Muddy Waters #6
Torture
Well I see you've left me a photograph of a leopard tearing an antelope in half... What have you done with our love?
-The Mountain Goats
By Dr. Fletcher
In the midst of August
Our Favorite People
Dialect
Useful German Phrase #1
Michael Hedges
Remembering a Lost Love
Useful German Phrase #2
Shiny, Happy, People Eating Toxic Sugary Substances
"Hey Andy, Can I Put the Bullet in My Gun Now?"
By Dr. Fletcher
Present tense is falling down, the past is spinning all around
crumbling earth is what I see, not much left of dignity
Apathy is in the masses,
Politics turn to poisonouse gases.
I am enraged as I think about, what life here has become,
ripping their way to the top, no thought to the damage done,
How I yearn to leave this place, this land so full of pain,
Yes this world is shot to hell, it's swirling down the drain.
Civil wars inside a nation, Genocide? You know it
If you don't like your government, then you can overthrow it
Murder, bomb, or terrorize, the ideas forever linger
If Big Brother's watching me I giveth thee the finger.
In the midst of August, the beguiling was on. There seemed to be a young man in the peak of his existence who lived alone in one of the many mill houses on Kirkwood. He never said much to anyone but himself, and rarely
ventured outside of town. Despite his odd modus operandi, he was still
regarded as quite an outstanding citizen by his neighbors. In actuality,
he had a rather small, suburban dungeon in which he kept several
unwilling prisoners for his personal amusement.
You think you know somebody . . .
Our Favorite People
This Issue:
Nate
If all of you eclectic souls do not already know, yes I am a student at Fred T. Foard
High School in Newton, NC; but that doesn't matter now. What, or should I say who, matters is
Nate; or as we like to call him, Dr. Nathaniel Jennings, Professor of Knowledge. He is the
official custodian at Foard, but he is also one of our best friends. When I first met him, Nate
was mumbling something about how kids are today, and how they are accused of everything
from burglary to murder. He sympathized with us then and he will always. Beneath his camo hat
and dark skin lies a mind like that of no one else's. One conversation with our dear Nate is a
trip into the land where lighthearted reason rules. There's always a big white smile here and
there's always a good explanation for everything. Nate says Ryan is godlike because he has so
much hair, and that bald men just don't want all those people in their hair so they shaved it all
off. That's some typical Nate logic for you. But out of all his anecdotes, I must say that "The
Ghost of Fred T. Foard" is the greatest. It's been a while since there has been an installment
of this sought-after series, but the longer the wait, the better the story. It deals with the
spirit of the long dead Fred T. Foard (past superintendent of the Catawba County School
System), and all the ways he can "git ch'ya." He is a master at storytelling and getting his point
across. He is so much better than us though he won't admit it. Why Nate doesn't leave us to
go on to bigger and better things is beyond my understanding; yet he remains at our lowly
educational institution only to change faulty fluorescent light tubes and to intellectually fulfill our
imaginations. Without him not only our halls would be filthy, but also our minds. We are grateful, Nate.
Dialect
The night was darkly veiled in mourning of the sun, but an intelligent light shone from
one of many shops along the way. I'd been by this avenue before but never went inside.
The music was playing, but it was different; and I found myself to have a certain proclivity
for it. Different rhythms and chords strove through all the chairs and tables until finally
they danced out the door and into the filthy midnight streets. It was nothing I hadn't heard
before, but it was still new to me. I had never before taken the time to notice this style, but
veiled in midnight darkness, I walked in to watch the group for awhile. There were a few
totally relaxed, black haired, dark skinned men positioned comfortably on the corrupt,
black stage. The gentleman on dobro was much taller than the rest, and the lead trumpet
was much wider than the rest; but they both were still quite talented as a group despite
their differences. The music, although unamplified, beat with an intense heaviness in the
small establishment. There were a few others there who sat at one of the tables or was up
speaking some untranslatable dialect. The only language I was interested in was the
music; the musicians and their music were a means of communication which needed no
interpretation. It was as pure as any music I had heard in my Christian church and still
more corrupt than any form of propaganda released into the lanes of humanity. It is Real.
It is There. It is Sound. It is Sonority. It is a Language that I speak. It is all that is.
Useful German Phrase #1:
"Ich m�chte die radikal Verk�uferinnen zum Fr�hst�ck haben."
