Amazon exiles discussion
Don't Kill Snails with Salt ... Creme Eggs & Toasted Teacakes ... Biscuits & Bench Stories, Life, the Universe, & Everything!
Gonad The Barbiturate wrote: "And is anyone else getting the whole amount of posts - y'know, the little red number - for each thread rather than just any new posts? That usually only happens when I'm signed out. What mischief i..."YES!!!! And it's a right pain in the rear! But it seems only on some threads, others are normal.
Gonad The Barbiturate wrote: "And to avoid (or indeed create) any confusion..... yous lot call me what ya wish. Blastro or Blastronaut is still fine with me. I mean after all these years, I'm still me... and my old username. Probably will assume said old identity sooner rather than later and if I can't have it cos the other profile displays same name... I'll hang a couple of bells n whistles on it. You all know how I childishly like to play with names (says 'Gonad').So.... refer to me as Blastro or Gonad... or any number of rude names anyone thinks applicable...."
I would like to put in a request for you to revert back to your original name. Would probably have to be "Blastronaut II", or "Blastronaut Rises Again", or something. I cannot cope with seeing Gonads on the forum, it's very discombobulating! ;-)
Welcome back, btw.
Helen The Melon wrote: "Gonad The Barbiturate wrote: "And to avoid (or indeed create) any confusion..... yous lot call me what ya wish. Blastro or Blastronaut is still fine with me. I mean after all these years, I'm still..."Thanks Helen. And don't worry, I shall get around to it. You do know tho that it won't be anything as simple as Blastronaut II. You know me better than that! Gonna have to at least be 'Blastronaut vs Gonad' (as an example) I shall set about the task in due course.
(Stamps feet) I WANT MY OLD PROFILE BACK!!!!!!! Boo-hoo.
Any ideas how I could get back in without contacting the ex because she has become the most spiteful person you could ever imagine. I know.... you think that's just a figure of speech. She is the ultimate epitome of spite!
Any other way in to change password ,Helen? Anybody?? She also screwed me over my microsoft account and changed password and will not give it to me.. so I lost console game saves and 10-15years of achievements and gamescore tally earnt over those years. Yeah I'm angry!!! ) :
Gonad The Barbiturate wrote: "Cheers Collette, been a while hasn't it? Not just this end it's happening then?? It might be ok for those with photographic memories who can file the number of posts away in their head and summon e..."Hey Blastro. That I am. I'll still be blasting my Hair Metal out when I'm 70. Always will be my favourite kinda music. 😛
I may be concerned unnecessarily (I, happily, currently have no prospect of needing such accommodation 🤞) but my heart sinks at the music played in dramas set in old people’s homes. Vera Lynn, Bing Crosby etc. I’m not by any means a music expert in the way all of you are but the Beatles and the Stones are the oldest performers that I like and my daughter put me on to later stuff like Green Day etc. And the thought of a ‘singalong’ to the likes of We’ll meet again makes me shudder. Well, to be honest, the thought of a singalong to anything at all is pretty grim. Just have to hope it never happens!
Hopefully the people in those shows actually lived through WWII and associate the songs with their own experience. I guess I can look forward to singing along to Yellow Submarine, Y.M.C.A. or ABBA! But like you, I'm not a joiner-in. At the show today, the main artist said "Feel free to sing along - but only of you can sing in key". Well that let me out right away! Never been a singer. In the care home, I'll be the one in the corner doing a jigsaw, reading a large print book or trying to pick up a dropped stitch.
Val wrote: "Hopefully the people in those shows actually lived through WWII and associate the songs with their own experience. I guess I can look forward to singing along to Yellow Submarine, Y.M.C.A. or ABBA!..."Oh, Val, that’s music to my ears, if you’ll pardon the expression! neither G nor I can sing a note, though we enjoy listening. As long a we’re spared the jolly types who feel they have a duty to get us to join in for our own good …
Well ladies, I meself am a terrible singer but it don't stop me. Obviously in the shower but whenever I put music on... in the house at least. After a few drinks, the 'air guitar' comes out with me fingers going up n down the invisible fretboard like I know what I'm doing if I had a real un in me hands.... tho I have not a clue! Me lad puts up with it and doesn't even laugh at me. And I really am shocking. Am assuming neither of yous have ever had a go at Karaoke then? Neither have I but there's been a couple of times after many drinks when folk are going at it in pub that I've been tempted to ask if they got Sid's version of My Way. Reckon I'd make an ok job of that. Sing, I can't.... but I can growl and snarl the words out a la Sid.
