My acoustic gig last weekend reviewed in the local college newspaper....

[guitar george]

Congratulations Ruppster, you did a great job! This comment alone should make you very pleased: "Rupp was a fine-aged bourbon to perfectly suit the mood for a Saturday night spent at Dave’s". Can't get much better than that.

[cotten]

Let me try to summarize that article in one sentence: It was nothing spectacular, just perfect.

Not all critics are created equal.

cotten

[HodgdonExtreme]

Originally Posted by AgentKooper

“Unlike some other music writers I have read, like Lester Bangs, or Peter Guralnick, Leah Worley was not particularly astounding. She did not have a unique style or perspective to be showcased or drooled over. Her writing did not make any particular impression or demand to be seen in wider publication. I doubt she would make it to the big leagues, and these factors do kind take away from the quality of the criticism.”

Thank you for this!

By the way, Ruppster, that review would entice me to go enjoy the atmosphere you created. Great job!

[Ruppster]

Thanks for the observations folks. I really don't feel any animosity toward the writer. She is young and just finding her writing voice. Glad there are still some young people interested in journalism. I did find the piece funny and my immediate and musical families are giving me lots of good natured ribbing.

I am forming a new band though...Captain Khaki and the Shades of Beige. I am envisioning something in same vein as Bread but not quite so heavy....

Anyone interested?

[frankmcr]

Originally Posted by Ruppster

Thanks for the observations folks. I really don't feel any animosity toward the writer. She is young and just finding her writing voice. Glad there are still some young people interested in journalism. I did find the piece funny and my immediate and musical families are giving me lots of good natured ribbing.

I am forming a new band though...Captain Khaki and the Shades of Beige. I am envisioning something in same vein as Bread but not quite so heavy....

Anyone interested?

That's the right attitude.

And hey, she did provide you with a great pull quote for your future publicity releases:

Critics say: "NOT PARTICULARLY ASTOUNDING"!!!

[RussL30]

If you play at any establishments on Fridays and Saturdays after a baseball or football game I’d definitely like to give you a listen sometime. I always go and find something local in Starkville that’s good to eat and drink after games.

[Mbroady]

I think there were some positive takeaways from the article as well as some points to consider On how to transcend some of the pleasantly stated negatives.

How does one become bigger then life. Hard to do In A cover gig unless you radically change the vibe of the songs and make them your own

[fazool]

Originally Posted by Ruppster

Did we read the same article?? I found it amusing because of how lame she found my music. I say that with no malice toward her, my teenage daughters thought it was pretty funny.

So I can see how the beginning might have felt critical. But that was more her premise. I got the sense it was a very complimentary review.

My take-away was that the performance isn't going to be a pop-radio superstar but it wasn't supposed to be.

she wrote:

everything you would want to hear in the moment.

just play wholesome, good music to set the vibe.

soak in warm acoustic bliss

When those moments come, Rupp is one to listen to.

So, in this moment her review is one, away from the clamoring for superstardom and you need to soak in the moment of positivity.

Look up the Danish phrase hygge

[Methos1979]

As someone who covered the local music scene for a real newspaper, I got the same impression as you did, Rupp. Her writing is extremely poor and her article would not have been printed in our paper. But it's a college paper and she's likely just a college kid that's doing it for fun or extra credit.

She was attempting to thread the needle at saying basically that you are okay for people that really don't have any musical taste (like herself) but since she was assigned this piece against her will and still had to get the article in she'll deliver just enough backhanded compliments while ensuring her readership (a bunch of other like-minded kids) that she's cool and likes cool music.

Btw - never heard of any of those bands she mentioned. Like someone else stated, this write up would be exactly what someone would write about my wife's and my acoustic duo and it would be accurate. I'm glad you were not offended and found it funny. But I know what you were feeling!

Just remember, those of us that grew up in the '70s got to see all the really good bands!

[Ruppster]

Originally Posted by RussL30

If you play at any establishments on Fridays and Saturdays after a baseball or football game I’d definitely like to give you a listen sometime. I always go and find something local in Starkville that’s good to eat and drink after games.

I do, if you are familiar with Starkville I play regularly at the Veranda, the Grill and Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern. Three very different venues. Message me if you’re in town. If I am not gigging I can give you some recommendations.

[jaybones]

I am changing my stage name to Captain Khaki.

I thought it was a decent review. She didn't come right out and say she didn't like it, just that you were different from the other bands she mentioned.

And a fine aged bourbon and warm acoustic bliss does sound pretty complimentary.

The alternative being rotgut young whisky and cold electric anxiety (how's that for a band name?).

[MChild62]

Her review intrigued me and I’d definitely go see a band that got written up this way. I thought it was positive, especially on the quality of musicianship.
I disagree with a comment above that it’s poorly written. This is a college-age writer who is trying to establish her own voice, and she’s not following the usual path of cliches and abused adjectives. Her metaphors are a bit “I want to appear grizzled and wise” but that’s ok. Give her some credit for trying to capture the mood in her own way.
As someone else said, you weren’t “astounding” like all the other performers the reviewer recently saw...just perfect for the audience and the moment.
Is there anything better?