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Subject: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: topical tom Date: 24 Jul 08 - 04:40 PM I saw Chuck Brodsky perform only a few years ago for the first time.This was at the Ottawa Folk Festival at a workshop concerning Christmas. Ironically,Chuck was a performer at this workshop so he sang his song about missing Christmas customs as a child because he was jewish!The crowd loved it.I have since heard him sing a number of songs, most of them humorous or deeply moving,all of them IMHO great.Here are two of his great songs:The Man Who Blew Kisses and in studio from utube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q8CHJ3i1Aw |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: oldhippie Date: 24 Jul 08 - 06:08 PM "Dangerous Times" is a "must listen" song of his. Good performer. |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: topical tom Date: 24 Jul 08 - 09:44 PM Hereis the deeply moving song "The Man Who Blew Kisses". |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Date: 24 Jul 08 - 09:49 PM He may be one of the top singer-songwriters of our time. He is certainly the most underrated. His new CD, "Two Sets" captures the spirit of his live shows and the expanse of his songwriting abilities. He covers so many topics and uses satire and irony better than anyone I've ever heard. From the handful of times that I've had the opportunity to chat with him, he always comes across unassuming and down to earth. Simply brillant. |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: GUEST,nEIL Date: 25 Jul 08 - 12:49 PM |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: GUEST,Neil D Date: 25 Jul 08 - 12:53 PM That was totally mangled. Let's try again. Thanks for the link topical tom. I had never heard of this artist before and enjoyed what I just heard. I will play that song for my wife this evening. She has worked with developmentally disabled people and I'm sure she will love it. Neil |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: topical tom Date: 25 Jul 08 - 02:23 PM GUEST,NeilD: You're more than welcome.I love his songs and I'm glad that you and your wife can enjoy him as well. |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: topical tom Date: 25 Jul 08 - 02:37 PM oldhippie: I just listened to Chuck's "Dangerous Times". Great song! Thanks! |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: Neil D Date: 25 Jul 08 - 10:15 PM Sure enough I just played "The Man Who Blew Kisses" for my wife and she loved it. As soon as it finished playing she requested Mr. Brodsky to be a Myspace friend. |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: breezy Date: 26 Jul 08 - 03:22 AM The most moving performance of 'Kisses' was at the Stan Rogers folk fest in Canso 2 years ago when the subject of the song was escorted onto the stage by his carer. There was a picture. but then I only saw him the once and it maybe a ploy!, no , only joking, but it had 20,000 in tears and the ovation was memorable. I play table tennis with my kidsin the porch at home. They are 15, 14 and 11, if you know his songs you will know the song. have you checked out 'Radio'and loads of other well researched tales and stories He conveys songs of substance and is a gifted communicator, simple direct and to the point oo! did anyone get it? I wonder. |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: topical tom Date: 29 Jul 08 - 04:11 PM Refresh. |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: Bill H //\\ Date: 29 Jul 08 - 07:00 PM I was not going to get involved in this discussion but having read all the accolades I felt I had to put my worthless 2 cents in. I must agree with all the comments talking of his brilliance as a songwriter. But, even brilliant songwriters sometimes write something that might not be considered as such. Mr. Brodsky, to preface this, graciously appeared at a benefit one of the hosts at WFDU and I put together a number of years back---we have a great picture with a great caption of that memorable event. Now to the point. Great artists--be they Mr. Brodsky or Leonard Bernstein have to be able to take a criticism of their work. OK--I don't know about "Lenny" (though I suspect it was part of the territory for him). Chuck Brodsky wrote one piece (it is the last one on this 2 CD set) that I found not clever but,rather, offensive, a few years back. When he found out my opinion of the piece---through an intermediary--he wrote me the most scathing e mail; it basically, questions how I ---who knows nothing of songwriting (his comment parapahrased)--could critique a creative person such as him. My take on that is if you have to defend