From: owner-basia-digest@smoe.org (basia-digest) To: basia-digest@smoe.org Subject: basia-digest V3 #138 Reply-To: basia@smoe.org Sender: owner-basia-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-basia-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "basia-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. basia-digest Friday, July 10 1998 Volume 03 : Number 138 Today's Subjects: ----------------- THE COPERNICAN CHRONICLES : A BIT O' BASIA ["Ashoke S. Talukdar" ] Just wondering... ["Ashoke S. Talukdar" ] Re: Turkeys (off topic) ["Ashoke S. Talukdar" ] Re: Basia's conduct on stage ["Diane F. Fisli" ] Re: THE COPERNICAN CHRONICLES : A BIT O' BASIA [jp ] SOMEWHAT OFF-TOPIC: The Copernican Chronicles: A Bit o' Basia [Jeff Hamil] Re: HALF OFF TOPIC: audience interaction and on topic postings [Samurai27] Re: HALF OFF TOPIC: audience interaction and on topic postings ["Phil Hal] Ashoke's wonderings.... [Joe Baker ] Danny, the happy chap; flashbacks [Jeff Hamilton Subject: THE COPERNICAN CHRONICLES : A BIT O' BASIA This title is there simply because, there are might be more in the future and if the first one doesn't interest you, the visual presence of the title will facilitate the hand-eye coordination on the DELETE key. Aren't I considerate? EPISODE I. COPACABANA MEDITATING There has been a certain discussion going on in the various sub-groups of individuals in my life where there is a common thread - "How do you know when you are writing poetry?" I find this interesting in the Basia context, because it made me rethink the contents of some of her songs (pondering thereof being partly responsible for the Subject of this e-mail) and I would love to have your opinions on this subject if you have the time. It also makes me wonder what one is really thinking about, when poetry is composed. "Spontaneous display of powerful emotions recollected in tranquility" is how Wordsworth put it. I have very rarely found a description to better that. So perhaps the intent is not to be thinking at all, but reflecting. Here's, however, the final twister. If you take away the limitations of our extremely limited linear perception of time, then perhaps the recollection could include future thoughts too: "Where is she now? The lovely girl..." Peace, Ashoke. ________________________________________________________________ Ashoke S. Talukdar | When the darkness takes you talukdar@morph.ebme.cwru.edu | with her hand across your face Home : 216-381-5872 | Don't give in too quickly Imaging Lab : 216-368-8812 | Find the things she's erased MetroHealth : 216-778-8987 | Find the line, find the face Pager : 216-670-5872 | Through the grain... Cellular : 216-317-7079 | Fax : 216-368-4969 | Suzanne Vega ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 12:22:09 -0400 From: "Ashoke S. Talukdar" Subject: THE COPERNICAN CHRONICLES : A BIT O' NOTHING EPISODE II. THE BAKER TRIALS Foreword: "What can I say? Can't get that brown patch out of my head. I swear it's not an infarction. I have been very careful with consumtion of recreational chemicals." Story #1: Those 60s Brown Patche dreams Story #2: Meg? A certain individual on the Vega list (the singer, not the car), affectionately named Bluey, has been the center of an ongoing saga, to which I contributed a post. The post, a film script mock up, involved a dream in which he (Bluey) is chased by belligerent high-school moms, falls head-first into a HUGE thanksgiving turkey, chokes to death and goes to a surreal Vega-land! What is interesting is that the seaquence was titled, "Meg's Epicurean Dream" because Meg appears to pick up "Bluey cordon bleu", from a humanesque poultry market (reference to a Vega song). What is even MORE interesting is that in the turmoil of the several offers to produce said script, an important point was overlooked, UNTIL someone there asked me "Who's Meg"? I had mixed up lists!!!! The boundaries that define our personalities (and hence, the lists) sometimes get thin. Or perhpas it is the subliminal messages in the musac you hear when you are on hold. So Mr. Baker, please be advised. Do stay on the phone in your quest for the serial numbers of pressure regulators, but remember the power of the MUTE button on the speaker phone. Back to suburbia, Ashoke. ________________________________________________________________ Ashoke S. Talukdar | When the darkness takes you talukdar@morph.ebme.cwru.edu | with her hand across your face Home : 216-381-5872 | Don't give in too quickly Imaging Lab : 216-368-8812 | Find the things she's erased MetroHealth : 216-778-8987 | Find the line, find the face Pager : 216-670-5872 | Through the grain... Cellular : 216-317-7079 | Fax : 216-368-4969 | Suzanne Vega ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 13:02:43 -0400 From: "Ashoke S. Talukdar" Subject: THE COPERNICAN CHRONICLES : A BIT O' BASIA The first attempts at this post missed some paragraphs. I am not sure WHAT happeneds. So here goes again. This title is there simply because, there are might be more in the future and if the first one doesn't interest you, the visual presence of the title will facilitate the hand-eye coordination on the DELETE key. Aren't I considerate? EPISODE I. COPACABANA MEDITATING There has been a certain discussion going on in the various sub-groups of individuals in my life where there is a common thread - "How do you know when you are writing poetry?" I find this interesting in the Basia context, because it made me rethink the contents of some of her songs (pondering thereof being partly responsible for the Subject of this e-mail) and I would love to have your opinions on this subject if you have the time. My personal take on poetry is perhaps a lot less steeped in conservatism as my upbringing would warrant (I was REQUIRED to read Matthew Arnold in high school and loved his work). IMHO, poetry is, more than anything else, the art of composition. In this respect, it has less to do with words than it does with ideas and how they are presented together, irrespective of the medium. Hence, there is poetry in everything well composed and executed - be it a song, a meal, a story, a screen shot, a picture, an item of clothing or even, perhaps, a crime. Although, Basia's lyrics are not of "Poet Laureate" proportions by the traditional definition, I still think that her and Danny's WORKS are indeed worthy specimens of fine poetry - the epitomal art of composing a song - where everything comes together in an exemplary display of balance. "Copernicus" is one such song. There is really not one aspect of this song that shines by Basia standards, because for every aspect of it you can find a different Basia song that does better. But the total work is suave, sophisticated and visionary. I agree, Chopin would probably groove to Samba too, although somehow that's hardly the point. It also makes me wonder what one is really thinking about, when poetry is composed. "Spontaneous display of powerful emotions recollected in tranquility" is how Wordsworth put it. I have very rarely found a description to better that. So perhaps the intent is not to be thinking at all, but reflecting. Here's, however, the final twister. If you take away the limitations of our extremely limited linear perception of time, then perhaps the recollection could include future thoughts too: "Where is she now? The lovely girl..." Peace, Ashoke. ________________________________________________________________ Ashoke S. Talukdar | When the darkness takes you talukdar@morph.ebme.cwru.edu | with her hand across your face Home : 216-381-5872 | Don't give in too quickly Imaging Lab : 216-368-8812 | Find the things she's erased MetroHealth : 216-778-8987 | Find the line, find the face Pager : 216-670-5872 | Through the grain... Cellular : 216-317-7079 | Fax : 216-368-4969 | Suzanne Vega ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 13:03:15 -0400 From: "Ashoke S. Talukdar" Subject: THE COPERNICAN CHRONICLES : A BIT O' NOTHING Attempt #2: EPISODE II. THE BAKER TRIALS Foreword: "What can I say? Can't get that brown patch out of my head. I swear it's not an infarction. I have been very careful with consumtion of recreational chemicals." Story #1: Those 60s Brown Patche dreams My friend Rita was quite the "hippie chic" back in the 60s (before my time) and prone to wearing T shirts with sloguns such as "NO BRA". Now she wears a business suit and fights the boys in a different battle. Her mother, Fran, went to pick her up from a friends house. Said friend loved to cook and grew a lot of basil, oregano, dill, etc. Having picked up some flora from his indoor garden, imagine, if you will, Fran's amazement when she got stopped at the exit to the apartment building (near the Coventry area in Cleveland) because her particular choice of the "pretty" plant turned out to be Marijuana in a flowerpot! Moral of this story : You should not expect morals from such anecdotes. Story #2: Meg? A certain individual on the Vega list (the singer, not the car), affectionately named Bluey, has been the center of an ongoing saga, to which I contributed a post. The post, a film script mock up, involved a dream in which he (Bluey) is chased by belligerent high-school moms, falls head-first into a HUGE thanksgiving turkey, chokes to death and goes to a surreal Vega-land! What is interesting is that the seaquence was titled, "Meg's Epicurean Dream" because Meg appears to pick up "Bluey cordon bleu", from a humanesque poultry market (reference to a Vega song). What is even MORE interesting is that in the turmoil of the several offers