I'm blanking on answering what is probably an easy question to answer: Name an artist beside Springsteen who started as a "new" version of an established artist (eg, The New Dylan) who later developed into a major and influential artist in his or her own right.

When Elvis Costello came out, he was often compared to Van Morrison, Dylan and yes, Springsteen, so would he qualify or should it be an artist who got tagged as the new so and so (i.e. only one other artist)?

Which Velvet Underground & Nico deep track would you be more likely to skip, "Black Angel Death Song" or "European Son"?

At this point in my life, neither, but for years "European Son" was my least favorite song on the album. Now I have much more of a tolerance for drony feedback, so I love the ending of it and thus keep it on!

Honestly, what are you more likely to listen to when it comes on the radio, a Phil Collins-era Genesis song or a Peter Gabriel-era Genesis song other than "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" (ie, assuming other PG-era Genesis songs ever get played on the radio)?

I've never heard any other Peter Gabriel-era Genesis song on any radio station, but to be honest I'd have to say the Phil Collins-era. I probably wouldn't go out and buy one of their records, but there were some nice singles in the early to mid '80s (and some awful ones, too). I also like the album Duke, which contained "Misunderstanding", one of those aforementioned nice singles/hits.

When you think "struck harmonics on the guitar," what are the first TWO songs that come to mind?

Gearhead alert!

What's so good about David Bowie's "Heroes"? In other words, what "makes" the song for you, assuming the song is one you like. (I like it myself, by the way, so don't think I'm setting you up for some rock crisis of faith, as I may have done with one of these other questions).

The line "I wish we could swim...like dolphins could swim" as well as the crack in his voice towards the end when he sings (or really screams) "we can beat them".

What rock band made the most unlikely use of piano?

Ben Folds Five, because while the piano/bass/drums trio is common in jazz, it was used the same way a guitar would be used (as the lead melody instrument) with a "normal" guitar/bass/drums type of band. To a certain extent, this is also true with Steve Nieve of The Attractions. It's a good thing, too, since he's a way better piano player than Elvis Costello is a guitar player.

What makes one "wasted" artist cool and another one pathetic? When does the cool wasted artist cross the line and become a pathetic wasted artist? Is it all about the music? The Look? Something else?

Actually it's really neither, though the music is, as always, important. It's whether or not you get the impression that the artist in question is milking the attention for all it's worth (i.e. Ryan Adams) or whether someone's genuinely messed-up and just can't help it (i.e. Elliott Smith or Kurt Cobain, to give 2 examples). Great questions, BTW.

I kind of like "European Son," at least partly because knowing about the work and life of Delmore Schwarz makes this utterly cruel but half deserved attack song about a dying drunk more interesting. That's back story, I know, so I wouldn't expect anyone else necessarily to feel the same way.

Like Matt, I'm not sure if Peter Gabriel era Genesis has ever been played on any radio station I've heard. Given the fact that it's music I don't really know, though, I'd be more likely to keep it on the radio if it did come. Still, I can tolerate a few of those Phil Collins hits, Genesis and after, as long as I'm not dying to listen to something that's actually good.

As to the wasted artist, yes, it's the music, exactly the same as for any other artist. No cool points for the bad musician either straight or wasted, thanks very much.

Matt, Costello was compared to many, but he was never a "next" anybody, so no, he does not count. I'm thinking of guys who come out of the gates as closely tied to a model as was Steve Forbert, who never became more than a respected cult artist. No one ever would aspire to be the "next Steve Forbert."

Also, by the way, no need to fear "gearhead" talk regarding harmonics. It's a musical playing device, and there's a link to a definition, if you're not sure what I'm talking about. I'd provide an obvious example of the use of guitar harmonics in a rock song, but that would give away one of the two most obvious answers.

Re: Velvet Underground

I'd skip "Run, Run, Run" before the other two any day of the week!

Yours,
E. Pluribus

Genesis

I dunno, man. I might stick with the PG number because I never hear that shit (in fact, I can honestly say I'm not sure I *ever* heard it). But there are a few PC-era Genesis tunes I actually quite like, cheese factor and all: "Abacab," for one.

"struck harmonics on the guitar"

Easy -- "Dazed and Confused" and "Barracuda." If those two aren't the two you're thinking of, Moddie, you got a brain problem!

"Heroes"?

Do *not* like this song. Completely cheesey in my view. Power ballad for rock snobs. Useless.

What rock band made the most unlikely use of piano?

Dunno from unlikely -- didn't somebody pluck the strings of one for "Death Of a Clown"? Zappa and company recorded a chick talking from inside of one, but that concept sucked as much pretentious ass as Zappa "playing" a car with a length of chain on the Monkees (forget 1981, Plurbie; THAT was the day the music died.)

