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Photo by Bob Gentry ©2001
Stanyan Entertainment
A Thought for Today
The quicker the love affair, the faster the yawn.
It's impossible to predict what will turn up in my E-mail, it seems to be
- in varied amounts - a combination of business letters, fan mail, permission requests for Stanyan-McKuen controlled
material, old friends retouching base and since I'm one of the better known Mac-freaks, solicitations of all things Apple.
Once in a while a persistent by-mail-stalker has to be locked out but I don't get too much junk mail. Since I abandoned chat rooms long ago there seem to be no more cookie monsters perched on the post box with a wink and a "pssst." Over the years word has gotten out that I don't under any circumstance read manuscripts so unsolicited poetry has turned to a trickle and is immediately trashed.
Tuesday's column will cause some controversy. So far the feedback is 99 to 1 in the positive column. I'd be a little alarmed if that weren't the case since even though we knew we were getting a 'damn everything but big business president' - despite his campaign rhetoric to the contrary-, I don't think anyone was prepared for a first 100 days that trashed so many environmental protections; let alone a 10 year in the making treaty signed by a hundred nations.
I'll deal with some of that mail in tomorrow's Friday Feedback.
Occasionally something a bit off-the-wall surfaces and just such a letter arrived the other day and lead to today's new poem, written over the weekend.
FROM ANOTHER LIFETIME
Hello old friend from another lifetime. It was funny, I was just telling someone about a poem you wrote. (It got me through a very depressed and hopeless time in my life.) Then I saw you just yesterday on E! you were talking about Phyllis Diller!
You wrote a poem about- you must believe or there is no reason to be, and I can't remember what age you used. I loved
your books and records! The age poem was wonderful! I used to go to sleep with your poems and the sounds of the ocean. I had never been to the ocean, then when I went it was just like it was in your poems and records.
I try to get to the ocean a couple of times a year. My husband loves to sail. I just love looking at the ocean, and being on the sand. You taught me to love the ocean. Do you ever wonder how many people you have influenced?
I'm 53 now, but I will never forget your works and the impact you had on my life. My health is lousy, and every year I make it to Florida or California, I'm just grateful for each time. Thanks so much, Marilyn Bast.
Dear Marilyn, Thanks for the nice letter and I'm glad that among other things we have the ocean in common. Even if as you say, your health is "lousy," at the ripe young age of 53 you shouldn't start feeling old. At least, considering my own age, around me.
I was interviewed for two documentaries about my old friend Phyllis Diller last year. One was for "E" and the other The Arts & Entertainment Network. Despite triple by-pass surgery and officially 'dying' on the operating table Phyllis is out, about and working at two full time jobs. She continues to play theatres and nightclubs, where her act is funnier than ever and more recently Phyllis has found a whole new career as an artist. And, she isn't just a painter but a GREAT painter. I figure if at 84 Phyllis is still living life to the fullest you and I are not entitled to bitch. She's an inspiration to everyone who knows her.
The poem you are speaking about is entitled "For Benson Green on his Twenty-Seventh Birthday." It was written long ago and included in "Stanyan Street & Other Sorrows."
As to how many people I may have influenced, it's of little importance, really. If, as I've said more than once, something I've written or done has helped someone get through a difficult night or period in their life then I've succeeded in doing something really important. In the end that what all of us are here for, to help each other over the humps. Luv, Rod
THE WORD DID NOT GO OUT FROM BOSTON
Hi Rod, I don't know the answer to this one and thought you might like to tackle it in a FP one day soon.
Blue Skies, Ken.
Hi Ken, You quoted from a Rod entry in the British edition of the
"Moment To Moment" book, that there was a book called "The
Word Went Out From Boston" in the works. What ever happened to that book. Was it put aside or just renamed?
Thanks, Storm
Dear Ken & Storm, The Word Went Out From Boston can best be described as 'Vapor Ware.' I started writing it in the 70's but abandoned the project after about a dozen poems. Thanks for asking. Rod
THE CARNEGIE HALL CONCERT
Rod, I am sorry to bother you again but I wrote to you over a year ago asking about the expanded release of your Carnegie Hall Birthday Concert and you wrote me back letting me know that it was going to be released sometime in the year 2000. I was excited and anxious to say the very least. I constantly
flocked to Tower and Virgin stores in NYC to check for its availability to no avail.