Michael Hedges
Now that all the creative stuff is out of the way, let's discuss one of my favorite musicians, shall we? His name is Michael Hedges,
and he is certainly the antithesis of torture. His guitar lends to the heart all the emotions needed by the emotionless, and all the heart needed for
emotion. Soulful rhythm and technique are only two components of his very singular style; one riff will tell you it's Hedges. I once had the
privilege to see him in concert at Lenoir-Rhyne College last year, and it was truly an incredible performance. His stage presence is like that of a
wild man with civil tendencies; a total individual. His jumps and spins can be somewhat annoying, but eventuate in a wonderfully powerful
show that will remain fresh in your mind for a lifetime. His music can be described as violent acoustic or acoustic thrash, but whatever it is, it's
great. The only turn-off that can be said of his work is that it is technically classified as New Age so many of you will be reluctant to buy his
stuff, but believe me, this man can do more with an acoustic guitar than any other living thing on Earth. Here is an abbreviated list of most of
Hedges' albums, all available from Windham Hill Records:
Breakfast In The Field
1981
Layover * The Happy Couple * Eleven Small Roaches * The Funky Avocado Baby Toes * Breakfast In the Field * Two Days Old * Peg-Leg
Speed King * The Unexpected Visitor * Silent Anticipations * Lenano
This first album contains solo acoustic guitar and ensemble pieces with performances by bassist Michael Manring and pianist George Winston,
both very respected artists in their own rights. The main influences on this record are evident: Leo Kottke, Martin Carthy, and John Martyn with
a mixture of Bach and Stravinsky.
Aerial Boundaries
1984
Aerial Boundaries * Bensusan * Rickover's Dream * Ragmuffin * After the Gold Rush * Hot Type * Spare Change
M�nage � Trois * The Magic Farmer
This Grammy nominated album also features some small ensemble pieces as well as very fine solos from Michael. Manring plays along as
well as Mindy Rosenfeld on flute. This is a very amazing piece of work and is the only album to listen to if you happen to be passing through
Washington, D.C. at 2:00 am. It is also to be noted that the extreme emotional expanse of this album can be felt without one word being
spoken through the entire recording.
Watching My Life Go By
1985
Face Yourself * I'm Coming Home * Woman Of The World * Watching My Life Go By * I Want You * The Streamlined Man * Out On The
Parkway * Holiday * All Along The Watchtower * Running Blind
This album finds Hedges playing many new instruments as well as new accompaniment by Manring, John Hanes (drums), Hilleary Burgess
(wine glasses), and a special performance by Bobby McFerrin on The Streamlined Man. This is also a unique album in that it is the first of
Michael's (and of Windham Hill Records') recordings to have vocal tracks... and yes it IS All Along The Watchtower.
Live On The Double Planet
1987
All Along The Watchtower * Because It's There * Silent Anticipations * Ready Or Not * A Love Bizarre * Breakfast In The Field * Rikki's
Shuffle * Woman Of The World * The Double Planet * The Funky Avocado * Come Together * Two Days Old
In my opinion, this is the greatest Hedges Album I've heard followed closely by Aerial Boundaries. All the songs on this are, as the title implies,
performed live in front of several audiences while concert's were being held at several different venues throughout the US. There is a very wide
range of tempos and style presented here as well as some nice vocals. He also composed a few pieces for the harp guitar, Because It's There
and The Double Planet, both of which are amazing and hauntingly emotional. Rikki's Shuffle is actually a Manring piece called Manthing, but
for some reason they call it something else. And one more bit of advice, skip track number five.
Taproot
1990
The Naked Stalk * The Jealous Tunnel/About Face * The Jade Stalk * Nomad Land * Point A * Chava's Song * Ritual Dance * Scenes (on the
road to Shrub 2) * The First Cutting * Point B * Song Of The Spirit Farmer * The Rootwitch * i carry your heart
In order of best albums to date, this may have to place third or maybe even tie for second. This "autobiographical myth told in music" was also
nominated for a Grammy. Instrumentation includes acoustic guitar, electric TransTrem guitar, keyboards, and ensemble pieces with
accompaniment by Bryan Lanser (drums), Mike Moore (clarinets and saxophone), Michael Manring, and, on i carry your heart, vocal backings
by David Crosby and Graham Nash. To understand this album is almost impossible, but the music is still quite astounding. I really like fury in
the primitive sounds of Ritual Dance. You should've seen him perform it live!!
Road To Return
1994
Prelude * Road To Return * Communicate * Sister Soul * Guardian's Trust * India * A Midwinter Night's Dream * Follow Through
You Can Have Anything You Want * Road Music
A BIG disappointment. This album is the pinnacle of way too music electronic music and stupid lyrics. The best song is Road Music
only because it's the last one, although A Midwinter Night's Dream isn't all that bad.
