HARRY CHAPIN & HARRY CHAPIN SONG NIGHTS

Many years ago I organized some benefit concerts---many years back. More thanI care to think of---and, as the song says---"...who knows where the time goes.."  I hope others will take up the reins for what I suggest later in this brief--well,  fairly brief, commentary.

It is a delight to see so many others also making such efforts that bring some great music and talent to us---and talent that should always  be remembered.  Back in 1983 (I am pretty sure that was the year) Sonny Ochs (sister of Phil Ochs) started her very memorable PHIL OCHS SONG NIGHTS..  They have become an event that travels the nation with some great talent doing his music and is keeping it alive and remembered---as it should be.

Stuart Marcus produces a wonderful HARRY CHAPIN (Chapinstock  aka Harry Chapin Music Event) each year in Long Island.  It is attended by thousands and the price of admission is some food for the local pantries in Long Island since Harry Chapin always supported such efforts and founded World Hunger Year (and was recognized for that effort by the government). Stuart Marcus, it must be said, is a wonderful musician and writer in his own right but this is an annual event that is truly meaningful----as is the honor paid to PHIL OCHS.

It has seemed to me, for quite some time now, that as PHIL OCHS MUSIC NIGHTS have become a wonderful event around the nation it would be a perfect time to start such an event for HARRY CHAPIN.

Think about these few things--Harry Chapin wrote music that was both topical (in a subtle way), pertinent to life's important moments,he was charismatic, and is waiting to be discovered by people who know only one or two of the "pop" hits---which, to me, were not the greatest works of all.   As PHIL OCHS needed to be introduced to a wider public that was weaned on someone that he was every bit that person's equal, so does HARRY CHAPIN needs an introduction to a wider audience than those who hear his music on Long Island each year or only know of Cats in The Cradle and Taxi. 

My suggestions are as follows---start a Facebook Page for that effort---get a leader (I am past that time in my life) like Stuart Marcus, and anything else you might think of that might make this come to fruition.  If not fruition, then, at least, pick a word and------LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN.

THURSDAY===Another Edition of .....

A flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon


NOBODY ASKED ME BUT....

1)  Given the events this day an essay is required---at least in my opinion and in response to some comments made on a link at Facebook--where else--opinions galore---and rightfully so.  

These are comments in reply to that post---with some editing for this posting on the blog----

  I could write an essay on this but, suffice it to say, revolutions and upheavals have changed w/ the technology but at the core is still the power of a state and its ability to control. Either subtly or overtly w/ pain and death.

• That said, Mubarak is what he is and in hardball diplomacy he has not been the worst--nor the best---of people the U S has dealt with.
  You can separate this into 2 issues if you will. The people of Egypt and the U S interests. Obviously we are looking out for them and keeping the Middle East below a boiling point that this rev. could start--forget the dominos of Viet Nam --this is more a domino effect.
  As to the people--that is an internal Egyptian problem and they seem to have taken it to the streets and into an absolute success---to a point. You still have to find some sort of leadership that can then negotiate and deal w/ the "state".
  Since we spoke (or I did) of dominoes let us never forget Saudi Arabia, Israel, and all the others---the Arab nations are the dominoes that might fall, Israel has, since Sadat--and Mubarak acceded to it--been at peace with Egypt. The Arab nations get overthrown if there is upheaval in Egypt (dominoes again) and you can rest assured that all hell breaks loose w/ Israel---and the U S is going to be involved once again.
  
  SO---in stark terms---Mubarak is not a nice guy---most dictators are not---but he is our fairly benevolent dictator and he also has the army (so far) at his side---an army that we have trained and supplied.
  
  SO--practical terms---this may well be the best of all worlds---wait it out to Sept. and, frankly, founding fathers are born (as in the U S) and not appointed.   No external entity, is able to appoint "founding fathers".  Think here of our own history.

  2)  Let us leave it for next week to comment on the "reviews" for the fiasco entitled "Spiderman" and also the great complimentary reviews for some films and a wonderful play.