YTSEJAM Digest 2691 Today's Topics: 1) Re: Glam...again.. : ) by Eric Rodger 2) Ugly Kid Blow by Christopher Ptacek 3) Please return the skydiver to the upright position before taking off by Jon Parmet 4) king's x banter by Joe Wright 5) Oh brother monkey nut by Christopher Ptacek 6) That tune in JP's video.... by Brian Wherry 7) A Nose By Any Other Name by Adam Barnhart 8) Superior Newsletters by "NEVANS.US.ORACLE.COM" 9) Re: Ugly Kid Blow by Rick Audet ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 03 Jul 1997 11:35:22 -0400 From: Eric Rodger To: email_address_removed Subject: Re: Glam...again.. : ) Message-ID: Regarding glam: > You will see that this stuff is actually really good. My buddy turned me >back onto this stuff. He believes that the 80's will never die! I agree >now. > If you look beyond the big hair and women's clothing, you might see the >talent. :) Well the 80's for the most part are dead, as much as I would not like to admit it. But I don't disagree that metal will make a comeback. Although 80's bands reunions might spark the revival, it will be new bands that carry it into a new generation, with the 80's bands riding the wave. This is what happened in the 70's with bands like the Scorpions. When heavy metal of the 70's died, the popularity of Thin Lizzy, Uriah Heep, Scorpions, Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult, and even Black Sabbath died, much like that of 80's bands now. Some of those bands broke up, some suffered member changes, and some stayed together, despite the almost non-existent market for their genre at the time. Then around 1980, AC/DC's poplarity started picking up, 1981 brought us Blizzard of Ozz, followed by Shout at the Devil and Number of the Beast in 1983. This got the ball rolling for metal again, and this popular segment lasted until about '92-93. A 12 year fad. I'd call that impressive. Meanwhile, bands like the Scorpions, jumped on this new wave, and suceeded because of it. Around 1992, came the 3 year Pearl Jam fad, which consisted of flannel shirts and not bathing. Now it's hard to tell what's in, because it changes so fucking often. This is because record companies have taken on a new strategy which consists of signing a band, promoting the hell out of them, selling a multiplatnum debut album, spending little to no money on a tour, recording a second album and not spending a dime on promoting it. It sells platnum based on existing popularity, which starts to die off because of the lack of promotion. By the time a third album is considered, they may or may not spring for the recording. Even if a third album does come out, the trendiness of the band is long gone, and the public has long moved on to other bands/trends/fads, based on what MTV is playing that week. Hard rock and metal are on their way back in, it's imminent. Unfortunately, it looks like the days of a 10-12 year trend are over, so I guess we'll see. I'm hopeful though, because I'm entirely disgusted with the current music scene. Thank God for the new Bruce Dickinson album. KAI ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 11:38:32 -0500 (CDT) From: Christopher Ptacek To: email_address_removed Subject: Ugly Kid Blow Message-ID: > Subject: VAI > > I always thought that Vai attended Berklee... > At least that's what I saw/heard in an interview with him... I just wanted to jump in on this thread really quick. I don't know how long Satriani had been playing when he started teaching Vai, but I know for a fact that some people are capable of teaching after only a year or two. Some of my friends are theory bookworms, and I have at least one friend whom I taught to shred in under two years... so you can be an effective teacher, as long as you are taught right yourself, from the start. Vai did attend Berklee, back when it was Berklee... not this "You must play jazz with this tone and this guitar, and if you do anything else you suck" shithole that it's become. > > Thinkin about ordering Symphony X Divine Wings. > >I didn't like Echolyn or Shadow Gallery (the only dissapointments > >I've had with Jammer recomendations). Not heavy 'nuff for my > >tastes. Symphony X is what the doctor ordered for you. It's heavy as hell, and melodic, and powerful, and every other compliment I can give. SX rules. :) > >Firstly, I'd get rid of Steve Vai because he made me wait for 2 hours in > >the boiling heat to see him, and that really pissed me off. Man... I WISH I'd waited in boiling heat. I was out in