November 1996(A) Bloodlines mailing list archive October 31 - November 6, 1996
In this group of posts the talk is of buttons, introductions, and
the mailing list goes through a few growing pains -REB
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Membership Update
Date: 96-10-31
From: cockatoo@bslnet.com (Nancy Talbott)
Button, Button....who's got MY button! <G> Count me in! :)))
Nancy
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Subj: Re: Nashville
Date: 96-10-31
From: tae69@dial.pipex.com (Mark Austin)
>John Stewart posted this on his AOL discussion group:
>I'm in Nashvile recording with Nanci Griffith. Steve Earle and
>Lucinda Williams on the Woody Guthrie song Deportee. Too cool.
I guess this is going to be part of Nanci's Other Voices 2 Album
which has long been proposed. On the liner notes to Other Voices
she wrote that she wanted to include one of Johns songs. I wonder
if that is included this time?
Mark
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Subj: My sordid story
Date: 96-10-31
From: sfairbanks@juno.com (Scott Fairbanks)
Hello, my name is Scott and I'm a John Stewart fan.
Of course I didn't start out with the intent to become a fan,
like most of us it started out innocently enough and before I knew it,
it was too late.
For me it started in the last half of 1972 or the first half of
1973. I was in the Navy and stationed up in Keflavik Iceland. Now
don't get me wrong, Keflavik is a great place to spend a year when
you're 21, but I guess that some people would say that the place is a
little...well...Dull.
After putting in a hard day at the office we would all slog back
to the barracks to kill time until the next day. Some people drank,
some people smoked, and some people just sat for hours listening to
music. Unfortunately I fell in with the later group.
I don't remember who had the John Stewart album that I first
heard, I believe it was Sunstorm, it's possible that I bought it at the
PX myself out of desperation to hear anything new, but before too long I
was hooked. First I would listen to the album once a day, then twice,
and before long I just played it constantly. My roommate tried to
tell me that I was developing a problem, but I figured that I could
handle it. Besides, what could be wrong with knowing the lyrics to
Lonesome Joe. I was in denial for a while, but one day I found myself
repeating the spoken words to An Account Of Haleys Comet, just one half
of a second before Johns father on the record. At that point I had to
admit that I was in big trouble.
Once I got back to the States I figured that I could handle the
problem better, there were just so many other choices in the music
stores, but alas, I found myself heading straight for the S's to see if
there were any new John Stewart albums.
Over the years I was able to keep my problem under control, and
at times I even thought that I had the problem licked, but then it would
rear it's ugly head.
When CD's first came out and I started to buy them my record
albums became relegated to the back of a closet. But guess what, they
started to release CD's with two John Stewart albums on them. And some
like the Phoenix Concerts Live even had songs not on the albums. My God,
there was no escaping it.
I'm not sure where this will all end, I seem to be in
control...most of the time. As a matter of fact I just saw John in
concert for the first time a few weeks ago in a small club in Chester,
New York. I had a table at the foot of the stage and sat only ten feet
from him for two hours, and I didn't embarrass myself once---I don't
think.
So like the rest of you I have a lifetime problem that I have to
learn to live with, and I'm sure that if we all stick together we'll be
okay.
Scott
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Subj: Buttons
Date: 96-10-31
From: lcfoster@sdcoe.k12.ca.us (Bob Foster)
I think the button sound like a great idea. How about one that just says
"front row dancer" or something that only a JS fan would understand.
A generic "I'm a JS fan" or "Member JS fan club" seems a little mundane.
Ideas??? How about:
I'm a fan of the lonesome picker
I've got California Blodlines
I've got my eyes on the Omaha rainbow
Three cheers for E A Stuart and the old campaigner
Where's Big Joe?
I like golden rolling bellies {I know, I know it's not politically
correct but...)
I'm a daydream believer
Let the big horse run
Dreamer on the Rise
Bob (how about a contest for the best button idea??) Foster
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Subj: Re[2]: Membership Update
Date: 96-10-31
From: Dan_Hodges@usccmail.lehman.com (Dan Hodges)
Hi Mike, we met at the Penn State show a few years back.
