ftp.xmission.com/2014.06.ftp.xmission.com.tar/ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/exotica/archive/v02.n847

Internet Message Format | 2000-12-06 | 42KB

From: [e-mail] (exotica-digest)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: exotica-digest V2 #847
Reply-To: exotica-digest
Sender: [e-mail]
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk
X-No-Archive: yes


exotica-digest       Thursday, December 7 2000       Volume 02 : Number 847



In This Digest:

Re: (exotica) for true exotica fans
(exotica) Arling & Cameron - Music For Imaginary Films
(exotica) Flashbacks series on Trikont
(exotica) Andre Popp
Re: (exotica) Andre Popp
Re: (exotica) Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island
Re: (exotica) Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island
Re: (exotica) Andre Popp
(exotica) About the Cuckoo Bird
Re: (exotica) Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island
Re: (exotica) Andre Popp
(exotica) Re: Monsieur records: contact info? nope
(exotica) early xmas/recent finds
(exotica) Re: Transistors : "Atelier" maxi
(exotica) Hello, I'm a new subscriber.
(exotica) United Future Organization
Re:  (exotica) Hello, I'm a new subscriber.
Re: (exotica) Hello, I'm a new subscriber.
Re: (exotica) Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island
(exotica) Schlagernacht! - Part 2
(exotica) 78 RPM Manifesto
(exotica) N'Sync, score, sohail again
Re: (exotica) United Future Organization
Re: (exotica) Schlagernacht! - Part 2
(exotica) Gentle Waves
Re: (exotica) Schlagernacht! - Part 2
Re: (exotica) Gentle Waves

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2000 11:11:38 -0500
From: Brian Phillips <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (exotica) for true exotica fans

At 07:22 AM 12/5/00 -0800, chuck wrote:

>One of my all time favorite lps.  Dominic Frontiere is a genious!!
>This lp is framed hanging proudly in my dining room.  I'm always
>hungry for more of this.

No arguments there!  However, this cover looks as if there was a festival
held on top of it.  Big talk from a fellow who has the record, without the
cover...

Are there other interesting Frontieres to seek out?

Brian Phillips





# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2000 08:35:23 -0800 (PST)
From: chuck <[e-mail]>
Subject: (exotica) Arling & Cameron - Music For Imaginary Films

Sound Shopping is also my favorite album by Arl & Cam.
The packaging is fantastic!  Cool artwork!

Music for Imaginary films makes my top ten list for this year.  Its
also on my little four year olds list of cds she packs for road
trips.

Responding once again to Cheryl's recommendation.

Chuck
- --- cheryl <[e-mail]> wrote:
> Many people on this list don't seem to be aware that there is a
> third> (in my opinion, also the best) Arling & Cameron CD - it's
called> "Sound Shopping", and is on Basta - it's probably only
available as a European import, but I believe Basta has it on their
site for sale as well.  And> there are the Easy Tune CDs that are
Arling & Cameron under a host of different names.
>
> More music to discover, more money to spend...



__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/


# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2000 09:49:15 -0800 (PST)
From: chuck <[e-mail]>
Subject: (exotica) Flashbacks series on Trikont

I can't recommend this series and label enough! Unbelievable!!!
Some of this music is finally seeing its first re-release in 80
years!

I believe these two guys are from Germany and are experts at
unearthing obscure songs.  The Flashback series contains obscure
and familiar songs from way back in the music world.  I like the
novelty one the best (Vol 2) but thats just my taste.  These are
all fantastic releases.  A major event in the modern music world
that I hope will influence future artistic releases.

The distributor for Trikont shares the building with
http://www.othermusic.com
These releases are available for $13 at othermusic as is the 3-vol
set of La Poloma covers, which I have ordered but not yet listened
to.  (Cleve, does this entitle me to membership in the knuckelheads
club?)

I was at the othermusic site yesterday listening to sound samples
on real audio and I was astounded at how much good music is coming
out today.  So much good music to listen to on cd and lp and so
little time to keep up with it, not to mention afford it.

