Blue Party

Motion Occupies Music: Stevie Wonder

Bits and Pieces:

There are few people I have had the pleasure to meet that have left me awestruck or as most would say star struck. One of these is Stevie Wonder.

I was working at 40 Park Ave. (36th St. and Park) in Suzanne Ciani’s 19th floor apartment studio. We were working on “Velocity of Love.” I think that was the second album we did together. Anyway, Suzanne was always on the cutting edge of procuring the latest electronic musical equipment, mostly through endorsements, whether it be from Roland or Yamaha, or in this case the Synclavier. The average person could identify this piece of equipment’s sound in the opening chords of Michael Jackson’s, “Beat It” (Wish I could insert a snip of it here.)

During the course of what was usually a 14hr weekend workday word came in that Stevie Wonder would be stopping by to check out the Synclav. I was out of my mind. I was going to meet Stevie Wonder!! Holy Shit!!
“Songs in the Key of Life” is still one of my all time favorite albums. Stevie Wonder, a true musical icon.

Sometime in the evening Stevie arrived with his brother and maybe one or two other people. I do not clearly remember. But what I do remember is him sitting down at the keyboard and riffing, going through the sounds and some tech talk as to the possibilities of the gear. Suzanne had the Synclavier print out Stevie’s playing and for one amazing, incredibly awkward moment, she somehow thought that he would be impressed with this printout. Stevie, being funny and gracious took the sheet of music from her and it was not until then that Suzanne realized what a foopah she had made. I watch the whole thing in horror, and could not believe what she was doing. Oh, well.

At some point, I wound up sitting at the dining table talking with him. He lived in Englewood, NJ at that time, and somehow we wound up talking bout Jersey. I had been reading Edgar Cayce, and somehow we got Into talking about Jersey vs. LA and earthquakes, and the fault that runs down the Hudson River, across Manhattan at 14th St. Kinda neat stuff. We were just chillin. Amazing!! What a great night. The only thing is that Suzanne’s camera strangely did not work that night, so there are no pictures. Hmmm, somehow maybe you just don’t have to “see” everything in order to hold on to the experience.

nalick plus 3

undecided armor makes for unhappy prisoners so we wait wait wait until something miraculous happens, and until then ill be a big big bitch.

cause one bad appearance cancels out all the good ones and meaningless nights somehow define characteristics so unlike you but the pressure of unwanted neighbors in a diner provokes destination awareness and screams.

so we float on like dead fish awaiting their bone pickin' 

like maggots on rye they don't mind sucking your life.

sly messages mold foolery like clay.

we're like gumby.

green and ambitious we break on every bend 

pricking pulling pushing plotting

blotting thoughts to other thoughts inappropriate every time

for sex and curse words hide real brain waves of poverty 

and an emptiness foaming at the mouth.

what do you say when you don't care?

agree agree like nixon on water or bush on war.

just say yes to appease the silly minds floating in alcohol and hands

glued to jelly situations

they're going to slice your finger like Pinocchio's nose

lies make a warm habitat in a cold winter.

so just place your hand here and shoulder there

hush

we'll carry on like everyone's happy.

Live Baking

"Live Baking" is a concept created by John, John Mayer.

And since my friends and I couldn't pull it together and we blamed it on the weather,

I've posted my baking results in preparation for xmas eve at the Mathus'.

^ The remaining melted chocolate...soon to be devoured by Brother & Co.

^ Watching the Coconut Indulgences freeze. Recipe courtesy of Emeril.

14 oz. coconut flakes.

5 oz. condensed milk

1 cup powdered sugar.

18 oz. semi-sweet morsels- double boiler.

^ The mess I began to create before knocking over a tray of cookies.

"You are Evil Knievel in the kitchen", my mother.

^ Placing cookies on the baking sheet. Haven't done this in years.

^ Small plate of finished product. 1 of 4 [big plates].

The Odd Couple

awesomeness.