STEWART COPELAND

Rather than change the subject of another thread, I thought I should start a new one. Chris said

[quote="jedsoon"]
Does Stewart have music available on itunes? As in stuff that isn't available elsewhere? I would check myself, and will when i can get to a fast connection, but forget dialup. I just gave the site a good 15-20 minutes to load and it's still a no-go.

But i won't have hi-speed access until tomorrow or the next day. Enquiring minds want to know NOW![/quote]

I transcribed the quote that I was referring to cuz I wanted to make sure to get it right. Toward the very end of the Mac OS X Conference interview (posted in Links), someone asked a question about how SC thought the iPod may have changed how he looks at music. The really relevant part is in the middle, but here's the whole quote in context so that it makes more sense.

SC’s answer:
“I think the main effect is in selling and marketing music rather than in the creation of music. I cannot see yet how it affects making music other than . . . that I think the breakthrough for creating music is not so much the iPod itself as much as the iMusic Store where the access to music is . . . [b]You know, like I make obscure records, and I can’t get shelf space for my records because they’re busy selling Madonna albums and Sting albums and Police albums for that matter. To get my little solo album which is some obscure thing only 10,000 people might be interested in, but I can’t even get it into the stores. With the internet availability of music, that means that artists, obscure artists like myself -- now all 50 of those people who could give a shit can get my record. That makes it . . . That empowers me to make that obscure music.[/b] And so that’ll affect how music is made. So it’s actually the iStore that will probably have a bigger effect on the making of music . . ."

One could easily extend "iMusic Store" to other online vendors like Amazon, etc., places where someone might find, say, La Notte Della Taranta or The Leopard Son.

You know way more about Stewart's ouevre than I do, so I'm not sure if anything on iTunes would be especially obscure to you. But if it helps, here's what I can find on iTunes (search term: Stewart Copeland, more obscure listed first):

*"Sparky's Flaw," album: One Small Step E.P.
*a few songs done by Henry Padovani, SC, and Sting, album: either Welcome Home or A croire que c'etait pour la vie (different info in different listings)
*"Mellow Yellow" (featuring SC) by Vinx, album: The Mood I'm In

plus songs from:
Rumble Fish ST
Message in a Box
Boys and Girls ST
Pecker ST
Orchestralli
The Leopard Son ST
La Notte Della Taranta
Highlander ST

It's too bad that there aren't more out-of-print items like The Rhythmatist, Klark Kent, etc.

Mad props!! Thanks for being so considerate and thorough.

There's probably a cornucopia of info just waiting to be unearthed (by me, anyway) in the links section. Due to the dialup thing i have to pick and choose when to check out audio and video links, and so often i just forget about it when i get the chance.

I've collected Stewart's work for close to twenty years. As you may have guessed, i have all the albums you list as being represented on itunes, save for the obscure exceptions you point out. But i'm convinced that my immense collection still represents only the tip of the iceberg to what is out there predominantly in the way of scores.

At some point, i may decide to just start collecting the movies themselves, since it seems more and more unlikely that i'll get my hands on that material in any other way. But it sorta irks me to have to go that route, as there's no way the music will be as satisfying being buried under all that dialogue and sound effects.

I'm in the same camp of making it all downloadable, especially OOPs. Even if i prefer actual CD releases, that's the only way most people would be likely to enjoy some of this material!

Thanks again!

Anytime! Glad to help!

[quote="jedsoon"]Due to the dialup thing i have to pick and choose when to check out audio and video links, and so often i just forget about it when i get the chance.
[/quote]

Cheap DSL will change your life. We've got Verizon -- which sucks -- but it's cheap and still 100x better than dialup.

If you like, I can always burn some stuff onto a CD for you and snail mail it.

[quote="jedsoon"]
I've collected Stewart's work for close to twenty years. As you may have guessed, i have all the albums you list as being represented on itunes, save for the obscure exceptions you point out.
[/quote]

Exactly as I expected. I figured that if [i]I've[/i] heard of it, then you've already got it five times over.

[quote="jedsoon"]
But i'm convinced that my immense collection still represents only the tip of the iceberg to what is out there predominantly in the way of scores.
[/quote]

It really is hard to come up with a definitive list, isn't it? Even with the wonderfully detailed discography here on SC.net. And then there are the really obvious ones that you would expect to find (like SC on Peter Gabriel's [i]So[/i]) that don't pop up.

[quote="jedsoon"]
At some point, i may decide to just start collecting the movies themselves, since it seems more and more unlikely that i'll get my hands on that material in any other way. But it sorta irks me to have to go that route, as there's no way the music will be as satisfying being buried under all that dialogue and sound effects.
[/quote]

It is an unsavory prospect, though hubby and I have both done it. Another way to go -- albeit a time-consuming one -- is scouring old libraries. University libraries, especially ones with a music school, can sometimes bear fruit. And rare gems can sometimes be found in old public and community libraries that don't cull often.