I can only hope that there was some kind of a project hold up and that it might be released sometime this year. I would love to know what the status is on this project and also if there are any other re-releases of your fantastic work. I was fortunate to see you live in Colorado Springs back in the 70's and I am hoping to get to see you again sometime soon in NYC now
that you are back on the concert scene. Take care and know that your words and work have touched a generation. Fondly,
JD Vark
Dear JD, Thanks for being interested in The Complete Carnegie Hall set. As I mentioned last week a series of double CD sets are in the works that will feature released and unreleased concert albums. Each one will contain the complete concert as it was presented, including material not previously released. In the case of "Sold Out at Carnegie Hall," even though it consisted of 4 sides of two LP's there wasn't room for 4 or 5 songs. Since CD's can contain nearly 80 minutes of programming there will be room for the complete concert as you remember it, plus the unreleased material in the double CD package.
I can't give you a release date, but as it stands now we'll be importing the Concert Series from Holland so it won't interfere with any plans Stanyan has for upcoming USA releases. The single Carnegie Hall CD has just gone out of print so
it shouldn't be more than a year or so from now until the new package is ready. Warmly, Rod
I'LL CATCH THE SUN
One quick question from a long time admirer of yours and a dear fan, will you please clarify for me something regarding "I'll Catch the Sun." The question is, is it I'll catch the sun or son? Greg
Dear Greg, You got the title right the first time. Anything else would be a bit sinister. All the best, Rod
ORLY FIELD
Hello. I was wondering if the words you wrote about Orly Field had anything to do with the tragic plane crash near Paris in 1962? Was there special meaning for you as an artist behind them? Thanks! -Jean Chrastina
Dear Jean, Alas it does. The poem was written for and dedicated to my friend Doug Davis. Doug was a member of the Atlanta art community that had charted the flight for return to the
States after attending museums in Paris.
Doug was not scheduled for the flight but took an available seat at the last minute and was killed along with a planeload of Georgians on takeoff from Orly Field.
Doug was a fine artist and a good friend, his death affected me very much and I wrote several poems about him. In the past three years I've published several on The Flight Plan. You can enter his name in the search engine at the bottom of this page to read some of the things I've written about him. Warmest wishes, Rod
ONE MORNING IN MAY
Did you ever write a poem entitled "may 17"? I thought that it was by you and I have been looking for it everywhere. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks! Erin.
Dear Erin, Jay Hagan informs me that you can find May 17 in my book "In Someone's Shadow" published in 1968. Here it is:
May 17
I believe that crawling into you
is going back into myself.
That by the act of
joining hands with you
I become more of me.
There are no whisky bars
for dancers like ourselves,
and so we move into each other
like drunkards into open doorways.
My need for you is near addiction.
No sailor ever had tattoos
growing on his forearm
the way your smile
has willed itself back behind my eyes.
It will not dissolve.
It will not divide.
For I am nothing if not you.
-from "In Someone's Shadow," published by Random House
All the best, Rod
GETTING POETRY PUBLISHED
Rod, I need some advice about getting my first set of poems published and I have NO clue as to where to go or even what to do. I was hoping that you could at least set me off in the right direction. Thank you for your time and help! Sincerely, Anna Skelly
Dear Anna, Publishers aren't stumbling over each other to find and publish the newest poet. Original poetry is perhaps the most difficult writing to get published. Here are a couple of ways you might try and jump-start the process.
Every year Writer's Digest published a source book called the Writer's Market. You can find it in most bookstores or at your local library. The book is just that, a listing of addresses where writers can submit their work for possible publication. Another magazine, Poets & Writer's maintains an ongoing list of poetry outlets and a listing of grants and awards for writers. They even have a website <www.pw.org>
Your best bet is to build up a collection of your poems that have been published in magazines and periodicals, that way you can demonstrate to a potential publisher that your work has already enjoyed some success. Good luck, if your work is good and you want to be published badly enough, you will be. Cheers, Rod
BIRTHDAY DISCS
Dear Mr. McKuen, A friend of mine says that many years ago he owned a record that was called something like "a birthday message from Rod McKuen " in which you spoke a birthday message with his name inserted into the recording.
Was there in fact such a product? If so, do you know if any still exist? (with any name) His birthday is fast approaching and I think nothing would make him happier- Thanks in advance for your reply. Amy Meltzer, Nothampton MA
Dear Amy, The series you mentioned was published by ABC Paramount during the 1970's. They were called Flexi-discs and played on LP turntables. While they are no longer being produced you might query Dwight at Stanyan By Mail. I'm sure we have cards for some of the more popular names like Bob, Barbara, Joe, Mark, Mary, Richard and Jenny left. The question is does your friend still own a turntable? Regards, Rod
TRASHY & OTHER LOVE SONGS
I'm looking for the album I previously owned that had a song on it that I believe was called "Trashy and other love songs". That
may not be right but I remember one of the last lines in the song said something about "you know, you give refuse a bad name". I'd like the name of that album and if I can find it on CD.
Hairball.
