[Fwd: Re: Vivat! Trimaris queries]

[Rex Deaver]

At 11:16 AM 3/2/96 -0500, Dave & Laura McKinstry wrote:

>Apparently, according to this message, the "Vivat! Trimaris" tape and book
are only 
>for sale within the kingdom of Trimaris, and only at certain events.  I
think this is 
>a sad thing. 

The rigors of distributing a tape or book are not insubstantial.  Accepting
the responsibility for servicing orders by mail is not done lightly, and I
have no problems at all with someone deciding not to do so.

> I personally would like any ballad I write to go as far across the 
>Knowne World as possible. 

I personally have many pieces that I hope never again see the light of day!
:):)  

> We are creating our own history as we go, and 
>I believe in recording that history in song, and I would think that that
history is of 
>interest in other kingdoms as well

Sometimes...many times not.  Or it may be inappropriate, depending on the
content and the likelihood of it causing hurt feelings somewhere.  There are
many anthems of Calontir that we do not perform or promote "away from home"
lest we open old wounds with the Midrealm.   This is just an example, but
may not be an isolated one.  Worlds are powerful tools and, like any tool,
can be powerful weapons.  It is IMO one of the responsibilities of bards to
control such weapons, to only use them at need and carefully.

>How do the rest of you feel about this, by the way?  How many of us write
as well as 
>sing? 

I write and *also* sing...whether I write as well as I sing is a matter for
others to decide.  I am sure there are opinions both ways. :):)

 >Why do you write songs/poetry?  

I write because I enjoy the process.  When something strikes a cord in an
audience, that is both my reward and my indication that I have done
something right.

>How far do you want your works to spread? 

Depends on the piece.  I just spent a long trip to an event writing
something that I fully expect to be a one-shot.  If it gets picked up by
others, I will be pleased to be sure.  But if it doesn't, I will ruthlessly
discard it.

> And 
>those of you who just perform, how many of you are strict authenticists,
how many 
>filkers, how many choose to relate songs of the Knowne World?

I don't think I have ever done anything that was *strictly* authentic.
Sometimes it is a shameless filk ( a very period practice BTW), especially
if I have a story, or words with no music.  My repertoire includes Knowne
World stuff, Period history, Period literary...and stuff that I made up.
Some of the latter I attempt a Period form or style, some just felt right.
When I have been lucky enough to find a completely Period piece with words
and music and that IMO would be pleasing to an audience I have incorporated
it.  These are relatively few.


Mathurin Kerbusso
Rex Deaver -- radeaver at mwtech.com

"Know your enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be
in peril." -- Sun-tzu