Wednesday, November 30, 2005




Doesn't this look like entrails?....

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Sorry about the long gap between posts. Just got back from another road trip this past weekend. I visited my cousins Jamie and her brother Keith in Philidelphia Thursday night, then drove up through New Jersey to NYC. I had never been to Philly before this trip, and while it was a short visit, I got to see a bit of the town. In the older parts of town, lots of very cool colonial townhouses which line the narrow streets. Perfect for walking around. All kinds of pubs, restaurants, and other places to hang out and spend $$$. I can't wait to go back and check it out during the day and do some touristy things.

Recorded two short sessions in NYC, one with Jeremy Bleich(oud) and Brook Martinez(tabla) and another with Jeremy and Joe Tomino on electronics. These sessions will be part of Jeremy's upcoming solo cd, of which I will do the recording and probably some creative editing/production.

New York is still great. I have had a long-time crush on the city for many years. Every time I go there, I expect to find myself over it; no longer impressed by the bustle, the never-ending options, the music, the art, the great food, the energy, the architecture, the hipsters, the cynical, sarcastic, ironic attitude of many of it's inhabitants...the subways. But every time I go, I experience things at a more local, everyday level...which just makes me love it even more. One thing for sure: Driving a car in NYC is a pain in the ass. That city more than any other I have been to is built for walking...it just so happened to be the New York Marathon this past weekend which meant that lots of people wanted into the city. It took me 45 minutes just to get into the city via the Holland tunnel and about an hour to get from Brooklyn to New Jersey on my way home. Not good.

This past time, I stayed with (former Clevelanders) Joe Tomino and his wife Trish in Williamsburg. While Williamsburg isn't where I would choose to live (not my style aestheticly speaking), it is a very cool, hip place to hang. Lots of everything close by and very close to the subway stops. Joe and Trish were very cool letting me crash there, especially since neither of them had a lot to do over the weekend and they probably wanted some "down time".

A very funny thing happened. On my way to Philly, my friend (and percussionist) Mel Csicsila called me just to catch up and casually mentioned he would be in NYC the same weekend...so! Instead of driving 9hrs across I-80 at night by myself I had some good company which really made the drive cool. Thanks Mel!