Who needs bathrooms? ([email protected])
Sun, 31 Jan 1999 08:50:15 -0700
The media overkill surrounding pop bands such as U2 and
Boyzone is not just about the feel-good factor. I have
nothing against them personally - as a boy from the mean
streets myself, I am willing to say more power to your
elbow. But I do object to being asked to take them
seriously. On the musical level they are not very
interesting, slightly more so as late-20th-century cultural
phenomena, but their chief interest is purely commercial.
Ireland is a country where the bottom line is literally the
bottom line. The adulation is not for their artistic
achievements, but for their financial ones. Because this is
the heart of the matter: money. In the New Ireland, money
is the morality, the spirituality, the Mecca.
I don't know why this has come as such a surprise to me,
but it has. Soon after arriving back I glanced at an article in
a woman's magazine, where a representative gaggle of
Irish girls claimed that the most attractive thing about a man
was his bank balance. It says much about my innocence
about Ireland at the time that I thought they were joking. It
is not even that girls in other countries would be very
different - they just wouldn't admit it in public.
I don't know if this is a new phenomenon. After all, Yeats
railed at the Irish middle class's obsession with adding the
ha'pence to the pence. It may just be that this class, once
tiny, has grown exponentially and spread out to plant the
southern suburbs of the city with Sin�ads and Daras. They
are still saving but have dropped the praying bit, and what
is clear is that no amount of new cars and designer suits
will fill the moral vacuum at the centre of Irish society.
Why am I so disturbed by this? They say about prison that it
doesn't change people, it just makes them more of what
they are. The same is true of exile. The problem is, I am
not a Martian: I'm from here, and I can't help being
involved. Secondly, I can't just abandon the values and
ideals I have acquired over the past decades spent outside
Ireland.
In a recent letter to The Irish Times, an Irishman living in
Finland talked about how he would like to return, but
objected to the litter on the streets. I found it an eloquent
letter for a number of reasons. I have been back long
enough to realise how eccentric it must seem to many
people in Ireland. Yet I know exactly what he is talking
about. The filth of Irish cities, in the light of our newfound
wealth, is a symbol of Irish indifference to the public realm,
to that republic which is a realm of communal values which
go beyond the traditional Irish recipe of simple nationalism
mixed with economic self-interest. A year later, I'm still
looking for the values I can share with my fellow
countrymen. James Joyce once wrote: We cannot change
the country: let us change the subject. However, he never
came back.
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>From Addicted To Noise:
U2, Salman Rushdie Collaborate On Pop Song
Irish rock band, controversial author adapt elements of his new
book 'The Ground Beneath Her Feet.'
Contributing Editor Colin Devenish reports:
Bridging the arts of music and literature, U2 and controversial
author Salman Rushdie have teamed to write the tune "The
Ground Beneath Her Feet" -- a song that weds mythological
themes to rock music.
With lyrics taken from Rushdie's book of the same name (set
for an April release) and music written by the Irish rock band,
"The Ground Beneath Her Feet" has already been recorded in
demo form, according to R.M.P., the London-based publicity
firm that represents U2.
Rushdie described the song in a report from the British
newspaper The Guardian."Bono and I have been friends for
several years," he said, "and I sent him the novel when I'd
finished it, and he responded by coming up with this beautiful
melody. Simple as that, but of course, very pleasurable."
"[U2 teaming with Salman Rushdie] is like Marilyn Monroe
wanting to play a part in 'The Brothers Karamazov.' -- Howard
Junker, "ZYZZYVA" magazine editor
Paralleling the novel, the ballad's lyrics refer to the myth of
Orpheus and Eurydice -- which describes the agony of lovers
separated by death -- and place it in a rock 'n' roll context. The
song includes the verses, "All my life I worshipped her/ Her golden
voice/ Her beauty's beat/ How she made us feel/ How she made me
real/ And the ground beneath her feet."
