What is your opinion of these artists? 06/13

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Even if you don't like all the artists of today, it's a pretty strong lineup, for the most part.


Natalie Merchant-I absolutely love Like the Weather from 10,000 Maniacs. Her voice sounds so cool on that one! And so she went solo. I liked both Carnival and Kind and Generous, even though right now I can't remember how the latter goes! LOL! Good singer. Faves-Carnival, Kind & Generous.

Metallica-I once got into an argument with a guy (and this guy would argue that water isn't wet) about Metallica selling out. He said their image change had nothing to do with their music. I said true, it was just coinicidence that their music started to suck. MY problem, however is that they always said how they were just like their fans, 4 hard rock fans in jeans, gym shoes, long hair, black t-shirts. And then I see a BTM on them, and they are STILL saying this, with Backstreet Boy type haircuts and dress shirts! And people tell me they changed with the times. Well, the thing is, they never changed with other styles, and there are ALWAYS people that have the "burnout look". And now they are getting played on ALTERNATIVE stations??? Anyway, I prefer OLD Metallica. Ride the Lightning is good, Master of Puppets is best. By the Black Album, they were already showing signs of selling out, 5 singles and videos. And now I see 40 year old Lars on the cover of Rolling Stone wearing clogs. Good Lord.....Faves-Master of Puppets, Welcome Home (Sanitarium), One, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Disposable Heroes.

George Michael-Don't people normally discuss Metallica and George Michael in the same breath? Too fruity for me. I thought Freedom was a not bad song. Liked the models in the video! Just hope I don't run into him in the john somewhere! Fave-Freedom.

Bette Midler-Lora, are you here? Not my style, but don't get mad-Better herself admits the only men that listen to her are gay! Pleasant enough, I guess, but again, not my style. No particular faves stand out, sorry.

Mike and the Mechanics-Little Genesis offshoot all-star band. Only two albums that had any impact really. I have the Miracle single, and Living Years is pretty touching. I don't think they were meant to last, more like the Traveling Wilburys. Another Paul Carrack sighting! Faves-All I Need is a Miracle, The Living Years, Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground).




And You?

[H2IZCOOL]

Natalie Merchant-Heard of her, but don't know her music.

Metallica - I like these guys so much, that I went to my favorite free download site, and downloaded every one of their songs. Then I made huge cd compilations and sold them all for 50 bucks each. ;D ;D ;D ;D Seriously, I haven't listened much to them at all, and of what I have heard, the only song I like is Enter Sandman.

George Michael- Definitely not a fan. He was OK in Wham, but I can't think of a single solo of his that I like.

Bette Midler- For some reason that I myself cannot fathom I happen to like Wind Beneath My Wings. Can't stand the rest of her stuff. My wife loves her, though.

Mike and the Mechanics- Never realized they were an all star band. I like Living Years and All I Need Is A Miracle. Saw them once on some TV show, and noticed that the lead singer can't sing without closing his eyes and scruntching them real tight. Really detracted from the music.

[Dawn]

Natalie Merchant - I'm not a huge fan of 90's music, but I do like her stuff. She does have a good voice, very distinctive. Favorites: Carnival, Wonder, Jealousy, Because the Night (with 10,000 Maniacs).

Metallica - Never could get into them.

George Michael - I did like his work with Wham back in the day (and still kinda do), but grew VERY tired of the songs on his Faith solo album. What a disappointment to hear about his "incident" - I've never been able to think of him in quite the same way since. Favorites: Careless Whisper, Fastlove.

Bette Midler - I only know a handful of her songs, and they're nice, pleasant to listen to. Favorites: The Rose, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Do You Want to Dance.

Mike and the Mechanics - This group's music brings back a lot of memories of my senior year of high school. Good stuff! Favorites: Taken In, Silent Running, All I Need is a Miracle, The Living Years.

I'd like to request Ronnie Milsap for Monday's post.

[Ken]

Wow for the first time ever I
almost don't know what to say! (GASP!!)

Natalie Merchant - I remember the band 10,000 Maniacs but just don't remember any of the tunes.


