h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Dear ox and Redbeard:

Thanks for your music-related posts. The saw? I love it, and considerably cheaper than a theramin, right? Wow, you do have a long track record, nice and varied.

I spent my time in the music world in a number of ways. I started on guitar, found out that that "market" was over saturated, and so swithced to bass. Then I found out why good bass players are such a rarity- nobody wants to do it! Somehow, I found my way behind the drums as well.

Anyhow, I played with many underground groups in Minneapolis. The best line-up I played with was a 7-piece (guitar, vocals, drums, thrift-store wirlitzer, trombone, bass, and electric accordion.) Very kitschy, and we loved to send up such classics as "Detroit Rock City" and so forth.

I also did stints as booking agent, roadie and house soundman at one of the big-name clubs in Minneapolis. So I guess I saw how the sausage is made.

I'm still interested in music and the possibilities of using all the computing technology available today for recording. Style? Maybe coke bottle slide guitar, with elements of Chinese classical music, who knows.

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear about all of your projects, and it's great to know that we've got musicians among us. Thanks for the post!

Miao

Hi, Miao,
I have a brother-in-law that is learning the recording/computing stuff, so happily I can focus on composition for now. I still have pals from the years on the road that have found a comfortable niche in the soundtrack side of PBS and the odd mainstream movie. I've found, however, that I'm going to have to buy another computer and synthesizer this summer/fall to really pursue my recording because my current computer is in my office here at home and should only be used for work, maybe games and surfing. I can't wait!

ox:

Wow, you're prolific and successful too! Well, it's taken me far too long to get into computer-based recording (I have a soft spot for tube amps, mics, boards, and other lo-fi gadgets like plate reverbs and echoplexes.) Sigh. Happily we both have the means to get the new gear- I'll be interested to know what you decide on, as well as what the results sound like. Anyway, it's time to take advantage of the technology that's out there. When I started out, effects boxes were just becoming popular and affordable- everybody and their kid brother sounded like Van Halen, or wanted to! (Cue "Joe's Garage")

Take care,
Miao

Unbelievable! I love it! Tube amps-nothing replaces that warm sound if you know how to listen. Plate reverbs-big old heavy things that had that perfect wet sound. Ah *sigh of nostalgia*. When I first started gigging Fender twin reverb amps were great and double stack Marshalls for that clean power sound. I remember an old Vox head and cabinet I had but I can't remember the model number. The first synthesizer I used in a band was a MiniMoog.
During most of the 1990's I was bitter as technology and younger players seemed to eliminate the field of opportunity for old timers like myself but fortunately I shook off that mood. Upward and onward. Computers allow us to do it all at home and whiz it around the planet.Through all the silicon and cable you can still hear the soul of a true vocalist. Truth in art never becomes obsolete.
When are you leaving China? Can you recommend any of their musicians (classical or modern)? I'm always eager to hear something new.
Take it easy!

*loves to sit around musicians and listen*

ox:

Aha! You *are* one of the "Tube People" (and yes, there are plenty of tubes for your Fender Twin being made right here everyday). Somehow, I had a hunch...
Well, I still have two weeks here; finals are done, but I'll have another go at the HSK (Chinese language proficiency test) on the 9th. I leave on the 15th for Osaka. And, yes, I am stocking up on the music while I still have a chance.
Ok, you asked about Chinese music, classical and modern. (Brace yourself for a long, long list!) If your computer is set up for Chinese characters, you can check out www.modernsky.com for new, underground music. But if your machine can't handle characters, you'll just get a bunch of meaningless code...
Anyway, this is a great topic for a Guide entry, I think. Last year Beijing's underground punk scene *exploded* with dozens of new bands...far too many to keep track of. But here are a few names you might have heard of:

Cui1 Jian1- the "Father of Chinese rock", "Old Cui" made his first album, "Rock and Roll on the New Long March" in the 80's, and it was re-released on CD last year to rave reviews. An interesting track features the Classical Zheng1 (ancient, fretless table-top sized instrument) and Delta-style bottleneck guitar- an amazing sound and a brilliant idea. Definitely worth seeking out.

Qing1 Xing1, or "Sober" are the masterminds behind Modern Sky records (and affiliated magazine), and have been instrumental in getting attention focused on the Beijing Scene. while they're considered punk, Sober has a soft spot for the Beatles and 80's new wave- a great, great sound. Their "Hao3 Ji1le!?" ("Great!?") actually came out in '98, and features tracks from as far back as '92. Still, they rode this CD's success for the last two years, apparently plowing the profits back into the label and magazine. I love bands that support their own scene.