Easy listening in the Big easy
Chuck

- --- Arjan Plug <[e-mail]> wrote:
>
> From www.trikont.de
>
> "This is German label Trikont's new series of imaginative and

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/


# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2000 21:16:12 -0500
From: cheryl <[e-mail]>
Subject: (exotica) Andre Popp

I know that Andre Popp's "Delirium In Hi-Fi" CD on Basta is a reissue of
the original by "Elsa Popping" - what I want to know is, is there any
reason to have the original LP as well as the CD, or are they both
identical? (and what should the LP be worth?)

That's my musical trivia question for the day...

cheryl


# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2000 21:20:26 -0800
From: "Basic Hip" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (exotica) Andre Popp

> I know that Andre Popp's "Delirium In Hi-Fi" CD on Basta is a reissue of
> the original by "Elsa Popping" - what I want to know is, is there any
> reason to have the original LP as well as the CD, or are they both
> identical? (and what should the LP be worth?)

I guess that comes down to an indivdual's own preference.  I know some
people that are just happy to have the music - it does not matter if it is
on a cheap tape with no track list.  That's enough for them.

I also know some people that pursue the original albums even though they has
been reissued on CD.  They accept no substitutes and will pay good money for
them.

Although I don't know any, I suppose there are some people that get rid of
their vinyl originals once something get's put on CD.  Ouch.

I have both the Basta CD and the Columbia LP of "Delirium In Hi-Fi".  I had
the record first and it's a treasure.  I'm not really sure why I bought the
CD, probably to take it to work and listen.  The original artwork on the CD
is different and that's too bad.  Otherwise, they are the same, no bonus
tracks I don't think.

What is the LP worth?  I think I paid about $30 about 5 years ago.  I've
seen some people on ebay sneak in on ebay and get it for less than $10, I've
also seen it go for more like $40 (which is probably about right) there too,
depending on how it is advertised and who is selling it.

That's a wonderful album, keep it and chuck the CD, I say.









# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2000 21:42:53 -0800
From: Kevin Crossman <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (exotica) Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island

Moritz R wrote:
>
> Anybody familiar with this Exotica album of 1960? I've seen the cover
> every once in a while, I think it's also in one of the Incredible
> Strange Music books. Now, this album is reissued on vinyl and on CD,
> apparently for 5 years now, but I got my copy just today. It's an
> absolutely fantastic amazing Exotica highlight! It's Top Ten Exotica, if
> you ask me. I heard there's a story going along with this guy, but I
> can't remember having read it anywhere. On the cover he looks like
> Jesus.

Call it heresey but I didn't really get into this... the song I sampled
with a male singer was truly grating...

- -Kevin
- --
***********************************************************
*     Kevin Crossman           [e-mail]            *
*   http://www.kevdo.com  - The Narrow Interest Portal    *
*  Lip Balm Anonymous, Ultimate Mai Tai, Exotica Archive  *
***********************************************************


# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2000 22:51:36 -0800
From: "Basic Hip" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (exotica) Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island

> Call it heresey but I didn't really get into this... the song I sampled
> with a male singer was truly grating...

Eek!

Hard to believe anybody into "exotica" could so easily dismiss this
masterpiece recording.

If I understand your post, you checked out a sample on CDNOW or some similar
site?

The grating male singer is Eden Ahbez.  He wrote Nat King Coles "Nature Boy"
and lived in the hills of Hollywood, eating nuts and berries.

His is a fascinating story and I highly recommend hearing more of this truly
amazing album before offically putting it on your shit list.





# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2000 08:30:53 -0500
From: Brian Phillips <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (exotica) Andre Popp

>What is the LP worth?  I think I paid about $30 about 5 years ago.  I've
>seen some people on ebay sneak in on ebay and get it for less than $10, I've
>also seen it go for more like $40 (which is probably about right) there too,
>depending on how it is advertised and who is selling it.

Or you get lucky like myself, not knowing what it was when you looked at it
in the store, but figuring it would be good and paying 3 dollars for it (it
was one of my first Exotica purchases, cue a swell of violins,
please).  Does the CD have the liner notes of the LP?  If not, do try to
seek out the LP as well.