Metallica - Have seen a couple of the video's over the years , Enter Sandman is a good tune - yeah I know that it was REALLY played alot on the radio . I'm just really not familiar with enough of the songs to really comment .I did see their episode on Behind The Music , however . I really like Lars' drumming too.


George Michael - Wake Me Up before You Go - Go drove me around the bend LOL got tired of it very quickly! - His solo stuff really doesn't do much for me.



Bette Midler - I've seen The Rose quite a few times over the years - thought she did a good job . Wind Beneath my Wings and From a Distance were played just a little too much though (hope Lora doesn't start sending threatening instant messages! . I heard Bette's version of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy quite a bit when I was a kid - thought she did a good cover - sounded like a great band on the record . and recall she did a version of Beast of Burden and Mick was in the video . but other than that, that's all I know .


Mike and The Mechanics - I borowed the debut album from a buddy when it came out and recorded it onto cassette . Great stuff . Since my Dad passed away it's really hard for me to listen to The Living Years but it's a good tune . Paul Carrack could sing the Yellow pages and it would sound good what a voice! Faves : Silent Running , All I Need is a Miracle , Takin' In and I Get The Feeling.

[beatles4ever]

1.Natalie Merchant-not real familiar with her work

2.Metallica-I may get razzed for this opinion but I think that they only had one good album,the one with my favorite Metallica song on it-Sad But True.

3.George Michael-as good solo as when he was with Wham,maybe better;I remember when he won a Best R&B Grammy and Dionne Warwick got all hot and bothered because he was....WHITE!

4.Bette Midler-Ah,the divine Miss M!What a voice and what a character!

5.Mike and the Mechanics-nice bit of rock fluff

[Pete70s]

I have very little to say about today's artists, except for Metallica and George Michael.. (Yes, I mentioned them in the same breath)..

Natalie Merchant-Female counterpart to Eddie Vedder. irritating voice.. Birkenstock rock... boring...

Metallica-I remember when they said they would never make a video. Then "One" came out, and it was a BIG deal at the time. So technically, they sold out in 1988! I have no problem with a band growing and maturing, after all, I know I'm not the same person now that I was at 21. But they totally forgot about where they came from, and alienated a lot of their longtime fans. They got their early following from underground circulation of their demo tape (with NO help from radio or MTV!!). They talked about how they got into a lot of their favorite bands by trading mix tapes with friends (that the artists did not get paid for!). Then they went after Napster.. While I saw their point to a certain extent, I thought they had turned into exactly the type of band they would have hated in 1984. I liked them somewhat in high school, but they were never the same after Cliff Burton died..

George Michael-My last girlfriend thought he was a total nerd UNTIL he got busted in the bathroom. THEN he earned her respect LOL!! I like "Freedom", "Monkey", "Fastlove" and a few other hits, as well as most of the Wham! stuff.

Bette Midler-Musically, I can't get into her. She just doesn't have enough "edge" for me. However, I did like her in "Down and Out In Beverly Hills"

Mike + The Mechanics-So far, I'm the only one to use the +, as it was on the records. I don't know much but I liked "Silent Running" and "All I Need Is A Miracle".

Adam, how about Midnight Oil?

[KittyKat - RIP Luciano]

I have to keep it short and sweet today!

Natalie Merchant - don't know why, but I can't stand her. Her voice kinda bugs...faves: None

Metallica - I hear what you're saying about the selling out, but I don't necessarily agree. Anyway, I stopped like their stuff in the mid 90s. "One" has some of the most amazing drum work on any song EVER. Faves: Sad But True, One, For Whom The Bell Tolls, Master of Puppets

George Michael - Some good and bad stuff from him as a solo artist. Although his solo stuff is much better than the stuff with Wham! Faves: Fastlove, Too Funky, Freedom, Kissing A Fool

Bette Midler - I like watching her perform more than actually listenting to her music. Faves: One For My Baby, Miss Otis Regrets, The Rose, Drinking Again

Mike & The Mechanics - except for the fact that they had Paul Carrack on vocals this band didn't impress me much. I like "The Living Years" though.

[Railyn]

Okily Dokily. A diverse group.

Natalie Merchant - I gotta go with the majority on this one - don't like her voice - I find it annoying. Really didn't like that Carnival song.

