Aug 272009
It’s that time again, time to gauge your gut responses to some age-old questions. Are you ready for a little Dugout Chatter? Veterans, show the newcomers how it’s done!
- What’s the last (ie, most recent) Elton John single that gives you any small degree of joy these days?
- What 2nd-rate Jagger is most likely to rank higher for you, a 2nd-rate Brian Jones-era Jagger or a 2nd-rate Exile on Main Street-era Jagger?
- Given the choice right now, would you rather see The Who in their present configuration in an arena or Roger Daltrey solo backed by a young, enthusiastic band and covering Who songs in a large club of about 1000 capacity?
- Why didn’t I like Bright Eyes when I first heard “them” a couple of years ago and now, whenever I hear a new Conor Oberst song I think it’s pretty good?
- What’s more hopeless, the hope for a Kinks reunion or the hope for a great solo Ray Davies album?
- Name a band you enjoy reading about much more than hearing any of their music.
I look forward to your responses.
* What’s the last (ie, most recent) Elton John single that gives you any small degree of joy these days?
I guess that’s why they call it the blues/sad songs
* What 2nd-rate Jagger is most likely to rank higher for you, a 2nd-rate Brian Jones-era Jagger or a 2nd-rate Exile on Main Street-era Jagger?
Exile
* Given the choice right now, would you rather see The Who in their present configuration in an arena or Roger Daltrey solo backed by a young, enthusiastic band and covering Who songs in a large club of about 1000 capacity?
Pissed Jeans
* Why didn’t I like Bright Eyes when I first heard “them” a couple of years ago and now, whenever I hear a new Conor Oberst song I think it’s pretty good?
because your taste is growing suckier
* What’s more hopeless, the hope for a Kinks reunion or the hope for a great solo Ray Davies album?
equal
* Name a band you enjoy reading about much more than hearing any of their music.
The Dead/Zappa-I’ve read books on both of them, and really enjoyed them. I could never listen to that music though.
Last Elton John single I cared about: Blue Eyes
I prefer 2nd rate Brian Jones era Jagger
Neither on the Who question
Pass on Bright Eyes question
It’s more hopeless to hope for a Kinks reunion. Ray’s solo albums are both pretty solid (lots better than Phobia) & I think that Dave’s feelings toward Mick Avory would preclude any reunion.
As for the last question, I would say XTC
Kilroy, your Bright Eyes/Oberst answer has taken an early lead so far. Nice!
Elton John single – The Bitch Is Back
2nd-rate Jagger – Exile. Aren’t they all Exile era?
The Who v. Roger Daltrey – Tough one but probably the Who because I’ve never seen Pete before.
Bright Eyes v. Conor Oberst – You’ve gone soft over the past few years.
Name a band you enjoy reading about much more than hearing any of their music.
Motley Crue, GG Allen, John Phillips, David Crosby, the Doors
cdm, I was thinking primarily of all the 2nd-rate Jaggers who developed in the wake of Brian Jones-era Jagger himself: the singers of 98% of ’60s garage bands, such as the guy from The Chocolate Watchband. Then you’ve got all the 2nd-rate early-period Jaggers of 2nd- and 3rd-generation neo-garage bands, so there are probably an equal amount of 2nd-rate Jaggers to compare.
I see. This makes it tougher than I initially thought. I’ll stick with Exile but not by the margin that I originally contemplated.
What’s the last (ie, most recent) Elton John single that gives you any small degree of joy these days?
never enjoyed ANY elton music when it came out. i hated it then. now the early singles to me are priceless.
What 2nd-rate Jagger is most likely to rank higher for you, a 2nd-rate Brian Jones-era Jagger or a 2nd-rate Exile on Main Street-era Jagger?
equal. jagger was always 2nd rate. but in a great sort of way.
Given the choice right now, would you rather see The Who in their present configuration in an arena or Roger Daltrey solo backed by a young, enthusiastic band and covering Who songs in a large club of about 1000 capacity?
i would stay home either way. never did get the who, (except for i can see for miles).
Why didn’t I like Bright Eyes when I first heard “them” a couple of years ago and now, whenever I hear a new Conor Oberst song I think it’s pretty good?
i really did not like that whole “Garden State” scene and still don’t. it makes me understand how e pluribus feels sometimes. have not heard Oberst; he is on my illegal download list since i read a book this summer by the “Sound Opinions” guy Greg Kot. anyone with suggestions? i was looking for the early tapes Kot described.
