fasstrack

It was pretty good, once I calmed down (I had a comedy of errors trying to get to a NJ radio show. With all the transit mishaps I arrived an hour late, and my nerves were shot for the rest of the day). Sean lets the guitarist (it's always him with a guitarist) lead the gig, and I knew this from having played there before. So I spent Saturday afternoon writing out charts. He ate them up. We played Wes Montgomery's Twisted Blues, Tom Harrell's Open Air, For Heaven's Sake, A lower is a Lovesome Thing, Caravan, Sondheim's Anyone Can Whistle, Stevie Wonder's Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer---just to name a few. Of course I'll keep the forum posted as to future gigs...

Maybe you are right. Self-medication is risky, even with herbs. Anyway, the trick so far is to take them at night, so I'm not logy throughout the day. (I don't only use these to sleep, but to be calm and focused).

Bump. Hope some of you can listen. Thanks again, Joel

I will be playing with old friend and marvelous bassist Sean Smith at Walker's Restaurant, tomorrow... (4/17) from 8-11 PM. Walker's is at 16 N. Moore St., Tribeca (corner of Varick, one block north of the Franklin St. stop on the #1 train). Just order a dessert and you are good. The food is excellent. Partial set list teaser: Twisted Blues, A Flower is a Lovesome Thing, Shelter (original), The Best Thing For You Would Be Me, Open Air (Tom Harrell), many others. Thank you for reading this. I hope some of you in the area can come to the gig. Sincerely, Joel Fass

I added ashwagandha, valerian root, and melatonin to the mix, and my friend Tania just gave me Holy Basil Leaf as a gift. These things build up in the bloodstream, and that's a good thing. Better than drugs and supporting their evil purveyors any day. One caveat: there are snake oil salesmen aplenty in the natural supplements market, so one has to be vigilant, keep one's guard up, and especially do one's homework---especially when one is spending one's hard-earned cash...

I will be a guest on Joel Perry's show Jersey Bounce this Sunday, 4/17. 8:30 AM. Playing live, playing my recordings, and being interviewed. In the NYC area it is WFDU 89.1 FM (Fairleigh Dickinson University). The Internet address is http://wfdu.fm/single/index.php. (select HD2)Hope some of you can tune in.

It's my 2nd week using herbs instead of pharmaceuticals, and I am doing well sleep-wise most nights. L-theanine, ashwagandha, valerian, and melatonin at bedtime seem to be working pretty well.

There's going to be a celebration in Bedford Stuyvenant (sp?) Friday night starting at 7 PM. I believe he is still performing...

There's going to be a celebration in Bedford Stuyvesant (sp?) Friday night starting at 7 PM. 966 Fulton Street.

Happy birthday, you old curmudgeon...

I used to have this. I like Introducing Carmell Jones, too. I can't remember the label...

I just ordered a Brasilian herb called Mulungu also. Anyone ever hear of this?

FWIW: Here's a link to a FB conversation about Tom and this appearance:https://www.facebook.com/joel.fass/posts/10207993647712367?pnref=story

I agree. He had great spirit and personality, and a strong sound. I like Work Song and the things I have heard with Julian. I heard that he was in a Woody Herman small group, but haven't heard that yet...

I tried Melatonin, but woke up after about 3 hours and couldn't get back to sleep. But that was a while ago. I will give it another go. I am sleeping well without the Lorazepam, but am not as focused as I would like yet when awake. I guess it will take a little time. I just ordered L-Theanine for use as a natural tranquilizer more than a sleep aid. Thank you, Scott, for the recommendation.

I stopped all prescription medications, replacing them with natural substances. Also eating healthy, a lot of organic vegetables. Next I want to cut out coffee. I am sleeping OK without the help of Lorazepam. I'll see how long that lasts...

It was badly recorded, but the music was good, or better than good. That was a long time ago, I think 1981...

Nice interview. I enjoyed that...

I didn't take anything last night, and didn't wake up. Got maybe 6 hours sleep. BTW I hope I'm not boring people with this sleep diary.

I would go again, but I'm tapped out. I hope others go who live in the metro area...

Thanks!

Very, very sorry to hear this... I've been sleeping OK, but last night succumbed and took Lorazepam again, b/c I woke up at 5 AM after going to bed at 1:30. This is not good, since I made my mind up to quit all prescription drugs, replacing them with natural substances, healthy eating, meditation, and exercise. Lorazepam is also risky to withdraw from. Withdrawal can even cause convulsions if one is not careful. I want to, though. I don't take it every night. When I do, the next day I am logy and need another drug, caffeine, to get up for it. But I am sleeping well---despite my mind being very active with a recording project and other goings on. I'm just so tired at the end of my busy days that I conk out. Waking up after a few hours is the problem. Good luck to my fellow insomniacs. Here's to good sleep!

I went to hear Tom's new band last night at the Vanguard here in NYC. Caught the second set. I like Tom's new band better than the previous one, especially Ralph Moore, tenor. The other members are David Verialles (sp.?), piano, stalwart Ogana Okewgo (also sp.?), bass, Adam Cruz, drums. Tom's new tunes, and (of course) his playing, were aces. They also played Tenor Madness and There Will Never be Another You to warm their chops up, and for a change of pace. If you are in the NY area catch this master and his men at work if you possibly can.

Sorry, man. I hope you get off it soon...

...or that play as good as he does...