[quote="jedsoon"]
I'm in the same camp of making it all downloadable, especially OOPs. Even if i prefer actual CD releases, that's the only way most people would be likely to enjoy some of this material!
[/quote]

Agreed. I just spent waaaay too much on a Rhythmatist CD because I don't have a working record player and my scratchy tape of the LP finally broke. Much as I prefer that physical product as well, I'd have been happy to spend less thru iTunes. Not to mention that I'd feel much happier knowing that SC was getting paid for his work rather than all the $ going to a reseller.

Plus, when there is one song or one composition by SC on an album, it's nice to have the option to not have to buy the whole thing.

PS -- I just realized that I screwed up on the Padovani listing. It's not various songs, but (what looks like) 3 different versions of the one song "Welcome Home."

PPS -- Egads. Sparky's Flaw isn't a song -- it's a band. The SONG is called "Stewart Copeland." I think that deserves its own thread somehow.

Cheap DSL still doesn't beat *free* dialup I'm really supposed to be using my home comp for music and video editing. If i had a fast connection here i'd never get anything done! I've got a very addictive personality and i'm pretty consumed by the internet already. It's good that i have some limits.

Thanks for the offer to share-- i could go for that Vinx song. I gave Welcome Home a listen the other day and it wasn't my cup of tea. And i really know nothing about Sparky's Flaw yet except that we share the same heroes!

[quote]
Exactly as I expected. I figured that if [i]I've[/i] heard of it, then you've already got it five times over.
[/quote]

It sounds like my reputation precedes me!

The only CD release i'm aware of that still eludes me is From Rumblefish to Gridlok'd, about half of which is previously unreleased elsewhere. My understanding is that it was some sort of fan club-only type release that happened around ten years ago. I think Conroy might know a bit more about its origiins. Divemistress and i only half jokingly once discussed going halfsies on it on this very board a few months back. I finally did break myself of buying entire albums just for the one Stew song it included, so there may be a couple of those floating around as well.

I'm also trying to track down a live recording of the Rhythmatist concert. I located a source, here's hoping he comes thru (he's probably reading this post)....

Stewart also co-wrote Across The River, another PG tune which popped up as a b-side during the So era. Yeah, i've got it...

It hadn't occurred to me to just rent some of these flicks and just strip them of whatever music i can find. I created my own soundtrack from The First Power that way.

Yeah, it chafes my ass when somebody asks me to pony up dinero for some contraband Stewart product, which i've had to do on occasion. Not that i mind paying for it, but these selfish dweebs purporting to be fans are little more than opportunistic profiteers. I say this even tho i would have paid twice what i gave for those materials, and would gladly re-purchase them if they saw an official release. I know Stew isn't exactly hurting for cash, but still...

[quote="jedsoon"]Cheap DSL still doesn't beat *free* dialup
[/quote]

A-ha! Touche.

[quote="jedsoon"]
I've got a very addictive personality and i'm pretty consumed by the internet already. It's good that i have some limits.
[/quote]

In that case, cheap DSL will ruin your life. Dial-up is da bomb.

[quote="jedsoon"]
Thanks for the offer to share-- i could go for that Vinx song. I gave Welcome Home a listen the other day and it wasn't my cup of tea.
[/quote]

I liked the music of "Welcome Home," but it turned sour for me when Padovani started, well, singing. (Sorry, Henry.) If I could find it as an instrumental, however, I'd be all over it.

Check through the Links and feel free to email me a list of stuff you'd like to hear/see but can't get at. Because I should be working on a deadline, I can't sit down and burn stuff for a couple of weeks -- but once I've got more time, I'd be happy to send you some stuff. Just about anything downloadable is burnable.

[quote="jedsoon"]
The only CD release i'm aware of that still eludes me is From Rumblefish to Gridlok'd, about half of which is previously unreleased elsewhere. My understanding is that it was some sort of fan club-only type release that happened around ten years ago.
[/quote]

That would explain why I've heard of it so many times but have never once seen it anywhere.

[quote="jedsoon"]
I'm also trying to track down a live recording of the Rhythmatist concert. I located a source, here's hoping he comes thru (he's probably reading this post)....
[/quote]

Oh, man -- if I could jump on that bandwagon, I'd be forever greatful to you (and your source). That's absolutely worth its weight in gold.

[quote="jedsoon"]
Stewart also co-wrote Across The River, another PG tune which popped up as a b-side during the So era. Yeah, i've got it...
[/quote]

Did he really? I vaguely remember that song somehow, but I'm not sure why.

[quote="jedsoon"]
It hadn't occurred to me to just rent some of these flicks and just strip them of whatever music i can find.
[/quote]

It's a desperation solution. Particularly, as you said, because of dialogue and sound FX getting in the way. Plus, after listening enough times, you start to memorize all that dialogue and sound FX, which is really annoying.