Ditto for me on both points.
Michelle - The button is a great idea, count me in.
And - please count me as very probable for the show in Crestline also.
I try not to let the distance to a JS show be a prime obstacle. I just
completed arrangements to see the shows in Mill Valley and Davis in
December (I live in New Jersey). It has become somewhat of a December
tradition for me and my wife to travel to see John (Santa Cruz last
year). It's the absolute best way we have found to use those frequent
flyer miles that are about to expire.
Dan Hodges
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Subj: Re: Buttons
Date: 96-10-31
From: delausa@mailbox.syr.edu (Del Lausa)
I was going to suggest something about "Wingless Angels" but I'd vote
(twice) for "Dreamers on the Rise". In fact, I'm voting for that now.
del
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Subj: Re: My sordid story
Date: 96-10-31
From: delausa@mailbox.syr.edu (Del Lausa)
Scott wrote:
> I'm not sure where this will all end, I seem to be in
>control...most of the time. As a matter of fact I just saw John in
>concert for the first time a few weeks ago in a small club in Chester,
>New York. I had a table at the foot of the stage and sat only ten feet
>from him for two hours, and I didn't embarrass myself once---I don't
>think.
Hi! I was there, too, Scott. I think he pretty much let people know when
they had embarrassed themslves. Was there a full moon that night?????
del (who also avoided embarrassment, for the evening at least)
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Subj: concert buttons
Date: 96-10-31
From: don-fish@msn.com (D. & F. R.)
The concert buttons sounds like a great idea, but I couldn't tell if this was
a proposal of something we should do, or something already in effect but
that, due to conspiracy, I'm the only one who doesn't know about it.
So, info please: either on making it happen or, if it's already happened, how
to get buttons.
Yours in paranoia, Don
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Subj: Re: concert buttons
Date: 96-10-31
From: DMotley@aol.com
I want one too!
Keep it Flyin' DMotley, Crestline, Ca.
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Subj: Re: Dreamersbuttons
Date: 96-10-31
From: PopWuj@aol.com
I likewise would like to suggest "dreamers on the rise" which is a song that
may yet rise higher into national conciousness someday. As a button it
holds unbenounced promise. - Jon Averill
Subj: Re: buttons and or bumpers
Date: 96-10-31
From: PopWuj@aol.com
Not to dampen the button idea, but what of a bumper sticker? I am very
discriminate about what I paste on the chrome, but it could be an accident
provoking doubletake kind of adventure.
--Jon (still unbiografied, sorry work is intense)
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Subj: Re: My sordid story
Date: 96-10-31
From: cockatoo@bslnet.com (Nancy Talbott)
I saw John at Elario's in La Jolla, CA a few years back, sat front row
center for FOUR shows (two nights) and didn't care in the LEAST if I
embaressed myself! <grin>
My girlfriend and I sang all the harmonies we knew at the top of our lungs,
and John SEEMED to be pleased with what he heard.....at least he nodded what
appeared to be encouragement to us....but for all we know, he could have
been nodding at the men in the white coats to come and get us!
Nancy
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Subj: Re: My sordid story
Date: 96-10-31
From: MFinleyCS@aol.com
What is with this quotation from the Old Testament that keeps cropping up at
the of letters here? Whoever is doing it is being rude.
Mitch Finley
(editors note: I trim most tags,sigs and extensive quotes from the archives-REB)
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Subj: Re: Dreamersbuttons
Date: 96-10-31
From: MFinleyCS@aol.com
Absolutely, "Dreamers on the Rise" would make a great button.
Mitch Finley
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Subj: Re: Buttons/Palms
Date: 96-10-31
From: ClackClack@aol.com
In a message dated 96-10-31 05:06:58 EST, you write:
< Let the big horse run <---- #1 vote
<Dreamer on the Rise <---- #2 vote
These two get my vote. Either that or just plain Bloodlines. or,
Bloodlines@world.std.com like the Nancinet buttons.
or, "Seattle, mister" now only a true bloodliner would get that one!
