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Help me create a 1989 NYC House/Club Music Playlist

Senor Cardgage — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:54:27 -0800

Let's pretend it's 1989 and I'm putting together a playlist of classic NYC Limelight-style club anthems. I want piano drops, I want (not-too-cheezy) diva vocals, I want sweet (read: UNmonotonous) House Music. First of all, I want to thank everyone that participated in my last massive playlist project (http://ask.metafilter.com/121944/In-which-you-help-me-to-compile-the-greatest-Sunny-70s-AM-Radio-Playlist-The-World-Has-Ever-Known) and hope that I can find similar success here.

So then, let's pretend it's 1989 and I'm putting together a playlist of classic NYC Limelight-style club anthems. I want piano drops, I want (not-too-cheezy) diva vocals, I want sweet (read: UNmonotonous) House Music in a Masters at Work kind of vein.

Here's a few tracks to guide the way:
Black Box - Everybody, Everybody (really any Black Box actually)
Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance
Robin S - Show Me Love (yes its '93, but this aint a Civil War re-enactment. Im looking for a VIBE)
Technotronic - Pump Up the Jam
Soul II Soul - Back to Life
Deee Lite - Power of Love

I'll even take some 1991 New Jack flavored stuff like Tara Kemp.

Hopefully this gives you an idea of the feel Im going for.
I was in school in Nebraska at the time, so god knows I probably fudged some genres and descriptors and such, but I think you get the idea.

So lay it on me kids. 88,89,90,91,92,93. It's all good.
I just wanna make a mix that makes me feel like Im dancing on a speaker stack in an oversized BOY London shirt wearing a cycling cap and blowing a whistle to the beat in the late 80s/early 90s.
I know Ive listed the most "pop" stuff, but Im also down for some early rave (think Zoo Rave/Rave til Dawn) tracks as well. Like Army of Lovers, Opus III.

Can anyone help with this?
And as with the last time, links to the mix(es) WILL be made available at the end of this. ;)

Music Videos Featuring Walking or Driving Across the Brooklyn or Manhattan Bridges?

milquetoast — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:30:24 -0800

What music videos feature people standing on, driving across, or (preferably) walking across either the Brooklyn Bridge or the Manhattan Bridge? It's not enough to feature a shot of the bridge from afar; a person or a camera must be physically traveling across it. Any genre, any era. Like: 99 Problems [Jay-Z], BK Anthem [Foxy Brown], Punishment [Biohazard]. Thanks!

Nervous mandolinist looking for the friendliest old-time session in NYC.

nebulawindphone — Sat, 09 May 2009 18:10:40 -0800

Nervous mandolinist looking for the friendliest old-time session in NYC. I'm a pretty good all-around musician, but I'm terrified of playing with other people. I'm an introvert and a huge perfectionist — doing something I'm new at with a group of strangers is just about the worst thing I can imagine. (And playing music with a group is, yeah, something I'm new at. Nice vicious cycle, eh?)

The thing is, I've fallen in love with the mandolin, and playing the mandolin by yourself is one step away from playing the goddamn maracas by yourself. It just doesn't sound right without the rest of the string band. I guess it's time to suck it up and learn to play with others.

So I'm looking for the absolute friendliest, cuddliest, touchy-feeliest most welcoming and least intimidating old-time session in the city of New York. Bonus points if they're convenient to Greenpoint, but I don't mind riding the subway for a while if it means extra friendly. It would be nice, too, if there was a decent core of regulars who weren't absolute beginners, but if loads of experience is incompatible with friendliness, default to friendliness.

Start me (band) up

ocherdraco — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:01:44 -0800

I sing. I don't read music. I don't know musicians who play my kind of music. But I want to be in a band. What do I do? I live in New York City. I sing things like blues, classic country (think Patsy Cline), rockabilly, etc. (If you can imagine Neko Case, Nina Simone, or Etta James singing it, it's probably something I'd like.) Recently, I performed at a cabaret with a couple acquaintances (who aren't available to play with on a regular basis) backing me up on guitar, harmonica, and bass (I posted a recording from our rehearsal on Mefi Music). Performing (and getting a great response from it) reminded me how much I love doing this. I want to have a group to sing with regularly (guitars, bass, drums, etc.) and maybe perform with from time to time, but I've never done this before, and don't know where to start. Mefites, what should I do?

Is it possible to introduce my kid to NYC's musicians?

agentwills — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:46:40 -0800

NYC music filter: How can I find musicians who would be willing to let my kid hang with them? I’ve got a musical eight year old on my hands. I’m in Manhattan, which is an awesome place to raise a musical kid, and I feel like there’s this whole city of possible mentors for him that I just don’t know how to tap into. Other kids his age can’t keep up, and since he’s only 8 years old it’s not like he can go to open mic night. Nothing motivates him like playing with or being around musicians…but where to find them? I think he’d even be happy just sitting in on a rehearsal or something.

Before you file me under “crazy stage mother”, I’m really just looking for opportunities for him to be encouraged and for him to pursue his love of music (plays drums/piano, and composes/writes lyrics). We have a few resources that currently work and some we’ve tapped out, e.g. his school, our church, music camps, and of course his instructors.