What’s more hopeless, the hope for a Kinks reunion or the hope for a great solo Ray Davies album?
slightly skewed toward the kinks reunion. but the hope of getting a new kinks record that compares to the great kinks records is infinitely more hopeless than the hope of getting a new davies album that compares to one of his best albums (whatever they may be). even i had to read that last sentence twice.
Name a band you enjoy reading about much more than hearing any of their music.
i don’t think i have seriously read anything about someone i wasn’t interested in at some level. but if i can use a % of albums liked over % of albums recorded, i will say bob dylan.
mr moderator: how do you think this shit up? kudos
What’s the last (ie, most recent) Elton John single that gives you any small degree of joy these days?
“Philadelphia Freedom,” or maybe “Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart”
What 2nd-rate Jagger is most likely to rank higher for you, a 2nd-rate Brian Jones-era Jagger or a 2nd-rate Exile on Main Street-era Jagger?
Jones-era. There are WAY too many Exile-era apes out there.
Given the choice right now, would you rather see The Who in their present configuration in an arena or Roger Daltrey solo backed by a young, enthusiastic band and covering Who songs in a large club of about 1000 capacity?
Who
Why didn’t I like Bright Eyes when I first heard “them” a couple of years ago and now, whenever I hear a new Conor Oberst song I think it’s pretty good?
Huh?
What’s more hopeless, the hope for a Kinks reunion or the hope for a great solo Ray Davies album?
Hey, DUDE. The last Davies solo LP was pretty darn good.
Name a band you enjoy reading about much more than hearing any of their music.
The Shaggs
* What’s the last (ie, most recent) Elton John single that gives you any small degree of joy these days?
Crocodile Rock. It’s not a good song, but it makes me think of the old Muppet Show which was good.
* What 2nd-rate Jagger is most likely to rank higher for you, a 2nd-rate Brian Jones-era Jagger or a 2nd-rate Exile on Main Street-era Jagger?
60’s era. Big suprise. Maracas are necessary.
* Given the choice right now, would you rather see The Who in their present configuration in an arena or Roger Daltrey solo backed by a young, enthusiastic band and covering Who songs in a large club of about 1000 capacity?
The Who. But it’s only a question of rather not desire.
* Why didn’t I like Bright Eyes when I first heard “them” a couple of years ago and now, whenever I hear a new Conor Oberst song I think it’s pretty good?
Because Conor isn’t doing lists on Facebook?
* What’s more hopeless, the hope for a Kinks reunion or the hope for a great solo Ray Davies album?
The last Ray album is good.
* Name a band you enjoy reading about much more than hearing any of their music.
My gut can’t think of any examples of this. I don’t know why I would enjoy it unless it was shameful schadenfreude like Billy Joel’s latest felony or something, or Axl Rose’s tattoos forming a band without him.
Hey HrrunDUDE, “pretty darn good” does not equal “great.” Maybe I didn’t give that Davies album a fair enough shake, but I felt it lacked either of the two things an old legend’s “great” old-age album requires: 1) an original sound that redefines the artist’s work for the present (eg, recent Nick Lowe, that Dylan album from about 8 years ago that made him a bit relevant again) or 2) a truly kick-ass single that truly connects with people (eg, well..they weren’t THAT old at the time, but Lennon’s Double Fantasy hits and John Fogarty’s Centerfield hits are the best examples that presently come to mind – how about the Travelin’ Wilburys’ hits for a slightly better example?).
Whatever.
2000 man, I’m currently reading “Under Their Thumb” by Bill German, a mega Stones fan who found employment with the band via his fanzine “Beggars Banquet”. It’s fairly interesting. Ever heard of him? If so, what’s your take?
You ever meet any of the Stones? They come off as a pack of total assholes in German’s book. Especially Jagger, although that should be no surprise to anyone.
Can’t speak for all, but just about everyone of my experiences meeting the stars has sucked. The only exception I can think of, when a star really shined, was when I met Kurt Vonnegut, after a talk he gave at a small college. He was everything I hoped he would be.
Hope to hear from ya soon,
E. Pluribus
E. Pluribus, I can’t believe we’ve never discussed this: beside Vonnegut and Mary Stuart Masterson, what stars have you met?
