Elliot Smith -or- Great Musicians Nobody

[ajzepp]

If someone asked me what one of my favorite topics was on TBD, it would definitely have to be music. Anyway, there are a LOT of people on here with excellent taste in music, and I have benefitted from all of you. I'm thankful to everyone who takes part in these threads, cause my music collection has grown in size and in quality because of it.

 

I've become friends with a local high end audio dealer who has helped me to completely re-vamp my audio rig. He owns a local concert venue and has a CD/vinyl collection like you wouldn't friggin believe. He's basically the b.harami of music I was hanging out listening to some audio gear that - all together - was worth more than my HOUSE, and he brought up the name Elliott Smith. I'd never herad of him, but he told me how he contributed to the Good Will Hunting soundtrack, which is a film I loved. It's taken me a little while to get around to his music, but I just bought his CD "Figure 8" today. I've only listened to it once, but this guy is quite a talent. Supposedly he was a very on the edge kind of guy when it came to emotions, often putting his experiences and feelings about relationships and life into lyrics and music. This is another one of those artists who writes and performs his own stuff, something that I really respect and admire. I believe he has a handful of albums out, and I defintely plan to pick up some others. Unfortunately he took his own life not long ago, so what's recorded is what's recorded

 

Anyone else heard this guy's stuff?

[The Dean]

Never heard of him, AJ...sorry. Here's his allmusic.com bio and such:

 

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&t...kzhqoawauijv~T0

 

Now, if we decide to hijack this thread and make it into a "favorite unknown/little-known musicians", I'll throw in one of my favorite underappreciated musicians:

 

Roy Buchanon

 

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&t...0ev1z8hajyvn~T0

[MattyT]

I have Either/Or (has a few songs from Good Will Hunting) and XO. Waltz No. 2 (XO) is a phenomenal tune.

[IBTG81]

If someone asked me what one of my favorite topics was on TBD, it would definitely have to be music. Anyway, there are a LOT of people on here with excellent taste in music, and I have benefitted from all of you. I'm thankful to everyone who takes part in these threads, cause my music collection has grown in size and in quality because of it.

 

I've become friends with a local high end audio dealer who has helped me to completely re-vamp my audio rig. He owns a local concert venue and has a CD/vinyl collection like you wouldn't friggin believe. He's basically the b.harami of music    I was hanging out listening to some audio gear that - all together - was worth more than my HOUSE, and he brought up the name Elliott Smith. I'd never herad of him, but he told me how he contributed to the Good Will Hunting soundtrack, which is a film I loved. It's taken me a little while to get around to his music, but I just bought his CD "Figure 8" today. I've only listened to it once, but this guy is quite a talent. Supposedly he was a very on the edge kind of guy when it came to emotions, often putting his experiences and feelings about relationships and life into lyrics and music. This is another one of those artists who writes and performs his own stuff, something that I really respect and admire. I believe he has a handful of albums out, and I defintely plan to pick up some others. Unfortunately he took his own life not long ago, so what's recorded is what's recorded

 

Anyone else heard this guy's stuff?

649137[/snapback]

 

 

I got to see and meet Elliott about 6 months before his death. He was brilliant...troubled, but brilliant. If you like Elliott, check out Nick Drake.

[Buftex]

I got to see and meet Elliott about 6 months before his death. He was brilliant...troubled, but brilliant. If you like Elliott, check out Nick Drake.

649177[/snapback]

 

 

 

Unfortunately, Drake's estate whored his name, to sell Volkswagons and remasterd CD's to countless yuppies...they are making far more money off of him, than he ever made while he was alive...

 

 

Other non-maintstream notables, in no particular order:

 

Gram Parsons, Alejandro Escovedo, Jack Logan, Os Mutantes, Arthur Alexander, Bruce Robison, Nick Lowe, Charlie Rich (a few monster hits, he hated them- listen to his pre "Behind Closed Doors" stuff- friggin' brilliant) Damon Bramblett, Roky Erickson, Nico, Billy Joe Shaver, me, Dick Curless and Jim Lauderdale....to name a few.....