to produce said script, an important point was overlooked, UNTIL someone there asked me "Who's Meg"? I had mixed up lists!!!! The boundaries that define our personalities (and hence, the lists) sometimes get thin. Or perhpas it is the subliminal messages in the musac you hear when you are on hold. So Mr. Baker, please be advised. Do stay on the phone in your quest for the serial numbers of pressure regulators, but remember the power of the MUTE button on the speaker phone. Back to suburbia, Ashoke. ________________________________________________________________ Ashoke S. Talukdar | When the darkness takes you talukdar@morph.ebme.cwru.edu | with her hand across your face Home : 216-381-5872 | Don't give in too quickly Imaging Lab : 216-368-8812 | Find the things she's erased MetroHealth : 216-778-8987 | Find the line, find the face Pager : 216-670-5872 | Through the grain... Cellular : 216-317-7079 | Fax : 216-368-4969 | Suzanne Vega ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 11:44:19 -0600 From: Meg Evans Subject: Turkeys (off topic) Hello everyone! I feel compelled to clarify, in response to Ashoke's recent contribution about brown patches and Suzanne Vega, that I am, indeed, NOT the "Meg" of "Meg's Epicurean Dream," she of the surreal Bluey-cordon-blue-falling-head-first-into-HUGE-turkeys-and-choking-to-death notoriety. My epicurean dreams consist STRICTLY of succulent gourmet meals, especially breakfasts (currently with a Southwestern flavor, following my wonderful trip to New Mexico over the July 4th weekend) during which I indulge freely (preferably accompanied by a glass of 1992 Santa Fe Vineyards Merlot, THE most fragrant wine I have EVER sipped) and never choke to death. Ashoke and I have been known to indulge in tantalizing "cyber-food" (not to be confused with another unseemly internet pasttime: cyber-sex) and we'd love company (right, Ashoke?). We're considering starting yet ANOTHER Basia-related list to converse only about Basia's favorite foods, recipes from her forthcoming cookbook (THAT'S what she's been working on for the past four years!), and her favorite restaurants. ;) Meg -- "Eat at Guadalupe's Cafe in Santa Fe!" -- Evans ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 13:17:01 -0400 From: "Ashoke S. Talukdar" Subject: Just wondering... ...about how Sony/Epic handles situations like Basia. Surely, she had to sign a contract which made SOME mention of new material somewhere down the line. So what do record companies do if the artists don't produce new works? Anyone have any info on this? On another note, I do tend to agree with Joe (Baker) about Danny's marriage putting a kink in their productivity (pardon the pun). I personally would not find the idea of collaborating with an ex, who is now married to someone else, particularly inspiring. Why run the risk of catching the dreaded Morissette syndrome? Besides, I still think they should have stayed together, if for nothing else, then for those BEAUTIFUL children they could have produced... Ashoke. ________________________________________________________________ Ashoke S. Talukdar | When the darkness takes you talukdar@morph.ebme.cwru.edu | with her hand across your face Home : 216-381-5872 | Don't give in too quickly Imaging Lab : 216-368-8812 | Find the things she's erased MetroHealth : 216-778-8987 | Find the line, find the face Pager : 216-670-5872 | Through the grain... Cellular : 216-317-7079 | Fax : 216-368-4969 | Suzanne Vega ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 13:26:55 -0400 From: "Ashoke S. Talukdar" Subject: Re: Turkeys (off topic) At 11:44 AM 7/9/98 -0600, Meg Evans wrote: > >I feel compelled to clarify, in response to Ashoke's recent contribution >about brown patches and Suzanne Vega, that I am, indeed, NOT the "Meg" of >"Meg's Epicurean Dream," she of the surreal >Bluey-cordon-blue-falling-head-first-into-HUGE-turkeys-and-choking-to-death >notoriety. > >My epicurean dreams consist STRICTLY of succulent gourmet meals, > Ah but Meg, in the parallel universe of a unilateral food chain, the suggestion of "Turkey cordon bleu" with a bit of Homo Sapien might indeed be STRICTLY and succulently gourmet. :-D Beside, if Ms. T. is right, we don't need to leave this universe at all - just believe in Copernicus's dream and let the (sweetest) illusion do its trick. > >Ashoke and I have been known to indulge in tantalizing "cyber-food" (not to >be >confused with another unseemly internet pasttime: cyber-sex) and we'd >love company (right, Ashoke?). > Absolutely. There is, however, a prerequisite. You have to have a good apetite... > >We're considering starting yet ANOTHER >Basia-related list to converse only about Basia's favorite foods, recipes >from her forthcoming cookbook (THAT'S what she's been working on for