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Christmas 2000, photo by Bob Gentry ©2000 Stanyan Entertainment
A Thought for Today
This Holiday Season don't forget the women and men serving our country overseas.
WHEW!
The videos of "Christmas in New England" arrived via FedEx on Friday and Dwight assures me that all the orders have gone out. It was touch and go for awhile because the duplication was done in Michigan and early last week they had a snowstorm that prevented planes from getting in or out of Detroit.
Despite a busy schedule that saw him filming witches coven's and graveyards in Fall River Mass (don't ask) and meeting with Pet Clark in New York regarding a possible PBS special, my friend Jim Pierson (the co-producer of the video) shepherded the process all the way. That included supervising the editing, mastering, getting the packaging designed, shipping the boxes, staying in touch with the duplicating factory and even sending a PAL master [the European video standard] and boxes to England so that Dusty Springfield fans could have copies for the holiday's.
Incidentally, those of you who aren't equipped for VHS and need a PAL version can order it from
dustybulletin@aol.com . The UK price is equivalent to what it sells for at Stanyan By Mail.
Today's mail is kind of a family affair.
MOMS
Hi Rod. Thought I would drop you a line. I remember you writing past Flight Plans about your mom and how much you miss her. After a debilitating fight with cancer, my mom passed away three months ago. While I was relieved when
God finally took her by the hand; I miss her terribly and think about her every day. It seems to me I remember a flight plan which included a poem to her. Could you tell me which book I might find it? Thank you so much. I remember being touched at the time and think it might speak to what I am feeling now.
Onto other happier news. While I work fulltime during the week at a bank, I also work an occasional Saturday at Borders Books and Music in Pasadena. On November 21, Judy Collins will be in the store to promote her new CD. I started loving her music and voice when I was only 12 years old, and at 44 am still a huge fan!
I will be there that night working the event and would like to let other fans know the date and time. It's November 21 at 7:00 p.m. at Borders in Pasadena. Hope to see you there! Thanks
for sharing! Deb Radwan
Dear Deb, The loss of a loved one is something none of us get over, and especially a parent. I'm happy for your mom that her suffering is over, just as I was reluctantly glad to see my own mother finally pass away after too much pain.
I remember toward the end quarreling with the doctor because he was unwilling to increase her dosage of painkiller. Finally I told him "She's dying for God's sake, are you worried about making her a dope addict? Finally I got my message across.
I wrote pretty extensively about my mother in ". . And to Each Season."
Sorry I missed the Judy Collins autograph party. A great singer and a lovely lady that I haven't seen in years. I hope to get by Borders one of theses days to say hello. Thanks for the invitation. Warmly, Rod
AND DADS
Hi there ~ just wanted to share w/you that I began collecting your poetry books in the early 70's after Dad (who at Sea at the time in the Merchant Marines) sent me your album THE SEA ~
Although many years have gone by since then, he did not remember sending it while he was overseas ~ So I played the
album (entirely) while he visited this past Father's Day ~ tears came to his eyes while listening to the album and later he called me to let me know he arrived home safely and also to tell me how much he enjoyed his day ~
IT WAS A VERY HEARTFELT DAY AS MY DAD AND I HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FOR MANY YEARS DUE TO A BROKEN FAMILY ~ simply, I want to say Thank you very much for your overwhelming talent ~ and to let you know that I believe the WORLD is READY to ONCE AGAIN REUNITE WITH YOUR POETRY AND SONGS ~ God Bless you ~ Ronell
Dear Mr. McKuen: In the middle of yet, another unproductive day at work yesterday, I typed in your name and searched for some news of you. I was elated, to say the least, when I found your web site, A Safe Place to Land.
I have given you some credit throughout the last 25 years for altering my life, although I may not have understood why at the time. My father gave me a book of your poems when I was 16 years old in the mid 70's. Since then, I have searched every city I have ever traveled to for your works, and am proud to say that I have amassed almost all of the poems you have published.
