Comments on: A way of looking at things. http://nancynall.com/2008/06/26/a-way-of-looking-at-things/ one writer's daily download Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:25:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Brandon http://nancynall.com/2008/06/26/a-way-of-looking-at-things/#comment-194401 Brandon Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:20:30 +0000 http://nancynall.com/?p=1847#comment-194401 Up until 2003 Madonna was one of the most creative pop stars around. Artistically and commercially, she was a success. People were always counting her days (especially when Erotica came out in conjunction with the Sex book and "Body of Evidence"), but she kept coming back, proving her naysayers wrong. Madonna's done many things no one thought she would: go country, not all the way, of course, but "Don't Tell Me" is countrified (See http://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Madonna/dp/B00004WMXZ), not only have a cameo in a James Bond movie but provide its theme song, write children's books, and even have an entry in the Encyclopaedia Britannica. As a longtime fan of hers, I must admit Confessions on a Dance Floor and Hard Candy have been uneven albums, but I won't count her out yet. If Cher could achieve one of the biggest hits of her career with "Believe," imagine what Madonna could do. Up until 2003 Madonna was one of the most creative pop stars around. Artistically and commercially, she was a success. People were always counting her days (especially when Erotica came out in conjunction with the Sex book and “Body of Evidence”), but she kept coming back, proving her naysayers wrong.

Madonna’s done many things no one thought she would: go country, not all the way, of course, but “Don’t Tell Me” is countrified (See http://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Madonna/dp/B00004WMXZ), not only have a cameo in a James Bond movie but provide its theme song, write children’s books, and even have an entry in the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

As a longtime fan of hers, I must admit Confessions on a Dance Floor and Hard Candy have been uneven albums, but I won’t count her out yet. If Cher could achieve one of the biggest hits of her career with “Believe,” imagine what Madonna could do.

]]> By: Gasman http://nancynall.com/2008/06/26/a-way-of-looking-at-things/#comment-193510 Gasman Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:28:48 +0000 http://nancynall.com/?p=1847#comment-193510 Nancy, I too, heard the story on NPR about the starving artists. Hank Virgona's words resonated with me. I have followed a somewhat similar path in the arts as an independent classical musician. Financially, it is probably the dumbest thing that I've ever done, but I am doing better than I initially thought. While I won't be vacationing in Tuscany anytime soon, I am much less stressed than when I was in any of my former jobs, music related or not. There is much to be said about having a job in which you are not asked to violate the law or professional ethics. I also like the ability to have my cup of espresso while I rehearse or compose, sans shoes and socks, with a small pack of dogs lolling about my studio. As a recovering high school music teacher, I am appalled at our art ignorance at all levels of our society. If it doesn't generate headlines and positive press coverage (or better yet, cash) for school boards or superintendents, then it isn't worth funding. I can't help but believe that our karmic woe that has been accumulating for most of the last 28 years is directly related the draconian cuts in arts education that began during Reagan's first term, coincidentally, 28 years ago. This is one area that the Europeans have us beat hands down. When I've travelled in Europe, I've been amazed at the general level of cultural & artistic awareness of average folks over there as compared to our own. Maybe if we were a bit more culturally and artistically aware we wouldn't feel compelled to have cowboys and neanderthals as our national leaders. Just a thought. Meanwhile, I've got to get out my tux for the premier of the Santa Fe Opera tonight. For only the second time ever, I get to be a patron and not a working stiff. 'Scuse me while I polish up the Land Rover. Ta ta. Nancy,
I too, heard the story on NPR about the starving artists. Hank Virgona’s words resonated with me. I have followed a somewhat similar path in the arts as an independent classical musician. Financially, it is probably the dumbest thing that I’ve ever done, but I am doing better than I initially thought. While I won’t be vacationing in Tuscany anytime soon, I am much less stressed than when I was in any of my former jobs, music related or not. There is much to be said about having a job in which you are not asked to violate the law or professional ethics. I also like the ability to have my cup of espresso while I rehearse or compose, sans shoes and socks, with a small pack of dogs lolling about my studio.

As a recovering high school music teacher, I am appalled at our art ignorance at all levels of our society. If it doesn’t generate headlines and positive press coverage (or better yet, cash) for school boards or superintendents, then it isn’t worth funding. I can’t help but believe that our karmic woe that has been accumulating for most of the last 28 years is directly related the draconian cuts in arts education that began during Reagan’s first term, coincidentally, 28 years ago. This is one area that the Europeans have us beat hands down. When I’ve travelled in Europe, I’ve been amazed at the general level of cultural & artistic awareness of average folks over there as compared to our own.

