Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?

Subject: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 12:27 PM

Has anyone else seen the Witches of Elswick's CD cover.

It's a bit raunchy

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: Amos
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 12:40 PM

Oh, no!! Raunchy??? Whatever shall we do??? Oh, oh!! I Know!! Let's form an opinion and place it in a category. That will address it nicely. I feel much better now. Thanks!

A

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: SeanM
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 12:48 PM

Who cares about the cover?

How's the music?

M

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 12:48 PM

Such bad manners. An anonymous post and you don't even provide a link.

If you're referring to the album (apparently their first and only one) Out of Bed, I find the picture quite "unexceptional," "mild," "tame," "boring"..., but the group has received some fairly decent reviews. They do look like a group of nice young ladies.

John

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 12:53 PM

Sorry, didn't think to do the link. The back cover is worse. a shot of all their crotches.

I actually quite like it...but it's not what I'd expect from the folk scene.

The music is good by the way.

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: SeanM
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 12:57 PM

*snort*

That's IT? That's what is supposedly "soft porn"?

First, some definitions.

"Porn". Short for "pornography". Media (be it written, vocal, pictorial, video, what have you) designed to stimulate the "prurient interest", normally deigned to have no other value by the standards of the society.

"Hardcore Porn". Explicit pornography, graphically depicting acts of a sexual nature. As one comedian referred to it, "an industrial film covered in fur and sweat".

"Soft (or soft core) Porn". Usually defined as depictions of sexual activity, but without the industrial film part - usually fairly graphic, but also can be said to include some nude photography and the like done with no nod towards any artistic pretentions, i.e. the difference between a Degas nude and Hustler.

Said cover has none of that. 'tis four lasses a-lying in bed, no more, no less. No bared skin - in fact, it appears all four are in PJs. To me, it's more a nod to the traditional practice of bundling as much of the family as possible into bed at once rather than "oooh, lookey here Reverend - thems must be LESBIANS!".

So again, how is the music?

M

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 12:57 PM

no worse then the wedding photos at several friends wedding of the bride and bridesmaids and their great tracts of land.

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 01:01 PM

Hmmm. All I found on the Web is this page, which has a couple of nice MP3 samples and a photograph that certainly isn't raunchy. The MP3's are certainly worth a listen.
If I recall correctly, the Witches have some connection with Maggie Boyle and had an appearance at Whitby Folk Week last year. If they're the group I'm thinking of, I really enjoyed their singing.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: SeanM
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 01:08 PM

Thank you, Joe!

I'll give them a listen when I get to a PC with speakers. The reviews I've seen intrigue me, at least.

And to the original poster, if you're someone connected with the band who's just trying to stir up interest... consider registering and then just posting about what the band (or you) are doing musically? There are many of us on here recording commercially, and a few more never hurt ;^). I'm with The Poxy Boggards out in California.

M

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: John Routledge
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 01:15 PM

Not a bad ad though for Fellside

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 01:16 PM

Well, GUEST "Agent for the Witches" has revealed that it's the back cover of the album that's overstimulated him/her (you might be right, SeanM).

While asking for comment on something we are not able to know anything about is a little switch from the common "troll opinions springing from personal ignorance," it doesn't really give us much of a way to carry on a dialog.

Incidentally, SeanM, Degas vs Hustler is an ok comparison, but I'd have placed Bouguereau vs Olivia (or would anyone know either of them?)

John

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: GUEST,cittern
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 01:56 PM

Wonder if "Waking the Witch"
will try to out do them when they release their CD?

Best regards
John Robinson
http://www.JulieEllison.co.uk

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 02:25 PM

Well, lets see pics or at least links to these supposed 'raunchy' pics k!

Especially if it's 'soft porn'!

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 08:15 AM

Ah it's true. I'm a friend of the band and it was a shameless plug.

Appologies to all. But you'll just have to buy the album to see the back cover. I can't find a picture of it anywhere to put in a link.

Cheers, Andy

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 01:26 PM

Well, that's not likely to happen...

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 02:15 PM

Shame on you Andy - slapped wrists but only if you're lucky! Knowing the girls I can confirm that it is well worth listening to but also well worth seeing them in the flesh (so to speak) as they put on a good act - not a pole or lap in sight but have seen them on roller skates!!

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 02:16 PM

BTW - not sure which Andy you are but if its THAT Andy - well done with the degree.

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 10:32 PM

I love the Witches! I am also glad that, as someone pointed out, the CD covers is "not what I'd expect from the folk scene". EXACTLY!!