Undoubtedly, Michael Hedges is one of the foremost performers of today. Please go buy his records. Also, if you like Hedges you're sure
to appreciate Leo Kottke and Bill Miller. I don't own any albums of either of these fine artists, but I heard Kottke on Austin City Limits
once and he was amazing. I've found him in the New Age section of a lot of stores, but he also plays jazz and blues. I saw an abbreviated
concert of Bill Miller's about a week ago. I was reminded of Hedges as soon as he started. I don't want to say that his style is exactly like
Hedges, but it is very similar with a lot of Native American influence. His mother is Mohican (I think) and his father was German, so
he's quite an interesting person to talk with. Some of Bill's work includes guest appearances and recordings with Tori Amos, Pearl Jam,
a few soundtracks, and an upcoming appearance with Soul Asylum. By the way, he has a rock band too. For even further information
on Hedges, write for the official newsletter "Hot Type" at: "Hot Type, P.O. Box 736, Huntington, NY 11743-0736" or
"[email protected]."
Remembering a Lost Love
by Dr. Fletcher
As I sit in this cell, drowning in self-hate
I'm reminded of you, but now it's far too late
You took away my soul, I had to get revenge
Didn't' think twice about the poison and syringe.
The look in you eyes as you breathed your dying breath,
was the proof that I needed, that you heart had nothing left.
You raped me of my happiness, but I'm happy that you're gone
I still do not feel regret, even though I'm now alone.
People say that what I did, was because I was insane
But if you knew the hell I've been through then you would do the same.
I was not able to deal, with the pain that you had wrought
I'm not sorry about what I did, I'm sorry I got caught.
Useful German Phrase #2:
"Die Wohngemeinschaft i�t die bl�d Kinder mit die Soupe."
Shiny, Happy, People Eating Toxic Sugary Substances
The novel The Scarlet Letter has recently been made into a collection of naked Demi Moore shots on the big screen... um, I
mean, a movie. For those who aren't in the know, The Scarlet Letter is about a woman in the Puritan era who has an affair with a
small town's well-know priest. She has a child and is found out to be an adulteress and therefore given a scarlet "A" to wear on her
chest. In the end, the priest, who is up-until-then undiscovered, admits his guilt to the public and then dies, leaving the woman he
loved while professing that he would never see her again, even in the afterlife, because it wasn't meant for them to be together.
Although the ending is sad, it's realistic and fits the story, or so thought Nathaniel Hawthorne. However, Demi announced during a
television interview that she believed the ending was unhappy and unfit after the intensity and nature of the story. I would have
blindly trusted Nathaniel Hawthorne's choice of ending for his own, classic novel, but Demi is much more of an individual than I, not
to mention a greater mind than some antiquated writer. In fact, now that I think about it, I think that we should take a bite out of
all this icky sadness in our society. Ya know that whole Word War II thing? Sure, it happened, but it's so sad - all those human ovens
and innocent victims and crazy leaders... I think we should quit studying it. It just upsets people, ya know? I'll go talk to Demi and see
if she can do anything about that... maybe a movie where she runs around Germany naked and Hitler becomes so smitten that he
forgets that whole silly world domination thing.
"Hey Andy, Can I Put the Bullet In MY Gun Now?"
I heard something on the radio several weeks ago that has me rather puzzled. Evidently, the
state of Kentucky, in conjunction with some task force of genius minds, no doubt, decided to
start selling a tax stamp to be placed on illegal drugs. on illegal drugs. once more, on
illegal drugs. I cannot even begin to fathom what the reasoning behind this was. What
stoned, backwoods, inbred Gomer is gonna go and pay taxes on his pot? What's his
motivation--he 'll be doing something illegal if he doesn't? They claim that if you're caught
with drugs but you have the tax stamps, you'll get a lesser fine, I think. Do the
masterminds behind this idea think that someone is gonna be frightened of their omni-
snooping skills after they've proven their intelligence with a law like this? And suppose
Gomer goes and buys his stamps like any law-abiding toker should; they also say that these
stamps are sold anonymously, but what could Gomer possibly say in his defense when there
are police dogs at his door on his return? "But you promised!?" Gomer has already proven
himself unimaginative and dull by needing artificial stimulation to enjoy himself, but even he
isn't that stupid.
Link to Ben's Jalape�o Ketchup
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