Talk:Paul Williams (songwriter)/Archive 1

Archive 1

Can Someone help?

Paul has asked that I post his latest media picture. I did upload it to wiki but can't figure out how to post it. The URL for the picture is http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:PaulW5.jpg Thank you! Sarah http://paulwilliamsconnection.org If someone needs to contact me in order to help, you may do so through the site which will also validate that I am indeed Paul's designer. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.153.65.129 (talk) 23:23, 30 September 2008 (UTC)

Done! 99.53.194.188 (talk) 01:44, 23 February 2009 (UTC)

No such image at Wikimedia Commons. It apparently failed a copyright test and was removed, or was moved to a different file name. — Quicksilver^{T @} 18:53, 16 March 2012 (UTC)

Show called "Listen"

HI, where there ever a show Paul Williams had called Listen that's love in 1975 or 1976 and is it available on tape or DVD?

I don't know, kiddo.

Paul did an HBO Special - I'm not sure what they titled that though. I do know it's not available on DVD..I will ask Paul about that and get back to you.

According to Paul, that was actually an NBC special that he did..as far as he knows it's not available on DVD. Sorry. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.2.120.220 (talk) 15:36, 25 January 2009 (UTC)

Correct info

I would suggest that the editors at wiki find out who the person is who is making changes to a page. I made changes to correct INCORRECT information on his page...at Paul's request and have been accused of copyright infringement of my own site! I design the Paul Williams Connection. Paul requested that I update the information on this page and replace what you had as incorrect information. I will change this again tomorrow. I would assume that those at wiki would rather have CORRECT information on their site and the information that has been approved by those listed on their site...wouldn't you? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 69.172.144.79 (talk • contribs).

We do want to correct any mistakes or misinterpretations. However we must maintain the neutral tone that readers expect in an enclyclopedia. Phrases like:

• Although most people came to know the witty Mr. Williams as one of Johnny Carson's recurring favorites on The Tonight Show, or as an actor in dozens of films, television comedies and dramas, it is his musical legacy that continues to inspire.

Do not belong. So yes, please make corrections, but please don't add flowery language or "peacock" words. -Will Beback · † · 02:51, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

And at the opposite end of the scale, phrases such as "diminutive (5 feet [1.5 m] tall) and cherubic" also do not belong. I would suggest that you check your facts prior to posting them. That is not his correct height.

I agree. That text wasn't appropriate either. Let's work towards a properly neutral and verifiably correct article. -Will Beback · † · 09:58, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

To correct Will Beback's comment about the content that was added NOT being copyrighted...it IS copyrighted and states so on my site, The Paul Williams Connection - however, I was given permission and even asked to use that to correct the errors and omissions on the wiki page. I will again be editing the page BUT will exclude "flowery or peacock" language as you put it..but again, will reporting the facts and approved material - please note that anything I add will be correct. I have designed Paul's Connection site for many years. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Sarahedw (talk • contribs).

The copyright issue is a bit touchy. Any permission to use copyrighted material must allow it to be re-used by others for any purpose, even commercially. It's better just to contribute original text. If Anyone can donate a photograph that'd be a big help. -Will Beback · † · 19:31, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

I do have photographs but haven't figured out how to upload them yet...how would I do that?

Hey Will..thanks for the info. I've uploaded the file..I don't like the layout of the page with it though. I will play with it some more tomorrow. I would like to be able to get the content box to the left of it...but I don't seem to have access in order to do that...I will figure out something else to put there tomorrow. Thanks again and have a great night.

Thanks for the photo. I reformatted it into the standard layout. If you want to fill in an "infobox" that lists the vital statistics we can do that too. See Jessica Simpson or Bob Saget. -Will Beback · † · 02:46, 9 December 2006 (UTC)

His Height

Information about his height should be included, since his diminutive stature is well-known. The question is how to include it in the article: "diminutive (5 feet [1.5 m] tall) and cherubic," as noted above, is not encyclopedic. Is he actually just 5'0" tall, and can that be sourced and included in more neutral language? 108.246.205.134 (talk) 15:34, 2 April 2013 (UTC)

I don't see how highlighting his short stature benefits the article. A mention, maybe. But making a big deal of it isn't encyclopedic -- more like a tabloid in nature. Winkelvi (talk) 16:59, 2 April 2013 (UTC)

I offer that his height has been used effectively as a counter-point on the screen. For example, in the Planet of the Apes and in Babylon 5 he portrayed a character that was played off against other, large, blustering and brutal characters. The overall effect led the viewer to favor those who aren't physically powerful, but rather caring and wise in word and demeanor. I took it to be part of conveying the message of the show. (-Big- fan, by the way). LTC (Ret.) David J. Cormier (talk) 11:56, 12 April 2013 (UTC)

Citation requests

The ad nauseum requests for citations in the "Musical career" section do nothing more than clutter the text and make it difficult to read. According to Wiki policy, such edits are reserved for statements that are either "dubious or sufficiently controversial." The one about the Monkees I can understand, but what is dubious or controversial about a statement such as "A frequent cowriter of Williams was musician Kenneth Ascher"?24.6.7.233 (talk) 01:52, 13 December 2007 (UTC)

in a Biography of a Living person, we cite just about everything. I don't know who Kenneth Ascher is, and I am guessing a lot fo folk unfamiliar with Williams isn't either. Now, fans of Ascher might know that he and Williams were sworn enemies, were fated to meet in a Gathering, coz there can be only one Rainbow Connection.

