The Criterion Collection

[*DrStrangelove*]

You really need to check out Phil Ochs, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, The Chad Mitchell Trio, Joan Baez, Tim Buckley, Cat Stevens, Tim Hardin, and Harry Belafonte. Bob's not that great in comparison.

Also, I know the Monkees had schlocky garbage, however, people still write them off all too readily. They weren't the only ones using session musicians, they were the only ones upfront about it.[/QUOTE]

I have heard/like Cat Stevens, Joan Baez, and Woody Guthrie. I still perfer Bob Dylan. And yea I know Guthrie was a huuge inspiration to Dylan. I love all of Dylans work, not just the folk stuff. So from a folk music stand point, maybe Baez and Guthrie were better artist but Dylan didn't just play folk music.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by octagon

Get 'em both. And grab The Conversation while Best Buy has it for $5.99 while you're at it.

Yeah...Apocalypse for $27 is a temptation...I have them holding a copy for me to ponder. But I already bought "All Quiet..." on Thursday, The Godfather today and I have "Anatomy" and "World" coming on Tuesday, plus 3 more packages from MoC shortly after that plus an Ozu set from BFI (Silent Comedies) as well. My wife will cut open my head and eat my brains if I buy much more...

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by *DrStrangelove*

I have heard/like Cat Stevens, Joan Baez, and Woody Guthrie. I still perfer Bob Dylan. And yea I know Guthrie was a huuge inspiration to Dylan. I love all of Dylans work, not just the folk stuff. So from a folk music stand point, maybe Baez and Guthrie were better artist but Dylan didn't just play folk music.

I wasn't even talking about their musical capabilities.

Also, don't get me started on Bob reinventing himself. A lot of people give Madonna crap for that, but Bob's just as bad. Bob's a bit of a hypocrite as well. I have no issues with you liking him, because, hey, a lot of people worship him, but I personally prefer Phil Ochs and Pete Seeger, who actually were out there trying to make changes, rather than them singing about it "blowing in the wind."

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I am envious of you. From what I read, Pete is still as politically active as he was back 70 years ago. It's going to be a sad day when he passes.

My favourite is The Door into Summer. I agree with you about Phil, Pete, and Woody, Bob Dylan may have written a few good songs, but compared to them, he's nothing special.

You really need to check out Phil Ochs, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, The Chad Mitchell Trio, Joan Baez, Tim Buckley, Cat Stevens, Tim Hardin, and Harry Belafonte. Bob's not that great in comparison.

Also, I know the Monkees had schlocky garbage, however, people still write them off all too readily. They weren't the only ones using session musicians, they were the only ones upfront about it.

Dylan is certainly a lightning rod and has plenty of mediocre work to point at but he has written some amazing stuff in each of the last decades and has on occasion demonstrated excellent, if rough vocals. Those who dislike him can toss out the word poseur as easily as devotees can use the word chameleon. I'd argue both are hyperbole.

All the artists you list of artists are excellent, but they are from multiple alternate schools of songwriting and eras, so hard to contrast. While I'm glad James Taylor didn't rear his head on there, Joni Mitchell should probably be included. And for my money John Prine and Townes Van Zandt are probably tops.

Returning to the Monkees, my favorite song of theirs is "As We Go Along" from Head. I'm still upset the instrumental version of this Carole King song (featuring Neil Young and Ry Cooder) was only made available on a limited edition 45 a year or two ago (just as irritating as Cat Stevens' Harold and Maude's extremely limited vinyl-only official soundtrack with some of its exclusive instrumentals). Other favorites are "Goin' Down" and "Zor and Zam" (both written by them, I believe) and their a capella "Riu Chiu."

Now, back to Criterion... where's my Criterion Eat the Document and Renaldo and Clara so there can be a NEW worst Criterion ever?!

[octagon]

Originally Posted by rkish

Yeah...Apocalypse for $27 is a temptation...I have them holding a copy for me to ponder. But I already bought "All Quiet..." on Thursday, The Godfather today and I have "Anatomy" and "World" coming on Tuesday, plus 3 more packages from MoC shortly after that plus an Ozu set from BFI (Silent Comedies) as well. My wife will cut open my head and eat my brains if I buy much more...

She's bluffing. And if she's not, well, you'll never know. The soup will taste a little odd one night and that will be that.