When I found your site yesterday, I pulled out two of my favorite books of yours and stayed up late last night to read through them once again. They were Celebrations of the Heart and Intervals.
In trying to explain what your writings have meant to me, words fall short. Please know that I have found comfort and sometimes, and cloak for my own sadness in reading your poems. I have always felt that there was something in you that connected with me and I was overjoyed to find your website.
I credit you for making me the poet at heart that I am. In your Flight Plans, I found joy that so long ago was packed away. Thank you for coming back into my life and giving me something to look forward to, and hold onto.
As you know, that depression thing does ebb and flow through time, but is never completely gone. And thank you, for making me feel as if I am awakened again. I've been hibernating for a long, long time. Sincerely, Jody in Colorado
Dear Ronell and Jody, It can't be a coincidence that your letters arrived within minutes of each other's, so I'm taking the liberty of answering them together. I appreciate your dads passing my books on to you, that they thought my poetry worthy of going forward to another generation is a very nice compliment.
I remember when my step-grandfather instilled the love of Walt Whitman in me by reading and answering my questions about "Leaves of Grass" when I had
barely learned to read myself.
Ronell, your Father's Day story was very moving and illustrates what I've been telling the fairer sex for years; that all most men need to show their sensitive side is a little prodding from someone who really cares for them. Your father sounds like an interesting and complicated man. Someone I would probably enjoy meeting and having a conversation with.
Sorry you've had to hold depression at bay, Jody, but now you know it can be done and being down doesn't mean you have to be counted out. I'm glad you write, because setting our thoughts on paper goes a long way toward healing the troubles and hurts we often choose to hide even from ourselves.
Thanks to both of you for sharing your thoughts with me and the other passengers on our
trip. And, I hope you'll share my poetry with others as well. Love, Rod
AND GRAND DADS
Dear Mr. McKuen I have just happened upon the web site A Safe Place To Land, and found your e-mail address along with what can only be interpreted as an invitation to write to you. I hope you will forgive the intrusion.
It has been some years since we last met (about 20 years I would imagine) so I don't expect you will remember me. However, I'm sure that you will remember my family especially as you mention my Grandfather in numerous places within "A Safe Place To Land". My name is Nigel Woodman and I am the eldest grandson of Arthur Greenslade.
Granddad has recently been in England, he and Nan spent the past 6 months or so here. They have recently returned to Oz in an attempt to keep themselves warm by chasing summer around the globe. Whilst he was here I spent many hours with Granddad listening to his stories of bygone years, many of which featured working with you.
I count myself lucky that he is around, with me at an age to appreciate his work and enjoy the stories over a small gin and tonic.
I hope that this e-mail finds you well and that you are enjoying
the riches of life. The whole family in England joins me in wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year. Yours, Nigel
Dear Nigel, What a delightful surprise to hear from you. It has to be at least a couple of dozen years since your grandfather used to bring you and your mother Dawn around to our recording sessions.
I remember that you were so enamored with music at eight or nine that you would sit quietly and take in the whole session, the rehearsals, performances and playbacks. For most people at your tender age a record session can be very tiring and even boring. What kind of music do you enjoy now?
I also wonder if you know what a great man your grandfather is. He is and has always been a gentleman of the first order. In addition to his enormous talent as a musician and arranger he is also one of the kindest and most patient men I ever met. I know many musicians who envied his talent but none who didn't like and respect him.
Being on the road and in the studio with Arthur for twenty years of my life made all the difference to me and my own character and knowledge of music. I used to love to push your granddad beyond boundaries he had never encountered (for instance arranging everything from chamber music to large-scale classical
works). He never once disappointed me. In fact in many cases we were equal parts teacher and pupil.
I remember too the orchestra contractors telling me how easy it was to get the top musicians for our sessions. They loved working with Arthur and because of the kind of music we made they would get out of other sessions in order to become involved with ours. The London Times once said "session for session the team of McKuen/Greenslade make more genuine music than any team making popular music."
