Mush on Lifehouse; R.E.M.; Overdubbing

[Jim Topp <jtopp@indiana.edu>]

>TO THE LIFEHOUSE
>Dave Marsh
>4/20/01
>
>It's a blessing that so many records today...

What an odd review. Marsh is either wrong or half-wrong about a few things.

>you can't buy Lifehouse in stores,

Lifehouse Elements is available in stores.

>only at Townshend's website (www.petetownshend.com)

Shouldn't that be www.eelpie.com?

>and then only as part of a six record box set.

Do you mean a six CD box set? (OK, I guess he's old school.)

>The final two discs of the box set offer the three hour radio
>dramatization of Lifehouse

The radio play is less than two hours.

Now, maybe I'm being too harsh on Marsh. But here's the part that 
really bothered me:

>Thirty years later, with the aid of some skilled collaborators,
>Townshend has finally told the tale in a way that anyone can grasp it.

Really? The problem is that Marsh knows enough about previously 
discussed story lines for Lifehouse that he works those pieces into 
his review, even though those pieces may be completely absent or 
poorly developed in the radio play. Marsh also seems make up his own 
parts of the story:

>it [the vision of Lifehouse] is itself subverted, partly because
>people who could have made a difference withhold themselves.

Huh?

But there is one part that I agree with, which certainly doesn't need 
to be said to this list:

>It needs to find a much larger audience. Please seek it out.

scott p. said:

>you cannot make a studio album then not tour.... No record company 
>will let you make a record and not tour.

R.E.M. has done it a few times and is doing it again with their next 
album out next month.

I, too, hope for a new Who album. Even if there's no supporting tour. 
But I'm not holding my breath.

[Quote from ICE, provided by scott p., about re-release of LAL incl. Tommy:]

>There is more that mentions daltrey going remix a few vocal things he is
>worried about. He is going in with Astley and his remixing partner Andy
>mcpherson but on Tommy daltrey's voice gave way and he sounded tired.

I can't remember the exact words of the quote, but isn't there an 
interview of Roger in which he criticizes bands who overdub live 
albums (probably making an unnamed dig at The Eagles)? Didn't he say 
something like, "Give me a bum note and a bead of sweat any day"? 
Maybe remixing and overdubbing are two different things. Maybe he was 
younger then. Maybe I dreamed it.

Jim

"Could I please, please, please have my lawn mower back?" - PT, 11-9-98