Rushdie previously spent time with U2 during their 1993 "Zoo TV"
concert tour, during which he joined the band onstage at London's
Wembley Stadium. He even stayed at singer Bono's house as a
guest. "I spent three or four days with him over the years," Rushdie
said last year.
U2 recently released a double-disc greatest-hits collection, U2: The
Best of 1980-1990, which included such songs as "With Or Without
You" (RealAudio excerpt) and "Desire" (RealAudio excerpt). The
foursome entered a Dublin studio in November to begin work on a
new LP. They were joined by producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois,
who collaborated with the band on their most commercially successful
releases, such as 1987's The Joshua Tree and 1991's Achtung Baby.
Howard Junker, editor of the San Francisco literary magazine
"ZYZZYVA," reacted skeptically to the news of the author's
collaboration with the rockers, but also got a kick out of the idea.
"If this doesn't sink the both of them, what will?" Junker said, laughing.
"Both their careers are tentative at the moment. In the old days, the
Beatles would hang out with literary types like Eugene McCarthy,
so this is perfectly appropriate for what it is."
In the past, there have been other author-musician projects, such as
beat novelist William Burroughs recording with Material's Bill Laswell
and poet Allen Ginsberg teaming with punk-rock icons the Clash.
Rushdie has spent nearly a decade under British police protection
since the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a
"fatwa," or religious edict, to kill Rushdie for his alleged blasphemy
against Islam in his book "The Satanic Verses" (1988).
In September, Iranian president Mohammed Khatemi announced that,
while his government has insufficient religious authority to revoke the
fatwa, it does not endorse killing Rushdie. Since then, however, two
groups -- an Iranian student association and the 15 Khordad Foundation
-- have renewed calls for the death sentence to be carried out. The
Khordad Foundation upped its reward for Rushdie's death from $2.5
million to $2.8 million.
While no concrete plan exists for the song's release, Rushdie and
U2 are reported to be considering releasing the song on the Internet
to coincide with the April publication of the novel.
Regardless of when the song sees the light of day, Junker sees an
ironic justice in the odd coupling.
"It's like Marilyn Monroe wanting to play a part in 'The Brothers
Karamazov,'" he said. "Everyone serious wants to be pop; everyone
pop wants to be serious. There's a long tradition of that, and I'm all
for it."
-------------
>From CNN:
Ralph Fiennes Is Secret Weapon in Millennium Ratings
World Entertainment News Network 25-JAN-99
(JAN. 25) WENN/P - RALPH FIENNES IS SECRET WEAPON IN
MILLENNIUM RATINGS WAR THE ENGLISH PATIENT actor
RALPH FIENNES is one of the secret weapons in the ratings war between
British TV companies.
The British star voices JESUS CHRIST in a new animated feature called
IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE, which will be screened by the British
Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to celebrate the end of the millennium.
The BBC unveiled its master plan today (25JAN99), announcing viewers
can expect everything from a 24-hour TV marathon which will he held
from December 31 1999 to January 1 2000.
The BBC also has high hopes for the Millennium Music Live experience.
They are aiming to have "every amateur and professional musician in the
UK" taking part in the ambitious five-day music festival.
It will climax in a day of continuous music broadcasts from around the
country and a national rendition of LOU REED's A PERFECT DAY.
The song was used by the BBC last year (98) in a promotional campaign -
with the likes of ELTON JOHN, U2's BONO and TOM JONES each
singing a line - and went on to become a number one hit in Britain.
-------------
Condensed from CNN:
Pope Urges Respect for Indian Rights in Mexico
Reuters 24-JAN-99
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul II Sunday called on
Mexico to work toward a more just and equal society and to
ensure respect for the rights of indigenous peoples.
Addressing nearly one million people at an open air mass at
Mexico City's car racing track, the pope also directed an
appeal to the governing class never to forget the most needy.
Hundreds of people, wrapped in blankets, camped out on a
chilly night to secure the best spots, singing folk songs and
holding pictures of Mexico's patron saint, the Virgin of
Guadalupe. The crowd far outnumbered those who saw
The Rolling Stones and Ireland's U2 at the racetrack last year.
