From: owner-good-noise-digest@smoe.org (good-noise-digest) To: good-noise-digest@smoe.org Subject: good-noise-digest V1 #54 Reply-To: good-noise@smoe.org Sender: owner-good-noise-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-good-noise-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk good-noise-digest Friday, December 11 1998 Volume 01 : Number 054 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: Washington Post Review of "After Yesterday" [Jay Votel Subject: Re: Washington Post Review of "After Yesterday" I remember the discussion as well as those who defended John's personal reflections. Like everything in art, it's a matter of taste. Someone who puts out seven albums of songs is bound to write a song that doesn't appeal to everyone. Those who want to criticize John for bordering on maulin with his fatherhood songs too easily forget the personal aspects of his earlier work in "I Saw A Stranger With Your Hair," or "Where the Bottles Break." Why do critics think it's more valid to feel and express sadness or anger than it is for joy or contentment? The personal songs on "After Yesterday" come from the same place as "Gravyland" and "Part of Your Own," as well as from the place where "Love is Our Cross to Bear" and "I'm From New Jersey" were conceived. Taken as a whole, his seven albums have far fewer clunkers than many of the superstars or groups making millions more and getting more coverage than John Gorka in Rolling Stone or on MTV. On the whole, I agree with the reviewer that John is at his best when he is the detached observer. That doesn't make his personal songs any less enjoyable or a lower form of art. They are just different. It's a shame people can't merely accept art for what it is rather than inject their own wishes into someone else's work. Unfortunately, that is just human nature, and quite possibly it's the reason behind John's reluctance to perform his "crime and punishment" songs over the past five years. He is a wide ranging artist and doesn't want to be boxed in by people's expectations. The reviewer's name wasn't listed, but I'd wager his best review could not compare to one of John Gorka's weaker songs. --Jay Votel SAbrams613@aol.com wrote: > Remember our discussion of song content? The Washington Post has the same > taste in John Gorka songs I do- their reviewer feels he's at his best when he > "looks away from himself" and produces those "sharply etched portraits" of > other people and life in general. To me, that's his particular genius. No > other singer-songwriter out there can touch him when it comes to those > observations. > > I realize this is a minority view, but I'm glad someone out there shares it. > > Barbara ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 17:59:55 EST From: SAbrams613@aol.com Subject: Re: Washington Post Review of "After Yesterday" If you look at the range of songs used as examples, I STILL think there is a clear difference between "personal but universal" and "personal very personal". Even with a great artist (and John Gorka definitely falls into the best-of-singer-songwriter breed), there is a range of quality in works created. John Gorka's best work is superb; his weaker songs are still superior to many of his colleagues' work. I wonder how he would rate his own songs. Does anyone know which songs he likes best and why he feels they represent his best work? PS. I still wish he'd reconsider his Crime and Punishment series. I work in a State prison and find his observations on criminals absolutely stunning and dead-on. It was such a joy to see that part of my world illuminated so well. Most of the 'criminal' songs out there are pretty lame...sigh. Barbara ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 18:18:23 EST From: ThePsyche@aol.com Subject: Re: Washington Post Review of "After Yesterday" << SAbrams613@aol.com wrote: > Remember our discussion of song content? The Washington Post has the same > taste in John Gorka songs I do >> Well, there's no accounting for taste. (meant in jest) JVotel said it all so I won't add anything else to *the sentimental case of things*. Adios, Bryn ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 19:52:33 EST From: ThePsyche@aol.com Subject: Re: Washington Post Review of "After Yesterday" Weaker songs? I hate critics. I guess I tend to be the kind who looks at the whole without taking it apart and putting it into smaller pieces. John has an impressive body of work......some I like more, some less, but it is very subjective as to who I am. the songs I like might be the ones *you* call weaker. Does that make you right and me wrong or you weak and me strong? As for your comments Barbara: >>I still wish he'd reconsider his Crime and Punishment series. << Perhaps these are the ones *he* considers his weaker songs. >>It was such a joy to see that part of my world illuminated so well.<< You see....it is what you are bringing to the songs that make them mean all the more. My comments are directed more to that newspaper reviewer than at you. Imagine I had never heard John's music and read that....would I buy any Gorka? I don't know. I think being a performer, going out there and putting yourself on the line is a pretty big leap of faith. To then have to deal with critics.....yuck. But then, I get the shakes and perspire just imagining being in front of an audience alone. Whatever. Just thought I would put my opinion into the fray. Adios, Bryn ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1998 00:05:51 -0500 From: Bart Hetrick Subject: Re: Washington Post Review of "After Yesterday" At 04:47 PM 12/9/98 -0500, you wrote: I recently attended two live performances by John... WOW HE IS AT HIS BEST!! The songs from After Yesterday seemed SO DIFFERENT from the CD. I was initally disappointed with the new CD. I wrote it off to 'life passages' catching up with John. In concert the songs sounded richer and more meaningful... there is something about the CD that just doesn't do the artist justice... too much overdub.. so much rhythm, so little John. How, when I listen I enjoy the CD more because it reminds me of the live performance. If you can ... find your way to a concert while he is touring with the drummer from the CD. It makes for quite a comedy act. It seems to make John more open because he is not alone on stage! Enjoy! ------------------------------ End of good-noise-digest V1 #54 *******************************