Re: Most Albums sold, via RIAA
Forgive me if this post is a little outdated, as I've been moving and have been trying to keep up with the P2 digests. But, OK, something's wrong here. You mean Aretha Franklin, or the Temptations, or Ray Charles, or James Brown isn't on the list? What's going on ... is it a case of poor accounting methods up until the 1960s? Or are the record companies as scummy as we think they are? I simply refuse to believe those artists haven't sold more than 20 million units in their careers. Ron Warnick NP: Johnny Paycheck, "The Real Mr. Heartache" (a little hard to find, but well worth it)
Country Music Foundation
Hey all ... I'm trying to contact the Country Music Foundation about their music catalog, but no luck. Anyone have an e-mail address or phone number? If you can, please contact me offlist. Maybe brother Weisberger can help in this regard ... Thanks, Ron Warnick NP: June Carter Cash, "Press On"
Earle McCoury Band notes
I and my fiancee saw Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band at Mississippi Nights in St. Louis. I couldn't complain that I didn't get my money's worth; the show was just $15 and they played for three-plus hours, minus a 15-minute break in the middle. Some observations: -- As I feared, Mississippi Nights is hardly the best venue for an acoustic show. Yes, the overall sound was pretty good for the first two- thirds. But we were near the back of the room, and it was harder to hear Earle's solo acoustic slot as the crowd became drunker and more chatty. Mississippi Nights did some things to help the atmosphere somewhat, like line up chairs in front of the stage to try to create a more intimate setting. -- The sometimes overmatched sound still didn't diminish my enjoyment of the show. Hell, it was a thrill just hearing bluegrass being played on a rock 'n' roll stage like Mississippi Nights. Better yet, the Del McCoury Band was cheered lustily after their numbers. Especially loved Del's "I Feel the Blues Movin' In" (I heard Dolly sing it first) and "Backslidin' Blues" and a version of Tom Petty's "Love Is a Long Road." I wish they'd done "Get Down On Your Knees and Pray," though. -- My fiancee dug Earle's acoustic set, especially "Ellis Unit One." I'm glad he's performing that somewhat obscure one ... it's one of the standouts from the "Dead Man Walking Soundtrack." -- Earle's propensity to singing murder ballads: "Nashville doesn't play songs about homicides anymore ... I'm opposed to that on moral grounds." -- Spotted watching the show near the soundboard area: Jay Farrar of Son Volt, drinking a Newcastle Ale and quietly listening. I think his drummer was with him, too. -- Love the single-microphone trick that Earle and the McCourys use. I'm surprised they don't knock each other down. This may be a question for the Gracey types: Is it a 360-degree microphone or it is more directional, like 180 degrees? I was wondering how they'd keep the crowd sound from bleeding into the mix. -- Never thought I'd see Earle in a suit and tie. Vocally, he was in fine form ... his gravelly best. -- Earle was telling about reading Charles Frazier's "Cold Mountain" and some music inspired by that wonderful novel (I need to read that again). Who wrote music from that book and what CD is it? -- Earle's show has accomplished one thing for me ... I'm going to start looking up more bluegrass music. Thanks, Steve, for making an album that's getting me off my butt and making me seek out a music form that I've unjustly ignored for years. Ron Warnick NP: The King, "Gravelands" (Actually, an Elvis impersonator doing AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie" works better than you might think)
Need P2 HELP
What's going on? My last two P2 digests have come in MIME form and not text. How the heck am I supposed to open it? Is there something wrong with the WashU server? Please reply to me offlist, as Lord knows I can't access the answers currently. Ron Warnick
Buck Owens story
This may have already been discussed, but did anybody catch the fine article about Buck Owens in Salon magazine? Here's the Web address: http://www.salonmagazine.com/bc/1999/02/23bc3.html Enjoy! Ron Warnick
Miss America thread ...
My girlfriend and I were discussing this over a few beers, and I figured it might be a fun thread here. Anyway, we both agreed that the Miss America pageant was stilted and boring with its musical numbers. We thought it might be fun someday to see an innocuous-looking contestant don a leather jacket, strap on a Fender Telecaster and rip into a version of the Pretenders' "Precious" on prime time TV. What song would you like to see a Miss America candidate perform and get you to jump out of your seat? I came up with a few ... Neil Young's "Hey Hey My My (Into the Black)" Joan Jett's "Do You Wanna Touch" Hole's "Miss World" or "Doll Parts" "Harper Valley PTA" I know you all can do better than that. C'mon ... let's hear a few and have some fun! Ron Warnick
Guacamole
Hate to start a food thread, but I'm needing a good guacamole recipe. Me and the missus got some of it figured out, but what we've attempted is missing something. Any suggestions? Ron Warnick
Grammyszzzzzzzzz....
