December 6, 2007

Ah me, once again Christmas looms before me like some great ghost-ship out of the fog of childhood memory, tinsel on it's rigging and a ragged, howling crew of past holiday indiscretions leaning over it's railings, the whole apparition enveloped in a miasma of regret and overcooked turkey.
Along with it's many terrors, it carries the heavy burden of: A HOLIDAY JIVE!

Many apologies for the lacuna, but my muse has decamped with my sense of humour and my ambition. She ran of to Florida with my accountant and the band's per diem. Such is life in JukeWorld. These things are to be expected. Dammit.

In sooth, I wouldst rather thee offend in omission

Than thru a commission of unworthiness.

(Can you tell I'm reading Peter Ackroyd's new bio of Willly Shakespere? Oy yoy yoy!)

Much has occurred since we last spoke. Or since I last got off my fat ass and punched the keyboard. We have toured, natch, and are in the slow process of putting together a new Jukes CD. Bobby and Jeff spent their allotted time in the purgatory of Bon Joviation, from which Jeff has returned, but Bobby, for his MANY sins, remains. He, Bobby, has assured
me that he will be doing the next few shows, including New Year's Eve, and for that I am... grateful?

Many thanks to Ralph Notari for his splendid work filling in. And we all hope the scars heal soon. Oh, and Ralph? You will be back. Ah, I love to hear musicians scream in the night. Puts me right in the holiday spirit.

Cudos, also to John Conte who filled in for Muddy Shoes during the European trek. How'd ja like that bread truck, hey, Johnny? There have been others whom have assisted us along our pilgrimage towards the Mecca of Musical Enlightenment. But I can't remember who what where or why, so best to just let that slide. I'm sure to forget one and then be punished with
recriminations for the rest of my miserable existence. But, in all, it was a very good year for work and wonder. I really enjoyed the shows, and that's all that counts. Screw the fans. Oh, right... this is for the fans.
Forget I said that.

On the recording front, it is with great relief and a sense of disbelief that I can tell you the Big Band/Tom Waits songs epic is, like, done! It has emerged full-blown from the forehead of LaBamba, and I am muchly satisfied and tickled, too, with the way in has come out. I listen to it in the car, and still find it hard to believe that we got away with such an
ambitious project without the authorities stepping in. It sounds real darn good to me, and I can't wait for you all to hear it. As to that, we are still looking for the proper way to release the thing. I would like a record label to get behind, it, but have my doubts as to their interest. We shall see. But I do promise that you will be able to get it in yer sweaty, grubby hands some time next year. Be patient. Hah! Here it takes me all this time to write a simple Jive, and I'm asking them to be patient. Shut Up, John; you are a idjit.

On the personal front, like, none of your damn business. Just know that I have been happier than I usually am, and hope to stay that way. So don't mess it up.

On the unhappiness front, you all know that we lost two very wonderful people, Sean Giblin and Terry McGovern. Sean I have spoken about, and I still think of him often. I keep his picture in my kitchen to remind me to cherish every day, and how fortunate we all were to have him for a while.

Terry was Bruce's right-hand man and a friend of mine for decades. There are quite a few of us who will feel lost without him around to herd the sheep and keep the wolves at bay. His was a commanding presence, and he was truly one of a kind.

But on to merrier things, as they both would have wanted. There is a benefit at the Basie coming up. No, of course I don't remember when; never ask me. It will be for a very good cause, and in honor of Tim "The Tycoon" McCloone's son. Though pricey, as all these affairs are, I hope some of you can be on hand. I have promised to be on my best behaviour,
but f*&*k that. And , of course, there is the annual New Year's Eve debacle. Again at the Basie in Red Bank, New Jersey, and a good time will be had by all, or it's murder at midnight. Either way, you don't want to miss it, if you can.

In closing, I wish to wish all and sundry a Happy whatever, and the hope for a better new year for us all. No war; a healthier economy; more social justice; an end to mindlessness and hatred, and a nice pair of socks for me.

Over and out.

Jive Archive:  Jive #1 | Jive #2 | Jive #3 | Jive #4 | Jive #5 | Jive #6 | Jive #7: 06/02/01 | Jive #8: Christmas Jive |  Jive #9: 11/15/01 | Jive #10: 02/10/02 | Jive #11: 03/27/02 | Jive #12: 06/25/02 | Jive #13: 08/27/02 | Jive #14: 12/01/02 | Jive #15: 03/07/03 | Jive #16: 06/07/03 | Jive #17: 11/27/03 | Jive #18: 01/16/04 | Jive #19: 06/01/04 | Jive #20: Ray Charles | Jive #21: 09/16/04 | Jive #22: 12/25/04 | Jive #23: 08/01/05 | Jive #24: 11/07/05 | Jive #25: 12/22/05 | Jive #26: 07/25/06 | Jive #27: 03/13/07 | Jive #28: 12/06/07 | Jive #29: 03/06/08 | Jive #30: 05/11/08