[ajzepp]

Never heard of him, AJ...sorry.  Here's his allmusic.com bio and such:

 

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&t...kzhqoawauijv~T0

 

Now, if we decide to hijack this thread and make it into a "favorite unknown/little-known musicians", I'll throw in one of my favorite underappreciated musicians:

 

Roy Buchanon

 

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&t...0ev1z8hajyvn~T0

649156[/snapback]

 

Oh yeah, getting some other names tossed into the hat was definitely part of what I was hoping would happen. Ill definitely add that guy to my list, thanks!

[ajzepp]

I got to see and meet Elliott about 6 months before his death. He was brilliant...troubled, but brilliant. If you like Elliott, check out Nick Drake.

649177[/snapback]

 

wow, very cool.....must have been quite an experience to meet him, especially looking back on it now that he's passed on. I have to say, I was very impressed with what I've heard of him so far. The lyrics are very profound, I dig the music, and his ability to convey emotion is really something.

[ajzepp]

Unfortunately, Drake's estate whored his name, to sell Volkswagons and remasterd CD's to countless yuppies...they are making far more money off of him, than he ever made while he was alive...

Other non-maintstream notables, in no particular order:

 

Gram Parsons, Alejandro Escovedo, Jack Logan, Os Mutantes, Arthur Alexander, Bruce Robison, Nick Lowe, Charlie Rich (a few monster hits, he hated them- listen to his pre "Behind Closed Doors" stuff- friggin' brilliant) Damon Bramblett, Roky Erickson, Nico, Billy Joe Shaver, me,  Dick Curless and Jim Lauderdale....to name a few.....

649207[/snapback]

 

 

Geesh, this Nick Drake guy has passed away too?? Da hell is going on?? Thanks for the other names....these are the kind of artists I like to hear about. It's just like film for me....there is so much good stuff out there just beneath the surface!

[IBTG81]

Geesh, this Nick Drake guy has passed away too??  Da hell is going on??  Thanks for the other names....these are the kind of artists I like to hear about. It's just like film for me....there is so much good stuff out there just beneath the surface!

649238[/snapback]

 

Nick Drake overdosed on anti-depressants and I believe was found dead in his bathtub.

Drake didn't go out much in public, and was afraid to perform live shows. His music is beautiful though!

[IBTG81]

Also, you should check out Belle & Sebastian (I saw them live a few weeks ago...amazing band). Also, check out Ben Folds. I've seen him about 4 times and got to meet him twice. His lyrics are amazing, the music is catchy, and he is a really cool person.

I'll tell a quick story about Ben. I got to his show about 3 hours early (it was general admission) and I wandered over to his tour bus. He was on his cell phone when he spotted me, and said "I have a fan here, I've got to go", got off the phone, came over, and we talked for about ten minutes. I asked him to play an obscure song, and he said "actually, that's funny, it was the first song I practiced today. I'll try, but it sucked when I played it earlier. I'll see how adventurous I am." Fast forward to the show. Ben came out, sat down in front of the piano, and said, "a fan came up to me and asked if I could play this, here ya go and I hope I don't f--- it up." It was awesome!

 

You should also check out the following:

Ben Lee

The Strokes

Interpol

Arctic Monkeys

Editors

Morphine

The Smiths/Morrissey

The Postal Service

Royksopp

Ulrich Schnauss

[UConn James]

Ray LaMontagne -- "Trouble"

[ajzepp]

Dang Ed, I thought Rico won the award for hitting the live shows, but sounds like you've been all over and even met some of these guys....pretty cool! I actually have a Postal Service CD (the one with Such Great Heights on it), so at least I'm familiar with ONE of the bands/artists you mentioned. I'll definitely check out the others on the trusty Amazon.com site.

 

James, I don't know why, but that guy sounds familiar.....thanks for the suggestion!

