From: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org (shindell-list-digest) To: shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Subject: shindell-list-digest V4 #249 Reply-To: shindell-list@smoe.org Sender: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk shindell-list-digest Thursday, August 29 2002 Volume 04 : Number 249 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [RS] christians vs pagan ["sharon g" ] [RS] spirituality in music [Roxylee ] Re: [RS] spirituality in music [Janet Cinelli ] [RS] Imagine ["Norman A. Johnson" ] Re: [RS] Imagine [Janet Cinelli ] [RS] Re: shindell-list-digest V4 #248 [Goldlainey@aol.com] Re: [RS] spirituality in music [Lisa Davis & family ] Re: [RS] spirituality in music [Deb Woodell ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 10:31:01 +0000 From: "sharon g" Subject: [RS] christians vs pagan as an observer of the opening for joan shows last spring richard did only the christian themed songs.. i walked away with a definate impression... based on that.. and I know his music.. can you imagine the impression of those new to his music. i would have thought he was a christian artist and probably stayed away from his music sharon - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: Click Here ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 10:59:48 -0400 From: Roxylee Subject: [RS] spirituality in music 1 Corinthians 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I sincerely hope I haven't offended anyone by quoting a Bible verse. For me, at least, it sums up the whole spirituality issue. RS often has spiritual themes in his songs simply because, in my observation, in my opinion, he has the Spirit of God in him. If so, then naturally this would be reflected in his music. If that offends some, they can easily skip over those songs, just as I'd skip over the Lennon song which infers that there is no God. Richard's songs are very meaningful to me because of his spirituality because, as a christian, I can understand where the person in the song is coming from. For instance, the last verse of Transit seems like a worship song to me. Did RS mean it that way? It doesn't matter. It matters to me what it does to me, since I am the listener. I can relate to the guy on the lonely interstate in Next Best Western, too. I've had plenty of times of wondering where I am going in this life. Haven't we all? Richard writes in the context of his experience, which is what great writers do. Why be offended by this? If he tried to keep his spirituality out of his songs as not to offend anyone, he would be denying a large part of who he is, and the songs would be diminished, in my opinion. Roxy, listening to the music of the much needed rain in NY ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 14:46:38 -0700 (PDT) From: Janet Cinelli Subject: Re: [RS] spirituality in music > easily skip over those songs, just as I'd skip over > the Lennon song > which infers that there is no God. I am curious, which song would this be? I'm hoping it's not "Imagine" because he clearly states "no religion" not God. To me, they are two separate things. Peace! : ) Janet Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 18:48:45 -0400 From: "Norman A. Johnson" Subject: [RS] Imagine Somebody: >>easily skip over those songs, just as I'd skip over the Lennon song which infers that there is no God.<< Janet: >>I am curious, which song would this be? I'm hoping it's not "Imagine" because he clearly states "no religion" not God. To me, they are two separate things. << Actually all Lennon said was Imagine there's no religion. Again, a separate matter. Norman ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 16:22:25 -0700 (PDT) From: Janet Cinelli Subject: Re: [RS] Imagine I meant to say, he didn't say imagine no God, he said imagine no religion. I stand corrected! Janet > > Actually all Lennon said was Imagine there's no > religion. Again, a separate > matter. > > Norman Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 20:19:30 EDT From: Goldlainey@aol.com Subject: [RS] Re: shindell-list-digest V4 #248 Isn't it wonderful that there's an artist, in our midst, that provides us with such food for thought? We can let our imaginations soar, we can lift ourselves spiritually, and we can even be literal if we choose to. What a boring world it would be if there was room for only one interpretation. Thanks Richard. elaine ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 20:41:21 -0400 From: Lisa Davis & family Subject: Re: [RS] spirituality in music I'm not sure why you keep using the word "offended," Roxy. No one has said anything in Richard's songs "offends." Nothing in Richard's songs offends me. Not even his choice of a playlist offends me! I am simply suggesting that a dominating use of imagery and themes that are patently from the New Testament might lead a listener to feel, not OFFENDED, but EXCLUDED, and I'm sure Richard does not intend that. Spirituality is not identical to adherence