Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set

Subject: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat DC set
From: michaelr
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:26 PM

Wow! I have just had the privilege of listening to advance copies of the upcoming Mudcat 6-CD set "This is Us"/"Until the Dark Time Ends", and I must say I'm blown away - mightily impressed - absolutely thrilled by the quality and variety of the music presented therein by scores of Mudcat members.

This collection tops the previous "Blue Plate Special" set and is destined to become a treasured collector's item among folk and blues aficionados. There are over 130 songs and tunes from the whole spectrum, performed by inspired amateurs as well as seasoned professionals. Quite a lot of them feature unaccompanied singing; others are full-band arrangements or voice-and-guitar offerings.

A teaser poster can be downloaded here (requires a pdf reader such as Adobe Reader). Contents, complete lyrics and song notes are here.

When will the set be available? We're up against a tight deadline, but if all goes well, Dick Greenhaus will have the World Premiere copies on the CAMSCO table at next month's Getaway. The UK launch will be November 14 at Herga Folk Club.

This has been a labor of love by bradfordian, SussexCarole, Mysha, Dick and myself. Many thanks to them, and to all who contributed content.

Are you excited yet?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat DC set
From: Janie
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:32 PM

Extremely so! And accolades to all of you Cat herders who did the work to really make this happen.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat DC set
From: Janie
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:37 PM

And don't forget Genie!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat DC set
From: GUEST,999
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:39 PM

Was just gonna say that, Janie.

Excellent work to all of you and many thanks.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat DC set
From: michaelr
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:40 PM

Sorry Genie, I didn't mean to leave your name off the list. You did a lot of work!

and... DC set? Am I getting dyslexic??

Some Mudelf, please fix.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat DC set
From: Beer
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:59 PM

Congratulations to all those who worked so hard to put it together and to all the musician's who contributed.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 08:15 PM

So, the DC set will have its premiere at the Washington CD Getaway?
Do I have that right?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: michaelr
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 08:24 PM

Prefelcty!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: artbrooks
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 08:31 PM

When will Dick be able to take orders?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 08:54 PM

Lots of thanks to share but Barrie certainly deserves an extra helping for the energy and talent he has focused on this project.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: GUEST,999
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 10:12 PM

Ditto what Charley said.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 10:30 PM

Wonderful! Love the poster. How soon may we order from Dick, if we aren't going to be at the Getaway?

Thanks to all!!!

kat

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 11:14 PM

Dick, I'll be at Getaway. Reserve!!! Reserve!!!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 11:48 PM

I want my set!

sandra (waiting patiently!)

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: stallion
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 05:36 AM

Barrie can yo remind of the venue and date for the UK launch please. I remember it as Herga but csn't remember the date.
cheers
Peter

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 07:35 AM

Can't be at the Getaway (this year...) but can't wait!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: My guru always said
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 07:51 AM

UK launch should be November 14th at Herga Folk Club!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: bradfordian
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 07:04 AM

Once we have got hold of the CDs we will be giving out information about ordering the CDs from US and UK.

Time is Tight, so its fingers crossed to have them ready for the Getaway.

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 06:18 AM

I'm so out of the loop I didn't even know this was happening until I was dinking around this morning and opened this thread by accident!

Perusing the liner notes...wow.

If someone has a way for us to share this info on Facebook (with an ordering contact?) when it's a good time, let me know.

Saving my $$ for sure ; )

Dani

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: stallion
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 03:20 AM

Yipee 2BS&S are almost certain to be there, i say almost because one of us has a close relative who is gravely ill and one is never certain of what or when stuff happens.
Peter

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Clontarf83
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 05:37 PM

Thanks to the team for all the hard work.
Thanks for including a track from me and my band
Thanks especially for your patience with my lack of competence in editing etc

Looking forward to hearing this collection!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: Mudcat CD : Wood
From: Amos
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 10:37 PM

MUDCAT CDs 2011 -- Wood
Produced by Barry (bradfordian)


Bring Down the Walls        4:30        Amos Jessup        
The Snows They Melt The Soonest        3:23        JHW        
Turkish Tune        7:22        John Porterfield        
Monkeys Wedding        1:29        Max Spiegel        
Agent Orange        4:14        Richenda Bridge        
The October Waltz        4:03        Steve Suffet        
08 Water and Beer TS        2:24                
Give Me the Roses, too        2:55        Laurel Woodsorrel        
The Promise Of The Sowing        3:43        Dan Schatz        
Shady Grove        2:17        Mark Clark        
John Riley        4:26        Nick Blair and wife        
Cleveland Hills        4:04        Tootler+Nick        
Let Me Breathe        4:03        Andrew McKay & Carole Etherton        
Email He Male        3:07        Yorkshire Yankee        
Wiscasset Schooner        4:43        Jacqui Morse        
Parting Glass JB        2:12                
Road To Ruin        3:45        Steve Robinson        
Die Lorelei MAG, Genie, Lorelei 4:00        Genie MAG Lorelei        
Ain't Got The Blues        4:15        Alan Moorhouse Band        

This is a really interesting CD which sparkles with brilliance from widely differing corners of the forest. Laurel's "Give Me the Rose" is a poignant tune reminiscent of Maria Muldaur's best work. Max Spiegel does a "Monkey's Wedding" which leaves you grinning at the bubbly whimsey. John Portfield's Turkish Tune makes you feel that you are wandering the casbah in Istanbul. Dan Schatz brings his beautiful voice and intricate picking in the American green song, "The Promise of the Sowing". The segue into the classic fiddle and banjo "Shady Grove" is dramatic and demonstrates the sweeping transitions from voice to voice and genre to genre that permeates the whole collection. The gentle duet on "John Riley" from the Blairs segues into a mystic fluting echo as Tootler and Nick bring out the "Cleveland Hills", a poignant modal instrumental.

Carol and Andrew dispel the mist of well-being with a beautiful rendition of the grim war song, "Let Me Breathe" which draws the listener into the very pit of the Flanders trenches. Just as he expires in agony, a jivy blues on the joys of internet flirting comes rollicking forward backed by Yorkshire Yankee's boogie woogie.

