I hope to have Brokeback Mountain Radio ready for a test launch later Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. I have been spending time on putting together a playlist that I hope will be complimentary to the mood of the movie score and its soundtrack. The streaming service will be using the facilities of Live 365, which slaps a bunch of limitations on what I can and cannot program as part of the service's playlists. Among the limitations includes no more than three instances of one particular artist during a three hour block, as well as limits on the number of tracks from a single album over a period of time. Without these restrictions, I would simply put the soundtrack in heavy rotation and blend in some music that fits the mood to round it out, but DMCA copyright regulations make it more complicated than that.
Instead, I have broadened the selections out considerably. I can adjust the playlist and add/delete tracks, and I am working out how to program the ambient instrumental stuff in a way that doesn't jar the listener when one of the more contemporary/country vocal tracks come around. We'll have to experiment.
Live 365 also inserts advertising periodically into their streams for non-premium members. It usually runs a few minutes per hour maximum. The bandwidth is limited to around 64kbps stereo, which still sounds reasonable if you use the service as background listening while at your computer (I've programmed it intentionally this way), and there is a limit of 25 listeners at a time. Considering this is still a very new site, I don't see a lot of occasions when it will completely fill, but if it does, drop me a note and let me know. If the service becomes popular, I can upgrade the account to handle more listeners.
If you think a song would be appropriate for Brokeback Mountain Radio, or if you think a song currently on rotation is inappropriate, let me know that as well. Not all of the songs blend easily between one another, but all carry some message either in the lyrics, sound, or title. Initially there will be around three hours of unique music which will shuffle in order as the day progresses.
I will inform people of when the playlist changes here.
A link will appear on the site when it launches.
Brokeback Mountain Radio is now in beta mode. During this beta test period, you will need to click on the link below, which will take you off-site to a "home page" for the station on Live 365. You will be able to launch their player from that page. I will be investigating a better linking scheme that hopefully can bypass their player and rely on your own audio player for content.
Once you launch the stream, a player window will pop up and you should hear something in a few seconds. You can then come back to BetterMost - you don't need to sit on the Live 365 page in order to stream the service.
Segment One: A lot of instrumental and ambient songs in the spirit of BBM, including the entire score for the movie. This is great for background listening.
Segment Two: Primarily vocal tracks, most of them sentimental tinged with a country and western feel. Listen to the lyrics.
I have made an effort to choose songs that evoke a feel for Brokeback Mountain or speak to the spirits of Jack and Ennis. Some of the artists you hear that you may have dismissed in your past life may have new relevance once you hear what they have to say.
If you want to order music, you can help support BetterMost by placing orders through us instead of Live 365. They are already getting paid. I'll have more info on that shortly as well.
1) Did you have any problems launching the stream (especially Firefox users)? If you did, what browser are you using?
2) Did you experience any audio streaming difficulties with the stream? How is the sound quality of the stream?
3) Were any of the tracks corrupted when you heard them? If so, which ones?
4) What do you think of the playlist? Do you enjoy the instrumental or vocal tracks more? If you have any requests, let me know. I have access to a large database of music.
Thanks for helping beta test this service. I plan to publicize it by the weekend if everything goes well. There is a limit, by the way, of 25 simultaneous listeners. Let me know if you find you can't access the service because it is busy as well.
Hey Phillip, been listening now for about an hour, sounds great.
1) No problems launching the stream, although is there a limit to the duration because it's a beta? Seems to go for 15 minutes and then just stops.
2) I have occasional drop-outs, but at the moment that's because my broadband has been reshaped to 64 kbps (over my 10 GB limit), so I guess dialup users will struggle. Note: The drop-outs normally occur when a new ad is loaded into the player, or just before the change of track (which is the same thing I guess). If a dedicated lite player is possible, maybe that would help? Quality is great though.
3) No corruptions noticed yet.
4) I'm loving the playlist so far, particularly the instrumental guitar stuff. I like your taste (although I'm not sure about Barbra). As far as potential playlists are concerned, is it possible to post a catalogue, or at least a category list for us to browse? If in doubt, I think you should follow your BBM inspired heart, it is clearly in the right place.
5) General impression: great idea, good song choices, and I will listen while sitting at work, but my being always over my limit at home will mean that I wont be able to isten from there.
Conclusion, you're an absolute legend - keep doing what you're doing!
It shouldn't stop, except when you were on the forum last night (my time anyway) I was still tweaking the playlist so it may have dumped you out. Let me know if that happens again.
