Music in a more perfect world...

Subject: Music in a more perfect world...
From: northfolk/al cholger
Date: 24 May 99 - 09:48 PM

I am sitting here listening to Ani Difranco/Utah Phillips latest collaboration, FELLOW WORKERS, I like it...

Difranco produces, owns her own label, great young musician, with decent outlook...Utah, veteran of life on the hard road...together have done a prior effort called THE PAST DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE. A lot of the stuff on here will be familiar to Utah fans, with the exception of Difranco's musical influence. I'm curious,what do the "usual suspects" think?

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: Neil Lowe
Date: 25 May 99 - 08:28 AM

I'll have to admit I read a favorable review of DiFranco a couple of years back, gave her a listen (her live CD, can't remember the title off-hand, issued about a year or so ago), and wasn't too impressed, couldn't hear what all the brouhaha was about....maybe my ears missed it initially, wouldn't be the first time. Beth Orton's material may not be as profound as DiFranco's, but I like her better. Utah Phillips ... I'm not familiar with his/her work. I'll have to check it out.....sans DiFranco, I think.

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: Art Thieme
Date: 25 May 99 - 09:29 AM

Mainly, It's a way to bring the generations together, and that must be seen as a very good thing.

Other than that, it brings BRUCE U. UTAH PHILLIPS pronouncements on life and polemics and politics to a new and too-young-to-be-into-him audience.

It reminds me of Ken Nordine's WORD JAZZ records. (If you don't recall Ken Nordine, you've heard his melifluous tones on thousands of impressive "word jazz-like" commercials.) WORD JAZZ was, in itself, wonderful and ground-breaking stuff. I think of it as VERY COOL RAP.

BRUCE PHILLIPS is too important to have entire generations miss out on having had his monumental influence. He's a very funny man who knows how to USE HIS HUMOIR to make wondrous points to people who would otherwise have a deaf ear to his points of view.

I admire Ani Difranco for bringing Utah to her audience. That said, her music doesen't speak to me either, but this is nonetheless, very important. It's a collaboration done for all the right strategic reasons, from both of their points of view---and from mine.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: campfire
Date: 25 May 99 - 09:15 PM

And here I thought this was going to be a thread about what MUSIC might be LIKE in a more perfect world....

a world where "the people" appreciated (and were willing to financially compensate) poets, musicians, artists, and what have you the same as they do major league sports people and movie "stars".

Oh well, I can only wish.

campfire

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: Mudjack
Date: 25 May 99 - 11:12 PM

Hear Hear ART!....Bruce could colloborate with a rattlesnake and folks throughout the community would come out to see what it's all about. If Utah Phillips finds any philosophical value there, then it's worth seeking out. Well said...
Mj

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: DonMeixner
Date: 26 May 99 - 11:22 PM

Bruce Phillips is one of the best reasons to own a record player I have ever found. He is also one of the few "Genuine Articles" out there. He was a joy to meet and listen to.

Ani Difranco is to be commended highly for her stance on self promotion and personal self ownership of her intellectual and artistic property. She is the example to set for up and coming performers and I admire her greatly. I wish I could say the same for her music.

Don

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: reggie miles
Date: 26 May 99 - 11:29 PM

Just yesturday I had an artist (craftperson) flip out on me at the market where I perform (busk). It seems he didn't much care for my renditions on the razor sharp handtool (musical saw). Saying that the sound of it hurt his ears and annoyed his customers. When I tried to discuss his point of view with him and offer what I thought might be a solution to his sensitivity, (custom ear plugs to filter out certain damaging or otherwise irritating frequencies as used by friends who run sound on loud stages) he became less than social, okay rude, and threatened to see to it that my permit to perform was revoked. In a more perfect world, compassion and tolerance for fellow artisans would be more of a reality than it is but alas we do not live in a world like that. What his hurting comments did accomplish is to set me on edge enough that it made it difficult for me to continue. I guess he paid little heed to the number of smiles on the faces of all those potential customers of his who thoroughly enjoyed my performance and the applause I received from them. What's a body to do?