Another minute and you are lost on the rough seacoast of Maine, hearing Jacqui invoke the deathless images of the Wiscassett Schooners, only to be swept up by a beautiful harmony in three voices rendering "Parting Glass" as fairly as ever it has been done. A couple of cuts later you are swinging into some mixed up German English boogie boogie woogie declaiming "I Ain't Got The Blues". Every cut--I have not mentioned them all--does honor to the richness of the collection.

Anyway the result of this whiplash journey across the many continents of music is a delightful sense of enthusiastic potpourri and sentiment reaching across the pulsing spectrum of the whole human heart. I am proud to be a small part of this disk, and recommend it to you wholeheartedly. It's a keeper!

More to come on the other disks in this excellent collection from the sweat of Bradfordian's brow.

Regards,

Amos

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 11:10 PM

"Bring Down the Walls" ain't so shabby either.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Oct 11 - 06:07 AM

And its STILL more thsn a month before we can get our hads on it in UK !!

Subject: RE: Review: Until the Dark Time Ends
From: Amos
Date: 13 Oct 11 - 06:03 PM

Banjos We Have Heard On High        3:18        Jed Marum
Personet Hodie        4:42        John P
The New Year Song        3:01        Hazel Bolton
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen        2:52        Ernest Johnson
The Comfort Of Singing Voices        2:29        Animaterra Women's Chorus
Cornmish Wassail        1:58        Dick Miles
December Waltz        3:12        ShoreGrass
Miss Fogartys Christmas Cake + The Cook In The Kitchen        4:25        Seamus Kenedy
Sans Day Carol        2:55         Barrie Mathers and Hilary Ward
Christmas Tree Lament        2:48        Chas Clark
Dance With The Dragon        4:02        Anne Lister
Sing A Song Of Christmas        1:11        Henry Clements
The Turning Of The Year        2:12        Steve Suffet
Gower Wassail        3:53        Rapunzel & Sedayne
Sweet Chiming Bells        3:44        Mary Humphreys and Anahata
A Sprengisandi        2:29        Rosin Okkar
Jingle Bells        1:51        Marty Kohn
Sweet Perfection (Joseph's Carol)        4:07        Claire B. Norman
When Father Was Pantomime Dame        2:58        Terry Silver
Nowell and Nowell        2:33        John Burton and Friends
Cold Winter Is Coming        3:40        Dan Schatz
Raise Your Voices In The Song        3:42        Jeanene Pratt
The Rebel Jesus        3:17        Amos Jessup
Ice Storm        6:00        Maeve

This is a collection of seasonal songs centered on the age-old celebration of the turning of the year, CHristmastime, and the hopes of winter's passage which begins at its darkest part.

The CD is musically intense, varied, uplifting. It ranges from the most ordinary, time-honored Christmas songs to the modal mystic melodies of the Gower Wassail, from the celebratory to the ironic, but throughout it is musically engaging and fascinating, both beautiful and thrilling. The songs echo with memories of frozen landscapes and dark mornings, and sparkle with rthe excitement of renewal and spiritual hope.

It is a lovely disk to listen to, and prompts a rich array of feelings and insights. A very well-done compilation indeed, and highly recommended for ordinary listening delight or for echoing through the house over and over in its season!

Amos

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Janie
Date: 16 Oct 11 - 10:46 PM

I don't have knowledge or expertise to really call this a review, but this seems to be the best place to post my experience of the set.

This weekend was one of my solitary semimonthly 600 mile round trips home to Charleston, WV, and it afforded the opportunity to listen well to the entire 6 CD set.

What an amazing, diverse and compelling compilation, and what a wonderful sharing on the part of so many people who are participants in this community on so many levels. The selections and the contributors range from professional and semi-professional musicians, to practiced and talented amateurs, to a few of us who lift our voices in song and/or mostly listen to or participate with the voices of others in song as assorted expressions of the ways we make and express meaning in our lives.

It was a beautiful autumn weekend to traverse the northern Piedmont, up into and across the Blue Ridge, Alleghenies and Appalachian plateau down to the Kanawha River Valley, made even more beautiful by the company of the Mudcat Community made manifest on this collection of CD's.

Barrie and helpers, I really want to commend you for the insightful way you constructed and arranged the selections on these 6 CD's.

Janie

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 17 Oct 11 - 11:29 AM

The set makes a lovely Christmas present.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Amos
Date: 17 Oct 11 - 01:19 PM

FLOOD DICK!!!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 17 Oct 11 - 03:01 PM

You can get an injection that will clear that right up, Amos.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Cool Beans
Date: 17 Oct 11 - 03:53 PM

Ordered mine today. Looking forward to stealing some songs (and having mine stolen).

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: artbrooks
Date: 17 Oct 11 - 07:19 PM

Got mine in the mail today (thanks, Dick!!), and I'm almost finished with the second one in the pile ('Wood'). Some great stuff here - some classics and some originals, all very well done. Only one problem so far - the .pdf file for 'Earth' is unreadable past page 1.

A thought for the producers, and I'm really not sure how this works or if is even possible for what are basically privately-produced CDs: Windows Media Player picks up album information from the web, and it is showing 'unknown album' and no track information. Could this be put on line so the player can find it?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: michaelr
Date: 17 Oct 11 - 08:12 PM

If you are having trouble with the pdf files on the discs, remember that they are available - in some cases even more up-to-date - on the Permathread.

There was talk about putting them online, and it may yet happen in the fullness of time. As of now, they are not in any database where players might find them.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: artbrooks
Date: 17 Oct 11 - 09:08 PM

Thanks, Michael. There are no .pdf files on either the 'Sky' or 'Water' CDs...I haven't gotten to 'Stone' yet.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: michaelr
Date: 17 Oct 11 - 09:23 PM

Yikes. That is bad news. (I haven't received my own set yet.) Barrie, Dick, what happened?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 17 Oct 11 - 09:50 PM

Yeah, the PDFs aren't on some of the CDs, but it's fairly easy to 'fix' that, as long as the purchasers can be contacted so the PDFs can be sent to them or they can find them via links here at Mudcat or FSGW, etc.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 01:46 PM

Just got my copies of the CDs and listened to Sky first (well, that's the one I am on after all LOL) and I was very impressed with the overall quality of performance and songwriting. A project like this would seem to tend toward vanity publishing, but Bradfordian has dodged that description, at least thus ar on hearing only the Sky CD.
Lots of high points on this one, but I wanted to mention the ones I particularly enjoyed on first hearing. Dreams and High Hopes by Michael Rofkar is the kind of story song I like, is about the American Civil War, which is a passion of mine, and is particularly well recorded and performed by Michael's session musicians.
Marty Kohn's 16 Monkeys is the kind of song I approach with a certain scepticism...the lyrics are funny, but will the song be? Well, yes it is indeed.
Bruce Murdoch's singing and delivery are really good on I Just Seem to Keep Loving You. I appreciate the emotional honesty of his approach very much.
And finally, I was fascinated by the purity of the harmony singing on Sweet Minerva by Hazel Richings and Linda Kelly. Just beautiful.

