From: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org (shindell-list-digest)
To: shindell-list-digest@smoe.org
Subject: shindell-list-digest V3 #359
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, October 16 2001     Volume 03 : Number 359



                               Today's Subjects:
                               -----------------
  [RS] Re: I'm Happy Now (that Sparrows Point arrived)     [LBECKLAW@aol.com]
  [RS] Young doe in the high beams.                       [Rongrittz@aol.com]
  [RS] Shows This Week ... Last of '01  ["Michaela O'Brien" <michaela@youngh]
  [RS] Maybe we should have quizzed Laura on the Baltimore Colts  ["Gene Fre]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2001 12:48:34 EDT
From: LBECKLAW@aol.com
Subject: [RS] Re: I'm Happy Now (that Sparrows Point arrived)

My favorite scene in one of my favorite movies, "Diner" has the Mickey Rourke 
character, Boogie, and another guy standing in the middle of a vast meadow 
when all of a sudden a beautiful girl rides by on a beautiful horse, 
impeccably duded up in full equestrian regaglia (English, not Western), slows 
down long enough to cast them a patronizing downward glance, and rides on by 
into the sun.  After standing for a moment or two in stunned silence, one guy 
says to the other: "Do you ever think there's stuff going on that you know 
nothing about?" (paraphrased, it's been a while since I saw this movie or any 
movie).  

I love this line, because I think it's one of my life credos.   I thought it 
often years ago, when Diner came out, and I think it more often lately.  As I 
listened to my new Sparrows Point CD, eagerly awaiting enlightenment (or at 
least a few baby steps towards the Light), I felt very much like Boogie 
standing in that meadow, observing something of which he had not a clue.  
Something nonetheless beautiful,transcendent, stunning, and moving in spite 
of its inaccessibility. The more I am on the Shindell list, the more 
pervasive this feeling of Not Having a Clue is, but I will endure, if that's 
what it takes to be a VSF.

That said, here are my thoughts and queries on listening to SP (although I do 
realize "it's not my job to ask the questions"):

Overall:  I think this CD requires a lot of energy and time, and that in due 
course it will grow on me.  It's not an instant karma kind of thing for me, 
as SNP and I have to admit C3 were.  I do think SP may be the quintessential 
RS CD since it showcases his range and talent so well...not only the types of 
songs (ballads, sentimental,
bitter, political) but his vocal and lyrical scope too.  How bipolar can you 
get when you are laughing out loud, weeping, nodding "yes!",  shuddering, 
scowling, and smiling nostalgically, all within a time span of 45 minutes?  I 
can only wonder what those other travellers stopped at the traffic light are 
thinking.

AYHN:  A real crowd pleaser.  What's not to like?  A great start to the 
emotional roller coaster ride that's SP.  One of my RS faves, for sure.  
Captures the complexity of relationships perfectly.

Castaway:  A great one to add to my 3 a.m. lullaby arsenal. (Lisa, you were 
right!) More I listen, more I like.  For some obscure reason reminds me of 
this great  film I saw once about the Irish legend of a baby boy that came 
from a seal skin--by John Sayles maybe? My only quibble is the song also 
reminds me of the Tom Hanks film of the same name. A stirring tribute to a 
newborn baby.  Instant lovefest.

The Courier: This is one of the songs that resonates more since 9/11 (hence 
the goosebumps), although I know it's probably about WW2.  Does anyone else 
think of those fighting for Al Queda's jihad, though?  Since my grasp of 
history is weak, this is one of those poorly illuminated moments where I feel 
like Boogie in the meadow.  I briefly thought it was Billy the Kid, but it's 
not. Love the way he says "Tay-lor". 

Sparrows Point: I'm speechless and confused, even after I've pressed "repeat" 
and tried to analyze this one.  I've concluded in turn that this is about: an 
Irish immigrant,
a mercenary, a kid with TB, WW2, DDay, and a pauper's burying hill.  At this 
writing, I believe I'll stick with the 
Irish-immigrant-enlisting-to-fight-a-war" theory.  Other more illuminated 
listers have indicated that William Taylor is somehow a Bad Man.  This I 
don't see, but please VSF's, I appeal to you for help here. Still, probably 
my favorite lyrics on this CD and possibly on any RS CD...pure poetry.  Most 
Likely to Be Repeated 3 or 4 Times (in a row) While Driving award.

The Kenworth of My Dreams-It's fun, it's funny, but I much prefer Next Best 
Western as a trucker's anthem.  Besides, I didn't even know what a Kenworth 
was until recently.  I also don't dig country-western music that much, but 
this'll do. I've already said in writing that RS could read the Yellow Pages 
and I'd be riveted.  Plus I'd never tread on anyone's dreams, no matter what. 
 

On a Sea of Fleur de Lis-My favorite melody, my most confused moment.  I'm 
really lost here.  Further frustrating me is the knowledge that this seems to 
be a favorite, almost universally revered by VSF's.  Not getting this one 
(although I love it on some  primal level) makes me doubt for my future as a 
RS VSF and indeed on this very List. There is Something Going On, that much I 
know, but beyond that...hunh?
D'ya think it's because I'm not Catholic? I do love the lines: "For so long 
has this room been so hollow, We wait at the gate for an echo"--more eerie 
relevance speaking to our time.  And I love the mysticism. 

Memory of You: Not among my favorites, but I like it well enough.

