____________________________________________________________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ S P E C T R O P O P __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ ____________________________________________________________ Volume #0369 January 14, 2000 ___________________________________________________________ Perfectly safe for playing normal 45 rpm microgroove records Subject: Paul & Artie Received: 01/14/00 2:02 am From: Frank Youngwerth To: Spectropop List <> Konishi of Pizzicato 5 (originally responsible I think for stirring up Japanese interest in soft pop) always mentions S &G as favorites. The reason they're not usually mentioned other places is they're not marginal figures, and their fame and reputation has outlasted changing trends in pop. Same basic reason the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, and John Fogerty aren't considered garage / 60s punk. Forever Changes and Friends are surely soft rock classics (hell, Freak Out is almost in the ballpark), but Love could be really loud too ("7 & 7 Is" is proto-hardcore punk), and Friends is a group-oriented album that I suppose doesn't properly highlight Brian's genius the way Pet Sounds, Smile, and "Good Vibrations" do. You'll notice a lot of soft pop discussion revolves around the speaker's obsession with the underrated genius of some or other quirky producer. I happen to feel that the true heroes of Spectropop are the ultra-productive, unpretentious players like Carol, Hal, Earl, Leon etc. They're the ones you can really count on. I like Darlene Love records, and James Darren records too. Brian's productions, Bruce & Terry's & Jan's too. 'Long as they hired Hal. Frank Youngwerth --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- Subject: Re: soft pop Received: 01/14/00 2:02 am From: Nat Kone To: Spectropop List Jamie LePage, le_page_wxxxhoo.com wrote: >So what is it with this evasive genre called soft pop, >anyway? Seems there is no consensus as to its definition >among us pop aficionados. >Certainly Gary Zekley's Yellow Balloon >qualifies as sunshine pop, but what about the Beach Boys' >Friends album? Never hear that one name checked as >sunshine pop but it is sunshiny and does have a lot of >harmony... I thought I was going to lurk a while longer but since this is the subject that got me "invited" onto the list, I guess I should delurk. I accept the term "soft pop" because that's the going term. I accept it in spite of the fact that a lot of things that are both soft-ish and poppy are outside the meaning of soft pop. I tried to start a movement to call it "bababada" - on the same logic as "doowop" was named - but me and three guys on the Exotica list are not going to dominate the conversation. A lot of Beach Boys stuff is definitely within my definition of soft pop. If they're not generally name checked, it's probably because you can't limit them to such sounds like you can say "The Love Generation". And that has something to do with the fact that a lot of soft pop bands only made a couple of records, if that. And then there's a related issue. Obscurity. It helps to be obscure - or at least "unlikely" - to get name checked. When I started making soft pop tapes, I tried to include as much stuff as I could, even if it wasn't generally name checked. But not everything quite fit, by my terms anyway. I could squeeze in a cut each by Canadian psychedelic folk rockers The Paupers and the Kensington Market but I couldn't leave on the Chad and Jeremy cut. Then again, the same tune "Before and After", made the grade when done by The American Breed, who also aren't really soft pop. Maybe it was the trace of a British accent. I tried to use some old Grass Roots but that didn't seem to work either. I would say that's because "folk rock" doesn't work but then again I did manage to shoehorn in a cut by Jim and Jean. I think the term "sunshine pop" is much more appropriate and would probably put an end to some discussions like this one. Then again, it doesn't really matter if someone thinks Bread is soft pop, as long as they don't think Claudine Longet is. Sorry this was so long but it's a big topic. :) Nat --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- Subject: Re: soft something-or-other Received: 01/14/00 2:02 am From: Ron Sauer To: Spectropop List In a message dated 1/12/2000, 12:21:52 PM, spectropxxxocities.com writes: < > Great essay, Jamie! I would add the sounds of The Sunshine Company , Love Generation, Free Design, Spanky & Our Gang, and earlier, The Chordettes (specifically "Soft Soft Sands" and the Poni-Tails to the list. I think that Brian Wilson, and Simon and Garfunkel were regarded as "hip" by the rock establishment of the mid to late sixties. This was something most groups in what became known as soft pop either lost (the Association and so some extent The Mamas and the Papas) or never attained. The word "pretentious" seems to be used a lot when referring to most late sixties soft pop. I say who cares, as long as it sounds good. Ron --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- Subject: Re: soft something-or-other Received: 01/14/00 2:02 am From: Jill Mingo To: Spectropop List >So what is it with this evasive genre called soft pop, >anyway? Seems there is no consensus as to its definition >among us pop aficionados. > >In Japanese, it isn't even called soft pop, but rather, >sofuto rokku (soft rock). Countless articles (even a book) >have been published in Japan on the subject, and the lists >of albums falling under this category often include some >pretty