Those were my standouts, but I didn't find a weak or unlistenable track on the CD.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 02:46 PM

I thought I answered the PDF question, but it seems to have disappeared.
Turns out that there just wasn't enough room om three of the CDs to fit the PDFs. The choice was to eliminate some songs, or to omit the PDFs.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 03:23 PM

I agree, Ernie. I was the "elf" for the Sky CD liner notes and lyrics, so I got to hear all the tracks beforehand. There's not a weak track on the whole CD.
I especially love George Papavgeris's song "The Rain Is Falling," performed on the CD by My guru always said and Breezy; Marty's "Sixteen Monkeys"; "Proud Pedlar" sung by Mary Humphreys with Anahata on cello; ClaireBear's "Telling The Bees," with Jonathan Berger's instrumental accompaniment; and Bob Knight's a cappella "Tramps And Hawkers." But it's hard to choose favorites because the CD is so good!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: ClaireBear
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 04:11 PM

Genie and EJ -- Jon(athan) Berger is also in Michael Rofkar's band Greenhouse, so he's on two tracks on that CD. Small world, innit?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 04:56 PM

Does he ever get to Colorado? :>)

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: ClaireBear
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 05:06 PM

He grew up there! But rarely gets back these days. Come to California and hang with us here!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 05:21 PM

Mid-January work?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: ClaireBear
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 05:47 PM

Any time! Bay Area Catters standing by...

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 07:43 PM

OK, at the risk of hurting someone's feelings by not mentioning them, I want to point out some of LEJ's Picks on the Wood CD. I want to first say that the quality of the songs is at a very high standard, as it was on Sky, but the static inter-track pop is a trifle louder but not really annoying at all.
Amos gets the CD off to a great start with the familiar warm baritone many of us know and love, and Walls is a dandy.
The Snows they Melt the Sooner is a beautiful traditional song, and John Wilson does as great a rendition as I have heard.
This is followed by Turkish Tune by Crookshank, which is unusual, exotic, and might just be my favorite on the CD.
Agent Orange is an exquisitely sung heartbreaker by Richenda Bridge.
Dan Schatz summons up the spirit and style of Stan Rogers (at least for me) on The Promise of the Sowing, which is an anchor song for an album, I hope.
Rounding out my faves is Road to Ruin by "closet-folkie" Steve Robinson, who might fall into the "singer-songwriter" category if he's not careful. A very memorable tune done with style and grace.
But again, I liked everything I heard, and I can see that songs like Max's Monkey Song, Die Lorelei, Breath, Afghanistan, and Jacqui's Wiscasset Schooners will grow on me with repeated listenings.

Again, kudoes to everyone who made this project such a success!!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 12:24 AM

BTW, re "Die Lorelei," I should point out that I sent Barrie several 'mixes' from the original recording session and the one that got used is not the one I would have chosen, but I have to take responsibility for that because I probably didn't make it clear enough which one I preferred. The main flaw in that one is that near the beginning there is a track-sync glitch between one of the keyboard tracks and the vocals.    (We recorded the song twice, and I was adding the keyboard track from the 1st recording to the 2nd recording but there was that one place where I didn't get it perfectly matched.)   I hope it's not too distracting.

Genie

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 04:25 PM

Just got my 6-CD set and it looks great! Here's the thing: I'm listening to "Until The Dark Time Ends" and keying all the track information into Windows Media Player. How do I upload that to the ozone so that the album information is available globally? Can it be done via Media Player or should I go through iTunes? or how?

This holiday CD is very enjoyable, by the way. I'll listen to it once today and then put it away until the Dark Time Begins, to play during the holidays.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: GUEST,karen k
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 06:31 AM

Dick,
Please send me 2 sets of THIS IS US and the last volume of the Child Ballads from Loomis and a bill of course.

Thanks,
karen

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: michaelr
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 12:07 PM

Guest, Karen K -

posting to this thread is not the right way to place an order, as Dick may not be monitoring the thread. Here is contact information from www.camscomusic.com:

We can be reached by E-Mail at:       [e-mail]
    or by phone at    800/548-FOLK {3655} (US and Canada)
                      or    609/371-1707
    Or by snail-mail at:
                CAMSCO Music
                   145 Hickory Corner Road
                East Windsor, NJ 08520
                US
       We're generally available from 10 AM to 10 PM Eastern time. If we're not there, we have a friendly answering machine, and we'll almost always get back to you within 72 hours---if you leave your phone number.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: artbrooks
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 01:05 PM

I've now listened to the entire set (well, I'm saving the holiday CD for later). The music is, as expected, wonderful. However, of the five, there are 2 useable .pdf files, one busted one and 2 are missing. I know that the lyrics and notes are all on the permathread, but is there a link to a .pdf set that I can access?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: michaelr
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 01:32 PM

I have uploaded the pdf files for each CD to mediafire.com. The link is here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?a7d0ygz3i7xo1

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: bradfordian
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 03:44 PM

I am in the process of sending the CD/track details to Gracenotes/CDDB.
Give it a couple of days to work through their system.
This should then show the track listings on iTunes and some other media players which get their data from an online database.

Some other media players like VLC can read the CDs directly as they contain "CD Text"

However, windows media player is another kettle of fish--one advisor said that I need to send the CDs physically to some address in the 'states and they would supposedly do the necessary...............but I can't spare a set for that just yet!

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 03:48 PM

Thanks for the mediafire link, Michael.

