ASK ROD |
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Photograph by Bob Gentry 8/5/99
A Thought for Today
Each of us should be alone at times - if only to confront
ourselves.
Monday, and the mailbox is full. No way I can
get rid of all of it today - but, here's a brave try.
LONESOME CITIES
Hey Rod, Interesting item on e-Bay - 1st edition of Lonesome Cities
- inscribed "Kay, Love You Always, Dwight, Christmas 1968 ". Starting bid -
$5000.00. Good luck with your second tomato crop. Ann
Dear Ann, I would consider anyone who pays more than $4950.00 for a copy of "Lonesome
Cities" autographed to Kay from Dwight a spend thrift. Love, Rod
PS: if La Nina cooperates, maybe I can get our own Dwight to sign a tomato.
VALUE OF BOOKS
I have a couple of your limited editions published by Elm Tree
Books, London "The Sea Around Me ... The Hills Above," 395 of 1000 and
"Coming Close to the Earth" 483 of 500, both signed. Someone asked me what they
are worth and I have no idea. Do you?
I asked someone on another web page and they said ask you, which I wouldn't have
otherwise. Needless to say I like your poetry and have a couple of other regular edition
titles. Ever been to/coming to Australia?. Regards, Robin
Dear Robin, I've been to Australia many times. For pleasure and to perform. Until a few
moths ago it looked like I might tour Oz again, alas that fell through. But, I'll be back
one day, you can count on it. I love your "Lucky Country."
As to the value of the books you've mentioned, I feel like I'm the wrong guy to ask. There
are a few things going for those particular books, however; they were published in the UK
before their release in the USA and both were re written extensively before US
publication. And there were fewer copies printed overseas than in America. As far as I
know Dwight at Stanyan By Mail has the only copies of the Elm Tree versions for sale
anywhere in the world. And he has very few copies left.
It's my understanding that an unsigned copy of the British "Coming Close To The
Earth" went for over $300.00 at auction. The bidding for a signed copy online went
past that mark, but I'm not sure of exactly what figure the bidding finally went to.
Again, Robin, I'm the wrong guy to ask. I long ago stopped watching auction prices on my
work. In my own case I feel the price you pay for something depends on common sense and
how badly you want it. I paid $100,00 for a Japanese Jeri Southern CD and saw it a week
later for $22,00 at Tower Records. All the best, Rod
EROTIQUEST?
Hi Rod, Thought you'd be interested in this latest accolade. Blue
Skies, Ken
"Webmaster, We are pleased to let you know that your web site has been pre-approved
for submission to the ErotiQuest Adult Search Engine and Sex Directory. ErotiQuest
presently boasts over 10,000 hand selected and manually checked adult web sites and is the
largest adult search engine on the net with over 75,000 queries a day!"
Dear Ken, Er. . .ahhh. . .Thanks, but lets pass on this one. Oh, and remind me not to
renew your membership in "Webmasters of the World" for 2000. Love Rod
LOOKING FOR A POEM
A lifelong fan, and poet in my own write (first collection due in
January 2000), I've loved your work since I was old enough to read. I'm searching for a
particular poem, and herein seek your help ... I believe it begins with "I've drawn
your face on tablecloths..." any assistance you could provide would be greatly
appreciated.
Thank you for many years of enjoyment! By the by, the greatest compliment I've ever
received was my wife's saying my poetry sometimes reminds her of yours...although I
attempt no imitation (the sincerest form of flattery?). Bill Burt
Dear Burt, Congratulations on the publication of your first book next year. When you see
that first copy, it's a moment you'll never forget. Good luck with it and all of your
poetic endeavors.
The line you ask about is from my 1968 book "Lonesome Cities" and is called
"Paris, Three." I've printed it for you below. Warmly, Rod
THE LAST OF THE WINE
Mr. McKuen, Would you please clear
something up for me -- are you the author of a wonderful poem which includes the lines:
"I lie here dying in a hundred small ways, from voices crying out my name down
nameless hallways, and the clock keeps ticking, eating up time, and I'm down to the last
of the wine," The last phrase is repeated throughout the poem. When I learned of this
poem I spelled the author's name phonetically as "Rod McQuon." Is this your
work? Thank You, Pastor Ray Cannata.
Dear Pastor Ray, The lines you quote come from an early 1960's song of mine entitled
"The Last of the Wine." I first recorded it in my final LP for RCA "The
Single Man" and it's included in a later Stanyan album "Pastures Green."
The Lyrics have been printed in two of my books "Lonesome Cities" (1968) and
"The Sound of Solitude," (1983). The words and music have been published in the
songbook "Kaleidoscope." All are available from Stanyan By Mail. Thanks for
asking, Sincerely Rod
CLASSICS ON CD & AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE
Dear Rod: I am sure that you have published the answer to this
question, but I cannot find it.
