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From: DANDOM%UMASS.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu (Dan Parmenter at Hampshire College)
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 87 19:32 EDT
Subject: Matters of Kateness...the Great Witch Goddess...
This is my first posting to Love-Hounds, although I've been reading it for some time now. On the matter of 'originality', I feel that it is absurd to put down a performer on the basis of the fact that "It's been done before". This applies to any artform. In popular music, the 12 bar blues progression is one of the most basic, simple structures imaginable, yet in the hands of capable musicians, it can be one of the most dynamic, exciting venues of musical expression imaginable. Interpreting something old in a new and interesting way has the dual purpose of reaffirming one's roots, and also proving that immense creativity is possible within a given structure. Good, rollicking 3 chord rock well played, is a thousand times more interesting than the ghastly dance music one hears today, sounding like nothing more than a setting on a casiotone. On the matter of 'James and the Cold Gun'and the Hammersmith Odeon Show in general, I have this to say. I watched the tape with fellow Love Hounds Jon Drukman and Joe Turner, and we all agreed that while excessively flamboyant, it was actually somewhat subdued compared to other performing artists of the time, when popular music was still recovering from 'glamor' and 'glitter' rock. The matter of whether or not the version of 'James' on the Live album is the same as the video version, I will assume that it is not. In the 'Live' album version, the Great Witch-Goddess begins the vocal with a sharp, biting "JAMES!", whereas in the video version, she slides in with a cool, relaxed "Jaaaammes...", more closely resembling the album version. On the cover of the Live album she appears to be clad in the same cute little cowboy outfit from The Hammersmith Odeon show, so it was probably a different night. On the subject of performers who have worked with Irish musicians, consider Mike Oldfield, who used Paddy Moloney, a Chieftan I believe, on 'Ommadawn' and 'Five Miles Out'. Celtic roots are nothing new in pop music, from recent examples like The Pogues, who are quite good, to groups like Steelye Span and Fairport convention. Richard Thompson, formerly of FC even had a 'hot' Uillean Pipes solo on his recent rocker 'Bone Through Her Nose'. On my radio show (WAMH Amherst, 89.3), we often did 'Celtic Sets' we'd play things from Kate's own 'Jig of Life' any number of the afforementioned performers. We'd even slip in a little Jethro Tull, much to the Chagrin of Love-Hound Jon Drukman. One last topic, I purchased Sgt. Pepper on CD, and I believe fellow LH Joe Turner can attest to the fact that hearing it on CD was like meeting an old friend after many years of separation only to discover that you like them even better now! Dan Parmenter, Angst-ridden suburban white boy.