Suggestion: When anyone orders any of these new CDs, send that link to them so they'll know where to find the PDF.   Or send the PDFs themselves to the purchaser via email.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Janie
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 06:41 PM

Thanks micheal!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 23 Oct 11 - 12:22 PM

One more sale, an I'll be able to send Max a check for $500. Step right up!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 23 Oct 11 - 07:31 PM

Yay!!

BTW, I've now listened all the way through to the "Wood," "Earth," and "Dark Time" CDs, and I think they are well worth the price, even if this were not a fund raiser. There are just so many really good songs, voices, instruments, etc., on each one.   

(Yes, there are a few technical glitches, whereby a few tracks seem to have been distorted in one way or another from their original form -- as discussed in this thread, but very few tracks were affected, and even those tracks are still worth listening to.    There are at least 20 songs on each CD, and the quality and variety of the songs is impressive.)

Now I have to listen to the other three CDs. (Being one of the 'elves' for "Sky," I've already heard all the tracks that went into that CD, and they're. I just haven't heard them on the actual CD yet.)

These CDs really will make lovely Christmas/Hanukkah/Solstice/Kwanzaa (etc.) gifts, folks!

Genie

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 04:09 PM

I do find that the longer CDs do not play well when it gets to the final few tracks in my Honda Van CD player. I begin to hear long silent gaps between musical lines and then more and more static. I'll have to check and see if I encounter the same problem on my home based CD player. But it is a common problem when more than 20 tracks are recorded to a CD.

Anyone else encountered this problem?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 05:21 PM

I noticed last night that sometimes the sound was cutting in and out in terms of volume, but I'm pretty sure that was the fault of my cheap little computer speakers, not the CDs themselves.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 05:55 PM

BTW, I have now listened to all 6 CDs all the way through, and I think it's a really wonderful collection of songs and performers.    A few tracks sound like home recordings or live recordings (with some of the flaws that are common to those, such as extraneous noise from the audience being heard on the track), but even those are quite listenable. Most of the tracks sound quite professional.   And the vocals and instrumentals range from OK (a few tracks) to quite good to absolutely stunning.

I'll post some more specific reviews later, but for now I really think this collection is well worth owning and is a real bargain.

Genie

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: bradfordian
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 06:47 PM

Just an observation here, please don't take this as a rant.
Everybody is entitled to express their point of view and by and large the comments are useful...it's how we learn.
One issue is that on reflection, I did cram too much onto the CDs such that the area for the pdfs were a bit of a squeeze. I think this occurred because the information I was getting about the total playing time was quite within the allowable time. Now these CDs have "CD Text" for each track and a folder for the pdf which I believe all conspired to make the CD very full. Consequently, I'm considering removing the pdfs from the next batch of CDs as the lyrics information is readily available from the mudcat Lyrics thread. I'm sure you would not have me remove one of the songs just to keep the pdfs!

There is clearly an expectation for a high quality product because that is what we have been getting used to with studio productions using the latest technological advances. Now I and my colleagues did endeavour to be fully inclusive and whilst we did need to try to get some better quality submissions, no Mudcatter who submitted a song was declined. The theme is THIS IS US---- get it! THIS IS US--- what you hear is what you get! So of course there are some recordings that ideally should have been of better quality and they do show up when compared against some of the more professionally produced material. Further more, two thirds of the contributions came via the internet, many from mp3s, some from Youtube so a small number of iterations on the compression/de-compression process may have caused some minor issues, But only the source is in a positon of being aware of the original quality, I alas was further down the chain just trying to balance the content and there may well have been quality issues which might have been picked had we set up a more discernable proof hearing team. But time was getting tight because I promoted the idea of getting the CDs ready for the FSGW-Getaway.
This was my first (and last)such project and as such there are always lessons to be learnt. (and we all know what lesson no. 1 is !)

Nevertheless, on a lighter note, I am proud to have brought together so many people who make this community such an endearing place (most of the time) There are some stories in these tracks that positively make my heart glow to know that those peopole are there having overcome some difficulties to be on these CDs [and no jokes please about the tracks from Barry and Teresa]. Just sit back and enjoy.

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 07:08 PM

To all who did the work (not the singin and playin) on these CDs...YOU DID GREAT! I have really enjoyed listening to the collection and the high quality level is pretty amazing considering nothing was rejected! Thanks again.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 07:36 PM

Three weeks still till we in UK collect ours !! Glad you Yoosers are enjoying it !

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Cool Beans
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 07:37 PM

Thank you for your outstanding work, Barrie and all concerned. It's an honor to be associated with such an endeavor.
Marty

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 08:19 PM

I'm also very pleased with the overall quality of the recordings and the songs that folks picked to submit. And Barrie and his gang of talented volunteers deserve all our thanks for punching this project through.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 08:42 PM

As Barrie said above: Please don't consider this a rant.

Well, I know I was not up to anything like my best due to battling coming back from the brink of death, then allergies that would stop a rhino and being on O2, but Barrie's patience and kindness convinced me to go ahead with a HOME recording of my song. It's not the song I wanted to sing; that one is under copyright with no permission, but it was written right here, on Mudcat, on a sadly momentous day, so I guess it could be considered a "field" recording.

Likewise my grandson's contribution, again which Barrie was so patient and kind about. Morgan, who will be 8 in a couple of weeks, has grown up literally hearing you all and about you all since he was a month old in my arms. He is thrilled to be a part of the project. I know he can do better, too, but there ya go. THIS IS US is a perfect title.

Thanks, again, Barrie, MichaelR and the rest of you.

luvyakat

Barrie and everyone else who worked on this: THANK YOU!!!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 08:46 PM

Still eagerly awaiting orders.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: GUEST,999
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 09:10 PM

The set of CDs has accomplished its purpose. The set was intended to cover its own costs and raise some cash for Mudcat, and that seems to have happened already. People who have never 'headed' a project likely have little idea of the time, concentration, effort, management, juggling and just plain hard work it is. I do not doubt that some left stuff to the last minute, and others gave conflicting info as to what they wanted or what had to happen. Figure 100+ mp3s, wav files, CDs having to be put in order and coordinated with song lyrics and stories, etc, plus a few thousand e-mails all clamoring for attention and answers RIGHT NOW. Figure total time and then having to split the time amongst five separate CDs and have no CD come in over 77 or so minutes. Then figure the thematic approach that bradfordian took. And then consider the last minute stuff that was submitted that then altered every parameter above.