below freezing weather (Wind chill below 0 ...) waiting for about 5 hours to see him the first time I did. And I'd do it again. I recently waited about 2 hours to see him in 80+ degree weather... that's a walk in the park. But then... I'm insane. > Take piano lessons. That actually DOES help... I dunno if you were joking. That's the best thing you can do if you want to develop separation between the left and right hand. -- Chris Ptacek at EnterAct, L.L.C -- (773) 248 8511 http://www.enteract.com (business) http://www.prognosis.com/madsman/ (my contribution to --------------------------------- the vast wealth of "To err is human... to suck out | underdeveloped one's brain with an orally | web sites) deployed flesh tube is not."-MS| **************** --------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 03 Jul 1997 16:42:59 +0000 From: Jon Parmet To: email_address_removed Subject: Please return the skydiver to the upright position before taking off Message-ID: The hetero wannabe formerly known as D-man: > Pam, e-mail me. Your tape is ready, but I lost your address. > Sorry for the clutter, folks. > -d Stop impersonating Al, would ya? :) Bernd: > Just to let you all know... we're currently writing some new songs > (just recorded a few on 8-track) for the next album. I knew I'd find a use for my 8-track tape player again. Make a deal with ya, Bernd. You guys come to the US and I'll buy something :) Just wanted to say, it's good to see the various sigs that we've all come to know and deeply love return: The Circle of 5ths, Deep Rush Thoughts, Happy Fun Ball, Peace and love, jesus was a fucking whistle good happiness stuff :) Happy J4, all you US jammers! Jon *------------*------------------------*--------------* | Jon Parmet | email_address_removed | 617-494-2851 | *------------*------------------------*--------------* Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 03 Jul 1997 12:43:43 -0700 From: Joe Wright To: "email_address_removed" Subject: king's x banter Message-ID: I agree that Dogman isn't like the rest of King's Xs CDs, but I also think that it is one of their best. The main difference with dogman is that it was a lot angrier and rawer than anything they had done before. I think this turned some fans away from this album, since it was such a drastic change. Also to be noted is the fact that the members of King's X thought that this was their least favorite album both to record and play live. Anyway, Mike I think you did a great job on that listening guide, but I have just a few aditions (just to piss you off!): > from Out Of The Silent Planet: > What Is This? > King > Shot of Love > Visions AAAARGGHHHHH!!!! I can't believe you did not include Goldilox!! this is probably one of their best songs ever and I would also include far,far away. > > from Gretchen Goes to Nebraska: > Over My Head > Summerland > The Difference (In The Garden of St. Anne's on the Hill) > Pleiades Those are definitely the best songs on that album, but I also would have added "the burning down" and "don't believe it (it's easier said than done)". The harmonies in "don't believe it" are just amazing! > faith hope love: > We Are Finding Who We Are > It's Love > I'll Never Get Tired Of You > I Can't Help It > Faith Hope Love > Legal Kill I must concur fully on this one. Legal Kill is probably my favorite song ,but I still can't figure out the frequin' tunning in this song. Also, the addition of the cello solo gives this song a great vibe. from King's X: > The Big Picture > The World Around Me > Black Flag This was actually the first CD I bought by them. I only bought it because they were playing at a local club the next night and I hate going to see bands without knowing some of their songs. Needless to say, it was one of the best concerts I've ever gone to. i've been hooked ever since. As far as the song list, I think that "black flag" is the worst song on this CD. I would add "Prisoner" ,"Lost in Germany", and "dream in my life". > from Dogman: > Fool You > Cigarettes > Pillow > Complain this is the only CD I own in which I can sing the whole thing start to finish in my head. (Whatever that means) I have to add "Human behavior" 'cause so fucking heavy (mosh, mosh, chigga, chigga) and "Sunshine Rain". I also have to agree that pillow rocks live!!! > > from Ear Candy: > The Train > Mississippi Moon > Life Going By > Looking for Love This CD is just so moving you have to hear it for yourself. The band really poured their heart and soul