< I try not to let the distance to a JS show be a prime obstacle. I just
completed arrangements to see the shows in Mill Valley and Davis in
December (I live in New Jersey). It has become somewhat of a December
tradition for me and my wife to travel to see John (Santa Cruz last
year). It's the absolute best way we have found to use those frequent
flyer miles that are about to expire.
Dan Hodges >
Well. I ALWAYS make the show at the Palms in Davis. Probably the most
intimate venue you will see John at. So I'll see ya there Dan.
-Ron
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Subj: Tag Lines
Date: 96-11-01
From: Ddumail@aol.com
Apparently one of our subscribers has a tag line that is attached to each and
every one of her posts. Since we support the 1st amendment with a vengance
here, we recognize her right to attach that tag line to every post, but we
also recognize the right of everyone here to e-mail her and tell her that it
pisses us off. (If, of course, it, in fact, and, indeed, does.)
Michelle, your friendly and tolerant mailing list manager
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Subj: Buttons
Date: 96-11-01
From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle L Stevens)
OK, you guys are on the ball, aren't you? Take a look at this address for
my vision of the button. As I say on the page, if you have a different idea
for a button, please let me know and e-mail me a graphic. We'll put it up
and vote, maybe.;-)
http://www.concentric.net/~ddunet/button.html
Michelle Stevens,
Bloodlines Mailing List Manager (bloodlines @world.std.com) and
John Stewart Site Webistress (http://www.concentric.net/~ddunet/)
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Subj: Re: Tag Lines (no JS content)
Date: 96-11-01
From: pdenny@westworld.com (Patrick Denny)
>Apparently one of our subscribers has a tag line that is attached to each and
>every one of her posts. Since we support the 1st amendment with a vengance
>here, we recognize her right to attach that tag line to every post, but we
>also recognize the right of everyone here to e-mail her and tell her that it
>pisses us off.
Michelle, I find it troublesome that you, as moderator of the list, would
single out someone publicly this way simply because you obviously have some
disagreement with the sentiment of her tag line. Something tells me you
wouldn't have flinched if it instead had encouraged atheism or some other
less panic-inducing creed. Your action here is especially irresponsible in
light of your defense of the First Amendment. Either outlaw all taglines on
Bloodlines messages or be evenhanded with all that come your way. Just an
opinion from (btw) someone who has little use for organized religion but
also a sense of fairness in the true "spirit" of self expression.
_/_/ _/_/ _/_/ _/_/ _/_/
PATRICK DENNY
pdenny@westworld.com
PatrickD35@aol.com
macwhiz@pacbell.net
_/_/ _/_/ _/_/ _/_/ _/_/
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Subj: Tag Lines and other stuff
Date: 96-11-01
From: tae69@dial.pipex.com (Mark Austin)
Not wanting to get drawn into the big debate, I suggest a little
sidetracking. On the Springsteen Lucky Town Digest, many people
use the tag lines to include a favorite quote, snippet or line
from a song. As well as being interesting to others, it's also a
little more relevant, although I fully understand all the other
views already expressed.
Having said all this, there no tag line to this mail as I haven't
yet got round to choosing a suitable one. It will be on my next post
however.
Mark
P.S. I like "Dreamers on the Rise" for a button but I'd have to rely
on some kindly soul to get one out here.
P.P.S. My fave suggestion "Seattle Mister" would only annoy my wife
no end as she thinks the whole story is dumb. (Perhaps even more
reason for getting it!)
P.P.P.S. Is there any way the AOL mail could be sent to the Internet
only readers, even in some sort of weekly digest. Some of the
Bloodlines postings are obviously in reply to AOL postings that I
know nothing about. The copied info on John being in Nashville with
Nanci and Steve Earle was much appreciated, especially as I was able
to forward the info to "Exit 0" the Steve Earle Mailing List.
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Subj: Re: Buttons
Date: 96-11-01
From: delausa@mailbox.syr.edu (Del Lausa)
Michelle,
I just took a look at the button design and will be sending my $$$ for a
personalized copy (or two). i just have a couple small questions:
1. What size? (just curious)
2. Is the background color going to be white? Personally, I'd prefer
something in the neon range just for visibility.