the >past four years!), and her favorite restaurants. > 1992 Santa Fe Merlot, eh? ;-) If I am not mistaken, Ms. T. has a soft spot for profiteroles. Unfortunately, this particularly mouth-watering french pastry is somewhat rare on this side of the Atlantic and in Paris they can cost a FORTUNE!!! Ashoke. ________________________________________________________________ Ashoke S. Talukdar | When the darkness takes you talukdar@morph.ebme.cwru.edu | with her hand across your face Home : 216-381-5872 | Don't give in too quickly Imaging Lab : 216-368-8812 | Find the things she's erased MetroHealth : 216-778-8987 | Find the line, find the face Pager : 216-670-5872 | Through the grain... Cellular : 216-317-7079 | Fax : 216-368-4969 | Suzanne Vega ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 14:09:44 -0600 From: Meg Evans Subject: Re: Turkeys (off topic) Ashoke and others, >Ah but Meg, in the parallel universe of a unilateral food chain, the >suggestion of "Turkey cordon bleu" with a bit of Homo Sapien might indeed >be STRICTLY and succulently gourmet. :-D I'll concede, as long as everyone is thoroughly cooked! :) Meg ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 12:58:46 -0700 From: "Diane F. Fisli" Subject: Re: Basia's conduct on stage I did not get to see Ms. T. during the T&T tour - but have seen her several times for each successive tour since then (but did not get to see her for the BOB run, darnit). For the LWNY tour she seemed to me to be a little shy, endearingly and sincerely grateful for any applause, and not too chatty. She preferred to introduce the next song and get on with the show. During the SI shows I noticed she was better onstage - talking, laughing, telling little stories, generally more relaxed and while still grateful for the applause she seemed no longer as shy as she'd been. It was nice to see the improvement. :) I was going to try to get to New York City for the BOB run however things did not go as planned and I ended up staying home, wishing I could have been there. Turns out I would have been in the audience of the show that was pretty much used on the BOB album. Seeing Basia LIVE onstage was a real treat. I hope it's not too long until the next shows - and I hope everyone will get a chance to go! TTFN! - --Di. "...If you follow your dreams... You can never go wrong..." --Peter White, "Caravan Of Dreams" ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 16:32:37 -0400 From: jp Subject: Re: THE COPERNICAN CHRONICLES : A BIT O' BASIA At 01:02 PM 7/9/98 -0400, you wrote: > Hence, there is poetry in everything well composed and executed - be it a song, a meal, a story, a screen shot, a picture, an item of clothing or even, perhaps, a crime. > > E-mail It comes, is read No poem un abrazo, juan ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 17:36:14 -0400 From: Jeff Hamilton Subject: SOMEWHAT OFF-TOPIC: The Copernican Chronicles: A Bit o' Basia At 04:32 PM 7/9/98 -0400, Juan wrote: >E-mail >It comes, is read >No poem Hmmm...I believe that was Ashoke's point. "Hence, there is poetry in everything well composed and executed - be it a song, a meal, a story, a screen shot, a picture, an item of clothing or even, perhaps, a crime." And, for example, his series of e-mail messages, which I found to be quite interesting. So there WAS a poem. Jeff Hamilton - the capitalist http://www.mindspring.com/~jeffhamilton/ "The primary purpose of the DATA statement is to give names to constants; instead of referring to pi as 3.141592653589793 at every appearance, the variable pi can be given that value with a DATA statement and used instead of the longer form of the constant. This also simplifies modifying the program, should the value of pi change." - FORTRAN manual for Xerox computers ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 20:52:26 EDT From: Samurai27@aol.com Subject: Re: HALF OFF TOPIC: audience interaction and on topic postings Regarding Basia not talking enough on stage well I have never been fortunate enough to see here but if I did, let me tell you I would be going there to hear here sing not talk. When she sings she does talk to me in mellodeous tones (I know I blew that word). I have seen the Rippingtons, Spiro Gyra, Bony James and Gaito Barbieri. None of them talk other then to introduce the song and say how thankful they were for the fans etc. When people go to jazz concerts, they go to listen to the artist perform. Amen. Denis with one "N" ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 19:02:22 -0000 From: "Phil Hall" Subject: Re: HALF OFF TOPIC: audience interaction and on topic postings I was at the Orpheum than night, too, tho in Row W, which stands for Way under the balcony. We were grouped with the Japanese tourist brigade. Still, I recall she was pretty