Date: Tue, 30 May 1995 23:18:21 -0400 
            From: Jim Napiorkowski (BluBelKnol@AOL.COM) 
            Subject: Re: rachel's handwriting on cd


      Funny story,

      I was in the CD store today, filling out the order form for Rachel's
      'Handwriting', when (after handing the form to the clerk) I looked down into
      the glass case before me, and there it was!

      It wasn't the vinyl I was hoping for, but I opted to buy the CD anyway.
       Really nice packaging!  Nothing quite as elaborate as the vinyl version I've
      read some much about.

      As for the music, truely amazing.  Nothing quite like it.  As a previous post
      put it, I was in so much in awe, all I could really do is sit there and
      listen to it with my mouth hanging open.  I sat in the car listening to the
      first 2 songs, before bringing myself to finally pull away from the record
      store.  The only way I could describe it is unconventional.  It seems to
      break so many 'norms' that that is what I think grabs you and holds on to you
      throughout the entire album (cd).  But it all seems to fit so perfectly,
      harmonies weaving in and out in perfect harmony.  You ACTUALLY DO sit there,
      gazing in amazement, as if suddenly reaching enlightenment.

      All of you must hear this!

      If any of you would like to have acopy, but are unable to get it through
      local channels, the address on the back of the packaging is:
      Quarterstick Records
      P.O. Box25342; Chicago, Illinois 60625
      or
      P.O. Box59; London, England N22 1AR

      the cd# is: QS30CD (with the lp is assume being QS30LP - ?????)

      to those of you who already have this little jewel, the names on the back of
      the package look familiar, but I can't place them.  Any of you know which
      other bands they have performed in?

      -The Blue Bell's Knoll





     Date: Sun, 18 Feb 1996 09:00:38 EST 
     From: Dez (100702.123@COMPUSERVE.COM) 
     Subject: Rachel's and stuff


Got the Rachel's LP 'Music For Egon Schiele' today - what a wonderful record.
Twelve tracks for a trio of cello, piano and viola, some of the tunes are
unbearably beautiful and sad. I'd recommend it to anyone. All the tracks are
composed by Rachel Grimes - this woman is a genius. And Jason Noble doesn't even
appear - it's an easy life having your own band.


     Date: Sat, 24 Feb 1996 01:19:05 -0500 
     From: TS61822@AOL.COM 
     Subject: the new rachel's


i havent been paying much attention to the list lately so i apologize if this
is old news but

i just purchased the new rachel's cd "music for egon schiele" today which is
the soundtrack to a play and features a much stripped down version of the
former rachel's lineup. i am really quite taken with this cd. in some places
it is very gorecki, in other it sounds like "cornfield" by hnia. the
principal instruments are piano, viola, and cello as well as the occasional
locomotive sample. i cant characterize it as background music for it is a bit
too "alive" in my opinion and certainly does not fall into any simplified
catagory of "gothic" "ambient" or "projekt sounding". the pieces seem
comprehensive as a whole (meaning there is a certain this mortal coil aspect
of a sustained collection of songs that revisits the same themes) but each
song has its own character. it makes me very interested in seeing the play.
the album in my mind is tough to listen to but well worth the reward. i think
it is a very solid effort overall

i understand it is out on inexpensive vinyl as well as in a cd format. the cd
comes pacakged in a similar manner to the last rachel's output and features
some good reproductions of some of schiele's work inside. the back cover
lists mostly what they ate while making the album (3lbs of cheez-its? good
heavens)

any one else have it/like it?

todd sanders

     Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 08:25:00 +0100 
     From: "Whittaker David (Exchange)" (WhittakerD@LOGICA.COM) 
     Subject: rachel's question

Music For Egon Schiele is slightly more 'traditional,' in as much as
it's simple, pared-down, and almost all piano and strings based, whereas
Handwriting had one or two 'heavier' numbers with minimal drums and
noise.
That said, I have recently decided, after much repeated listening, that
it is also one of, if not the, most beautiful album I currently own, and
as I'm a unstinting champion of 'Modernism,' and all that generally
means in terms of difficulty and atonality, it's praise indeed.
It was written for a dance performance, and although all the tracks are
named such as 'self portrait' and 'portrait of egon and wally,' the only
connection with Schiele's art is through the sinuous, expressive lines
of both his drawing and their music.
It's a million miles from Throwing Muses and others of that ilk, but I
would defy anyone with an ounce of humanity in them not to like it.

David