July 2008 Archives

Definition Needed: “the Dreaded Bat Wing Syndrome”

Jul 112008

Folks, earlier today, a woman friend — a married one, at that — forwarded me this link, asking if she ought to feel bad for not knowing what the heck a “bat wing syndrome” was. I assured her that I, too, was clueless, despite the fact that I am in fact a man, with a scrotum. I turn to the Hall for answers. Note that I have no interest in understanding what it means as it pertains to itchy, smelly nut-satchels. I’m more curious to know what it may describe in the world of Rock. Does it describe, perhaps, the way a guitarist might hold his arms out at his sides after delivering a particularly crushing power chord? A bassist’s penchant for pointy guitars? What?

Rock Town Hall and Little Jackie Explode on AM Radio!

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 112008

The Great 48 dropped a fun line and radio snippet the other day that I thought you might dig. The Great One wrote:

I emailed the hosts of that AM radio show I mentioned in the Little Jackie piece, which resulted in a lengthy discussion including this plug of the board. I’ll take credit for any infusion of new blood.

As you should, Great One. Thanks! Here’s the clip:

Rock Town Hall Is On the Air! (excerpt of on-air discussion from Too Beautiful To Live)

“You know what I hate about iPods/iTunes…”

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 112008

Although Rock Town Hall has partnered with the Apple Empire and iTunes and values them greatly, there are days when we suddenly find ourselves simply hating something about our iPod/iTunes experience. For me, that one of those days was Monday night, when I was burning CDs that my young son sequenced and wanted to give his friends at his 7th birthday party.

I might have told a few of you about my boys’ getting into ELO over recent months and my realization that I owned exactly 0 ELO albums. To rectify that situation and acquire 15 ELO tracks I thought would be healthy for my boys to enjoy, I went on iTunes and legally bought the band’s best material – what I consider their best material, because lord knows they’ve got a spotty run of Greatest Hits albums in their catalog. The boys have been digging this hand-picked Best of ELO CD ever since.

So Monday night I’m working on my boy’s ELO-heavy compilation CD for the 8 friends he’s invited to his birthday party. iTunes has burned the first 7 CDs efficiently. What a marvel of modern technology!, I thought to myself. Then, when I pop in the 8th CD I get a message to the effect of, “You are only licensed to make 7 copies of music purchased from iTunes.”

BASTARDS! Apple’s put a digital fence around the 15 ELO tracks I purchased from them. I’m sure this was all spelled out in the User Agreement that I insincerely clicked Yes to when asked if I’d read it, but come on! This was supposed to by my sons’ ELO, as selected with care by their rock snob father. At that moment I cursed the Apple Empire. A couple of days later and I’m still reluctant to use any of the Apple software on my Mac. I’ll get over it and return to singing the praises of iPods and iTunes, I’m sure, but today I’m still feeling the hate.

How about you? Please complete the phrase in the title of this post. Tell us what you hate about iPods or iTunes. In those rare times when you’re feeling the hate, that is.

Original Recording of Tutti Frutti Uncovered

Posted by sammymaudlin

Jul 112008

9sfatiRpFMM]

Rock Town Hall’s Top 5 Rock ‘n Roll Artists of the ’50s

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 102008

The other day we set out to determine Rock Town Hall’s Top 5 Rock ‘n Roll Artists of the ’50s. Although we were not sure how our suggestions would be arbitrated, our faith in the process of discussion and dissent probably implied our reaching concensus. It was not that easy.

Thrifty Music, Vol. 12: 2000 Man, Justify Your Love!

Posted by hrrundivbakshi

Jul 092008

Oldsters on this list already know the principle behind this ongoing series here at RTH: long story short — I head out to a local thrift store, spend a dollar or two on music I know nothing about, take it home and give it a spin. If it’s good, I share it.

This one is different. The other day, a stack of classic rock 45s turned up at my local Goodwill. Most of it was boring, heard-it-all-before stuff, but buried in the middle of the pile were three Rolling Stones singles I’d never seen before — and they each featured non-album B-sides. Hearing three Stones tracks that were unknown to me seemed worth the 75-cent investment, so I scooped ’em up.

Now, normally, here’s where I opine about how great my finds were. I’m not going to do that this time. Instead, I’m going to summon our resident Stones-o-phile 2000 Man to weigh in on what I found. I really want to know where he sees these numbers landing on the scale of Glimmer Twins Greatness. Of course, I’m interested in everybody else’s thoughts, too — and I further ask each of you the following probing question: What’s your all-time favorite non-LP B-side — from any band?

I look forward to your responses, and I hope these presumably unknown Stones “trackssss” are enlightening.

HVB

“Everything’s Turning to Gold”, B-side to “Shattered”

“Think I’m Going Mad”, B-side to “She Was Hot”

“Through the Lonely Nights”, B-side to “It’s Ony Rock and Roll”