talkative.....she took requests (Run For Cover was what she announced), reminisced about the first tour (not enough original material, etc.) asking who had been to the first swing through Boston, (much guilt here), about Peter's imminent solo album, about the only pretty one on stage being Myllenda. We had much better seats in 1994 at Harbor Lights - I had the impression my shouted requests were heard, but whether acted upon who knows. They opened with Danny's quite sincere synthesized TSI, and I think the second number was Baby You're Mine, but I honestly think I went into a trance......but awoke in a couple of minuites so I think I caught the rest of the show. My impression was that this time her attention was focused on her vocalists: a pair of twins from Majorca or Malagasy or Melbourne. She even had them sit on some lawn chairs and engage in acapella. It was bizarre, but great... This time she talked about Danny's birthday, about how much bigger this venue was since she was last in Boston, etc. Not a lot of chat, but not too little. I was there for the tunes, anyway, and went away well satisfied. Phil (good as new) > > As I mentioned in a rare earlier post, I was blessed with two >Basia live experiences. It is true that she seemed much more loose and flowing >on the TSI tour. However, the year before, when she played at the Orpheum in >beautiful Boston, she was very playful with the audience. She responded to >many of the shouts and even requests from the throng present. She seemed quite >shy and coy. We were in the front row. She was radiant and beautiful. It was a >night that I will never forget. >I was thrilled with the intimacy of the event... > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 23:29:46 -0400 From: Joe Baker Subject: Ashoke's wonderings.... At 01:17 PM 7/9/98 -0400, Ashoke wrote: >On another note, I do tend to agree with Joe (Baker) about Danny's >marriage putting a kink in their productivity (pardon the pun). I personally >would not find the idea of collaborating with an ex, who is now married >to someone else, particularly inspiring. My sentiments exactly. To think for one minute that it's "business as usual" is asinine. Don't know the deal w/ Morissette, but I'm reminded of the two couples in Fleetwood Mac who split at home, and the band couldn't survive. Buckingham/Nicks and McVie/McVie went in four different directions, personally and professionally. Don't mistake my parallel. Although Buckingham/Nicks, McVie, McVie are (were) popular songwriters/performers, their talent is(was) of a totally different level than Ms. T and Mr. W. No comparison as far as abilites are concerned, I am just reminded of the strife and tension created within the Mac. >Besides, I still think they should have stayed together, if for nothing else, >then for those BEAUTIFUL children they could have produced... Beautiful for how they would resemble Basia. I haven't seen Danny. Think about the talent though. Their genes would be worth a fortune. As I was told by my parents, "Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly is to the bone." jb ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1998 00:48:05 -0400 From: Jeff Hamilton Subject: Danny, the happy chap; flashbacks At 11:29 PM 7/9/98 -0400, Juan wrote: >...I haven't seen Danny... You haven't? He's the angry looking guy on the back cover of TSI and LWNY. That reminds me of the good old days when I apparently didn't know the difference between Danny and Peter White...[flashback to 1996 - this exchange occured just a few days after I joined this mailing list] ***** ***** >From Fri Jun 07 22:10:04 1996 P.S. Can anybody tell me why Peter White looks so upset on the back cover of LWNY? I can't figure that one out. ***** >From Sat Jun 08 01:52:43 1996 Well, seeing as how its DANNY White, he's probably ticked off at you for confusing him with his older brother, Peter. Actually, who really knows for sure: maybe he's ticked at the fact he's on the BACK cover and not the front. ;) ***** >From Sat Jun 08 10:44:45 1996 Ooops. Is Peter White someone real (i.e. a somewhat popular musician) or did that just pop into my head? ***** >From Sat Jun 08 15:16:42 1996 Man, I do NOT want to be around when Diane gets that message... ;) ***** ***** Jeff Hamilton - the capitalist http://www.mindspring.com/~jeffhamilton/ "The primary purpose of the DATA statement is to give names to constants; instead of referring to pi as 3.141592653589793 at every appearance, the variable pi can be given that value with a DATA statement and used instead of the longer form of the constant. This also simplifies modifying the program, should the value of pi change." - FORTRAN manual for Xerox computers ------------------------------ End of basia-digest V3 #138 ***************************