[*DrStrangelove*]

In other news,

I just received my Valentines day order! Belle de Jour and Three Outlaw Samurai. Now to decide what to watch first!

[EnigmaticWarrior]

Over at Facebook.

Originally Posted by The Criterion Collection

We're working on the schedule again... Which Criterion DVDs would you most like to see upgraded to Blu-ray?

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I wasn't even talking about their musical capabilities.

Also, don't get me started on Bob reinventing himself. A lot of people give Madonna crap for that, but Bob's just as bad. Bob's a bit of a hypocrite as well. I have no issues with you liking him, because, hey, a lot of people worship him, but I personally prefer Phil Ochs and Pete Seeger, who actually were out there trying to make changes, rather than them singing about it "blowing in the wind."

Dylan got a lot of crap as well when he came out with his electric guitar. Why do you call him a hypocrite?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

Dylan is certainly a lightning rod and has plenty of mediocre work to point at but he has written some amazing stuff in each of the last decades and has on occasion demonstrated excellent, if rough vocals. Those who dislike him can toss out the word poseur as easily as devotees can use the word chameleon. I'd argue both are hyperbole.

All the artists you list of artists are excellent, but they are from multiple alternate schools of songwriting and eras, so hard to contrast. While I'm glad James Taylor didn't rear his head on there, Joni Mitchell should probably be included. And for my money John Prine and Townes Van Zandt are probably tops.

Returning to the Monkees, my favorite song of theirs is "As We Go Along" from Head. I'm still upset the instrumental version of this Carole King song (featuring Neil Young and Ry Cooder) was only made available on a limited edition 45 a year or two ago (just as irritating as Cat Stevens' Harold and Maude's extremely limited vinyl-only official soundtrack with some of its exclusive instrumentals). Other favorites are "Goin' Down" and "Zor and Zam" (both written by them, I believe) and their a capella "Riu Chiu."

I love Joni, and am kicking myself for forgetting her. I'm also quite partial to Judy Collins, Gordon Lightfoot, Ian and Sylvia, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen. She and Neil Young were also pals before they both became famous.

I do enjoy Bob Dylan to a certain degree, despite my poseur comments. I just feel that he is overrated and put upon a pedestal, when there were other artists who were just as good, and in many cases, better, who are overlooked because of Bob.

James Taylor is ok, but I can't say I'm a huge fan of him. Carol King, however, is a pretty fantastic songwriter. I'd rank Neil Diamond up there too.

Great picks for Monkees songs! Riu Chiu is a bit unique, as on the actual recorded version, Davy didn't participate, Chip Douglas of The Turtles did. Davy was only on the TV show version.

[*DrStrangelove*]

Originally Posted by EnigmaticWarrior

Over at Facebook.

The funny thing is, everyone gave CC crap for not releasing Gold Rush (or any Chaplin) on FB yet most of the comments are request for In the Mood for Love and Andrei Rublev.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by rkish

Going slightly OT...I was able to pick up a classic boxset that had dropped to a very decent price.

B & N had a "The Godfather" Coppola Restoration (the 4 disc) blu listing at $57.99 with a 40% discount sticker on the box. Factor in my 10% members discount and a Valentine's Day 20% coup...the price including tax was $27. I couldn't pass that up...the last time I saw it that close was a Black Friday sale online for $30 sans tax.

The only other hook today was the "Apocalypse Now" Ultimate (3 disc) for about the same price, but disc-wise The Godfather was a better deal and the Apocalypse Now can be had on Amazon at a slightly better price...but the weekend is young!

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it, but the Full Disclosure Apocalypse Now set is $24.99 on Amazon. It saves you tax too, unless you live in one of the taxed states.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by blkhrt

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it, but the Full Disclosure Apocalypse Now set is $24.99 on Amazon. It saves you tax too, unless you live in one of the taxed states.

Yes...thanks...that was one reason for holding off on it at B & N...at least for today. I have the Amazon scenario as a backup.

Unfortunately, New York State does the tax thing by County. Dutchess County is 8.25% or thereabouts...

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I love Joni, and am kicking myself for forgetting her. I'm also quite partial to Judy Collins, Gordon Lightfoot, Ian and Sylvia, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen. She and Neil Young were also pals before they both became famous.