I suspect that's mostly due to your bandwidth constraints. I programmed it with broadband connections in mind, mostly because the quality reduction that would be required to make it work for slow dial-up users would make it sound awful. The player software they use as a pop up window with ads has some useful information, such as tracks, but I prefer to figure out a solution that doesn't involve people having to launch any web-based player. But I have to investigate further.
You found one of two tracks I put in the playlist that really break from the western sound of the rest of the songs, but have lyrics that "fit." Barbra was one of them. Kudos in advance to anyone who can identify the other! I had a difficult time just finding enough music to meet the U.S. DMCA restrictions on legal streaming of music. I still have room for 5-6 additional songs and can drop off the ones people don't like. I will give more details about the playlist when it launches officially, perhaps this weekend.
I will have to do a poll on whether people like the segmented music lineup as it is now - most of the instrumentals are kept apart from the vocals except for a few cases. I didn't like random play mode because there are some aggressive country tunes that would clash seriously with the more ambient instrumentals.
onclusion, you're an absolute legend - keep doing what you're doing!
Thanks for being a part of BetterMost. When people like you write messages, it's a major encouragement for me to keep going!
Testing continues on the service. I have added several tracks to bring the program to about three and half hours of music. I have dropped Barbra because I found some great slider guitar music to insert in the limited space I have. The playlist will continue to be refined a bit for launch, and then over time songs will come and go. You can rate the individual songs on the standalone player Live 365 launches (after the annoying Gospel ad ends).
If you sign up for a free Live 365 account, you can modify what player launches the service under your Live 365 account settings. You can use an mp3 player like Winamp, Media Media Player, Real Audio, the web-based player, or a Live 365 player application. I am wary of standalone players, so I wouldn't bother with their player application that you download and install. The only downside I can see to not using their web-based player is that song title information doesn't seem to pass, so you won't know what you are hearing.
Again, let me hear opinions about the vocal vs. the instrumental tracks and any recommendations for the playlist.
Philip: It sounds like a good project but I am in the library and we cannot listen to online radio. Maybe I will get a computer at home after I get my tax refund money and then I can listen.
Ooooo Philip....I'm listening now and it's WONDERFUL!! Of course I just burst into tears again....listening to "No One's gonna love you like me" The sound is sooo good. I had NO problem accessing it either. Thank you PHILIP...you're a GENIUS!!
I'm still unable to access it. Is it still down?
I have a bunch of suggestions for future playlists, like my recent discovery of Jack Johnson. Alternative folk singer with lots of acoustic guitar, simple arrangements, and strong lyrics. He's available at iTunes. Check out his cut: "Good People"
There are only about a million Ronstadt songs that would have worked on the soundtrack, most notably Desperado, which I put on BBM Radio's playlist even if they didn't put it on the soundtrack. An even more intimate rendition of that song came from Karen Carpenter. As the playlist changes on BBM Radio, I might bring in different singers doing the same song. The Eagles were the most obvious choice, but I aimed for something a little more solemn.
I'm listening to it right now. It's playing "A Map" by Pat Metheny. Really nice piece, and it is reminiscent of the BBM soundtrack. Did you choose all the songs yourself? Wow man, keep up the great work!
Did you choose all the songs yourself? Wow man, keep up the great work!
Yes, the playlist was assembled by trial and error. It's hard to find songs that really fit the western mood -and- Brokeback Mountain. I'm hoping other people will identify music I missed so I have stuff I can rotate onto the playlist down the road.
Above, I recommended the music of Jack Johnson in general, and his song "Good People" in particular. While I love that song, Jackson's "Better Together" is probably a better choice for BBM Radio. Or his "Banana Pancakes."
Then this morning I remembered a ballad by openly gay musician Mark Weigle, "As It Turns Out". The song is also openly gay, with lyrics of love sung by a man to a man.
While the love between Ennis and Jack touches people of all persuasions, wouldn't it be nice to have a song about love between men?
I'm so convinced you'll like this song, I'm sending it to you as a gift from the iTunes Music Store. That's for you, personally, whether you decide to use it on the radio or not.
Thanks so much. I got your gift. I will try and listen to it tonight. I still haven't gotten to update the published playlist on here yet because I was working on an article for the site earlier today.
Do you get a lot of suggestions for the playlist? I know a few songs that might fit into the theme, but I don't want to inundate you if you're already getting tons of requests. Listening to it right now, it's great.
Don't know how you select music, but I like the selections thus far.
