Tuesday, May 17, 2005
This exchange began with Alfred asking me if I could help get Eric Clapton's "It's In The Way That You Use It" out of his head.
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From: Thomas A. Inskeep
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 12:22 PM
To: Alfred Soto
Subject: When I was 17, I did what people told me
Oh, but I've always liked "It's In The Way That You Use It"! I think Clapton's mid-'80s period might well be his best. "Forever Man," and for that matter the whole 'Behind the Sun' album? C'mon! It's all certainly preferable to the "Unplugged" evisceration of his catalog, or his "I'm old and thus must make blues records" period we're currently enduring.
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From: Alfred Soto
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 12:30 PM
To: Thomas A. Inskeep
Subject: it's in the way that you use me, it comes and it goes
I never said I disliked "It's In The Way..." - I just haven't been able to get that stupid guitar synth riff out of me head. And it sounds like a beer commericial jingle, rather like one of those Steve Winwood songs popular at the time. I quite like "Forever Man" too (it's the equivalent of Bonnie Raitt's "Something To Talk About": a generic song reimagined thanks to great playing and singing), and that other hit, with the booming gated Phil Collins drums ("She's Waiting," is it?). And you're right: he's more fun as a popster than as a blues pilgrim, although I HATED "Change The World" and "My Father's Eyes."
Speaking of Phil...how 'bout those mid '80s production jobs? Philip Bailey's "Easy Lover," Frida's "There's Something Going On," his remix of Howard Jones' "No One Is To Blame" - all wonderful songs.
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From: Thomas A. Inskeep
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 2:00 PM
To: Alfred Soto
Subject: Behind the bushes, until I'm screamin' for more
Eric Clapton: better a popster (popstar?) than rockist.
Phil Collins: better a producer than an, ahem, "artist." [Best song involving him as an artist: Genesis' "Mama." Best song involving him in another capacity: unquestionably, Frida's "I Know There's Something Going On."]
*
That was it, thanks to the fact that Alfred and I are 3 hours apart (ergo, my mid-afternoon is his quittin' time). Today's topic was the best-selling duo of all-time; I started by asking the Notorious S.O.T.O. what his favorite Hall & Oates song is.
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From: Alfred Soto
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 12:37 PM
To: Thomas A. Inskeep
Subject: Maybe I should feel guilty; is that the American way?
In certain moments "It's A Laugh" might be my fave. The faux Spector production, the sarcasm, Oates' harmonies (he's just genius at them; who said he was another Andrew Ridgeley?), the live-ness of Hall's vocal. I remember driving home from a party with my best friend about 8 months ago ... shouting the lyrics to this. He loves H&O too, one of many reasons I love him.
How much did H&O play on their own recordings? (perhaps the reissues clear this up.) I was thrilled to find out this weekend that they recorded "I Can't Go For That" all by their lonesomes. A friend in the Philly area said that Oates is actually quite a good guitarist.
You're so right about "Your Imagination" though. That organ hook is sick-catchy.
*
From: Thomas A. Inskeep
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 1:53 PM
To: Alfred Soto
Subject: You remember me? I used to be your boyfriend
How funny - "It's A Laugh" is one of my favorite pre-'Voices' tracks, too (along with "Abandoned Luncheonette," "Las Vegas Turnaround" (the 'Abandoned Luncheonette' album is SO underrated, and cries out for a remaster/reissue), "Melody For A Memory" and "Sara Smile" (so pretty, something else they never get enough credit for). And you're so right about John's backing vox - he and Daryl have such amazing harmonies. Really sterling. [And they still do! Their new covers album (which I've only previewed, not actually bought) isn't consistently great, but it's got some very high points, selections which could certainly join their pantheon - and as we both know, even so-so H&O is still alright, generally.]
Usually, John plays guitar and Daryl keys on their stuff, but not much else. Having seen 'em live (twice), I can vouch for John's guitar abilities; he's quite, quite good. [Daryl's competent, but nothing special on keys.]
"Your Imagination" is genius! Those ultra-paranoid lyrics! That creepy organ! Those scary-cooing backing vocals on the chorus ("youuuuuur im! ag! in! a! tion!")! One of my ten favorite songs, by anyone, EVER.
*
Feel free to toss your two cents into the ring; that's what comments are for.