Barrie, I have yet to hear the set, but regardless the evenness of the technical quality, vocal works, instrument works, harmonies, etc., you and your helpers rammed it through on time. I bet there are a few mistakes in the set. Well, no shit, Sherlock. The Beatles made the first record ever to cost over a million dollars. It's got some errors on it. GASP. I don't doubt that someone somewhere will sit and look for them. That's a good thing. Gives 'em something to do.

What you and your crew did is one helluvan accomplishment. You did what you set out to do, did it to the best of your ability with the materials you were provided to do the job. You will look back on it and think your own woulda, coulda, shouldas. I'll look back on it and think of you and the crew as the people who got the job done on time, and it don't get better than that.

Thank you.

BM

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 09:48 PM

Hear hear, 999!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 10:45 PM

Barrie (and michaelr and all the other elves), I don't think anything that's been said in this thread or the other thread Tech: audio files sound different is in any way meant to disparage either the hard work or expertise that you folks brought to this process or the overall quality of the CDs.

I do like the idea of the liner notes NOT being included as a PDF ON the CD, not just because of the space issue, but also because a liner notes file that's accessed online can be corrected or expanded as needed after the CDs are released.
I do think, though, that the CD itself (the label or the booklet, anyway) should include the link to the Mudcat liner notes permathread.   Not everyone who buys or is given one of these CDs will know how to find these liner notes threads online.

I am beginning to understand how things like compression and changing audio formats can alter the sound of an audio file in mysterious and unexpected ways.    That's good information for future recording projects.
But at least on a few of the tracks on these CDs, I was in the position of being able to compare the original audio file with the track on the CD (not just on my own songs), and sometimes there was noticeable change.    I don't mention these issues to criticize anyone who was involved in putting these CDs together.   

I did mention a couple of such alterations hoping that corrections might be made if and when we sell enough of the original CDs that more need to be produced.   And I wanted to offer to send anyone who bought the "Dark Time Ends" CD the original audio file of my track on that CD because - through no one's fault that I can tell - the volume changes on the track are reversed. This isn't a matter of 'audio quality' as such. It's just that the song doesn't make much sense when the "hush" parts are louder than the "raise your voices" parts.   And if anyone would like to hear the original recording, I'll be glad to send it via email or MediaFire.   

In no way does this mean the seasonal CD, or any of the others, is not a wonderful accomplishment by many people and a CD well worth having and listening to.

You definitely SHOULD be "proud to have brought together so many people who make this community such an endearing place (most of the time)." And, yes to this too:   
"There are some stories in these tracks that positively make my heart glow to know that those people are there having overcome some difficulties to be on these CDs [and no jokes please about the tracks from Barry and Teresa]. Just sit back and enjoy."

If you would not undertake such a project again because of the tremendous amount of work it turned out to be, I don't blame you at all. (Just ask Amos about why he doesn't have an ass anymore because he worked it off putting together the Blue Plate Special CDs.)
But please don't think for a minute that your work isn't appreciated or that the resulting product hasn't been well worth all the work of the many hands, including yours, that brought it about.

Thank you,

Genie

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: artbrooks
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 11:59 PM

Genie, I'd really like to hear your track as you intended it to be. I think you have my email, but if you don't, it is [my MudName{at}earthlink.net.

I hope nobody was taking my carping about the .pdf files to be at all critical of the music itself. I've played all but the Solstice CD, and have enjoyed all of them. I haven't yet tried them on either the car player or the CD on the stereo system, but I've not noticed any issues when played on the PC (which has a decent Bose sound system).

Having the lyric information on the CD itself is a good touch, and convenient when looking at both on the same equipment (ie, the PC), but that is far from important enough to get in the way of good sound quality.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: My guru always said
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 02:20 AM

What everyone said, y'all did an outstanding job on this project!

Not long now for us in the UK to get a glimpse.....

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: michaelr
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 02:30 AM

Genie: the info regarding the lyrics permathread is printed at the bottom of page 3 of the booklet. It's just in very small type!

Thanks all for your kind words. Bruce (999) in his 9:10 post has the best summary of what it was like. But it was fun and rewarding as well. So now ----

Flood Dick with orders to keep the Mudcat servers humming!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: rich-joy
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 04:12 AM

Dick, I am a little confused about your posts of 23rd and 24th, because I emailed you on the 21st with a request for the price of a whole set including postage to Australia -
and also asking if I should just send the funds to you at that email addy (dick @ camscomusic.com) via PayPal.

BUT so far, I've not had a reply :~)

Looking forward to hearing,though!

Cheers,
R-J

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: bradfordian
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 05:33 AM

Apropo of nothing in particular but with reference to these CDs, I particularly am enamoured with Max's parting comment on the EARTH CD. He says:
"These are my people, and where ever in the world I am, I will feel at home"

Max, I reckon that hits the spot!

and I'd like to think that that applies to all of us too!

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 08:32 AM

Rich-Joy-
I'm trying to figure out the best way to minimize shipping costs to OZ (whether it's better to ship from the UK or US). Can you live with a shipment omitting the jewel cases?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: rich-joy
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 08:49 AM

Sure Dick - when I get all the contents I can insert them into new jewels here, no problem! Thanks! R-J.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 01:11 PM

Actually, I think the idea of shipping the CDs in paper (not cardboard) envelopes instead of jewel cases is a good one even for shipments within the US or the British Isles. If someone buys the whole set it could save a noticeable amount on postage. (I think you could ship 6 CDs and booklets, minus the jewel cases, by First Class US mail for less than $3.)



Art Brooks (and anyone else interested), I put the Media Fire link to the original AIFF file of Raise Your Voices In The Song in the thread that has the original lyrics (and an earlier home recording) and some lyric variations:

AIFF audio file of 'Raise Your Voices In The Song'


I will also post in that thread the the MediaFire link for the mp3 of the same. The mp3 and the AIFF sound the same to me on my laptop with small external speakers, but the mp3 is a much smaller file to download.