-------------
>From Interference:
U2 Rewired
Courtesy of Anthony Zaidan/U2 Dublin, 01.24.99
U2's classic album cut WIRED (sic) is the inspiration for one
of this year's first big crossover club anthems. South London
stars Jeep Grriz look set to top the UK singles chart in March,
when U2's label Island releases their debut single, Rewired.
The band's Ed Love Chocolate revealed: "We did it because it
always rocked the crowd. When we first played it to Island
they said they'd sue us, but later they decided to put it out
instead."
Edge gave the okay for the single to be released. Ed said
"If U2 werent into it, we wouldn't have got past the door
at island. Apparently The Edge loves it and can't get it off
his stereo."
-------------
The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice, on which
"The Ground Beneath Her Feet" is based, from
http://despina.advanced.org/23057/orpheus.html
Orpheus was a musician whosde songs could charm even the
most wild of animals. Many women loved him but he loved only
Eurydice. Eurydice was a beautiful maiden who was also loved
by many but she and Orpheus loved only each other. On their
wedding day, Eurydice was walking in a meadow when a man
came and tried to force her to marry him. She ran away from
him and accidentally stepped on a poisonous snake, which bit
her. The man who had been chasing her ran away when she
fell down dead. Orpheus waited and waited for his bride, but
she never came.
Finally, he went to look for her and found her body. He was
so much in love with her that he vowed to go the underworld
if necessary to get her back. He took his lyre and went to the
river Styx, where Charon ferried the dead souls across to the
land of the dead. Charon refused to ferry Orpheus across at
first, but when Orpheus began to play his beautiful music he
willingly rowed him to the grim kingdom of the dead. When
he got to the gates of the Underworld he still had to get past
Ceberus. He started to play another song and charmed
Ceberus to sleep. He got past the gates and saw all the
people there. He played his beautiful music and charmed
even the Furies, who paused in their task of punishing
mortals who had lead horrible lives.
Orpheus came at last to the thrones of Persephone and
Hades. He asked for Eurydice but they refused, so he began
to play and sing again. His music was so wonderful that it
brought tears to even Hades' eyes.
"Please Hades, let him have Eurydice," Persephone
begged.
Hades agreed and told Orpheus, "You may have your
Eurydice, but you must not turn back to look at her until
you are both out of the underworld."
Orpheus promised to do so and waited while Eurydice was
called. He started to walk to the upperworld, wondering all
the while whether Eurydice was really behind him. Finally,
when he was almost out of the underworld, he turned around,
unable to wait any longer. Eurydice was there after all!
"Orpheus, why did you turn around? If we had been a little
farther, I would have been yours again!" she said sadly and
disappeared forever.
After this, Orpheus continued to play his music, but he never
loved again. One day, he was torn to pieces by the Bacchantes,
followers of Dionysius and joined his Eurydice at last in death.
-------------
>From ZooNation:
The Earl of Illumination By Tina Rhoades
The harsh weather in my local area has made for a crisp, scenic landscape.
Many folks postponed the usual chore of taking down the holiday decorations
and, instead, are using the outside lights to accent the winter wonderland.
While driving down any neighborhood street during this festive season, you
will be subjected to a broad range of holiday cheer , lights, lights, and more
lights! Trimmings may vary from a single candle displayed on a window ledge,
to a more involved look, a la Martha Stewart. Invariably, you'll encounter
homes overrun by elves who have turned the entire site into Santa's blazing
inferno, using enough energy to power a whole community. (These locales
are lovingly known as the "Santa puked all over my house" experience.) No
matter what the set up, the type of lighting used will evoke a reaction to that
which is displayed.
Light is an essential element when attempting to create a specific mood or
atmosphere. Perhaps no one in the U2 community is more aware of lighting
and its scope of possibilites than Pete "Willie" Williams, the band's lighting
designer. U2 have been basking in his light, literally, ever since the War
the band's music. Stark and minimal, the lighting created the perfect ambiance
for the yearning and isolation, as well as the warmth and intimacy, of U2's
songs.