In any case, I'll look forward to receiving mine--nothing like waiting for
cool mail.
del
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Subj: This list
Date: 96-11-01
From: m.j.mooney@bradford.ac.uk (Mike Mooney)
Well I haven't posted since my intro, so I thought it was about time...
First off, I hope people won't take this in the wrong way, but are we going
to observe 'Netiquette' on this list? I ask, for a number of reasons:
1. Over the last few weeks there seem to have been *scores* of what are
commonly known as "me too" messages on the list - mainly of the type (a)
"Buttons/house parties, what a good idea! [end of message]", and (b) "I too
have written to Austin City Limits! [end of message]".
Now I've been on a few mailing lists, and on just about all of them this
sort of thing is heavily discouraged, as it is (a) rather boring to read,
and (b) annoying for people who have to pay for each message they download
(this doesn't apply to me, so I have no axe to grind).
Surely things like the button scheme could be handled off-list, by mailing
direct to a co-ordinator (Michelle?), rather than the whole list?
2. We're already starting to get flame wars about religious sentiments in
people's sigs. Where's the problem? I'm not religious myself, but I don't
see what's wrong with a quotation from the Bible at the end of a message (or
equally an *anti*-religious quotation, for that matter).
So again, I would suggest that if two or more people want to 'discuss'
controversial matters unrelated to John Stewart, then they do it by private
Email and spare the rest of us.
(BTW, Scott Fairbanks' 'My Sordid Story' was excellent and an honourable
exemption from the above complaint).
And finally (hooray! I hear you sigh), let's get some interesting threads
going! Nobody seemed to care about my "British football club infringes
John's copyright" starter, so I'll try again by stealing Ian Ashton's idea
(as he's showing no sign of posting it):
Could we construct a definitive list of American place-names
(states/cities/towns) mentioned in John Stewart songs? OK, it's trivial but
it'll pass the time until the next album! And those of you in the few
remaining locations not yet name-checked can lobby John for a song! I mean,
what's *wrong* with Des Moines, anyway? (Answers on a postcard...)
Mike
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Subj: Re: Tag Lines
Date: 96-11-01
From: cockatoo@bslnet.com (Nancy Talbott)
At 12:51 AM 11/1/96 -0500, you wrote:
>Apparently one of our subscribers has a tag line that is attached to each and
>every one of her posts. Since we support the 1st amendment with a vengance
>here, we recognize her right to attach that tag line to every post, but we
>also recognize the right of everyone here to e-mail her and tell her that it
>pisses us off. (If, of course, it, in fact, and, indeed, does.)
>Michelle, your friendly and tolerant mailing list manager
>
How DARE you people criticize my right to include anything I chose as a "tag
line", within the boundries of good taste, of course. And Michelle, what
gives you the right to encourage people to spam me with email telling me how
much it "P***s them off"?????
I am so angry at people, here and across the country who "cringe" at the
very mention of the name of GOD.
This is not a government agency, it is not a school, nor is it a church!
This is a BULLITEN BOARD/email forum, for crying out loud!!! Where people
can post their OWN views, and HOPEFULLY be respected, not criticized!!!
I find foul language, talk of "aliens among us", and liberalism very
offensive,but you don't see me blasting someone for THEIR views. It's only
when the subject turns to God that people bristle. Why do you suppose that
is?
Take me off this bulliten board....I will still be a fan of John's forever,
but I don't need to be criticized for my beliefs in a forum which gives lip
service to the concept of "free speech".
Nancy
PS If some of you who find this "offensive" decide that my anger probably
isn't a very "Christian" attitude,well, you could be right. But remember
Jesus with the "loan sharks" in the temple...He got a little angry,too.
(Mark 11:15-17) I'm only a forgiven Christian, not a perfect person.
"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray
and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from
heaven and will forgive their sin, and heal their land." (I Chronicles 7:14)
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Subj: AOL MMC JS
Date: 96-11-01
From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle L Stevens)
Would anyone else like to see the aol message board posts? I guess we could
collect them and post them here once a week or so.
Lemme know.