Metallica - never was a fan, but my husband is WAY devoted! He's been a fan from the beginning, and he will argue with anyone that they did not sell out, but evolve with changing music tastes to survive. And think about it, when metal went away and grunge became king in the early 90's, I think they did what they had to do without completely changing musical styles to stay alive. Yes, they have a core fan base, but that will dwindle with time. To remain viable, you have to somewhat change with the times. I remember a time when KISS was playing state fairs around here when they were down to 2 original members, and I don't think they wanted to go that way. That's just my opinion. My husband does not necessarily agree with their view on Napster, but he is of the opinion that if the artist flat-out doesn't want their music on the server, then the webmaster should do their best to remove it. That's just his opinion.

My opinion is that it really doesn't matter to me either way. I'm not into metal. But I do have to say that I like their later stuff more than their earlier stuff. The only songs I really like of theirs are: Then I Disappear, and Whiskey In A Jar.

George Michael - liked him in WHAM. Not as a solo artist. Way overexposed (literally and figuratively). I got so sick of everything associated with the Faith album! WHAM favorites: Everything She Wants, Young Guns, Freedom, I'm Your Man. Solo: Too Funky, Freedom '90 (where he trashed the "Faith" image).

Bette Midler - she's a viable actress (but I HATED Beaches - sorry - can't get into chick flicks) and funny, but I'm not a fan of her music. She has a beautiful voice, but I don't care for her choice of songs. I also appreciate her social causes.

Mike and the Mechanics - own all the CD's. It's a shame they never got more airplay here. Favorites: All I Need Is A Miracle, Taken In, Silent Running, The Living Years, and Word Of Mouth.

[Kat]

Natalie Merchant - Eh.. No favorites.

Metallica - Was into them in school, but I can't say I listen to 'em much now. Faves: Enter Sandman, For Whom The Bell Tolls

George Michael - When he was big in the 80s and wore the ripped jeans, shaking his tight little as... ok, yeah, I was diggin' it. When he was with Wham!, tooooo goofy but I love watching the videos. *lol* Faves: I Want Your Sex, Father Figure, Freedom, Careless Whisper, Everything She Wants

Bette Midler - While I think she has a great voice, I'm not a big fan, though I do enjoy her earlier stuff. I cannot listen to Wind Beneath My Wings without bawling like a damn baby, either..! Faves: The Rose (sad, but good movie)

Mike and the Mechanics - Memories of a girl who lived next door to my grandparents over 20 years ago, who soon became my very best friend at the time. I miss her. Faves: All I Need Is A Miracle

[kathyb]

Natalie Merchant--I kinda like her songs. I think she's kind of an odd person, though. LOL! Just bought her "Ophelia" CD at a garage sale a week or so ago for a buck. "Kind and Generous" is my favorite song by her. I also like "Jealousy", "Wonder", and "Carnival".

Metallica--I was never big into them, at least not enough to argue whether they sold out or not, but I do enjoy a lot of their songs. And I always thought Lars was pretty cool.

George Michael--Such a cutie! I liked him a lot back in the 80's. Liked him with Wham, liked him as a solo artist. Played the "Faith" album all the time. Loved it! I was sorry to hear of his "incident" in the public restroom, though.

Bette Midler--I've been a big fan...no...make that a HUGE fan of hers since the beginning. I remember seeing her on the Tonight Show--musta been, what? '74, '75? Anyway, she sang "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", and I loved it. I think I have all her albums/CD's, and I'm pretty sure I've seen all her movies. "The Rose" absolutely blew me away. Went to the theater many times to see it. I also loved "Beaches", even though that's normally the type of movie that I avoid. LOL! But...this isn't supposed to be about her movies. She's an incredible singer, and an awesome performer--I'd love to see her live sometime. Faves: Wind Beneath My Wings, The Rose, When a Man Loves a Woman, Hello in There, I Think it's Gonna Rain Today, Friends, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Do You Wanna Dance, One True Friend, In My Life, From a Distance, Beast of Burden...plenty more, but that's enough for now. ;D

Mike and the Mechanics--The Living Years hits just a little too close to home for me, but it's a great song. I also like All I Need is a Miracle. I vaguely remember Silent Running. That's about all I know by them, I guess.

