I Disagree With What You Say, But You Sure Say It In A Pretty Way
Following a wonderful time in Edinburgh, I’m very pro all things Scottish at the moment (and much more proud of my Scottish roots).
YouTube – which is a deep reservoir of joy by the way – has several videos featuring a band that has produced a string of truly beautiful songs. Check out this version of ‘Loaded’ by Deacon Blue.
I remember discovering the song ‘Real Gone Kid’ at around the age of thirteen. Later into my teens, I bought ‘Our Town’, which is Deacon Blue’s Greatest Hits album. It is jam-packed with utter gems.
The majesty of Ricky Ross serves as a reminder that one should not close oneself off to the art of people with whom one is not wholly sympathetic politically. I would miss out on so much great music, comedy and literature if I only dipped my toes into conservative waters!
As in the case of Morrissey, whose work I admire a lot, I sometimes find what’s opined thoroughly offensive. But even that shouldn’t be enough to close the door. It’s vital to keep an open mind – because none of us knows for an absolute fact that we are right about everything. Indeed we can probably assume that we are each wrong about a great deal.
I read two books about the late, great Bill Hicks a while ago. One of them contains many of his stand up routines. I read it through and only laughed once. This was partly because I disagree with so much of what he said. But when James lent me his DVDs, I was able to see what all the fuss is about. Delivery makes a HUGE difference. I need to remember that.
Ricky Ross, Morrissey, Bill Hicks and my all time favourite musician James Taylor would never (have) cast their vote for someone with my views. But each sheds light on the world and on love, and each does so beautifully, and for that, I salute them all.
And I hope that somewhere in the audience when I’m doing stand up is at least one person who regards my comedy as a guilty pleasure. A person who disagrees with my viewpoint, but who nonetheless finds it interesting and – crucially – funny.
YouTube – which is a deep reservoir of joy by the way – has several videos featuring a band that has produced a string of truly beautiful songs. Check out this version of ‘Loaded’ by Deacon Blue.
I remember discovering the song ‘Real Gone Kid’ at around the age of thirteen. Later into my teens, I bought ‘Our Town’, which is Deacon Blue’s Greatest Hits album. It is jam-packed with utter gems.
The majesty of Ricky Ross serves as a reminder that one should not close oneself off to the art of people with whom one is not wholly sympathetic politically. I would miss out on so much great music, comedy and literature if I only dipped my toes into conservative waters!
As in the case of Morrissey, whose work I admire a lot, I sometimes find what’s opined thoroughly offensive. But even that shouldn’t be enough to close the door. It’s vital to keep an open mind – because none of us knows for an absolute fact that we are right about everything. Indeed we can probably assume that we are each wrong about a great deal.
I read two books about the late, great Bill Hicks a while ago. One of them contains many of his stand up routines. I read it through and only laughed once. This was partly because I disagree with so much of what he said. But when James lent me his DVDs, I was able to see what all the fuss is about. Delivery makes a HUGE difference. I need to remember that.
Ricky Ross, Morrissey, Bill Hicks and my all time favourite musician James Taylor would never (have) cast their vote for someone with my views. But each sheds light on the world and on love, and each does so beautifully, and for that, I salute them all.
And I hope that somewhere in the audience when I’m doing stand up is at least one person who regards my comedy as a guilty pleasure. A person who disagrees with my viewpoint, but who nonetheless finds it interesting and – crucially – funny.
posted by Tom Greeves at 9:16 pm
<< Home