Michelle
editors note: I have chosen to not include AOL board reposts in the archives of
bloodlines as I intend to include notable AOL posts elsewhere-REB)
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Subj: Re: Tag Lines (no JS content)
Date: 96-11-01
From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle L Stevens)
Your'e right, Patrick, I shouldn't have made any mention of this publicly.
I guess I should have mailed that message to the questioner himself. I
stand corrected.
However, I never said that it was wrong, or that it bothered me. I was
just stating *everyone's* rights in this matter. And it wasn't me that
flinched. I was just trying to answer the question.
Michelle, "no mustache to lose, but still trying to be a little more nice"
Stevens
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Subj: Buttons
Date: 96-11-01
From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle L Stevens)
I think the button will be about 2/5 to 3 inches in diameter. I'll look
into doing some kind of "NEON" background not only, as you suggest, for
visibility, but also to refer to all the neon references in John's music.
What a great idea! We'll be full of symbolism!
MIchelle
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Subj: Growing Pains
Date: 96-11-01
From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle L Stevens)
>1. Over the last few weeks there seem to have been *scores* of what are
>commonly known as "me too" messages on the list - mainly of the type (a)
>"Buttons/house parties, what a good idea! [end of message]", and (b) "I too
>have written to Austin City Limits! [end of message]".
I think this is happening because as a fairly new group (we're nine weeks
old) there have been a dearth of messages and it didn't seem to harmful to
post the "me too" kind of posts. You see it on the aol message board all
the time, but you're right, we could try to keep those to a minimum.
>Surely things like the button scheme could be handled off-list, by mailing
>direct to a co-ordinator (Michelle?), rather than the whole list?
This button thing is just starting and I have encouraged people to e-mail
me privately and put up a page at the web site to give all the information.
(http://www.concentric.net/~ddunet/button.html)
>2. We're already starting to get flame wars about religious sentiments in
>people's sigs. Where's the problem? I'm not religious myself, but I don't
>see what's wrong with a quotation from the Bible at the end of a message (or
>equally an *anti*-religious quotation, for that matter).
Yes, that is my fault. I'll take responsibility for this one, as I am still
learning how to be an ethical and efficient mailing list manager.
>So again, I would suggest that if two or more people want to 'discuss'
>controversial matters unrelated to John Stewart, then they do it by private
>Email and spare the rest of us. >(BTW, Scott Fairbanks' 'My Sordid Story'
>was excellent and an honourable exemption from the above complaint).
I think so, too. I have been humored and sometimes moved by the stories I
have read here. I guess that the superfluous postings give us a feel for
who these people really are, more like a family than a business, and I
really enjoy them.
>Could we construct a definitive list of American place-names
>(states/cities/towns) mentioned in John Stewart songs? OK, it's trivial but
>it'll pass the time until the next album! And those of you in the few
>remaining locations not yet name-checked can lobby John for a song! I mean,
>what's *wrong* with Des Moines, anyway? (Answers on a postcard...)
I like this idea. We did this on the Nancinet.
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Subj: Re: Buttons
Date: 96-11-01
From: GriffPR@aol.com
"Seattle, Mister"...ah, yes, a phrase that only the most minutiae-crazed
Stewartista would recognize. I like it!!
There are, perhaps, others...I submit "Class of 1902".
Or--too long for a button but OK for a bumper sticker--
"We tipped over her three-wheeler".
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Subj: Re: This list
Date: 96-11-01
From: Angelbravo@aol.com
Dear bloodlines@world.std.com,
Your mail about copyright infringment was heard and forwarded to screen gems
in nyc. The infringment was tracked down and taken care of.before your email
they couldn't seem to get anywhere with finding it.
Your internet in action. Thanks
John Stewart
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Subj: Re: Buttons
Date: 96-11-01
From: PFARNAM@aol.com
My vote for the button would be (1) "Seattle, Mister", (2) "Keep it Flying",
and (3) whatever get's done.