[Camille Noire]

[glow=red,2,300]Natalie Merchant- can't say I have heard anything of hers...so I don't know.

Metallica- I never really got into them...the guy I was dating last year listened to them all the time, but they really weren't my cup of tea.

George Michael- Wham was all right...I never cared much for him though.

Bette Midler- She has a nice voice, but her style isn't really my thing either. She was great in Gypsy, though.

Mike and the Mechanics- all I have heard of theirs is The Living Years, and I really like that song...I'll look in to the other songs that you guys mentioned. [/glow]

[djdave]

Again, not too srong, save one!

Natalie-Nope.

Metallica-Shoulda remained "undergound". Sandman's not too bd.

George micael-YES! And NOT all his male fans are gay OLOL! Faves: Al of them, includg he Wham ones.

BetteMidlr-est likeeher cover of"Bglee Boyy".

Mike/echanics-The hits were good woerfull ebut albm.

[lora]

Sorry it took me so long to respond! I was working on the Relay for Life in my town this weekend. My feet are killing me! I walked 11 and a half miles!

Of course, the only person I'm going to talk about today is Bette Midler! That's gonna be a long enough post without other musicians crowding my space, LOL! I can't really remember when I became a fan of Bette's--doesn't matter I suppose--but my "obsession" with her was pretty bad back in the eighth grade. Every conversation I was involved in had to come back around to Bette somehow, someway. This was the same year that her Bathhouse Betty album came out, and I tried to convince all of my friends to listen to it. I actually did talk one buddy of mine into taking it home and giving it a try--although I missed it so much over that weekend I could hardly stand it! When The First Wives Club came out, I begged my mother to take me to the theater to see it, but she thought it was rated PG-13 and wouldn't let me go (I was ten or eleven at the time). But when it came out to rent I saw it and watched it like three times before we took the movie back. Also, I saw the movie nearly thirty times before I ever owned it and it remains one of my favorite movies of all time, and my absolute favorite comedy. But like Kathy said, this isn't supposed to be a post about her movies. I own all seventeen of Bette's albums and I love them all! Each album is wonderful in its own way, but I especially love her debut, The Divine Miss M, and the soundtracks to Beaches, The Rose, and Divine Madness, Thighs and Whispers, her comedy album Mud Will Be Flung Tonight!, Some People's Lives, Bathhouse Betty, and Bette. Oh, and her greatest hits album is my favorite disc. I'm surprised I haven't worn it out because I've listened to it so much. I had the tape of that album first, and when I finally got a CD player it was the first album I went out and bought for myself. When my only female first cousin was about three, I got her into Bette Midler too. Ha ha. I'm so proud of myself for that. Then she used to call Bette "Bette Mueller". It was cute at the time. She loves From a Distance, so I bought her Bette's greatest hits album. She's listened to the other songs, but she doesn't really pay much attention to them and doesn't know the titles of any of them. By the way, my cousin's six now, so it's not like I'm expecting a three-year-old to memorize song titles or anything. Just the other day, at the Relay for Life, they were doing a special lap for the caregivers of cancer patients and survivors, and they played Wind Beneath My Wings. I almost went into spasms. I have the tendency to do that. You should see me when Bette is on the radio. It's a rare occurence where I live, but it has happened a few times, although it's always either The Rose or Wind Beneath My Wings. I admire Bette not only as a singer, but as an actress and comedienne (she is simply hysterical) and as a mother, nature advocate, and human being. Bette has done so much for New York (she's called the Queen of Composting, and Rosie O'Donnell gave her the title The Queen of All Things) with her New York Restoration Project. Someday when I'm in NYC I plan to volunteer for the NYRP and do my part to help clean up. Bette is such a wonderful person. She's been through so much more than you would think. Of course, I know a lot about Bette, so that's why I know these things. The fact that she has been through all of this and is still (semi) sane proves that she's pretty amazing. Anyway, back to her music. From the videos I've seen and the things I've heard, Bette is a wonderful stage performer. When she goes on tour in the fall, I plan to be there. It has been a dream of mine for years to see her live, so finally getting the opportunity to would make me one of the happiest people in the world. Bette is such an amazing singer. Her voice is so unique, so pure, so...indescribable, really. No one else is like her. Faves - Wow, this is going to be one of the hardest lists I've ever had to make in my entire life. Having all of Bette's albums and being such a huge fan of hers, I don't know if I can choose favorites. Naturally, I love Wind Beneath My Wings, The Rose, and From A Distance, as do most, but there are so many others! Do You Want to Dance, Hello In There, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Friends, Delta Dawn, Skylark, Twisted, Shiver Me Timbers (originally featured on Songs for the New Depression, I prefer her live version from Live at Last), Lullaby of Broadway, Make Yourself Comfortable, You Don't Know Me, Say Goodbye to Hollywood, Storybook Children, Empty Bed Blues, Paradise (originally featured on Broken Blossom, I prefer her live version from Divine Madness), Big Noise From Winnetka, My Knight in Black Leather, Hang On in There Baby, Hurricane, Rain, Married Men, Whose Side Are You On, Midnight in Memphis, Sold My Soul to Rock 'n' Roll, Stay With Me, The Rose, My Mother's Eyes, E Street Shuffle/Summer (The First Time)/Leader of the Pack, Is It Love, Heart Over Head, Beast of Burden, Under the Boardwalk, Wind Beneath My Wings, I Think It's Going to Rain Today, Otto Titsling (!!! Love this one!!!), Oh Industry, One More Round, Night and Day, From a Distance, Moonlight Dancing, He Was Too Good to Me/Since You Stayed Here, All of a Sudden, The Gift of Love, Billy-a-Dick (not a dirty song, I swear!), Stuff Like That There, Come Rain or Come Shine, In My Life, Every Road Leads Back to You, One for My Baby, Some People, Everything's Coming Up Roses, Rose's Turn, I Know This Town, Bottomless, To Deserve You, The Last Time, I Believe In You, Song of Bernadette, I'm Beautiful, Lullaby in Blue, One Monkey Don't Stop No Show, Big Socks (Love this one so so much!), That's How Love Moves (Faith Hill did a version of this on her Breathe album, and it pales in comparison to Bette's!), My One True Friend, That's How Heartaches Are Made, In These Shoes, God Give Me Strength, Love TKO, Moses, Nobody Else But You, Color of Roses, Bless You Child, Heaven. I also love these comedy tracks: anything involving her Sophie Tucker jokes, either on Mud Will Be Flung Tonight! or Live at Last; The Vicki Eydie Show, Fit or Fat/Fat As I Am, Vickie Eydie/I'm Singing Broadway, The Unfettered Boob (which is hilarious!!).

