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frank_black_francis
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
895 Posts |
 Posted - 02/25/2007 : 06:46:14
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I always enjoyed Frank's use of the megaphone to accompany Pixies and early Frank Black tunes. Particularly with "Ole for Mulholland". It was one of the aspects that I really enjoyed about some of his songs and his music in general.
This kinda dynamism, in terms of arrangements, has not been around for awhile and I miss it. That is not to say that I do not like the new directions he has been going in over the last few years....I just miss things like the megaphone.
It seemed, especially in the case of Mulholland, to be a incredibly inspired and creative tool that is an example of Frank's musical capabilities. It was genius. |
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mr.biscuitdoughhead
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1729 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2007 : 09:02:02
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Megaphones in songs are awesome.
Was it a megaphone in Trompe le Monde when he says the "we went to the store" part?
"Am I the one you're thinking of
when the sun goes down into the water...?" |
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Doog
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
1220 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2007 : 09:02:49
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It's neat and that, but it's not like it hadn't be done (or at least simulated) before.
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www.myspace.com/doog = solo choons
www.myspace.com/casabonitaband = noisey stuff
www.myspace.com/WKtheband = surfrockpop geekery
www.myspace.com/ukpixiestribute = Nimrod's Son |
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ScottP
= Cult of Ray =
USA
618 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2007 : 09:15:58
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| Sometimes, if you can holler real good, you can get a mic to crap out and the resulting effect might sound megaphonish to some ears. |
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Jason
* Dog in the Sand *
1446 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2007 : 09:28:31
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"I've got a fever and the only prescription is more MEGAPHO..." eh, that joke is so worn out.
quote:
Originally posted by mr.biscuitdoughhead
Megaphones in songs are awesome.
Was it a megaphone in Trompe le Monde when he says the "we went to the store" part?
I read somewhere it's a CB. It sounds like a walkie talkie to me, though. |
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fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2007 : 10:48:32
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I agree, fbf. Ole Mulholland is one of my favourite Charles Thompson songs, and the part you mention, along with the music sends shivers. I'm trying to remember if the intro to 'Dead' had some sort of effect going on without me having to find Doolittle, and if there's a Catholics song out there with CB/megaphoney thingy. My mind's gone blank.
Whatever it be, here it is in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oncqJb-nzFI
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Edited by - fbc on 02/25/2007 10:57:52 |
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Grotesque
= Cult of Ray =
France
777 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2007 : 11:33:45
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Apart from the megaphone, there is an infinity of sound textures and odd instruments that could be good choices along with Frank's original songwriting.
If one day Tom Waits produces, no doubt that there will be a lot of those strange sounds. |
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frank_black_francis
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
895 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2007 : 12:46:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Doog
It's neat and that, but it's not like it hadn't be done (or at least simulated) before.
That's hardly the point...yes, of course its "been done". But, the way it has been used, especially in Ole for Mulholland is particularly creative. Its not just a point-blank additive that just sounds cool.
There is an infinite numbers of things a musician has at his or her disposal to make a song more interesting or multi-dimensional. However, it is the CHOICES that are made that make all the difference. My point is, it was a great choice on his part. |
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Grotesque
= Cult of Ray =
France
777 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2007 : 14:17:44
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quote:
Originally posted by frank_black_francis
quote:
Originally posted by Doog
It's neat and that, but it's not like it hadn't be done (or at least simulated) before.
That's hardly the point...yes, of course its "been done". But, the way it has been used, especially in Ole for Mulholland is particularly creative. Its not just a point-blank additive that just sounds cool.
There is an infinite numbers of things a musician has at his or her disposal to make a song more interesting or multi-dimensional. However, it is the CHOICES that are made that make all the difference. My point is, it was a great choice on his part.
I see what you mean in Mulholland. The natural compression of the megaphone and the tone of Frank's speech makes it sound like a mix beetween rap and a weird political speech.
It's actualy very close to "Help Me Somebody" by David Byrne and Brian Eno (in "My life in the bush of Ghosts"). Wow, I haven't been listening this for ten years or so, I got to put the hand on it. If I remember well, it's really really good.
In TOTY there is another weird voice, at the end of Pure Denizen, with an odd rock'n'roll riff. I don't think it's a megaphone, but the singing is great because it's totally out of tune and sweet to listen at the same time. Like a Roy Orbison from another planet. |
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hammerhands
* Dog in the Sand *
Canada
1594 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2007 : 14:29:47
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| Is this known as a talk-back microphone? |
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IceCream
= Quote Accumulator =
USA
1850 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2007 : 16:17:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Grotesque
quote:
Originally posted by frank_black_francis
quote:
Originally posted by Doog
It's neat and that, but it's not like it hadn't be done (or at least simulated) before.
