elle4ec Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 You know, when I come into someone’s “home†as a “guest,†I like to bring a gift of “good tithings†I thought it meant you were "paying" them for the invitation.... and, I thought if that was the case...you could visit me anytime!!... LOL - luv ya, Wendy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzza Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by WendyWorld:<strong> Now before Muzza realizes that once again I've somehow turned this thread off topic, let me add that my post was directed to John P... Muzza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Well LC that's YOUR OPINION that it's "overstating things." I know of his work in music and other involvements, and I'm sure I'm not alone. So maybe it's an overstatement to you. I agree, move along. What's with the caps? Usually, that signifies anger, right? And why did you post almost the same retort, more or less, two times?Well, regardless.... Self-important writing has always turned me off. I like writers who stick to the subject, and don't inject themselves into every paragraph (unless, of course, the format calls for it.) I'll also say this: I stand by my comment that it's an overstatement to call the writer in question "quite well-known." Yep, it's way, way, way overstated. He'd probably agree. Take a poll of music fans and ask whether they know who wrote the book The 100 Worst Rock'n'Roll Records of All Time. Most people won't have a clue. And ask if the name rings a bell. I'm sure Jimmy is known in certain circles, but to me, Lester Bangs or Dave Marsh are closer to "quite well-known." Besides, per Jimmy's own blog, he hasn't written about music in more than a decade. You note that he's gone on to "other involvements," but I bet you'd have been hard-pressed to specify them without actually doing the google work that Eric just did. In my opinion, of course. And I sincerely hope you don't mind that I disagree with you, Marvin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Woah! All By Myself is at 3 million plays! I remember when we were celebrating 2 million plays. That was about, uh, hmmmmm, well, a million plays ago Congrats on another milestone for that song that's on everybody's list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelina Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 "The Worst Rock N Roll Songs of All Time" is an excellent book.......................for me to poop on!signed,Triumph...The Insult Comic Dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bahoodore Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Wendy...try Deinhardt Reisling from Germany...an inexpensive Reisling that is delicious...try is while listening to ABM, and I don't think you have to wear makeup to look beatiful...there....now I stayed ON topic.... ;-)bah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I am familiar with Guterman's work because I have the books mentioned here, as well as a book he wrote a few years ago about Springsteen's "Tom Joad" tour. Prior to reading these books, his name was familiar to me as contributor to Rolling Stone mag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMMY TUNES Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I've never heard of Guterman before this thread but I HAVE heard of Marvin and LC and their legendary battles on this board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I think that everyone is entitled to their own opinion on the subject..... even if all you guys are wrong ahahahhahha....... :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny S. Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Yeah, we're the ones who's wrong....Hmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John P Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 Peace, Baby, Peace! I only put this for us to attack these 2 bozos and their viewpoint. P-L-E-A-S-E don't throw punches at me. One pert in the McCartney segment that gets me rolling when they said "notice we didn't mention Linda or her one finger synthesizer lines." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 No need to attack anyone... the book was shelved under humor and satire. The whole thing was tongue and cheek. The minute I realized that I dropped my rage! The book is pointless... nothing more to say... move along... (did I do it right guys?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bahoodore Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 dont get me started on the linda mccartney thing...as far as i'm concerned, any man who wants to share ALL his life with his wife is okay in my books...she probably kept him sane and alive...and if a few wrong notes, and elementary keyboard playing is all it took, then good for him, and her...bah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Bahoo is right! And he's right about ABM too. Classic song, but I've heard the single version way too many times. I will only listen to the full version...When was the last time a Freakin' Canadian was right 2 times in a row?... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Mc Carthy Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 This reminds me of the movie critic who says the movie is a flop And it turns out to be a BLOCKBUSTER Well All by Myself is that BLOCKBUSTER Its the fans who decide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I just caught up with this thread. Even well known people who have made sense in the past can lay a huge goose egg, and evidently these two did.Very well said, highwayangel. A million fans around the world aren't wrong about ABM.It sounds like Guterman and his partner in crime satirize when they don't know what they're talking about. ABM has stood the test of time and has been hailed (and performed by) the creme de la creme of artists.These guys haven't yet, and from their comments about Paul and Queen, it sounds like they either have a long way to go to understand great music or they've been smoking something mind-altering since they wrote for Rolling Stone. --Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Mc Carthy Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Thanks Darlene its sacred to us fans And very well said by you also Glad you caught up to this topic Your opinion was superbly heartfelt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmichel Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 All By Myself is now a 20th Century standard...Having said that...Even the best song is somebody's unfavorite... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollies65 Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I can see where the guys who can't stand it are coming from...They probably prefer Eric's rock & roll songs. I know I can think of 40 or 50 Eric songs I like more. I know if I had written it I'd be a happy man...for many reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 It's a great song, especially the long version with the classical segment. Elton John did something similar (infusion of a piano led classical segment), and even took it a step further with his "Tonight". And Neil Diamond took it a step even further with his album "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" (what an album that is!) ABM isn't close to my favorite, but it, Elton's "Tonight" and Neil's "JLS" is the type of music genre I probably like best -classical fused with popular melodies.I'd love it if Eric or Elton did an album of songs in this genre type. I'd bet it would be pretty great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Mc Carthy Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Id love to hear Eric Elton and Richard Carpenter perform on stage together Exceptional well schooled musicians with that great ability to play those classical piano melodies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crg2 Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Don't you think that "All By Myself" was a gutsy career move? I do.You write that album, and create this song, after you have earned a reputation as the American Steve Marriott, a bona fide "Rocker (I hate that term, except in that "Boogeyin' since I ditched the stroller" sense-that's cool as hell)" So, what do you do for an encore? You wouldn't normally come up with a 7+ minute balladic ode to melancholy and existential estrangement, would you? Brave. Music is subjective, and those writers may say what they will, but, what keeps "All By Myself" from decaying into soporific schmultz is the fact that it's HONEST. It comes from a pathos that is genuine, and expresses it with an eloquent directness. In the original recording, it features not only that amazing guitar break, but a beautiful piano solo from the writer himself.The full-length recording is not a song-it's an event. It's an expression of the dark side of loneliness like no other (I kind of blame the 45 RPM single format for robbing the song of its gravitas and giving it its undeserved reputation, but music is, indeed, a business). As I've said before, the whole album took me through a time when I lost my girl and a lot of friends, and that song contains that spark of recognition that one needs to not feel so alone in that condition.In the final analysis, immitation is the sincerest form of flattery. How many subsequent songwriters made entire careers off of ripping off "All By Myself" poorly and repeatedly? Don't have enough fingers and toes to count them all, do you?I think that when people diss "All By Myself," it's because the honesty and vivid expression thereof makes them feel vulnerable and uncomfortable, and it's easier to deflect that reaction by "toughening up," making fun of, or dismissing, the very thing which provokes it.Anyway, all I can do here is blither, and not express the merits of, "All By Myself" very well. The proof is in the putting. Eric, if he didn't have his intuitive taste and dignity, could pimp bigger than anyone in the rap game, because of that song. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Nice critique... awesome philosophical account! Crg2! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollies65 Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Or it may be...some of us [Myself included] are not crazy about the song.Does not make me feel vulnerable or uncomfortable, and I believe 'Don't Want To Say Goodbye' and 'Overnight Sensation' are songs that do the same thing better...and are better songs. Yes, I'm aware OS has a differnet subject matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Of course everyone will have a different opinion about ABM, as they will about any song. Its universal appeal to fans and the top artists who have covered it means it speaks to them in a unique way, even if it doesn't to everyone. It's a beautiful song. It's not my favorite Eric song--She Remembered is. And there are people who don't agree with me. Songs speak to the listeners' hearts in unique ways. One thing that's a fact is that Eric's songwriting style just hits people right between the eyes and gives them something that reaches far into their hearts. That's an amazing talent. And, as Crg2 points out, he's always made gutsy moves and gone out on a limb for the art. He's authentic and that cuts right to a person's emotional core.True talent. --Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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