to a religion or sect (whether christianity or any other). None of us would like Richard's music as much as we do if it wasn't "spiritual." Nor is anyone offended by you, an individual, believing whatever you choose to believe, or enjoying it in whatever way you do. I hear things in "Tune for Nowhere" that are undoubtedly things Richard did not intend, and love it for just that reason. By the way, I hear "Next Best Western" as being about doubt, and lack of faith, whether temporary or not. "I wish I could believe" is the defining line. I also think that as a human being, whether or not Christian, you can understand where the narrator is coming from. What do you think about "Sea of Fleur-de-Lys," by the way? Richard used to joke that he had half-hoped there would be picket lines outside, so that he could achieve the fame and wealth that comes from notoriety! Lisa Davis ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 21:51:15 -0400 From: "Shelley DePaul" Subject: Re: [RS] spirituality in music > By the way, I hear "Next Best Western" as being about doubt, and lack of > faith, whether temporary or not. "I wish I could believe" is the > defining line. Hmm, I find that really interesting, Lisa. That line never struck me that way. I always took it to mean that he wishes he could believe in something as 'packaged' as what the fiery preacher has to say and with as much passion and assurance, but perceives that it's not quite that simple (esp. as he looks the toll booth guy in the eye - almost as if he thinks that guy would have more true answers - but there isn't time to talk) and is tired, for the moment, of trying to figure it all out. The fact that he 'prays' to "Whoever watches over all these truckers" appears to be a statement of - or search for - some sort of faith. Maybe one that makes more sense to him. : ) Anyway, that's my take on it. >I also think that as a human being, whether or not > Christian, you can understand where the narrator is >coming from. Absolutely. Fleur De Lis......Takes my breath away every time. Richard's 'Hymn to the Divine Feminine'. My favorite. And I hate using words like favorite. Shelley - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lisa Davis & family" To: Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2002 8:41 PM Subject: Re: [RS] spirituality in music > I'm not sure why you keep using the word "offended," Roxy. No one has > said anything in Richard's songs "offends." Nothing in Richard's songs > offends me. Not even his choice of a playlist offends me! I am simply > suggesting that a dominating use of imagery and themes that are patently > from the New Testament might lead a listener to feel, not OFFENDED, but > EXCLUDED, and I'm sure Richard does not intend that. > > Spirituality is not identical to adherence to a religion or sect > (whether christianity or any other). None of us would like Richard's > music as much as we do if it wasn't "spiritual." Nor is anyone offended > by you, an individual, believing whatever you choose to believe, or > enjoying it in whatever way you do. I hear things in "Tune for Nowhere" > that are undoubtedly things Richard did not intend, and love it for just > that reason. > > By the way, I hear "Next Best Western" as being about doubt, and lack of > faith, whether temporary or not. "I wish I could believe" is the > defining line. I also think that as a human being, whether or not > Christian, you can understand where the narrator is coming from. > > What do you think about "Sea of Fleur-de-Lys," by the way? Richard used > to joke that he had half-hoped there would be picket lines outside, so > that he could achieve the fame and wealth that comes from notoriety! > > Lisa Davis ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 19:43:42 -0700 (PDT) From: Deb Woodell Subject: Re: [RS] spirituality in music Lisa wrote, > "I wish I could believe" is the defining line.> And Shelley observed: > Hmm, I find that really interesting, Lisa. That line never struck me that way. I always took it to mean that he wishes he could believe in something as 'packaged' as what the fiery preacher has to say and with as much passion and assurance, but perceives that it's not quite that simple> This almost seems like two sides of the same coin. I think the narrator is envious of the certainty and the passion of the preacher, something I've felt as well. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to possess such "blessed assurance" about something, to know that one's set of beliefs is rock-solid. Then again, there also is comfort in knowing I don't have to be rigid, and can use my brain in discerning my truth. Deb ===== You can take the rock band away from the girl and think you've tamed her. But, she'll just pick up an acoustic, give you that innocent little girl grin, quietly laugh and say? "Nevah!" Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com ------------------------------ End of shindell-list-digest V4 #249 ***********************************