TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Artists => Fairport Convention => Topic started by: Jules Gray on September 17, 2020, 09:30:10 PM



Title: Reading Heylin's book
Post by: Jules Gray on September 17, 2020, 09:30:10 PM
I'm reading that-awful-Mr-Heylin's Fairport book, and I have to say I'm really rather enjoying it.  I'm certainly learning stuff I didn't know.

But now and then he has me scratching my head.  Would somebody please help me unpick this sentence written about Died for Love:

"The result is a sight for sore ears even if held down by a rhythm-section with as much feel for English tradition as its countrymen had for punk rock."

Does this mean he likes the results despite the American rhythm section?  And if so, then why are the results a "sight for sore ears"?  I know that' a play on words, but doesn't the more usual "sight for sore eyes" have a negative meaning?  I'm lost!

Jules


Title: Re: Reading Heylin's book
Post by: peter m on September 17, 2020, 09:38:51 PM
A sight for sore eyes is when you see a beautiful person across a crowded room.

Even so, bit of a lumpen phrase from Mr Heylin. Quelle surprise.


Title: Re: Reading Heylin's book
Post by: GubGub (Al) on September 17, 2020, 09:50:30 PM
It is certainly an odd phrase (I have read the book and also enjoyed it. It pointed me to a lot of Ian Matthews records that I had never previously heard).

I think he is trying to sya he likes the record whilst at the same time having a bit of a pop at American musicians attempting English/British musical genres. But why would they need a feel for the English tradition to play Died For Love? It is hardly written in that style.


Title: Re: Reading Heylin's book
Post by: Jules Gray on September 18, 2020, 09:37:32 AM

A sight for sore eyes is when you see a beautiful person across a crowded room.

Even so, bit of a lumpen phrase from Mr Heylin. Quelle surprise.


Ah! Seems I've misunderstood the phrase all these years.  Thanks.

Jules


Title: Re: Reading Heylin's book
Post by: Jules Gray on September 18, 2020, 09:38:53 AM

But why would they need a feel for the English tradition to play Died For Love? It is hardly written in that style.


He argues that it's the closest thing on that record to folk-rock.

Jules


Title: Re: Reading Heylin's book
Post by: GubGub (Al) on September 18, 2020, 11:40:41 AM


But why would they need a feel for the English tradition to play Died For Love? It is hardly written in that style.


He argues that it's the closest thing on that record to folk-rock.

Jules


I was going to say I disagree with him but "closest" is a relative term. It may be the closest thing on the album to folk rock but it is still not folk rock by a considerable distance imho. It is nevertheless a fantastic song.


Title: Re: Reading Heylin's book
Post by: StephenB on September 18, 2020, 01:58:59 PM
Try conjunctivitis.com

It's a site for sore eyes.

 :o


Title: Re: Reading Heylin's book
Post by: mickf on September 18, 2020, 02:10:19 PM

Try conjunctivitis.com

It's a site for sore eyes.

 :o

 ;D ;D