I really am proud of my work with Arthur and have been racing to digitally remaster the hundreds of titles we did together during the 60's, 70's and 80's. Many have never been released and some that have have become legendary collector's items. In the coming months and years I hope to be filling your mail box and the world's record shops with CD's drawn from this material.
Please give my love to your wonderful mother who worked hard (often under some very difficult circumstances) to raise and take care of you and write back soon with a mailing address.
Love and a big smile from your American uncles Rod (and Edward
too.)
WEARING A DIFFERENT HAT
Mr. McKuen: Recently, while listening to some holiday music I read on a CD jacket the name Rod McKuen as the producer.
The CD is titled "Christmas in New Orleans." As a matter of curiosity, are you the same Rod McKuen? Thanks and happy holidays. Dan Mullen-Philadelphia, PA
Dear Dan, Yep, that's me. Over the years I've produced several hundred albums of non-McKuen music and another couple hundred of my own. Producing other people's albums isn't as much fun as writing and performing songs on my own, but it's something I really enjoy doing.
I've produced about 80 Christmas collections, everything from Christmas Music for Guardian Angels and The Benedictine Monks to Bah Humbug [Music for Grouch & Grinch.] Plus solo holiday albums by Louis Armstrong, Crosby and Dinah Shore. You can tell it's a genre I like.
Wishing you and yours the warmest of holidays, Dan. Cheers, Rod
A NEW LINK FROM GREAT BRITAIN
Dear Mr. McKuen, I am a British fan of yours and updating my website (URL below) I thought I would pay tribute to your work on the index page. I did this today, and included a link to 'Safe Place' with a warm recommendation. Hope this is okay. Very best wishes and thanks from yours truly K.M. Dersley
Dear KM, Thanks for writing and especially the nice things you said about me on your website, The Ragged Edge.
I liked your site a lot and especially its approach to modern writing, so much so that I'm taking the rare step of recommending it to my own readers. I believe that if they like A Safe Place to Land they'll find much to admire at the Ragged Edge.
For some time now Ken and I have been planning a second site called Stanyan House. With any luck at all 2001 will finally see its launch. One of the reasons I want Stanyan House up and running soon is so that I can have a whole section of links that will draw attention to small but interesting and important websites around the world, sites like yours. That section will be called SITES WE LIKE. Here's the first candidate:
Ragged Edge - http://www.raggededge.btinternet.co.uk
(To those of you reading this, I highly recommend you hit on the URL above and I'll bet anything you'll end up bookmarking it.)
Good luck KM and drop me a line. Cheers, Rod
TWELVE YEARS OF CHRISTMAS
Just rediscovered the Twelve Years of Christmas as I unpacked decorations to celebrate yet another holiday. thank you for adding to so many! Dee
Thanks, Dee, and here's wishing you twelve times twelve more happy holidays. Sincerely, Rod
A SON NAMED STANYAN
Hello Mr. McKuen, I have loved you for so many years I can't count them. I have SO much of your work (a joy) and I want you to know that you helped me through some tough years. I named one of my sons Stanyan (we are in the bay area) and I will be forever following your career and "just" life. You have a sweet kind face :). Junie
Dear Junie, On behalf of the street, my book and myself, thank you very much. Happy holidays to you and your son. Luv, Rod
BLESS THOSE SECOND HAND BOOK STORES
Mr. McKuen, I would like to...well...thank you. What can I say to the man who has added to and inspired my life beyond words? I stumbled across a copy of Stanyan Street and Other Sorrows while browsing through my favorite used book store last spring, and as it was only 75 cents I picked it up along with Lonesome Cities and Listen to the Warm.
I've dreamed of being a poet for as long as I can remember, and since my school does little to teach me to write, I have taken up teaching myself. So...I pick up interesting books that I see lying around most anywhere and do my best to learn from them. To imitate the style.
