From: owner-good-noise-digest@smoe.org (good-noise-digest) To: good-noise-digest@smoe.org Subject: good-noise-digest V2 #21 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, February 12 1999 Volume 02 : Number 021 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: John Gorka Interview [eer20@hermes.cam.ac.uk] Fwd: Gorka in Boston Globe ["Kevin Rent" ] Re: Fwd: Gorka in Boston Globe [Kris Pancoast ] Re: Fwd: Gorka in Boston Globe [Jay Votel ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 12:41:47 -0500 From: eer20@hermes.cam.ac.uk Subject: Re: John Gorka Interview Ethan, Thanks so much for your offer, you're really kind to go through the trouble of compiling such a treat. I'd love to get a copy of that interview, if you wouldn't mind. You can send it to this address: eer20@cam.ac.uk Thanks again! -Eric - --On Saturday, February 06, 1999, 3:59 PM -0500 "Ethan & Summerset Banks" wrote: > I recorded into WAV format an interview John Gorka did with 89.7 WGBH in > Boston today (editing out the songs). The interview focused on the new > album, After Yesterday, and had a few interesting anecdotes about the songs. > If you aren't scared of a 5.3MB ZIP with the interview, I will be happy to > mail it to you. I am spoiled with a cable modem, so this is no problem for > me to mail to you. > > The interview was conducted by Dick Pleasants on WGBH's Folk Heritage show. > http://www.wgbh.org/wgbh/radio/bios/dpleasants.html > > I am going to work on transcribing the interview and posting it here, but my > typing skills will make this a later rather than sooner proposal. > Headed off to his show tonight in Somerville, Mass. I will take notes on > the show and some pix. (Bought 800 speed film just for this show.) > > Ethan Banks in Manchester, NH > ICQ: Ethan-15759236 > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 10:56:25 PST From: "Kevin Rent" Subject: Fwd: Gorka in Boston Globe Greetings from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada!!! Just got this off of the Folk_Music mailing list, it's a posting from the boston globe a few days ago... Thought that you may find it interesting, as it involves the man of our discussions. :) Take care of yourself, and others. Kevin Scott Alarik's article may be found at http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/036/living/Building_on__Yesterday_+.shtml ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 14:11:39 -0500 From: Kris Pancoast Subject: Re: Fwd: Gorka in Boston Globe Kevin - Thanks for the link to the article. I enjoyed reading that. Kevin Rent wrote: > > Greetings from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada!!! > > Just got this off of the Folk_Music mailing list, it's a posting from > the boston globe a few days ago... Thought that you may find it > interesting, as it involves the man of our discussions. :) > > Take care of yourself, and others. > > Kevin > > Scott Alarik's article may be found at > http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/036/living/Building_on__Yesterday_+.shtml > > ______________________________________________________ > Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 15:04:59 -0500 From: Jay Votel Subject: Re: Fwd: Gorka in Boston Globe Thanks Kevin. I pulled this quote off for discussion with the group: ''I don't feel the need to reinvent myself with every record, and I think that's how a lot of major-label marketing goes. You invent a new image, get a different haircut, different clothes, the Madonna approach. In the folk world, there's more of an emphasis on what we have in common, rather than what makes the artist different from the rest of us. In pop, it seems they're looking for a glimpse into an exotic life, `Enquiring minds' wanting to peek into the lifestyles of the rich and famous. When I write about my life, I don't think of it as anything rarefied or more special than anybody else's life. I'm not saying, `Come look at my life, how interesting and unlike yours it is.' I feel like it's an opportunity to talk to somebody.'' This is precisely it, what folk music is all about! I saw a concert last night where the artist had exactly the 'pop' attitude John is talking about, how her adventures were more special than anyone else's in the room. It was a definite turn-off for me. I'll admit her songs are technically good and her lyrics are deep and full of imagery. She has won several songwriting contests. And I know it takes a lot of ego to keep a songwriting career going. But the artists who appeal to me find ways to bring me into their work. They are not objectifying themselves as 'art' but are conveyors of it. It's as if there is a seamless performance where the work is the focus and not the worker. Folk music is all about the common ground we all share, certainly not about trying to impress someone with how cool or special we are. That's a real tight wire to walk sometimes. As soon as someone is successful with it, it becomes a dangerous place to dwell in. John is one of a few who come across as truly honest about his work and the only conclusion I can reach is that it is precisely because he is. Sincerity can't be faked. Interesting to note how different this story is from the Washington Post review of a couple months ago, too. Thanks for sharing it with the news group Kevin. I'd be interested to hear comments from others. - -- Jay Votel Kris Pancoast wrote: > Kevin - Thanks for the link to the article. I enjoyed reading that. > > Kevin Rent wrote: > > > > Greetings from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada!!! > > > > Just got this off of the Folk_Music mailing list, it's a posting from > > the boston globe a few days ago... Thought that you may find it > > interesting, as it involves the man of our discussions. :) > > > > Take care of yourself, and others. > > > > Kevin > > > > Scott Alarik's article may be found at > > http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/036/living/Building_on__Yesterday_+.shtml > > > > ______________________________________________________ > > Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ End of good-noise-digest V2 #21 *******************************