Genie

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 01:46 PM

Barrie, thanks for the Max quote. It's perfect.

Dick, fwiw, I would be quite happy to NOT have any jewel cases as I don't use/keep them once I receive a CD. Can't order them 'til a better payday, but soon. Thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 04:58 PM

Within the US, shipping costs are reasonably low ($3.50 Media Mail for a set of the six CDs in Jewel cases.)
I can ship to the UK sans jewel cases for $5(US). This intercontinental shipping business can be a real pain.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 08:29 PM

A modeest proposal----since all of the "THis Is Us" CDs are sold to benefit Mudcat, mightn't it be a good iea for some of us to get together and buy some sets as presents for some of our long-time members--I'm thinking of Art THieme and Jean Ritchie for starters.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 01:11 PM

Dick -- I really like that idea! Count me in.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: GUEST,999
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 01:47 PM

What paypal account can money be sent to, Dick?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 02:59 PM

PayPal payments can be made to [e-mail]. Please include information on whom the recipient should be.
BTW-I"ve just sent another check for $600 to Max.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: michaelr
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 03:32 PM

Woo-hoo! That's great, Dick!

(Where's my set, by the way?)

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 05:48 PM

Mike- In the mail.

Tracking: 9102010521297714907214

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 06:00 PM

As far as I'm concerned, I'd want to just donate and have it go into a pool that could be used for any and/or all. Would that be a problem?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 07:11 PM

All contribution (and all suggestions) gratefully accepted. It all goes to support Mudcat!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: michaelr
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 08:18 PM

Thanks, Dick. I'm awaiting it eagerly.

YY -- but you might as well get the bounty that is THIS IS US as a thank you for donating. There is a lot of exceptional music on the set, and I think you may even be represented yourself!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 30 Oct 11 - 04:54 PM

MAkes a fine Christmas (or Thanksgiving or whatever) present. Step right up!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 08:52 AM

Michaelr -- You're right, I am on one of them (you've a very good memory, sir!), and I'm hoping to get the money together to buy a set! But I was assuming that when Dick talked about contributions towards buying sets for others, he meant a separate set of donations -- as opposed to buying a set and asking to have your payment go to funding a set for someone else.

Have I misunderstood?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: bradfordian
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 10:31 AM

I think the idea is that if folks are willing to donate a few bucks to Dick, he can put it onto one side until he has collected, say $65, with which he can then send out a set of the Mudcat CDs to a nominated worthy recipient and to another nominated worthy for the next $65 raised and so on.

Please bear in mind that if making contributions by paypal they do subtract a handling fee so Dick won't get as much as you actually send if using paypal.

All you folks who keep intending to send a donation to Mudcat, but never actually get around to doing it, might have a think about this little jesture, especially as it is coming up to the season of goodwill!

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 10:44 AM

What he said

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 11:54 AM

WOW! I just received a set as a gift from a very generous, especially sweet Mudcatter. What a wonderful surprise! I am working my way through them, on the third one at the moment.

I really feel speechless and so gratefull. I don't think I belong amongst such talent, but I am gratefull for being kindly included.

Well done, all of you. What an incredibly talented lot you all are! I'm thinking NPR and other media need to know about this.

Thanks to my Mudcat "Angel" and to all for sharing and hard work in creating this.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 12:36 PM

Still have lots of sets looking for homes.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 02:37 PM

Thanks, Barrie & Dick. That's pretty much what I was expecting.
I would like to contribute towards sets for Art Thieme and Jean Richie. It's also (very) possible that someone may suggest another name or three (that I haven't thought of myself) and I would think, "Oh, yes, them too!" -- although I confess it wouldn't change the amount I feel I can send -- just how it's to be divvied up.

I'm also assuming that Bradfordian and michaelr will not be charged for their copies (feels like that would like a bit much!). Ideally, it would be nice if their helpers also got free copies, but I can see how that might be impractical... but maybe they could get a discounted price?

Perhaps I'll send a check to Dick and just say, "Use it as you think best"...

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: GUEST,999
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 03:49 PM

I'll be ordering a set in a few weeks, Dick. Just can't right now.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 04:33 PM

Bradfordonian, michaelr and I all paid for the set. Max is the only one that got a freebie.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 06:30 PM

Wow... talk about "above and beyond..."!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Janie
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 07:40 PM

Dick, is it ok to ask how many sets have been sold thus far?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: My guru always said
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 03:45 AM

I recall how delighted I was when I purchased and listened to the 'Blue Plate Specials' set of Mudcatter CD's. I hadn't been around here that long and only knew a few Catters, but the CD's opened my eyes to the wonderful talented family we have here.

I can't wait to get my hands on 'This Is Us'!!!!!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: My guru always said
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 03:46 AM

Dare I say it.... 100....

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: bradfordian
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 06:17 AM

Doh! you beat me to it mgas!
I bought 3 sets from Dick, gave two sets to my generous hosts, and kept one for myself (though I have already passed two of the CDs to others--so if anyone in the UK would an extra EARTH,SKY,STONE or WOOD--PM me and I'll get me another set when I get the next batch made in the UK--not just yet though, November is so megabusy for me)

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: severed-head
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 05:57 PM

Received my CD set a few days ago and have been playing WATER several times. I have to say how impressed I am with the quality of the singing/playing and also the recording quality. I have to echo katlaughing's comments above
"I don't think I belong amongst such talent, but I am grateful for being kindly included."
What a huge amount of talent there is at Mudcat!
Garry

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 01:55 PM

For the Until The Dark Time Ends component of This Is Us, Barrie rather sensibly suggested we edited our Gower Wassail down to a more compilation album friendly duration. For those who might be curious, we've just uploaded the full length recording as part of our ongoing who-knows-what's-up-next Festively Seasonal Soundcloud page which we're calling WINTERFLORA - absolutely all of which is freely downloadable, and absolutely none of which is available elsewhere...

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: bradfordian
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 04:16 PM

One of the things about this CD set is that as well as giving us a sample of the music of a cross section of mudcatters, in many cases, if there is something which makes our ears prick up, we might also be able to get more music by that artiste. I would like to encourage you to look at some of the offerings of our contributors. I think the Mudcat CDs help us to discover more excellent music. There are many contributors who have either CDs or on-line music. Check out the liner notes for further infomation.
And enjoy!