Too often the image of folk music is denim and flannel or long paisley dresses. Folk music is a living traditions and it is wonderful to see a new generation take it up without any apology or compromise to what is supposedly "folk community standards".   We need more like the Witches!   

I've only heard (and played on my show)a few samples that I received earlier this year, but I love what I hear. They have stunning voices and arrange the songs in fitting parts. The honor the subjects of their songs.

Those of us here in the U.S. might be familiar with Full Frontal Folk. FFF have a similar appearance AND a similar style, except FFF play mainly U.S. traditional tunes.

Ron Olesko

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 09 Aug 03 - 12:18 AM

The samples prompted me to buy the cd. If it really is raunchy, which I doubt, I'll let you know.

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 09 Aug 03 - 01:05 AM

If it is really raunchy, you bought the wrong CD!!!!

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: Fay
Date: 09 Aug 03 - 07:23 AM

Just come across this.

Andy told me he'd started all this - sorry everyone.

It's not at all 'raunchy' and thanks to those of you talking about the music rather than the 'image'. Yeah, we're all in bed, and show a bit of knee on the back cover, but we certainly didn't mean to be provocative - we just wanted an image that suited us, we spend a great deal of time in bed (though not usually together) and thought it might be funny.

CD sales are going well though, we're very excited about that, and Radio 3 have played us twice now which is also great (as have stations in America - thanks Ron Olesko!) we never really expected all this attention, the witches natural habitat is the minging livingroom floor after a heavy night's drinking, wailing our little hearts out, still can't complain!

Will I see some catters in Broadstairs, Whitby, Towersey, Flyde?

I only know a few of you by sight, I put my name on a catter's board at Warwick and there were loads of us there - I didn't spot any though. Can we issue a booklet like spot the roadsign, and the first to have met all the catters wins a pint?

Bye for now, and sorry for the ill attempts at publicity from a very good friend - he shall be whipped.

Love Fay xx

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 06:26 AM

Form an opinion about the Witches and put them in a category? Aaaggghhh, not that old pigeonholing again!

These are four brilliant, funny women, deeply committed to and knowledgable about traditional music. That's all you need to know. I've just seen 3 sets at Sidmouth. Those unlucky enough to have missed that will just have to make do with the CD. You don't have to look at the cover but it won't shock you, really it won't.

But the talent and vitality might. Probably will.

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: Fay
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 09:47 AM

Thanks very much countess Richard.

Congratulations on seeing us 3 times at Sidmouth - we only played twice, so you must be doing something right!!!

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 10:14 AM

Hi Fay

Possibly I was counting in a solo spot Bryony did, or maybe it was just that by the time you got to the Bedford I'd had enough pints to see you double. Can't count, but loved the sets - however many there were it wasn't enough for me.

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: Fay
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 10:28 AM

Oh yeah, I forgot about that one!!

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 07:01 PM

Fay - I thought I recognised you at Warwick but wasn't close enough to quack and check that I was correct.
GtD.

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: Bassic
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 07:17 PM

Will look out for you in Whitby AND Broadstairs! (Break a leg :-)

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: gnomad
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 11:52 AM

I saw the Witches earlier this year and was well impressed. I look forward to more at Whitby.

As for the cover - What harm could it do even if it were a bit risquee?

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 12:59 PM

Well, somone who owns this CD MUSH be able to scan the thing and post it no??

:-)

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: John Robinson (aka Cittern)
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 02:42 PM

Fay - don't whip the man - this thread just got a mention from Lester Simpson on the Radio Derby "Folk Waves" programme.

I sent Lester an email explaining the background to it - but it appears that the gossip is out on the street and possibly still generating you more CD sales!

I was going to start a similar rumour about Julie, but she will not let me ;-)

Best regards
John Robinson
http://www.JulieEllison.co.uk

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 04:58 PM

I have the cd. Trust me. Scanning it is not worth the trouble. completely innocuous

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: fogie
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 05:23 AM

So who started this heads on beds cover thing ? was it the Poozies ? Ive just bought Meridians first CD and they do the same thing- mind you with Chris Walshaw on the pillow you are getting into very dangerous waters -suggest you dont blow it up too big.

Subject: RE: Witches' new CD cover - Soft Porn?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 04:27 AM

After 3 (at least, is that right Fay?) hugely acclaimed sets and two overflowing workshops at Towersey, 'Out of Bed' sold out completely.

Well done lasses. And Fellside, get those new stocks sorted really soon!