In the spring of 1965, The Rolling Stones could be forgiven their frustration. Even though they had scored three number-one UK hits in the past year, the American market remained a challenge. Beatles recordings had already thrice dominated the US charts since New Year’s Day and Brits Petula Clark, Herman’s Hermits, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, and Freddie and the Dreamers had all topped Billboard between January and May.
The post The Stones’ “Satisfaction,” June 1965 appeared first on OUPblog.
We've all been there. So close, but not yet. Passed by, again. Promised, but the promise floats off, vanishes on the horizong. The hard work, the high hopes, the quiet.
We make music. Others star. No matter where we are, in our work out here, it can feel like we've missed the boat called "Big Time."
Is it the boat we want to be on? Can we even answer that question?
Is it our fault? Is it anybody's fault? Is it talent? Is it timing? Is it luck?
Last night I watched the 2014 Oscar winning documentary, "Twenty Feet from Stardom." Didn't expect as much depth as I encountered. Didn't think I'd cry; I did. Merry Clayton, Darlene Love, Claudia Lennear, Lisa Fischer. Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder, Sting. The distance between the back-ups and the spotlight. The barriers—the right song or luck (not the talent, in these cases)—that stand between. The things that happen to those who press ahead and those who step aside. The regrets, in both cases, the need for grace in it all.
This is an important story for the artists it introduces (again). For the superstars we already know, but who speak (not surprisingly, in all these cases) from a magnanimous place. For us, wherever we are, whatever we want, whichever doubts we entertain. For the music that, nonetheless, got made.
Twenty Feet from Stardom.
And?
"The Emperor and the Nightingale" is my nomination for the most-nearly-perfect short story everwritten.
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| Jenny Lind-- wikimedia commons |
Hans Christian Andersen is one of my favorite authors,
as I mention elsewhere. This tale is in part a tribute to the Swedish singer
Jenny Lind and her unaffected performances in a musical world that valued a lot of frippery.
This story is spiritually refreshing in many ways—the cleverbut gentle satire, the sheer beauty of the imagery, but most of all because inthe end, Death is defeated.
A while ago I acquired the complete DVD set of Shelley Duvall’s Faerie Tale Theatre. The Nightingale is one of the best episodes of this brilliant series, and but for some unnecessary but harmless embellishments is faithful to the original. Mick Jagger as the world-weary Emperor hits just the right note, if you’ll pardon that pun….
After a while the silence was broken by a sweet, intoxicating voice singing and praising the Creator. I looked. I couldn’t discern anything. Eventually, on a branch opposite me I saw a tiny bird. It was a nightingale. I listened as the nightingale trilled unstintingly, its throat puffed out to bursting in sustained song. The microscopic little bird was stretching back its wings in order to find power to emit those sweetest of tones, and puffing out its throat to produce that exquisite voice. If only I had a cup of water to give it to drink and quench its thirst!
Tears came to my eyes—the same tears of grace that flowed so effortlessly and that I had acquired from Old Dimas [an old Rus
By: Maryann Yin,
on 11/9/2010
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A Slate article created a fictional voice for Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger to respond to Keith Richards‘ memoir, Life.
Jagger’s imaginary manuscript includes the following observations: “Why did he write it? Or, rather, having decided to write it all down, why did he devote so much of it to carping about me? Well, he’s not talking about me, really. He’s just trying to get my attention, I think, in the end. The remaining part of the rancor comes from the fact that he knows he lost me, many years ago.”
The Jagger highlights Richards’ unprofessional behavior throughout the years and talk about the band’s long history. Would you read Jagger’s real memoir? Leave your response in the comments section.
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By: Maryann Yin,
on 11/1/2010
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Last Friday, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards made an appearance at the New York Public Library to talk about his new memoir, Life.
People had stood in line since 8 a.m. for the event. Each ticket purchase included a signed copy of the book.
Richards revealed a lifelong love for libraries. He jokingly pointed out that it was one of the few places where even he obeyed the rules (i.e. silence).
He explained: “To me, it was a place you got a hint that may be there was a thing called civilization … It was a place I went to find out things I wanted to find out about.”
continued…
New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.
Bogged down by admin/self promotion/new card designing/website updating/general gooey boring stuff which takes forever and I haven't picked up a paintbrush in two weeks. Back next week if I haven't choked on paperwork, virtual or otherwise. Meanwhile check out Eric Orchard's blog, my site of the week - simply fabulous, top quality work, my new favourite illustrator and enjoy my lovely weekend sunflowers, suitably bright but autumnal.
Wow! Thank you so much! I just ordered Pinwheel Days and I can't wait to get it.Is Cotswolds as beautiful as people say?
Hi Eric, yes, it is absolutely lovely! Not every single part of it, it has its rundown estates and suburbs, but the actual countryside where we live is an official area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, (which should mean it gets some protection but in fact the government tend to ride roughshod over these things if they want to put new houses or a motorway somewhere). But yes, in general, it is stuffed with olde worlde cottages, lush sprawling fields, sheep and cows grazing peacefully, woodlands, amazing views and enough picturesqueness to grace any chocolate box!
Thank you so much for buying Pinwheel - I am afraid the paper and reproduction have spoiled it a bit, the colours are more washed out than the originals and the paper stock is weird shiny stuff...but hey, it is still my first born!
Such a perfect image, Gretel (if I may point this out to an artist, pardon me). Everything there seem to take on this autumnal rosy hue of a still young fall.
I wish you a good week, may everything come easy to you.
Sounds ghastly!
Sorry your bogged down with so much stuff. I suppose being a professional artist has its draw backs as well as it's pro's. Take care ... Love Julia x
Does this mean you're planning some more goody xmas cards this year?
I wait with anticipation ...no pressure though!
I hope you're enjoying the weather as well as your sabbatical! Can't wait to hear back as to what you've been upto :)
Gretel-
An eye for talent- although you don't tout yours enough (my little opinion)- but, planting seed for the future and putting postive energy into good things!
XXOO
Steph
Thanks for sharing the lovely flowers Gretel.
And... they won't wilt or get smelly water :o)