Xin1 Ku1zi, or "New Pants"- these guys are the jokers in the deck. They did their homework and made a Great Leap Forward to the future by blending Ramones and Blondie influences- perfectly, I might add. They got the spirit of early NYC punk-new/ no wave right with their name and song titles like "I am a Waiter" and "Ape". Lots of fun.

Huar1 or "Flowers"- a three-piece band made up of Beijing high-school students. They take inspiration from Green Day and Nirvana, and their sound is a good blend between powerchord punk and pop melody. Now if someone will send them a Jam disc...

That's a few names, but there are many, many more out there. The overwhelming majority of popular music is forgettable ballads about puppy love and friendship, usually sung by teenage girls with names like Kelly, Yuki, A Mei and Coco- who also tend to come from Taiwan.

These manufactured stars usually last a few months, get remixed, and then fade away. Very light, syrupy, and ephemeral stuff. A notable exception is Wang2 Fei1 (Faye Wong), the movie star, actress and singer- she is a real artist with a unique sound and voice.

Once I get set up with a new system, we can talk about exchanging tracks, perhaps. As for Classical musicians, I have a few CDs, but I've had real problems weeding through the mountains of "best of" label collections. It seems difficult to find CDs by individual musicians. I know they must be out there, so I will keep looking.

On the other hand, I once bought an excellent collection from China Books in San Fransisco, and in many ways that disc is superior to the discs I've bought here. You might want to give them a try; ther're on the web at chinabooks.com. Thanks for the great message- I need only the slightest excuse to go rant about Chinese music!

Take care,
Miao


Sorry for the windy response! On the other hand, I am a big supporter of local music scenes, wherever I may be. And this is just one more example of China opening up and reachin out. There's a serious DIY ethic here, and I find that *very* heartening, for a number of reasons!

ox:

A Postscript to the last message; I just found an English-language page about the history of Modern Sky. It's at: www.modernsky.com/aboutmodernsky1.html. Enjoy!

Miao

Hi Miao! My server seems to be unable to pull up the English Modern Sky, but I will continue looking. The Chinese page looks neat but I can't read a thing! Perseverance furthers.
Thanks for the great review of music. I'll definitely pass by the syrup (though as representative of an era as plastic pink flamingos).The "Rock and Roll on the New Long March" is for me-I can't wait to hear the cut featuring the Zheng1 and bottleneck guitar. Faye Wong sounds like a must, too. Maybe I can raise info about Modern Sky using Sober as a keyword. Will let you know.
Please do rant on about Chinese music (or anything else you choose). About a year ago I started searching for fresh sounds (not necessarily new sounds) and found a few, notably Egyptian Natacha Atlas' CD "Diaspora". My quest for and pursuit of music quickly took a backseat to starting my own business so I wouldn't have to work for someone else (although when you deal with the public you're always at someone else's mercy). Anyway, I can spend more time now with my first love, music!
Sorry, Miao. I rant on myself. Keep in touch!

*stands up as Redbeard passes the microphone across to her*

My mother was a concert organist from the age of 5, and one of my very earliest memories is of lying upstairs in my cot, holding my breath so as not to miss a note of what I later learned was the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. When mother became church organist, I spent those years in the choirs of various small churches where I learned to sing the top three voices of Handel's Messiah.

My high school education revolved around cello and flute, and in my senior year I played piccolo in marching band. And in the meantime I discovered guitar, which I played until 5 years ago when I broke my left wrist. Won't give up having the instrument in the corner, though. I would have gone into music as a career, but that was opposed by both parents, who were afraid I would turn into a Bohemian. Which I eventually did, but not while they were in control!

I participated in the Messiah (alto) in college. I'll never forget the experience *applauding Lil's ability to hit those high notes*.

It's my understanding that Handel didn't actually like the human voice, which is why he wrote those torturous runs. It's been about 20 years since I could reach a high A...

Dear ox and Lil:

Sorry, time is tight, so I will have to combine responses to both of you in one message. Lil- amazing, my mother was a church organist as well as a harpsichordist, what a coincidence. I still really love organ music, especially all those deep, low, rumbling notes. I have many warm memories of listening to her play. *Sigh*
ox- I am glad you looked into ModernSky, but sorry that you couldn't find the english language page. Hmmmm. Well, I think you should have no problem finding things about Wang Fei- she has a huge international following, and you can see her in the movie "Chunking Express", which essentially launched her career.
I will definitely rant for those that want to hear it! There's much, much more to be said on the subject. But I don't want to dominate the discussion. Egyptian music, you say? Do tell! I can't say I'm familiar with that genre; the closest I came was seeing the Master Musicians of Joujuka (Morocco) perform. Amazing stuff, that!