*
From: Thomas A. Inskeep
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 12:22 PM
To: Alfred Soto
Subject: When I was 17, I did what people told me
Oh, but I've always liked "It's In The Way That You Use It"! I think Clapton's mid-'80s period might well be his best. "Forever Man," and for that matter the whole 'Behind the Sun' album? C'mon! It's all certainly preferable to the "Unplugged" evisceration of his catalog, or his "I'm old and thus must make blues records" period we're currently enduring.
*
From: Alfred Soto
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 12:30 PM
To: Thomas A. Inskeep
Subject: it's in the way that you use me, it comes and it goes
I never said I disliked "It's In The Way..." - I just haven't been able to get that stupid guitar synth riff out of me head. And it sounds like a beer commericial jingle, rather like one of those Steve Winwood songs popular at the time. I quite like "Forever Man" too (it's the equivalent of Bonnie Raitt's "Something To Talk About": a generic song reimagined thanks to great playing and singing), and that other hit, with the booming gated Phil Collins drums ("She's Waiting," is it?). And you're right: he's more fun as a popster than as a blues pilgrim, although I HATED "Change The World" and "My Father's Eyes."
Speaking of Phil...how 'bout those mid '80s production jobs? Philip Bailey's "Easy Lover," Frida's "There's Something Going On," his remix of Howard Jones' "No One Is To Blame" - all wonderful songs.
*
From: Thomas A. Inskeep
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 2:00 PM
To: Alfred Soto
Subject: Behind the bushes, until I'm screamin' for more
Eric Clapton: better a popster (popstar?) than rockist.
Phil Collins: better a producer than an, ahem, "artist." [Best song involving him as an artist: Genesis' "Mama." Best song involving him in another capacity: unquestionably, Frida's "I Know There's Something Going On."]
*
That was it, thanks to the fact that Alfred and I are 3 hours apart (ergo, my mid-afternoon is his quittin' time). Today's topic was the best-selling duo of all-time; I started by asking the Notorious S.O.T.O. what his favorite Hall & Oates song is.
*
From: Alfred Soto
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 12:37 PM
To: Thomas A. Inskeep
Subject: Maybe I should feel guilty; is that the American way?
In certain moments "It's A Laugh" might be my fave. The faux Spector production, the sarcasm, Oates' harmonies (he's just genius at them; who said he was another Andrew Ridgeley?), the live-ness of Hall's vocal. I remember driving home from a party with my best friend about 8 months ago ... shouting the lyrics to this. He loves H&O too, one of many reasons I love him.
How much did H&O play on their own recordings? (perhaps the reissues clear this up.) I was thrilled to find out this weekend that they recorded "I Can't Go For That" all by their lonesomes. A friend in the Philly area said that Oates is actually quite a good guitarist.
You're so right about "Your Imagination" though. That organ hook is sick-catchy.
*
From: Thomas A. Inskeep
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 1:53 PM
To: Alfred Soto
Subject: You remember me? I used to be your boyfriend
How funny - "It's A Laugh" is one of my favorite pre-'Voices' tracks, too (along with "Abandoned Luncheonette," "Las Vegas Turnaround" (the 'Abandoned Luncheonette' album is SO underrated, and cries out for a remaster/reissue), "Melody For A Memory" and "Sara Smile" (so pretty, something else they never get enough credit for). And you're so right about John's backing vox - he and Daryl have such amazing harmonies. Really sterling. [And they still do! Their new covers album (which I've only previewed, not actually bought) isn't consistently great, but it's got some very high points, selections which could certainly join their pantheon - and as we both know, even so-so H&O is still alright, generally.]
Usually, John plays guitar and Daryl keys on their stuff, but not much else. Having seen 'em live (twice), I can vouch for John's guitar abilities; he's quite, quite good. [Daryl's competent, but nothing special on keys.]
"Your Imagination" is genius! Those ultra-paranoid lyrics! That creepy organ! Those scary-cooing backing vocals on the chorus ("youuuuuur im! ag! in! a! tion!")! One of my ten favorite songs, by anyone, EVER.
*
Feel free to toss your two cents into the ring; that's what comments are for.
# posted by Thomas : 7:27 PM
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I kick myself everyday for not coming up with the observation that "Las Vegas Turnaround" is COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY a Belle & Sebastian song. (Hats off once again, Douglas Wolk.)
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