Wasted does not equal "cool" in my book, ever. Which, to Mwall's point, has nothing to do with the music.

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I'm blanking on answering what is probably an easy question to answer: Name an artist beside Springsteen who started as a "new" version of an established artist (eg, The New Dylan) who later developed into a major and influential artist in his or her own right.

Tom Petty, vis a vis Roger McGuinn?

Which Velvet Underground & Nico deep track would you be more likely to skip, "Black Angel Death Song" or "European Son"?

"European Son" has been my least favorite VU song for so long I should probably try listening to the whole thing again.

Honestly, what are you more likely to listen to when it comes on the radio, a Phil Collins-era Genesis song or a Peter Gabriel-era Genesis song other than "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" (ie, assuming other PG-era Genesis songs ever get played on the radio)?

As I recall, "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" was the only Gabriel Genesis song to get heavy classic-rock airplay, although occasionally they'd thrown on "I Know What I Like in Your Wardrobe." I'd go with the Gabriel songs. They're genuinely weird, funnier than anything Yes ever coughed up, and not as played-out as any Collins-era stuff.

When you think "struck harmonics on the guitar," what are the first TWO songs that come to mind?

PASS!

What's so good about David Bowie's "Heroes"? In other words, what "makes" the song for you, assuming the song is one you like. (I like it myself, by the way, so don't think I'm setting you up for some rock crisis of faith, as I may have done with one of these other questions)

Hrrundi, how the fuck is this a power ballad, and so what if it is! What makes the song is that Bowie -- a man who quite a vocal range in his day -- knows when to make you feel the strain of his vocal. And a hundred other things about this song.

What rock band made the most unlikely use of piano?

I should know this. I guess Elton John was pretty unique when he first arrived on the scene.

What makes one "wasted" artist cool and another one pathetic? When does the cool wasted artist cross the line and become a pathetic wasted artist? Is it all about the music? The Look? Something else?

Something to do with celebrity, the public's need for a supposedly unmanicured, "spontaneous" performer to counter the ultra-polished, talking-points-spouting stars. But then it goes too far and turns into a freak show. C.f., Shane McGowan, Pete Doherty. Not sure if Keith fits into this, however.

Why is anyone afraid of the harmonics question? I don't get it.

Hrrundi, good choices re: harmonics. I would comment further, but I don't want to spoil the purity of anyone's responses.

Re: "Heroes"
For me it's Fripp's guitar that makes the song. I saw an edited version of the video the other day and without the instrumental passages and sense of anticipation they give to each proto-U2 leap in octaves and vocal histrionics, the song fits Hrrundi's negative description as a power ballad for rock snobs. Brilliant! I do like the song, by the way, which allows me to answer this question. Hrrundi, I'm not sure we can accept your answer, although we can admire it.

A couple of comments:

How about Connor Oberst as a recent new Dylan? Isn't he influential?

The two songs with guitar harmonics that come to mind for me are Cheap Trick's Clock Strikes Ten and Jermaine Jackson's Let's Get Serious.

A few things I like about Heroes. The contrast between the two ways of emoting with the voice -- deep and dreamy and then an octave higher, almost screaming. The idea of love as a heroic act of individualism. The Fripp guitar flying overhead and the descending riff (Carlos Alomar?) below. The background vocals coming in towards the end of the song --"I remember" "by the wall" "over our heads." The chunky rhythm section.

Harmonics?

ROUNDABOUT by Yes!

Geo, I feel safe in admitting that that's the guitar harmonics song I expected everyone over a certain age to answer!

Name an artist beside Springsteen who started as a "new" version of an established artist

Ryan Adams as the "new" Gram Parsons? Emmylou Harris even sang with him on "Oh My Sweet Carolina"...

Which Velvet Underground & Nico deep track would you be more likely to skip, "Black Angel Death Song" or "European Son"?

Most likely "European Son" because something about "Black Angel Death Song" just tugs on my heartstrings... it's far more memorable to me - and maybe it's the strings that pull on my heart...

Phil Collins-era Genesis song or a Peter Gabriel-era Genesis song

If 'squonk' was played on the radio then probably Phil...

When you think "struck harmonics on the guitar," what are the first TWO songs that come to mind?

Ummm... all I can think of is For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield? Fragile Girl by Waxwings maybe?

Q1:Name an artist beside Springsteen who started as a "new" version of an established artist

A: Donovan - "the english bob dylan"

Q2:Which Velvet Underground & Nico deep track would you be more likely to skip, "Black Angel Death Song" or "European Son"?

A: BADS - I like the bass part in "European Son" And besides, can one really "skip" the last song of an album?

Q3:Honestly, what are you more likely to listen to when it comes on the radio, a Phil Collins-era Genesis song or a Peter Gabriel-era Genesis song other than "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" (ie, assuming other PG-era Genesis songs ever get played on the radio)?

