From: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org (alloy-digest) To: alloy-digest@smoe.org Subject: alloy-digest V12 #143 Reply-To: alloy@smoe.org Sender: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "alloy-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. alloy-digest Sunday, September 23 2007 Volume 12 : Number 143 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: Alloy: A funny thing happened on the way to the Dolby gig... ["Paulo"] Re: Alloy: A funny thing happened on the way to the Dolby gig... [Patrick] Re: Alloy: OT: compressed CD--arrrrghhhh!!! [Patrick McMillan ] Re: Alloy: A funny thing happened on the way to the Dolby gig... [CJMark@] Alloy: compressed CD--arrrrghhhh!!! [William Steffey ] Re: Alloy: FYI... ["Mary Brown" ] Re: Alloy: FYI... ["Mary Brown" ] Re: Alloy: A funny thing happened on the way to the Dolby gig... ["J. Kar] Re: Alloy: FYI... [William Steffey ] Alloy: OT: compressed/clipped music--arrghhhh!!! ["J. Kara Laidlaw" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 09:17:41 -0300 From: "Paulo" Subject: Re: Alloy: A funny thing happened on the way to the Dolby gig... But you're ok... thank God! - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Merujo" To: Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 1:14 AM Subject: Alloy: A funny thing happened on the way to the Dolby gig... > > Sitting at a stoplight, I got rear-ended by someone going full speed. > Urrrrg. > > But, by god, I did not miss the gig! :) > > Photo of my poor squished wee car here: > http://merujo.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-happens-when-idiots-drive.html > > And now, at 12:11 at night, I'm off to the hospital. My head is now > killing me. > > (For the record, the concert was a blast - Thomas and the horns were > fab! More when I'm medicated in the morning!) > > Later, kids, > > Melissa > > -- > "We all have ability. The difference is how we use it." -- Stevie Wonder ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 08:23:51 -0500 From: Patrick McMillan Subject: Re: Alloy: A funny thing happened on the way to the Dolby gig... On Sep 21, 2007, at 11:14 PM, Merujo wrote: > > Sitting at a stoplight, I got rear-ended by someone going full > speed. Urrrrg. > Set that to music! Hope you're feeling better. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 08:54:54 -0500 From: Patrick McMillan Subject: Re: Alloy: OT: compressed CD--arrrrghhhh!!! On Sep 21, 2007, at 9:44 PM, J. Kara Laidlaw wrote: > and it sounds the way a > dirty window looks, Another quotable line! Thanks for the link about compression Kara. Muy interesting. Patrick McMillan Toxey/McMillan Design Associates 218 Washington  San Antonio, TX 78204  (210) 225-7066 4608 Ramsgate Court  Arlington, TX 76013  (817) 368-2750 925 Jackson Street  Benicia, CA 94510  (Studio) fax 206-339-3394 http://www.tmdaexhibits.com Conservation Tip: Plant a tree and Xeriscape the earth around your dwelling. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:26:42 -0400 From: Merujo Subject: Re: Alloy: A funny thing happened on the way to the Dolby gig... On 9/22/07, Paulo wrote: > But you're ok... thank God! Yeah, to be honest, I think I was very, very, very lucky. I had my seatbelt on and there was no one ahead of me at the light, so the front end of my car (and me, for that matter) wasn't squished, too. Whew! Ended up at the emergency room for four hours+, then had to wait another hour for the local 24-hour pharmacy to give me my lovely painkiller cocktail. So I ended up waiting at the local IHOP at 5 a.m. with a waitress stoned out of her gourd on the painkillers she was given for her wisdom tooth removal the previous day -- she kept calling me "Elaine" and "sir"... I'm writing between calls back and forth to insurance companies and I can barely move. I'm so glad this pain hadn't set in before the show, because had I felt this way then, I reckon I would have just stayed home on the sofa! As it was, though, I didn't, and I'm so glad! My friends and I had a great time. Looked like Thomas was having a pretty fine time, too. The audience just loved the show. We were at the back of the room (since we arrived a bit later than planned, but well before the show started!) But the Birchmere really doesn't have a bad seat in the whole place. Great sound, great sightlines. Thomas even mentioned on stage that the place had to have been designed by roadies -- the venue has laundry facilities for the bands, wi-fi, good food, you name it. (Adam of the Jazz Mafia Horns echoes that sentiment on their blog today -- on a side note, I'd *love* to hear the story Adam alludes to where someone from the Birchmere told the