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 09:58 PM

WEll we've received enough donation so that I'll be sending a set out to Art tomorrow. With a note "From your friends at the Mudcat Cafe."
A donation doesn't have to be large; a few five buck ones would be helpful.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 11:42 PM

Dick,

You might want to wait a bit until we know more of where Art is going to be. I just posted an update to his thread and have sent Chris a request re' addys.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 01:07 AM

The Stone CD is well tracked by Bradfordian, as are the others I have listened to. His sense of pace and the arrangements by style and theme are very well done.Again, I applaud his efforts and those others who worked on this project, and again I will say I enjoyed listening to every track, and I really like the sense of intimacy it gives with the many names and personalities I've seen here through the years.That said, I do have my favorite tracks.
I think George Papavgeris may be the best mudcat songwriter of all, and I have always liked the pure joy of Circles in the Air. The song conjures happy feeling like few others, and the rhythm and chorus reflect a very pleasant Greek/British sound and point of view.
Being a fan of harmony, there are lots of nice examples on this CD. Hissyfit's Northern Tide is a fine example, and I assume that is Hissyfit harmonizing with herself on the track. very pretty.
John Mackenzie's Halcyon Days is evocative of Leo Kottke, and very well done.
It is a very satisfying thing to hear words you have written sung by a true professional, and David Coffin does just a wonderful job with Song for Barry Finn.
Rosin Okkar's Modir Min I Kvi Kvi manages to sound exotic, arcane, medieval, and yet on some level...it rocks! Why does it remind me of early Velvet Underground? Really like the sound.
Seamus Kennedy's My Father was a Miner is a great storytelling song and Seamus's voice couldn't be clearer or stronger.
Bobert's Buttermilk Blues is a great North Mississippi blues tune and Bob's vocal is excellent. (Could have used a little harp though;>))

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 02:03 AM

Ernie, Hissyfit is two women, Hazel Richings (Pistachio?) and Linda Kelly. They do harmonize beautifully.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: My guru always said
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 03:33 AM

Yes, Genie, Hazel is Pistachio here, and they do harmonise beautifully!

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: stallion
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 03:50 AM

captivating, brimming with talent and lovely people, love them both, my favourite is Sweet Minerva. I think they would go down a storm at Mystic so someone flag them up to Geoff Kaufman.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Nov 11 - 01:29 PM

re

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD: New 'Blue Plate Specials' Series 2
From: bradfordian
Date: 22 Nov 11 - 04:01 AM

Well, it's been one year (and two days) since I started this exciting project.

What we ---and I emphasise WE --- have achieved in that one year is remarkable. I could not have done it on my own. Little did I know just how much help I would need, but the support has been brilliant. I deliberately chose mudelves on both sides of the pond because I wanted to be as inclusive as possible. And that theme followed in the music selection too.
This project was instrumental in taking me to my first Getaway meeting many new and old friends and finally to the UK launch party at Herga FC.

There are just a few more CDs remaining from the first production run (contact Dick Greenhaus for availability) so a big thank you to all who took part in this project and thank you all who have bought the CDs --may they give you many hours of pleasure, and know that you are supporting the MUDCAT CAFE and helping to keep it free.

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 22 Nov 11 - 02:10 PM

New batch coming soon when the last of the first batch are sold?   Any chance they'll be available in time for Christmas?

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Tootler
Date: 22 Nov 11 - 04:20 PM

Mine arrived today. Thanks Barrie for all your efforts. You've done a fabulous job. A pity I wasn't able to make the launch but in the end other matters took over.

SWMBO was not at all impressed that I had tracks on it, but took a look at the track listings and has earmarked some listening so I might not get to listen to them for a while. I will need to check the stack of CDs in her car from time to time as several 'missing' CDs of mine have turned up there in the past.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Nov 11 - 05:36 PM

Yer right, EEEJay... Coulda used some harp... Know anyone who plays one???

B;~)

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Nov 11 - 05:43 PM

You cut me to the quick, B

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 22 Nov 11 - 09:07 PM

Genie-
The old batch is far from being sold. They're available right now.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 22 Nov 11 - 10:52 PM

Dick, I must have misunderstood. I thought Barrie said there were just a few left from the first batch.

Genie

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 23 Nov 11 - 03:55 PM

THEY'LL BE AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS A SET.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: pavane
Date: 23 Nov 11 - 05:13 PM

Bobert - I play a bit of blues harp - maybe next time

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 11:06 AM

I hope this makes a lot of money for the 'Cat. It is great value.I agree with everyone about the high standard of performance on voice & instrument by my fellows. I have a couple of quibbles. The volume levels are very varied and I do not have perfect hearing so have to keep turning the volume up and down between tracks. The other quibble is just a matter of personal taste. The mix between folk & blues is about 90% to 10% but I suppose that does reflect the interests of the membership, though I would have liked to hear more blues. Finally, when the Blue Plate Specials were issued I was proud to contribute the silence between the tracks (some of my best work, friends say). I was mortified not to have been asked this time...*BG*

RtS

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 11:52 AM

I'm stunned by the recent flurry of inactivity. I shipped one set this week.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 12:52 PM

Maybe everyone is waiting for payday or going through holiday budgets?

RtS, I thought I posted this earlier: next time you can have a CD devoted to all of your sounds of silence!**bg**

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: GUEST,bradfordian
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 05:54 PM

OK, that tells me there's no point in getting another batch made, at least for quite a while!

I reckon Mudcat must have a few thousand members, and I would guess most don't donate to Mudcat. Now I would have thought that members who might have been a bit lax in supporting Mudcat might have taken this opportunity (being kerstmas an' all) to buy the CDs and get a double benefit -- supporting the 'cat, and getting hours of listening pleasure.

Just down to the die-hards then!

Well, it's your loss, it IS an excellent set of CDs, AND, it IS GREAT VALUE!
If you aint gonna buy them now, just when are you gonna buy 'em?

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Fidjit
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 06:23 PM

I've asked this before elswhere. I missed the launch at Herga my own fault for not keeping up.

Any chance of somewher in England to get hold of some or at least the Chrismasy one. ?