And as I read my first Rod McKuen poem ever...I knew I would not have to try to imitate your style. Your style WAS my style...or rather mine was yours. Or something like that. Your words are the words that my heart struggles to express. Your poems are perfect. I read them and make notes in the margins, then read them again. I share them with everyone I know, and some people I don't know. I simply believe that the world is a much better place with Rod McKuen's words in it. And if everyone knew about your poetry, I believe they would be much happier.
So Mr. McKuen, thank you so much for writing. I will cherish your poems forever. And if I am ever published.....my thanks will be to you. Love and Thanks, Audrey Elizabeth McCloskey
Dear Audrey, Gee! A letter like yours could turn my head . . . and it has. I wish you all the best of luck with your writing and send my greetings & love for the season and beyond. Rod
WHERE TO FIND THEM
I originally purchased the "Rod McKuen at Carnegie Hall-SOLD OUT" album on 8-track in the early 70's,....later (mid-80's) I got it on cassette.....both forms of media have been destroyed.
NOW, please tell me where I can get this wonderful collection on CD....PLEASE! Sincerely,......Ted Woollens, Valley Ranch, Texas
Dear Rod, I had an album of your beautiful music in the sixties. It was an LP I would love to find the title and obtain it again in any form. It included "Ka-li-de-o-scope", (I'm writing it phonetically) and a song or poetry, which included words something like, " You are in the bathroom, spending twenty minutes of our precious time." Can you name the album for
me, please? I do hope it's still available! I played it until it wore out. Thanks for the hours of peace and enjoyment. Sincerely, Martha Roof, San Francisco, Ca.
Dear Rod, I love "Oceans Of Beautiful Electric Music" on CD. It has become one of my all time favorite McKuen instrumental albums. "Everyone's Gone To the Moon" is a classic. Ondine provides the most haunting sound I've ever heard on record. Other favorites in the album include "Mr. Kelley/Kelley & Me",
"The Art of Catching Trains" and "Lonesome Cities." This album is truly superb. Congratulations. I hope it's still available on CD so that I can send copies to friends for Valentines Day. I LOVE THIS ALBUM and can't praise it enough. Olivia
I wore out your recording of "Rod McKuen In Concert". Where can I get another one? Walter Baker.
Dear Ted, Olivia, Walter and Kitty. "Sold Out at Carnegie Hall" and "Oceans of "Beautiful Electric Music" are available on CD and LP, "Rod McKuen in Concert" has only been released on LP and a special note to Kitty "Kaleidoscope" and "Stanyan Street" are both contained in the "Carnegie Hall" album and on "Greatest Hits, 1."
All of the recordings mentioned are currently available from Stanyan By Mail. There is a link to it on the Home Page.
THE LAST WORD
On December 5th I answered a letter from Jeanette Jacqmin of Green Bay Wisconsin promising to track down and print for her a long lost poem of mine called "Christmas Now." It first appeared as part of a series commissioned by Rebecca Greer for Woman's Day Magazine and later in one of my Animal Concern Calendars. Here it
is.
Christmas Now
There's tinsel in the town already
and wreaths so fragile
that I doubt they'll last
through Christmas Eve.
There was a time
when I was bothered by
commercial Christmas
starting in on All Saints Eve.
But now I welcome each reminder,
however early or ill-timed,
of that sweet saviors birth.
For if we ever needed Christ's
and quiet Christmas men,
there is no time when
they should be more welcome
than just now.
Each reminder -
carols of an evening,
trees trucked early into town,
merchandise in mad array
in downtown windows,
even plastic garlands
strung across every city street -
should only serve to prod us
into friendship and the fantasy
of goodness
set down clearly by the mystery
we chose to name as God.
Man can always use reminders,
be they old or new names
served as recipes for love.
-from Women's Day, 1968
Don't forget to join me as I join Ken tomorrow for his weekly This One Does It For Me feature. If you're out driving this holiday season please take it easy and don't get too rattled. Sleep
warm.
RM 12/18/2000 Previously unpublished
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