Thanks for the Farrokhzad reference. Ex-wifey used to read me to sleep with Farrokhzad (it sounded great, even if I didn't understand much) and often praised this film, but I've never seen it. The site you send us to says the VHS and DVD of this film are not yet released -- do you know otherwise?
Doesn't everyone love The Thin Red Line? If not, that's because they saw it only once. I've seen it like 15 times, and it keeps getting better.
Ah, lucky you (though I'll bet the ex-wife was on the intense side...), Farrokhzad really is wonderful. Been reading her (with my slow, laborious reading of Farsi) lately, and I do wish I could share it with all my friends.
I don't know about the movie's availability (I saw it in a theater); I'll look into it and ask around.
The friends (and audience) I saw TRL with were, uh, underwhelmed. I think it's brilliant.
I'm a big fan of Blind Willie Johnson, but if it were down to one scratchy 78, I'd go with Mississippi John Hurt.
Just to be a pain, I think some of the BWJ recordings are hurt by the background singers. The stuff that gets me is when he goes for the spooky ("dark was the night," e.g.).
Funny radio moment: I heard someone on NPR singing the hell out of "John the Revelator" and hammering away on a 12-string. Turns out it was Roger McGuinn. I had no idea he could do that.
I don't get "The thin red line" at all. I saw it twice: the first time it was annoying, and the second time I wanted to punch someone for making me sit through it. But I'm sure if I keep watching it'll get better and better.
I just went over to Ted's list, which mostly has things I don't know on it, but I was happy to be reminded of "Different Trains," which I listened to a lot a long time ago because my nearby public library had a (the?) recording. What a cool disc.
In the category of "pieces for ensemble and tape loop" I nominate John Adams' "Christian zeal and activity," which is also really great.
What good is a withered hand? You can't grasp things with it.
I agree with you about the background singers. They ruin a couple of songs. As for "John the Revelator," Son House's a cappella version might be the best I've ever heard.
Thanks for the Farrokhzad reference. Ex-wifey used to read me to sleep with Farrokhzad (it sounded great, even if I didn't understand much) and often praised this film, but I've never seen it. The site you send us to says the VHS and DVD of this film are not yet released -- do you know otherwise?
Doesn't everyone love The Thin Red Line? If not, that's because they saw it only once. I've seen it like 15 times, and it keeps getting better.
Posted by Ted H. | Link to this comment | 07- 1-04 11:49 AM
Ah, lucky you (though I'll bet the ex-wife was on the intense side...), Farrokhzad really is wonderful. Been reading her (with my slow, laborious reading of Farsi) lately, and I do wish I could share it with all my friends.
I don't know about the movie's availability (I saw it in a theater); I'll look into it and ask around.
The friends (and audience) I saw TRL with were, uh, underwhelmed. I think it's brilliant.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 07- 1-04 11:56 AM
and someone else liked The Thin Red Line? Soulmates.
Soulmates?? But what about that nice khanoomkhamoona woman???
Posted by Mitch Mills | Link to this comment | 07- 1-04 1:22 PM
Ted, it's available here.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 07- 1-04 5:34 PM
Thanks, but it says "no subtitles." My Farsi isn't much beyond punning on 'goh.'
Posted by Ted H. | Link to this comment | 07- 1-04 8:59 PM
Surprised the blacklist didn't catch your nasty language.
I'll look for one with subtitles.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 07- 1-04 10:20 PM
Ted, looks like the subtitled version is coming but hasn't been released yet.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 07- 2-04 8:59 AM
I'm a big fan of Blind Willie Johnson, but if it were down to one scratchy 78, I'd go with Mississippi John Hurt.
Just to be a pain, I think some of the BWJ recordings are hurt by the background singers. The stuff that gets me is when he goes for the spooky ("dark was the night," e.g.).
Funny radio moment: I heard someone on NPR singing the hell out of "John the Revelator" and hammering away on a 12-string. Turns out it was Roger McGuinn. I had no idea he could do that.
I don't get "The thin red line" at all. I saw it twice: the first time it was annoying, and the second time I wanted to punch someone for making me sit through it. But I'm sure if I keep watching it'll get better and better.
Posted by FL | Link to this comment | 07- 2-04 12:45 PM
I just went over to Ted's list, which mostly has things I don't know on it, but I was happy to be reminded of "Different Trains," which I listened to a lot a long time ago because my nearby public library had a (the?) recording. What a cool disc.
In the category of "pieces for ensemble and tape loop" I nominate John Adams' "Christian zeal and activity," which is also really great.
What good is a withered hand? You can't grasp things with it.
Posted by FL | Link to this comment | 07- 2-04 12:50 PM
I agree with you about the background singers. They ruin a couple of songs. As for "John the Revelator," Son House's a cappella version might be the best I've ever heard.
Finally, re TRL: See, Ted?
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 07- 2-04 2:12 PM
Every time you folks write "TRL", I think you're talking about Total Request Live.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 07- 2-04 3:36 PM