From: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org (shindell-list-digest) To: shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Subject: shindell-list-digest V8 #79 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, May 16 2006 Volume 08 : Number 079 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: [RS] RS at Folk alley [Adam Plunkett ] [RS] archives [Jim Colbert ] Re: [RS] RS at Folk alley ["Norman Johnson" ] [RS] Fw: Christmas in the Trenches ["Michael and Linda Marmer" Subject: Re: [RS] RS at Folk alley Norman, Is this going to be on the stream for the radio station or a seperate stream to be heard by clicking links in their archive? Just curious - they tend to do both. I listen to FolkAlley a lot at work. The DJ's can be a bit annoying at times but they play a nice mix of all types of folk music unlike many other folk stations online which seem to play the same 10 people over and over. http://www.folkalley.com/archives/000290.php?entry_id=290 That is frome their message boards. High acclaim for Richard and Vuelta. That is except for the guy who refers to his early work as unintelligible. :) On Saturday, May 13, 2006, at 00:04AM, Norman Johnson wrote: >On Friday, May 19 and Sunday, May 21 at 4 a.m., 12 p.m., 8 p.m. and Midnight >ET (GMT -5) in the Folk Alley stream, hear for yourself as Shindell and >guest Radoslov Lorkovic perform a sold-out show live from Cleveland's >Beachland Ballroom Tavern for the next Live From Folk Alley. > >www.folkalley.com > >Norman ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 May 2006 09:51:51 -0400 From: Jim Colbert Subject: [RS] archives > Hey you guys, > > "I Am" was written by Richard as a way to express his feelings after > the > 9/11 attacks. Here is a link to the original offer to download the > song as a > fundraiser for WNYC radio: > > http://grassyhill.org/stax/shindell/index.cgi?i=1006277499_kerryber > > If you use the date search on the left pane and go back to November 21, > 2001, and look through the next 10 days or so after that, you will see > a lot > of discussion about the song, the missing verse, and the events of the > time > in general. > > For what it's worth that time was, I believe, one of the most active > periods > in the history of this group, along with the late summer-early fall of > 2000 > (Diptheria? The Next Les Nessman? Anyone?) > Thanks, Gene... for the newer folks here, it's worth noting there are a lot of neat things in the archive - try typing in your favorite song and check out some of the discussions. for instance, you might try The Weather... (: - -jim ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 May 2006 18:33:22 -0400 From: "Norman Johnson" Subject: Re: [RS] RS at Folk alley Adam wrote regarding Richard's appearance on Folk Alley: >> Is this going to be on the stream for the radio station or a seperate stream to be heard by clicking links in their archive? Just curious - they tend to do both. << I don't know. I saw it on another board; I'm just the courier. Norman ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 May 2006 21:13:43 -0400 From: "Michael and Linda Marmer" Subject: [RS] Fw: Christmas in the Trenches Although this is not Richard Shinwell related, like Cold Missouri Waters, John McCutcheon had a song about the unofficial truce of 1914 during WW1. So, since I wrote about the book that Cold Missouri Water is based on and I just finished the book on the WW1 truce, which was inspired by me to buy based on John's song, I thought I would share the below email with you. Mike Marmer - ----- Original Message ----- From: Michael and Linda Marmer To: folksingers@yahoogroups.com Cc: Jeff Snell ; Paul Wasserman ; Ralph Loveless ; Jerry Matsick ; Joseph Lechner ; Ken Keki ; Don Thompson ; cookie flannery ; Jeanette Ryba ; Steve Conard ; velapoldi ; Joseph Haenn ; Gerald R Dobbs Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 8:39 PM Subject: Christmas in the Trenches Joe's email was perfect timing, as I just finished reading a book entitled "Silent Night", which is about the unofficial Christmas Truce of 1914, which John McCutheon has the song about, "Christmas in the Trenches." Also, this past winter, a French film with sub titles came out, in selected theatres, called Joyeux Noel. Wonderfully done, as the ending was kind of sad. But there was cat who was a trader! You can get this on DVD hopefully soon. Anyway, the book can be gotten on Amazon, as new, it was about 18 in hardbook and I think they have lots of used one available. In the book they do mention the song in the beginning, "Snoppy and the red Barron" which was basically the same thing, a truce between the two. Quick, without looking at Google, who did the song, about 1964? I got the answer in the middle of the night! And they had a second Snoppy/Red Barron song, that did not do too well on the charts. as then I think they faded away. Maybe they were like the Yardbirds and went on the great careers, separately. LOL The book