Reviews from

I'm Not a Rock. I'm But an Island.

Do rocks feel pain?

49 total reviews 
Comment from artemis53
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

As soon as I started to read the song came blazing into my head..."And a rock feels no pain...and an island never cries."
Ironically, Paul Simon didn't like this song. Perhaps it was too commercial for him that rings true from one who penned "Bookends." Well done on this. Many shall relate.

 Comment Written 09-Aug-2017


reply by the author on 09-Aug-2017
    What, artemis53? Paul didn't like the song? It's my favorite. It spoke to me. With a few rewritten lines, it spoke more to me. Thank you for your review.
reply by artemis53 on 09-Aug-2017
    No. He didn't like it perhaps because he was being pushed by his record company to produce 'hits.' Many males love this song.
Comment from His Grayness
Excellent
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Excellent work very well presented. Line 10 ' I net none should be Let none. The dialog is quite nice and flows very well in all ways. I enjoyed this and thank the author for a great read! HIS GRAYNESS

 Comment Written 09-Aug-2017


reply by the author on 09-Aug-2017
    Thank you, His Grayness, for your review and corrections. I appreciate it.
reply by His Grayness on 09-Aug-2017
    And I appreciate YOU! great work and keep them coming! Blessings! Vance
Comment from crzypnter
Excellent
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It can be very dangerous when one goes to change such s classic as this one is. But, I think you did a wonderful job with this Congrats. Thanks for sharing. God bless

August

 Comment Written 09-Aug-2017


reply by the author on 09-Aug-2017
    Oh, thank you, crzypnter, for your review. Yes, it can be dangerous to change a classic. I am glad I did. Thanks.
Comment from krys123
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Cheers, Andre;
-I really enjoyed your rendition of Simon and Garfunkel song and especially was entertained immensely with your video and author's notes of you acting out your poem. I really enjoyed the impromptu and improvisational acting of the lyrics and found out that you are quite good at doing it. I taking improvisational classes and majored in theater and I know what I see.
-I really also liked your rendition of the song and by changing a few words added an intense and quite an interesting interpretation of the song. Which led me to believe that every man, in his own right, is more than an island in a world surrounded by apathy. This I think is what causes a person to be an island.
-Thank you so much for sharing and posting this interpretation which I truly enjoyed wholeheartedly and take care and have a good one especially with all those that you care for dearly and love with all your heart.
Alex

 Comment Written 09-Aug-2017


reply by the author on 09-Aug-2017
    Oh, thank you, Alex, for your generous, six star review--the only one that my rendition of Simon and Garfunkel's song which spoke to me when I rewrote it thirty-five years ago! I had a lot of fun acting it out using improvisation. I sat on the fence for days regarding whether or not I should submit it. I am glad I did.
reply by krys123 on 11-Aug-2017
    I'm glad you did post this as I enjoyed it immensely.
    You are very welcome, and take care and have a good one.
    Alex
Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca
Excellent
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One of my favorite songs, and you redid it beautifully. I could sing along and feel the emotion you wanted to display with each stanza. Wanting to take a chance but not wanting to feel more pain. Nicely done

 Comment Written 09-Aug-2017


reply by the author on 09-Aug-2017
    Oh, thank you, Barb, for your review. I am glad my rewrite of Simon and Garfunkel's song spoke to you.
Comment from Eternal Muse
Excellent
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Very good, Andre! "I'm not a rock but I'm an island". Powerfully said.

Won't talk of love.
Well, I heard the word before.
It's repressed in my memory.
I won't disturb the slumber
of feelings I've never tried
when I've never loved
I always would 'ave cried.
I'm not a rock. I'm but an island.

A lot of broken dreams and hopes in this write. The narrator is trying to stay strong regardless, but the weight of these heavy walls brings him under.

Been there.

A great contest entry, Andre, and I wish you the best of luck.

Yelena

 Comment Written 09-Aug-2017


reply by the author on 09-Aug-2017
    Yes, Yelena, I've been there, which is why I rewrote it. Thank you for your review and for wishing me contest success.
Comment from humpwhistle
Excellent
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This was a standard during my old coffeehouse days.
I still have a weakness for folk-rock in all its iterations.
I've even been listening to old jug band music, and
the Holy Modal Rounders lately.

I like your more realistic take on there lyrics.
Though, sometimes it seems easier to be an island
when you pretend to be a rock, too.

Best of luck, Andre.

Peace, Lee

 Comment Written 09-Aug-2017


reply by the author on 11-Aug-2017
    Oh, thank you, Lee, for your encouraging, supportive review and contest well wishes. I have been attending a lot of folk concerts recently. I am glad I revived my interpretation of a folk classic.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Excellent
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Once again, I enjoyed reading and listening to your poem. You did a wonderful job writing this. I, of course had to take time to listen to Simon and Garfunkel's song. I haven't heard it years.

 Comment Written 09-Aug-2017


reply by the author on 11-Aug-2017
    Oh, yes, Barbara, I have always loved that song, as you can see. Thank you for your review and compliments.
Comment from Asem.inspirations
Excellent
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Good morning Andre, so you have been writing and performing for many years. I see that this poem and performance was in January 11th and 12th in 1983. Wow You stayed devoted to your work and still you perform. You deserve all of the attention and accomplishments that you have and that are coming your way.

Your poem and the performance were excellent. Thank you so much for sharing this with us in here Fan Story.

 Comment Written 09-Aug-2017


reply by the author on 11-Aug-2017
    Oh, thank you, Tier, for your generous review. I wrote the lyrics in my diary when in 1983. Later when I became a storyteller and was searching my diaries for ideas I came across my lyrics and created a demo video. Other than an audition, I have not performed this song in public. Thank you for your review and loving support.
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Excellent
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This is a sad write of loneliness which has been self inflicted and I can identify with these words because the older I get the more reclusive I become as I tire of letting anyone into my world, well chosen words here, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 09-Aug-2017


reply by the author on 11-Aug-2017
    Thank you, Dolly, for your heartfelt review of my lyrics rewrite that resonated with many self-inflicted, lonely people.