By no means in all cases, but in many, folk going at it at karaoke make a hash of it because... well, ya gotta be well oiled to have courage to get up there in first place! How many folk consider themselves great singers after a few drinks? About as many as think they're God's gift to women/men I'll wager. : )
Green Day Isabella? Nice one.
And notice me resorting back to my maiden name? : )
Blastronauts and Dreamscapes wrote: "And notice me resorting back to my maiden name? : )"Excellent, you're Blastro forever.
Blastronauts and Dreamscapes wrote: "Well ladies, I meself am a terrible singer but it don't stop me. Obviously in the shower but whenever I put music on... in the house at least. After a few drinks, the 'air guitar' comes out with me..."Not to mention that around 80% of drivers consider themselves 'better than average' which is a mathematical impossibility.
Isabella wrote: "As long a we’re spared the jolly types who feel they have a duty to get us to join in for our own good …..."That's why I blanch at the thought of going on a cruise. I would love to travel on a boat but I don't need to be entertained 24 hours a day. Just let me walk around the deck enjoying the sea air spliced with lounging in a deck chair with my book. Actually, cut the deck chair, I'd never be able to get out if it. Make it a comfy armchair - maybe a recliner.
Blastronauts and Dreamscapes wrote: "Am assuming neither of yous have ever had a go at Karaoke then?..."I haven't ever been or been taken to a karaoke. I probably wouldn't mind other people's attempts but no way would I be getting up. And even likkered up, I tend to fall asleep after a couple of glasses of wine.
I do have music playing during the day at home and can belt out a few numbers - Amy Winehouse & Mark Ronson's Valerie being a favourite.
I like Green Day too. My younger daughter got me into them. Back in 2018 we saw the stage musical Green Day's American Idiot and it was fab!
Welcome back Blastro! it's how we'll always think of you so you may as well adopt the moniker permanently.
It sounds as if we may need to set up our own personalised cruise/care home company, Val, with the care home halfway between Oz and UK, so we can have a nice quiet cruise and meet in the middle for a while then cruise back to visit family and friends. I don’t think we could afford it but we can imagine!
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Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Blastronaut Rocks..
(last edited Oct 03, 2023 07:34AM)
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Another thumbs up for Green Day! Nice one Val. Things with GD, is they're frowned upon by folk into other types of guitar based music.. including punk fans - the very genre GD started out aiming for - because of their commercial take on punk. I personally like a bit of punk but I also like Green Day. They're one of those bands that folk like to kick because it makes em feel more 'Musically intelligent' I reckon. Meself.... if I like what a band puts out, I like em and don't mind admitting it... even if it IS 'commercial punk or rock'Having said that, I'm not taken with GD's stuff post-American Idiot. Everything before and including that album, I'm very partial to.
So, let's have some radio friendly rock/punk...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc1Ul...
Always great to sing to when inebriated.
I think the reason I like them is because they have strong melodies. Many songs from the punk era aren't catchy enough for my tastes.
As an amateur in these music genres, all I can do is paraphrase the well known comment about art, ‘I don’t know much about music but I know what I like.’ My ignorance is immense and I don’t actually care if something is in or out, or slightly suspect to the purists, I just want to enjoy it, by my personal standard, so I probably like some fairly odd stuff. Which I probably can’t identify 😉
Anita wrote: "Nice to see a Blastro back."Nearly missed that little post of yours tucked away there. : ) Cheers Anita!
