fasstrack

Actually, I get up and practice in relaxed fashion, sort of serenading myself. No deep thinking there. Thanks for thinking of me. Joel

I did it for years (solo guitar) b/c it was entrepreneurial, I was able to give out cards and get gigs, to get up in the morning, get out and communicate some beauty to people. I regarded it as a service. I also liked two other things: when people stopped it was b/c I sounded good to them, not b/c some wonk or critic said I was good. They didn't have to stop. Also, I had to answer to no one, and could pick up and leave as I saw fit---no 'sets'.

Don't know how famous he was, but Kalaparusha Difda (sorry for mangling the name). Also Denis Charles (I played in a street band with him). At about 20 years old, Don Braden (I was also in a band with him). Vincent Herring, when he started out, used to play by the cube statue at Astor Place in NYC. Drew big crowds, too. George Braithe with Tommy Turrentine (mid-'80s).

First night without Lorazepam last night after two in a row with. My sleep was choppy. Perhaps two hours, then I was up. Went to bed again, woke up around 4 AM, practiced a bit, went back to bed. Sleeping in increments is better than no sleep at all... Part of the problem is the following two things: 1. I'm in an up, creative phase, and 2. I go out a lot at night, as a musician must, and this has also made my mind active at my usual bedtime and is keeping me up later. I still say try to make it w/o the chemical aids...

Just read on FB that he passed away at 92, a nice long run. Bob: The slooooooowwww taaaaaaaaaalkers of (pregnant pause during which Ray, who can no longer stand the slowness of delivery, finally angrily interrupts with America! The Slow Talkers of America!) Aaaaaaaameeeeer (another pause)iiiiicaaaaa..... Will miss you, Bob. You were a class act...

My goal is to get off all prescription drugs---including Lipitor, which I've been on since 2004---and switch to herbal remedies, diet, exercise, and meditating. Natural shit. I guess even that can be abused, huh?

I couldn't abide it: bizarre dreams and a near-hallucinatory state when I awoke. Straaangggee drug...

I was on Lorazepam for perhaps 10 years as anti-anxiety combatant, then used it the latter part of those years as a sleep aid. Finally I cut it loose a few years back, not wanting to stay hooked. I had some old pills left over and started in again when the insomnia kicked in. Finally, I got a new script yesterday. I already don't like where this is going, and would prefer to ride out the insomnia adhering to my normal modes of discipline and daily routine. But this bout was particularly bad, and I didn't want to get sick. But it's too easy---and too fucking American---to reach for a pill every time something goes amiss. I'd love to ride this out sans medicine, but I have it and the temptation is without precedent the way things have been going. We'll see what happens.

No, I haven't. The thing is, I react weirdly to many substances---including herbal ones. I remember taking Valerian root and it making me more hyper---the opposite of the desired effect.

The best of two evils at the moment...

The good news: I got 7 blessed hours of sleep last night---and only woke up once. The bad news: I had to be sedated by Lorazepam---a habit-forming benzodiazepam I had cut loose. But I had gone for 2 weeks on almost no sleep, and certainly would have gotten sick. I discussed it with my doctor, whom I like a lot, yesterday, and we decided to give it a shot. She knows I'm no abuser. Bottom line: it troubles me that I have this drug at hand b/c of the rather odious prospect of getting hooked. One can actually experience withdrawal symptoms including convulsions getting off it. For now I'm grateful to have slept the 7 hours. But tonight will I succumb and reach for the bottle again?

Thanks for doing this. I played with Hod in the earliest '80s in Marshall Brown's Wednesday group, and used to hear him with Joe Puma at Gregory's in the '70s. A natural swinger, very relaxed and graceful. Good guy, too. I'm sure he had some stories to tell...

I like My Baby Just Cares For Me,Mississippi Godamn, and Pirate Jenny. And she seems to have studied classical piano. Always had a good band, too. No worries about her artistry. She seemed a tortured soul, though...

Thanks, Joel.

I'm seeing my doctor today. Initially it was for another reason, but the sleeplessness has progressed to the point where I am going to ask for chemical help to ease it. That is normally not my way, not what I believe in, but if this keeps up I'm afraid I will get sick. Wish me luck...

Didn't sleep again last night---not even 5 seconds or winks. I was pumped after a great gig, and simply could not shut my brain off. I refuse to cave to this, though. I just do my normal routine, which on Saturdays consists of Lincoln Center library (from where I write), Indian food in the late afternoon, a stroll through Greenwich Village, maybe catch a set or two at Smalls. The only thing I worry about re insomnia is physical wear and tear on the body. But, again, I refuse to cave. My heart goes out to fellow insomniacs.

We rocked the house last night! Communicated with and entertained a non-jazz audience. A good singer like Deanna is a good insurance policy for a gig like this. The audience---a packed house---ate her and us up. We loved them right back. Now, if only I can get some sleep...

By a miracle I got 5 hours sleep last night. I'll take it and run like a thief! Ready to play now...

Bump. It's today, peeps.

Wow! I never knew. But composers do that a lot, and arrangers also 'ghost' a lot. Bob Brookmeyer wrote some uncredited charts for Ray Charles I know. I forgot who got the byline. Billy Byers, maybe?

I have a concert tomorrow and have been sleeping rather badly. I hope I get a good night's sleep tonight. The music is ready to go, the singer rehearsed. But I'm a nervous worrier by nature. I guess I'll take a long walk today. A bow and well wishes to fellow insomniacs. Joel

I'm having quite a bout lately. It tends to kick in when I'm in up, creative mode. What to do? I do my normal routine: practice, write music, take long walks. Eventually the beast is thusly tamed.

Not naïve, Chris, I just take things for what they are. And, as you once indicated here, I try to find the good in things and people. Having said that, the good at BAI is scant indeed these days...

Here's the info: Jan 22 at 12:12 PM Help kick off my return to bandleading with a FREE late afternoon event! I will be leading a trio consisting of: JOEL FASS, guitar/compositions DEANNA KIRK, vocals TIM GIVENS, bass Friday, January 29, 2016 5:30-7 PM 564 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY Link to Directions below: https://www.google.com/maps/place/564+Walton+Ave,+Bronx,+NY+10451/@40.819083,-73.9299687,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c2f5d1036ec3fb:0x7762eea50173a45c?sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiK_bnA8L3KAhUJdz4KHbMMAlkQ8gEIGzAA We will be putting on a FREE show performing standards and my originals at an organization that does wonderful things to help people living with mental illness reintegrate into the community, live with dignity, and so many other things. Come munch on free hor d'oeuvres, hear some good music, and see firsthand the wonderful things Fountain House is doing. Here's a link: http://www.fountainhousebx.org/ 564 Walton Ave Train: 2,4,or 5 train to 149th Street. Walk one block west, turn right on Walton Avenue. Fountain House is second door from 149th street (718)742-9884 for more info