Part 2

Shorter.

So the novena thing turned out not to be a problem. I had expected at least a little resistance, but there was not a peep, so maybe folks agreed with me. I did feel a little bit weird making that request in the first place, having nearly 12 years of Catholic education in my past, but things have changed, and we do need to consider the feelings of others.

So Paul McCartney was given a Gershwin award at the White House a week or so ago. He's a big Obama fan, and in fact told the country to lay off Obama because he was doing a great job. Thanks, Paul. Being one of the richest people in the UK I guess being unemployed wouldn't be a problem for you, and the oil from the spill in the Gulf hasn't reached your home. Yet. And BP does stand for British Petroleum, right?

Anyway, so Paul, who is not a citizen of course, decides to drop a little snarky jab at George Bush and makes a comment that W doesn't know what a library is. Let me make this clear. I do not like Bush, nor any of his former cabinet. But, Sir Paul, you do not come in to our White House and mock a living former President, especially at a non political event. Shows very little class, in my opinion.

My comment on this, made to a former friend who thinks Paul is actually God, not like we thought Clapton was, but really God, did not take this well. And went on and on and on about what a creep Bush was as President, and how Paul had every right to mock him, the creep. Well, yes, Paul does have that right (that was one of the reasons we separated from the UK, anyway), but one would think he would have the courtesy and sense, and yes, class, not to voice his opinions in our White House, in front of our President. And that doesn't even take into account the fact that Mrs. Bush has an MA in Library Science. I'm not sticking up for Bush; I'm supporting the office of President. A little distinction my former friend did not get, and won't admit to. So that friendship is ended. No big deal. And why didn't Lennon get an award as well?

And on to my continuing battles on the DOL web site with a bunch of folks who just fail to see the righteousness of my arguments :).

Part 1

Sit back, grab a cold one or a warm one, we're gonna be here a bit.

As I get older, I find that more and more things are ticking me off. Right now I have four battles going on, each better than the other. While today we'll look at my recent Chad and Jeremy battle, I should let you know about another which I've just no doubt started. This latest one is on the New York State Dept. of Labor web site, where I go daily to check on the status of any extension to my expired unemployment benefits. Today, someone posted a novena to St. someone or other, praying for renewed benefits. I thought about this before I jumped on it, afraid to be seen as the anti-Christ by everyone there, but I said to myself, I think we'll need to say something. These are my exact words: May I suggest that you post this novena on your personal page and invite those who wish to participate to view it there? You run the risk of offending non-Christians and non-believers if you bring this to a civil, non-religious, web site. I am not the anti-Christ, but believe that this may be deemed inappropriate for a government site. I think I have been civil and respectful, but certainly the choice is yours to move it or not. So we'll see how that develops. Sorry, but if you want to pray, you need not involve me if I don't want to be involved.

Anyway, the Chad and Jeremy war continues. You'll no doubt remember that I've been banned from the Yahoo group, and barred as well from their Facebook site. Why? Because I've been a pain in their collective butts a bit. That is not especially hard to do if all those surrounding them believe that they walk on water, sing like a choir of angels, and generally are perfection personified. Perhaps I exaggerate, but trust me when I say that criticism of any kind is simply not tolerated by their web master, nor whoever is in control of their social networking sites. None.

So, and I'm a bit embarrassed to reveal this, but with few options available to get a question to them, I by-passed their Facebook lock out by using a different Facebook account. Same name, slight misspelling of the last name, but certainly recognizable. Not like I got on as The Lone Ranger or anything. The post has since been removed, of course, but to summarize, I asked why they continued to rely on their older material in their release of Ark-eology as well as the planned next release of a live concert CD, which is basically full of the same Ark-eology material, but done live. I further asked what happened to the widely mentioned and promoted CD of new material called Zanzibar Sunset, and of course, what happened to the promised DVD called Yesterday's Gone.

I know, I know, why bother. On the other hand, I'm not looking for the recipe for Coke here, just a hint as to why this direction has been chosen. Chad himself told me of plans for a comedy CD, a Jeremy CD, a folk CD. So they don't answer, they delete the post. Too hard a question? Or has the question itself caused trouble in Chad and Jeremy land? Will I ask again, just to be a pain? We'll see.

