From: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org (shindell-list-digest) To: shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Subject: shindell-list-digest V8 #7 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, January 19 2006 Volume 08 : Number 007 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [RS] Re: Song of the Week, etc. [John McDonnell ] [RS] Boulton Center [B Gallagher ] [RS] Wisteria IS Hazel's House [Bart Gallagher Subject: [RS] Re: Song of the Week, etc. Hi All, I take Adam's point distinguishing the degree of connection to a song. Often, however, those songs with which we connect in a significant way tend to be regarded as "better," and I try to avoid that, while still trying to maintain that we can say that some songs are better than others, and not just in a dispassionate or disinterested way. I think Neil Diamond is a better songwriter than Barry Manilow, but I find both unlistenable---really unlistenable. On the issue of complexity, while it can give a song some analytical legs, there are those very simple songs whose quality lies in their simplicity--Mary Magdalene, AYHN, SWCD, for example. Others work despite their complexity--On a Sea of Fleur-de-Lis, for example. I used to have a tendency to regard more complex songs as better, but I came to realise that what I found complex was really just a way of saying "look how much I have to say!!" I think it's an English major thing. Back to Mavis--Adam, let's hear the theory. You're amongst friends, and it surely cannot be as crazy as my cabbie-as-hierophant theory in Last Fare of the Day. John McD. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 17:16:04 -0500 From: B Gallagher Subject: [RS] Boulton Center From: Janet Cinelli > Subject: Re: [RS] Soooo quiet > > It was great to see your post Carrie! I noticed the > new bookings as well. Terence Martin is opening for > Richard at Irvington Hall, the day after I'll be > seeing him at the IMAC. So, I'm hoping like heck that > Terence will open for Richard there too because he is > one of my favorites! > FYI anyone on or near Long Island, I just found out > Lucy is going to be playing at the Boulton Center in > Bayshore on January 27! It's alot like the IMAC, an > old movie theatre that's been renovated. One more bit > of news, Tracy Grammer's doing a house concert next > week in Babylon! Lots of good music happening around > this frozen island. I just saw Rod McDonald > yesterday, braving the blustery winds and snow. It > was well worth it! > Hope this list revives itself! > Janet Thanks Janet, for braving the frozen island to see Rod McDonald. Getting to the show that day was a bit adventurous, but the few UC faithful who did were not disappointed. Terence Martin may be back at Stony Brook late Spring. By the way, the Boulton Center used to be the Regent Theater, a great old B-movie theater. I often went to the Regent Theater as a youngster and also delivered Newsday there. It was run by Red Gench who also drove a school bus and worked at the Bay Shore Lumber Yard. Red used to show 4 or 5 James Bond or Planet of the Apes movies in one afternoon. Two dollars and a quart of malted milk balls... And no that was not me, sneaking out in a trench coat with cheap sunglasses and a fedora over my face after Red sold and The Regent went X-rated much later. I did return to do some work on the old Regent to facilitate its transformation to the Boulton. It was neat to go back, but man it wasn't the same. I'd say The Boulton is about 1/2 the size of IMAC, and a nice place for music. Bart - Let's Go Living in the Past ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 22:20:48 -0500 From: Bart Gallagher Subject: [RS] Wisteria IS Hazel's House Maybe Wisteria IS Hazel's House, from Hazel's point of view. :) Good thoughts. Sometimes art, or better yet art 'connoisseurs' have to mature. Vincent Van Gogh did not sell even one painting while he was alive. Now try to buy one. The impressionists were all scoffed at...they had to hold their own exhibition. I remember going to MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) years ago and seeing a mattress with a large hole burned through it hanging on a wall. Art? I didn't "get it", still don't. But it had an impact because I think of that mattress when the discussion turns to 'What is art?'. For the record, Mr. Shindell has not created any songs that equate to that mattress - for me. bART John McD wrote: > So, I always hesitate to say > that "Wisteria" is better than "Hazel's House" for example, not just because > that may demean someone whose experience allows them to appreciate Hazel's > House, but also because if the criterion is just what speaks to you > emotionally and intellectually, then it can become ultimately meaningless > (which is not to say that I disagree with Adam, I'm just pointing to the > the limitations of subjectivity). I know this points out the almost > futility of "evaluating" art, but I also like to think there is some kind of > analysis or approach which would demonstrate that one song actually is > better than another. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 22:22:00 -0500 From: "Norman Johnson" Subject: [RS] Hazel's House/ Dee Carstensen >> Maybe Wisteria IS Hazel's House, from Hazel's point of view.<< Hazel's been at the same house forever. Now, if she had to leave the house, that would be a different story. Actually, that would be like a song Dee Carstensen wrote called "Home"-- about a grandmother leaving her home. The first and only time I saw Dee was when she opened for Richard back in 1998. Dee's a harpist and has a beautiful voice. I thought she had totally dropped off the map (no pun intended) till I saw that she has a new album out. Also was surprised that Dee is actually older than Richard, I thought she was much younger. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dee_Carstensen Norman ------------------------------ End of shindell-list-digest V8 #7 *********************************