Brian Phillips





# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2000 14:42:37 +0100
From: Ton =?iso-8859-1?Q?R=FCckert?= <[e-mail]>
Subject: (exotica) About the Cuckoo Bird

"Among the 47 species of cuculines, various adaptations enhance the=20
survival of the young cuckoo: egg mimicry, in which the cuckoo egg=20
resembles that of the host, thus minimizing rejection by the host;=20
removal of one or more host eggs by the adult cuckoo, reducing both
the competition from host nestlings and the danger of recognition=20
by the host that an egg has been added to the nest" - Encyclopedia=20
Brittanica





The Word Spy for 12/05/2000 -- cuckoo egg

cuckoo egg (noun)

An MP3 song file that contains either a song different than what its=20
name suggests, or a short sample of the song followed by noises or an
anti-Napster message.

"Working after hours at the hardware store, the Fix brothers released=20
their first batch of cuckoo's eggs in mid-June, transferring songs by=20
Stephanie Fix to Napster and renaming them as songs by popular artists...
The second batch of song files consisted of correctly named song files,
but 30 or so seconds into each song, the brothers inserted an audio=20
clip of the cartoon character Charlie Brown saying, 'Congratulations,'
followed by a clip of Yosemite Sam saying, 'Looks like you goofed up=20
somewhere,' followed by the sound of a chirping cuckoo that continued
for the rest of the track." --Catherine Greenman, "Taking Sides in=20
the Napster War," The New York Times, August 31, 2000





How To Lay Cuckoo's Eggs

A brief overview of how to lay your own Cuckoo's Eggs in the Napster nest.=
=20


   1.Download and install Napster=20
   2.Download or rip songs for use as eggs.=20
   3.Edit the songs adding noise, sounds, and other info=20
   4.Copy your MP3 file into the Napster directories.=20
   5.Connect to Napster and start laying eggs=20


The original cuckoo eggs were produced by the Cuckoo Egg Project:

