I'm going to hold of on pontificating for a change and open it to the floor.
So what'd you guys think about the speech last night? Anyone?
Friday, July 30, 2004
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
So after a conversation with my friend Mike the other day, I was thinking back to the old days, circa 1985 or 1986, when my mom and I first started investigating Scottish music, spurred on by stuff we'd heard in a visitor's center and gift shop on the shores of Loch Ness.
If we hadn't found the right stuff and been hooked like luckless basses, the next 18 or 19 years would've played out very differently. And it's no stretch to say that at least two Scottish bands that had or are having very successful runs in America among folk fans may likely never have crossed the pond.
And, too, thinking about it, many of those records still rank among my/our favorites, stand up to the test of time and remain among the best in the fields of Scottish revival folk, English folk rock and others. So I thought it wouldn't hurt to take an inventory.
There's not a single album on here from later than, say, 1986, but every one of these is a gem. If you have a chance, if you see them in the bargain bin, or whatever, pick them up.
If we hadn't found the right stuff and been hooked like luckless basses, the next 18 or 19 years would've played out very differently. And it's no stretch to say that at least two Scottish bands that had or are having very successful runs in America among folk fans may likely never have crossed the pond.
And, too, thinking about it, many of those records still rank among my/our favorites, stand up to the test of time and remain among the best in the fields of Scottish revival folk, English folk rock and others. So I thought it wouldn't hurt to take an inventory.
- Albion Country Band - Battle of the Field. The album that sparked the idea for this entry. One of the best traditional folk-rock albums ever made, and in my opinion vastly superior to anything else Albion in its various formations have recorded since. Absolutely stunning.
- Steeleye Span - Below the Salt. Is it their best album? I dunno, since there are at least a couple of others that could fairly compete for that title. But everything about this record, from the cover art to Tim Hart's bizarre vocals to the deceptively simple acoustic-rock arrangements bespoke both a sense of humor about and a great affection for the older musical traditions of everyday Englishpersons.
- Steeleye Span - Parcel of Rogues. Steeleye took on Scottish traditional music. Many critics and fans alike have panned this record, but we adored it ... Especially "Allison Gross."
- Silly Wizard - Best of. Words cannot express how much affect this had on both my mom and me. We held off listening to them for a long time because we'd thought their lead singer, Andy M. Stewart, was the same Andy Stewart who'd been a famous music-hall Scottish folksinger in the '50s and '60s and we wanted to stay well away. This album opened our eyes to the virtuosity, and the breadth of feeling and power, in Scottish folk music. Though some of their individual albums were much better than this compilation, this was the first one we heard. It was a good summation of their collective career to that point.
- Tannahill Weavers - Dancing Feet. I'm not sure what to say about this, except that they had an attractive energy, great harmonies ... and bagpipes!
- Fairport Convention - Liege and Lief. One of the first-ever English folk-rock albums, a mix of the traditional and the original. This one grabbed me right away and has never let go. My mom liked it but never completely embraced it.
- Horslips - The Tain. An old Irish folk-rock concept album, this was the only Irish album in the early days that really grabbed us. But its mix of early-'70s rock and traditional Irish songs and tunes, with some original material to flesh out the story of one of Ireland's great folk-heroes was groundbreaking for its time and left us humming for months (especially "Charolais" and "Dearg Doom.").
There's not a single album on here from later than, say, 1986, but every one of these is a gem. If you have a chance, if you see them in the bargain bin, or whatever, pick them up.
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Dear Congressman,
I am so very saddend by you vote on the Marriage Protection Act. In this day and age, working to pass legislation that enshrines discrimination is wrong and voting for an act that limits the power of our federal courts and spits on the 'full faith and credit' clause of the Constitution is disturbing, whatever your personal views.
Arizona has a very large gay, lesbian and transgender community, many of whom live in your district. By voting for this bill you have raised your middle finger to this minority group. I would like to understand why your kind of love is more important that mine, why your relationship with your spouse deserves recognition and mine does not. This country was built on equal rights for all of its people, an expanding circle that used only to include rich white men but which has progressively grown to encompass more and more of its citizens. It was also built on the seperation of church and state, a principle that legislation such as this and the Defense of Marriage Act willfully violate.