[quote="jedsoon"]
Yeah, it chafes my ass when somebody asks me to pony up dinero for some contraband Stewart product, which i've had to do on occasion. Not that i mind paying for it, but these selfish dweebs purporting to be fans are little more than opportunistic profiteers. I say this even tho i would have paid twice what i gave for those materials, and would gladly re-purchase them if they saw an official release. I know Stew isn't exactly hurting for cash, but still...[/quote]

Yeah. I understand the whole supply-demand situation: people will charge whatever they can get away with, and I understand that since I'm willing to pony up some $ for certain things. But -- in an ideal situation -- I would much rather know that I'm giving Stewart his royalties. Not only to help pay for his ivory tower , but because it's a verifiable pointer toward his success, a tangible thing that he or his manager could point to and say, "X units sold" as a bargaining chip for being able to do various (and obscure) projects.

[quote]But -- in an ideal situation -- I would much rather know that I'm giving Stewart his royalties. Not only to help pay for his ivory tower , but because it's a verifiable pointer toward his success, a tangible thing that he or his manager could point to and say, "X units sold" as a bargaining chip for being able to do various (and obscure) projects.[/quote]

Yeah. That's one reason I'm happy The Police are back together for the nonce...potentially a higher profile for Stewart and Andy's work. Although I do have to say I think both of them have something of a love-hate relationship with the whole celebrity thing.

Email sent. I do have some broadband alternatives. In fact, i'm building my own database of Stewart-related links:

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea ... dba8b7bbf8

Right now it's just videos, tho it could just as easily include text interviews as well. I'm mostly looking to fill it with links to Stewart Copeland videos on the 'net. Some Police stuff may pop up in there too, but it'll definitely maintain a Stew-centric focus. Anybody with a link feel free to email it to me at jedsoon@hotmail.com or hit me up thru the myspace page.

I'll def. get you that Rhythmatist concert if i manage to secure it myself. You may have heard Across The River on PG's live album. I think he even mentions Stewart's name when he introduces the song.

In a perfect world. a rejuvnated Polcie would stimulate more general interest in Stewart's multi-layered career and voluminous output over the last two decades. But sometimes even he doesn't seem to acknowledge it. I was flabbergasted to hear him say he didn't play for ten years after the breakup. That seems to totally dismiss both The Rhythmatist and Animal Logic, both of which occurred in that time frame. Who knows, maybe he's ready to move on from it himself!

I think I've got a few things bookmarked that you'd like to add, Chris. In a couple weeks, if I forget, kick me in the head and remind me. I love that bit about Spyro.

PG LIVE! Thank you! That was really bugging me. I don't know how I forgot that connection.

[quote="Divemistress of the Dark"]
Yeah. That's one reason I'm happy The Police are back together for the nonce...potentially a higher profile for Stewart and Andy's work. Although I do have to say I think both of them have something of a love-hate relationship with the whole celebrity thing.[/quote]

[quote="jedsoon"]Stewart's multi-layered career and voluminous output over the last two decades. But sometimes even he doesn't seem to acknowledge it[/quote]

Agreed with you both. In that OS X interview (I don't have it memorized -- I just happened to hear it for the first time last weekend), the moderator mentions that Stewart has done something like 70 soundtracks and SC answered something like, "Really? That many?"

I think the timing of Andy's new photography book will be especially primo. Sting and Andy's autobios got the ball rolling, but ES:TPIO seems to really have opened a door to a lot of spotlight and opportunity for The Big Three.

PS -- Props for the word "nonce," DM. I love that word.

Okay, i just added a link to the Mac OS X interview in my blog. I really love how he can enthusiastically endorse the use of technology to create new kinds of music and simultaneously bemoan tech's contribution to the diminished presence of the live virtuoso player. Classic Stew, fascinating stuff! I really appreciate the heads up.

Yeah, i agree that Everyone Stares had a big hand in jumpstarting the reunion, for which i'm grateful. But at the same time *i* can bemoan that because it's going to at the very least delay Stewart's other film ambitions!

Heh. I had a feeling you'd enjoy that OS X interview.

And have patience, young Jedi -- this is Stewart Copeland. Stewart Copeland can produce a film just by blinking. There. He just did. There. He did it again.

"Your focus determines your reality"

All Star Wars chatter on a Stew C messageboard is completely on topic! He did the score for Droids and Ewoks cartoons, after all...

I should stay focused on Bonnaroo!

*cough* I should never have said the Jedi thing. I blame myself.

Like I said, I'd love to get my hands on a live Rhythmatist performance. If your Mr. or Ms. X wouldn't mind dropping me a line, I'd be happy to cover the cost of postage and blank media. It must have been incredible live, particularly if the pieces were expanded in any way.

Question: do you know if the music from the Vault is archived anywhere? I never had the foresight to record them in the past, and I'm wondering if they are available in any form.