guys about the weird show rider and other odd requests from the previous night's headliner, Michael Bolton.) Thomas starts this new set with Airwaves (ahhhh) and plays a number of songs solo before bringing out the horns to join him and just rip the joint up. It's a fantastic combination that changes the show dynamic, and they play off of each other so well. Only one gremlin was nipping at TMDR's heels last night, when the equipment refused to cooperate on Airhead. After a valiant try, with the horns trying to fill in, Thomas just started laughing and said, "Okay, that's just about enough of that!" Reset - and bam - they were off and running again. The covers in the set are great fun - one being "(What I Like Most About You Is Your) Girlfriend" - a Specials tune (The Special A.K.A.) written by Jerry Dammers. You can find the lyrics here on The Specials' website: http://www.thespecials.com/lyricview.php?sid=40 The other is a hilariously fun cover of "Sway" which folks got to hear on a couple of dates last time around. This is a classic tune (one of the more famous versions was sung by Dean Martin), perfect with the horns. The previous night, in Sellersville, PA, a couple got engaged at the show, and Thomas lured them to the center of the room to dance to this one. If you haven't been to Thomas' blog this week, go now and check out the YouTube video of this! The new song "Jealous Thing" is a project in progress. Thomas says the lyrics aren't final, the arrangement is still being arranged... but it's a lovely thing. Looking forward to more! For the fashionistas among us, Thomas took the stage in this cool navy pea coat, with military insignia on the sleeve. Very nice touch! Must have been hotter than hell on stage under the lights, especially as our sultry DC weather made a quick return after so many days of beautiful autumnal coolness. Oh - and the opening act? A local female singer-songwriter named Joanne Juskus, who was pretty darn good. I'd visited her MySpace page before the gig and dug the tracks she had up: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=45133314 She had a talented guitarist with her, Adrian Bond, and turns out Dolby is an idol for them both. They performed a beautiful version of Screen Kiss, which was a delightful surprise for everyone. And with that, my friends, it's time for me to go call Madame Hit and Run's insurance company to see how they're going to handle my claim. Guess I get to see just how friendly the GEICO lizard really is... Hopefully it really IS so simple a caveman (or cavewoman) can do it. ;) Cheers from the gimp, Melissa - -- "We all have ability. The difference is how we use it." -- Stevie Wonder ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:41:50 -0400 From: Merujo Subject: Alloy: FYI... Sorry guys - I should have split up that last post, but for those who really don't give a fig about me and dang car, that last post also has details of last night's show. Just scroll past the first bit! Cheers, Melissa - -- "We all have ability. The difference is how we use it." -- Stevie Wonder ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 14:02:45 EDT From: CJMark@aol.com Subject: Re: Alloy: A funny thing happened on the way to the Dolby gig... Hey Melissa.. Thanks for your review and so sorry to hear about your accident! Great work on getting the woman's license number! Good luck on getting her insurance to pay even a fraction of the value you are due. There is nothing worse than hit and runners.. in my opinion. Go take a nap.. you deserve it! Mark In a message dated 9/22/07 10:31:58 AM, merujo@gmail.com writes: > > On 9/22/07, Paulo wrote: > > But you're ok... thank God! > > Yeah, to be honest, I think I was very, very, very lucky. I had my > seatbelt on and there was no one ahead of me at the light, so the > front end of my car (and me, for that matter) wasn't squished, too. > Whew! Ended up at the emergency room for four hours+, then had to wait > another hour for the local 24-hour pharmacy to give me my lovely > painkiller cocktail. So I ended up waiting at the local IHOP at 5 a.m. > with a waitress stoned out of her gourd on the painkillers she was > given for her wisdom tooth removal the previous day -- she kept > calling me "Elaine" and "sir"... > > I'm writing between calls back and forth to insurance companies and I > can barely move. I'm so glad this pain hadn't set in before the show, > because had I felt this way then, I reckon I would have just stayed > home on the sofa! > > As it was, though, I didn't, and I'm so glad! My friends and I had a > great time. Looked like Thomas was having a pretty fine time, too. The > audience just loved the