But it doesn't end there. Last week I get the following letter, which I'll re-print in its entirety (told you to grab a drink) so you can grasp the apparent damage I've caused to one devoted fan, simply by daring to ask a question of the anointed duo:

I presume you have re-named yourself Anthony Piccirillo, and it’s not someone masquerading as you. My Facebook page tells me you joined FB because you ‘Like’ C&J, and then your post is just the same old same old, asking again the questions to which you know the answers – or so you would have me believe from what you’ve said about knowing more than you can tell – and denigrating C&J, calling them oldies and complaining about not getting the CD/DVD you thought was on the way. I can only suppose you’re doing it to be deliberately irritating, not to say hurtful. But surely you must realise that this reflects badly on you, and won’t exactly endear you to C&J. I doubt I’m the only one to be wondering why you didn’t leave it when you said you would, six months or so ago, and why you keep coming back to pick at the scab.

Chad and Jeremy, along with the people they trust, are best-placed to know how their professional lives should be shaped, and are the only ones who know the why’s behind that how. Maybe you think it should be done differently, but as you’ve said yourself, you were never privy to things C&J. Though that doesn’t really compute with the claim to know more than you can tell. Which do you mean? You also contradict yourself by saying that there were many new songs in the concerts, and then complaining that the projected live album won’t have new numbers, as Zanzibar Sunset would have if that had been issued first. I have no idea what the set list was for the Don Gibson Theatre concert, but I’m sure it will have some of their new songs.

I thought about responding to your email from way back, but A Lot happened here, and when I came up for air I reckoned it was past history, and hoped you had moved on. But it appears you’re stuck in the groove, and it would seem you’re accusing C&J of breaking a promise to you. As Chad has said, Caswell jumped the gun be implying that Zanzibar Sunset was mixed and ready to go, when this was not the case. What makes you think it was otherwise? Why are you constantly berating them for something they haven’t done? I also found your personal attack on Jason distasteful. As webmeister and moderator he is there to promote C&J and reflect the fans’ enthusiasm, which he does with humour and good grace, and for the benefit of the whole C&J community. Chad considers Jason a personal friend and has said so many times over the years. What purpose does it serve to attack their friends? Why would you do it?

You said your feeling is one of disappointment. Maybe you were expecting too much when in fact it was never there. Don’t let disappointment fester into bitterness or rancour – that’s not good for C&J and it’s not good for you. Best all round if you let it go.

My rather angry reply :):

I'm sorry you feel that way. The question is legitimate, given that the "new" CD was on the web site, delayed by the record company CEO there, promoted in concert by C&J, and mentioned in several interviews. I'd like to know what happened to it. Is that wrong? I'd also like to know what happened to the DVD, also mentioned and promoted in very similar fashion, and then pulled from PBS at the last minute. (I know the DVD wasn't their project, was produced by Caswell, and financed by a number of people who are still anxious to get their investment back. I know that Chad was not supportive of it, but I don't know why it's been killed). When 2 such projects have been so widely discussed, scheduled, and promoted, my opinion is that some explanation as to the reason they have summarily disappeared while may not required, is at least a means of showing respect to the people who have waited for and expected them. Do they think we're not paying attention?

I don't recall that Caswell ever mentioned the CD, as he was not the person being interviewed, nor did he appear in concert, and doesn't control the web site. Where would he mention it? I find it odd that Chad mentioned a "publicist" in terms of blaming someone, though he didn't mention a name, did he?

I'm afraid I do not recall an attack on Jason. I don't think that I would go after a lawyer, but you can point that out if you wish. I do not know him personally, though my dealings with him initially were ok. I have heard reports from several people who do not like or respect him, but that's second hand info.

I'm not looking to be endearing. Is it denigrating to call someone an oldies act? That's the road they've chosen.

I don't get your need to "protect" them from criticism. I'm not doing personal attacks on them, not belittling their talent, and certainly not hindering their career. I have questioned career choices, song choices, that disastrous attempt at a Christmas CD, but you know, they are not perfect, are public artists, and are open to the same criticism afforded to Dylan, Springsteen, and the Monkees. Not everything they have done is great. Some of their choices in distribution and promotion in today's world are certainly open to question. Why do you find that wrong?

The problem is that Jason too is shielding them to some degree. To a younger artist, I'd say that that was harmful to their growth. In this case, I think the book has already been written, so it may matter less. But it is still stifling to people like myself who do like to discuss the choices that artists have made, and how other choices might or might not have been better for them. It's all conjecture, a hobby, and ultimately means nothing. Why has activity on the board been down for the past year? Why have all of the male participants disappeared? Why is the only talk allowed that about birthdays, grandchildren, pets, and who has died? Fluff, simple innocuous fluff. Yes, it's his site. Sad that it could be used for more. I ask you, if everyone on the board continued to tell them how great everything they ever did was, how would they ever be able to grow as musicians?