Val wrote: "I think the reason I like them is because they have strong melodies. Many songs from the punk era aren't catchy enough for my tastes."Know exactly what ya mean Val... just that me personally like both. I like some shouty/snarly stuff with an edge, but also love a good melody. And then all the stuff (like alt/indie) that comes in between. When I talk of aggressive music tho, I do draw a line. You'll not find me listening to Slayer. I got a lot of time for two outta the so-called 'Big Fpur' that some folk credit with birthing the thrash metal thing. Said four being Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth and Slayer. Love the first two, don't mind the third... but you'll never have me listening to Slayer. Utter utter garbage. Can't bloody stand that row! Loadsa folk liked - and no doubt still do - Slayer and other similar sounding acts but personally... I don't 'get it'. I don't see what it is they do that ,reaches folk. Guess we all feel that way about various bands or whole genres tho.
See! Even I don't listen to any old tripe!! That's what Mother used to call it when I was listening to Motorhead as a kid.... 'Tripe'. Bless her.
Yeah I think that's why GD don't fall into the 'proper' punk category for most folk.... too melodic. As I say... I gotta lot of time for em. Another cue to put up links. One shout from me and one from our young un.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUTGr...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sc81...
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(last edited Oct 03, 2023 04:25PM)
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Isabella - I'm pretty much the same. I likes what I likes. Up to around me mid 20s, it seemed important for me to identify with one genre or another. Then I guess I grew up! : ) Ha ha no offence to anyone who does do that. I was a 'rocker' a 'mod' a... err... 'dance music person' (I refuse to say 'raver') and so forth. As I got older I decided to put em all together and seek out other genres or sub-genres too. I don't really to tell anyone that I listen to whatever I like regardless of how uncool they're deemed to be cos I've admitted publicly that I'm fond of the first Meatloaf album. Quite like BOOH2 as well. So..... here's to uncool music fans!!! : )
And of course one more GD track. We'll end the night on a ballad....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnQ8N...
Bloody good record... even if it does hit a bit hard sometimes.
We had tracks from the Foo Fighters, the Beatles and Semisonic for Helen's funeral. It took days to decide, she had eclectic tastes ...
Ah bless her. She had some taste then. Whenever I get into a 'Best Albums Ever' thing with anyone, I'll often mention the Foo's The Color And The Shape. Incredible album for my money. And to this day, they still manage to deliver decent music. Semisonic, I vaguely remember from years ago but I couldn't have given em much a go cos I can't think of any of their songs. They're neither flashing the green light or the red light back in the recesses of my mind so maybe I just thought they were just middle-ground ok. Beatles? If everyone were being honest and not concerning themselves with 'cool' or 'uncool'... surely there's gotta be at least one song by em that each individual likes? I'm no Beatles fan but can think of a few of their records that I quite like. Be it the early stuff or the 'hippy' stuff.. I reckon there's gotta be something in there for everyone. Nowt wrong with eclectic tastes m'dear. It's a tough subject to broach.. but I've already said what I want playing when I go. I don't mind sharing it with yous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf-e_...
That one a cert. And possibly this one but not sure...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOBs8...
Mighty fine record but dunno if it's a bit too much.
The Semisonic track was Chemistry, Helen was a biochemist. The Foo track was Learn to Fly and In my Life, the Beatles. I can’t do links on my phone.
For mine, I think Springsteen Dancing in the Dark, we used to dance to that whenever it came round on shuffle. Makes me cry, now but then, too much music always has.
Isabella wrote: "For mine, I think Springsteen Dancing in the Dark, we used to dance to that whenever it came round on shuffle. Makes me cry, now but then, too much music always has."Never been a Springsteen fan but have always liked DITD. By miles me fave of his. I don't mind admitting that some tracks bring a tear to my eye. Some records are just meant to touch your heart in any case. Might sound a bit outta line but if a person's not moved whatsoever by ANY song/piece of music..... I'd suggest having a look around for their soul because it obviously left the building! : )
If you meant you can't ACCESS links... the first track was Ghosts by The Jam and second one was Run by Snow Patrol.
I can access them, thanks. Like all four of them but maybe the Snow Patrol most.
Blastronauts and Dreamscapes wrote: "It's a tough subject to broach.. but I've already said what I want playing when I go. I don't mind sharing it with yous.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf-e_......"