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Subj: Goings on in Nashville
Date: 96-11-01
From: Ddumail@aol.com
This was posted on the Nanci Griffith AOL MMC:
Subj: Re:New Album
Date: 11/1/96 7:15:16 PM
From: ADOMIXER
The 'new' album, with John Stewart and many others, will not appear for quite
some time. There will, however, be another new album before that one. BTW,
it's nice to hear people refer to 'albums' like in the old days!
ADO
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Subj: Netiquette/tolerance
Date: 96-11-02
From: ClackClack@aol.com
At the risk of a "me too" post <g for mike> , I would like to thank Mike for
posting his netiquette reminder. I don't think that Michelle has worked up an
intro "FAQ" yet, but those sorts of guides are generally covered in the intro
response one receives from a mailing list subscription. Although a sign of
enthusiasm, one liner "me toos" and "hear hear" etc do clog up peoples
mailboxes, and as noted by Mike, (although I think much less so than in the
past) some people do pay by the message or they have a limited amount of
access time, so politeness would generally dictate one try to refrain. I
know, someone suggests T-shirts, or buttons, Austin City Limits, we all want
to put in our nickles worth. Michelle is the head-honchess here, so I think
its up to her to moderate these types of posts as needed.
As far as sig's, and for that matter the content of one's posts, I always
preach tolerance. This is a John Stewart mailing list. Talk of John, The
Kingston Trio, other artists generally related to John, song discussions, I
don't think anyone can disagree with these sorts of things. That is what the
list is for. However, just about every list I have been on has had one or
more "upsets", flame wars, or near flame wars at some time or another. These
have generally involved off-topic posts, or topics that degenerated, and
generally involve religious views, abortion issues, gay rights, or personal
attacks on someone. I feel really bad that Nancy got so upset that she thinks
she needs to leave this list. I hope that she cools down and rejoins. I think
we can be tolerant of one's sig's. After all, I connected with Michelle about
a year ago when she saw a quote from Dreamers on The Rise in my sig. Sig's
are little tidbits that tell you something about the person. Don't let it
bother you folks, OK. If you find something offensive, then send a polite
note to the person. If I had a sig that said "God is a concept by which we
measure our pain" , one person might think hey a John Lennon fan. Another may
think of it as anti-religious or even sacrilegious. So, if I knew a post was
bothering someone in an offensive way, I'd probably remove it if it wasn't
pertinent to the newsgroup. I didn't find Nancy's sig offensive. I don't
think it has anything to do with John Stewart either. Nuff said.
On recent posts, I GREATLY enjoyed the sordid tale. Let's get a few more
intro/bio's out of folks. Hear that Dave? DAVE! OK.
Off to the side of the road, you see a little figure, suitcase by her side,
and a sign that reads simply "please". You fishtail across 4 lanes of
highway, coming to a halt you give it your best John Stewart: "Hey honey,
where ya goin'?" "Crestline, mister, where you going?" "Hell, I was going to
the store for cigarette's, but I'll take you to Crestline."
So who has Adobe photoshop or something fancy to design our "Seattle, mister"
button? Take it easy folks, Ron
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Subj: toward substance
Date: 96-11-02
From: delausa@mailbox.syr.edu (Del Lausa)
OK. You're right . . .tooo chatty for an internet list. So I'm going to
try and start a thread that I hope others will continue. I'm a textual
theorist and critic working on a PhD now, so I'm interested in figuring out
_why_ I like the poems, songs, novels, etc. that i like. I'm going to start
here with one "favorite" John Stewart line and then try to articulate why I
think it is so powerful. I'm not trying to say anything about what John was
thinking when he wrote it, or about why anybody else likes it . . . just
about how i see the line working and why it moves _me_. This is a pretty
obvious analysis, but I offer it as an opening to further discussion.
