From: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org (shindell-list-digest) To: shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Subject: shindell-list-digest V2 #373 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 Tuesday, December 12 2000 Volume 02 : Number 373 Today's Subjects: ----------------- RE: [RS] singer-songwriters and McPaper ["Dupas, Edward (E.M.)" ] [RS] Free CDs this Sat. (12/16) @ Sidewalk, 8pm [RuthGersonBand@aol.com] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2000 09:59:24 -0500 From: "Dupas, Edward (E.M.)" Subject: RE: [RS] singer-songwriters and McPaper <> That is what I got out of it as well. I didn't mind the fact that they failed to mention any of the wonderful songwriters that we enjoy all the time because that wasn't the point of the article. The point was that it is nearly impossible for folk-based singer songwriters to get commercial airplay. That is why it had the commercial slant. I thought it was well done. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2000 10:23:37 EST From: RockinRonD@aol.com Subject: [RS] Tell Me A Story In a message dated 12/10/2000 8:31:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, Tom writes: << One thing Richard may consider is that he is now living in Argentina, which has a whole wonderful tradition of its own music that owes not one whit to the American Singer Songwriter tradition that he can explore. >> The last time Richard did this we got "Lazy." A perky, rhythmic little ditty in its own right, but hardly something we would consider directional. Greg Brown once said that none of the songs he writes are about his own life. "My own life is too boring to ever write about," he acknowledged. The best we can do is hope that Richard continues to creative these mythical figures and stories that somehow strike a universal chord in all of us (the people on this List know exactly which songs I'm referring to--no need to list them here) . In my view, this is what he does best and I would be more than happy for him to keep working in this style. After all, there aren't too many songwriters around, save for Mr. Brown, who can do it as well. Ron ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2000 09:47:15 -0800 From: Lee Wessman Subject: [RS] the next step The best thing about Richard's recording arrangement with Signature Sounds, if it works, is that it should enable him to make a decent living without having to change his writing style to appeal to a mass audience. That is, IF he considers what he's doing to be a decent living. The expenses of flitting to and from Argentina will soon become enormous and you have to wonder if that's sustainable. So, if Richard can make enough dough in the current arrangement, that leaves him free to try to record what he hears in his head. And as official RS followers, we get to watch that process unfold. The work he produces will pattern itself after the life he leads. I have great confidence that his work and his life will be tremendously interesting. But that doesn't mean he might not lose my interest along the way. I never thought I'd lose my eagerness to hear new Rickie Lee Jones songs until "Ghostyhead" came out and I just didn't get it. That's OK. Rickie Lee and I have separated. We're still friends. And you never know. Maybe we'll get back together. The biggest immediate issue facing Richard's writing is the Argentine move. First, this travel schedule looks grueling. Will he have time to let things sift into songs? The jet lag along must knock him flat for a week when he gets home, and then he's got to catch up with his family, and then he's got to re-enter the culture, and then he's got to pack for his next tour. Second, he's living in a strange new land with strange new musical influences. Will those new influences radically alter his musicality? Will we, who don't hear and see and smell Argentine every day, be left in the lurch? And will it change Richard's music not to be exposed to the other artists in the Northeastern music scene day in and day out? lee ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2000 19:18:12 EST From: RuthGersonBand@aol.com Subject: [RS] Free CDs this Sat. (12/16) @ Sidewalk, 8pm This was so much fun, I'm doing it again! Get five friends to the free show at Sidewalk Cafe (94 Ave A & 6th St, NYC) either this Saturday (12/16) at 8pm or Saturday, Dec. 23rd for the Ruth Gerson/Paul Page Holiday Fiesta & you get a free CD! (If you live outta town, make sure your friends let me know you sent them & I'll mail you a CD.) [Unable to display image][Unable to display image][Unable to display image] [Unable to display image] If you're still not sure what to get someone or you're looking for good stocking stuffers, take a pick from "Very Live," "Fools & Kings," "Not Around Town," and/or "WISH." I'll wrap 'em up pretty and get them out within 24hrs. www.RUTHGERSON.com now takes Credit Cards, Checks & Hot Nickels. [And if you need to get like 20 for everyone in the office we can make a deal! : ) ] "In recent years, the persona of the female singer-songwriter has pretty much run the entire spectrum: from Alanis Morissettes rage to Sheryl Crow wanting to have some fun, from Tori Amos histrionics to Fiona Apples image as a doe-eyed chanteuse. So where does that leave Ruth Gerson? She stands apart from all those women in that each of them has represented a uni-dimensional, almost cartoonish stereotype, while Gerson presents a fully-realized person capable of many moods, ideas and sounds. The closest modern comparison would probably be Sarah McLachlan, but Joni Mitchell really comes closer. If its artistry youre looking for, examine Roof Jumping or Shoah; if its depth youre looking for, check into her lyrics, which are impossible to see directly through ... 'Fools and Kings' was masterfully produced by Don Dixon ..There are leaders and there are followers, and theres no denying which category Ruth Gerson falls under. Hear her now, or hear her later; either way youll hear her and youll be moved. " --James Lien, CMJ New Music Report (JACKPOT! Pick) Please visit www.RUTHGERSON.com ------------------------------ End of shindell-list-digest V2 #373 ***********************************