Flipping the switch in the nineties, Willie succeeded in a tour de force, as he
helped to create, design , and oversee, the concert extravaganza of Zoo TV.
Willie constructed the newest and brightest in lighting fixtures--the "flying"
trabbies, which were colorfully painted by well known artists such as David
Wojnarowicz, Keith Haring, and Catherine Owens. A few of these gems are
displayed in the foyer of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
He also collaborated in generating the blitzkrieg of video images, which
bombarded the audience on a nightly basis. Willie's efforts with Zoo TV paid
off, as he was rewarded with two Lighting Designer of the Year awards from
the music industry. More recently, of course, Willie's artistic techniques
reached yet another level with the gargantuan PopMart tour.
Not only is Willie important to U2, he is very significant to the U2 fan base as
well. Willie was the original editor of Propaganda, the band's own fan
magazine. Although, he is less involved with the 'zine these days, due to the
additional "hats" he wears while working with U2, Willie still finds time to
contribute writings with his always much appreciated "Tour Diaries." He
demonstrates his intelligence, wit, and charm, while sharing his travels and
adventures with U2.
Because of his past accomplishments, it is not difficult to look forward to
Willie's future endeavors. Willie, we U2 fans thank you from the bottom of
our, er, sockets! Long may your light shine!
-------------
Condensed from Yahoo:
Kirk Franklin hip-hops God's promise to the masses
His Grammy-winning 1997 release, ``God's Property,'' is the
biggest gospel album ever, with 2.5 million copies sold, and
launched the hip-hop-tinged smash ``Stomp,'' which vaulted
to No. 1 on the Billboard charts.
Its successor album, ``The Nu Nation Project,'' debuted at No.
7 on the Billboard Top 200 last fall and has sold about 1.3
million copies. The 1998 release has been nominated for two
Grammys, while the first single, ``Lean on Me'' -- featuring R.
Kelly, U2 frontman Bono and Mary J. Blige -- was nominated
for three awards.
-------------
>From Sherry, re: U2 on MTV "Buku Bucks" special:
U2 came in #7 out of the 15...one behind the Spice Girls (who
came in at #6)...they "made" $35 million--$20 million on PopMart
shows in 1998 (even though they grossed $42 million and came
in at #3 for concert grosses), and $15 million on back catalog sales.
-------------
>From Pierluigi:
(Prarit's note: I'm going to try and track down a copy of Unit 4+2)
I haven't found these things in all the articles posted on Wire about the
U2/Rushdie collaboration. According to Italian newspapers (but they should
have got the info from The Guardian, from the original article) the song has
the same title as the book, The Ground Beneath Her Feat. And Paul McGuinness
said: "the lyrics came from a song inside the book, and Bono just put some
music that he felt natural. At the moment we recorded a demo, the song does
exist, and it would be fantastic to release it on the same day Salman's book
is due to be published, much before the next U2 album. Let's wait and see if
we can do that". Musically the song looks back to an old 60s track from Unit
4+2, called Concrete and Clay; U2 arranged the melody with the best U2
sounds.
-------------
Parts of Rushdie's "Ground Beneath Her Feet", performed by
U2(Taken from The Guardian):
"All my life I worshipped her.
Her golden voice, her beauty's beat.
How she made us feel, how she made me real,
And the ground beneath her feet."
"Go lightly down your darkened way,
Go lightly down underground,
I'll be down there in another day,
I won't rest until you're found.
Let me love you true,
Let me rescue you,
Let me lead you to where two roads meet.
O come back above, where there's only love,
And the ground's beaneath your feet."
-------------
Prarit.....
[email protected]
http://www.members.home.net/u2-news/u2.html
This page is brought to you by the letter "U" and the number "2".
-- Prarit....[email protected] U2 news: http://www.members.home.net/u2-news/u2.html U2 NEWS is MOVING -- AGAIN!!!!
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