Maybe if we were a bit more culturally and artistically aware we wouldn’t feel compelled to have cowboys and neanderthals as our national leaders. Just a thought.

Meanwhile, I’ve got to get out my tux for the premier of the Santa Fe Opera tonight. For only the second time ever, I get to be a patron and not a working stiff. ‘Scuse me while I polish up the Land Rover. Ta ta.

]]> By: Catherine http://nancynall.com/2008/06/26/a-way-of-looking-at-things/#comment-193472 Catherine Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:04:07 +0000 http://nancynall.com/?p=1847#comment-193472 Heck, if we can elect a Democrat, maybe we can bring Rick James back from the dead, too. Heck, if we can elect a Democrat, maybe we can bring Rick James back from the dead, too.

]]> By: coozledad http://nancynall.com/2008/06/26/a-way-of-looking-at-things/#comment-193470 coozledad Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:28:49 +0000 http://nancynall.com/?p=1847#comment-193470 Bootsy's downright nasty. It is an inaugural ball, though. There may not be another chance. http://youtube.com/watch?v=T62XibPMlXw Bootsy’s downright nasty. It is an inaugural ball, though. There may not be another chance.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=T62XibPMlXw

]]> By: joodyb http://nancynall.com/2008/06/26/a-way-of-looking-at-things/#comment-193469 joodyb Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:48:23 +0000 http://nancynall.com/?p=1847#comment-193469 And The Awesome Power of a Fully Operational Mothership shall obliterate the sounds of faux-evangelical neoconservatism in the White House at last. And The Awesome Power of a Fully Operational Mothership shall obliterate the sounds of faux-evangelical neoconservatism in the White House at last.

]]> By: Jeff (the mild-mannered one) http://nancynall.com/2008/06/26/a-way-of-looking-at-things/#comment-193466 Jeff (the mild-mannered one) Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:20:19 +0000 http://nancynall.com/?p=1847#comment-193466 Another Clinton in the White House! George, that is . . . Another Clinton in the White House! George, that is . . .

]]> By: MichaelG http://nancynall.com/2008/06/26/a-way-of-looking-at-things/#comment-193463 MichaelG Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:11:59 +0000 http://nancynall.com/?p=1847#comment-193463 Nicely said, Mary. Very nicely said. Nicely said, Mary. Very nicely said.

]]> By: Dorothy http://nancynall.com/2008/06/26/a-way-of-looking-at-things/#comment-193458 Dorothy Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:04:56 +0000 http://nancynall.com/?p=1847#comment-193458 Many happy returns to the sweet 18 year old LASonny! Many happy returns to the sweet 18 year old LASonny!

]]> By: Jolene http://nancynall.com/2008/06/26/a-way-of-looking-at-things/#comment-193453 Jolene Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:01:19 +0000 http://nancynall.com/?p=1847#comment-193453 I'd like to have Jessy Dixon andd Yolanda Adams reprise <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=tZg5qSeUbpo" rel="nofollow">their performance of "Gone at Last"</a> at the concert honoring Paul Simon as the first recipient of the Gershwin Award for American Song, given by the Library of Congress. Really amazing. If you watch this video all the way to the end, you'll see Dixon demonstrate what the phrase "dig deep" means. If an Obama presidency did nothing more than bring to prominence dark-skinned men wearing white suits, we'd already be better off. Note that Dixon was just short of 70 at this recording. Very touched by your description of your son's birthday, LAMary. It's a great thing to have a parent who loves you, but even better to have a parent who knows you and still loves you. I’d like to have Jessy Dixon andd Yolanda Adams reprise their performance of “Gone at Last” at the concert honoring Paul Simon as the first recipient of the Gershwin Award for American Song, given by the Library of Congress. Really amazing. If you watch this video all the way to the end, you’ll see Dixon demonstrate what the phrase “dig deep” means.

If an Obama presidency did nothing more than bring to prominence dark-skinned men wearing white suits, we’d already be better off. Note that Dixon was just short of 70 at this recording.

Very touched by your description of your son’s birthday, LAMary. It’s a great thing to have a parent who loves you, but even better to have a parent who knows you and still loves you.

]]> By: Sue http://nancynall.com/2008/06/26/a-way-of-looking-at-things/#comment-193434 Sue Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:26:32 +0000 http://nancynall.com/?p=1847#comment-193434 I vote for Kirk Franklin, and make sure he performs Revolution. Seriously. I vote for Kirk Franklin, and make sure he performs Revolution. Seriously.

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