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Overall total postings: 1671
| 988 |
N/A |
N/A |
2006-09-13 |
18:57:10 |
Bless you darling Ned.
And, Anno, an immortal beloved, you have been on shoulders, at windows, and - as reminded this morning - in lofts. In those mathematical moments there's a desire to take in all the poetry shared and let drip in the tasting of existence on whatever part of our body does the listening. Surely graditude is strong, at least right now it seems right for me to offer everyone a couple thousand thank yous...but as I listened to Anno a couple thousand miracles have happened around me this morning = but then again, there's no beginning or no end to them that I kind of don't want to call them anything, and finally not take it all so seriously as Andrew said. Anno could have placed endless thoughts and feelings into a simple (but indescriable) equation of his words. Right now all my thoughts and feelings are made up of are great happiness. Someone once told me, "In my view the only "purpose" in being alive is to have fun, and the since the best fun is creating fun (aka happiness) for others, this leads to generosity of spirit...." Anno certain did and is doing that. I so could keep writing, but have a little boy of mine tugging at my shirt, saying, "Anno...Anno..." he wants to listen to the music.
Thank you to all of you! So much love! |
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| 987 |
Elaine |
elaine@3-c.coop |
2006-09-13 |
18:50:15 |
No you certainly can't win them all but here's one person who's
been moved to find out more about Anno Birkin through
listening to one of the most moving plays I've heard on Radio 4.
I couldn't stop crying when I heard what had happened to such a
talented and loved young man. I can't imagine how Andrew and
Bee have lived with such a terrible loss. From what I heard of
both his music and his poems Anno showed huge potential, it's
a loss to all of us who care about music and literature that he
died so young. It was all the more poignant a story for being
told through the medium of the story of JM Barrie and his
adopted family.
Andrew, have you ever read Ben Jonson's poem "It is not in
growing like a tree/In bulk doth make men better be"? I find it
some comfort when contemplating untimely deaths like Anno's.
I have already ordered his book via Amazon and look forward to
reading it. |
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| 986 |
Ned |
N/A |
2006-09-13 |
18:16:28 |
Re: 980 - R U Sirius??
No you're right, just because someone's dead doesn't make their work good - but it does generally make people look at it a little harder as it's all that's left of them, which is particularly important for the family and friends who have suffered such an unbelievable blow that reading poems and listening to songs barely fills the horrific void that has permanently been gashed into their lives. It's the price you pay: death for a possible bit more recognition (personally I wouldn't like to make that trade). Anno didn't know he was going to die - he didn't ask people to read most of his writings (he generally kept them very private). What you see on these sites is the cumulation of his short life's work which I (and a lot of people) think is incredible for someone who only made it to 20. If you don't like it that's fine, but it seems pretty low to slag it off when it's glaringly obvious that you've only seen a fragment of what he created.
I can't imagine going onto a website that is trying to hold together the memories of someone else's loss and writing what you wrote - it seems that you were just doing it for kicks by hurting people, or by making you feel better about yourself, rather than because you actually spent any time reading and listening to his material and decided it was worthwhile to write a criticism of it.
If you or anyone have some kind of intelligent or structured criticism to make of any of Anno's/KJD's material in the future feel free to post it in the Review page, but please be more respectful of people's feelings on the Remember page. No, Anno wasn't Jeff Buckley - as brilliant as he was Buckley didn't write the lyrics to most of his famous songs - Anno was never afraid to put his own lyrics on whatever he played. Do yourself a favour: download and listen to Landslide, and all the while try telling yourself that Anno (and KJD) were a Jeff Buckley immitation.
Thank you everyone else for coming to the site and posting your reviews - I hope you got more from it than Sirius did. I feel sorry for him because he doesn't understand what he's missing out on - KJD should be heard by everyone who appreciates good music.
