to listen to it all over the weekend but I thought I'd invite your comments on CBC's 50 Tracks . Here's the twist: Though no doubt there will be much teeth-gnashing and the urge to lambast Jian et al for what is clearly a flawed list, I'm asking you to point out the tracks you thought were good picks.

Thanks for the tips Brian,
I do have most of the Parsons, Byrds stuff, but Ill check out the other stuff (i,ve read numerous refs to the New riders)
s

Another quick thought on movie songs - Roberta Flack's "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" from Play Misty For Me.

Interesting that you should mention Gene Clark, because I've been going through a small GC phase recently myself - though just from Kazaa downloads so it's a bit hit and miss. Re second tier artists / records, I do like a lot of it, but I've always assumed that you knew all of the same music. I'll pretend for now that you don't.....Some of the thoughts that come into my head are: start with the Byrds. Certainly "Sweetheart of the Rodeo", the first album on which Gram Parsons joined in, and then get your hands on "Ballad of Easy Rider" if you haven't already - it's a beautiful country rock record. Their reunion record from 1973 (cleverly entitled "The Byrds") is not nearly as good but has a few gorgeous folk/country rock (FCR from this point forward) tracks, particularly two Gene Clark numbers ("Changing Heart" and "Full Circle").

If you haven't worked over the early Grateful Dead records you should - I'm sure you have...but Workingman's Dead and American Beauty are quintessential. A lot of my other fave FCR artists come out of that San Francisco scene. New Riders of the Purple Sage made some very appealing FCR in the early seventies - I own two albums, the first one and the "Panama Red" one, and they're both very engaging and well worth a listen. Loved Moby Grape, and although it's not as purely country as Gene Clark etc, a lot of it is very bluesy-country and fits the bill. I have a great box set that I can lend you. I know you know all the Springfield stuff but for those following along at home it's all excellent. Another record (well, records) I would highly recommend is the Beau Brummels "Bradley's Barn", as well as its predecessor "Triangle", from '67 or so. The BB's are best known these days for some light pop around 1964 ("Laugh Laugh" and others), but they made two great country-rock records a few years later. The Youngbloods (you know "Get Together") also made a couple of very nice FCR records in the late sixties as well.

Re Stills etc, his work with Manassas is really very good, particularly the first record (there are two I think). And re solo records, I picked up some related stuff last year - the first solos for David Crosby (If I could Only Remember My Name) and Roger McGuinn (self-titled) and they were both very very good. Not FCR strictly speaking but diverse and interesting.

Enough for now...Any that you want to mention?

Okay, I cringed but I kept on reading, and then I thought I should write something, lest your post be greeted with that horrible wall of silence we've all experienced from time to time on this blog. Though I'm not a great fan of country rock, I'm open minded and in possession of a turntable so I encourage you to bring some Gene Clark and Steven Stills to the next cd/music club, Stuart.

I asked for submissions for music from films and then quietly buggered off for the rest of the week, which I will blame as always on my hectic travel sched. Since I'm back in the office for the rest of the month, I have no such excuse for the next week or so.

There are probably some good all time greats like Mrs. Robinson or Night Fever that I could mention but these seem a little obvious so I'll go with some more recent choices:

-Jaan Pehechaan Ho - Mohammed Rafi (‘Ghost World’) - great way to start off a film and set the tone
-Trees Lounge – Hayden (‘Trees Lounge’) - while it appeared only at the end, it seemed to sum up the general feeling of the film and the slack desperation of Steve Buscemi's character
-Fight the Power – Public Enemy (‘Do the Right Thing’) - again, an opening credits sequence, set to a young woman dancing, signaled the forthcoming bombastic and righteous storyline to follow
-Miss Misery - Elliot Smith ('Good Will Hunting') - there were a few more of his tracks sprinkled throughout the film but this was the one that was nominated for an award and was consistent with the turmoil and tension between Matt Damon and Minnie Driver's characters (how do we keep working this woman into the blog....)