into this one. Every song seems to be very personal. This is what King's X is all about. The funny thing about king's X is that no matter how many other CDs i buy, after a while I always go back to listening to king's X. If any jammers are interested the guitarist of king's X ,Ty Tabor, has released a solo album titled "Naomi's solar Pumpkin" and you can order it from http://www.compassnet.com/grump. They will also be releasing a greatest hits CD sometime this summer. -- The Joser email_address_removed !!Go Gators!! http://members.aol.com/mindscap/ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 12:12:48 -0500 (CDT) From: Christopher Ptacek To: email_address_removed Subject: Oh brother monkey nut Message-ID: > From: Mark Bredius > Subject: "you are being a dick" :-) Uh oh... I'm already getting in trouble again. Yes, I did think it was Mark that posted that message, because I was at the time, not aware of what the whole situation was with all of the impostors n stuff. However, I thought Mark was just making a joke, because he's at least as much a Dream Theater fan as I am, if not a bigger fan. I was just poking fun because no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to make myself really LIKE Marillion. And Brave DOES put me to sleep, but I know it's sacred ground for some jammers, so do understand that it was a joke. > "you are being a dick" I was born a dick. It doesn't take much work to maintain that stature. :) But I think you're maybe reading a little too much into what I say, if anyone's offended by that post. Just relax and have a granola bar, and understand that I'm not trying to tell you what is and what is not. -- Chris Ptacek at EnterAct, L.L.C -- (773) 248 8511 http://www.enteract.com (business) http://www.prognosis.com/madsman/ (my contribution to --------------------------------- the vast wealth of "To err is human... to suck out | underdeveloped one's brain with an orally | web sites) deployed flesh tube is not."-MS| **************** --------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 13:12:55 -0400 (EDT) From: Brian Wherry To: email_address_removed Subject: That tune in JP's video.... Message-ID: >In John Petrucci's instructional video, There's a nice heavy riff or >power chord passage that he's playing with the rest of the band just >before he talks about being at berklee and stuff. What song is that >from??? I don't think I've heard it before. It's just a tune that he plays to warm up with. It's got a lot of little patterns embedded in it that utilize chromatic passages with alternate picking, string skipping, etc.. I have a video of him playing the whole thing and if anyone wants to buy me a TV & VCR so Binky and I can watch it, I'll make you a copy of it over at Skadz's place. Heh. Wacky -- /* * User: Brian Wherry, email_address_removed, email_address_removed * School: Boston University College of Engineering * Web: http://www.channel1.com/users/wacky/ * http://acs.bu.edu:8001/~bwherry/ * Quote: "Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur." */ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 10:15:03 -0700 From: Adam Barnhart To: email_address_removed Subject: A Nose By Any Other Name Message-ID: >From: (Chung Ng) > >>2. Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 1 >>3. Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 2 > >Very cool choices. When I took music in school, we listened to King of the >Delta Blues for a week and it was pure torture. I couldn't really appreciate >it cause I was stuck in my "it's gotta be in E harmonic minor or it ain't >cool" phase. It took a few blues shows to really bring me back into reality. >I still find certain tracks a little too *raw* for my tastes, but it's >definitely worth a try for anyone who has heard him before Traditional Delta Blues seems an acquired taste for most people. I love it, but it's really a mood thing. The whole recording process on the Johnson recordings is somewhat primitive and it doesn't sound very much like most contemporary recordings. The best tunes, for the most part, are the ones that have been covered by one band or another -- "Crossroad Blues," "They're Red Hot," "Love in Vain." I really can get into this music when the mood strikes me...altenately, it's a must-own, musicologically. >From: durnik > >from Out Of The Silent Planet: > What Is This? > King > Shot of Love > Visions I think I'd opt for "Goldilox" and "Wonder" in place of the last two you mention, but, aside from