[IBTG81]

Dang Ed,  I thought Rico won the award for hitting the live shows, but sounds like you've been all over and even met some of these guys....pretty cool!  I actually have a Postal Service CD (the one with Such Great Heights on it), so at least I'm familiar with ONE of the bands/artists you mentioned. I'll definitely check out the others on the trusty Amazon.com site.

 

James, I don't know why, but that guy sounds familiar.....thanks for the suggestion!

649460[/snapback]

 

I go to tons of shows. I love it!

If you want to pay (and not use p2p or usenet or things like that), check out

www.allofmp3.com

 

It's a Russian site, legal, and I've NEVER had a problem with them. I've plunked down about 200 or so with them already.

I'm always looking for new bands. Music is a huge hobby of mine.

[Ghost of BiB]

Dang Ed,  I thought Rico won the award for hitting the live shows, but sounds like you've been all over and even met some of these guys....pretty cool!  I actually have a Postal Service CD (the one with Such Great Heights on it), so at least I'm familiar with ONE of the bands/artists you mentioned. I'll definitely check out the others on the trusty Amazon.com site.

 

James, I don't know why, but that guy sounds familiar.....thanks for the suggestion!

649460[/snapback]

 

Anyone ever listen to new stuff coming out of Europe? I have a few friends there that send me stuff now and then. Seems like since the old Soviet Union went south, people have been exploring music a lot more and it's found a bit of a rennaissance.

[ajzepp]

I go to tons of shows. I love it!

If you want to pay (and not use p2p or usenet or things like that), check out

www.allofmp3.com

 

It's a Russian site, legal, and I've NEVER had a problem with them. I've plunked down about 200 or so with them already.

I'm always looking for new bands. Music is a huge hobby of mine.

649473[/snapback]

 

Very cool, I just bookmarked it. I've been dumping so much cash into my home audio system that I haven't addressed the fact that I need a new computer. I haven't had any audio for like a year now, lol. I need to pick up an iPod or some other MP3 player that I can use to pull music off the net and then connect it to my preamp, too.

 

You're obviously way ahead of me with regard to the non-pop stuff that's out there, but I'm glad that people like yourself, Rico, BiB, Fezmid, Labbatt, KOKBills and others are around....it's really been a lot of fun for me. Buckley, Van Morrison, Aryeon, etc....would have never given them the time of day if not for you guys!

[SDS]

Well, I'm not sure he qualifies as "unknown" (actually he doesn't), but his solo stuff has gone unrecognized for the most part since Triumph broke up in '88.

 

http://www.rikemmett.com/

 

If you are looking for artistic albums made, produced, and distributed by the artist - he shouldn't be missed. You could sample if you had a sound card, so you may have to file that one away for the future.

[Ghost of BiB]

Very cool, I just bookmarked it. I've been dumping so much cash into my home audio system that I haven't addressed the fact that I need a new computer. I haven't had any audio for like a year now, lol. I need to pick up an iPod or some other MP3 player that I can use to pull music off the net and then connect it to my preamp, too.

 

You're obviously way ahead of me with regard to the non-pop stuff that's out there, but I'm glad that people like yourself, Rico, BiB, Fezmid, Labbatt, KOKBills and others are around....it's really been a lot of fun for me. Buckley, Van Morrison, Aryeon, etc....would have never given them the time of day if not for you guys!

649514[/snapback]

 

Some of us old guys (not speaking for the others) maybe still have some purpose. I'd post more maybe on things I listen to, but much of it is stuff that strikes my fancy at the time. I also really appreciate good musicianship, arranging and presentation in many different genres that probably wouldn't be very popular here. For example, you might be surprised at the skill involved in the newer wave bluegrass type of stuff. And Diana Krall is my favorite piano bar singer, bar none. I also pull out my Emerson, Lake and Palmer stuff from time to time. Technical and musical before technical was cool. More than a few somewhat current bands have actually ripped off on old 70's Loggins and Messina type themes, not to mention old Taj Mahal. It's too bad commercialism has really come to overpower the art part. They've always been tied up, probably back to when people were banging sticks on deer carcasses in caves, but the last 10 or 15 years have sort of degraded entertainment.

