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Post by Shutter Girl on Dec 28, 2005 9:43:50 GMT -5
Shawn Phillips, FacesIn November Shawn re-released this classic album on cd, the profits from sales going to charity. Not that crazy about the mix, it's kind of tinny and the bass and low tones (and you know Shawn has a lotta low tones) drop out. Nevertheless, it's still my fave Shawn album with some of my very fave songs, including the epic Parisian Plight II. Yum!
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Post by Shutter Girl on Jan 8, 2006 16:11:53 GMT -5
Last night we had a nice visit and game extravaganza with our friend Trikrona. It was the first time in a while that I actually felt like a part of the human race --- thanks friend and thanks my dear RJ!
We talked, had fun and played to:
Morrissey, You Are the Quarry
The man still has it! His beautiful voice, thoughtful lyrics and dark melodies haunt this long awaited album.
Jay Terrien, All the Dolls in the Same Place
What a bassist and what an album! He made be odd in real life but this master certainly knows how to play. Unforgettable.
KTU, 8 Armed Monkey
An intriguing combo of Pat, Trey and friends. Gutteral sounds, raucous drums and serenade via accordian --- how can you go wrong?
;-)
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Post by Shutter Girl on Jan 22, 2006 12:24:45 GMT -5
If you're in the mood for a little King Crimson and associated artists and you have high speed internet access then you'll want to visit their fine website: www.dgmlive.comHere you'll be able to download all sorts of juicy tidbits! The latest for me (thanks to my fluffy pal): A good KC show from 2003 and soundscapes from Mr. Fripp's 2005 shows. Loverly...
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Post by Shutter Girl on Apr 12, 2006 8:36:09 GMT -5
Resonator by Tony Levin The best bassist in the whole wide world strikes again! This time with the likes of Adrian Belew and Jerry Marotta, among other great musicians. TL sings on this one... interesting!! His singing voice sounds nothing like his speaking voice, you wouldn't guess it was him. A nice album from a really nice guy.
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Post by Shutter Girl on Apr 26, 2006 9:07:20 GMT -5
Been in a Chili Peppas mood and have been spinning:
Californication
Over and over and over again....
This was that album that brought the Chili Peppers out into the top 40 music world, or should I say that it's the time that the general public finally recognized their talent. Their next release, By the Way, came from a different, deeper place. It's about growing up and growing out of addictions.... it's beautiful on several different levels.
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Post by MaxQuad on Apr 28, 2006 14:53:45 GMT -5
Bruce Springsteen: We Shall Overcome - The Seeger Sessions
Here's something I wrote to a friend earlier today after she sent me a review of Bruce's latest album, a review that said "Bruce owes us one" after putting together this album of "musical broccoli" (according to this critic - "You know it's good for you and all, but nobody wants to make a meal of it.") - an album immediately following his "spotty and foregttable" (according to this critic) Devils and Dust album. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Traditional music of any kind has a fond spot in my heart. Hence a penchant for folk music, bluegrass, Celtic - and the recently experienced Canadian maritime roots of Great Big Sea at UB. One can appreciate present life and past simultaneously - enrich one's view of the world, again simultaneously present and past. Continuity is a wonderful thing, something to which we pay too little attention most of our days. Given that, the recent review sent (written by Bill Zaferos) is off the mark from my perspective on the value of music, especially traditional music. (He is also way off base on Devils and Dust. It is clear he doesn't understand the essence of Bruce's music is in the images and stories. The themes are consistent with Bruce, whether kick ass rock 'n' roll with the E Street Band or quiet, introspective moments of Bruce with a guitar or sitting at a piano. One needs to look no further than the Devils and Dust tour - Bruce's "anthems" as powerful, if not more powerful, when given intimate interpretations.) With that introduction, it is easy to predict my opinion: I love The Seeger Sessions. This isn't unqualified applause. There are moments where Bruce's take on a song or two is a bit of a letdown, perhaps only in comparison to other versions I may have heard - but a slight disappointment nonetheless. Still, it is an incredibly fresh, listenable, and inspiring album. Highlights for me include: O Mary Don't You Weep, John Henry, Jacob's Ladder, Eyes on the Prize, Pay Me My Money Down, and We Shall Overcome. Some specific comments on a few songs. Old Dan Tucker - a rollicking beginning. Sets the stage well for what is to follow. O Mary Don't You Weep - How could Mary weep after hearing this? Full of joy and hope. Mrs. McGrath - the bitter truth of war, pulled directly from Devils and Dust. Sadly, as relevant today as in days when first sung. The song that provides the most obvious evidence of Zaferos' misplaced commentary. Erie Canal - has a nice lazy feel at the beginning, as if truly traveling along the canal in days when it was a vital part of this country's economic and social fabric. Jacob's Ladder - higher and higher. Just keep climbing. Infectious in its ability to raise you up in song and spirit. John Henry - I think it was on an NPR commentary, perhaps on Fresh Air, that the commentator referred to the fairly staid and sterile versions of John Henry to which we have been subjected through the years. Bruce's version fully embraces the vitality of John Henry - an unforgettable character before and even more unforgettable now. Eyes on the Prize - a song of struggle that has a joyous interlude in the midst of a song and a triumphant ending. Pursuing the cause, whether won or lost, is still a victory. Pay Me My Money Down - a more raucous version compared to the equally great version by The Weavers at Carnegie. More of a confident demand than a plea in this one. We Shall Overcome - less anthemic than anticipated. A quieter confidence regarding the ultimate outcome. A more personal statement than the commonly associated use of the song as part of a "movement." The biggest disappointment? Shenadoah. One of my favorite versions is performed by David Grisman and Jerry Garcia (on, of all things, a collection of songs for children). That is a version that wonderfully captures the combination of personal solitude and peaceful appreciation of the Shenandoah. Richard Thompson's version on his recently released box set also captures this side of the song. In Bruce's version, he doesn't seemed to be engaged in such a manner. At the outset, he sounds like he just woke up. Froggie Went A Courtin' - Bruce on vocals with only the slightest hint of the cast of many backing musicians providing vocal support (unlike many of the other songs that have prominent features of a sing-along). A move calculated to get the listener to fill the gap? To leave us, in the end, engaged in singing and remembering these songs? Whatever the reason, it works. The whole damn album works. A glorious collection of music and spirit. MQ
Addendum: While driving from his baseball practice last night, my nine year old son beamed and said, "I sang Old Dan Tucker in school!"
