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shindell-list-digest    Saturday, December 18 2004    Volume 06 : Number 315



                               Today's Subjects:
                               -----------------
  Re: [RS] Why do I like RS-late response to my own question  [Gregory Sheri]

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Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2004 02:57:11 -0500
From: Gregory Sheridan <gsherida@optonline.net>
Subject: Re: [RS] Why do I like RS-late response to my own question

Hey guys,

I received many great responses to my question:

<"This leaves me wondering,
<is there something about Richard's songs 
<as a collection, that make us, as a group,
<like them? Or are we all drawn to Richard 
<for different reasons. I hope that it's a little 
<of both."

I thought I should at least make an attempt to
answer my own question. I agree with everything
that has been said - the common theme seems to be
that it's Richard's great lyrics and story telling 
that make his music unique, and add to the great
guitar work and singing.

I know that these are the things that really make me 
love Richard's music NOW, but I think initially 
I was drawn to the music and singing itself, not so
much the lyrics. The first songs that caught my attention 
were Transit, Fishing, Next Best Western, and
Confession(in order of preference, Transit being 
the favorite). I didn't own any of the CDs at this point. 

I 'd been hearing Richard now and then on WFUV, 
but was never motivated enough to go to a show or
buy a CD. But then I heard a replay of a live show on 
WFUV, and then saw a live show on a PBS station. 
After this, I decided I had to see this guy live, and 
get some of his albums. 

It's very hard NOT to notice the great lyrics in these first
four songs that I liked, and I'm sure I DID notice them, but
I think it was still the music and the singing that really 
caught my attention BACK THEN.

Carrie in KC said:

>It seems to me that, to many music listeners, it is the 
>melody not the lyrics that's important.  I have tried to 
>convert several friends to Shindellic music with varying 
>degrees of success.  My brother-in-law for instance 
>(rest his soul) was a jazz musician leaning towards
>the improvisational side. To him it was all the notes and
>how they related to each other; the varying way one could 
>interpret a tune.  It didn't matter whether or not a song had
>lyrics.  Another friend likes music in the background.  It 
>must take a back seat to what she happens to be talking 
>about at the time, otherwise it's irritating to her. Another 
>friend likes big music; a catchy, rocking rythym with 
>unusual sounding instuments. The words are just there to 
>help the tune along.  To Shindellites (well, I'm talking 
>about myself) on the other hand, the lyrics are extremely 
>vital. They have a message, and the message has clout.   
>The tune, although important, is there to strengthen the 
>lyrics.  It's much like a poem set to music.

I agree completely. I think that many people are more 
interested in the music than the lyrics or the content.
And I agree that the lyrics are extremely vital, but I think 
that I would never have come to appreciate the lyrics if the 
music wasn't appealing to me. That's the thing that puzzles 
me-that the music itself doesn't grab more people.

The fact that Richard's lyrics don't catch the average person's
ear doesn't surprise me. I think I've seen this discussed here
before, but most people prefer a movie with a great sequence
of car chases over a film about real life. I know lots of
people who think Indie films are depressing. I think they're just
more realistic, and much more fun to watch. 

I have a friend that calls Greg Brown :
Greg "Bring Me Down" Brown. And this is a guy that I have a
real connection with. But he just doesn't get it.

My wife and my brother think Richard's music is depressing.
My response is that "it's emotional, not depressing".

Anyway,

Vanessa said:
<Have you tried AYHN to hook new fans?

For some reason, I never thought to try this song, I guess 
because I was already hooked before I'd ever heard it, but
I think it's a great one for newbies. I'll give it a try.

Vanessa also said:'
<I'd suspect that Leonard Cohen fans are some of your best bets for
<possible RS converts. And if you find one, I'd start him/her off on
<"The Courier" or "Nora."

I have a friend who is a Leonard Cohen fan - I'll give Nora a try.

Vanessa also said:
<I think what keeps me returning to Richard's albums is the promise
<that besides experiencing once again the songs that are by now
<familar, I may discover something altogether new and wonderful and
<surprising if only I keep my mind and ears open.

Absolutely!

Gina said:
<fishing" and "transit" are two of the 
<select group of songs that give me chills when i hear them.
<...
<other chills songs include "are you out there?" and "the ocean"

I've already purchased Mortal City - excellent . Thanks.

Ron A said:
<Richard's unique voice caught my attention.  I loved his guitar 
<work.  His style of song arrangement and playing was comfortable 
<and appealing.  But mostly, I love his stories.

It's funny. In the VERY beginning, I found Richard's voice too 
nasal, but then it really grew on me. Now I think it's amazing.
The music grabbed me immediately, and the stories...  once 
you start talking about the stories, you know you're a fan.

Greg S

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End of shindell-list-digest V6 #315
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