Greg, in the early 2000s, having moved up from NYC I was teaching advertising design at SUNY. I had a computer lab with 20 Macs. When not lecturing on Creative, or demonstrating techniques, we listened to music. Apples had CD drives, and students were allowed (encouraged) to bring in CDs. Plus, I got all the CDs sent to the campus from record labels. A quirky student, called Wayne, brought in a Morphine CD. I had never heard of Morphine. The sound was incredibly different from anything I heard. The instrumentation alone was unique, but the entire vibe, the energy and color, was completely new to me. This piece is incredible, not because I did not know what happened to the band, the members, since then but because your sense of this, then and now speaks to me! Wow! Thanks. Love it!
Cure for Pain was such a terrific album -- one of those that was fresh and unique but with enough references to the familiar that made it immediately relatable. But IMHO, music from the mid-90s counts as "new music."
I LOVE Fran Drescher. She is a comedic GENIUS! Her speech here is so impressive - it really moved me. I have been very ignorant to the position many of these actors and crew are in. This speech, as well as comments from many others, has enlightened me.
Yes, I own the entire series of "The Nanny" and still watch the re-runs! My husband and I brought a VHS tape of episodes of "The Nanny" to watch while I was in labor with our first daughter. The Nurses kept coming in and commenting on how I was the only woman in labor who was laughing through my contractions!
I have Lili to thank for turning me on to Morphine in the early oughts. We wound up getting all the CDs. Back when I was in billiard league, I never missed a chance to play Honey White, Buena, Top Floor Bottom Buzzer et al on the bar's juke box. On the Sandbox 2CD set, the spoken word piece My Brain lodged itself in my consciousness; I have it memorized. He is sorely missed. [PS: RIP Jane Birkin]
Great band, artist, well crafted, chronicled, and personally heartfelt piece Greg!
I never covered morphine, would have loved that opportunity.
Having always treasured the intimacy of small venues and clubs, many where I got my feet wet in the scene, often sticky as well IIRC...
all of them extraordinarily memorable!
Much of the musical talent I’ve met/known over the years would be undetectable on the street, but are easily some of the most engaging and enjoyable people on this spinning stone...
Your description of the West Beth Theater invoked a memory for me. When I was in college I worked at a small music venue/bar named Club Soda in Kalamazoo. It was one of the best places that I have ever heard music, being such a small space. We had many bands from Chicago and Detroit being right in the middle of both. A lot of Reggae, Blues, Jazz, Rock and a mish mash of all of that combined. It really helped shape my music taste. A few of the big names that came through were Violent Femmes, Koko Taylor, The Robert Cray Band & Sugar Blue. I saw two concerts this past year and was disappointed in both. I really appreciate that not-too-crowded small venue atmosphere. I listened to a few songs from Morphine and I really like them. I assume I heard them on the radio back in the day because the songs sound familiar.
As a music lover I appreciated this piece for several reasons, even though our tastes are quite different and you’re talking about musicians I would otherwise never heard of. Sometimes I have preferred live music over recordings, and sometimes vice versa. Some artists delight in making their live performances very different from their studio recordings; others—like The Eagles—do a great job of singing their hits almost exactly like you’ve always remembered them.
Greg, Stefanie... to my first cup of coffee, Black, of course ... Sandy
I usually start a comment with a coffee status reference. I’m also drinking tea today, herbal, Strangely it’s not coffee. Ha.
Greg, in the early 2000s, having moved up from NYC I was teaching advertising design at SUNY. I had a computer lab with 20 Macs. When not lecturing on Creative, or demonstrating techniques, we listened to music. Apples had CD drives, and students were allowed (encouraged) to bring in CDs. Plus, I got all the CDs sent to the campus from record labels. A quirky student, called Wayne, brought in a Morphine CD. I had never heard of Morphine. The sound was incredibly different from anything I heard. The instrumentation alone was unique, but the entire vibe, the energy and color, was completely new to me. This piece is incredible, not because I did not know what happened to the band, the members, since then but because your sense of this, then and now speaks to me! Wow! Thanks. Love it!
Cure for Pain was such a terrific album -- one of those that was fresh and unique but with enough references to the familiar that made it immediately relatable. But IMHO, music from the mid-90s counts as "new music."
It reminds me of my nephew’s Heavy Metal Band 🙉
160,000 performers with SAG-AFTRA will join Hollywood writers in an historic work stoppage after negotiations with studios collapsed.
Screen Actors Guild president Fran Drescher announces unanimous vote to go on strike.
🤩 The jig is up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHTIvRVLdL8
I LOVE Fran Drescher. She is a comedic GENIUS! Her speech here is so impressive - it really moved me. I have been very ignorant to the position many of these actors and crew are in. This speech, as well as comments from many others, has enlightened me.
Agreed, I loved her sitcom ‘The Nanny’ that she and her husband produced. 😄
Yes, I own the entire series of "The Nanny" and still watch the re-runs! My husband and I brought a VHS tape of episodes of "The Nanny" to watch while I was in labor with our first daughter. The Nurses kept coming in and commenting on how I was the only woman in labor who was laughing through my contractions!
Haha - laughter is the best medicine 😄 Now, Fran is playing her biggest role!
I have Lili to thank for turning me on to Morphine in the early oughts. We wound up getting all the CDs. Back when I was in billiard league, I never missed a chance to play Honey White, Buena, Top Floor Bottom Buzzer et al on the bar's juke box. On the Sandbox 2CD set, the spoken word piece My Brain lodged itself in my consciousness; I have it memorized. He is sorely missed. [PS: RIP Jane Birkin]
Great band, artist, well crafted, chronicled, and personally heartfelt piece Greg!
I never covered morphine, would have loved that opportunity.
Having always treasured the intimacy of small venues and clubs, many where I got my feet wet in the scene, often sticky as well IIRC...
all of them extraordinarily memorable!
Much of the musical talent I’ve met/known over the years would be undetectable on the street, but are easily some of the most engaging and enjoyable people on this spinning stone...
Your description of the West Beth Theater invoked a memory for me. When I was in college I worked at a small music venue/bar named Club Soda in Kalamazoo. It was one of the best places that I have ever heard music, being such a small space. We had many bands from Chicago and Detroit being right in the middle of both. A lot of Reggae, Blues, Jazz, Rock and a mish mash of all of that combined. It really helped shape my music taste. A few of the big names that came through were Violent Femmes, Koko Taylor, The Robert Cray Band & Sugar Blue. I saw two concerts this past year and was disappointed in both. I really appreciate that not-too-crowded small venue atmosphere. I listened to a few songs from Morphine and I really like them. I assume I heard them on the radio back in the day because the songs sound familiar.
Deadly Grateful,
Thanks,
Jerry
As a music lover I appreciated this piece for several reasons, even though our tastes are quite different and you’re talking about musicians I would otherwise never heard of. Sometimes I have preferred live music over recordings, and sometimes vice versa. Some artists delight in making their live performances very different from their studio recordings; others—like The Eagles—do a great job of singing their hits almost exactly like you’ve always remembered them.
I always read you first, you expand my world.