From: owner-basia-digest@smoe.org (basia-digest) To: basia-digest@smoe.org Subject: basia-digest V4 #2 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 Sunday, January 3 1999 Volume 04 : Number 002 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: basia-digest V4 #1 [Richard216@aol.com] Re: basia-digest V4 #1 ["John Adams" ] Re: basia-digest V4 #1 [Samurai27@aol.com] THE COPERNICAN CHRONICLES: A very few simple words... ["Ashoke S. Talukda] The Copernican Convention ["Joe Palcher" ] Re: The Copernican Convention ["Ashoke S. Talukdar" Subject: Re: basia-digest V4 #1 hello to all can anyone tell me about the song titled Yearning, what is it about, what is the point of the song, what does Basia think about the song, what inspired the song? thank you VERY much john adams - -----Original Message----- From: Richard216@aol.com To: basia@smoe.org Date: Saturday, January 02, 1999 12:46 PM Subject: Re: basia-digest V4 #1 > >Hello all! HAPPY NEW YEAR. Had a fantastic meeting with Ashoke, Meg, >Jackie, and Joe. We talked about 2 hours over lunch and could have talked all >day I think, anyway, I can't wait for our next meeting! I hope that others >can join us in the future. > >Rich > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1999 16:01:52 EST From: Samurai27@aol.com Subject: Re: basia-digest V4 #1 Songs are sometimes open to personal interpretation. I believe the video depicts people coming from different parts of the world to America. It shows poles, Irish, Italians etc. migrating up hills and across plains. The song talks about people leaving their homeland and trying to find their fortune and at the same time yearning for their homeland; hence the title Yearning. Basia uses this song to let us know how she feels. Even though she has experience success it has been at a price. She had to leave her home in Poland and moved to the UK and now she is a global star. This is what I get from the song. As far as how she feels about the song; one can only speculate that it means something special to her as she is wearing a typical Polish costume of a peasant girl. I would have to say she truly feels very strong and proud about her Polish heritage. Happy new years to all. Denis with one "N" ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1999 16:24:26 -0500 From: "Ashoke S. Talukdar" Subject: THE COPERNICAN CHRONICLES: A very few simple words... John Adams wondered about the song Yearning... If I remember correctly, in her pre-TSI interview somewhere she said that this was her favorite song from the album. The song is supposedly intensely personal to her since she is Polish and has been away from home for nearly two decades (and rumor has it, is actually planning on returning to take up residence in her favorite Poland again). And like every other song she has written, this too talks about "love" being what will ultimately bring this "yearning" and quest for a home away from home to a successful completion. The song is about searching for a place to call your own with particular emphasis on those who are like travellers like she is. However, I am sure that some of us who are or have been demographic transplants can relate to this song in a very personal way, perhaps more so than others. I know I do. ____________________________________________________________________________ _ When it comes to really reaching the level of communication where words are almost unnecessary, I believe we reach the state that Copernicus is all about. If someone told me a year ago that I would be spending the end of '98, the way I did, I would have looked at them funny. O me of little faith. Nevertheless, after much excitement and anticipation I finally met Meg (and Kinnin), Joe, Richard and Jackie. I want to take a moment to especially thank Jackie - she drove 45 minutes (that in Cleveland winter can feel like 2 hours of normal driving) exclusively to share a very precious half hour with us at lunch, before enduring that journey again to go back to work! Thanks Jackie, your company was greatly appreciated. Next time perhaps we can better arrange it so you won't have to feel so rushed. As someone who has never had the opportunity to see Basia in concert or even in a TV appearance, my personal thanks goes to Richard for sharing his Basia concert memorabilia and a personal, handwritten letter from Basia herself, which Meg proceeded to read in her delightful mid-western-US version of faux-Polish-British accent! The entire lunch - the conversation about Basia, Meg's dark red lipstick, Joe nearly upsetting a planter as he stretched, complete with the inviting aroma of sandwiches, gumbo, coffee, balileys and fries - will remain, for me, a beautiful chiaroscuro of intriguing personalities gracefully held together by the phenomenon known as Basia. And yes, Rich is right - we probably could have talked all day. Meg really DOES look like Basia (Joe would agree), particularly when she sings! There was a point on Wednesday night when she came down the stairs singing parts of "An Olive Tree" and I was quite taken aback - it was like seeing Basia wearing designer glasses! The highlight of the entire evening for me was us all sitting on ONE couch watching