Gee, I hope that wasn't too awfully long or unbearable! Ha ha!

[heyabbott]

Natalie Merchant - liked her with 10,000 Maniacs and also like her solo work. Carnival and Kind and Generous are good tracks.

Metallica - not really into metal so I don't have any faves by them.

George Michael - I actually saw "Wham" in concert back in 1986 I think it was. Most of Michael's solo work sucks in my opinion, but I do like Freedom.

Bette Midler - liked "The Rose" and I think she's a pretty funny lady.

Mike and the Mechanics - I like "Silent Running", but "The Living Years" got way overplayed. I still can't stand listening to it.

[55dodger]

Natalie Merchant - ?

Metallica - I've only recently gotten interested in this band. I avoided loud metal bands from the 80s for a long, long time and it was only after the pop charts got infested with boy bands & ex-mickey mousers, that I turned to listening to the 80s metal bands. What got me interested in Metallica was their cover of Whiskey in a Jar. It's better than Thin Lizzy's version. I heard their new song on the radio last night and it was loud and pretty good. Definately a band I need to investigate further. Favorites: Enter Sandman & Whiskey in a Jar (favorites so far)

George Michael - no comment, no favorites

Bette Midler - Bette wasn't so bad. I got here greatest hits CD. Like most of her stuff. Favorites: The Rose, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, From a Distance, Wind Beneath my Wings.

Mike and the Mechanics - OK group. Only song I really know is All I Need is a Miracle.