"So it's up to you and I to beat our arms against the sky and keep
it flyin"
The line seems to me to be typical of an important tension in John
Stewart's songs between despair and hope (or faith). On the one hand, there
is the hopeless condition of having to fly with only arms, hopelessly
inadequate to the task. But even as that hopeslessness is articulated in
the first part of the line, there is also a reference to the sky which
pivots the focus--first, the sky as enemy, as gravity, that against which
we struggle, _against_ which we beat our arms; but, at the same time, an
aspiration, hope for something better interjected into a hopeless
situation. This aspiration, this looking upward is followed by an
assertion, a hope, a faith, that somehow we can accomplish the task with
only arms to fly . . . if we begin. And it is not a matter of looking to
heroes (given the context of the song) but to ourselves, one by one. To
begin, to have faith, to engage in the impossible on an individual level is
the _only_ hope, however slim. And the line at least imagines the profound
additive potential of every small part; if enough of us beat ourr arms
against the sky, maybe we really could fly. . . .
I know that's pretty obvious. I'm just trying to get something started
here. Anybody else have a favorite line that they want to give their take
on?
del
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Subj: Re: Nashville
Date: 96-11-02
From: PeterB1103@aol.com
I think John changed his mind during the Phoenix Concerts ("Oh, I'm comin'
back . . .").
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Subj: Re: Buttons
Date: 96-11-02
From: PeterB1103@aol.com
How obscure (and poignant) can we go?
And I remember the name
Roll away the stone
Barstow on to L.A.
My mama knows that I was once a child
Those aren't clouds on the horizon
That kind of wind still blows
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Subj: Re: Buttons
Date: 96-11-02
From: PeterB1103@aol.com
I like "Seattle Mister". But it's not obscure enough. How about, "She was
standing there in her orthopedic hat." Anyone recognize that one?
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Subj: Re: Tag Lines and other stuff
Date: 96-11-02
From: Pjhayesofc@aol.com
I like it!
A little difference of opinion in the John Stewart world!
Let's roust this somnambulent list!
How about something really controversial, like : "John's guitar was too loud"
or "I wish he'd let Dave sing more" or "Boy his version of Airdream Believer
version of Daydream Believer is really weak compared to LPicker Rides Again".
The intros from the new people (non-AOL) have been GREAT.
Just got a job after three months of underemployment. Of course the first
paycheck went straight to Dave: "The Best of John Stewart" - is that John or
David Copperfield on the cover? "Sunstorm" -- jeez I'd forgotten all about
"Joe"! "LPicker Rides Again" - Whenever I get the huevos to do an intro
you'll hear about this one; and "BANDERA" which I have listened to non-stop
for two weeks - just listen to that glorious Telecaster!!!
I used to think John was past him prime, but Rough Sketches and Bandera have
set me straight.
Humbly,
PJH
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Subj: Re: Orthopedic hat
Date: 96-11-03
From: JACBirch@aol.com
That's from John's routine about blind dates, from the Trio's album "Once
upon a Time." One of the funniest stories he ever told.
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Subj: Re: Buttons
Date: 96-11-03
From: cnewton@fyi.net (Christopher Newton)
How about "Willard in Disguise?"
Kit Newton
Yet another great line from John's comedic monologue from the "Once Upon a
Time" album.
Kit Newton
At 01:23 PM 11/2/96 -0500, you wrote:
>I like "Seattle Mister". But it's not obscure enough. How about, "She was
>standing there in her orthopedic hat." Anyone recognize that one?
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Subj: RE: toward substance
Date: 96-11-03
From: don-fish@msn.com (D. & F. R.)
Del/group:
Enjoyed your post (copied below), and also the evolution of Bloodlines to more
of a discussion group.
The ``beat our arms against the sky'' line seems to be one that clicks with a
lot of Stewart fans. Your take is well put, interesting and probably captures
much of the reason many people relate to it, even if they may not have
articulated it in just the same way. And it strikes me all the more that the
beauty of Stewart -- of art/music/poetry -- is that so much could be evoked
so economically, 18 words:
"So it's up to you and I to beat our arms against the sky and keep
it flyin"
-- Don/Peeveyroo@aol
Del wrote:
>The line seems to me to be typical of an important tension in John
>Stewart's songs between despair and hope (or faith). On the one hand, there
>is the hopeless condition of having to fly with only arms, hopelessly
>inadequate to the task. But even as that hopeslessness is articulated in
>the first part of the line, there is also a reference to the sky which
>pivots the focus--first, the sky as enemy, as gravity, that against which
>we struggle, _against_ which we beat our arms; but, at the same time, an
>aspiration, hope for something better interjected into a hopeless
>situation. This aspiration, this looking upward is followed by an
>assertion, a hope, a faith, that somehow we can accomplish the task with
>only arms to fly . . . if we begin. And it is not a matter of looking to
>heroes (given the context of the song) but to ourselves, one by one. To
>begin, to have faith, to engage in the impossible on an individual level is
>the _only_ hope, however slim. And the line at least imagines the profound
>additive potential of every small part; if enough of us beat ourr arms
>against the sky, maybe we really could fly. . . .