Jeez, can't the Grammys get a little danger and excitement going once in a while (other than uninvited rappers at the lecturn and "Soy Bomb," of course)? As my girlfriend would say succinctly: "Bored." You know the awards show is dull when: -- An opera singer and a Latin hunk bring down the house more than the rockers; -- Sheryl Crow and Shania Twain outrock Aerosmith; -- An extended segment on movie soundtracks ... is this the Grammys or the Oscars? The night wasn't without its odd segments: -- Did my ears deceive me, or did Joe Perry tear off a riff from "Walk This Way" at the end of the Diane Warren song? If so, too bad they didn't follow through and bring the house down. -- Did someone forget to mike the violins behind Aerosmith? -- Was the outfit Shania Twain wore onstage too tight, or was she afraid the platform she stood on would blow up if she moved? Talk about stiff ... -- What was with the black goggles Twain's band wore? -- Bono looked really off-balance when he was performing during the Kirk Franklin song ... like he was, "My word, I'm the only white guy here." Other observations: -- Don't let Celine Dion sing with opera singers. It was bad enough her chirping with Pavarotti on her last CD. -- Speaking of Pavarotti, he sang like he had something to prove ... like he didn't want to get upstaged by Aretha Franklin again. -- Someone shoulda kicked Clapton off the stage and let B.B. King perform by himself. B.B. doesn't need the help. Still there were some fine moments. As expected, Vince Gill's "If You Ever Have Forever In Mind" was grand and moving. And the Dixie Chicks and Lauryn Hill seemed genuinely moved by their wins. And best moment: "If you listen to these real close, you can hear Garth Brooks play baseball." -- Vince Gill holding the little gramophone up to his ear during his Grammy acceptance speech. Ron Warnick NP: Cisco (great, great stuff Thank you, Jeff Wall)
Bob Wills advice.
I'm looking for an economically priced CD of Bob Wills' greatest hits, preferably with his best lineup. The Tiffany Transcriptions look great, but there's a bazillion volumes of the thing. A double-CD collection would be acceptable. Any suggestions? My typing sucks today ... it's tough to tap when you've got a bandaged finger (don't ask). Ron Warnick NP: Del McCoury Band, "The Family"
Book about Texas music.
I'm looking for a book about the history of Texas music, from Buddy Holly and T-Bone blues to current day. I can't remember the title, but I saw it in my local Borders store a few months ago. Predictably, it was gone the next time I went looking for it. Anyone remember it, and is it worth getting? Ron Warnick NP: Wilco, "Summer Teeth"
Twangfest
OK, OK ... I'm dying from the anticipation ... do we have a lineup yet for Twangfest, and when will it be announced? And will Kimmie Rhodes be there? (Hope so). Ron Warnick NP: Blondie, "No Exit"
Need Springsteen sheet music
I'm needing sheet music for Bruce Springsteen's "If I Should Fall Behind" from the 1992 "Lucky Town" album for my wedding this summer. My bride's musical tastes are a bit more upscale, and I figured my musical choice needs to be a little rootsier and down-to-earth. (Besides, I've always loved that song.) If you have any ideas where to retrieve any sheet music for it, please let me know off-list. Thanks in advance, Ron Warnick
The Mississippi: River of Song
Boy, this "Mississippi: River of Song" series on PBS is "Don't Miss TV" for the VCR. This week's episode kicked off with John Hartford, who wrote "Gentle On My Mind" and drives a riverboat two weeks out of the year (I never knew that); bluegrass in Hillsboro, Ill. (especially some hot picking by the Bob Lewis Family); a high school marching band in St. Charles, Mo.; Fontella Bass, who wrote "Rescue Me," singing gospel in St. Louis (didn't know that, either); a look and tribute to RB giant Oliver Sain, with Ike Turner making a brief appearance in concert footage; a percussion artist in East St. Louis; some sort of caroling group in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., and lastly, Festus, Mo.'s favorite sons, the Bottle Rockets. Can't fault the film's producers for a lack of variety. Can't wait for the final two episodes as they head down to Memphis, the Mississippi Delta, Cajun country and New Orleans. Ron Warnick NP in my head: "Get down, river, river get down ..."