I do enjoy Bob Dylan to a certain degree, despite my poseur comments. I just feel that he is overrated and put upon a pedestal, when there were other artists who were just as good, and in many cases, better, who are overlooked because of Bob.

James Taylor is ok, but I can't say I'm a huge fan of him. Carol King, however, is a pretty fantastic songwriter. I'd rank Neil Diamond up there too.

Great picks for Monkees songs! Riu Chiu is a bit unique, as on the actual recorded version, Davy didn't participate, Chip Douglas of The Turtles did. Davy was only on the TV show version.

Now I'm kicking myself for forgetting Leonard Cohen. His new album is worth checking out and I finally picked up his live Blu from 2010. Gotta put it in for a gravelly spin.

Just to be unfairly snarky, James Taylor's greatest contribution to music was inspiring (along with Patti Harrison) The Beatles' "Something." I'm also not a fan of Judy Collins' more mannered or operatic style.

Dylan is simultaneously over- and underrated (just like the Beatles, Star Wars or any "canonized" pop culture). Carol King and Neil Diamond are great crossover stories from the Tin Pan Alley/Brill Building era.

Thanks for the Monkees trivia. Didn't know that! Since I'm no Davy fan, I take that as good news -- with him it'd have been schmaltzy Then again, when I saw them at the Beacon Theatre last year they were all in schmaltz mode.

[blkhrt]

Originally Posted by rkish

Yes...thanks...that was one reason for holding off on it at B & N...at least for today. I have the Amazon scenario as a backup.

Unfortunately, New York State does the tax thing by County. Dutchess County is 8.25% or thereabouts...

Wow, that's rough. I feel spoiled not paying tax on amazon, although I will admit that I will often go to a local store if the price is comparable, and pay tax that way.

[DetroitSquirreL]

[rock, stone]

Criticizing Dylan for being less political that Pete Seeger (et al) is like saying he wasn't as good at accordion as Buckwheat Zydeco. The trouble was that Dylan was so good and revolutionary a songwriter that he (almost casually) wrote songs that embodied the zeitgeist and rage that no other folkie, young or old, could challenge. The Left elected Dylan their messiah, but he never asked for it and resented it more than anything.

Dylan was not a hypocrite any more than he was a politician. He was doing his thing. Condemn him for all the songs he stole, if you need to condemn him.

Oh, if we are naming favorite Monkees songs, I go for Never Tell a Woman Yes. Also, their version of Angel Band is excellent.

[P@t_Mtl]

I walked into the Woodstock thread by mistake

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by DetroitSquirreL

Your emoticon and your avatar are sending me mixed messages!

Originally Posted by rock, stone

Criticizing Dylan for being less political that Pete Seeger (et al) is like saying he wasn't as good at accordion as Buckwheat Zydeco. The trouble was that Dylan was so good and revolutionary a songwriter that he (almost casually) wrote songs that embodied the zeitgeist and rage that no other folkie, young or old, could challenge. The Left elected Dylan their messiah, but he never asked for it and resented it more than anything.

Dylan was not a hypocrite any more than he was a politician. He was doing his thing. Condemn him for all the songs he stole, if you need to condemn him.

Oh, if we are naming favorite Monkees songs, I go for Never Tell a Woman Yes. Also, their version of Angel Band is excellent.

I like your post and agree on the music front pretty completely. As to his hypocrisy, I've personally moved past that accusation and drawn the conclusion after lots of reading and listening that Dylan's basically a self-serving prick (so your comparison to a politician is an apt one, but at least Dylan has talent and has given something to society!). Despite that, he is still my favorite musician for his breadth and depth; I don't think any other musician has had more impact directly or indirectly on my tastes. That said, I have no problem who dislikes him or his music (unless they're doing it as poseurs)

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

It's a price-match of B&N's Oscar sale. I got it for $20 shipped from them last week (coupon + membership). Nice deal either way.

You Sir...are a bad influence!

Ya got me to check B & N price online. $19.99 from their website plus a 20% off code making it $17.29 (NYS tax) with free shipping. $10 cheaper than doing it in store. I had to jump on that, as it will likely go up in price at one point. Now I just have to be patient with Citizen Kane...

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by EnigmaticWarrior

Over at Facebook.

If the Antonioni films doesn't come from this..................