I’m looking less for structured lessons (which he does take) and more for inclusion in that atmosphere with people who get him and he can really, really learn from just by being around them. Obviously safety is an issue so random Craigslist postings are completely out of the question.

I'm looking for locations in NYC of iconic album covers.

phirleh — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:04:12 -0800

I'm traveling to NYC soon and I'm looking for locations of where iconic album covers were shot. Paul's Boutique by the Beastie Boys taken at Ludlow and Rivington comes to mind, any others?

What classical music concert should I go to?

eisenkr — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:25:37 -0800

I'm a classical music ignorant who wants to see my first good concert in NYC after many years. There isn't any shortage of concerts here, but its difficult for someone like me to know what to try and mistakes are expensive. I'd like to go sometime in January or February and don't have strong preferences regarding genre or era.

Saks Fifth Ave Christmas Music?

OTA — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:08:54 -0800

Where can I procure a copy of the rendition of Carol of the Bells that Saks Fifth Ave (NYC) has used at their flagship store over the past few years? I'd really like to find a high-quality copy of this. I only want it for personal use, not public performance/rebroadcast/etc, if that helps anything.

Where to buy ska/reggae in NYC?

cyrusdogstar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:02:35 -0800

Where can I get relatively unknown ska/reggae music in New York City (or online)? The specific target of my search right now is a recentish album by a group called the Debonaires (a southern California band formed in the mid 90s, not the 1960s group with the same name). I've had such good luck with finding music on iTunes -- even stuff that's not really mainstream -- that this is the first time I've gotten an earbug that I couldn't immediately buy off the iTMS (boo hoo, I know).

As such, and because I've only lived here for a few years, I'm totally clueless about decent places to physically obtain non-popular music in New York, even though I imagine the place is teeming with indie music stores and the like. Does anyone know of such spots that would carry a decent amount of ska/reggae type music? I'll make the "lol Jamaica, Queens" joke now to get that out of the way.

Alternately, online music stores with a non-terrible ship time (the label for aforementioned album does have it but it's 2-4 weeks ship time) might work.

Underage show attendance in NYC

phrontist — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:27:38 -0800

Is there any chance of a 19 year old male getting in to a club in NYC next Friday? I'd really like to see the Kode9 show next Friday, when I'll be in town for HOPE. I've already purchased tickets, and though there was no warning on the website, it looks like it's 21+.

I don't drink, and coming from seeing shows in DC/Europe it's kind of infuriating that the mere presence of alcohol makes it impossible for me to see this show.

I've encountered two legal situations in the US where this is a problem. The first are areas that rule any establishment deriving Y% of their income from alcohol as a bar, and banning anyone underage from entering a "bar". The second is where liquor licenses are so difficult to keep establishments aren't content with the common solution of marking underage individuals hands (as is the case at almost every venue in DC).

Which category does NYC fall under, and if the latter, is there any conceivable way I could convince these people to let me in? Will they check every ID? Is it worth risking my $10, not refunding the tickets, and just trying to walk in (I'm rarely carded except where it's compulsory).

I work for a college radio station and requesting press credentials has worked in the past, but it's in Kentucky and I doubt a request would carry much weight that far away.

Getting into Studio B

bkudria — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:04:33 -0800

How can an older-than-he-looks 20 year-old guy get into a 21+ music event in Studio B? I'd like to hear some music in Studio B in Brooklyn, but the event is listed as 21+ . I'm 20, but I look older (it's the goatee, I think) - I have no problems getting beers in restaurants and such. Am I likely to get in to Studio B? How can I improve my chances? Or, am I likely to get ID'ed at the door, and refused entry? Any tips? Also, anything else I should know? (I've never been there before).

Rec. Studio in NYC: Records in Logic, gives me the files?

defenestration — Wed, 07 May 2008 09:36:43 -0800

I'm looking for a recording studio in Manhattan or Brooklyn that can record Drums, Standup Bass, and Ukulele (at the same time, not overdubbed), in Logic Studio. I'd then like to have the Logic Project files given to me, so I can work on the rest of the arrangement in my bedroom. I want everything to be recorded properly, by someone who knows what they're doing. I'm not even sure there is a common practice of requesting the project files from the studio, but that'd be extremely important as it'd just the be the basis for the rest of the recording.

A rate on the cheaper side would be nice...

Where can I hear live grime in NYC?

dvjtj — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 18:03:40 -0800

Where can I hear live grime in NYC? I live and work in NYC. Very into electro and grime, especially the underground kind out of the UK and other artists like Shadetek, Wiley, etc. I just want to see DJs and meet people trying to promote this type of music in NYC. What venues / places / nights / etc. exist out there?

Hip-hop stuff to do in NYC

seeminglee — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:12:22 -0800

The 17-year-old son of a friend from Austria is into hip-hop. He'll be visiting NYC on 7-10 December and wants to know how to find out about concerts, venues, etc. Can anybody tell me the relevant websites to send him to?

What to do in NYC?