http://www.hand-2-mouth.com/cuckooegg/









 *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
 *** Ton R=FCckert   Mozartstraat 12   5914 RB Venlo   The Netherlands ***
 *** [e-mail]   http://www.plex.nl/~mojoto   Ph 31/0 773545386 ***
 *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
 ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
 ~~~ ~~~ ~~~      Members of our staff may be available      ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
 ~~~ ~~~        for private parties after the egg dishes.        ~~~ ~~~
 ~~~   http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/4264/music/w34779.ram  ~~~
 ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~


# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2000 11:05:25 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (exotica) Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island

I believe the Eden Ahbez LP was re-released on CD by Del-Fi a couple of years back. One can inquire @ [e-mail]   Hope that he'ps..JB


# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2000 12:34:39 -0500
From: cheryl <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (exotica) Andre Popp

I have the CD (which I love), but saw the record for the equivalent of
about $20 US - so I figured for that price, it would have to be a little
different for me to want to pick up.  Still not sure...

cheryl

Basic Hip wrote:
>
> > I know that Andre Popp's "Delirium In Hi-Fi" CD on Basta is a reissue of
> > the original by "Elsa Popping" - what I want to know is, is there any
> > reason to have the original LP as well as the CD, or are they both
> > identical? (and what should the LP be worth?)
>
> I guess that comes down to an indivdual's own preference.  I know some
> people that are just happy to have the music - it does not matter if it is
> on a cheap tape with no track list.  That's enough for them.
>
> I also know some people that pursue the original albums even though they has
> been reissued on CD.  They accept no substitutes and will pay good money for
> them.
>
> Although I don't know any, I suppose there are some people that get rid of
> their vinyl originals once something get's put on CD.  Ouch.
>
> I have both the Basta CD and the Columbia LP of "Delirium In Hi-Fi".  I had
> the record first and it's a treasure.  I'm not really sure why I bought the
> CD, probably to take it to work and listen.  The original artwork on the CD
> is different and that's too bad.  Otherwise, they are the same, no bonus
> tracks I don't think.
>
> What is the LP worth?  I think I paid about $30 about 5 years ago.  I've
> seen some people on ebay sneak in on ebay and get it for less than $10, I've
> also seen it go for more like $40 (which is probably about right) there too,
> depending on how it is advertised and who is selling it.
>
> That's a wonderful album, keep it and chuck the CD, I say.


# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2000 19:40:00 +0100
From: Johan Dada Vis <[e-mail]>
Subject: (exotica) Re: Monsieur records: contact info? nope

there's no contact info for monsieur records on the cover, nothing at
all. it's a bootleg, that explains.

         Johan

         -----



# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2000 13:02:12 -0500
From: "Bruce Lenkei" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (exotica) early xmas/recent finds

Found a copy of Other Worlds, Other Sounds yesterday in the recent arrival
bin at one of the local record stores here in NY. Both the disk and the
cover are in perfect shape. At 18 bucks it was a bit higher than I like to
pay, but I figured the chances are slim to none that I'd ever see it again
at any sort of reasonable price, so I grabbed it. I've seen it for sale at
other stores in NY for $40-50 bucks, so It seemed like a good deal. It's my
early xmas present to myself this year. Also found a copy of Denny's Exotic
Percussion for the far more reasonable price of 7 bucks. Besides, I haven't
found anything worth getting in about a month or two.

- -bruce

++++++++++++++++++++
Lenkei Design/Graphic Design
www.lenkeidesign.com
++++++++++++++++++++
Visit The Exotica Review
As many exotica/lounge record reviews as possible!
on the web at:  www.bway.net/~er
++++++++++++++++++++

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Get more from the Web.  FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com



# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2000 15:27:48 +0100
From: Johan Dada Vis <[e-mail]>
Subject: (exotica) Re: Transistors : "Atelier" maxi

the Transistors maxi "Atelier" is actually not released yet, i just
found out. it's going to be next year.

         Johan

         -----



# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2000 21:28:19
From: "Daniel Shiman" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (exotica) Hello, I'm a new subscriber.

Hello, I'm a new subscriber.

I came to exotica (and ultimately, all the music I now listen to) via the
60's garage and psychedelic anthologies I collected as an adolescent in the
1980's.  Thereupon started both present pattern of obsessive collecting, and