Gotta say I love the Lulu pick, would agree that most of the Tarantino soundtracks are solid and that there's a big difference between a song that is tacked onto the soundtrack (ie. U2's "Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me" from Batman Forever, which is a decent enough song, but had nothing to do with the movie--not that its inclusion would have improved the film as a whole) and one that enhances the scene in which it plays (ie. the original music by György Ligeti and Jocelyn Pook in the underappreciated 'Eyes Wide Shut', without which, the nerve-wracking creepiness in almost every scene wouldn't have been half as palpable).

This will only be of interest to some of you, however, I have found myself listening to a Gene Clark cd I bought a few years ago and loving it to death. Its called white light. Clark is ex Byrds and has been a principle guy in the early country rock, (if you just cringed stop reading here),a founder some think. I have also been listening to Steven stills first record (self titled) which I picked up last winter ($5 for an old LP), and loving it too. Stills is not unrelated to this whole genre perhaps coming more from the folk point of view , but also county influenced. In short, I was wondering if any of you had any recommendations for this second tier level of artists in this genre (ie crosby, nash, messina, other ex birds, etc ) . I think the public has missed out on some truly great stuff..... ( I realise this blog will probably be greeted by a great wall of silence and thats Ok..)

Or Clint Eastwood's score for Million Dollar baby. (Yes, he composed it. The man is a genius. But I digress.)

I assumed Kyle was looking for songs that were written for the movie, and not necessarily Oscar candidates or winners, thank God...so my first few choices, more to follow, were:

(1) To Sir With Love - Lulu
(2) Alfie - Cilla Black (c. Burt Bacharach)
(3) Georgy Girl - The New Seekers

All set in swinging London in the sixties. Obviously a fave period of mine.

There aren't too many films where I can recall an original song being a big part of my enjoyment of the film. The music that tends to make an impact with me is incidental music scored for the entire film such as Jon Brion's "Punch Drunk Love", Thomas Newman's "American Beauty" or Yann Tiersen's "Amelie" to name 3 recent examples. Songs that register with me tend to be older tracks that have been used in scenes where they make perfect sense as opposed to being tacked on to add some extra value to the CD that accompanies the film. So with that in mind some of my favourite movie/song moments are:

"Son of a Preacher Man" - Pulp Fiction
"Stuck in the Middle With You" - Reservoir Dogs
"Lust for Life" - Trainspotting
"Sing Sing Sing" - Bright Young Things
"Moon River" - Breakfast at Tiffany's"
"Everything You Do is a Balloon" - Morvern Callar


And one that still resonates to this day "Man in Motion" from St. Elmo's Fire.

Kyle do the songs have to have been Oscar winners (dammit! theres always somethin about me and rules....)IF so I can only think of one song in my lifetime that I thought worthy, and believe it or not its Philadelphia by Springsteen. This song is unlike pretty much anything he has ever done and tied in beautifully with the film itself. It supported the movie rather then being a distraction from it. The film I thought was the first and last really good film Hanks has ever done. Ive never understood his appeal at all. This film runs the risk of being shot down for sentimentalising such a serious topic (AIDS) however I bought into it completly and the film and song have remained forever linked since, which is I guess the whole point of an "oscar" song....hold on.... i think our boy elliott smith had an oscar song with miss misery? ....also....I think Shaft- Issac Hayes was an oscar winner , and aside from political correctness issues ....man that song still knocks my socks off.
s

Bah humbug. I think the difference between our opinions starts a lot further back than this particular film - it's about the American film tradition. The whole aesthetic in fact. Your reference to Hallmark Movie of the week is quite appropriate - but only in that light. It's naturally naive, cliched-sounding at times, but when done well, which this was, it can still resonate. It's a style I can enjoy - a similar film that comes to mind in tone and allegorical style is Shawshank Redemption, love it or hate it (I actually didn't like it that much). Anyway, gotta say I found MDB very moving, which means I had fun, and you didn't. So nah nah nah nah nah. Guess I'm just a softy.

Sorry to harp on about movies but MDB was as riveting as any other Sunday night Hallmark movie of the week, which is to say not at all. Some of the scenes previously mentioned were cringe inducingly bad. And apart from these scenes what did we have but more Rocky'esque scenes of hyper-speed boxing and wise tired old words exchanged by Clint and Morgan. I didn't buy into it one bit. About as moving and relevant as "The Other Side of the Mountain".

