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Post by larryS on Aug 25, 2017 0:41:17 GMT
That last one for 7 and a half minutes definately held me. And got me to thinking how the complex can be made to look simple by gifted people.
And it made me think of my favorite Performer who I have seen probably 30 times in my life...Louden Wainwright III....who is just a singer songwriter with an acoustic guitar onstage. No safety net. Just him and his instrument. He makes playing look so easy. When I was in college I bought a guitar to try to play like him....he inspired me to try.....but fuck....its hard. Really hard.
Yet so effortless for him.
I have seen some artists over the last 40 years do solo. Paul Simon was great. Not everyone can pull it off. And not many can do it for an entire career .
There is something about one man shows that get my admiration. Whether its a broadway play, or a musical performance where one person can hold an audience for 90 minutes or so.Or a comic. That is the ultimate performance in my mind.
Frank Sinatra viewed as one of the greatest singers...needed an orchestra behind him and a good orchestra can cover for some weakly sung notes.
For me, for pure strength and range of voice....Freddy Mercury was it for me as a pure singer
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Mrv
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Turgid Member
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Post by Mrv on Aug 25, 2017 6:20:16 GMT
Talk about obscure bands: I'd be surprised indeed if any of you guys were familiar with one of my personal faves, a mid-80's band called "The Arms of Someone New."
Just a group of guys who recorded a great, very obscure album in their apartment in a city in the upper midwest (Ohio, I think).
No names, only basic musical talent, but good songs nonetheless, perfect for the right mood.
Here's one, "No City Fun:"
A siren is heard about 24 seconds in; I thought it was a foley effect, as it fits perfectly in this moody, dark tune, but in fact it was unintentionally recorded; seems they left the window open in their apartment when recording and well, you can hear the result.
My favorite tune by them is "Hollywood:"
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Post by larryS on Aug 25, 2017 14:23:52 GMT
that fiTs in well for 80's..... VERY "A-HA"ISH and "modern english" i wonder why they never took off
was it the case of them blowing their wad on the first album and not being strong enough on the second???
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Post by mission146 on Aug 25, 2017 16:39:31 GMT
The second album of Modern English did just fine as it featured their most well-known single, "I Melt With You." The album from which that song stemmed, entitled, "After the Snow," followed up their debut album, "Mesh & Lace," which is referenced in the song, "I Melt With You," with, "I saw the world crashing all around your face, never really knowing it was always mesh and lace."
Their first album actually charted better in UK than did, "After the Snow," and their follow-up effort to, "After the Snow," (can't remember what it was called) also charted better in UK. It's a pretty common belief that, "I Melt With You," came from their first album, but it's not true.
What is true is that, "I Melt With You," was the first hit for Modern English and, "After the Snow," their first album to chart in the U.S.
The song is also perceived as more popular than it actually was at the time, due to repeated airplay and inclusion on many compilation CD's and television programs, I should imagine. While it is considered by most a catchy tune, you might be surprised to know it didn't even crack the Top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. I forget where its peak was, though.
Why do I know all this?
A.) I'm unusual.
B.) I actually had something very close to this conversation with someone about six months ago and am citing the information I remember.
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Post by larryS on Aug 25, 2017 17:16:55 GMT
i was commenting on MRv'S unknown group....i said they reminded me of 2 groups of the 80s.
and wondered why they never took off as MrV said
I wasnt clear...i should have quoted
but cool,info
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Mrv
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Post by Mrv on Aug 25, 2017 20:01:05 GMT
I don't know why they never took off, but they were underfunded yokels in Champaign, Illinois. Here is an excerpt from the article cited below: "Through night and day, they would record in a checkerboard of hours, sessions in either Steve's living room, bathroom or closet space, where a lot of the haunting vocals were cut on-spot. Sometimes Mel would even bring his daughter Jackie along and set her on the bed in the other room, where her wails and cries bled through the songs." source: www.longhousepoetry.com/thearms.htmlOK, one final song, the one I heard on FM radio which led to me discovering their music: "Every Seventy Wave>"
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Post by larryS on Aug 25, 2017 20:48:46 GMT
Its weird, I listen to that and its nostalgic even though I hadnt heard it before. I think they encapsulated the music in at least part of the 80's.