I haven’t met Mary Stuart Masterson, although I’d welcome the opportunity in a minute. It would piss my little brother off to no end. He always had the hots for her because she was a dead ringer for his high school girl friend. I’m actually a fan of her work, especially the picture she made with Kevin Dillon and James Woods. One can’t go much lower than that.
Come to think of it, there was another star that shined as brightly as Vonnegut. I once met Larry Linville, the guy who played “Frank” on MASH. Good guy!
E. Pluribus
While we’re talking the likes of Masterson, K. Dillon, and Jim Woods, what’s your take on the movie Wall Street? We watched it last night for the first time in probably 15 years. It seemed to us a rare movie that is not quite great yet also not quite great-bad. (An even rarer example of a film that is BOTH great and great-bad would be our longtime favorte, No Way Out.) My wife said the film needed more Gecko and less Bud. There’s a brief scene including both Darryl Hannah and Sean Young on screen at the same time. Man, you could replace both of them with chimps and not lose a beat in terms of acting ability. For that matter, the chimp replacing Hannah may be an upgrade in both the acting and looks departments. You did have the good sense, my friend, to stay off the once-popular Darryl Hannah train, right?
* What’s the last (ie, most recent) Elton John single that gives you any small degree of joy these days?
I still really like Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me. Was Empty Garden a single? I like that one a lot too.
* What 2nd-rate Jagger is most likely to rank higher for you, a 2nd-rate Brian Jones-era Jagger or a 2nd-rate Exile on Main Street-era Jagger?
I prefer more of a Dirty Work era Jagger, like Rob Thomas.
* Given the choice right now, would you rather see The Who in their present configuration in an arena or Roger Daltrey solo backed by a young, enthusiastic band and covering Who songs in a large club of about 1000 capacity?
Scylla and Charybdis.
* Why didn’t I like Bright Eyes when I first heard “them” a couple of years ago and now, whenever I hear a new Conor Oberst song I think it’s pretty good?
For better or worse, I have completely ignored that whole scene.
* What’s more hopeless, the hope for a Kinks reunion or the hope for a great solo Ray Davies album?
The reunion is definitely more hopeless. I agree with the others that Ray’s recent solo albums have been very good. Great is probably not an option, as much because of the audience as the artist.
* Name a band you enjoy reading about much more than hearing any of their music.
Led Zeppelin.
eee pee bus
i read that book – we can discuss on saturday
Whelan,
You too read that book? We will indeed have something to talk about on Saturday!
And by the way, I got together with our buddy Wayne again, and he brought by a scrapbook with a lot more goodies -lotsa shots with you and your urban punk drums.
Your friend for life,
E. Pluribus
I have an alternate ‘rather read about them’ answer.
I recently read White Bicycles, the excellent book by producer Joe Boyd. If you’ve read it you might remember that he spends a lot of time on the Incredible String Band. Afterwards I went and got the two albums Boyd holds in the highest regard, and they weren’t horrible, but I didn’t really get it.
I recommend the book though.
The same song that, as a kid, was clearly the end of the line for me, “Island Girl.” What a horrible song, but charming in its essence of John.
2nd-rate Exile Jagger is more likely to appeal to me because the bar is much lower
Daltrey covering The Who catalog in a small club; his voice seems to be the one thing left from what made that band matter. I get no thrill out of seeing Pete Townshend bash away on an Ovation acoustic guitar behind a plexiglass wall.
What I’ve heard more recently seems to rock a bit more – that and the fact that he now uses his real name to promote his music instead of that pstupid pseudonym/band name.
A great solo Ray Davies album
The Eagles
* What’s the last (ie, most recent) Elton John single that gives you any small degree of joy these days?
I really like “This Train Doesn’t Stop Here no More from 2001?
* What 2nd-rate Jagger is most likely to rank higher for you, a 2nd-rate Brian Jones-era Jagger or a 2nd-rate Exile on Main Street-era Jagger?
I prefer the guy from The Black Crowes to the guy from The Strokes…does that help?
* Given the choice right now, would you rather see The Who in their present configuration in an arena or Roger Daltrey solo backed by a young, enthusiastic band and covering Who songs in a large club of about 1000 capacity?