Now I think it's time to drop this whole topic - there isn't much more anyone can say to you. I'm glad you apologised afterwards (though I don't really understand why you did). We won't delete your posting (we have never taken down what someone's written on the Remember page), but I hope you do learn to appreciate Anno's material eventually, and are aware that the first thing you ever said about it is permanently entombed on this page. I hope this hasn't ruined the discovery of these sites for anyone else - thank you all for taking the time to visit. |
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| 985 |
patrick woodroffe |
woodroffep@aol.com |
2006-09-13 |
17:11:11 |
Andrew,
Just heard the play on R4. Anno's death when it came was so
unexpected - I didn't know the story - and it was a physical jolt, as
of course it must have been for you. Like another of your recent
correspondents it has inspired me to return to poetry and to
explore his music.
I loved the play and the juxtaposition of both lives. Bravo! And
don't worry about Sirius - your answer to him/her struck just the
right note. It's extraordinary that someone would want to make his
mark in this way.
Patrick |
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| 984 |
R U Sirius |
N/A |
2006-09-13 |
17:06:18 |
| Sorry, you're quite right. |
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| 983 |
Ed Morris |
N/A |
2006-09-13 |
16:31:05 |
Andrew,
I have just heard your story on the afternoon play on Radio 4 and cannot begin to imagine what losing a son must feel like. I was extremely touched by your program and will definitely be devoting some time to getting back into literature and poetry, to try and express myself. I have found that things make more sense when you right them down. I suppose, as you hinted to in your program, you have to take comfort in the life Anno had and the way he expressed it. In a time when society is supposed to be going down the pan, and youth of today are disconnected from the world in which they live in, it is touching and humbling to see a person of so few years extruding such virtue and knowledge on the world. I myself am fortunate that great tragedy has not touched my life so far at the tender age of 25, but I would like to think that I have contributed as best I can, if it all ended tomorrow. However, poetry and literature has never been a great part of my life as I think I have always struggled with it, being a slow reader. Still, after listening to your program I am beginning to see that it just might be something that is missing in my life. Still better get back to writing that PhD thesis ...
My best wishes to you and your family.
Kind Regards,
Ed Morris
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| 982 |
DisasterMan |
dave(a)absolutedisaster.co.uk |
2006-09-13 |
15:59:29 |
Re: R U Sirius??
Taste is a variable thing indeed, but a little respect never went amiss. Your opinons are of course entirely permissable, but if you are going to be rude perhaps a little bravery would be appropriate and you could not hide behind a false name (unless your parents are particularly mean and that really is your name!)
Still, it clearly had enough effect that you were stirred enough to log on and write.
But please people, although some may be unimpressed by the programme, and some may be offended by the likes of Master Sirius, we don't want a flame war here. We are not interested in censoring people, but spam and offensive posts will be deleted or edited (which will be marked clearly).
I feel Anno's legacy needs no defending - the immense respect his work engenders in many speaks for itself, but if I may say one thing, it would be this:
To suggest that the paralells drawn between Andrew's and JMB's experience were 'wishful' is at the very least crass and insensitive. May life be much kinder to you so that you need never learn to understand. |
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| 981 |
Angela |
angela_mmartin@yahoo.co.uk |
2006-09-13 |
15:34:23 |
| Like Lesley (posting 978 below), I have just learned about Anno from listening to a radio 4 play this afternoon. I just wanted to say that I was touched by his story, and particularly his beautiful music which was included in the play. I feel that his story is also a poignant reminder of the precious nature of each and every day, as you never do know what the next one will bring... Best wishes to all Anno's family and friends, I'm sure he is terribly missed by you all. |
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| 980 |
R U Sirius?? |
N/A |
2006-09-13 |
15:27:06 |
| Do I detect a touch of The Emperor's New Clothes here? Just because somebody's dead doesn't mean they were good. Those lyrics - gag! Pathetic. A poor man's Jeff Buckley attempt, perhaps? Rich man's more like. The play wasn't much cop either - very self-important and all those wishful parallels. Sorry not to be taken in, you can't win 'em all. |
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| 979 |
N/A |
N/A |
2006-09-13 |
15:16:31 |
| Oh wow, I'm just too moved for words |
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