Which leads me to the thought in the entertainment field. There are so many actors and musicians just inches away from real success and or stardom. And they never get over the hump. Someone on a record label that liked you dies or gets fired, or you just get beat out in an audition for a good part that could have sparked something going forward.
YOu and I are in professions where we get our degree and unless we really fuck something up royally...he have a good life financially and career wise.
But I often might watch a movie on TV or even a sit com, and see an "extra" who gets to say a line....and I wonder how special that moment was for the person, and the hopes and dreams that one little part helped to keep them going until the next little part. Myself knowing that a majority of those types may be real talented but just may never get over the edge like the band u just posted.
I feel for and at the same time admire folks who gamble like that...and continiue and persist and still dont make it. Maybe because they just arent talented, and maybe they just didnt have the luck or that "one break". I am sure there are just as talented or more talented actors than Tom Cruise or Ben Affleck doing free community theater. Its just we never hear of them.
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Post by Fisk on Aug 25, 2017 21:40:41 GMT
That's what's so great about the internet. With anyone being able to connect, you can find these out of the way, just off the grid folks who missed the money bus. Pretty much every time I go to YouTube for anything, I wind up meandering through a bunch of random dudes doing amazing things.
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Post by mission146 on Aug 25, 2017 21:58:36 GMT
Its weird, I listen to that and its nostalgic even though I hadnt heard it before. I think they encapsulated the music in at least part of the 80's. Which leads me to the thought in the entertainment field. There are so many actors and musicians just inches away from real success and or stardom. And they never get over the hump. Someone on a record label that liked you dies or gets fired, or you just get beat out in an audition for a good part that could have sparked something going forward. YOu and I are in professions where we get our degree and unless we really fuck something up royally...he have a good life financially and career wise. But I often might watch a movie on TV or even a sit com, and see an "extra" who gets to say a line....and I wonder how special that moment was for the person, and the hopes and dreams that one little part helped to keep them going until the next little part. Myself knowing that a majority of those types may be real talented but just may never get over the edge like the band u just posted. I feel for and at the same time admire folks who gamble like that...and continiue and persist and still dont make it. Maybe because they just arent talented, and maybe they just didnt have the luck or that "one break". I am sure there are just as talented or more talented actors than Tom Cruise or Ben Affleck doing free community theater. Its just we never hear of them. Posts like that are why you can often find me at Forums where you are participating.
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Post by larryS on Aug 25, 2017 22:12:34 GMT
That's what's so great about the internet. With anyone being able to connect, you can find these out of the way, just off the grid folks who missed the money bus. Pretty much every time I go to YouTube for anything, I wind up meandering through a bunch of random dudes doing amazing things. You, I think are becoming an exception or a dying breed. Most people now that are browsing the internet for "YOUTUBE"...arent looking for talent. They are looking for someone getting hit in the balls with a golf ball or drunken women beating the shit out of each other. making it less likely that real talent will be rewarded
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Post by Fisk on Aug 25, 2017 22:41:14 GMT
Though it's old and probably everyone already knows, I'd suggest Pandora internet radio for just this reason. A lot of people don't like it because if they want to listen to Sly and the Family Stone, that's what they want to listen to. They don't want Kool and the Gang or Diana Ross popping in, which is what Pandora would do (Play Sly but also include songs that are "similar")
I used to hate this in the beginning, but I have found SO MANY new favorites through it. Granted, they're still "commercial"; it's not like some rando will be found on it. But it does have a lot of artists on minor labels that won't ever be heard on the radio, and goddamn are there a lot of good acts out there.