Back later when I have more time,
Miao

Ah, yes-I love the Oud. Can't imagine how to tune one, or manage the strings. I love the different scales each culture brings to music. I usually keep two guitars in open tuning; an old Martin D-18 is in DADGAD right now (so I can learn Led Zep's "Kashmir") and my Gibson 12 string I've had for many years is in..well, I'm not sure what tuning it's in right now! Anyway, the different tunings completely change the tonal color and texture in such a way that the instrument always seems like a new toy.
My, I do go on! Hope to chat with you later.

I found a Cui Jian site and was able to listen to a few selections-excellent!
Have a good week.

ox:

Congratulations on finding Cui Jian- and I'm glad you liked his music, too! Old Cui has been through a lot; he was banned in the 80's, and during the recent underground music explosion in Beijing, he was regarded as, well, old. (Reminds me of the "never trust anyone over thirty crowd.) Anyhow, he released a new disc las year called "The POwer of the Powerless"- not bad at all, in fact. But not terribly innovative, either. In the long run, though, I favor musicians like Cui- he is still taking a fairly strong stance in his lyrics, and he is fully aware of all the ironies that go with being modern, Chinese, and into rock and roll. More power to him!
Oud? Whassat? I've heard of such a thing before, but I am intruiged...do tell more. As for open tunings, I'm with you. I discovered them a few years back and wow- lo and behold I was suddenly able to sound like a Junior Robert Johnson (very junior- before Satanic Guitar School, that is). Well anyway, I liked the fact that you could make use of harmonics, play drone notes and get an Eastern feel, play slide, and fret chords with ultimate ease. In the right hands, it can be refreshingly unpretentious, simple and direct, and lots of fun besides.
Anyway, I salute your DIY/find out yourself spirit! If you can find Cui Jian, then I am sure you can find everyone else as well. I haven't looked too much at English-language Chinese Rock links, but this might be a good project since this genre doesen't usually make it into "World Music" categories (non-traditional) and is typically (shamefully) ignored by the rock or punk (I hate to say it) mainstream. If you're not a language specialist like me, what do you do??? (Strongly hinting that there is a need that you can fill, ox!) Just a thought!

Take care,
Miao

Hi, Miao!
Apart from my own incredible hunger for world music is my good fortune that blesses me in finding people along the way who point to great finds (like you and Old Cui). I have a friend who is a well of information but a lot of time lapses between talks-I must e-mail him soon. He has some great CD's, one a fantastic singer from the Canary Islands. He also is a fanatic for Morrocan music and after chatting with you my interest is rekindled in hearing more. Also, years ago, a bass player I worked with had lived with and was temporarily adopted by a drum-making clan in Africa (I'm trying to remember-going back over 20 years here). Anyway, he traveled around with a little reel to reel recorder to Niger, Somalia, Upper Volta, and Ghana I believe and recorded native drumming and learned not only the ritual of making the various drums and the traditional drumming patterns, but lived the life as well. He got malaria, too. Working with him got me really interested in the sounds of the world. I've lost touch with him, though.
The Oud is an instrument of northern Africa kind of like a lute-bent neck, tuning pegs, not sure how many strings, just love the sound!
Not being a language specialist makes me have to scratch harder, but the info highway is wide and long these days. I don't gig very often but when I do the sound is definitely influenced by all I've ever heard, and the younger rockers are usually interested in the roots of that sound. Something does happen to the vast majority of listeners after they reach a certain age. Complacency, routine-life in general. The brain cement certainly does set! Enough of my ramblings.
Later, Miao!

I e-mailed a friend: the singer from the Canary Islands is Cesaria Evoria. For a hot Moroccan sound: artist's name-Khaled. Latest release-Kenza.
Take it easy!

ox:

Thanks for the tips, I'll be sure to seek them out. In the mean time, I am preparing to leave (next Saturday), and so I will undertake one last music buy. And rest assured, we'll figure out a way to share the musical loot. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Take care,
Miao

Hi Miao!
Do have a safe journey and stay in touch as you can. I will always be eager for music info and chat!
Later!

Ox

ox:

Thanks for the "bon voyage" and the chat as well. I'll be here for a few more days, but busy, busy. Anyhow, I'll be in if I can, definitely back at the end of July. Take care yourself, and I'll be in touch.

By now,
Miao