that, I'll agree with your assessment. One of the interesting things about this how clever the production is on the record, particularly in consideration of the fact that "Out of the Silent Planet" was their debut album. It's really a "headphones" kind of record. >from Gretchen Goes to Nebraska: > Over My Head > Summerland > The Difference (In The Garden of St. Anne's on the Hill) > Pleiades > GGTN is KX's best album, probably followed by Ear Candy, which fell just >a notch short. I picked the best four, but they weren't very easy picks. >:) Over My Head is the peak KX song live, of course. Pleiades is the most >Galactic Cowboys-ish work they've done (or perhaps GC derived their song >from its influence). The Difference is a masterpiece of songwriting and >harmony, and Summerland just kicks ass. I know "The Difference" is high art for most King's X fans, and I wouldn't necessarily disagree, but I actually prefer "Fall on Me." Aside from that, I'd say the above assessment is right on track. This is one of the most universally recognized great albums I can remember from the last decade or so of music. I'd also throw in that "The Burning Down" is another of the cool, slower-tempoed pieces that they specialize in and perhaps oughta be on the list of high points from this record. >from faith hope love: > We Are Finding Who We Are > It's Love > I'll Never Get Tired Of You > I Can't Help It > Faith Hope Love > Legal Kill I'm actually partial to the first two, the last two, and "Everywhere I Go," which, if we were sticking to the four song an album rule, would bump "It's Love," which is a strong song (the most successful one they've yet released), but not quite up to the level of the other four. >from King's X: > The Big Picture > The World Around Me > Black Flag > As you may note, I couldn't even pick a fourth from this album. The >album doesn't suck... it's just not as awesome as the others. The three I >_did_ include are quite good. This was the "heaviest" album at its time, >and only Dogman is heavier. The lyrical work on this album is actually >very good. Some of the tunes are crafted well, some just don't stand out. I'll agree with this, for the most part. My own list of four would include, in order, "The World Around Me," "Ooh Song," "Black Flag," and "Lost in Germany," which has become a surprising live staple. I'm on record as being with Mike here...I think this is the least impressive of all their albums, but still a strong effort. >from Dogman: > Fool You > Cigarettes > Pillow > Complain This one's a big step of from "King's X," in my opinion. I don't really like the stripped-down production....King's X isn't a stripped down kind of band. For them to start with the heavily, heavily produced albums they did and bounce back in this direction is a little disappointing. I'll go for "Cigarettes" and "Pillow," supplanting the other two with the title track and "Sunshine Rain." There's also a cover of "Manic Depression," which is pretty good. >from Ear Candy: > The Train > Mississippi Moon > Life Going By > Looking for Love > This album is probably second-best to GGTN, possibly tied for the spot >with FHL. There isn't a dud on the entire album... I could have named >Sometimes, A Box, Picture, Run, Thinking and Wondering, or half a dozen >others and it'd still be a good recommendation. As for my picks above, >"The Train" is particularly relevant because we know KX was having trouble >continuing as a band without support from the industry. Mississippi Moon >is just a positive, upbeat song... well crafted, and highly resembling I >Can't Help It, It's Love, and Fool You. Life Going By... deserves a post >all its own. See my "Thoughts of 1996" in a Ytsejam back-issue for more on >that. And Looking for Love, the radio single of the album, is just plain >fun to listen to, and it _does_ take talent to make songs like that. I'll go for this. What Mike says here is dead on. I like "A Box" more than "Looking for Love," but that's just quibbling. It was one of the half-dozen or so best albums of last year, in my opinion, lining it up just behing "Gretchen Goes to Nebraska." >Hopefully the real Adam D. Barnhart wrote: >>... >You know Claypool is reason I picked up the bass in the first place. I >know a lot of people think he is sloopy but I just think Primus songs >are creatively funny. :) After getting into Primus I got into bands like >KMFDM and then Anthrax, and then Led Zep, and then a bunch of others, >and then a day DREAM