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Post by Shutter Girl on Apr 29, 2006 13:43:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the fantastic review, Max! I know that a lot of members on this webboard love folk and would be really interested in hearing this. I wonder why so many singers are starting to do folk songs? Do you think as they grow older they have more respect for history of our musical heritage? For me, it's: Side Three by Adrian Belew Ade has done it again: It's a whirlwind trip through the heart of his guitar and a window into his soul. Danny Carey from Tool and Les Claypool give support to this rockin end of a well fashioned trilogy. Even Fripp is on hand to play... (are you ready for this?)... the flute! One of the things I love about this album is the way he includes sounds and parts of songs from Side One. It serves to make the trilogy a cohesive package. Way to go Adrian, great job. A note about the artwork: Some people might not know that Adrian Belew is a painter and in fact, has sold some of his paintings to adoring fans. He has a great eye for color and his work is shown on this as well as the other two albums in the trilogy. This time around he added another element to the album artwork by including a piece from our very own Poodledoo! It's a thrill to see the colorful Warholesque photo of Ade in action grace the insert. I can't even imagine having something I created on the album of one of my very favorite musicians. Congratulations, Mark!!
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Post by Shutter Girl on May 11, 2006 17:00:22 GMT -5
Tool, [glow=red,2,300]10,000 Days[/glow]
It's brawny, it's heavy, it's... Tool! The hard rockers' new one rawks the house with Danny Carey's insatiable drums and deadly beat. Even the artwork is great: Glasses are provided to view the stereophotographs and paintings in all of their 3D glory! How can you go wrong?
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Post by Shutter Girl on Aug 19, 2006 16:02:41 GMT -5
CG3+2 by the California Guitar Trio with Pat Mastelotto and Tony Levin
A delectable treat from the group that inspired me to purchase my guitar! Looking forward to their upcoming appearance here in October.
Play on, boys.
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Post by stubedoo on Nov 9, 2006 11:39:46 GMT -5
Max emailed me and said, 'You should post on gravity eyelids". I admit, I'm a lurker. Our moderator knows what I mean--too many listserves, too little time.
Anyway, anybody else out there a Caravan fan? I just bought the 35th Anniversery DVD. It has a lot of good old songs on it and they still sing and play very well. My one complaint about it is that the sound quality is mediocre. If you're going to go to the trouble of making a "35 Anniversery" DVD, at least put it in 5.1 sound! But it's a worthwhile purchase for any die-hard Caravan fans out there like me.
Stubecoo
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Post by Shutter Girl on Nov 9, 2006 19:49:31 GMT -5
Welcome back, my dear! And thanks for mentioned us, Max. I loved the Caravan cd you sent me, Stubedoo! I've never seen them perform, should I get the dvd?
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Post by stubedoo on Nov 10, 2006 1:05:00 GMT -5
No, I'd concentrate on getting the albums Gray and PInk, Waterloo Lily, If I Could Do It Over Again I'd do it over you and Blind Dog at St. Dunstans. Their best work is in the studio.
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Post by RepairmanJack on Nov 16, 2006 0:48:34 GMT -5
I have been listening to Govt Mule's latest cd High & Mighty a lot the last week. SG and I are going to see them this weekend at the HOB. I am really looking forward to the show.
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Post by MaxQuad on Nov 17, 2006 9:35:06 GMT -5
I have been listening to Govt Mule's latest cd High & Mighty a lot the last week. SG and I are going to see them this weekend at the HOB. I am really looking forward to the show. My brother is a big Govt Mule fan and has seen them a number of times. He sings their praises. I am sure you will enjoy the show. Let us know what you think. MQ
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Post by Shutter Girl on Jan 5, 2007 7:34:09 GMT -5
Been listening a lot to Morrissey's second last album, You Are The Quarry. Love it and love the cover, too! And as an added extra bonus, provider of said album also included a live version of the Mr. M. doing the Smith's Big Mouth Strikes Again. Don't know it? Here it is: Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking When I said I'd like to smash every tooth In your head Oh ... sweetness, sweetness, I was only joking When I said by rights you should be Bludgeoned in your bed And now I know how Joan of Arc felt Now I know how Joan of Arc felt As the flames rose to her roman nose And her iPod started to melt Oh ... Bigmouth, la ... bigmouth, la ... Bigmouth strikes again And I've got no right to take my place With the Human race Oh, bigmouth, la ... bigmouth, la Bigmouth strikes again And I've got no right to take my place With the Human race And now I know how Joan of Arc felt Now I know how Joan of Arc felt As the flames rose to her roman nose And her iPod started to melt Bigmouth, la ... bigmouth, la ... Bigmouth strikes again And I've got no right to take my place With the Human race Oh ... Bigmouth, oh ... bigmouth, la ... Bigmouth strikes again And I've got no right to take my place With the Human race Oh ... Bigmouth, oh ... bigmouth, la ... Bigmouth strikes again And I've got no right to take my place With the Human race Oh ... Bigmouth, oh ... bigmouth, la ... Bigmouth strikes again And I've got no right to take my place With the Human race Oh ...
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