If I have a problem here, it's maybe because I saw them as being more than Summer Song. I thought that they might differentiate themselves from the Peter Noones and Gerry Marsdens by being more creative. They chose not to. At age 70, nothing but wasted time. I keep hearing about Jeremy's CD, a comedy CD, a folk CD, a Chad CD. These people are not getting younger.

Yes, the set list for the live CD will have the same new songs that they've been doing in concert for the past 3 or 4 years. New? That's open for discussion. I would guess that the only previously unreleased songs might be Tell You Something Else, and Some Small Town. Maybe The Memory Song, though that's not really new as it's a cover version, also done by Tom Rush.

And finally, I think you're doing more harm than good here by not questioning anything. You do not challenge them to do better. They've taken the safe route, by choice or by direction, and that's where they've faltered.

You know, this is all just silly. If we were talking about Simon & Garfunkel or somebody else, why in hell couldn't I ask what happened to a specific project that was announced and then disappeared? Would their web site stop my posts? Would I be prohibited from posting on their Facebook page? What make Chad and Jeremy so untouchable in a professional sense? Give me a break.

Admittedly, some of the references in both letters may be oblique without past knowledge, but I hope you can get the gist of most of it. The thing that irks me most is the hint that anything but praise is taken as an attack. Am I being obnoxious? Maybe, but these 2 guys are artists selling their wares. What really makes them different from anyone else doing the same? Nothing :).

So next we'll move on to how I offended the McCartney contingent. Or, "Paul, just sing your song and sit down."

Well..

Do you ever just get plain tired of all of the BS? You know, celebrity, pretension, self-importance?

Yeah, me too. So, I may be back :).

The Chairman of the Board

So last night, I I was listening to Summer Wind, which lead me to the great 1984 movie The Pope of Greenwich Village, which led me back to Frank Sinatra.

If you grew up in the 50's and were Italian, you know that every house had three pictures hanging in the kitchen, and an optional fourth; Joe Dimaggio, the pope (the dour pope, Pius XII) and Frank Sinatra. The optional shot was a rather effeminate "portrait" of Jesus, but that was there only sometimes. At least in my house. Did I mention that I autographed one of those for my mom?

Anyway, Frank was, as you know, not tall, balding, thin as a rail, and not especially handsome. But the stugats on the guy.

Sinatra's songs have always been with me. He seemed to be omnipresent on TV in the 50's and early 60's, in his tux on variety shows, sometimes with Dean or Sammy. The songs; Witchcraft, I've Got You Under My Skin, The Lady Is A Tramp, etc., etc., were all confidence and swagger, smoothly sung with a phrasing that no one has yet to match. You could go to school on his stuff, and I only learned to appreciate the ease which which he did this years later. To hear him, and the seeming lack of effort, you'd think anyone could do it. Ah, I was just a kid.

I listened to The Second Time Around today with new ears. I heard the experience, the life lessons, the sadness of what precedes and lessons learned.

He knew his craft, and it showed in every freaking song. Now, his version of Mack the Knife is a bit over the top, and nobody can own the song like Darin did, but aside from that, man oh man it's all heaven.

I know, I know

So, I've been spending some time trying to put some thoughts (as well as some words) together here. Getting closer :).

Just got electricity back today after having been out since Sunday afternoon. We did have hot water, and beer on ice, and lots of candles and flashlights, so as bad as it was, it wasn't horrible. Temperature did drop to the 30's for a few nights, but we survived.

Lots of storm damage in Old Greenwich, and it was mentioned as one of the hardest hit areas in the state. Trees on houses and cars, across roads, sirens all night Saturday night. We came out of the thing very well, one minor leak and a lot of branches down, but nothing major. I put some pictures up on Facebook as evidence.

Anyway, I will be back sooner rather than later, as I've been listening to some things, and figuring out why I'm still planning to do this :).

Congrats and get well wishes to Janet.

Phoebe Snow

Phoebe Snow needs our prayers, good thoughts, best wishes, whatever it is we can do, for a full and speedy recovery.

From her web site :"Legendary singer Phoebe Snow, 58, suffered a brain hemorrhage on Tuesday, January 19, and has undergone life-saving emergency surgery. Doctors for the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter said that the surgery went very well. Snow is hospitalized in an undisclosed medical center.

"Phoebe is a very strong person and she is stable now. It is too early to assess any residual motor damage, and we are taking it day-by-day, but doctors are hopeful for a complete recovery," said Snow's manager, Sue Cameron. "She was very excited about starting engagements with her new band, and we have now postponed them. Please keep her in your prayers.""