A: Phil Collins - I really like "Miss Again" but that may be solo PC

Q4:When you think "struck harmonics on the guitar," what are the first TWO songs that come to mind?

A: "Nowhere Man" and "I Found That Essense Rare"

Q5:What's so good about David Bowie's "Heroes"? In other words, what "makes" the song for you, assuming the song is one you like.

A: I like the production and the vocals. I'm not the biggest Bowie fan but I like his understated vocals

I asked:

Name an artist beside Springsteen who started as a "new" version of an established artist (eg, The New Dylan) who later developed into a major and influential artist in his or her own right.

I'm still scratching my head for the right answer. There have been some good suggestions so far, but none as good as the excepted Springsteen.

Which Velvet Underground & Nico deep track would you be more likely to skip, "Black Angel Death Song" or "European Son"?

"Black Angel Death Song", although I'd skip "Venus in Furs" before that one. I like "European Son" a good deal. I think it gets a bad rap.

Honestly, what are you more likely to listen to when it comes on the radio, a Phil Collins-era Genesis song or a Peter Gabriel-era Genesis song other than "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" (ie, assuming other PG-era Genesis songs ever get played on the radio)?

Collins-era Genesis. I have trouble listening to most "classic" Genesis even for curiousity's sake.

When you think "struck harmonics on the guitar," what are the first TWO songs that come to mind?

"Roundabout" and "For What It's Worth" were the first two I had in mind with "Barracuda" a close third. How I left "Dazed and Confused" out of that top 3 is a mystery to me.

What's so good about David Bowie's "Heroes"? In other words, what "makes" the song for you, assuming the song is one you like. (I like it myself, by the way, so don't think I'm setting you up for some rock crisis of faith, as I may have done with one of these other questions).

There's a good deal to like about this song, including Bowie's vocals, the weird drum sound, and the backstory of the lyrics, but as I said yesterday, it's the atmosphere that Fripp's instrumental passages creates that makes the song special for me.

What rock band made the most unlikely use of piano?

Good question. I didn't have an answer in mind when I asked it, but I was wondering if there was a Sabbath song or some other unexpected band that made use of a piano. I was also wondering if someone would suggest a rock song with an oddly recorded or prepared piano. Short of a great answer myself, I'm going to go with Led Zeppelin's "Boogie with Stu". Had they used piano on a recording before that one? The combo of Ian Stewart's piano with the drum machine was a huge surprise the first time I heard that song by that band.

What makes one "wasted" artist cool and another one pathetic? When does the cool wasted artist cross the line and become a pathetic wasted artist? Is it all about the music? The Look? Something else?

In part, it might have to do with said artist's ability to fulfill the wishes and fantasies of his or her audience. If the audience no longer needs that fantasy fulfilled, the glamour of the artist's addiction fades.

Re: Velvet Underground

I'd skip "Run, Run, Run" before the other two any day of the week!

Really plurby? For me what makes that song is the line "gonna take a walk to Union Square, you never know what you'll find there" since it makes me think of the old, gritty New York and how sanitized Union Square (and most of the rest of Manhattan) is now in comparison.

Harmonics! "Who Are You" came to mind first; I had a ridiculously hard time coming up with another (except by reading comments here) until now: "Tattooed Love Boys," one of my favoritest guitar solos ever.

Honorable Mention to Jaco Pasorius's "Portrait of Tracy." Holy crap, I once learned the first couple bars of that.

simon and garfunkel (as tom and jerry) were like "the new everly brothers".

i've never skipped tracks on the velvets first album. but i guess i occasionally lifted the needle for the one that goes "PSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH!"

peter gabriel era genesis NEVER gets played on the radio (which is fine by me)! but i'd definitely listen to it before i'd ever listen to Phil Collins era genesis!

Upon reading the "struck harmonics" question, I first thought "Roundabout", of course (then I thought about the Germs for a second). But the song that came to mind next one was the chorus of "It's not Funny Anymore" by Hüsker Dü. Then I thought of the "your eyes make a circle" part of "I Will follow". then I thought of the beginning of "Dazed and Confused."

I like heroes' lyrics. i like the passion with which he sings them, too, and i like its "United we stand" quality. the production aint so bad either (although i could do without that midrangy reverb on bowie's voice). I was in a club in London the week after the whole Tube bombing thing went down, and it meant alot for people to be on a sweaty dance floor, all pilled up, dancing to that song.

i like hendrix's / eddie kramer's use of the piano on crosstown traffic, to double with the bassline.

cool wasted artist: keeps it together, is still articulate, looks good, is at the height of his or her powers.

pathetic wasted artist: knickers down around ankles, puking into bucket, performing poorly, sweaty, white trash onset.