Comments on: Gothic horror

By: ken

ken — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 06:39:12 +0000

Frank Zappa devoted an entire chapter of his 1988 autobiography to bitching about symphony orchestras and their “it’s just a job” attitude.

By: Guybrush

Guybrush — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 12:36:58 +0000

Be sure to catch Ken Russell now in Celebrity Big Brother!
Thanks for the story Thomas, it was very entertaining,

Peter

By: Paulo

Paulo — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 11:56:04 +0000

Commenting on the bahaviour of the musicians on the orchestra:

I once read that Jon Anderson said that YES went to record their 2nd album along with an orchestra, in 1970.

Jon thought the musicians would get involved in the music, but he said Yes were treated to a total disdain. He said something like: ”the musicians did the session automatically, eager to get out quickly. Those classical musicians are of a diffrent breed, they couldn’t care for other music than the one from the great composers”.

By: GlennGould

GlennGould — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 19:17:22 +0000

I have an autographed LP jacket of the Flat Earth, signed by Mr. Dolby in 1988. I imagine it’s worth more than $10, but I won’t sell. It’s framed and on my wall.
I had bet a friend that the bass on Aliens was cleverly constructed from short samples of a real bass player. A friend said no way–must be a standard straight bass track.
I briefly met Thomas Dolby at an appearance at a Waxie Maxie’s in Northern Virginia and asked him if I was right. Indeed, 4 to 8 bar samples, arranged as needed!
He graciously signed my LP: “Yes, Samples!” Giving me the proof to settle my friendly bet. (Wrong title I know, but an LP takes an autograph better than a CD.)
Thanks Mr. Dolby!

By: Gregory

Gregory — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 05:40:56 +0000

Although one of the most complex and nigh-impossible questions to answer, particularly in one’s youth, is: What Kind Of Music Do You Like?, I can thank Mr. Dolby here for years of allowing me to put on “Dissidents” and let the question be answered thusly.

Of course there’s always room for “Mimi On the Beach” and “Rock Me Amadeus,” but “Dissidents” was/is one of those totally unconscious bull’s-eyes; out of the blue, suddenly adored it. I still play the 12″ sometimes.

When I asked TMDR what on Earth the samples mean (“Ushugomente…ushugomente…”) at an entirely unrelated trade-show in Vancouver in the middle of the rather unfortunate Grunge Era (“O Light Of Intelligent Pop, Where Hast Thou Gone!?”), he replied that it was something he had managed to record from Eastern Europe off his Ham radio.

Cool. (TGAOW, indeed!)

In any case, by the time I croak, tombstones will probably come standard with iPods, and “Dissidents” will be in my top ten there.

Prior to that, thank you, Kara, for your keen mind and research.

Um…bless us, every one…sort of thing. Rock on, tourbus people!

By: Heretics R Us

Heretics R Us — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 00:56:46 +0000

Maybe that points to a problem with my music. If I sing in the shower the water curdles. Going to check out Dissidents right now with headphones. MMM….. Thomas on headphones!….MMMMMMM! Thanks for the astute observation Kara., er Kar(m)a

By: mizmusic

mizmusic — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:58:31 +0000

Ah, Heretics, but Thomas hears all that wonderful music inside his
head, note for note! The trick lies in getting it out of there–straight from cranium to keyboard, I should think. It’s
interesting how some people can play by ear, and some can’t. Both styles are good.

You know what I noticed the other night when I was listening to
‘The Flat Earth’, Thomas [or whomever happens to be reading this, hee hee]? I heard this very soft humming along with with
the Russian-sounding keyboard in “Dissidents”–quite charming, I must say. Gives one a clue as to how the music gets from the cranium to the keyboard, perhaps.

Peace and beautiful music,
Kara

By: Heretics R Us

Heretics R Us — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:28:50 +0000

“But I donâ€™t read music and have little or no formal training,…”
Proof that life’s just not fair.

By: KevnMaroda

KevnMaroda — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:14:17 +0000

Thomas, have you ever thought about releasing sheet music of your work in general? I remember on the old site you used to have photos of some of the sheet music you wrote by hand with the lyrics Theres a huge online site called MusicNotes.com where everything is officially licensed through the label or the artist. You can preview the work, then buy it, and print it out. Its really wonderful! I always wanted to have the sheet music and be able to play “One of Our Submarines”

By: MondoJohnnyQ

MondoJohnnyQ — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 15:52:40 +0000

Great Story sir! Read the debat did you? You know really it reflects quite well on you despite the libelous remarks. I mean look how many people rushed to your defense. The great thing is most of us concurred that we didn’t know the reason for the 10 dollars and didnt even care! That should make you feel good right? I dropped 10 bucks yesterday on a guacamole burger and warmed over french fries… and I wont even be able to look at those months later…I hope…