That's hardly the point...yes, of course its "been done". But, the way it has been used, especially in Ole for Mulholland is particularly creative. Its not just a point-blank additive that just sounds cool.
There is an infinite numbers of things a musician has at his or her disposal to make a song more interesting or multi-dimensional. However, it is the CHOICES that are made that make all the difference. My point is, it was a great choice on his part.
I see what you mean in Mulholland. The natural compression of the megaphone and the tone of Frank's speech makes it sound like a mix beetween rap and a weird political speech.
It's actualy very close to "Help Me Somebody" by David Byrne and Brian Eno (in "My life in the bush of Ghosts"). Wow, I haven't been listening this for ten years or so, I got to put the hand on it. If I remember well, it's really really good.
In TOTY there is another weird voice, at the end of Pure Denizen, with an odd rock'n'roll riff. I don't think it's a megaphone, but the singing is great because it's totally out of tune and sweet to listen at the same time. Like a Roy Orbison from another planet.
The vocals at the end of "Pure Denizen" mark one of the few times FB has sung in a low register. It might be a megaphone. I hear some sort of distortion (but it could just be these headphones). |
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frank_black_francis
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
895 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2007 : 02:22:45
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quote:
Originally posted by blckfrncs
Interesting thread. Glad you dig megaphone, or megaphone-like eq. I guess the hesitation in using something like that is that it can be done A LOT, and one does not want to use a sound so specific if one thinks that it is being heavily used in other recordings. I feel the same way about "b-3" hammond organ, which I love, but it has been used so much in a syrupy kind of way that one is tempted to NOT USE it as a color out of a kind of FEAR. Also, the FB & The Cs records, being live, were not intending to utilize production so much as they were to utilizing instruments and recording equipment in a less processed manner. blah blah blah.
bf
Thanks for your response...much appreciated....and again, Its use in Ole For Mulholland, brilliant!
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coastline
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
3111 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2007 : 04:46:30
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Using the megaphone effect only makes sense in a song like "Ole Mulholland," where it's being used to let another "character" speak in the song. Beyond that, I can see how it could be overused. The screen shot from the SNL cowbell skit is really apt here, Jason, though I think you were posting it mainly to be funny. A little cowbell -- like a little megaphone -- goes a long way. And if I'm not mistaken, "Ole Mulholland" has a little cowbell.
I like what Frank says about using the instruments more than the production in the Catholics era. For my money, the live recording method is the truer way. The musicians' souls are bared more. But I'm more into stripped-down versions of everything than I think most fans are. I really enjoyed the solo acoustic shows last year -- where the two "tone colors" were voice and acoustic guitar -- whereas I got the sense a lot people were longing to hear full productions of songs like "Cactus" and "Two Reelers."
 Please pardon me, for these my wrongs. |
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TRANSMARINE
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
2002 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2007 : 08:23:48
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He's been playing stripped-down CACTUS for years...since Bowie revived it...probably even before that.
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His name is Dalton. He's got a degree in philosophy.
-bRIAN |
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Otherfellers
- FB Fan -
Ireland
87 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2007 : 21:20:34
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Tom Waits is the megaphone king.
A little bit of fire never hurt anyone. |
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Jefrey
= Cult of Ray =
USA
918 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2007 : 22:16:34
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"....and your car is bitchin'" - best megaphone line ever.
Kim Deal ran with the megaphone thing for a while too with the Breeders, but I think it was actually that Shure "green bullet" mic (for harmonicas I think?).
I've seen a bunch of people use that green bullet as a second mic for vocal effects. If you sing with your lips touching the mic, you get that megaphone effect.
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jeffamerica
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Steak n Sabre
* Dog in the Sand *
Uzbekistan
1013 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2007 : 05:17:32
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The Man often had a 2 mic setup for vocals back in the day. Of course, I had imagined the second mic running into a rack of exotic voice-altering gear, and it turns out to be the 'ol megaphone EQ trick...DOH!
 What?... Me Worry???  |
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ScottP
= Cult of Ray =
USA
618 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2007 : 16:35:12
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Yeah, tweaking the EQ will give you the "1970 Chevy Pickup 1-speaker AM radio effect" which is super important if you are trying to portray an old timey sounding announcement-y type of thing. But if you really crap out a mic, then you have done something noteworthy. Has anyone ever crapped out a microphone on purpose?