the New Day video - LAYER 1: Meg, Joe and Patrick (the only non-Basian), LAYER 2: Ashoke and Kinnin - and Meg and myself harmonizing on "Baby You're Mine"! Then there's little Kinnin who really brought out my parental instincts - what a DELIGHTFUL kid (although he summarily dismissed Danny White as "not cute" - perhaps that's a good thing). I have never had kids in my house over the holidays and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Meg, and all like her, deserve our utmost praise and respect for doing such a spectacular job of raising him. But I am not really suprised at her maternal skills - having met her parents I know she had excellent training and example. Finally, Joe. I have to admit he was a little quiet at first when he showed up on Tueday night (after a disturbing encounter involving my trashcan and the non-functional front doorbell). And I was a bit afraid that the combination of Kinnin (a true 7-and-a-half year old), me and Meg (7-and-a-half year old wannabees) might just be enough to drive poor Joe to the bottle. However, I need not have worried - between half a loaf of challah, a few glasses of wine and climbing down the steps in a somewhat less-than-convetional manner, he very successfully found his inner child, at least for the evening . He is a most entertaining personality, being as well as, if not better travelled than myself. We spent a great deal of time in wonderful conversation talking about India, Japan, world politics, history and, of course, Basia, as I proceeded to make dinner for Wednesday. And yes, Joanna - we DID eat copious quantities of Japanese food on Tuesday night. I can't remember the last time the year ended on such an incredible note. Thank you all so much for coming and making this possible. I will cherish these memories as dearly as I will my yet-to-happen first Basia concert. It was decided pretty unanimously that we should definitely go together (particulary now that we have all the outfits picked out, right Meg?). I hope we all (as in all of us on this list) can do this many more times in many more places. In our own way, we WILL then have helped Copernicus make the world a slightly smaller place. Again, a VERY happy and prosperous New Year to you all. Regards, 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: Sat, 2 Jan 1999 20:42:15 -0500 From: "Joe Palcher" Subject: The Copernican Convention Thanks, Ashoke, for your very thoughtful chronicle. I must have to admit that going up to Cleveland to visit Ashoke, Meg, Rich, and Jackie, was probably about the neatest thing that I've ever done. It was wonderful to meet up with these four, very different people but with a common addiction--Basia. Good to realize I'm not the only fanatic--maybe there are those that are more fanatic than I am! :) I just wish we had more time--so next time we have another Basia get-together, hopefully we can plan something more convenient for everyone. And it was so wonderful for Jackie to make such trip to come to lunch! Thanks! Now, Ashoke, I honestly don't remember almost knocking over the planter, but I don't doubt that I did, with my chopstick number at the Ginza Steakhouse and my graceful movements under the influence. I'm glad that I was able to keep you, Meg, Kinnin, and Patrick entertained with my antics and pajamas. :) I'm sure if I have that wine again I'll be just as entertaining for everyone. (Oops, that could get me in trouble.) I honestly don't remember eating 1/2 the challah--well, maybe a 1/4, but you shouldn't have made it so good. :) I recommend that other Basians around the country, or around the world, to try to do have get-togethers--it was so well worth it, and it helps make the wait for her next glorious album more bearable. raburabu joe ******************************************************************** Joe Palcher jjpalcher@msn.com ICQ#4618534 ******************************************************************** ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1999 21:27:31 -0500 From: "Ashoke S. Talukdar" Subject: Re: The Copernican Convention Joe recollects: > >I'm glad that I was able to keep you, Meg, Kinnin, and Patrick entertained >with my antics and pajamas. :) > You certainly did. I forgot to mention the jammies - folks, he does look rather adorable in those! :-D > >I honestly don't remember eating 1/2 the challah--well, maybe a 1/4, > Ok, 1/3 and that's my final offer! :-D > > but you shouldn't have made it so good. :) > Yes I should've. Next time I will make a brioche or something. BTW, the remainder of the meal went into Ashoke's Slow-cooked Everything Soup today - turned out GREAT!!! Perfect day to make it too. > >I recommend that other Basians around the country, or around the >world, to try to do have get-togethers--it was so well worth it, and >it helps make the wait for her next glorious album more bearable. > I heartily second Joe on that one! And keep us informed - either Meg, Joe or I will probably not be too against joining in to provide food and entertainment. :-) Regards, Ashoke (who is very confused about this rain at 9:30 pm after it snowed ALL day). ------------------------------ End of basia-digest V4 #2 *************************