Dear Hairball, Here's a complete listing of where "Trashy" can be found. It's been compiled for you courtesy of Jay Hagan.
"Here is where you can find Trashy and other love
songs:
Rod McKuen at Carnegie Hall - Sold Out (2LP)
Rod McKuen at Carnegie Hall - Sold Out (Songbook)
Rod McKuen at Carnegie Hall - Sold Out (Japanese Release) (2LP)
Greatest Hits of Rod McKuen, The, Volume 4 (LP
Songs of Rod McKuen, Volume One, The (Songbook)
Kaleidoscope (Songbook)
23 Rod McKuen Songs (Songbook)
Greatest Hits of Rod McKuen, The, Volume 4 (CD)
Best bet... the Greatest Hits CD. Waterfalls, Jay"
Hope this helps. All the best, Rod
I'M OK, YOU'RE OK
Dearest Mr. McKuen, I feel as though I've turned a busy corner and bumped into an old friend. "A Safe Place to Land"...exactly what I was looking for, and in a single click, there it was, and there you were. After all these years, and still as gentle, strong and soothing as all those years ago.
If it's a requirement of this site to ask you a question then I
guess it would be "How have you fared all these years?" .Hope you are well and now I look forward to visiting often and catching up on what you've been putting down on paper.
Gratefully, Karrie, an old admirer from Stanyan Street
Dear Karrie, Thanks for the kind thoughts. I've fared well and this morning when I woke up I was still here. No complaints. Hope you feel the same. Luv, Rod
WAR SONGS
Rod: In about 1966, I had a LP of yours which included a song about war and planning for war. It has been so long that I've forgotten the lyrics.
In any event, I went into the Army in 1966 and when I came back from Viet Nam, the record had disappeared. Over the years, I have looked for the record but have not been able to find it. Now, many years later, I can't remember much about the lyrics and for sure can't remember what the album
looked like.
I am contacting you in the hopes that you would be able to tell me what albums you had out by the end of 1965. It will help me narrow the search for the one I am looking for. Thanks so much.
John F. Head
Dear John, I've written a lot of what might be called 'war songs' or 'protest songs,' but based on the time frame you mention it
sounds to me as though you might be referring to "Some of Them Fall" from the LP "The Single Man." The album is not yet on CD but is still available on LP from Stanyan. I hope this helps and that I've described the song you are looking for. You can check out the lyrics in the book "Lonesome Cities.:" All the best John, Rod
BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE
Dear Rod, who is singing "Baby It's Cold Outside" with you on the Platinum CD set? Simran
Dear Simran, It's my old friend Petula Clark. We recorded it together in London several years ago. I've also performed it with Dusty Springfield, Lisbeth List, and Nancy Wilson among others.
I love being with and working with the talented Petula and leaving her name off the credits on the CD's is one of several mistakes on the
Platinum CD's. Read on. Best regards, Rod
LONG, LONG TIME
Hi Rod, Reading the track listings on the Platinum Collection, you are listed as the composer of "Long, Long Time" and "500 Miles". Is this correct or a typographical error? I've loved "Long, Long Time" forever - who originally recorded it?
I've got money on this one - let's hope I come out of it with my reputation (and wallet) intact! Blue Skies, Ken.
Dear Ken, I hope your money wasn't on me as writer of either song. (It
wasn't - Ken). "Long, Long Time," the plaintive Linda Rondstadt hit, was written by Gary White and Hedy West should have been credited as the sole author of "Five Hundred Miles." Crediting me as the songwriter for either of these songs I love so much is a very regrettable mistake. Corrections have been made for additional pressings of the set.
I didn't see the track listing copy before the discs were issued in Korea. My apologies to Pet, Gary, Hedy and to anyone misled by these print errors. Print mistakes and omissions are not supposed to happen, alas they do. As ever, Rod
CAN WE HAVE OUR BALL BACK?
Mr. McKuen. We are great fans of your work, and we've started a new secret poetry magazine. We'd love a poem from you for a future issue. Take care. can we have our ball back?
Dear can we have our ball back? The answer is yes. I just finished the poem for you and you will find it at the bottom of this page. Great name for your magazine and good luck with it.
Cheers, Rod
THE FINAL WORD
Today it belongs to Sonja.
An old man was sitting on a bench at the mall. A young man walked up to the bench and sat down. He had spiked hair in all different colors: green, red, orange, blue, and yellow.
The old man just stared.
The young man said sarcastically, "What's the matter old timer, never done anything wild in your life?"
Without batting an eye, the old man replied, "Got drunk once and had sex with a parrot. I was just wondering if you were my son."
See you tomorrow for some Friday Feedback & Pass it Along. Sleep warm.
RM 4/3/2001 Previously unpublished
Summer concert just announced!
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