yourself to a valid criticism in an insulting manner you are concerned about your own validity. I end by saying that I admire his songwriting skills and find his "musical pictures" well painted---for the most part. It has to be said that I have had many artists as guests on WFDU on various programs and any critique was always graciously accepted and commented upon. Well, save one---and that was not even a critique. Bill Hahn |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: GUEST,An Asheville Acquaintance Date: 30 Jul 08 - 10:53 AM I must agree with Bill H. Mr. Brodsky is indeed a gifted songwriter; and from a personal standpoint he's not really a very nice person. In addition, in live performance it seems to me that he has studied it to the point where much of it has become artifice. He makes sure he looks from person to person, makes his eyes deep and seemingly emotive, and he's so *&^%$# earnest it almost makes you want to smash his guitar against the wall (or his head) ala the S. Bishop scene in 'Animal House.' I swear, you'd think he'd been to maybe the Columbia School of Folksinging and audited Sincerity 101. |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: Bill H //\\ Date: 30 Jul 08 - 04:48 PM I had wanted to PM Asheville Acquaintance but was not able to so --just glad to see that someone, besides myself, sees this artifice. You have almost described the picture I referred to---I on one side, Mr. Brodsky in the middle, looking totally bored and like a person in a mug shot, and the other WFDU host on the other side---our caption was "our legal staff will get you off". You had to be there---of course Bill H |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: Roger in Baltimore Date: 30 Jul 08 - 05:23 PM I've said it before and I'll say it again. Pleaseing personalities and songwriting skills can be mutually exclusive. Two of my musical heros are Lead Belly and Loudon Wainwright III. Lead Belly obviously had a dark side. He may have been framed on one prison term, but was clearly guilty on his second term. He also wasn't very pleasant by many accounts when he drank heavily. I do not know Loudon from off the stage, but his songs do not describe a person I would like to know. I, too, like Chuck Brodsky's music. I am not ready to crown him as the king of songwriters however. I know nothing about him personally except that he clearly likes baseball. Roger in Baltimore |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: Bill H //\\ Date: 30 Jul 08 - 06:40 PM To be fair let me state that he was quite generous in donating his time for that benefit---some 10 years ago now (I believe) and prior to his later "fame". My criticism is of his dour persona and his lack of being able to accept criticism---the piece, as said, is the last piece on the new CD---Blow Em Away. Granted, all criticism is subjective. That said, an artist has to be able to accept criticism or, at least, respond in a civil manner. If anyone has heard the piece mentioned above the question I threw out to the radio audience was----clever satire or just mean spiritedness in a society already, seemingly, road angry (raged?). On another tangent---think back to Sept. 12, 2001---YES, 9/12/01. Did you notice that for a time there was a silence and a great courtesy in public---in all areas---driving, lining up (queing?) at venues, etc;? Time has moved on---no? Bill Hahn |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: topical tom Date: 30 Jul 08 - 07:18 PM I am totally unfamiliar with Brodsky except through his songs.I do not know his character.The "praise" was solely for his music."King of the songwriters" is also exaggerated, in my opinion, though I do consider him among the best.I do interpret the song "Blow 'em Away,as a satirical song illustrating the "mad" nature of road rage today.It's most interesting to read of other aspects of his person,though. |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: Bill H //\\ Date: 30 Jul 08 - 08:10 PM Point well taken re: Blow Em Away. I relate it to the misunderstanding regarding the New Yorker cover about the Obamas. While I felt it satirical many did not. Satire is a tricky thing. The New Yorker, probably, should have put it in the middle of the issue with a caption. Brodsky's piece has not intro or outro and therefore--to me---just seems mean spirited and encourages the actions he sings of. Think back a while to a film w/ Michael Douglas --name eludes me---on the same subject--terribly violent and ending with a great tragedy. This song --to me---showed no humour or satire. BH |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: Bill H //\\ Date: 30 Jul 08 - 08:12 PM I add that this was