About Face(Book)

I had just turned 50. I don't know what is it about birthdays, especially benchmark birthdays (21, 30, 40 etc) but there is somehow an expectation for that birthday. My 50 had me reflecting about old friends and wondering where they were and what they were doing. So I joined Facebook.

Simply joining Facebook reconnected me with friends from high school and college- people I realized were very important to making me the person I was at 50.  Looking at my friends list I noticed that the common thread- though they are diverse in their beliefs, race, sex, sexual orientations, social status- the common thread was that all these folks are good people. This is may be my opinion but I believe others would agree if they knew them as I do.

Good ordinary people with families, doing the day to day the best way they can. They are all surviving challenges the world throws at them. Good People.

So this a long way of saying that a bunch of my high school friends and I got together to go to a Dodger's game last night. Last night was my first Dodger's game. Last night was my first Dodger's dog. Last night was the first time seeing some of these folks in over thirty years. But it wasn't about the game (Dodgers won) or the food but it was about reconnecting with some good people.

John A. brought all together via Facebook (thanks John). One of my last productions for KPFA was this piece called "About Face(book) featuring my Facebook friends Pat, Alan, Molly, Vince and Valerie and the music of Flynn. Good people all.

Empress Niger

"Empress Niger" is an old piece I originally wrote for a couple of friends/students when I was a Forensics coach in Los Angeles. When I first started doing radio plays I naturally went to old material as a source for the productions- just to get my feet wet as it were.

The original inspiration were two very talented people who could pull off the characters and bring out the sense of loneliness and hope at the center of the piece.

I was lucky enough to find two more talented people to meet the task and really launch Pagliacci's Fools.

It's kinda funny that I am posting this particular piece. This was written right out of college and I had a sense of hope in the future great things were to come. And now- well- I just turned 52 and I am living that future but it's not exactly what I had hoped for back then. The future is uncertain but I think one must continue forward. Looking back doesn't give you much insight. Just a stiff neck.

Phoebe Snow 1950-2011

I was in high school when Phoebe Snow released her self titled debut album.  I can't explain it but there was something unique about it.  Others like Carol King, James Taylor, Bread- they had a similar sound but Phoebe Snow was different in a way I couldn't explain then or now.

You have to remember that this was an era before MTV, auto-tune, American Idol, huge stadium shows and what all has become the norm for the modern music industry. It was the time of the singer craftsman (or woman) and Phoebe Snow was a master.

She died today at the age of 60. Immediately on hearing the news "Poetry Man" started playing in my head and has been in a continuous loop. I guess it will be for a few days to come. But unlike other songs that become annoying after a while (Afternoon Delight, anyone?) the haunting quality of "Poetry Man" is a bit comforting. It takes me back to when I was a young man and the music and lyrics to songs created images in my mind.

I'm thinking that we will probably not hear another artist like Phoebe Snow. I'm not saying this because she is/was one of a kind (although she is/was) but because of the what the music industry is today. Artifice instead of art; consumption instead of content; marketing before craft. We live in an age when a video on You Tube can turn a kid into a superstar (for a while).  I sure there are others out there as skilled if not more so than Phoebe Snow but for some reason that don't fit the "Idol" format and will remain performing in the local cafes with local followings all the while doing a day to day just to get by. This is our lost.

So the voice of Phoebe Snow is silent but not forgotten. Though she is gone her music continues to live and for this I am grateful. Thank you Phoebe Snow for showing a young boy so many years ago magic and majesty in a song.

Clipper Vacations 25th Anniversary Sweepstakes

25th Anniversary Sweepstakes

 Clipper Vacations is celebrating 25 years with a Northwest Multi City Giveaway for Two Sweepstakes! Enter to win by filling out the form on this page or increase your chances of winning through blogging, Facebook & Twitter.

Click here or on the title of this post for more information:  http://www.clippervacations.com/25years/the_contest/index.html

Collections

No way of getting around it- it's tax time again. So here is a one of the first shows recorded for Pagliacci's Fools- "Collections".  We were all new to the live recordings and for some folks it was the first time doing a radio play. But it was fun and a great learning experience.

Listen to the show either by clicking on the title above or on Itunes.

Enjoy.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

Where have I been? That's the question I ask myself when it comes to this blog. Well- I've been working as a volunteer for the recent L.A. Webfest. What started out as a gig to just do something in the community became a major digital video editing project that saw me investing up to 15 hours a day. The event went well but now it's time to get back to me. Here's one of the promotional vids I put together. Not being a video editor I am quite impressed that it came out well.

Stay tuned. More audio blogs and podcasts coming soon.

Hissing

The mind can play tricks on one. Shadows can become phantoms. Raindrops on the roof- drum beats signaling the thunder to cry out.

A writer finds himself in Reno, Nevada. In Reno a quarter- a mere 25 cents- leads to an evening of whispers, taunts and a slight madness.  Is he playing the machine or is he being played? You decide.

Listen on iTunes or by clicking on the title above.