my fascination with exotic/unusual sounds and music, though it would years
before I stumbled into the weird in-between world of 50's/60's exotic
listening.  But once I did, it was an absolutely revelatory way of expanding
my musical horizons (and record collection).  The usual story, I guess.  In
retrospect, exotica seems only like a strange, but natural, extension of the
60's weirdness I'd dug in high school.

Anyways, my internet searches for obscure record titles over the years have
inevitably delivered me unto the exotica archives (which is THE best source
of info for exotica), and I finally leapt up this morning and decided to
join the mileau, or something.  And am now preparing myself for the intense
volley of verbal abuse I deserve for my run-on sentences.  Please don't hurt
me too bad.

- -Dan
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Get more from the Web.  FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com



# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2000 14:02:32 -0800 (PST)
From: chuck <[e-mail]>
Subject: (exotica) United Future Organization

Are any other exoticats into this band?

I have 4 cds by them and think all four are fantastic!  I come to
like UFO and acid jazz more and more over the years.

I also love Night Trip, a various artists comp put together by a
member of UFO. (for sale at http://dustygroove.com)  Sonny & Cher's
Beat Goes On is done by Buddy Rich and his 12 year old daughter who
Buddy says is drunk!  This is one fine groove of a song!!  She
vocalizes cool & reserved. And the Beat goes on, and the beat goes
on....over and over,   drilling the groove deep down.  This comp is
mixed from vinyl.

One of UFO's album opens with the sci fi spoken words:  "Do you
believe in Flying Saucers"  Where is this sampled from?

Easy listening in the Big Easy
Chuck

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/


# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2000 17:03:48 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re:  (exotica) Hello, I'm a new subscriber.

In a message dated 12/6/0 4:29:22 PM, [e-mail] wrote:

>Hello, I'm a new subscriber.....<snip>....Please don't hurt  me too bad.

this is a pretty painless way to get to know pretty unusual rekkids pretty
well. I joined four (!) years ago and still stay on despite a few droughts
and a couple of tiffs. You mentioned you read the archives. So you know that
the list is sort of split between newer more beat-driven expressions of
exotica musics and the "pure" exotica of yore.  Its all good, so enjoy your
stay and above all, don't be shy with your opinions. Certainly very few of us
are!...JB


# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2000 21:53:03 -0500
From: alan  zweig <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (exotica) Hello, I'm a new subscriber.

At 09:28 PM 12/6/00, Daniel Shiman wrote:
>
>Hello, I'm a new subscriber.
  And am now preparing myself for the intense
>volley of verbal abuse I deserve for my run-on sentences.  Please don't hurt
>me too bad.

We're hungry for fresh blood so run on all you want as long as you ask us
about records or bands or arrangers or producers thus allowing us to spout
about things we haven't had the chance to spout about for a long time since
we're all so jaded having collected this stuff for so many years.



# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2000 19:58:14 -0800
From: "jonathan richardson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (exotica) Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island

>The grating male singer is Eden Ahbez.  He wrote Nat King Coles "Nature
>Boy"
>and lived in the hills of Hollywood, eating nuts and berries.
>
>His is a fascinating story and I highly recommend hearing more of this
>truly
>amazing album before offically putting it on your shit list.

Got a weird cool story about Eden Ahbez.

My Grandmother was riding in my car with me a few months back so I thought I
would throw on something, nice and easy so i threw on Eden Ahbez,when she
enquired about who it was, I told her about him and a bit of his history,
you know, livin' and eatin' berries behind the Hollywood H and all and  she
launched into a story about Eden whom she remembers meeting as a teenager
(when she was 19 or so)  in Palm Springs, which is where my grandmother grew
up in the 40's, in a back yard of an rich  banker. She said she and her
friends would peek over the backyard fence to get a glimpse of "Nature Boy"
as he was known as.  she said she would sometimes see him around town, she
said he wore a robe and had long hair, she doesnt remember a beard. She had
no idea that he wrote the hit Nature Boy or that he was a song writer, she
just thought he was some kook.  My grams never ceases to amaze me, she also
has great stories about Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and tons about William
Powell who was a friend of the family.

Man sometimes I think I was born a few decades too late. I would have loved
to see "Nature Boy", Damn. But im glad My Grandma  still around to brighten
my day with her memories.

- -jonny










