Inkwell: Authors and Artists

    
applause!
  

    
Dave, this was a great thing.  You're a charming, brilliant guy, as well 
as a great writer.  Thanks!
  

    
Gosh people, you're welcome and thanks for the kind words. It was my
pleasure ... believe me. This WELL community is a great thing. 

P.S. Steve <digaman>, please e-mail me "off-line" or call over the 
weekend. Thanks! 
  

    
Wow, it's over?  I meant to jump in every day, but could barely keep up with
the conversation which was so rich in knowledge, experience and insight.
Thanks, Dave, for a terrific book and a sensational inwell topic!
  

    
> Wow, it's over?

I had the same reaction yesterday. But as Yogi Berra once said ...

Thanks, Shaun. I greatly appreciate the kind words!  
  

    
It's not over!  Keep posting!
  

    
It's not over till the <croz> stops singing -- and not even then.

<smile>
  

    
Dave! just because the official 15 minutes is up doesn't mean the
conversation has to end!
  

    

Yeah!  Get back here.  We got lots more to say to you!
  

    
Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere ... at least not right away. I'll
still check in a few times each day and will happily respond to any new
questions or comments as they arise. ;-) 
  

    
Yes.. thanks Dave.. I was able to finish this from I-Net cafes and
enjoyed it all.... 
  

    
Cool, Buzz ... Thanks ... Travel safe ... 

Going fishing today with my son ... while check back late this
afternoon.
  

    
Listening to "Judy Blue Eyes" for the billionth time just now in a health 
food store, I had a revelation.  The middle section, just before 
"chestnut brown canary," with Stills making those wonderful broad strums 
while beating on what is probably the body of his guitar, *IS* Indian 
music.  In just that little sanctuary there, he created the most lovely 
synthesis of American folk music and classical Indian music I can recall, 
and I listen to a lot of stuff along that edge (Sandy Bull, Renbourn, 
Ralph Towner and Oregon, etc. etc.).  Go listen to it!

For some reason, I never thought about that before.  
  

    
This in email just now from my friend Raymond Foye, a true CSNY scholar:

I just played it. Yeah, that is *the* moment! Listening to it live during
the past 2 years of CSNY shows, I felt he was jamming further & further on
the Indian/Middle Eastern vibe, in his solos. I also find the lyrics to
that song masterful & utterly Middle Eastern/Persian, like Rumi, with all
this talk of birds, Tuesday in the afternoon, flying away... It's so
beautiful the way it meanders from one phrase-image to another. The song
is really a masterpiece of writing & craft. "A picture of the mind
moving," as Phil Whalen said.

RF
  

    
>he created the most lovely synthesis of American folk music and
classical Indian music I can recall ...

Steve and Raymond ... so true, so true. Thanks for the fresh insights
into a song that has wound through my senses more than a thousand
times. And the thing is, Stephen created this synthesis of styles as an
emotional release rather than conscious construction. The way he
lingers on the passing lead lines, fretting with authoritative vibrato,
you can almost see his head bowed over his Martin, deep into the
feelings of the moment. On stage, he has been able to recapture and
expand this expression -- jamming down fresh corridors that open up as
he plays.

Listening to the alternate mix of "The Suite" tonight, I noticed
something I had not heard before. After the soaring CSN harmony blend
on MAAAARRROWW, there is an audible "gee" in the background ... a
spontaneous exclamation of joy? From Nash? Croz? Halverson? I'll have
to listen to it again.   
  

    
I doubt Halverson would have been anywhere near a microphone; he was
undoubtedly behind a big window, in the control room.
  

    
lovely description there, dave.

ever thought about becoming a professional writer?

  :)
  

    
>I doubt Halverson would have been anywhere near a microphone; he was
undoubtedly behind a big window, in the control room.

You're right, David. Halverson wouldn't have been out there ...

And thanks for more kind words, Steve. Your posts have been
inspirations during the run of this topic ...
  

    

I suddenly have an URGENT REQUEST to post, and this seems like the perfect 
place:

If anybody reading this topic, either here on the WELL or elsewhere on the
Web can turn me on to some pairs of guitar picks with interesting
histories to be used in a project, and therefore not returnable - I'd even
be willing to pay for them - I will be extremely and eternally grateful.

The thing is, I need them as soon as possible, and probably even sooner 
than that.  Even one pair in that time frame will be appreciated.

You can e-mail me here:  castle at well.com.

Thank you!
  

    
Dave --

With all your experience with CSN, can you put your finger on a song
that most representative CSN. You know, from your perspective one tune
that epitomizes the very best of what and who they are?

I KNOW there will be some other opinions on this (wink to diga et.
al.)and I truly am interested in reading them all, but I'd love to get
an otherwise untainted opinion from from Mr. Zimmer before others jump
in...
  

    
(silent wink back)
  

    
Hi folks ... am running today with much happening ... with regard to
Tony's question ... the first song that popped into my head was "Wooden
Ships," because it has everything ... the harmonies, solo voices, the
lyric sentiments, crackling Stills rhythm and flowing lead guitar, the
Croz feel, Nash high end ... then I thought about "Helplessly Hoping"
... for the harmonies and Stills acoustic guitar picking ... there are
so many ... that's my response on the fly ... a more thoughtful one
tonight, after others weigh in.
  

    
That's funny that you mention Helplessly Hoping. That's the song,
performed by a very talented aunt and uncle duo, that first nabbed.

The door is now open...<smile>

Diga?
  

    
"Wooden Ships" is a damn fine choice!
  

    
But S:JBE would be just as fine of one...  for the singing, lyrics
and amazing acoustic guitar-picking.