dodgy stuff. Mr. Le Page... I don't think it really matters what we call it. Some of this could be called soft psychedelic pop too. I think all genre titles fit various styles within the general feeling of the music. Some of it has rock influences but the other day when I referred to "soft rock", someone thought I mean Bon Jovi! Which is pretty funny! Soft pop...well, pop is generally soft...right? Sunshine Pop? A lot of the music is very bright. Usually this is pop music with lush production and sweet harmonies with a 60s feel. I think you can put almost all music on this list loosely in this category and I think we all know what we're talking about. I know what the A&M sound is. Can I explain that to others...Nah. But lush productions, sugary sweet vocals...it's a fat production sound. It's A&M. And sure, there are songs pre-60 or post 1970 that also fit this genre. I don't define music or collect it, I enjoy it. And I'm sure you do too, Jamie! x Jill "Mingo-go" --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- Subject: Re: Phil Spector doc Sent: 11/21/44 4:48 pm Received: 01/14/00 2:02 am From: Frank To: Spectropop List >The Phil Spector doc ("Wall Of Sound") is supposed to be >shown on TV this Feb. 26th. > >Best, >Carol Kaye I have a request to any good willed member of the list. Being based in France, I obviously won't be able to watch this Spector doc. Is there any body here who could tape it for me and send it over here. I would of course pay for all expenses VHS cassette, air mail shipment and all. Thanks in advance Frank --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- Subject: Re: rough trade Sent: 11/21/44 4:48 pm Received: 01/14/00 2:02 am From: Frank To: Spectropop List > x delia x > > > >delxxxughtrade.com >www.roughtrade.com >if you'd like to be sent regular new releases emails let me know >ph-0171 792 3490 >fax 0171 221 1146 >at....130 talbot road , london , wiiija, u.k. Hi, Just wondered is this rough trade the same one I used to know ages ago or was it just recently created ? Frank --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- Subject: The Liquid Room 1/8/99 Received: 01/14/00 2:02 am From: Ponak, David To: Spectropop List Happy new year everybody. The first show of 2000 was a gas, featuring my top 10 of 1999 plus a guest DJ slot by my good friend Mark Wasiel, featuring the booty from his recent trip to Japan. Please check out his homepage for lots of great new release info and other news. http://www.newmusicmachine.com/ The Liquid Room airs every Saturday Morning (Friday night) from 3-6 on 90.7 FM KPFK. (98.7 in Santa Barbara County). Also check out my show The Nice Age at http:// www.spikeradio.com Monday and Wednesday evenings from 8-10, PST. The Liquid Room-1/8/99: First, I started off playing a track from each CD in my top 10 of 1999. (Keep in mind this is completely subjective . I may already disagree with my own choices) 10.Katerine-Au Pays De Mon Premier Amor Les Creatures (Rosebud/Universal-France) 9.Underworld-Jumbo Beacoup Fish (V2) 8.Beck-Hollywood Freaks Midnight Vultures (DGC) 7.Tom Waits-Take It With Me the Mule Variations (Epitaph) 6.Blur-Tender 13 (Virgin) 5.XTC-I Can't Own Her Apple Venus Vol. 1 (TVT) 4.Pizzicato Five-20th Century Girl Pizzicato Five (*********/Heatwave-Japan) 3.The Magnetic Fields-I Don't Believe In The Sun 69 Love Songs (Merge) 2.The Aluminum Grou-Miss Tate Pedals (Minty Fresh) 1.The Flaming Lips-A Spoonful Weighs A Ton The Soft Bulletin (WB) Then, the two most significant "single" tracks of the year: 11.Scott Walker-Only Myself To Blame The World Is Not Enough Soundtrack (Universal) 12.Kraftwerk-Expo 2000 Single (EMI-Germany) Then, Mark Wasiel took over the next hour: 13.Harco-Workshop Slow Motion (Natural Foundation-Japan) 14.Ennio Morricone-Bianco, Roggo E Verdone Viva Morricone! (Avanz-Japan) 15.Denki Groove-Nothing's Gonna Change Single (Sony-Japan) 16.David Frishberg-One Horse Town Oklahoma Road (King/CTI-Japan) 17.The Singers Unlimited-Stone Ground Seven Snowflakes (Various Artists-MPS-Japan) 18.Jean Jacques Perry-Colonie Celeste Good Moog (Kosinus-France) 19.Bruce Haack-Party Machine Electronic Toys 2 (QDK) 20.Yoshie (drummer for Cornelius)-Comn De Novo-Trattoria 21.Towa Tei (w/Chara) Let Me Know (Mighty Bop Remix) Lost Control Mix Part 1 (East/West-Japan) Then, back to my stuff: 22.Ray Cooper-Oh You Beautful Doll Everybody's Cup Of Tea (Dorre) 23.Gershon Kingsley-Popcorn (new version) At Home With The Groovebox (various artists-incl. Beck, Cibo Matto, Air, etc.) (Grand Royal) In stores 3/14 24.Gershon Kingsley-Paperback Writer Music To Moog By (Audio Fidelity) 25.Mr. Lif-Farmhand 12" single (Grand Royal) 26.Motocompo-Ski Desktop Romancer (Flavour-Japan) 27.Lalo Schifrin-Secrect Code There's A Whole Lalo Schifrin Goin' On (Dot) 28.The Jungle Brothers-Freakin' You V.I.P. (Gee Street/V2) 29.Roy Budd-Getting Nowhere In A Hurry (Instr.) Get Carter Soundtrack (Castle-UK) 30.Burt Bacharach & Dionne Warwick-On My Way Isn't She Great Soundtrack (MCA) 31.Tagomago-Flood Lights A Sleeping Bee (Transonic/Flavour-Japan) 32.The Divine Comedy-Moon River Rarities (Setanta-UK) 33.Jim O'Rourke-The Workplace Halfway To A Threeway (Drag City) 34.Chocolat-Wonder Christmas Fargo EP (Neosite-Japan) 35.The Schulte Sisters (Featuring Bridgette Shulte) Never Gonna Get Married-Where Has The Music Gone? The Lost Recordings Of Clem Clemstock (Mental Giant) 36.Paul Williams-Morning I'll Be Movin' On Someday Man (Reprise) --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- END
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