Having watched this vote with great interest, we have done a great deal of research into your stands on issues and your voting record. Fortunately, this has expanded our understanding of the political environment in Arizona. Unfortunately, I will not be able to give you my vote come election time and neither will my husband.
America has a great history of showing politicians that when they do the wrong thing we as a country do the right thing. Absent that great drive, African Americans and women would still be property and mixed-race marriages would be illegal.
I feel that you need recognise that there are many of us out there, and that Arizona is no longer the land of arch-conservatives many people have long believed it to be, though I'm sure your corporate donors will stand beside you long after the public has deserted you. The fate of our long heritage as a free society rests on the outcome of that standoff. The Constitution is not your plaything.
Regretfully,
Mason Hite and Chris Devine
Phoenix Az
I am so very saddend by you vote on the Marriage Protection Act. In this day and age, working to pass legislation that enshrines discrimination is wrong and voting for an act that limits the power of our federal courts and spits on the 'full faith and credit' clause of the Constitution is disturbing, whatever your personal views.
Arizona has a very large gay, lesbian and transgender community, many of whom live in your district. By voting for this bill you have raised your middle finger to this minority group. I would like to understand why your kind of love is more important that mine, why your relationship with your spouse deserves recognition and mine does not. This country was built on equal rights for all of its people, an expanding circle that used only to include rich white men but which has progressively grown to encompass more and more of its citizens. It was also built on the seperation of church and state, a principle that legislation such as this and the Defense of Marriage Act willfully violate.
Having watched this vote with great interest, we have done a great deal of research into your stands on issues and your voting record. Fortunately, this has expanded our understanding of the political environment in Arizona. Unfortunately, I will not be able to give you my vote come election time and neither will my husband.
America has a great history of showing politicians that when they do the wrong thing we as a country do the right thing. Absent that great drive, African Americans and women would still be property and mixed-race marriages would be illegal.
I feel that you need recognise that there are many of us out there, and that Arizona is no longer the land of arch-conservatives many people have long believed it to be, though I'm sure your corporate donors will stand beside you long after the public has deserted you. The fate of our long heritage as a free society rests on the outcome of that standoff. The Constitution is not your plaything.
Regretfully,
Mason Hite and Chris Devine
Phoenix Az
Monday, July 19, 2004
I'm starting to think that either Randi Rhodes (& crew) and I get the same memos and have the same thoughts or someone's reading my blog.
Stuff I've posted to my blog and heard about within a day or two on her show:
OK, not a huge list, and certainly vague enough. But it's nice to see we're on the same wavelength.
Stuff I've posted to my blog and heard about within a day or two on her show:
- Yesterday's e-mail list of things you have to believe to be a Republican today
- My F911/power transfer tin-hat moment
- My notes on the contradictory Terror!Terror!Beware! and Go out and shop messages. (Well, not as specifically as I spelled it out, but in general terms it was discussed)
OK, not a huge list, and certainly vague enough. But it's nice to see we're on the same wavelength.
Sunday, July 18, 2004
Sent to me via e-mail today: Things you have to believe to be a Republican today
Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.
Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.
The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing UN resolutions against Iraq.
A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multinational corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.
Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.
The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.
If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.
A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our longtime allies, then demand their cooperation and money.
Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.
HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.
Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.
A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense.
A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.
Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.
The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business.
Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness, and you need our prayers for your recovery.
You support states' rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have the right to adopt.
What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.
Feel free to pass this on.
Friends don't let friends vote Republican.
Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.
Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.
The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing UN resolutions against Iraq.
A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multinational corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.
Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.
The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.
If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.
A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our longtime allies, then demand their cooperation and money.
Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.
HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.
Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.
A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense.
A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.
Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.
The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business.
Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness, and you need our prayers for your recovery.
You support states' rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have the right to adopt.
What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.
Feel free to pass this on.
Friends don't let friends vote Republican.
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