I have created a play list for my cafe, here in San Francisco. Of course it has BBM soundtrack stuff...but lots more. People respond well to Rue de Soliel's Dreaming of.
Nearly everyone thought it was from the movie.
...he is suffused with a sense of pleasure, because Jack Twist was in his dreams.
Been telling everyone about your radio station. I see you like Dido...her Worthless is awesome.
OK, here are a few songs off the top of my head.
Crowded House - How Will You Go. Great harmonies, very melancholy.
k.d. lang - So It Shall Be. The whole Ingenue record was about an unrequited love, and this one's my favorite song. Close second is Outside Myself.
Billy Bragg - The Only One. Pretty, acoustic love song, he's an awesome songwriter and romantic in a complicated way.
Coldplay - I Bloom Blaum. Very short B-side, but has a beautiful guitar line.
Joan Osborne - Do I Ever Cross Your Mind. Fantastic cover of a Dolly Parton tune; Joan is such an underrated singer.
The Aluminum Group - Sweet Child O' Mine. This is the best version of this song that I know. I love it when he gets to the part about breaking down and crying.
Rufus Wainwright - Waiting For A Dream. He's got so many gorgeous songs, but this one from his last record to me fits in so well with the BBM soundtrack.
Vladimir Cosma - Sentimental Walk (second version). This is from the soundtrack to Diva, an 80s French film. It's a perfect walking-in-the-rain number, and this version is a little longer than the first.
Amy Winehouse - (There Is) No Greater Love. Sweet, short acoustic song from a new English singer.
Joni Mitchell - Paprika Plains (Remix). Beautiful new version of a classic opus. Another great song from her later period is Two Grey Rooms. From her earlier period, I would also say Down To You from Court & Spark.
Phoebe Snow - Two Fisted Love. Great song, great voice. The line "My baby's out there..." makes me think of the movie.
Ray LaMontagne - All The Wild Horses. I remember a post on some board saying this was in an early version of the BBM preview. Whether it's true or not, I've grown to love it.
Whew! OK, I guess that's enough for now! If you want mp3s of any of the songs, let me know. And thanks again for all you do Phil.
Dido's song was one of the harder choices I made to add to the latest playlist. Her song really isn't in the flavor of the film itself, but I chose it for the lyrics and because it is the last song on the rotation before it starts at the beginning again. It sort of evokes a "wrap-up" to the radio program. I could imagine it running during the credits on a film like this. There are a few songs that I add to the playlist strictly because of the lyrics, not the sound or feel. I will check out Worthless and see if it can get added to the list down the road.
Wow... thanks for the big list of tracks! I just rotated off a k.d. Lang song from that same album. It's hard for me to tell how many people vote up or down on a track on the live365 player (they make you pay more if you want those statistics), but her earlier track was one of the lower-rated so it went off this past week. There is definite opportunitites to try other stuff though.
As far as some of the other tracks go, I've seen Coldplay referenced on a few forums. It's hard to add contemporary/alternative tracks into the mix without them sounding jarring to the "feel" of the film, which means a more "country" feel. But I tried Dido, so as time goes on, I might slip some more in and see what people think. I am trying to aim to adjust the playlist every five days or so, adding/deleting a few tracks.
My biggest problem remains the instrumentals. They are very hard to find, and I am hoping to get more so I can rotate a few of those more tired ones off for something else.
If I can't find those tracks you suggested, I'll be in touch to get them from you.
Absolutely! Let me know if you need any of them. And the Coldplay track is definitely a pretty mellow, acoustic sounding one. Hope the list is helpful.
Also I think the song from the Phillips Bravia TV ad - Heartbeats - is a beautiful song covered by Jose Gonzalez - but maybe the original by The Knife is good too (haven't heard the original myself). I listen to this at work and was listening to it - as well as Photograph when I first saw Brokeback - so both songs relate to Brokeback for me now.
I had shared this on the Chez Tremblay board and someone mentioned that you might want it for BBM Radio.
It's the beautiful spanish song playing during Jack's venture into Mexico. I don't know who originally composed the song, but it's Gustavo Santaolalla's arrangement, and performed by Rick Garcia.
Doris Day! I do not think that was in my own common-knowledge bank! Neat!
yep, Doris Day's version as played in Strictly Ballroom was my first exposure to the song as well. I've also heard it sung by Nat King Cole, used in In The Mood For Love. This rendition, as arranged by Santaolalla, is my favorite so far.
