Inkwell: Authors and Artists

    
Good morning, Tony ... yes, here we are in cyberspace.  Thanks for
these comments and questions (and all of the previous ones over the
past two weeks).

The Internet absolutely played a role in the development of 4 WAY
STREET. While the genesis of this project began years ago, discussions
in CSN(Y) oriented online tribes like The Lee Shore and postings on
such sites as www.4waysite.com, www.suiteloraine.com, www.crosbycpr.com
and www.crosbystillsnash.com renewed my enthusiasm for the guys and
started me thinking seriously about taking a run at the CSNY Reader
project.

In addition, e-mail and web searches were critical during the process
of tracking down, then communicating with writers and photographers,
and finding certain articles. I couldn't imagine doing this project
without "cyber help."

As for the differences between writing the Crosby, Stills & Nash
biography and editing the CSNY Reader ... the bio was easier, frankly,
and more self-contained between Henry Diltz, Nash, Croz, Stills and me.
Even though it took more *time* to write the biography and work with
the guys on the copy and Henry with the photos, there was a very
manageable center that never wavered.  With 4 WAY STREET ... even
though I had an ultimate vision of the end product, details kept
changing and had to be re-adjusted as the content was pulled together. 
Also, as I was presenting a lot of writings and photos by others, I
felt a *responsibility* to get it right and have the book be as dynamic
and accurate as possible. These professional colleagues entrusted
their works to me, so I didn't want to let them down. Thankfully, there
were no major errors -- though the perfectionist in me sees the few
that weren't caught.  Hopefully, if book sales pick up, there will be a
second printing and I can correct the things that got missed. 
  

    
Hey Dave... just a note of thanks for doing this... it's been
informative and fascinating.... hope to see you in the east this
summer...!!!
  

    
It's been my pleasure, Buzz.  Will be going to the CSN(PR) show on
August 9 in Holmdel, New Jersey. Hope to see you there.

URL correction (entered incorrectly above):  www.suitelorraine.com
  

    
And thanks for the kind words about how the discussion has gone ...
I'm very happy so many WELL veterans have stopped in and contributed.
Many thanks, folks.
  

    
Thank you, Dave.
  

    
Dave...

I've mentioned to you before what a splendid job you've done in both
your books kind of orchestrating things... much the way a song writer
would a song.

Speaking in those terms, what is Four Way to your CSNY writing career?
  

    
Thanks for the kind words, Tony ... yes, writing about CSNY has often
felt like a continuous "suite," so to speak. 4 WAY STREET, then, feels
like the "coda."  By that, I mean this book is like a concluding
summation of my years of chronicling CSNY. The book includes so many of
my favorite writers, writing about my favorite musicians, whenever I
need a CSNY *fix*, I know where to go.

I don't think there's another CSNY-related book that I want to tackle.
At least not right now. For a number of years, I had my sights trained
on Joni Mitchell.  I don't think the definitive Mitchell biography has
been written yet. But as initial overtures did not yield even a yellow
light, I've kind of lost the impetus.  

I had also thought about a Stephen Stills biography.  But, again, now
I think I would rather read his *autobiography* -- which he's been
writing, off-and-on, for more than 20 years. I hope he finishes it
someday.

So now ... while I will continue to follow the CSNY gang with as much
enthusiasm as always, I won't be as focused on tracking every detail
and collecting every clip, every article, every scrap of news about
them. And when I do talk to the guys in the future, it won't be for
formal sit-down interviews, but rather casual word trading sessions.

Of course, after I hear the new C-N album, the Crosby box set,
Stephen's new album and whatever Neil's up to next, I could always
change my mind ... 

 
   
  

    
It's been two weeks since this discussion officially launched, and I must
say it's been a fascinating, lively conversation that I don't want to see
end. Though our virtual spotlight has moved on to our new featured guest, I
hope you'll feel free to continue talking here, Dave and Tony and everybody
else who's participating.

Thank you for joining us, it's been great having you! The topic will remain
open and available for additional conversation, so carry on as long as you
like.
  