show. We were at the back of the room (since > we arrived a bit later than planned, but well before the show > started!) But the Birchmere really doesn't have a bad seat in the > whole place. Great sound, great sightlines. Thomas even mentioned on > stage that the place had to have been designed by roadies -- the venue > has laundry facilities for the bands, wi-fi, good food, you name it. > (Adam of the Jazz Mafia Horns echoes that sentiment on their blog > today -- on a side note, I'd *love* to hear the story Adam alludes to > where someone from the Birchmere told the guys about the weird show > rider and other odd requests from the previous night's headliner, > Michael Bolton.) > > Thomas starts this new set with Airwaves (ahhhh) and plays a number of > songs solo before bringing out the horns to join him and just rip the > joint up. It's a fantastic combination that changes the show dynamic, > and they play off of each other so well. Only one gremlin was nipping > at TMDR's heels last night, when the equipment refused to cooperate on > Airhead. After a valiant try, with the horns trying to fill in, Thomas > just started laughing and said, "Okay, that's just about enough of > that!" Reset - and bam - they were off and running again. > > The covers in the set are great fun - one being "(What I Like Most > About You Is Your) Girlfriend" - a Specials tune (The Special A.K.A.) > written by Jerry Dammers. You can find the lyrics here on The > Specials' website: http://www.thespecials.com/lyricview.php?sid=40 > > The other is a hilariously fun cover of "Sway" which folks got to hear > on a couple of dates last time around. This is a classic tune (one of > the more famous versions was sung by Dean Martin), perfect with the > horns. The previous night, in Sellersville, PA, a couple got engaged > at the show, and Thomas lured them to the center of the room to dance > to this one. If you haven't been to Thomas' blog this week, go now and > check out the YouTube video of this! > > The new song "Jealous Thing" is a project in progress. Thomas says the > lyrics aren't final, the arrangement is still being arranged... but > it's a lovely thing. Looking forward to more! > > For the fashionistas among us, Thomas took the stage in this cool navy > pea coat, with military insignia on the sleeve. Very nice touch! Must > have been hotter than hell on stage under the lights, especially as > our sultry DC weather made a quick return after so many days of > beautiful autumnal coolness. > > Oh - and the opening act? A local female singer-songwriter named > Joanne Juskus, who was pretty darn good. I'd visited her MySpace page > before the gig and dug the tracks she had up: > http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile& > friendid=45133314 > She had a talented guitarist with her, Adrian Bond, and turns out > Dolby is an idol for them both. They performed a beautiful version of > Screen Kiss, which was a delightful surprise for everyone. > > And with that, my friends, it's time for me to go call Madame Hit and > Run's insurance company to see how they're going to handle my claim. > Guess I get to see just how friendly the GEICO lizard really is... > Hopefully it really IS so simple a caveman (or cavewoman) can do it. > ;) > > Cheers from the gimp, > > Melissa > ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:04:24 -0400 From: William Steffey Subject: Alloy: compressed CD--arrrrghhhh!!! oh man... one of my tunes was chosen for a compilation earlier this year, and when I got the disc (I guess you can see where this is going) my track was squashed practically beyond recognition. I spent a good deal of time making the tune breathe nicely, and throw some punches here and there- only to have some intern engineer go and (as far as I can tell) pick mastering settings based on the first track and apply them wholesale across the entire cd. They asked me to be on another cd recently and I said 'Fine- but my track is ALREADY mastered. Don't touch it!' and the guy said 'don't worry, the engineer is only going to make sure the all the songs are the same volume' which really indicated to me that the guy is not a producer or engineer, because the phrase "make everything the same volume" is a little vague. (Now that I think about it, he did just that. My entire SONG is now all the same volume!) I'm glad there are 6000 copies floating around, but horrified that 6000 people are going to think that I can't muster a decent sounding track. arrrrghhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - -William - -- http://www.williamsteffey.com http://www.myspace.com/williamsteffey ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 