_____________________________________________________________________________________
Get more from the Web.  FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com



# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2000 22:56:09 -0500
From: Brian Karasick <[e-mail]>
Subject: (exotica) Schlagernacht! - Part 2

Just watched the second installment of the German TV special Schlagernacht,
this one the 70's.  It seems  I did correctly guess the increased
opportunity for embarrassment it seems!  Very different from the first part
(the 60's) which had a certain innocence that you couldn't help but be
impressed by. Still, there were a number of good things which I haven't
been able to identify yet but after this there were a lot more names and
faces that I can now place - in the list of "to be avoided" that is!  The
moderator, Berndt,  had a great time with this one and you could see him
getting in tune and dancing along with stars in superimposed frames.  There
were two (count 'em!) appearances by Heino to complete the picture.  All in
all highly irritaining and worth watching if you're of the right
mindset...  But I now understand why so much of this genre is panned so
badly. I just shudder to think what the 80's brought!


Brian



# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2000 22:05:01 -0800
From: "Stephen W. Worth" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (exotica) 78 RPM Manifesto

A while back, I posted here asking for tips on transferring 78s to
CD. A couple of people asked me to share what I found out when I
got it all researched. Here's my report...

I'm interested in the acoustics of old recordings. I've been
disappointed with the quality of reproduced sound lately.
The CD reissues of old 78s that I buy sound lifeless and dull, and
modern orchestral recordings don't sound like acoustic instruments.
They're all buzzy and shiney sounding like a synthesizer, even if
they are acoustic instruments.

I always assumed that older music on CD sounded flat because of
the "primitive technology" they apologize for on the disclaimer
on the back of the jewel cases. But I was getting so disgusted
with unreal digital sound, I figured how bad can an original
78 be in comparison? So I rigged up a transcription table (Dual
1218) with a correct cartridge and equalizer to my computer to
see what results I could come up with. I was amazed at how much
better my transfers sounded than the comparable commercial CD
releases. There was a clarity, presence and amazingly
well-defined bass that I hadn't heard in old music before.

My experiments burning CDs of 78s led me to wonder what the old
acoustic phonographs sounded like. I bought a Victrola that was in
good condition and rebuilt the original "sound box" using a kit.
The first record I tried after the rebuild was Caruso singing
an aria from Martha. It knocked me on the floor. The sound
literally EXPLODED out of the machine. It was like being in
the room with him. Before this, all the acoustic recordings
I had heard on CD sounded tiny and distant, buried
under a sea of surface noise.

I'm trying to figure out just what it is that makes those
CDs of old material sound so lifeless. I did some experimenting
with my CD burner ripping and burning the same song ten times
over to see if generation loss was coloring the sound somehow.
(It wasn't.) I tried making CDs of records and comparing them
to the original. (They were the same). I couldn't find
what was ruining the sound so completely until I started
experimenting with those programs that are designed
to "de-noise" and "restore" the sound of old records.

I've come to the conclusion that these are the culprets. I've
have some experience in video post-production, and I know how
bad digital processing can be for TV signals. I'm finding the
same sorts of gross distortion and manipulation in audio that
I see in video. Whenever these "de-cracklers" are used, they
throw out a good part of the signal along with the noise, and
make the music sound like it's behind a wall, or playing a
mile away. Using the processing sparingly only results in
"sparing" deterioration of the sound. I'm convinced now that
the only way to get really good sound is to start with a nice
clean record, EQ it properly, carefully hand edit out any clicks
and pops, and leave any groove noise or crackle alone. For the
life of me, I don't know why commercial CD releases aren't done
like that. They are going out of their way to make the sound
bad.

More and more, I'm becoming a technological luddite. Whenever
a new recording technology comes out, it seems that it does
so at the expense of a previous technology that did things
better. I know for sure that LPs sound a lot better than CDs,
and 78s sound great too. My theory is that the big companies
behind new technologies have a vested interest in trashing
the older one. They put out all sorts of propaganda and pseudo
scientific mumbo jumbo to make the old technology look bad,
even when the older technology had higher quality reproduction.
I've seen it recently in home video with DVDs vs. the older
laserdisc format and it happened with CDs and LPs too. The
only progress I've seen in sound reproduction since the