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Subj: British Football Clubs
Date: 96-11-04
From: tae69@dial.pipex.com (Mark Austin)
It does appear that the use of Daydream Believer by British Football
Clubs is spreading. Although originally adopted by Sunderland, who
actually recorded the song, it has been picked up by various
supporters who now sing it at the grounds. Indeed, it was picked up
by my beloved Luton Town and heartily sung at our local derby with
Watford last week. The sentiments "Cheer Up Graham Taylor" directed
to the opposition chairman and former England team manager.
I did think of the previous mailings at the time and debated as to
whether or not I should join in, but in the end my desire to poke fun
at the enemy outweighed my concern regarding Johns lack of royalties
from offical sources!
I was pleased to see Johns posting that the royalty matter has
actually been dealt with, with the help of this list.
Mark
"Just to think I might have never known you"
P.S. Many thanks for the AOL digest. Very useful and interesting.
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Place names and buttons
Date: 96-11-05
From: GregDenis@aol.com
I *love* the buttonsuggestions. Obviously we need a series. Michelle -- do we
have to go to the Web page to order?
Place references:
That day on Crow's Landing to me was like a branding.
Back in Pomona at the county fair.
In Tennessee they were foresaken,
L.A. was the coup de grace
Josie don't work sidewalks or the (halls?) of the Tenderloin
From Hollywood up north to the Golden Gate
I'd shine my light on cool Colorado rain
In the eyes of sweet Virginia the fields of Kansas lay
And stretched to California, a hope for better days
Boy, John sure can't write a line, can't he? Even the place references are
evocative.
-- Greg Dennis
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Subj: There is a train.....
Date: 96-11-05
From: Dan_Hodges@usccmail.lehman.com (Dan Hodges)
One of John's lines that I really like is:
"The train is called reality and it's coming way too soon."
To me it imparts a very strong image of the mystical train as the
irresistible, unstoppable force which ensures that we (I), sooner than
later, have to face the dilemmas and make the tough choices.
I think this one line stands out and in many ways says it all, while
the rest of the song amplifies the point.
Dan Hodges
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Subj: No Subject
Date: 96-11-06
From: lnhfbo@polaristel.net (Luke Havumaki)
I'm also pleased to see this group evolve into more of a discussion group
than a "Me too." post-it note type of place. Regarding favorite John
Stewart songs, one of my favorites (I can't pick just one - it depends on
the moon) is "She Believes In Me"
She believes the ships come in singing from the sea... What an
image. It brings to mind Anne McCaffrey's book series - The Ship who Sang.
John's acknowledgement that "She believes in losers...she believes in me"
is one of the best lines I feel he has come up with.
Another name of the people who deserve wider recognition than their
cult following is Bill Morrissey. His song, "Birches" is a story classic.
Check it out.
Luke
Oh once we were dreamers on the rise. John Stewart
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Subj: Angel lines. . .
Date: 96-11-06
From: MFinleyCS@aol.com
Some of my favorite Stewart songs use angels in the lyrics, almost always I
would say, as metaphors for Transcendence, the Divine Mystery, God, whatever
you want to call it. A few songs that come to mind: "Songs of All the
Angels," "Wings of St. Michael," "Angel on the Road Shoulder," "Shadows of
the Angels' Wings," and, of course, "Interview With an Angel." I wonder
about, maybe, delightful layers of meaning in "Angel Delgadillo." Hm. . .
Mitch Finley
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end of Bloodlines archive Nov(A), 1996
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