does talk about the McCutcheon song in the end of the book. It seems that the Germans, as mentioned in the song, started the truce, with the Christmas trees on the walls of the trenches and it seams that they wanted to keep it going long after Christmas more than the British commanders would let it. At points, the Germans where firing at the sky, the next day. There is a bit that was humorous. The Germans set up a table on the front line with a goldfish bowl and goldfish for all to see on Christmas. A British Officer, who no idea what was going on, with this truce, wanted his troops to find out what that was all about and left. The officer looks through binoculars and says, "They are goldfish, by gads!" The lower ranking officer went out to the Germans and asked if he can "capture" the bowl of goldfish. The German officer protested. But was convinced to let it go, as he was given a gold sovereign. And the German said and this is his words in the book now. "Please, for Christsake, don't forget to change their water" , as the German Officer pockets the gold coin. The British amuses, "God knows what Intelligence made of them goldfish when they were sent back to Corps H.Q.... I expect someone decided the goldfish have some sort of use in trenches, like the canaries we take down to the coal pits." Sadly, McCutcheon made no mention of goldfish in his song. LOL A good book to read. The book did have a interesting take on history, on what could of happen, if the war ended with that truce. Oh, Adolph Hitler, is mentioned in the book, as he was a messenger who helped a wounded high ranking officer back to the trench, as he was upset by this truce. Figures. The officer did die, but this deed of bravery, got him going in the direction of what he was to become. It was interesting that the writer, thinks that Wilson would of been defeated by Charles Evans Hughes in 1916, if the war was over. Therefore, no FDR running for VP in 1920 and no Harding and Coolidge. A possible President after Hughes could of been Henry Ford or Harvey Firestone, being a "business" president. The military then would of been reduce and then McArthur and Eisenhower would not of become what they became. He did write that women rights would of lost out a bit, if the war ended early, since they got more involved with things. He feels that Bolshevism led by Lenin would never happen. Germany would become a strong economic power. Therefore no Lenin, Stalin, Trotsky, Hitler, Mussolini might of not come of age. And hopefully no WW2. Just some "fun" insights, if that is a proper way to write the "What if's" if the war ended in 1914. Anyway, thought I would tell you all about the book, since Joe wrote about John's new CD. Now I am reading "Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin, about Lincoln and his cabinet members who hated him, ran against him in the 1860 nomination and then they all became his close friends while Lincoln ran the country, in a terrible time. It seems it never ends! Words to the song: Christmas in the Trenches words & music by John McCutcheon Inspired by a back-stage conversation with an old woman in Birmingham, AL, this song tells a story that is not only true, but well-known throughout Europe. For some of the history behind the 1914 WWI Christmas Truce, click here. My name is Francis Tolliver, I come from Liverpool, Two years ago the war was waiting for me after school. To Belgium and to Flanders to Germany to here I fought for King and country I love dear. 'Twas Christmas in the trenches where the frost so bitter hung, The frozen fields of France were still, no Christmas song was sung, Our families back in England were toasting us that day, Their brave and glorious lads so far away. I was lying with my messmate on the cold and rocky ground When across the lines of battle came a most peculiar sound Says I, "Now listen up, me boys!" each soldier strained to hear As one young German voice sang out so clear. "He's singing bloody well, you know!" my partner says to me Soon one by one each German voice joined in in harmony The cannons rested silent, the gas clouds rolled no more As Christmas brought us respite from the war. As soon as they were finished and a reverent pause was spent "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" struck up some lads from Kent The next they sang was "Stille Nacht," "Tis 'Silent Night'," says I And in two tongues one song filled up that sky. "There's someone coming towards us!" the front line sentry cried All sights were fixed on one lone figure coming from their side His truce flag, like a Christmas star, shone on that plain so bright As he bravely strode unarmed into the night. Soon one by one on either side walked into No Man's land With neither gun nor bayonet we met there hand to hand We shared some secret brandy and we wished each other well And in a flare-lit soccer game we gave 'em hell. We traded chocolates, cigarettes, and photographs from home These sons and fathers far away from families of their own Young Sanders played his squeeze box and they had a violin This curious and unlikely band of men. Soon daylight stole upon us and France was France once more With sad farewells we each began to settle back to war But the question haunted every heart that lived that wondrous night "Whose family have I fixed within my sights?" 