Slacktastic — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:25:57 -0800

What should I do with 3 days to kill in New York City? I have spent a lot of time in NYC in the past but haven't been there since 1999.
My wife has to be there for training August 13th though 16th and I am going along. We will be staying in Midtown. I will have plenty of time to kill during the day and evenings to go out with my wife.

I will, of course, check out my old hangouts in Midtown, the guitar stores, etc. but I don't know what is currently fun to do. I've been to most of the usual tourist spots

We are interested in seeing local live music in a club setting. Pretty much any kind of music except Jazz (I love it but she doesn't). Also, places for inexpensive, good food, evening entertainment, etc.?

Who does awesome guitar repairs in NYC?

Mikey-San — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 00:21:02 -0800

I own a 50s reissue Stratocaster that I need to get some work done on. It's been in storage (not in a storage locker but someone's house, and not in a garage) for a couple of years, since I moved away from my hometown. Next month I'll be retrieving it. (Yay!) However, I'm not quite sure where to go in NYC to get that work done properly. I don't want my baby screwed up. Details inside. The neck needs to be refretted, and the hardware has a little bit of oxidation/rust that could be removed. I also believe there may be a loose connection with the wiring beneath the pick guard.

The main concern here is some lackey fucking up the neck during refretting, of course, because it's the more complex repair. Who does good work on guitars in NYC? Is there a repair god I should know about? Who should be avoided?

And heck, are there any NYC MeFites who are skilled with this style of repair?

Additionally, I'd rather not replace the entire neck.

Looking for quality goth clubs in NYC

kenoshakid — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 08:06:32 -0800

Looking for quality goth clubs in NYC, or clubs in NYC with a quality goth night.

Who was this singer I saw on the TV in Steve and Barry's?

4ster — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 19:20:00 -0800

I was in a Steve and Barry's store today, and saw pretty cool music video, and now I can't remember who is artist is. It was a dark-haired female vocalist, whose first name I believe was Kaern or Kaeren or Karyn. In the video, she was in a snowy park in what appeared to be NYC. Any ideas?

NYC subway station where Michael Jackson's "Bad" video was shot?

MaudB — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 01:58:03 -0800

I just watched the Scorsese-directed, 17-minute video for Michael Jackson's Bad, released on 1987, and I'm trying to figure out which subway station it was shot in. Most stations looked different back then, of course - there's been a lot of fixing up and adding of art since then. It looks like maybe it could be the 2nd Ave F stop, but it could also be the Broadway/Roosevelt/74th St multi-train express stop in Jackson Heights, Queens. Or.... where? Does anyone know? I haven't been successful finding anything about it via web searching.

How do I find live music by up-and-coming bands in my area (NYC)?

kenzi23 — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 22:40:57 -0800

How do I find live music by up-and-coming bands in my area (NYC)? I'm getting interested in some indie bands and want to see them play, but they have already gotten big and are playing only in bigger venues. How do I find bands before they get big in small venues for not much money? And specifically how can I find bands of a particular type and where they are playing locally?

More specifically I'm interested in bands like the Arctic Monkeys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Maximo Park, Editors, Kaiser Chiefs etc. The are bands that don't really fit any particular category so it's hard to search by category, but if I can find a website that can help me find similar bands playing locally, that would be great! I am in the NYC area.

Help Me Break a Band in the NYC Press

raconteur — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 23:04:23 -0800

My question is pretty specific. I'm a freelance writer. I have zero clips. I'm trying like hell to get noticed, but it's tough. I like to write about a wide variety of things (which may be part of the problem), but one in particular is music. There's a small band coming through NYC soon, and I want nothing more than to break them in print or web. They're playing a well-known and respected venue next month. Why do I think I'm worthy of doing this? I have good taste in music. I have listened to many of the small indie bands that have become big bands well before they were discovered. I am usually the one passing around CDs and MP3s to friends looking for the next new sound. The band I'm talking about is really great. They're never going to be Bloc Party, but they will have a big future, and from having met them, I know they are serious about succeeding. They actually played a biggish music fest on the east coast recently, and I can tell that word is seeping out.

To put it even more bluntly-- I'm sitting on a story here. I want to get it out, and I want to get some credit for it. Help.

I've got a lot of pent up drumming. Where can I release it by the hour in Manhattan?

jeffxl — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 10:06:35 -0800

Where can I rent a room and a drum set by the hour in Manhattan? I'm looking to play the drums regularly again. I used to do this when I lived in Minneapolis quite easily since owning a drumset/affording a personal studio were all non-issues. Here in the land of small apartments and big bucks, doing the same thing isn't possible.

So I'm looking to re-create my previous situation, only without the owning part, and now by the hour. Manhattan would be best, specifically the UWS or Midtown, but I'd be willing to consider other options.

So do any of you mefites know of any great places that offer such a service? Playing a drum set that hasn't recently been beaten by wild chimpanzees is a huge bonus (read: not a piece of shit).

Sub question: Do I have to bring my own cymbals, or is everything provided?

Anyone go to CMJ? What was good? What was bad? Are there any good reviews online?

dobbs — Sun, 17 Oct 2004 11:07:10 -0800

Anyone go to CMJ? I'm curious what the best (and worst) things you saw were. In addition, any good place online to read reviews and whatnot?