Great idea for a list....I'm on it. I'll start with the sixties.

Re MDB...you say contrvied, I say thematically consistent. Not to say that there weren't a few trite moments (you've identified the worst of them, though I don't agree about the "MF beating the shit out of the punk"), but I found the mood to be brilliantly evoked, the inevitable sadness profound, and the build up to a few critical moments agonizingly well done.

way to embrace your inner youth, bri, or alternatively, your dirty old man's penchant for the young and nubile (welcome to the club).

have to say though, that i wasn't as impressed with either 'million dollar baby' or clint's performance. to me, it seemed like more of a showcase for his teeth-gritting, lone wolf tough guy act more than anything, and found the story as a whole a little too contrived, especially with its moments of catharsis (morgan freeman punching the lippy boxer, hilary swank telling off her greedy mother). i'll grant you hillary swank's oscar worthy performance, though i always find her equine features a tad unsettling.

never saw 'the aviator' or 'ray', mostly because i find biopics tiresome...they all seem to follow the same narrative arc (obscure guy shocks the system, rises to fame, runs into problems, has fight with wife who breaks an item of furniture, finds redemption). all more or less variations on the story of christ, i guess. never saw the mel gibson movie either, a recut version of which was recently re-released. not sure if i'm into prolonged scenes of torture without any kind of self-referential tarantino-esque humour accompanying it.

since we're on the topic of movies, and since i mentioned some of the other films that were nominated for oscars this year, and since this is a music blog and since we've been without a list query for awhile and since...okay okay i'll get to the point. the 'best original song' category always causes me to gnash my teeth and wail because of the piss poor quality of the nominees year in year out. but clearly, there have been some great songs from great films and not so great films so i ask you, what are your top 5 songs from a film, alltime?

Yeah!! What? Oh right, Minnie Driver. Getting on a bit on wouldn't you say...why, she must be mid-thirties?? At least. Wow.

re Shins, I'll still go. Love hanging out with the OC gang. Such nice skin.

And very belatedly, I saw "Million Dollar Baby" on the weekend and thought it was very (surprisingly) strong. Very American cinematic, with a powerful, operatic sort of a script. Clint was outstanding in it - and I don't use that term lightly, he's a fucking terrible actor most of the time...and I'm a fan anyway - and Hillary was even better. Amazing range she has...she gets my nod (well, this week wnyway) for best female actor working today (sorry Derek, I like Samantha Morton too).

Derek maybe you can splain the Ms Driver thang. I saw a picture of what I took to be the actress in Now claiming her band was coming to the Drake as you mention. Is this really the actress, if so does she have any merit other then her beauty )Not that theres anything wrong with going to the Drake for that reason alone...)

didn't realize it was an all-ages gig. maybe you can get minnie to belt out 'kissing the lipless' or better yet [insert joke about kissing her].

Since we're doing lists these days:

#1 - I just read the bleedin' listing last night
#2 - Yes its a good album (maybe two?) but $21??
#3 - Going to concerts south of the Gardiner is just so 90's
#4 - It's an all ages show which means it will be full of kids who just dig them because they heard them on the O.C.
#5 - I'm saving my money to see the divine Ms. Driver at Lee's a week later

okay, since my last post seemed to slam the doors shut on any conversation, let me pose this question:

how come no one told me that the shins were coming on april 17th?

my excuse for not knowing is that i'm never in the effing country. what are your excuses?

now that the smoke has cleared, let me chime in to say:

1) Thursday April 7th is a go for the next cd club meeting at my place, directions to follow as we approach that date
2) i'm in for the spinatra or whatever the hell was suggested, unjustly or otherwise, by mr. doyle (will follow up the link and spelling in due course, bri)
3) i don't mind if stuart picks the next classical piece and in fact will happily grant him my turn in the rotation as well
4) marc, you're this close to having your blogging priviledges suspended if you keep clicking the publish post button everytime your screen doesn't load
5) actually, i don't have a fifth point but thought there should be one anyway

am in seattle for the next couple of days and may try to see m.i.a. tonight, if they still have tickets available. will be away for the bclub on wednesday so have fun at bettys and enjoy the wings you bastages who will be in attendance.