THEATER, and then bankrupty. Oh yeah I still can't >play a single song by Claypool. :) I don't feel so bad, then. I'd actually played long enough that when Claypool appeared on the scene, I'd pretty much figured out stylistically the bulk of where I was coming from. Since I could play a little, though, I got a lot of people pestering me, trying to get me to learn one song or another. I got about a dozen of them together reasonably well. For Claypool neophytes, I'd recommend trying something like "Here Come the Bastards," or "The Toys Go Winding Down," both of which are pretty easy. Forget "Tommy the Cat" unless you have a six-string...and, for that matter, can play like a mofo -- it's probably the toughest Primus tune to take on. Five Gratuitous CD's: ===================== 1. Rush: Signals 2. G3 Live in Concert (!) 3. Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin III 4. P-Funk All Stars: Live at the Palladium (Disc 1) 5. P-Funk All Stars: Live at the Palladium (Disc 2) Adam D. Barnhart email_address_removed email_address_removed http://www.cfmc.com/adamb ------------------------------ Date: 03 Jul 97 10:14:37 -0700 From: "NEVANS.US.ORACLE.COM" To: email_address_removed Subject: Superior Newsletters Message-ID: Just a quick note concerning Superior, the oft-heard-about band (on the jam) that kicks some sizeable arse... I highly recommend reading some (or all) of the Superior newsletters, which can be found on the webpage that Bernd just gave out. I am looking through the first one now, and it is sort of fascinating to hear about how a bunch of musicians (like many of us) with regular, diverse day jobs (like many of us), managed to squeeze in the songwriting, rehearsal, recording, business aspect, etc, of creating the fantastic disc that is "Behind". A brief excerpt: - August - September 1995: Studio time; All the tracks were recorded in only 11 days. Drums first, then bass, guitars, keyboards and finally the vocals. After the recordings we took a little break to get away from all this before we began to mix and master the recorded stuff. There were 6 days of mixing and 2 for mastering the whole stuff. Not much time and a lot of stress again... - October 1995: Release and presentation; Oh boy, this was really a happy day in our lives when all these parcels with the CDs arrived at our singer's place. We had a CD-party on the day and it was an awsome, incredible feeling when we all opened the parcels and got out our OWN CD. I won't forget this in my whole life. So, long story short (or is it too late?), take a look for yourself: http://gaia.owl.de/~fine/superior.html later, -Neil. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 13:28:59 -0400 (EDT) From: Rick Audet To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: Ugly Kid Blow Message-ID: On Thu, 3 Jul 1997, Christopher Ptacek wrote: > > I always thought that Vai attended Berklee... > > At least that's what I saw/heard in an interview with him... > > I just wanted to jump in on this thread really quick. I don't know how long > Satriani had been playing when he started teaching Vai, but I know for a fact that some > people are capable of teaching after only a year or two. Some of my friends are theory > bookworms, and I have at least one friend whom I taught to shred in under two years... > so you can be an effective teacher, as long as you are taught right yourself, from the > start. Two years to shred? Hell, how about if I take a little sabbatical and head out to Chicago so that I too might finally be able to shred? :) Oh, and a comment about Vai at Berklee: I understand he was there for about a year before taking off to work with Zappa. And while he was there, he never went to class. Must've been too busy transcribing tunes, I guess. > Vai did attend Berklee, back when it was Berklee... not this "You must play > jazz with this tone and this guitar, and if you do anything else you suck" shithole > that it's become. Wait, you just described the Boston Conservatory of Music. Their attitude must be rubbing off on Berklee-Shmerklee. > Symphony X is what the doctor ordered for you. It's heavy as hell, and > melodic, and powerful, and every other compliment I can give. SX rules. :) I'd take Chris' advice, folks. I can't go more than a few hours without putting that disc back into the player. Now Playing: Sarah McLachlan, "Rarities, B-Sides & Other Stuff" Rick Audet Dolby Labs ------------------------------ End of YTSEJAM Digest 2691 **************************