Can't go wrong with The Jam! Funeral songs are weird - like do you choose them in advance even if you're not going to be there (assuming you're a non-believer) or do you let the family choose (possibly songs they wrongly associate with you or ones you may not even have liked - but I've always thought funerals are for those still living).
I used to think I'd like Amazing Grace by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, not because it's a hymn but because it holds a lot of beautiful memories for me and might reflect my Scots birth. I'd also like Days by either The Kinks or Kirsty MacColl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuUoS...
and would love if my kids thought enough of me to program Jann Arden's Good Mother.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SOrm...
But they will probably choose something completely different!
Of course, In My Life is always perfect. I have a poster of the lyrics in my kitchen (from Etsy)
I wouldn't think to describe myself as a Springsteen fan - not even sure I have any of his albums - but I do like a lot of his songs AND .... he would have to be the best live act anywhere! I've seen him twice and he puts on the best show (maybe Leonard Cohen would be the only one I'd put up there with him as fabulous live). Bruce is my age but he runs all over the stage, up and down the aisles, dripping with sweat and gets everyone involved. He just gives and gives and he has the best band ever! Little Stevie, Tom Morello, Nils Lofgren, Jake Clemons, Patti Scialfa, etc.EDIT - Just remembered, I do have Live in Dublin on CD and DVD. Love the band doing those traditional songs.
I have listened to all your links and enjoyed them very much Blastro.
That poster is lovely, Val. I may follow it up, although I’m not sure about G’s reaction to it. I keep my photos of Helen in my little sewing room, G can’t bear to see them on a daily basis and I have her on my phone, to see her every day. Odd, the different reactions.
I love all the links you’ve shared but I don’t think I’ll ever get into music the same way as most people here. Did you mention the Manic Street Preachers, someone? Helen loved them from the first. It’s funny about choosing the music for funerals. In my experience, it helps get you through the first horrible time as both a distraction and a way of remembering. Maybe we should leave a list of suggestions as a guide? Even a ‘don’t even think about it or I’ll come back and haunt you’ list.
Nice one Val. It's nice to find musical common ground with someone who's not into the same stuff in general. Not too taken with Green day's pre-Dookie efforts... or post-American Idiot stuff. But those two and the three that came in between are mighty fine albums for my money. Pretty hard to pick me fave one but it's probably a photo finish between Nimrod and Warning... but the others are only a gnat's knacker behind. Yes indeed, one can't go wrong with The Jam. I gotta have a track by them when I exit as they're my top band by a mile. I'll try not to bang on because I know how easy it is for me to get carried away talking about em but..... don't we all got a band/artist that we feel is as close to perfect as ya can get? Who's music reaches parts of ya no others can?? A band/artist that you adore SO much that ya tend to start childishly raving about em off a mere mention???
I don't love EVERY track they've ever done.... but there's at the very most, ten of The Jam's songs that I'm not too keen on. And outta those, probably no more than five that I quite dislike. That's not bad when you take into account six studio albums, the singles that didn't appear on the albums, and a truckload of B-sides and demos!
I'd be genuinely interested... if any of yous have a band/artist that means that much to ya.. to know of your musical love.
Talking of 'Music To Exit To'... there's one track I'd certainly have as an addition to Ghosts.... but there's a problem. Some hefty bad language shouldn't be blasted out in church. Gotta have some respect. I'd really... I mean REALLY.. love to have Sid's version of My Way. I've never killed a cat or slept with a dude but.... the rest of it suits. Only way to go is have a censored version. Maybe that'll fly. Apart from The Jam track.... like ya just said m'dear... the rest will be left up to family.
Yes of course we're having Sid. Anyone easily offended might want to give it a miss...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMe6u...
Will have a gander at yer own links now, Val.
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(last edited Oct 04, 2023 03:36AM)
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Isabella - that Snow Patrol track is quite powerful I reckon. Some songs can makes us tearful because they take us back to a certain time in our lives... especially if it's a great record anyways. Run happens to be one of those. In a less maudlin mood, it still gives me the goosebumps. And after a few drinks, I'm belting it out without a single care as to my ability as a vocalist. Hard to dislike. The song, I mean... not my singing! : )
For my Mum's funeral we had Allegri's Miserere. The first time I heard it, it gave me goosebumps, although I don't have any religious faith. Sadly, it gets played to death on the classic radio channels, which G listens to when he's writing and it has lost a lot by it, even though I don't hear it much. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36Y_z...