Hey marc, at least you didnt get dissed 4 times in a row. I thought you were just trying to really make your point.... OK Apologies to Brian, I didnt realize Derek picked the last one. Never-the-less I'd like a shot at picking the next one after Janacek , if thats OK w you Brian, Ill probably need the next 3 months anyway just to find something you guys dont have already....
yours humbly (and suitably chastised!)
s

OK boys, the 7th is officially fine for me. We haven't got the go ahead from our host yet, so I'm assuming it's tentative for now.

As for classical selection, Stuart, stop trying to control everybody.

...and apparently i have a propensity for repeating myself!...not exactly sure how that happened; repeatedly said it could not publish and then went ahead and posted them anyway...boy do i i feel silly!

Stuart's propensity for rule making must be a backlash to the Ontario Building Code compliance examinations he is being forced to write...so Stuart, what's the setback from the sidewall to the lot line on your proposed classical music survey?

Stuart's propensity for rule making must be a backlash to the Ontario Building Code compliance examinations he is being forced to write...so Stuart, what's the setback from the sidewall to the lot line on your proposed classical music survey?

Stuart's propensity for rule making must be a backlash to the Ontario Building Code compliance examinations he is being forced to write...so Stuart, what's the setback from the sidewall to the lot line on your proposed classical music survey?

Stuart's propensity for rule making must be a backlash reaction to the exams he is writing for Ontario Building Code compliance...it's all about the rules you see!...so Stuart, what's the setback from the side wall to the lot line on that classical music survey?

First things first. Yes Stuart you are out of your fuckin mind. Secondly I would normally be the last guy to come to Brian's defence (after all he is indefensible) but he did not select the classical music piece that we listened to several months back. The Honneger was selected by yours truly.

Janacek sounds good to me.

Count me in for the janecek but.....I beleive this makes 2 choices in a row for you brian, and as I am a democratically minded fellow (unlike your passive fascist character)......for the next time...... I vote for a rotation on this classical music survey that we are doing.
I realise Brian and Derek have large amounts of classical so they or anyone may veto suggestions that are not new or interesting. I know I know rules again......
what do you guys think? am I out of my f...mind?
s

Here's a link to a description of the Sinfonietta if you're interested.
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=42:29360~T1

Archer Who?

OK, you smug bastard (sorry, lovely smug bastard), you got one of 'em. But there are many many more than that. Well, five. Anyway, I think you need to hustle out and buy a few new ones to keep up.

Is everyone on board for the Janacek?

It's just possible that the 7th is less than perfect for me. Given Stu's issues we might have to move it to the next week (I've got my M-I-L visiting from Oz that week). I'll confirm the date later today.

The 7th is OK for me, but not sooner as I am studying for an exam which takes place on the afternoon of the 7th. ( I will be in the mood for drinking after this so dont count on any usefull dissertations on music .....like I usually provide??)
s

guy, guys!...where's the love...show a bit of da' love!

Hey buddy bring it on!! Hopefully you've got more than the latest Archer Prewitt in your arsenal. Sign me up for the 7th.

once again, at the risk of sounding like nothing ever happens in my life, yeah the 7th is fine for m, as are any of the 4th through 8th...from now on you might just want to assume that i can make it...how sad is that!

Oh for the love of Pete how many tickets can one man have?? Time you settled down like the rest of us and snoozed on the couch in the evenings. Highly recommended. I'm a little sleepy now come to think of it.

I just had a successful Soundscapes outing and am feeling the need to duke it out with Derek manna a manno - number, quality, variety, I got it all.

So, reluctantly, and with the full undertsanding that multiple beers will be bought by the Scotch Man at the next opportunity for his lack of consideration, I suggest we look at the week of April 4 - 8. How about Thursday the seventh?

Sorry to put a spanner in the works boys but I wont be able to attend a CD club prior to April 3. Feel free to go ahead without me although I know that the music I planned to bring kicks ass. Well it's better than the new Jennifer Lopez album at any rate.

