Re: Amateur Hour

Philip Cohen (DIGIT323@worldnet.att.net)
Fri, 4 Jul 1997 17:15:00 -0400


So.... How'd it go? Did they learn anything, or did they request Madonna's
super-mega-houze-MAW-remix _Evita_ track?

We have a sign up at our club at the booth entrance which reads:
THE ONLY REQUEST THE DEEJAY TAKES IS TO TURN IT UP!

I wanted to finish it with - THIS ISN'T A WEDDING, PROM, OR A BAR-MITZVAH,
YA KNOW! I was told that this is a negative vibe. I hear that!

P's-out

Digit / Boston

P.S. No offense intended to those who want to be married, those in high
school, and those of the Jewish faith (I'm one too)
----------
> From: Michael F. Grafe <mgrafe@int1.mhrcc.org>
> To: AJ List <acid-jazz@ucsd.edu>
> Subject: Amateur Hour
> Date: Thursday, June 26, 1997 2:50 AM
>
> Here's a scenario:
>
> 1. Rural upstate NY community, primarily middle class white bread
> population with some hispanic and black representation (no slurs
> intended). About two hundred 15 to 18 year-old students will attend
> the PTO sponsored "Senior Celebration", an all night drug and
> alcohol free graduation party at the high school this Saturday. A
> local "Macarena and Prizes" (Acid What?) DJ has been hired and a
> student rock band will play bad Pink Floyd covers.
>
> 2. I volunteered to set up a fairly powerful home system in a corner
> of the cafeteria and provide background and "in between" sets of
> music. Tentative playlist: Maxwell, Erykah Badu, 9Lazy9, Incognito,
> some Five Star/Shadow/Ninja stuff, Quiet Boys, M People, Nuyorican
> Soul, CFM Band, Marden Hill, Brooklyn Funk Essentials, Groove
> Collective, select Hip/Tr*p Hop, and cuts from some Instinct comps.
> A very small contingent of kids, and one adult that I now of, know
> that this music even exists. I have a minor clue as to what the rest
> listen to: 311, No Doubt, Gangsta Rap, overproduced R&B,
> Industrial/Metal and maybe some Techno. My goal is to hopefully open
> some ears and minds, perhaps recruit some converts, and have some
> fun watching the reactions. I'm also eager to check out the
> chaperone's response to this stuff. Should be interesting.
>
> 3. With a couple more shopping days left I thought I would solicit
> your global opinions on some cuts that might grab the attention of
> such a crowd. Looking for some on the dance side but more on the 4AM
> schmoove and/or atmospheric tip. Mind you, my sources are restricted
> to mall type stores and two regional Rhino Records shops with an OK
> but limited selection. Thanks very much in advance for your
> suggestions. I'll post some results after the event.
>
> Mike G
>