Seriously, we tend to cite a great deal more in BLP's bc there is so much more potentially damaging info that can be added. When there are solid citations to back up what is said, WP is protected. - Arcayne (^{cast a spell}) 04:20, 13 December 2007 (UTC)

By referring to yourself in the plural are you speaking for all of Wikipedia?  :) According to policy, citation requests are to be made when the preceding statement is dubious or controversial, not simply because someone is unfamiliar with the subject. Why not require a citation for his birthdate and birthplace? How about one citation for each claim that he's American, a musician, a composer, a songwriter, and an actor? Why not do this for every biography on Wikipedia? Please consider that readability is important to an encyclopedia, too.

I left the citation request about trying out for the Monkees, which I think is dubious without validation. I also deleted the parenthetical statement about "We've Only Just Begun," which was unnecessary and difficult to verify. Finally, I left one citation request at the end of the sentence about his various awards (although what that sentence really needs is more specificity). The rest are easily verifiable, and unlikely to be challenged. 24.6.7.233 (talk) 02:09, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

I've reinstated them. As I said before, its better to cite anything which might be questioned. I am not sure I see the problem with providing them. As per BLP, I am simply supposed to remove the uncited material, but i have suggested cn tags instead, as the material isn't obviously damaging or wrong. In the off chance it is, cites are needed. Callit a proactive stance. - Arcayne (^{cast a spell}) 02:21, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

And thank God for you. The suggestion that Paul Williams has written songs that were covered by pop and country artists is clearly controversial, and we'd better make sure we have hard evidence before tossing around that stick of dynamite. But wait... do you realize that there are biographies all over Wikipedia with phrases, clauses, and in some cases entire sentences that are uncited?! Get cracking, Arcayne, you have a lot of work to do. (You haven't even finished this article yet -- for instance, can we be SURE he was born in Omaha?)

Have you even read the article on citations? I'm done with this silliness. Sorry Paul. 24.6.7.233 (talk) 14:57, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

It's a shame that you are "done" with discussion, as your witty retort made me think that there might have been hope for you. Alas, wrong again... - Arcayne (^{cast a spell}) 15:14, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

Hi Paul B., If you are of the opinion that this belongs in the article, I'd suggest you add it. I recommend though, that you get registered. Then your IP would be replaced with your user ID (e.g. Paul B.). Regards BajanZindy (talk) 16:17, 19 June 2010 (UTC)

thanks for the advice Bajan, have registered.

Free image

I have found a free image of Paul Williams on Wikimedia Commons, but it is of a low resolution. Can the image be adjusted and/or cropped for the main infobox? Bulldog ^{talk da contribs go rando} 05:00, 14 July 2011 (UTC)

Do you mean commons:File:Paul_Williams_at_a_party_in_1976.jpg? If so, it's in terrible shape. The Flickr original looks like a low-resolution scan of a Polaroid snapshot that spent years at the bottom of someone's desk drawer. I tried removing scratches and dust, but the emulsion layer of the photo was evidently severely scuffed, as can be seen when one applies gamma correction to bring up the detail from the shadows. It's been retouched a bit, but when one zooms into the subject's face, it looks very blocky, like an over-compressed JPEG image. There's not much that can be done with an image of such poor quality. It would be better to see if someone else has uploaded a better photo of Williams to Flickr since the original Flickr upload was obtained. — Quicksilver^{T @} 18:39, 16 March 2012 (UTC)

Confusion

I think somebody has been confusing the two lists of films in this article. The one under "scores" is only supposed to list the films for which Paul Williams has written the music, while the one lower down is supposed to list the films in which he has actually appeared. I mean to adjust this accordingly. Kelisi (talk) 06:43, 3 February 2013 (UTC)

Active in the field of recovery from addictions

What does this mean? Has he worked with or for charity groups etc., or is it a coy way of saying he's recovered from addictions himself? Or both? Daibhid C 12:45, 16 August 2006 (UTC)

At this very moment I'm listening to a radio program in which he's addressing an audience about his life and experiences as an addict. i had no idea who was speaking, then he mentioned having a small part in "The Loved One" (excellent book, terrible movie) and I had to check IMDB.com. One thing led to another and I ended up here! And just a minute ago (still on the radio) he mentioned his name --- Paul Williams. So yes, he is active in the "recovery community," at least as a public speaker. He's very good at it, too. The radio show is on an AM station out of Evanston, Illinois, each Saturday morning. This is only the second time I've heard it, and it's fascinating. I think it may be an Alcoholics Anonymous show, recordings of members' testimonies. 166.175.60.211 (talk) 12:33, 22 August 2015 (UTC)HelenChicago

Unsourced and poorly sourced material

Nearly the entire article is unsourced or poorly sourced; I'd remove it all per WP:BLP but that would turn the article into a stub. Since Paul Williams is covered in many reliable sources, I suggest someone versed in the topic source the article or rewrite it. Bright☀ 15:41, 10 July 2017 (UTC)

Aye my dude Pharrell Williams is not 77 bro was born 1973 not no 1940 F.actzzz (talk) 20:38, 8 October 2017 (UTC)

Who is Pharrell Williams? This article is about Paul Williams, who was indeed born in 1940. Strawberry4Ever (talk) 21:07, 8 October 2017 (UTC)