Chas

Subject: Orders: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 08:43 PM

I'm wondering if it's worth, at this time, pursuing the idea of encouraging purchases of individual CDs.

My suggestion would be this:
1. Ask around, of your friends and neighbors (geography nothwithstanding), whether they'd be interested in purchasing individual CDs from the new "This Is Us" set and, if so, how many of each.
2. Whenever you/we have assembled enough requests for the various CDs to amount to full sets, purchase those sets and distribute the individual CDs amongst the various purchasers.

I'm guessing that each of the contributors may have want/need for multiple copies of the CDs that they have tracks on, but slightly fewer of us have want/need for the entire 6-CD sets. But if, say, Maeve wants 4 copies of the CDs that she has tracks on and Amos wants 4 copies of the ones he's on and My guru always said wants 4 copies of the ones she has tracks on, etc., etc., we could put together orders for a whole bunch of whole sets.

Genie

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 09:00 PM

Thanks, pavane, but I got my harp player: E-Jay be da' man...

B~

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Noreen
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 10:56 AM

Oh! I want a full set, but was waiting 'til the first rush was over as I'm not in a desperate hurry for them.

Does this mean I've now missed then chance to buy them at local prices and have to pay to have them shipped from America??

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 11:32 AM

Noreen- THey're produced in the US. We can ship them to the UK without jewel cases for a total of $65 (US); with jewel cases cost a good deal more.(It costs about one quid to ship an empty jewl case.If any Mudcatters happen to be visiting the us and are willing to take some cased sets back, that would be ideal.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 11:36 AM

kat, what my friend actually said was:
"Don't underestimate the very exacting nature of this skill of a) creating a silence and b) getting the silence to end at precisely the right moment. Too long, and we miss the start of the next track."
*BG*

RtS

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: michaelr
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 05:22 PM

I too think it may be time to sell individual titles. One contributor has asked for a copy of the CD she is on but doesn't want (can't afford) the whole set. If she can't buy it, I'll probably rip it for her from my copy, which doesn't benefit Mudcat at all.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 05:33 PM

I have no problem with selling single titles ($15), but if there is an unbalanced number of orders it may make selling complete sets a problem for the future.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 11:00 PM

I really do encourage people to buy the whole set if that's fiscally feasible.   And I think it's good that we have a sizeable discount for the CDs when you buy the whole set.

My suggestion about individual CDs is mainly for people like me, who have already bought the full set but who might like some extra copies of one or more of the individual CDs IN ADDITION to that.

For example, the Christmas (etc.) holidays are upon us, and I can see some people wanting extra copies of the "Until The Dark Time Ends" CD now for that reason.

My suggestion was also a way for people to be able to buy the individual CDs for $10 US each by teaming up to buy whole sets and then distributing them amongst themselves.
(This is of course more feasible in areas like the DC area or other areas with a heavy concentration of Mudcatters and F O M [Friends Of Mudcatters].)

If we are going to start selling the CDs individually, for now I would suggest charging at least $2, maybe $3 more for each individual CD.

Genie

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 11:35 PM

Thanks, Dick, that's good to know. And, I agree, $15 for a single CD is only fair.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: breezy
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 06:12 AM

I think the market for this is limited to those of us in the know. After all it aint going to be widely known about and Chris Evans isnt going to champion this cause !

It will be mainly for those who are performers and participants in this project who will buy and then primarily the album on which they perform.

Most of Joe Public will baulk at the prices being quoted. I certainly did when I heard the price and was not impressed when it was not possible to buy individual CDs on the launch night.

In the end , value and quality will prevail, plus a smattering of philanthropy, where frugality reigns at present.

Now , If I were to receive a donation of £10 for one of my CDs - 7 albums to choose from - I will donate 30% i.e £3 from each 'sale' to the mudcat.

Offer closes May 1st 2012.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: maeve
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 11:31 AM

I'm most grateful for the set some kind 'Catters paid for and sent to me; without them, I'd never have heard this very enjoyable music. I have sent the small amount we could (barely) spare towards a gift set for another, more deserving member. If this set was professionally produced under studio conditions I'd try to save up to buy several single albums as gifts. For what it is, I can't afford $15 each when we don't even have plumbing or electrical wiring in the post-fire house. That's not a whinge hoping to elicit gifts; it's real life.

This is a delightful set of albums with an impressive range and interesting levels of quality of music. Kudos to all those who made it happen. I hope Max's Mudcat development fund benefits greatly from the sale of these albums, yet I wish the individual price could be slightly more affordable, at least for contributors, once all expenses have been covered. If not, so be it.

Thank you,
Maeve

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: maeve
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 06:22 PM

Oh, well.

Here's the new thread for purchase of the "This is Us" cd singles. Those who can: buy several; buy now!


"This Is Us" cd singles for sale

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Genie
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 07:45 PM

Well, $15 for a single CD with 20 songs on it is still a pretty good and standard price.    Of course, if you were going to buy 4 different individual CDs, you could have the other two as well for the same price.

And I still recommend the teamwork approach (pooling resources to buy whole sets and then distribute them among the 'team') as a way to acquire the separate CDs for $10 apiece.   It just takes a little planning and cooperation.


Genie

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 07:55 PM

In the interest of making this thread about reviews, once again -

This afternoon I was driving in the car with my four year old son listening to the solstice CD (I need to start the season early to get in the right frame of mind to plan Christmas services). It's a fine collection - and at the end, after Maeve's song, my son said,

"Whoever sang that song must be a very beautiful woman."

And indeed, it is so.

Dan

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 11:41 PM

Again, he proves himself a perceptive guy...and with an eye for the ladies, Dan. :>)

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 11:47 PM

An ear, LEJ, an ear....

Dan

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: JHW
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 02:51 PM

Ref Charley Noble's finding in Oct re non playing CDs I found only three would play on my 'proper' CD player, a very good Arcam Delta quite old now (but re-lasered by them). Car player in Honda Jazz largely OK but from track 20 on can grind to a halt though a new journey starts where it left off and may then play on OK. No track details displayed.

Subject: RE: Review: THIS IS US: New Mudcat CD set
From: maeve
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 09:31 AM

Thank you, Dan & Honorable Son. Such kind words fit neatly into a low spot here.