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Post by mission146 on Aug 25, 2017 23:14:23 GMT
Most people now that are browsing the internet for "YOUTUBE"...arent looking for talent. They are looking for someone getting hit in the balls with a golf ball or drunken women beating the shit out of each other. making it less likely that real talent will be rewarded I know that was directed to Face, but I think there is something to be said for all forms of entertainment. I'm not really one for the hit in the balls videos, but it's fun to watch people trying to showboat in super expensive cars just for them to end up crashing into a tree, barricade or running them straight into a pond. I'm not really a fan of the times that they hit other drivers, who were driving like rational people and are completely innocent, but usually the videos include all types. I know Face is a car guy, but the main difference between Face and these guys is that it sounds like Face actually knows how to handle that power. You see these guys try to jump a red light...BOOM...straight over the curb and into a tree, front end mangled. Hi-fucking-larious. I also like the ones where they are trying to show off and spin tires and then burn out the clutch. I think, "Burn out the clutch," is the proper phrase. I'm not sure. Can't drive a stick, don't know anything about it.
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Mrv
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Post by Mrv on Aug 25, 2017 23:27:27 GMT
I don't have Pandora or Sirius as the FM radio here in Portland is great, but were I living in those parts of America where the FM is not top notch I'd certainly subscribe to one or both of them.
Then again, lots of my listening in my vehicles is via CD, which is my main musical software source these days.
LarryS. raised the question as to why some performers make it while most don't; I'll weigh in on it.
For most it is a matter of luck, finding a fortuitous combination of timing and access to a receptive market.
It's certainly not a matter of talent.
Consider if you will the careers of all the actors, actresses and musical performers who started out as members of the Mickey Mouse club and its more recent clones such as Nickelodeon.
Egad, two abominations come to mind, and both prove my case: Justin Bieber and Britney Spears.
Both got their start due to becoming familiar to us on kiddie TV shows; they parlayed this familiarity into successful musical careers.
Not because of their talent: both suck.
Hell, I suspect that half the drunks in a karaoke bar would beat them one on one; no, it's because we knew them, and could therefore invite them into our home.
Gee, it even works in politics: hello, Trump.
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Post by larryS on Aug 26, 2017 0:04:26 GMT
But there is also yhr flip side where someone gets a short taste of success or fame and then its gone. And how does one mentally deal with that.
Child actors. Heck just recently one of the 2 twins for Everybody Loves Raymond committed suicide. Thier Glory Days were from like 2 years old thru 11. I suspect alot of the kids that win the Little League world series will look back at that as their glory days, with nothing topping it.
aCTORS, musicians, sportsmen...one day have anything they want, people everywhere kissing their asses, and then its gone. They peaked at 11 years old, or 22 years old, or 30 years old.
Americas Got Talent is mostly a bunch of professionals alcts that never made it. Yes there are some child acts that take a shot, or some oddball brand new talent taking a stab at it. But there alot of acts that have ben around for 10-20 years looking for a break.
Outside of the small percent that makes it and makes it for the long term.....I really appreciate (as far as an outsider can) the anguish of all the others not making it or making it for a brief time and seeing it slip away.
They play full tongiht show episodes from the 70s with carson. And near the end of the show there is usually a young comic. Yes sometimes its a young Sienfeld, or Carlin, ...alot of the time its someone I dont remember who never really made it thereafter. But at that time, for that Comic it had to be viewed as the start of his big success.
But since this is a thread about music....here is a song on the topic of a small relatively unknown group outside of a few pockets....who did get a chance on the tonight show....and well the song tells it all
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Post by mission146 on Aug 26, 2017 1:03:25 GMT
The Roches...that was interesting. I'm not sure that I actually liked the song, but it was funny. The dangling from puppet strings really hammered home the point. I don't know that I would change it if that song came on, but it was unusual.
One of my favorite things to do is hit the second-hand music store and look for albums containing one-hit wonders, snatch them for $0.50/$1.00 each, and then listen to the whole thing. You find a few gems and at least now have one song that you like on CD.
One such band is Deep Blue Something with their album, Home. They are known for the oft-reviled, "Breakfast at Tiffany's," (which I still like), but here are two songs I consider heavy hitters, please at least check out the first:
Best line from, A Water Prayer: "On the business card you leave, is a name that you don't own." That's some poignant shit.
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