[ajzepp]

Some of us old guys (not speaking for the others) maybe still have some purpose. I'd post more maybe on things I listen to, but much of it is stuff that strikes my fancy at the time. I also really appreciate good musicianship, arranging and presentation in many different genres that probably wouldn't be very popular here. For example, you might be surprised at the skill involved in the newer wave bluegrass type of stuff. And Diana Krall is my favorite piano bar singer, bar none. I also pull out my Emerson, Lake and Palmer stuff from time to time. Technical and musical before technical was cool. More than a few somewhat current bands have actually ripped off on old 70's Loggins and Messina type themes, not to mention old Taj Mahal. It's too bad commercialism has really come to overpower the art part. They've always been tied up, probably back to when people were banging sticks on deer carcasses in caves, but the last 10 or 15 years have sort of degraded entertainment.

649528[/snapback]

 

I've pretty much convinced myself that there are elements from any and every genre of music that can appeal to me. Above all else are vocals....a great vocalist will always get my attention, whether it's a ballad, somone like Sebastian Bach when he was with Skid Row, this Amos Lee guy that I've been really into lately, Pavorotti, Aaron Neville (when he's not singing the national anthem!), Diana Krall, Martina McBride....on and on and on. Doesn't matter what type of music it is....I'm fascinated by what the voice can do. Beyond that, there's really no rhyme or reason to what I like, so that's why I love talking music on here - there are LOTS of different perspectives and preferences.

[ajzepp]

Well, I'm not sure he qualifies as "unknown" (actually he doesn't), but his solo stuff has gone unrecognized for the most part since Triumph broke up in '88.

 

http://www.rikemmett.com/

 

If you are looking for artistic albums made, produced, and distributed by the artist - he shouldn't be missed.  You could sample if you had a sound card, so you may have to file that one away for the future.

649522[/snapback]

 

Am I able to download music to an MP3 player w/out a soundcard? If so, maybe I'll pick up an iPod or something first before I upgrade the computer. I've had this one since '99 and chances are I'll keep the next one just as long, so I don't want to rush the purchase. I'm not really as concerned about the quality of the iPod thing.

 

Triumph is a band that was really popular when I was in middle school, along with Rush, yet I never really got exposed to either. Can you recommend a good 'starter' Triumph album? Or are you more a fan of this guy's solo stuff than what he did with the band?

[SDS]

Am I able to download music to an MP3 player w/out a soundcard? If so, maybe I'll pick up an iPod or something first before I upgrade the computer. I've had this one since '99 and chances are I'll keep the next one just as long, so I don't want to rush the purchase. I'm not really as concerned about the quality of the iPod thing.

 

Triumph is a band that was really popular when I was in middle school, along with Rush, yet I never really got exposed to either. Can you recommend a good 'starter' Triumph album? Or are you more a fan of this guy's solo stuff than what he did with the band?

649540[/snapback]

 

Oh boy... I'm probably not the most objective person here since basically I am an optical engineer because I thought I could run the laser light show for Triumph some day...

 

The quintessential Triumph album that landed them on the radio was Allied Forces, led by Magic Power and Fight the Good Fight. Before that, Just A Game had less commercial success but was probably their best work (which unfortunately came too early in their careers to really make the best of it).

 

His solo stuff is a natural progression from an uber talented singer, songwriter, guitarist, rock star to a grown adult. His guitar work is impeccable, but his stuff today is not "Eruption", but more like Stanley Jordan.

 

I would be happy to send you some samples of his songs throughout his career that you would give you a taste of what he is all about. I can burn you a disc if you send me your address.

 

I see no reason why you couldn't pick up a player w/o a sound card, but make sure you have USB or you won't be able to connect.