not really about the piece but, rather, about Brodsky and his attitude and persona. BH |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: topical tom Date: 30 Jul 08 - 11:15 PM I must come back once again to The song "Blow em Away" and two others.In the "in studio" video on You Tube, Chuck points out the nastiness of racism as directed against the Philadelphia Phillies player Richie Allen.In the song "The Man Who Blew Kisses"he displays a sensitivity to the mentally challenged.Does this appear to be a man who is "mean-spirited" and who truly extols the "virtues" of road rage?Not in my opinion.The listener or reader is expected to see the song for what it is-a satirical piece which points out the idiocy of road rage incidents and those who commit them. |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: GUEST Date: 31 Jul 08 - 10:07 AM Think back a while to a film w/ Michael Douglas --name eludes me---on the same subject--terribly violent and ending with a great tragedy. "Falling Down" |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: topical tom Date: 31 Jul 08 - 11:24 AM This song --to me---showed no humour or satire. Humour-no, Satire-yes.You are right;there isn't any true humour in the song,though most listeners laugh at the lyrics.Why?Because,in my opinion, this shows a growing insensitivity to violent acts in modern times.Perhaps this is, in an ingenious way, what Brodsky is pointing out in his song. Satire I see in the song.The singer is a caricature of the idiots who succumb to road rage and do violent things.Never would I attribute these characteristics to Bruce Brodsky. |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: Roger in Baltimore Date: 31 Jul 08 - 12:31 PM I won't go into a long psychological analysis of "Blow 'Em Away". For some it may be over the line satire. I have sung the song many times always to positive response. I can understand other people being uncomfortable with it. For myself, and for those for whom I sing it, I think it expresses the anger provoked in us by other people's road rage that most of us do not act out. Sure, I've thought of opening my door when a motorcyclist drives up between stalled cars in a traffic jam. But I don't think I would ever do it. My read is it is human nature. Others abhor violence in all it's forms. I respect their opinions. The song is also about guns and that, too, is a very emotional topic. For those wondering what we're talking about: BLOW 'EM AWAY by Chuck Brodsky Ev'ry mornin', I commute, Mild-mannered man in my business suit. I wanna get home at the end of the day. But there's all these other cars in the way. I pull up behind one. Pull out my pistol. And blow 'im away. Drivin' my car, I wanna go fast. But there's a slow car won't let me pass. I flash my lights. I honk my horn. I have to consider him warned. I pull up behind him. Pull out my pistol. And blow 'im away. CHO: Jesse James behind the wheel, It's high noon in my automobile. You can call me crazy, call me sick. But I just wanna get where I'm goin' to quick. That son-of-a-bitch, he cut me off. Three whole lanes he drove across! He made me mad. He made me swerve. That son-of-a-bitch got what he deserved. I pulled up behind him. Pulled out my pistol. And blew 'im away. That motorcycle ridin' between, The lines of backed up traffic, right between the lanes. You know to me, that's an act of war. I see him comin'. I open the door. I knock him over. Pull out my pistol. And blow 'im away. CHO: That little red sports. Drove so fast. It made me jealous, it went so fast. I gave 'im the finger. I thumbed my nose. Took me fifty miles just to get close enough. To pull up behind him. Pull out my pistol. And blow 'im away. That little old lady, bless her heart. Walking her poodle across the boulevard. Got a red-knitted sweater, a little red-knitted hat. It's name is Fifi or somethin' stupid like that. I say, "Here, Fifi". I pull out my pistol. And blow 'im away. CHO: Roger in Baltimore |
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Subject: RE: In Praise of Chuck Brodsky From: evansakes Date: 31 Jul 08 - 01:33 PM This discussion of Chuck Brodsky's 'Blow em Away' reminds me of all the furore 30 odd years ago when 'Short People', Randy Newman's satire on bigotry and intolerance was taken a tad too literally by certain sectors in US society. Another of Newman's best songs has also been known to disturb. The brilliant and sinister 'In Germany Before The War' where the narrator is a child murderer. It's a song, it's fiction, it's meant to disturb and it's meant to get you thinking....same as Chuck Brodsky's 'Blow em Away'. End of story. |
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