17:00:35 -0400 From: James Quigley Subject: Alloy: Delurking to make a quick plea Although I am neither volant nor Dutch, I would just like to emerge from the mists for a moment and make an impassioned plea for the stripped-down version of "One of Our Submarines" to be made available on iTunes. The accidentally "semi-ambient" version that TMDR is currently performing is really, really good. The lack of bass and snare really helps add a feeling of tension to the track, and also lets listeners hear some of the more subtle effects that may get a bit swallowed up in the regular version. For those of you who have not been fortunate enough to catch the current tour, I hate to twist the knife and tell you that you're really missing something special in the altered song presentation. But you are. However, if the track can somehow be provided to iTunes for downloading, you'll be all set. - --James Q ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:04:31 -0700 From: "Mary Brown" Subject: Re: Alloy: FYI... On 9/22/07, Merujo wrote: > > Sorry guys - I should have split up that last post, but for those who > really don't give a fig about me and dang car, that last post also has > details of last night's show. Just scroll past the first bit! Umm, and just *who* might that be?! ;-) We all love you here and care about what happens to you. I am appalled that your poor body has taken yet another assault! On the upside, I am gratified to hear you had a great time at the show. Did Thomas wear the Carmen Miranda fruit scarf to perform "Sway"? Steve and I can only think of Jennifer Connelly in "Dark City" (one of my all-time favorite movies and I don't even really like sci-fi!) singing it whenever we hear it. "Jealous Thing" sounds intriguing and is hopefully more satisfying than "Dogma". Flame me at will, but that song just doesn't move me. Considering its inspiration, I suppose that's not too surprising. I haven't looked at Adam's blog yet since I'm spending waaaay too much time at work these days and the Net Nanny won't allow MySpace but I'm sure it's entertaining. I struck up a conversation with him when I last saw Thomas because he was wearing a t-shirt from a cafe in my neck of the woods (Forestville, for the curious). He couldn't have been nicer - really humble and grateful for the chance to get wider exposure with Thomas. Apparently they had quite the time in Austin at SXSW. And to the handsome and talented Bill Steffey, I am so sorry about the mangling of your music! I've been very much derelict in not crowing about Bill's work. I bought all his CDs and would be pasting his picture on my windowsill if I thought I wouldn't have to deal with a jealous boyfriend - there is a killer photo of him on the "Romance of the Spaceways" disc! While you're at CDBaby buying Thomas' disc or at Amazon purchasing "Time on Earth" by Crowded House , I encourage you to add Bill's work to your cart. His voice is reminiscent of Roland Orzabal (who wouldn't love that!?) and anyone who has ever suffered through unrequited love can really relate to his lyrics. Dolby fans will find a lot to appreciate in Bill's music. He had some really clever turns of phrase and I appreciate that his visions of the future still retain the minutia of everyday life that make it ring true. Back to the mundane chores on my one day off, Mary P.S. Kara and Elaine, a thousand apologies because I know I owe you both messages but I have really been swamped! Please forgive! ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:13:48 -0700 From: "Mary Brown" Subject: Re: Alloy: FYI... Oh, and now that I've revisited that cool website www.williamsteffey.com , I realize that when you're ordering your Alloy shirt from CafePress, you can also score one with any of the eye-catching graphics from Bill's CDs! Glad I waited to make my decision so I can maximize shipping! I am sure that Bill is squirming with embarrassment by now since he had no idea I was going to be such a gushing fangirl but I just wanted to encourage my peeps to support members our own talented community! Shutting up now, Mary > . > > And to the handsome and talented Bill Steffey, I am so sorry about the > mangling of your music! I've been very much derelict in not crowing about > Bill's work. I bought all his CDs and would be pasting his picture on my > windowsill if I thought I wouldn't have to deal with a jealous boyfriend - > there is a killer photo of him on the "Romance of the Spaceways" disc! > While you're at CDBaby buying Thomas' disc or at Amazon purchasing "Time on > Earth" by Crowded House , I encourage you to add Bill's work to your > cart. His voice is reminiscent of Roland Orzabal (who wouldn't love that!?) > and anyone who has ever suffered through unrequited love can really relate > to his lyrics. Dolby fans will find a lot to appreciate in Bill's music. > He had some really clever turns of phrase and I appreciate that his visions > of the future still retain the minutia of everyday life that make it ring > true. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 17:21:55 -0500 From: "J. Kara Laidlaw" Subject: Re: Alloy: A funny thing happened on the way to the Dolby gig... "Oh my gosh!!" I thought, as I read: > From: Merujo > Date: 2007/09/21 Fri PM 11:14:01 CDT > To: alloy@smoe.org > Subject: Alloy: A funny thing happened on the way to the Dolby gig... > > > Sitting at a stoplight, I got rear-ended by someone going full speed. Urrrrg. > > But, by god, I did not miss the gig! :) ``````````````````````````````````````````````` Applause for your toughness and dedication, Merujo! I think my head hurts out of sympathy...I'm sending love and healing vibes, and hopes that you (and your poor smooshed car) recover quickly. My gracious, what a trooper! Your resiliency impresses me more by the day, lady. :^D {I just deleted a lot of excess exclamation points, just in case they'd worsen head pain.) Love and hopes that a bird pees in that idiotically bad-driving woman's hair post-haste, Kara {I'm currently fighting the good fight against Seasonal Affective Disorder again, saying to my brain, 'function, dammit!' ;^)} ```````````````````````````````````` > Photo of my poor squished wee car here: > http://merujo.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-happens-when-idiots-drive.html > > And now, at 12:11 at night, I'm off to the hospital. My head is now killing me. > > (For the record, the concert was a blast - Thomas and the horns were > fab! More when I'm medicated in the morning!) > > Later, kids, > > Melissa > > -- > "We all have ability. The difference is how we use it." -- Stevie Wonder ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 18:35:00 -0400 From: William Steffey Subject: Re: Alloy: FYI... Hi Mary, Thanks very much for all your kind words! I'm still laughing (OL) because I was indeed red-faced whilst reading your (very flattering) posts. I appreciate that you enjoy the music so much and also that you chose to share your thoughts with Alloy. I guess if the cd pic on the windowsill would cause a problem, then I'd best hold back on sending you the new 8x10. ;) Thanks again SO much, and hope all is well with you and yours, William Quoting Mary Brown : > > Oh, and now that I've revisited that cool website www.williamsteffey.com , I > realize that when you're ordering your Alloy shirt from CafePress, you can > also score one with any of the eye-catching graphics from Bill's CDs! Glad > I waited to make my decision so I can maximize shipping! > > I am sure that Bill is squirming with embarrassment by now since he had no > idea I was going to be such a gushing fangirl but I just wanted to encourage > my peeps to support members our own talented community! > > Shutting up now, > Mary > > > >> . >> >> And to the handsome and talented Bill Steffey, I am so sorry about the >> mangling of your music! I've been very much derelict in not crowing about >> Bill's work. I bought all his CDs and would be pasting his picture on my >> windowsill if I thought I wouldn't have to deal with a jealous boyfriend - >> there is a killer photo of him on the "Romance of the Spaceways" disc! >> While you're at CDBaby buying Thomas' disc or at Amazon purchasing "Time on >> Earth" by Crowded House , I encourage you to add Bill's work to your >> cart. His voice is reminiscent of Roland Orzabal (who wouldn't love that!?) >> and anyone who has ever suffered through unrequited love can really relate >> to his lyrics. Dolby fans will find a lot to appreciate in Bill's music. >> He had some really clever turns of phrase and I appreciate that his visions >> of the future still retain the minutia of everyday life that make it ring >> true. > - -- http://www.williamsteffey.com http://www.myspace.com/williamsteffey ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 17:49:23 -0500 From: "J. Kara Laidlaw" Subject: Alloy: OT: compressed/clipped music--arrghhhh!!! I totally felt William's pain when he wrote, > From: William Steffey > Date: 2007/09/22 Sat PM 02:04:24 CDT > To: alloy@smoe.org > Subject: Alloy: compressed CD--arrrrghhhh!!! > > > oh man... one of my tunes was chosen for a compilation earlier > this year, and when I got the disc (I guess you can see where this is > going) my track was squashed practically beyond recognition. `````````````````````````````````` Oh the HORROR!!! I don't understand