<snip> This rendition, as arranged by Santaolalla, is my favorite so far.
Totally, but we may be just that little bit biased - I know I am!
Thank you so much for BBM Radio. It's introduced me to many artists and songs that are now among my favorites, and hearing music from the score that isn't on the CD is wonderful.
Other songs of Emmylou Harris that I'd like to suggest for consideration, if they haven't already been, are Boulder to Birmingham, Born to Run, One of These Days, Beneath Still Waters, Together Again, and Wayfaring Stranger.
And the album Beyond the Missouri Sky by Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny, especially the song Spiritual which (forgive the repetition if this is old info) that Annie Proulx wrote that she listened to over and over while writing the flashback paragraph.
Thanks again for, well, everything you've done here at BetterMost.
I've been hanging out at Dave Cullen's forum for awhile, and thanks to Phillip's recent post in the Songs Related To Brokeback Thread, just found out about BBM radio. Thank you so much, Phillip! Like many people, I felt the soundtrack CD was just a teaser--your creative work here has done wonders to prolong the "Brokeback Mood" for me.
I have a question about the complete score that you have compiled--is this available for people to purchase/download in any way?
Also, I don't see this song on the playlist, so I thought I'd mention that in Annie Proulx's essay in the story to screenplay book, she says that she listened to "Spiritual" (from Pat Metheny & Charlie Haden's CD: Beyond the Missouri Sky) repeatedly as her main inspiration for the "dozy embrace" scene between Ennis and Jack.
I'm new here and wanted to thank you so much for this link--I have been obsessed with finding this song ever since I was devastated to find out that it was not the the original soundtrack. It's an old Spanish song that has been widely covered over the years (Doris Day's version is only one of many) and the Rick Garcia version is by far the best ever.
I'm ignorant when it comes to the ethics of filesharing--is it okay to post the link over at Dave Cullen's forum?
Did I post this or PM you this already? Sorry if so. If not, the soundtrack to the Werner Herzog documentary "Grizzly Man" is excellent, and fits in perfectly with BBM soundtrack music.
I'm getting to know the music of Rufus Wainwright better. He's an amazing talent.
I'm a one man guy is me"
1. Marc Weigle : If you could put the heart and soul of Brokeback into one singer, it would be Marc. Favorites - Blue Eyes to Brown Eyes, Have I Told You in the Last Five Minutes (that I love you), Us Both and Two-Cowboy Waltz.
3. Pat Metheny (there are so many beautiful acoustic guitar pieces, and duets with pianist Lyle Mays that I've lost track. Anything from 'As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls). North to South, East to West and Airstream are brilliant.
Keep listening and keep voting for your favorite songs!
I am watching the statistics very closely and will be using the track ratings to decide which songs to delete from the playlist from time to time. I hope you all are enjoying the station. If you have any comments or recommendations, please please please send them my way via PM.
This is my first post to the group so I hope I don't say something stupid I think this Brokeback radio idea is fantastic. Being that I have always been extremely interested in music and have always in a way created playlists myself this concept is very interesting to me. I have an incredibly wide range of music and know a lot of music. But that don't mean you can ask me questions on things like opera, because I will not know that There are limitations to "a wide range of music." Anyway, I couldn't help but notice an earlier post about Linda Ronstadt and it brought to mind probably one of her first songs that I heard the other day somewhere. The name of it is "Different Drum" Have any of you heard it?
First, a very big welcome to you! And don't worry about saying something stupid. A whole mess of our residents register, read, and never say anything at all. I'd rather read the contributions of our folks than not read anything at all!
I'm listening to it right now, from her Greatest Hits album on vinyl! Wow, thanks for pointing out that song! I always thot Dusty Springfield sang that! It was recorded in 1967 and written by Mike Nesmith of the Monkees!!
Welcome, jstephens9, to BetterMost! It was nice chatting with you this morning!! BetterMost may be a smaller group of people, but we have quite a few devoted posters and some special features like the radio stations and the real-time chat!! I'm also very proud of our Social Events Forum and our organized events, which are supported by our admins, mods, and our BetterMost community!!
Make yourself at home here! You'll have a cuppa coffee, wont you? Piece a cherry cake?
Welcome to the new peeps!
Welcome To Bettermost Kellyjay! We're glad you're a part of our family!
Hey Eric! I know you're still on your trip, but you can read it later.
You got one of your regulars back . When I came home from the BBQ, my husband had bought new loudspeakers. Way better than the broken ones ever were. Brokeback radio is even better now .