Mr. Moderator

When not blogging Mr. Moderator enjoys baseball, cooking, and falconry.

Lou Reed…As His Music Was Meant to Sound!

Nov 122007

Hearing Lou’s music as it was meant to sound requires a little work in today’s clip. The interviewer asks questions in English and French; Lou seems to understand whatever’s thrown his way and answer back in English. French subtitles will aid our French-speaking readers. First, Lou discusses the universality of New York humor and love. Then, as the YouTube clock runs down to the 4:05 mark, a discussion of the album Magic & Loss ensues. A minute later, after the interviewer bemoans the public’s dismissal of this masterpiece and encourages viewers to revisit the album, our always forward-thinking hero says, “Now they should hear the new one, then they should go back and listen to Magic & Loss.”

To those of you who have questioned the point of this Rock Town Hall series, I hope this answers some of your questions. Believe Lou: hear his music as it was meant to sound and see if it doesn’t enrich your experience of hearing earlier releases as well.

Rock Town Hall to Remove All Images of and References to Prince

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 082007

Out of respect for Prince’s Web Sheriff, popular rock music discussion blog Rock Town Hall will remove all images of and references to the artist formerly known as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince.

“Out of respect for the Web Sheriff, the Prince organization, its crack legal team, Prince’s standing in the Munchkin community, and all true fans of the artist,” said the Hall’s Mr. Moderator, “we will begin wiping Rock Town Hall of all traces of this great man’s work, from discussions of his last 22 albums that came and went without a trace to our extensive collection of fan fiction and sketches.”

As examples of the sort of material that will no longer appear on Rock Town Hall, Mr. Moderator points to this, this, and this. “We do fear that removal of these images will change to flavor of the site, but our efforts at supporting the works of Prince only represent a small portion of the millions of fans who received free copies of his last album by buying whatever newspaper it was that included it along with the coupons.” Mr. Moderator said that he and The Back Office have discussed replacing some of the images of Prince that are essential to its layout with those of Bob Seger.

Mr. Moderator continued, “I’m most worried about Townsmen Hrrundi and Geo. They have come to depend on Rock Town Hall, in large part, for our members’ enthusiasm over the man’s earlier and underappreciated works.”

More News!

Dugout Chatter

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 072007

It’s been some time since we conducted a full-blown Dugout Chatter among Townspeople. Whaddayousay? Let’s hear some noise! Your gut answers to the following provocative questions are appreciated.

Ian Stewart playing piano and running errands for the Stones or Ian Stewart playing piano and running errands for Zeppelin?

True of False: If a gun was pointed at my head I could name a second song by Golden Earring.

Golden Palominos or Golden Smog?

Quick! Without looking it up can you name eight members of Golden Palominos?

Who’s your favorite rock musician commentator featured on rockumentaries whose own music you really don’t care for?

What’s the least logical live bill you’ve ever attended?

In terms of coolness, please rank the members of The Monkees.

Please Explain: Robert Wyatt

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 052007

Let’s say I’ve just landed here from Mars, excitedly clutching a sackful of Mojo magazines and the Trouser Press Record Guide, which I ordered through Amazon’s universal browser. Let’s say I have browsed cool rock blogs and read reports of this artist named Robert Wyatt. Let’s say I have not yet heard his music, but I’m tingling with anticipation over the first notes of Marxist, jazzbo, Canterbury whimsy that’s promised on anything from a classic Soft Machine album through one of a half dozen critically acclaimed Wyatt albums. Then I hear something like this.

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Rounding Up the Links

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 052007

As Links Linkerson continues to deny the Web at large of his music business-linking skills, those of us who long ago made the short walk up from the basement will do our part to pass along occasional links of interest. Here are a few that caught my eye.

BREAKING NEWS!
The New York Times covers the musical doings of two Townspeople, Trolleyvox and Sethro, who drummed on the NPR performance that’s included on the newly reissued final album by Arthur Alexander.

I’d like to see more live (in real time) music on the web. I’m sick of recorded clips. The web is not a library; it’s a channel. – Pete Townshend

Pete Townshend Q & A on Billboard.com

Q: How far do royalties on Marquee Moon extend?
A: At least far enough to fund this.

Remember the week or two when Lily Allen was all the rage? Remember the 72,000 articles that appeared during that stretch by salivating rock writers on her candid and salacious blog? Check out this recent-vintage entry from her Trojan horse of rock blogging!

Hello friends,

I lay in bed last night realising I haven’t been here in ages, so apologies. A quick update for you. I am currently in Paris and staying at the Plaza Athenee, which is an amazing hotel steeped in the most fascinating history. I have an amazing room which has another room in it for Emily, I really do feel very very lucky to be here and have these opportunities.

I arrived here yesterday and went to the Stella show, which was lovely, and this morning I went to Chanel, which was soooooooo glamorous I don’t even know where to start. I sat next to Claudia Schiffer and Kirsten Dunst. It seems unfathomable that my first song “Smile” was released just over a year ago and now here I am, in the most beautiful city in the world, sitting in the front rows of the most amazing fashion shows that others would die to just get into. I really am a very lucky girl.

I spent the past couple of weeks in a twee little cottage in the Cotswolds starting on the next album, and it’s gone so well. I’m just over the moon at the moment, I feel like I’m on Prozac or something. I won’t say much but it’s a different musical direction and really quite exciting. Everything just seems to be falling into place. Yes i did go out and get smashed the other night, some of you have probably seen the pictures, but I am but 22, enjoying my life and celebrating. As the cold starts to set in, I’m thinking next year is going to be a good one.

Anything else? I’m doing Fashion Rocks in a couple of weeks, which should be quite exciting, and then going back into the studio to finish off the album, oh, and I’m having meetings about a potential TV show, which is all very interesting.

And that’s about it. I hope you are all well, I’m off now.
Love Lily x

More News!

Worst Song by Three Bands You Love

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 032007

What’s the worst song (ie, let’s be clear, your least favorite) by three bands you love? Not four.

1. I can’t stand XTC’s version of “All Along the Watchtower”.

2. Although I like the beat, I strongly object to The Beatles’ “She’s a Woman”.

3. The Who’s “Eminence Front” makes me hate living.

To my ears there is nothing redeeming about choices 1 and 3.

Remember, THE least-favorite song by each of three bands you LOVE. Those caught violating the ground rules will receive an electronic wedgie.

I look forward to your responses.

Main Stage Command Performance: Angel, “The Tower”

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 022007

Oh my, 2000 Man may have brought it like he’s never brought it before (and this guy has brought it with the best of them). The following video, which he posted as an example of the power of a well-lit video performance, may be The Greatest “Live” Promo Video in the history of rock. As fans of the “live” promo video for The Who’s “Join Together” can tell you, that’s a bold claim. Check it out!

The former champ concedes…
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