Sondheim Poll
Mon, 17 Nov 2003, 10:49 amGreg Ross8 posts in thread
Sondheim Poll
Mon, 17 Nov 2003, 10:49 amWould it be possible to add one extra option to the Sondheim Poll?
• Nothing, they’re all dreadful
For you see, dear adjudicator, there are luddites such as myself, who think that Sondheim has never written anything melodic, or in tune in his life – rather a series of random notes played off key. I’ve always suspected the bastard escaped from the Hammer Horror studios.
Cheers Â… I mean Arrrrg!
• Nothing, they’re all dreadful
For you see, dear adjudicator, there are luddites such as myself, who think that Sondheim has never written anything melodic, or in tune in his life – rather a series of random notes played off key. I’ve always suspected the bastard escaped from the Hammer Horror studios.
Cheers Â… I mean Arrrrg!
Re: Sondheim Poll
Tue, 18 Nov 2003, 08:49 pmI take my hat off to you Amanda, for you have given me valid points for consideration.
On reflection ... and here, I hate to give my age away, be speaking of Procul Harem, but how deviously insane were their lyrics ... "The mirror on reflection climbed back upon the wall ..."?. But I digress.
I had forgotten the West Side Story connection, although subliminally, something must have triggered the P.J.Proby mention. The lyrics have never struck me as being profound, but given the right singer, they can indeed assume a beauty.
I will pursue some early Sondheim, although I fear anti social strata by-laws in my apartment may prevent me from listening to too much. However, may I beg your indulgence, as I delve into the past and quote a few marvellous lyrics.
Although I can never go past Jacques Brel, of course Mort Shuman was the man who translated the Belgian master’s lyrics into English. That incredible cry from a broken heart … “I’d have been the shadow of your shadow, if you might have left me by your side …” And yes, Nina Simone’s interpretation was stunning, but Scott Walker was sublime.
And what of Leonard Cohen and his homage to Joan of Arc?
“And something in me yearns to win
Such a cold, such a lonesome heroine.”
“And who are you?” She sternly spoke
to the one beneath the smoke
“Why I am fire,” he replied
“And I love your solitude, I love your pride.”
Try Jennifer Warnes interpretation. And finally, surely one of the most beautiful love songs ever written –
“If you see her, say hello, she might be in Tangier
She left here last early spring, is living there I hear
Say for me that IÂ’m all right, though things get kind of slow
She might think that IÂ’ve forgotten her, donÂ’t tell her it isnÂ’t so
We had a falling out, like lovers often will
And to think of how she left that night, it still brings me a chill
And though our separation, it pierced me to the heart
She still lives inside of me, weÂ’ve never been apart
If you get close to her, kiss her once for me …”
A strange taciturn man on stage, with no real audience rapport, I suspect only Dylan could ever sing this and I vividly recall goose bumps on my arms early this year, when Dylan snarled his lyrics to “The Masters of War,” on the green at Claremont Showgrounds. Bush, Howard and Blair of course were swallowing mad pills.
As usual, I have rambled on far too long, but then the power and beauty of words and music, have possessed the hearts and minds of actors for thousands of years.
All Good Things
Greg
On reflection ... and here, I hate to give my age away, be speaking of Procul Harem, but how deviously insane were their lyrics ... "The mirror on reflection climbed back upon the wall ..."?. But I digress.
I had forgotten the West Side Story connection, although subliminally, something must have triggered the P.J.Proby mention. The lyrics have never struck me as being profound, but given the right singer, they can indeed assume a beauty.
I will pursue some early Sondheim, although I fear anti social strata by-laws in my apartment may prevent me from listening to too much. However, may I beg your indulgence, as I delve into the past and quote a few marvellous lyrics.
Although I can never go past Jacques Brel, of course Mort Shuman was the man who translated the Belgian master’s lyrics into English. That incredible cry from a broken heart … “I’d have been the shadow of your shadow, if you might have left me by your side …” And yes, Nina Simone’s interpretation was stunning, but Scott Walker was sublime.
And what of Leonard Cohen and his homage to Joan of Arc?
“And something in me yearns to win
Such a cold, such a lonesome heroine.”
“And who are you?” She sternly spoke
to the one beneath the smoke
“Why I am fire,” he replied
“And I love your solitude, I love your pride.”
Try Jennifer Warnes interpretation. And finally, surely one of the most beautiful love songs ever written –
“If you see her, say hello, she might be in Tangier
She left here last early spring, is living there I hear
Say for me that IÂ’m all right, though things get kind of slow
She might think that IÂ’ve forgotten her, donÂ’t tell her it isnÂ’t so
We had a falling out, like lovers often will
And to think of how she left that night, it still brings me a chill
And though our separation, it pierced me to the heart
She still lives inside of me, weÂ’ve never been apart
If you get close to her, kiss her once for me …”
A strange taciturn man on stage, with no real audience rapport, I suspect only Dylan could ever sing this and I vividly recall goose bumps on my arms early this year, when Dylan snarled his lyrics to “The Masters of War,” on the green at Claremont Showgrounds. Bush, Howard and Blair of course were swallowing mad pills.
As usual, I have rambled on far too long, but then the power and beauty of words and music, have possessed the hearts and minds of actors for thousands of years.
All Good Things
Greg
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