    
Dave, I'd agree with you that the definitive Joni Mitchell bio hasn't
been written yet. I've been pretty disappointed with the two Mitchell
bios I've read, by Brian Hinton ("Both Sides Now") and Karen O'Brien
("Shadows and Light"). Hinton's book is kind of lousy, actually; it's
not well written, and often ill-informed. O'Brien's is much better, but
suffers from lack of access to Mitchell for first-hand interviews. The
writing's competent but not so hot, and there was room for way more
deep research and interviews with key Mitchell associates. I do hope
you or someone else manages to do the in-depth bio she deserves, though
it would be a difficult project to pull off.

Without naming names, there are a few other rock icons besides Stills
who seem to have been working on their autobiographies for decades.
When such projects pass the ten-years-in-preparation mark, I begin to
have serious doubts as to whether they'll ever be finished and
published.
  

    
I would agree with you on all counts, Richie, re: those Joni Mithcell
books. And yes, writing the Mitchell biography would be a Herculean
undertaking ... but it should be done ... by someone ... soon.

According to a friend who is close to her, Joni has been working on
her "memoirs" for some time, but I don't think she has a publishing
deal (could be wrong, but if she did, I think it would have been widely
publicized.) So she may join the list of the other rock icons you're
talking about ... as the years go by, the chances of seeing their
autobiographies in book form definitely dims. 
  

    
I'd love to read a Stevie Nicks auto/biography.
  

    
While we're on the subject of rock autobios that are forever in the
making, Bob Dylan's much-discussed multi-parter hasn't appeared yet,
though the publication of the first installment was announced (and,
predictably, delayed) two or three years ago. In contrast, a few other
stars (David Crosby, Judy Collins) have managed to put out more than
one autobiographical books.
  

    
That's so much easier if you have multiple personalities ... :-)
  

    
<<I'd love to read a Stevie Nicks auto/biography.>>

Me, too, Sharon.  I interviewed her once as part of a Fleetwood Mac
feature. Really enjoyed talking to her.  Very colorful way with words
...
  

    

Dylan is making steady progress on his.  The parts I've seen are truly
brilliant.  It will be worth the wait.
  

    

[From Bill Evans]

Dave:

Before heading out, just wanted to thank you and all those involved in
putting this insightful interview together.  I have really enjoyed
reading all the comments and appreciate your taking the time out of your
busy schedule to answer all our questions.

It's only natural for fans to want to know as much as we can about the
music we are so attracted to, and you deserve the highest accolades from
me for continuing through the years to keep us intelligently informed.
It is much appreciated.

Thanks to all those that participated.  I gained valuable insight from
all of you.
  

    
Bill! Thanks for your message and nice words as well as the questions
you contributed to the topic -- which went in some great, surprising
directions I never imagined it would ... special thanks again to <cmf>,
<tnf>, <croz>, <digaman>, <folkrocks>, <slf>, <rrussell8>,
<thebuzzzz>, <jax>, <almanac>, <rik>, <hll>, <joyceincali>, <cdb>,
<bumbaugh>, <bluefox>, <pjm> and the others who made this discussion
swing. 

Should other thoughts related to this topic strike your cranium in the
coming days, feel free to post away. I'll be checking in periodically.
  

    
 <<... who made this discussion swing>> ??

 ... who made this discussion fluid and engaging.

that's what I meant to say ... ;-)
  

    
 thanks to you Dave!
  

    

And thanks from here! The book certainly has earned a well-earned
spot on my music shelf and has given me a taste to read and listen
more to some of my favorite musicians!
  

    
I'll echo the thanks!  Having only a passing knowledge of the group, I
didn't expect to get caught up in this topic as much as I did.  It was
an interesting and entertaining discussion.
  

    
Great book, sort of a flashback in paperback :-) Thanks for chatting
with us.
  

    
The pleasure was all mine, really. Thanks for these kind words today
and the past couple ... about the book/discussion and the posts that
kept this topic moving along. 

Again, if any other thoughts or questions arise in the coming days,
I'll be around ...
  

    

 <jax> wrote: <sort of a flashback in paperback :-)>

Meant to tell you that I like that description, Jack ... and if I use
it ... I'll credit the source!
  

    
My pleasure. Thanks again for a great presentation, Dave.