The Who is the exception to this rule. Normally I prefer the young and enthusiastic backing band. For this one since Pete wrote the songs, I would need to see him there too, even if that means double the ticket price and a larger venue.
* Why didn’t I like Bright Eyes when I first heard “them” a couple of years ago and now, whenever I hear a new Conor Oberst song I think it’s pretty good?
He is still on my eMusic list to download..guess I should?
* What’s more hopeless, the hope for a Kinks reunion or the hope for a great solo Ray Davies album?
I thought the Ray Davies solo records were decent, and as good as I could hope for from a Kinks record in 2009. Unlike The Who, I would rather see Ray on his own than another Kinks Reunion
* Name a band you enjoy reading about much more than hearing any of their music.
Pink Floyd (fascinating band, but I only like about 1/3 of the actual records)
The Grateful Dead (better “story” than band)
The Eagles (Felder’s book was good)
Gram Parsons
Jungleland2, yes, your Black Crowes/Strokes distinction helped. Thanks!
I listened to the 3 songs I recently downloaded from the new Conor Oberst album this morning to make sure my tastes had grown as bad as shawnkilroy suspected, and indeed they had! The songs, “Air Mattress,” “Slowly (oh so slowly),” and “Big Black Nothing,” have some jump to them. The songs remind me of the songs I like best from the one Wilco album I like a lot, Summerteeth, and although this will make some of you uncomfortable, the songs are aided by being performed by a singer who’s not hideous looking and seemingly filled with self loathing. It always bugs me how unattractive I find Jeff Tweedy – and I think it bugs him too and weighs on his music.
*The one about Princess Di. It confirmed for me the joyous fact that the shrew was dead.
*I don’t understand the question. I prefer In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans.
*I prefer to see a third-rate Jagger perform Who songs backed by the Hollies.
*I prefer Pete Townshend to bash Conor Oberst over the head with a Les Paul.
*I prefer a good Dave Davies album.
*Bright Eyes, as long as I’m reading the obituaries.
What’s the last (ie, most recent) Elton John single that gives you any small degree of joy these days?
Man, I’m gonna go way back to Someone Saved My Life Tonight, I think. I really lost track of him after that album.
What 2nd-rate Jagger is most likely to rank higher for you, a 2nd-rate Brian Jones-era Jagger or a 2nd-rate Exile on Main Street-era Jagger?
Exile fo’ sho.
Given the choice right now, would you rather see The Who in their present configuration in an arena or Roger Daltrey solo backed by a young, enthusiastic band and covering Who songs in a large club of about 1000 capacity?
I guess the small club. I’m not going to any more big shows, I don’t think.
Why didn’t I like Bright Eyes when I first heard “them” a couple of years ago and now, whenever I hear a new Conor Oberst song I think it’s pretty good?
I dunno. I thought Bright Eyes was awful and I only heard one of Oberst’s solo songs and thought it sucked, too. So I’ve ignored him ever since.
What’s more hopeless, the hope for a Kinks reunion or the hope for a great solo Ray Davies album?
That’s a tossup. I’m gonna just be happy with my Kinks ep collection cd, I think.
Name a band you enjoy reading about much more than hearing any of their music.
Led Zeppelin. Hate the music, but they had the best of everything of the era around them, and I know all the songs cuz I grew up then. So reading about them helps me understand what was going on in the music scene back then, but from people I enjoyed that worked with them, while I was trying to ignore them.
ePlurb, Bill German did the “official” Stones fanzine. I read sone of them, and they weren’t the helpful “find these studio outtakes on these obscure bootleg labels” kind of thing I liked at the time. It was a little more gossipy, and much as I find Patti Hansen attractive, I couldn’t care less that she’s marrried to Keith and they go on vacations together. Finding the tapes from Keith playing around while they were on their honeymoon was more my speed.
I’ve never met The Stones, and I’ve never tried. It’s not that hard, I know people that have invited me to some events and parties, but I bet they’re nowhere near as fun to meet as guys from Lucero or the Dexateens. I’ve heard they can be gracious to fans, but I’ve also heard of them burning through an entire stash of a friend that really couldn’t afford it and had hoped to sell some of it to pay for his trip to Canada.
I didn’t know German kind of bit them in the ass in his book. It might be an interesting book from that standpoint. I usually read the books full of studio logs and show tracklistings, etc. I’m kinda nerdy like that I suppose.