The story goes that it was written for one of the Popes, who promptly declared it for his own personal listening and only to be played on Good Friday, at that. Can't help thinking he had a point. (Not the keeping it private, the limited playing).
I've ordered two posters, Val, after seeing yours. There's a good one of Learn to Fly, which I'll put in my little room. Thanks!
Perhaps they could keep Sid for the wake, Blastro? And I absolutely will haunt anyone who sends me off with a religious service. (Yes, I know it doesn't make sense but the family know my views, which mostly they share). Except for my Yorkshire cousins, one of whom was actually ordained. Every family has at least one awkward exception ...
Isabella wrote: "For my Mum's funeral we had Allegri's Miserere. The first time I heard it, it gave me goosebumps, although I don't have any religious faith. Sadly, it gets played to death on the classic radio chan..."Just had a quick gander at your link. That one is most definitely one for later when young un's asleep and I'm by meself (apart from Dust the dawg) and I switch lights out.... turn it up loud (next door are fine with me playing loud music but it may have to be headphones) absorb it. I know that might sound odd for this kinda music but for this particular nutjob... that's how I'll get the most outta it.
Something totally different and I'm certain not your cup of tea but here's one that works in such a way when loud and dark. Actually takes me on a journey...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52c6e...
One of the truly classic progressive house tracks of all time. I'm as qualified as anyone to make such a bold claim, considering I DJ (albeit only as a pastime) and went there, bought the T-shirt back in the decade long party that was the 90s.
Err.... bugger my credentials anyways. I realize none of yous (apart from Helen and Foe) have any time at all for electronica/dance music... but I'd still suggest giving it a go and take yerselves on a journey. Go wherever... cosmos... ocean... inside yerself... wherever. Bear in mind tho, I AM a bit bonkers so.... I'll leave it with yous ha ha.
Isabella wrote: "That poster is lovely, Val. I may follow it up, although I’m not sure about G’s reaction to it. I keep my photos of Helen in my little sewing room, G can’t bear to see them on a daily basis and I h..."I'm glad you liked the poster and found something that fitted your memories of Helen.
I have another Etsy A4 poster in the kitchen; I wasn't particularly thinking of death but it could also apply.
Grief is a weird thing and it's presumptuous to be hypothetical about it. You just don't know how you will handle it until you have to. It's perfectly understandable that different people are affected differently.
Blastronauts and Dreamscapes wrote: "I'd be genuinely interested... if any of yous have a band/artist that means that much to ya.. to know of your musical love...."There's a lot of bands/artists I love but while there are albums/songs that speak strongly to me, I'm wary of choosing an artist in case I leave anyone out. There's a couple of Aussie singer/songwriters (real ockers) who I will buy anything they put out. One is Sydneysider Perry Keyes. The other is Adam Gibson (sometimes with The Aerial Maps, sometimes with The Ark Ark Birds, and sometimes solo). I doubt either is your kind of thing although Perry does write about the dispossessed - the addicts, the prostitutes, what might be called the seedy side of life, but he treats them as real people with a worth of their own. Adam Gibson has more of a spoken word delivery but his songs are similar to Perry's in that he paints small pictures of a way of life that's largely gone.
Here's "1982" and "Queen of Everyone's Heart" by Perry:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KviPp...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi9hk...
and "On The Punt" by Adam Gibson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqWjt...
As I said they're not your thing - too may Australian references probably - but not to worry.
From the U.S., I absolutely love Jason Isbell. I've got everything he's ever released and seen him about 3 or 4 times. I think he's probably the best lyric writer in America today and I've learned as much about US politics, racism and the attitudes of the man in the street from him as from any news report. He plays a mean guitar and his band (The 400 Unit) is loud and rocking but here's a very quiet love song, "If We Were Vampires", accompanied by his wife.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV7c8...