You Again:  Beautiful and haunting.  Goosebumps. 

Nora:  Another Boogie feeling of cluelessness, albeit not as much as FDL.  
Alternate theories include:  it's about James Joyce's wife, Abelard & 
Heloise, a minister's wife who violated her marital vows, all of the above, 
none of the above.  Love the line about Christmas angels. Who hasn't been 
mourning a lost love during the holiday season, resenting all of the friggin' 
merriment and good cheer while being in the depths of despair?  I like this 
song; heard RS sing it just once (Bridgeport CT).  I always thought if I had 
another daughter, I'd name her Nora.

Howling at the Trouble:  After another lister's (Vanessa?) report of being 
transported to various altered states by this song, I did buckle my seatbelt 
extra tight when this came on.  Didn't grab me at first, but after several 
listens, now I find it fascinating and for some reason a source of strength 
and comfort in the wake of 9-11.  Can't report (yet) any transcendental 
transports or the psychosexual states promised, but the night is young.  I do 
turn this one down when my children are present.

By Now:  I hate to be the weakest link, I really do.  But why is this song so 
ominous and scary?  Isn't it just about a teenage runaway?  I guess not, 
because all of you are telling me to lock my car door, or not let me kids 
listen to this, not sing it as a lullaby, etc.   So here's where all of you 
VSF's can feel superior, condescending, and enlightening, all at the same 
time:  what in the Sam Hill is this about? I know it's Dark and it's not a 
"feel good" song, that much I can figure out.  But are you sure it's about 
rape, murder, and carnage?  Granted, as the neurotic, overprotective mother 
of two young daughters, this song gives me the willies, even if it's only 
about a runaway.  When you reply, please remember I'm newbie and I'm 
sensitive. Laugh if you will, but laugh offline! 

I think the dedication of SP to "Mom and Dad" is one of the most moving 
phrases on the whole album.

Sorry for the length of this report--as Samuel Johnson once said, "I didn't 
have time to make it shorter."

Looking forward (with eagerness and a measure of fear) to your replies,

Grasshopper/Laura
(Boogie)

P.S.  My other favorite movie-inspired credo inspired is "Ape shall not kill 
Ape" but that didn't come to mind here. Yet.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2001 13:37:53 EDT
From: Rongrittz@aol.com
Subject: [RS] Young doe in the high beams.

Regarding "By Now," Laura innocently comments: >> I know it's Dark and it's not a "feel good" song, that much I can figure out. But are you sure it's about rape, murder, and carnage? <<

I remember telling Richard once that a list-member was trying to convince the rest of us that the song was merely about a nice old man giving a young hitchhiker a ride.  And Richard laughed and said "Oh, poor misguided soul."

As John Clary once told me, the reason the guy asks "Did you leave a note, telling where you might be by now?" is so that he knows where NOT to leave the body.

Heck, there was a time when Richard wouldn't play the song because it said it creeped HIM out.

RG

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2001 12:40:00 -0400
From: "Michaela O'Brien" <michaela@younghunter.com>
Subject: [RS] Shows This Week ... Last of '01

Hi all,

Just a quick reminder of Richard's shows this week.  Please call ahead if
you're planning on going to a certain show but don't have tickets. 

And remember... this is your last chance to see Richard Shindell perform
live in 2001!

RICHARD SHINDELL - Tour Schedule
http://www.richardshindell.com

Wed Oct. 17 Club Helsinki, Great Barrington, MA, 413-528-3394
   9:00 PM, Anne Heaton opens
Thu Oct. 18 Drylongso Coffeehouse, W. Ossippee, NH, 603-323-2348
   7:30PM, Anne Heaton opens
Fri Oct. 19 Bradford Academy, Bradford, VT, 802-222-4748
   8:00 PM, Anne Heaton opens
Sat Oct. 20 Brookdale Perf Arts Ctr, Lincroft, NJ, 732-224-2411
   8:00 PM, (Jill Sobule no longer on bill)
Sun Oct. 21 Blixt Cabin Concerts, Wayne, NJ, 973-616-0853
   3:00/6:00 PM (both SOLD OUT)

Take care,
Michaela

PS: The live CD sounds verrry goooooood.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2001 14:11:57 -0400
From: "Gene Frey" <gf212121@hotmail.com>
Subject: [RS] Maybe we should have quizzed Laura on the Baltimore Colts

Hey you guys,

Well, Laura certainly exceeded the 200-word minimum required by Prof. 
Greitzer, but it was fun reading. Somewhere in the middle I saw Richard and 
Gorka, still in college, and Gorka was asking Richard 'You gonna finish 
that?'

Anyhow, I think Sparrows Point could sort of serve as a SOTW sampler - each 
of us could pick a song or two, and expound on our opinions, theories, 
psychosexual states, cluelessness and/or cluefullness regarding the lyrics. 
Everyone should, however, give 25 words or less on why Laura is WRONG about 
By Now. WRONG WRONG WRONG. Incorrect. Missing the whole danged point. A 
whole forest/trees thing.

Ooops. Sensitive. I forgot. Sorry. (That's the penalty for name-checking 
Mickey Roarke and Tom Hanks in the same e-mail. Major karmic disturbance)

Gene F. (who got tickets to the April 2002 IMAC show at lunch today)


_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

------------------------------

End of shindell-list-digest V3 #359
***********************************