From: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org (shindell-list-digest) To: shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Subject: shindell-list-digest V2 #51 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 Monday, May 1 2000 Volume 02 : Number 051 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [RS] more Iron Horse comments ["Norman A. Johnson" Subject: [RS] more Iron Horse comments To follow Lisa's following my remarks, >>It's fun and impressive to see Richard getting all this acclaim, standing ovations, audience-members shouting out things -- somebody shouted "the new CD is *fabulous*," to which Richard archly replied "you're a *fabulous* audience" >> Oh, that was a moment. Overall, Richard was very effusive (but sincere) with gratitude. He's developed great stage presence, or I should say, as Lisa noted to me, he's become more consistent with making the connection to the audience. Lisa said: >> If you notice, I don't think that Richard has any songs that have *villains.* even "Fishing" – the INS agent is villainous but you still get into his head, these images, etc. >> I agree with everything Lisa said except to point out one exception: "By Now". I heard at least one person request THAT song at the Iron Horse, btw, and I thought: "What are THEY thinking? Why would they request that, as Carol once called it "the song most likely to be covered by Marilyn Manson"? This is the one song with a real bad guy. More Lisa: >> Richard is a story-teller, not a polemicist. He's not scoring points. I submit that these songs are generally about understanding the characters, not criticizing them. Therefore, whatever Richard might think is an appropriate solution to the pleas of the character in 'Confession," I think we can agree that he isn't in some sense admonishing him. >> I recall liner notes from a Harry Chapin collection tape (from a long ago-- I got it in college but it was after his death) that said practically the same thing about Chapin's story songs. ... something about "emphasizing with the characters but not moralizing". ------------------------------ End of shindell-list-digest V2 #51 **********************************