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Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Blastronaut Rocks..
(last edited Oct 06, 2023 01:58PM)
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Val wrote: "Blastronauts and Dreamscapes wrote: "I'd be genuinely interested... if any of yous have a band/artist that means that much to ya.. to know of your musical love...."There's a lot of bands/artists ..."
I can listen to those Val. Wun't know how to dance to em but they don't offend my ears. The second one QOEH I reckon will grab me a little after a couple more listens. Dunno if this sounds odd or if it's the same with anyone else but some of my fave albums took two or three listens until I fully appreciated em. First listen I knew they had something but knew they needed more attention. Three that spring to mind are The Bends (Radiohead), Holy Bible (Manics) and Empire Of The Senseless (Senseless Things). If I was only allowed one album per artist (thus eliminating three outta the four Jam albums that'd make it) then those three would probably make my top ten ever.
For one reason or another, the ones that get me straight away and stay there without me tiring of em, belong to most genres/sub-genres of dance music. Having said that, he whole electronica/dance music thing is a bit of an oddity and a different kettle of fish altogether from other types pf music tho.... when ya consider the fact that a lot of it is made to be enjoyed the most in under certain conditions, if you know what I mean. There's been occasions back in that decade long party that was the 90s where a bunch of us have heard tunes while we're out at a club while we were 'plugged in' or 'transcending' or 'on one' - ahh give it a name! - and heard em (or even a whole recording of said night) again afterwards with our 'normal heads' back on and said to each other "I was going mad to that t'other night.. but now it sounds a bit ordinary".
I'm banging on a bit aren't I? Just trying to put across why and how dance music works for folk, tho I lack the articulation to explain properly. I really can see how many hear said kinda stuff and think 'What's the point? It's just repetitive nonsense'. I understand that because I thought it meself until I was about 20. I could be wrong, but I reckon if you've not 'got' it by time you're 30-ish, I don't think ya will.
Oops... missed that last link. Will check it out before I sign off on this post.
A bit haunting this one. Don't mean that in a bad way tho. Goes without saying, I like my upbeat, loud and edgy stuff - be it guitar or a bunch of repetitive samples - but am partial to steadier stuff and/or a ballad or two. Depends what mood I'm in.
When it comes to acoustic guitar, it's hard to beat old Kurt giving it his all with this most excellent of covers... which I'm sure you'll know...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEMm7...
An example of my schizophrenic musical tendencies is that I love this.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWfJV...
.. as much as this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHKPW...
Yep... I can get down and corny with the best of em. Not sure why I picked this one cos it beats the crap outta me. A good example however, of how stretched the borders of my musical tastes are.
A question.. if anyone can answer, given the little information I can provide. Dunno how many of yous have seen Terminator 2.. but there's a C&W track playing in the bar near the start when Arnie does his thing and asks ever so nicely for some dude's clothes. It's not Bad To The Bone either... tho I think that one's featured in or around that scene too. Never been into C&W (if that is indeed what it is) but have always liked this one. Any ideas anyone?
No chance I can suggest your Terminator track, Blastro but I appreciate your breadth of musical taste. I’ve never understood why some people are so fixed in their ideas of what constitutes ‘good’ music. Although I’m not a music fan the way you are, or my daughter, s-i-l, brother, among others, there’s no way I could limit myself to one genre. Punk, glam rock, church choral music, metal, opera, c&w, all and more have a few pieces that are incredibly moving. I can’t remember where I read this but years ago I came across a smug piece of writing by some man who was ‘explaining’ why real music ie classical, was only really understood by men (not women) who listened to it in a serious and concentrated way. The rest of us were peasants without sufficient intelligence to appreciate the good stuff properly. He was a fool and a snob, in my opinion.
nocheese wrote: "This is? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9DkcQ09..."Bang on NC! You come through yet again!! How did ya get it.... I'm assuming not from being a fan of Terminator flicks?
Ah bless ya m'dear, I'm chuffed to bits.