She's best known to me for Poetry Man, but her talent and vocal skills go well beyond the hits. Perhaps her best claim to fame would be her devotion to her late daughter Valerie, severely brain damaged at birth in 1975, who died in 2007.

From Fox news, dated 3/22/07, comes this warm and very touching opinion piece by Roger Friedman:

Saying Goodbye to Valerie

Valerie Rose Laub died on Sunday. She was an astonishing 31 years old. You don’t know who Valerie was, but I’ll tell you: she was Phoebe Snow’s daughter. Valerie was born with such a confluence of injuries in 1975 that no one knew what was wrong. Truthfully, I don’t think to this day anyone ever did figure it out.

Phoebe Snow was 23 years old when Valerie was born. Let’s say that she was as big as Norah Jones, Joss Stone, Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan and two dozen other female pop stars all rolled into one.

She had a huge hit, called "Poetry Man." She had a monster self-titled album. She was the voice of her generation. You can see pictures of her with other stars of the time on her Web site. She was going to be the next big thing, a jazz, pop and R&B singer of singular magnitude.

And then Valerie was born.

As Phoebe remembers it, everyone told her to have Valerie institutionalized. They said she wouldn’t live very long. For a minute, Phoebe gave in. But then she came out of her shock, and reclaimed her child. By then, she owed her record company, Columbia, albums and money. She would never "recoup" as they say. She would always be in debt. She missed sessions and fought with record executives. She wouldn’t tour because she felt she shouldn’t leave Valerie. She declared bankruptcy.

There were occasional signs that Phoebe might make a comeback. All of them failed. She had a hit single with Paul Simon, "Gone At Last." But nothing further came of it. By 1979, she recorded a terrible album for an Atlantic subsidiary. Her career was really, completely sunk.

Two things happened that helped in the mid '80s: Charles Koppelman heard her on TV singing a Bloomingdale’s jingle. He signed her to an album, and it became a minor hit.

"Something Real" should have relaunched Phoebe Snow, but she was so wigged out from life with Valerie by then, it wasn’t possible. Later she won a malpractice suit against the hospital where Valerie was born, and the money made life a little easier. Just a little.

Valerie was 16 in 1991, the year I remember Phoebe announced that her child walked for the first time. It was a miracle.

With no real diagnosis, and no precedents, Valerie was a medical anomaly. Phoebe talked about doctors in Mexico and alternative treatments, but whatever it was, it was a miracle. And that’s the way things have been since then.

Phoebe and Valerie lived in a small apartment in Fort Lee. Phoebe did occasional gigs, and they would sell out. To say she became kooky is a kind of way of putting it. I don’t know what she was like before all this, but life devoted to Valerie was not easy no matter how much Phoebe loved her.

The child's physical deficiencies were severe, and daunting. Her communication skills were a challenge. At this point, as Phoebe continued to care for her child, the mystery of Valerie became almost spiritual. There was no explanation for why or how she had lived so long, except that Phoebe had willed it.

When I heard that Valerie died, my first thought was relief. She had been released into the cosmos, where her beautiful spirit could roam without the encumbrance of her physical deficiencies.

Valerie did and was able to laugh. She had a sense of humor. But she couldn’t share it with many people, just Phoebe, a few close friends and a caregiver. She was warm, she knew and gave love easily and loved to hug people she trusted. If there’s an afterlife, and just for right now let’s say there is, Valerie Rose is lighting up the stars.

I can’t help but think about Valerie and Phoebe. Over the years, I’ve fallen out of touch with Phoebe. She was not an easy friend, and at one point the connection was broken.

No matter how Phoebe Snow operated in the music business, it was never her priority. That was always Valerie. It’s hard to imagine someone giving up a career like that today, and sacrificing themselves for their child. That’s what Phoebe Snow did for her daughter.

I don’t know what she will do now that Valerie is gone. Three decades of love and service are over. But I hope somewhere along the line, no matter what’s happened to her in the business (where her terrible reputation is never far away), Phoebe Snow gets to sing again. She’ll do it for Valerie, and for a whole generation that got cheated out of knowing Phoebe Snow as a star the way her daughter did."

I became a "friend" of the real Phoebe Snow on Facebook a day or so ago, before I found out about her recent illness, and before I found out what happened to her daughter. I did know that she was married and divorced in the 70's, and that she had devoted herself to taking care of her child. I didn't know until today that her child was a daughter named Valerie Rose, and that she had lived to be 31.

So, let's have a nice thought for them both.

Let's Start Here - Last night I dreamt I was riding a camel in Jerusalem.

Let's start here. Newport, RI - 2/17/10