'Twas Christmas in the trenches, where the frost so bitter hung The frozen fields of France were warmed as songs of peace were sung For the walls they'd kept between us to exact the work of war Had been crumbled and were gone for evermore. My name is Francis Tolliver, in Liverpool I dwell Each Christmas come since World War I I've learned its lessons well That the ones who call the shots won't be among the dead and lame And on each end of the rifle we're the same. )1984 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) Mike Marmer ----- Original Message ----- From: Joe Ross To: folksingers@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 9:23 AM Subject: [folksingers] John McCutcheon's "Mightier Than the Sword" Hi, This list has been pretty quiet lately. Plez read on if you'd like to know more about John McCutcheon's latest album, "Mightier Than the Sword," released less than a month ago. Enjoy! Joe Ross JOHN McCUTCHEON - Mightier Than the Sword Appalsongs 2005 EMAIL mimi [at] peachtree-online.com OR tamara [at] savianomedia.com Tel. 615-385-1233 WEB: folkmusic.com Playing Time - 56:20 Track Listing: 1. Our Flag Was Still There (Barbara Kingsolver & John McCutcheon), 2. La Mujer de Don Miguel (Carmen Agra Deedy & John McCutcheon), 3. Claudette Colvin Goes To Work (Rita Dove & John McCutcheon), 4. Good Ol' Girls (John McCutcheon, inspired by Lee Smith), 5. Dead Man Walking (John McCutcheon, inspired by the book by Sr. Helen Prejean, 6. Cultivo una Rosa Blanca (Jose Marti & John McCutcheon), 7. Harness Up the Day (Woody Guthrie & John McCutcheon), 8. Single Girl (Lee Smith & John McCutcheon), 9. Sail Away (John McCutcheon, inspired by Carmen Agra Deedy's "Yellow Star"), 10. Old Cap Moore (Woody Guthrie & John McCutcheon), 11. Para Mi Corazon Basta Tu Pecho (Pablo Neruda & John McCutcheon), 12. It's the Economy, Stupid (John McCutcheon, inspired by Wendell Berry's "Jayber Crow"), 13. Jaber Crow's Silly Song About Jesus (Wendell Berry & John McCutcheon), 14. Ode to Common Things (John McCutcheon, inspired by Pablo Neruda's "Ode To Common Things") On "Mightier Than The Sword," McCutheon's focus is powerful, and sometimes esoteric, messages. For inspiration, he collaborates with Barbara Kingsolver, Lee Smith, Wendell Berry, Carmen Agra Deedy, and Rita Dove, as well as posthumously with Woody Guthrie. Multiple Grammy nominee McCutcheon's 29th album is a voracious reader who spent many hours at his local public library. He considered books as his "refuge and launching pad," and he had found "a horizon of unending pleasure and passion." It was inevitable that the imagery and themes he encountered in books would eventually show up in his songs. "Dead Man Walking," for example, was written in 1994 immediately after being inspired by Sr. Helen Prejean's book of the same name. McCutheon composed the melody and a chorus for Guthrie's "Old Cap Moore, " a vignette originally written in 1949 when Guthrie and family were living on Coney Island. Guthrie's lyrics for "Harness Up The Day" were found in the Guthrie Archives in 2005. Songs are also literary works, and the challenge was to put to music the words or inspirations of celebrated authors, a former U.S. Poet Laureate (Rita Dove), children's author (Carmen Agra Deedy), folk singer (Woody Guthrie), Nobel Laureate (Pablo Neruda), and Cuba's national poet (Jose Marti). The 14 songs are mostly given intimate settings, and their messages call for contemplation and deliberation. Such reflective material is often slower-tempo'ed, and it might have enhanced this project to pen a few more up-tempo pieces for additional contrast. Lyrics (including English translation for "Para Mi Corazon Basta Tu Pecho") are included in the CD's jacket. The words for "It's the Economy, Stupid," cover 4 pages in the booklet, and the song is an interesting, almost free-form kind of profound statement. The album's closer holds one of his wisest statements as McCutheon sings an ode to common things . simple, small and good. As he states, "I might forget them if I would not pause each day and thus attest, I am a man uncommonly blest." Books and music could also be viewed as common things, but they hold great joy for those who explore them, capture their soul, and document their more uncommon intellectual depth of feelings or meanings. (Joe Ross) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS a.. Visit your group "folksingers" on the web. b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: folksingers-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com c.. Your use of Yahoo! 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