introduction of stereo is compactness and convenience of the
storage medium and machines. Sound reproduction hasn't
noticeable improved at all. I sometimes wonder if CD
companies don't deliberately make old stuff sound bad to
discourage people from buying it over new stuff that they
have more of a financial interest in. Given the dull sound
of 78rpm era recordings on CD, I wouldn't doubt it.

It's common in any collecting hobby to complain about crazy
prices paid for stuff, but I can't see any reason to complain
in collecting phonographs. The machines themselves are quite
reasonably priced considering the age and quality of workmanship.
The most amazing bargain is the records themselves though. I've
been scooping up batches of records from the twenties through
the fifties at ebay for fifty cents to a dollar apiece. It's
turned out to be a gold mine of music that has never been
released on LP or CD. Whenever I bought a CD collection of
old music, half of it would be stuff I already had. Now, I'm
getting batches of hundreds of 78s where every song is new to
me.

My main areas of interest musically are Polka, Accordion
and Organ music, Country, Western Swing, Pop Vocals, Small
Band Swing, Opera, Classical Novelty and 20's Dance
Bands. It seems that my tastes are pretty well suited to
what's readilly and cheaply available. The early blues
and proto rock n' roll 78s that don't really interest me
seem to be what fetch the high prices. This allows me to
be able to afford to grab big hunks of music and sift
through looking for the gems. Doing that with CDs would
cost a fortune. In the exotica/lounge area, I've found
great Les Baxter sides, Lenny Dee, Three Suns, Raymond
Scott, and a pile of great lounge singers. The interesting
thing is, the versions of the songs is usually different
than the LP version. Every time a new technology like
HiFi or Stereo came out, they trotted the artists back
in the studios to make a new version. The CD collections
usually include only the newest of these.

I'm in trouble now, because I've got several THOUSAND
78's in cartons all over the place! I've been plowing through
them cleaning them, putting them in fresh sleeves,
transferring them to CD and packing them away, keeping a
handful to play on my Victrola. But I haven't figured out
what to do with the ones I'm finished with. They aren't
worth anything... certainly not enough to go to all the
trouble of trying to list them at ebay or send out for sale
lists.

I'm grouping them by style of music in boxes, and hopefully
I'll find another collector in the same boat to swap them with.
I just want to feed my obsession with hearing as much old music
as I can. I'd be interested in finding other collectors
who are doing what I am doing to trade CDs with. I'd be
interested to find out their particular techniques for getting
the best transfer, and to discover new areas of music I haven't
been exposed to. Is anyone else out there in Exoticaland as
in love with 78 revolutions per minute as I am?

See ya
Steve

- --
       Visit Spumco's Wonderful World of Cartoons:
       http://www.spumco.com  alt.animation.spumco
   -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
     Learn about animation art (without going BROKE!)
     Vintage Ink & Paint     http://www.vintageip.com


      Stephen Worth
      [e-mail]

      The Web: http://www.spumco.com
      Usenet:  alt.animation.spumco
      Palace:  cartoonsforum.com:9994

      Spumco International
      1021 Grandview, 2nd Floor
      Glendale, CA 91201



# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2000 10:17:23 -0000
From: Charles Moseley <[e-mail]>
Subject: (exotica) N'Sync, score, sohail again

Did anybody see a piece of news (in the Guardian yesterday) about Sid and
Marty Krofft, creators of HR Pufnstuf suing N'Sync after they made 25 foot
mannequins of the band and then saw them used as promotional material
without their permission. Sid and Marty want 10% of the profits of programme
sales. Weird - And what the hell is HR Pufnstuf??

And I scored a record! My record buying is definitely waning with a new and
improved lower salary (better job, I keep telling myself) and very little
turning up for sale. I also keep missing things on Ebay because the auctions
always seem to finish at 4.00am UK time and some fucker always bids at the
last minute.
Anyway, I got the Billion Dollar Brain soundtrack which is Lalo-like but
without any drums. Pretty cool, very soundtracky but not great. On its way
is Return of the Incredible Bongo Band, Abrax vol 1 & 2 (some French groovy
thing apparently) and Max et les Ferraileurs on CD because it was only a few
dollars.

About once a year I suddenly get the urge to find that Sohail Rana LP and I
know I've asked before and found the answer but who has a copy? Brian is it
you?


Charlie
Editor
C3 Magazine
3 St Peter's Street
London
N1 8JD

Tel: [phone] (direct)
       [phone] (switchboard)
Fax: [phone]
ISDN: [phone]




# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2000 10:45:11 +0000
From: leslie gilotti <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (exotica) United Future Organization