Precious little purchased by me in the past couple of months, Kylie. I need the excuse of the CD Club to go and lighten my wallet a little bit. Definitely a few things I'm curious about right now. I'd tell you but.....

i may scoff, scorn, or mock and i frequently deride but i never sneer, stuart.

and i'm in for april 1st. we can have the meeting at my place, say around 7:30pm. i'll email the details as we get closer to the date. i'm also fine with Janacek's Sinfonietta (thank god for copy&pasting functionality--you typed that, bri?)

anyone pick up any interesting music lately, apart from obvious solo projects from lead singers of bands that were cool 16 years ago (note to sw: this officially qualifies as a 'dig')?

'the digital urn for a digital age' or whatever its called by bright eyes is decent but doesn't exactly rock my work. i'm told the more acoustic release is better. is this true? i'm enjoying the latest 'stars' disc. also, anyone catch the new beck tunes on 'the oc' hier soir?

Frankly,
I am just so happy not to have Kyles sneering email to me (on Ian Brown), everytime I check for life on metabeats that .... Ill agree to anything. April 1 is fine for me....

April 1st???????...are you trying to pull a fast one on me?...ok, the 1st will do just fine. I think i have to get a life...Evidently i do not have enough scheduling conflicts.

How's the 1st for everyone?

No can do on the 31st I'm afraid. I have tickets for a show that night. And the 30th if I'm not mistaken.

I'm good for the 31st.

OK boys, seriously...I know we're capable of this......when's the CD club? I'll throw out a date to get the ball rolling. Thursday March 31st?

Going to hit the shops tomorrow to buy "CD Club music".

Are we going to try a classical piece again this time? If so, I nominate Janacek's Sinfonietta.

Ian Brown reminds you of Oasis?! No, no no no no! Oasis reminds you of the Stone Roses!!!

Sorry to italicize there, Stuart but you had it coming... I'm not sure any band ever lives up to the hype but the first Stone Roses album is at the very least, one of the better pop releases in the last 20 years. Revisit it. Now!

Also, my apologies for my recent absence from the blogosphere and my non-committal on a cd club date but 1) I've been really busy with work and travelling like crazy 2) i have been itching and scratching for the past 6 days due to an unforeseen and wholly irritating allergic reaction I'm having due to, what is presumed at this point but cannot definitively blamed on, new fabric softener sheets, and 3) i'm waiting to hear back from some clients before i can firm up my schedule for the end of march. Are there any dates the week of March 28 to April 1st that won't work for any of you?

Regarding the NYT Magazine article and the quote that you posted, Derek...

It's a rule of thumb that marketing people are completely full of shit but in this case, I think Ms. Fishman has her head completely up her ass. While I don't dispute the usefulness of demographic segmentation, attributing the lack of enthusiasm for a Motley Crue revival among my cohert to bad parenting and schooling is a bit much. I'd like to think it's because generationally, we're less lame than the Boomers, whose endless evocations of Woodstock and 60s nostaglia become more grating with each 'For What it's Worth' soundtracked, 'bombs dropping on Vietnam and prostesters putting flowers in gun' montage that crops up on tv every other week.

But I think the main reason for the low attendance at these nostalgic tours is mainly a numbers game. There are a lot more Boomers than GenXers so the market is just smaller for the kind of self-absorbed, remember-when-we-were-cool navel-gazing that would precipitate the purchase of a Billy Idol revival ticket.

On another note, has anybody heard any music from a NY band called, "Brazilian Girls"? I almost picked up the disc a few weeks ago after listening to a few tracks and reading a lot of hype but was put off by the cd cover. Is this wrong? Am I shallow? You can see what I mean here. You can listen to them here.

Hope to have some dates suggested soon.

Bill bought a cd into work recently that his university girls have been listening to.-Ian Brown -solarized. ( popular with the kids). I dig it baby, sort of like Oasis but less formulaic at least to my mind. Also a bit seventies influenced, which is never a bad thing for me.
I checked out some of his other albums on allmusic and found him to be the singer of stone roses, which is odd, because as much as I have tried ( and I have put some serious effort into it) I just dont get what all the fuss is about the stone roses.
Maybe some of you could let me know how his work with them is so much better ( as I predict will be your response) then his latter solo stuff. or if you like his solo stuff, what is good?