I have ordered some of your classical works on LP's. However, it struck me that I am not
sure it these classical pieces are available on CD or will be available soon. I would love
to carry this music with me in my car, but have to transfer it onto cassettes. I don't
have the equipment to do so from LP's (Not your problem). Is anything but ConcertoWorks
available or will it be available in the future (on CD's)? Thank you for your beautiful
music. Much Love, Nan
Dear Nan, One of Stanyan By Mail's biggest sellers is Music For Guardian Angels. It
features Adagios, Largos and other melodic passages from various classical works of mine.
It might as well be called Music For Meditation, because that's exactly what it is. If you
like "ConcertoWorks" you ought to love "Music for Guardian Angels."
It's available on (CD # 12 473).
"Beautiful Music To Love By,"(CD 12 788) is one of our most romantic
collections; in addition to some of my own work like "The Adagio for Harp &
Strings" it contains Rachmanninoff's Adagio Sostenuto from his Concerto #3;
"Venus: The Bringer of Peace" from Holst's "The Planets" &
"The Young Prince and Princess from Rimsky-Korsakov's "Sheherarzade." Other
tracks, orchestrations of two of Satîe remarkable Gymnopedies, a Mozart Adagio and
several other romantic works. In short it's an album I produced and programed for myself,
so I'm pretty high on it. Tell you what, here's a one time offer, if you buy any of these
and don't like 'em, Nan, I'll buy them back.
Dwight says there are still a few cassettes left of my Third Piano Concerto, beautifully
played I might add by Leslie Pearson (Cassette 9012). If you're really adventurous you
might try the Piano Sonatas & Variations (Cassette 9008) which is pretty far afield
from my usual work. I warn you it may be a little tougher to get into than some of my
other works. Hope this info helps. Affectionately, Rod
THE WINTER OF '69
Dear Mr. McKuen: I do not have a need to ask but a need to tell...or
better...to pass on. I want to pass on a hearty thank you for all your works. I first met
you (in print) way back in the winter of '69 through a girlfriend of mine who gifted me
with Listen To The Warm, which I still cherish. I have written much poetry since then,
self-publishing 3 books. I just want to thank you for sharing yourself with the
world...and me (quite a few times I KNOW you were writing just to me) Your works with Ms.
Kerr are so...I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they were played in Heaven. Thank you again
from a real fan, Al Maurer
Dear Al, Thanks for the nice words. I applaud you for getting on with your poetic life and
having the guts and belief in yourself to publish your own work. My first two books were
self published and I've never looked back.
As for Anita's work being performed in heaven, there's no doubt about it. Even if she
hadn't written so much heavenly work that I was privileged to add words to, she has
performed and written enough beautiful hymns, sacred pieces and carols that her place
above is assured. Though we've written a couple of Christmas songs, one of my unrealized
ambitions is to write a completely original Christmas album with her. Thanks for keeping
the faith, Al. Warmest regards, Rod
WHERE CAN I FIND YOUR BOOKS?
Dear Rod, I bravely call you Rod....
simply because I feel I know you so well. Many years ago somewhere between heaven and
earth I read many of your books. What pleasure they brought into my life... I felt like
here's a man who I can identify with. The books were put away and hadn't been read for
soooo long until recently. I came upon them quite by accident, and I feel like I've been
reborn again. The years have been kind to me... I still feel like the young girl running
along the shore all tan and wishful. I'm a Butterfly now after a long sleep in a cocoon
like state. I feel such new joy and a sense of awareness and life flowing in my veins
again. you make me want to dream my dreams again ... and turn them into reality. I walk
each night and compose poems and songs in my head. Is that silly or what? I have so much
inside that wants to emerge and share with someone... What's happened to me. Am I in love
with love or what? Somehow I feel you won't laugh at this foolish 61 year old women.
Rod where can I find your books? God I've been all over town. I have 5 of them but would
love to have more. You're like a safe harbour and I'm a ship that has been floundering
around for too long. I thank you for your words. Your thoughts.. so personal.... so deep
and sad too. Please forgive me for rambling on and on. Sincerely, Lolly
Dear Lolly, thanks and welcome out of your cocoon. I'm always jumpin' in and out of mine,
I don't consider you a foolish woman. What, do you think I'm crazy? I happen to think
anyone who likes my work is of superior intellect and has extra special smarts.
There are lots of places to find my books. Used book stores, thrift shops and library
sales. Of course if that sounds too daunting, I'd rather you bought them from Stanyan By
Mail. Dwight at Stanyan has just about all of them and most in First Editions. Plus, he's
a good guy and needs the work.
Now that you've found ASPTL I hope you will indeed find it to be a harbor that is safe and
worth spending a few minutes a day at. All the best, Lolly. Rod
See you tomorrow with more of the mailbag, meanwhile sleep warm.
- RM 10/3/99 Previously unpublished |