Tee! HA! Hmmphh!(covers mouth)
Oh dang, I gave it away. |
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moksha23x
- FB Fan -
USA
245 Posts |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6214 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2007 : 05:02:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Jefrey
"....and your car is bitchin'" - best megaphone line ever.
Kim Deal ran with the megaphone thing for a while too with the Breeders, but I think it was actually that Shure "green bullet" mic (for harmonicas I think?).
I've seen a bunch of people use that green bullet as a second mic for vocal effects. If you sing with your lips touching the mic, you get that megaphone effect.
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jeffamerica
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what about the weird vocal effect on 'planet of sound'? It's on the album but it's different on the single version. Sounds like a voice breaker, I love how it sounds with lyrics like 'and on the planet of glass'. I mean it does sound like glass
Also,
I believe FB had a green bullit with him in the Pixies days.
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God save the Noisies |
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Jefrey
= Cult of Ray =
USA
918 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2007 : 11:48:35
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quote:
Originally posted by billgoodman
quote:
Originally posted by Jefrey
"....and your car is bitchin'" - best megaphone line ever.
Kim Deal ran with the megaphone thing for a while too with the Breeders, but I think it was actually that Shure "green bullet" mic (for harmonicas I think?).
I've seen a bunch of people use that green bullet as a second mic for vocal effects. If you sing with your lips touching the mic, you get that megaphone effect.
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jeffamerica
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what about the weird vocal effect on 'planet of sound'? It's on the album but it's different on the single version. Sounds like a voice breaker, I love how it sounds with lyrics like 'and on the planet of glass'. I mean it does sound like glass
Also,
I believe FB had a green bullit with him in the Pixies days.
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God save the Noisies
I thought the vocal effect on Planet of Sound sounded more like a deep chorus or phaser with a really rapid cycle. I'm glad there's two versions of the songs though - on the original single, you couldn't really make out the lyrics with all the effects. I remember when that EP came out and it was so noisy and spacy, it was like a big "fuck you" to all the Bossanova haters.
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jeffamerica
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2007 : 09:32:42
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| I used to think the "Your car is bitchin'" line in Is She Weird? was sampled from a movie. I love the way that's done. |
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frank_black_francis
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
895 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2007 : 05:10:33
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"The concrete of the aqueduct,will last as long as the Pyramids of Egypt,
Or the Parthenon of Athens, long after Joe Harryman is elected mayor of Los Angeles" |
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Jefrey
= Cult of Ray =
USA
918 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2007 : 01:48:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Carl
I used to think the "Your car is bitchin'" line in Is She Weird? was sampled from a movie. I love the way that's done.
it's "and your car is bitchin'"
don't leave out the "and" - it loses all effectiveness.
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jeffamerica
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2007 : 11:51:14
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| Forgive me. |
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trobrianders
> Teenager of the Year <
Papua New Guinea
3302 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2007 : 14:58:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Grotesque
Apart from the megaphone, there is an infinity of sound textures and odd instruments that could be good choices along with Frank's original songwriting.
If one day Tom Waits produces, no doubt that there will be a lot of those strange sounds.
I'm really hoping it happens. Can't someone get on to Tom about it. I've asked this before, his album Bone Machine. Was that any kind of reference to Surfer Rosa's opener? Tom is megaphone king for sure and Mark E Smith is a mean exponent too. 'We can't think of nuthin'
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Ed is the hoo hoo |
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Grotesque
= Cult of Ray =
France
777 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2007 : 11:01:43
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quote:
Originally posted by trobrianders
quote:
Originally posted by Grotesque
Apart from the megaphone, there is an infinity of sound textures and odd instruments that could be good choices along with Frank's original songwriting.
If one day Tom Waits produces, no doubt that there will be a lot of those strange sounds.
I'm really hoping it happens. Can't someone get on to Tom about it. I've asked this before, his album Bone Machine. Was that any kind of reference to Surfer Rosa's opener? Tom is megaphone king for sure and Mark E Smith is a mean exponent too. 'We can't think of nuthin'
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Ed is the hoo hoo
If this thread has to become "Support the participation of Tom Waits as a producer" I have to add because someone asked "did he ever sat in the producer's chair" - YES he produces his own albums, and that's not a small job. |
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trobrianders
> Teenager of the Year <
Papua New Guinea
3302 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2007 : 18:43:20
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At last some momentum. This campaign's gotta work. Next step?
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Ed is the hoo hoo |
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Topic |
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Frank's Dynamic Megaphone Accompanyment?