>Are any other exoticats into this band?

Love 'em!  Was it they who did that Brownswood comp - can't recall
the name and I've lost the cover - but it had this excellent Jazz
Brothers tune on it.  The lyrics are just "Bow-wow, bow-wow,
bow-wow-wow-wow" over this fantastic sort of mambo beat.

Ah, it's too early for me...

leslie

- --
- ---------------+ leslie
- ----[ work ]---+ www.playlouder.com
- ----[ play ]---+ www.thatdarncat.net


# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 07 Dec 2000 13:04:49 +0100
From: Moritz R <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (exotica) Schlagernacht! - Part 2

Brian Karasick schrieb:

> All in all highly irritaining and worth watching if you're of the right
> mindset...  But I now understand why so much of this genre is panned so
> badly. I just shudder to think what the 80's brought!

The term "irritainment" says it all. What the 80s brought? Well, at the end of
the 70s Schlager was in its absolute historical down. I estimate, my own
obscure combo Der Plan sold more records in 1980 than former superstars like
Roy Black or Peter Alexander. However in the end the German New Wave triggered
a Schlager revival, but that genre never recovered to its former creative
uniqueness. The new genre that sort of monopolized the use of the German
language in pop music was to become Hip Hop, believe it or not.

Mo






# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2000 07:30:15 -0800 (PST)
From: chuck <[e-mail]>
Subject: (exotica) Gentle Waves

Rob you nailed my taste well.  I was just talking on the phone with
a dj about the Gentle Waves.  I really like their newest album and
their new ep.  I would love to catch them live and I can't believe
they played "The Beat Goes On" Buud y Rich version..  Maybe they
have been listening to Night Trip also.   You described them well!
I think they share something in common with Bertrand Burgulat's
sound.

Any this Dj was saying she doesn't understand why boomers and
punkers don't like modern soft pop.  She traced this music back to
Nick Drake.  I see the Velvet Underground as the main influence
though I believe soft pop began with the Fleetwoods thanks to a
discussion with Jamie(are you still on this list?)

Easy listening in the Big Easy
Chuck


- --- Robert McKenna <[e-mail]> wrote:
> Funnily enough I went to see 'the gentle waves' a Belle &
> Sebastian spin off  band the other week (hell it was free, i was
free..), they finished with a  cover of this (i was mildly
irritained by her girly voice but as their  version was based on
the Buddy Rich one it was appropriate) and I was  thinking that
quite a few people on the list, particularly you Chuck, could
> be in to them. Semi orchestral easy pop, breathy girl vocals,
> lightly jazz  based, vibes, quite French sounding melodies in the
better songs.
rob


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/


# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 07 Dec 2000 12:10:08 -0500
From: Brian Phillips <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (exotica) Schlagernacht! - Part 2

If you wish to get in the visual Schlager groove, go here:
http://online.prevezanos.com/schlager/index.html?34,36

I like the picture of "Les Chakachas" (NOT the Jungle Fever outfit!) so
much, it's been the wallpaper on my computer for a year.

http://online.prevezanos.com/schlager/twist.shtml

For titles, you cannot beat "Ein Cow-Cow-Cow-Cow-Cow-Boy" by the Cherry
Cats (Cherry Cats?)

Oodley Pop-A-Cow-Cow-Cow-Cow....
Brian Phillips





# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 07 Dec 2000 14:15:40 -0500
From: alan  zweig <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (exotica) Gentle Waves

At 07:30 AM 12/7/00 -0800, chuck wrote:
>
>Any this Dj was saying she doesn't understand why boomers and
>punkers don't like modern soft pop.  She traced this music back to
>Nick Drake.

Hah!  Pardon me but I just had to scoff when I read a Dj - of all folks
- -tracing ANYTHING back to Nick Drake.
That really is hilarious on so many levels.
(I'm not attacking the messenger here Chuck, so please don't take offense.)
I'm not going to say that none of the modern softpoppers were influenced by
Nick Drake, even though I suspect that most people only heard him through
CD reissues twenty years after the fact.
But to trace a whole musical movement- or minimovement - back to him...
PUH-LEEZE!
Where would I, the scoffer, trace it back to?
I wouldn't.
But if I had to, I'd have to know how far back you want to go.
The Andrews Sisters?  The Mills Brothers?  Bing Crosby?
Or more recent?  The Everly Brothers?
You say the Velvet Underground.  Someone else says the Fleetwoods.
Do I hear the Beatles?  Who influenced them?
All ideas are worthy and now that I've calmed down, I can even hear Nick
Drake in there but still, this DJ must have been twelve years old to be
tracing it all the way back to Nick Drake...

AZ




# Need help using (or leaving) this mailing list?
# Send the command "info exotica" to [e-mail].
# To post, email [e-mail]; replies go to original sender.

------------------------------

End of exotica-digest V2 #847
*****************************