Haha! Never seen a Terminator film, never likely to!Just checked the soundtrack from the film on IMDb. It’s an invaluable source of information on all movies and tv. Great if you want to show off your knowledge 😀
Oh Dwight!! Be still my beating heart! How can someone who plays the creepiest parts in films be such a heartthrob on stage? Seen him twice and he just has to start swivelling those hips and I'm gone. Didn't think to check IMDB, I just googled "country song in Terminator 2".
Isabella wrote: "I’ve never understood why some people are so fixed in their ideas of what constitutes ‘good’ m..."Apologies if I've posted this before. A few years back now ABC Classic FM held a poll to determine listeners' top 100 opera tracks. This article (by critic Barney Zwartz) amused me no end:
"WELL, REALLY! That's the problem with democracy - sometimes the people actually get to make some choices. And then just see what happens. The ABC's new eight-CD set, the 100 classics of opera, is evidence of just how dangerous that can be.
Any such list will provoke arguments. That is the idea, along with making pots of money, as the ABC proved with its previous such venture, the top 100 piano pieces.
But as I cast my eye down the list that claims to include "the one opera moment you can't live without", as voted by listeners of ABC Classic FM, my heart sank and my blood pressure rose. Beecham should have included the Antipodes in his famous remark about the English: that they don't know much about music but they like the noise it makes.
Numbers one to three irked me particularly. What tin-eared, sentimental, uncultured clods could choose the tenor-baritone duet from Bizet's Pearl Fishers first, the slaves' chorus from Verdi's Nabucco second and the flower duet from Delibes' Lakme third?
Pretty tunes and harmonies, perhaps, but the Bizet and Delibes are slight, bland operas, and the Verdi is an early work that he excelled many times over. Surely it must have been instantly obvious that Mozart must fill spots one to 20?
Second, I'm somewhat puritanical about gouging bleeding chunks from an opera and treating them like a pop song. To elegantly change metaphors, such superb jewels display to best advantage in their proper settings. (I except the Pearl Fishers, where the bleeding chunk is certainly all you want, ditto Lakme.)
So the sensibilities of this middle-aged curmudgeon were offended. But then a strange thing happened: as I listened to the CDs, I found myself enjoying them considerably. Lord Chesterfield wrote in around 1750 that when he went to the opera, he left his sense and reason at the door with his half-guinea and delivered himself up to his eyes and ears. It's ears only with this collection, but the principle abides.
Across the eight CDs there is constant exposure to some of the highest achievements of the human imagination. There's enormous variety, from Monteverdi to Gershwin. I was reminded of treasures I hadn't listened to for years, such as the astoundingly lovely act-I quartet from Beethoven's Fidelio (number 24 on the list) or Lascia ch'io pianga from Handel's Rinaldo (38).
Then there are works I have never heard: Korngold's Die Tote Stadt (45), Godard's Jocelyn (87), Johann Strauss jnr's Casanova (96), and Balfe's Bohemian Girl (100)..........
........So, I am a convert - and I suspect I'm not alone. Unless you agree with the 18th-century critic who said that going to the opera, like getting drunk, is a sin that carries its own punishment with it, you are certain to enjoy it."
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Books mentioned in this topic
Ten Poems about Snow (other topics)And So This is Christmas: 51 Seasonally Adjusted Poems (other topics)
The Tiger Who Came to Tea (other topics)
The Quangle Wangle's Hat (other topics)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Christina Rossetti (other topics)John Keats (other topics)
Joan Aiken (other topics)
The only other group I'm technically a member of is What's the Name of That Book??? That's my librarian side coming out. I've posted a few queries there with 50/50 results but people are very helpful. A lot of the queries are for genres that don't interest me - fantasy, young-adult, zombies, romance, etc. But I'm friends with a couple of posters there and some of their recommendations have led me to pastures green. Because I rather like well-written children's books, one of them recommended The Hollow Land by Jane Gardam and while it's not a children's book, I loved it. That led me on to reading the "Old Filth" (failed in London try Hong Kong) trilogy by her and I'm hesitating over reading the last 30 pages of the third one because I don't want to lose these characters. It's like a bittersweet Rumpole of the Bailey. I will hunt out more of her books.