"Don't let the bastards beat ya down." (Oneman Johnson)

Saw ya Later, Reggie

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 May 99 - 11:30 PM

Another second to Art. I've been a Utah fan for years, but unlike the rest of you, I kinda' likes DiFranco's work. Anything at times to bring the often overlooked but indeed legendary artists to a new audience can't be all bad...reminiscent of the collaboration between Holly Near and Ronnie Gilbert back in the mid-eighties.

catspaw

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: DonMeixner
Date: 26 May 99 - 11:38 PM

Reggie,

As I see it you did your best. You talked, showed a middle ground, offered to accomodate, can't do more.

Now go back, drop the Meussell Westphahl (sp) and get put the Black and Decker.

Don

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: reggie miles
Date: 26 May 99 - 11:47 PM

That would give me the upper saw saw wouldn't it?

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: Art Thieme
Date: 26 May 99 - 11:57 PM

I bought my saw from the man himself, Clarence Mussehl, back in the early 70s. He was a grand fellow. Taught me a ton about the instrument. Took me under his wing and into his home in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Some of my new CD was recorded at clubs on "Fort". I've fond memories of the old GREEN DRAGON INN. Also CAFE CARPE which is still going strong and where I did my last gig--June 6, 1997. Ah, nostalgia.

Art

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: reggie miles
Date: 26 May 99 - 11:58 PM

That was suppose to be one saw not two.

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 27 May 99 - 03:02 AM

Don, Reggie: The appropriate saw for that guy would be a McCormick (MacCormack?). And Catspaw: I don't know if you saw my post in the KPFA thread I started, but three out of four of the people you named signed my banjo head a couple of weeks ago (I don't know if Ani Difranco was there or not). The thread was about folk (and phoak) doing their best to help bring about a better world, and being betrayed by supposed allies. But KPFA finished its fund drive today, broke all records, most donors indicating that they were giving to support the station but were protesting what Pacifica had done. By the way, KPFA is online, www.kpfa.org Click here--and Utah Phillips has a Sunday afternoon show (Sundays from 11 to 7 are phoak music on KPFA, available online). By the way, most of the Once-Born Gospel Singers and I caught The Dry Branch Fire Squad at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley tonight--terrific show (but Suzanne Thomas wasn't with them), Ron Thomason in fine form, both musically and comedy-wise. My homey, Bill Evans, is no longer playing banjo with the band, but is now their agent. --seed

Oh, and tomorrow night is Mudcat night at Quinn's Lighthouse in Oakland: see the concertina thread for details.

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: Cat a Tonic (inactive)
Date: 27 May 99 - 07:00 AM

On a different note, a few of us went to hear a group called Night Sun last evening in Toronto. Unfortunately, it was so darn noisy, it was very difficult to hear the music.What I could hear, after working my way up closer to the front, was terrific. Keep an ear out for this group. Hopefully, in a more perfect world, there will be more places where one can actually hear and appreciate the music and I bet that the musicians would also appreciate that!

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: Tony Burns
Date: 27 May 99 - 08:16 AM

Cat a Tonic (and other south central Ontario folks):

Night Sun is playing this Saturday, May 29th, in the beautifully renovated Capitol Theatre in Port Hope. It is a one hour drive from Toronto but you will be able to hear them. On the same bill are Aengus Finnan and the duo of Bill Garrett and Curly Boy Stubbs. Doors open at 7:30. Show starts at 8:00. Admission is $10.00.

For more information on the Capitol Theatre see http://www.capitoltheatre.com/

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 May 99 - 10:59 AM

Hey Seed, Thanks for the info and the update...now I'm jealous of your banjo head. Let's just let that one lay.

catspaw

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: Cat a Tonic (inactive)
Date: 27 May 99 - 03:30 PM

thanx Tony for the scoop on where Night Sun et al are performing on Sat. Unfortunately, I can't make it, but I will see them at Eaglewood Festival this summer in Pfferlaw, Ontario (for all those who can make it). A swell, very intimate festival setting with great music! cheers

Subject: RE: Music in a more perfect world...
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 99 - 03:44 PM

Campfire: lobby for better copyright laws, and better performers protection, and cheaper lawyers (in joke)