how any engineer can clip a song to death that way. It's a song, not a hedge!! I have a copy of your "Roadstar" CD, and it's GORGEOUS. Absolute deep bliss. I'm listening to it right now. Such depth. Absolutely three-dimensional. When music is compressed/squashed/clipped as your song was by that tin-eared engineer, it sounds utterly flat to me. But I can see your music in my head...I don't need any visualization! Gawd, what a shame...to have to entrust your hard work to someone else, who then pounds it flat. It must be very frustrating... You have my deepest sympathy...you are a wonderful producer. ````````````````````````````````````````` I spent a good deal of time making the tune breathe nicely, and throw some > punches here and there- only to have some intern engineer go and (as > far as I can tell) pick mastering settings based on the first track > and apply them wholesale across the entire cd. They asked me to be on > another cd recently and I said 'Fine- but my track is ALREADY > mastered. Don't touch it!' and the guy said 'don't worry, the engineer > is only going to make sure the all the songs are the same volume' > which really indicated to me that the guy is not a producer or > engineer, because the phrase "make everything the same volume" is a > little vague. (Now that I think about it, he did just that. My entire > SONG is now all the same volume!) I'm glad there are 6000 copies > floating around, but horrified that 6000 people are going to think > that I can't muster a decent sounding track. > arrrrghhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > -William > -- > http://www.williamsteffey.com > http://www.myspace.com/williamsteffey ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 17:58:08 -0500 From: "J. Kara Laidlaw" Subject: Re: Re: Alloy: FYI...and beautiful music... Mary impressed me with her gift for description when she wrote, :^) > From: "Mary Brown" > Date: 2007/09/22 Sat PM 05:04:31 CDT > To: alloy@smoe.org > Subject: Re: Alloy: FYI... > > [big imaginary bracket]> On 9/22/07, Merujo wrote: > > > > > Sorry guys - I should have split up that last post, but for those who > > really don't give a fig about me and dang car, that last post also has > > details of last night's show. Just scroll past the first bit! [end of big imaginary bracket ;^)] > Umm, and just *who* might that be?! ;-) We all love you here and care about > what happens to you. I am appalled that your poor body has taken yet > another assault! > > On the upside, I am gratified to hear you had a great time at the show. Did > Thomas wear the Carmen Miranda fruit scarf to perform "Sway"? Steve and I > can only think of Jennifer Connelly in "Dark City" (one of my all-time > favorite movies and I don't even really like sci-fi!) singing it whenever we > hear it. "Jealous Thing" sounds intriguing and is hopefully more satisfying > than "Dogma". Flame me at will, but that song just doesn't move me. > Considering its inspiration, I suppose that's not too surprising. I haven't > looked at Adam's blog yet since I'm spending waaaay too much time at work > these days and the Net Nanny won't allow MySpace but I'm sure it's > entertaining. I struck up a conversation with him when I last saw Thomas > because he was wearing a t-shirt from a cafe in my neck of the woods > (Forestville, for the curious). He couldn't have been nicer - really humble > and grateful for the chance to get wider exposure with Thomas. Apparently > they had quite the time in Austin at SXSW. > > And to the handsome and talented Bill Steffey, I am so sorry about the > mangling of your music! I've been very much derelict in not crowing about > Bill's work. I bought all his CDs and would be pasting his picture on my > windowsill if I thought I wouldn't have to deal with a jealous boyfriend - > there is a killer photo of him on the "Romance of the Spaceways" disc! > While you're at CDBaby buying Thomas' disc or at Amazon purchasing "Time on > Earth" by Crowded House , I encourage you to add Bill's work to your > cart. His voice is reminiscent of Roland Orzabal (who wouldn't love that!?) > and anyone who has ever suffered through unrequited love can really relate > to his lyrics. Dolby fans will find a lot to appreciate in Bill's music. > He had some really clever turns of phrase and I appreciate that his visions > of the future still retain the minutia of everyday life that make it ring > true. ```````````````````````````````````` Agreed, a million times! And I knew you'd get back to me when you were able. :^) Love and beautifully-produced music that hasn't been mangled by an inept engineer [or one who cares more about money than music], Kara, always willing to lose myself in good music, and good writing! :^) ```````````````````````````````` > > Back to the mundane chores on my one day off, > Mary > > P.S. Kara and Elaine, a thousand apologies because I know I owe you both > messages but I have really been swamped! Please forgive! ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 21:39:48 -0400 From: William Steffey Subject: Re: Alloy: OT: compressed/clipped music--arrghhhh!!! I can't thank you enough for these kind comments! As far as my production skills, I must say that I had an excellent mentor. Speaking of 3D sound, my next cd contains some audio techniques I pioneered by studying closely the lyrics of same said artist. 4D sound. Archimedes just couldn't keep it... - -WS Quoting "J. Kara Laidlaw" : > `````````````````````````````````` > Oh the HORROR!!! I don't understand how any engineer can clip a song to death > that way. It's a song, not a hedge!! I have a copy of your "Roadstar" CD, and > it's GORGEOUS. Absolute deep bliss. I'm listening to it right now. > Such depth. > Absolutely three-dimensional. When music is compressed/squashed/clipped > as your song was by that tin-eared engineer, it sounds utterly flat to me. > But I can see your music in my head...I don't need any visualization! > Gawd, what a shame...to have to entrust your hard work to someone else, who > then pounds it flat. It must be very frustrating... > > You have my deepest sympathy...you are a wonderful producer. > ````````````````````````````````````````` > > I spent a good deal of time making the tune breathe nicely, and throw some >> punches here and there- only to have some intern engineer go and (as >> far as I can tell) pick mastering settings based on the first track >> and apply them wholesale across the entire cd. They asked me to be on >> another cd recently and I said 'Fine- but my track is ALREADY >> mastered. Don't touch it!' and the guy said 'don't worry, the engineer >> is only going to make sure the all the songs are the same volume' >> which really indicated to me that the guy is not a producer or >> engineer, because the phrase "make everything the same volume" is a >> little vague. (Now that I think about it, he did just that. My entire >> SONG is now all the same volume!) I'm glad there are 6000 copies >> floating around, but horrified that 6000 people are going to think >> that I can't muster a decent sounding track. >> arrrrghhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >> -William >> -- >> http://www.williamsteffey.com >> http://www.myspace.com/williamsteffey > - -- http://www.williamsteffey.com http://www.myspace.com/williamsteffey ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 21:47:53 -0400 From: "Rochelle" Subject: RE: Alloy: A funny thing happened on the way to the Dolby gig... Holy cow, Melissa! That's total devotion. I hope you are feeling better now (and don't have a concusion). Rochelle - -----Original Message----- From: owner-alloy@smoe.org [mailto:owner-alloy@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Merujo Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 12:14 AM To: alloy@smoe.org Subject: Alloy: A funny thing happened on the way to the Dolby gig... Sitting at a stoplight, I got rear-ended by someone going full speed. Urrrrg. But, by god, I did not miss the gig! :) Photo of my poor squished wee car here: http://merujo.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-happens-when-idiots-drive.html And now, at 12:11 at night, I'm off to the hospital. My head is now killing me. (For the record, the concert was a blast - Thomas and the horns were fab! More when I'm medicated in the morning!) Later, kids, Melissa - -- "We all have ability. The difference is how we use it." -- Stevie Wonder ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 21:30:45 -0400 From: "Rochelle" Subject: RE: Alloy: It arrived I got mine today but am wondering if anyone else's logo looks a bit off. The 'Alloy' in the middle on the front isn't clean. It has black that bled into the letters. Is it everyone's or should I contact Cafepress about it? (It otherwise looks great!) Rochelle - -----Original Message----- From: owner-alloy@smoe.org [mailto:owner-alloy@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Tim Dunn Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 4:20 AM To: alloy@smoe.org Subject: Alloy: It arrived Yep - my tour shirt arrived yesterday and it's great! Who's going to start a gallery? Thanks to everyone involved! Tim ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email ______________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------ End of alloy-digest V12 #143 ****************************