I usually don't read the full posts from artists about their lives. But every time I start reading yours, I just can't stop. They are so nicely written and engaging. Thank you for that. On another subject, it is going to be some time before I get over the loss of Jill. She's younger than us. It isn't supposed to happen this way... this horrific way. Watching people like Margaret Cho sing Mexican Wrestler, just kicks me in the stomach every time (pun intended). There are already 2 tributes being set up in Los Angeles; at Largo and McCabes I believe.
Thanks for continuing to read Bruce! Jill was actually a week older than me (born Jan 1959) - I don't think I ever realized this, her energy was eternal! It's harder to find people over here aware of her but I've been learning and playing some of her songs, just for me.
You're too young to die as well. :-) There's no greater tribute to an artist than for another artist to learn their songs. Which reminds me, I always thought that "20 Questions" had a bit of her voice in it. Keep on keeping on, Amy.
Always beautiful in addition to being well written. I am in awe of your travels alone with so much to schlep. Beyond my physical abilities. You are definitely still cute and young.
That's so kind Sally - I imagine myself at 85 looking back to 66 thinking "hey you were still young then" - just as I look back to my early fifties, inconceivable to my thirty-something self!
Yes, and, the next day, you wake up, enjoy breakfast. Catch the right train to a massive city train station in the center of Hamburg, where you find yourself eating wurst and fries and drinking a small beer. Knew the job was dangerous when we took it, love. Thanks for your service.
I loved reading about your journey, thank you, you made my morning. I understand what you said about why did Jill Sobule have to die that way. I didn’t know of her but still find myself thinking about her and that she lost her life in a house fire. An acquaintance of mine was killed recently walking while taking a walk in her neighborhood. She was crossing the street and a teenager in an SUV turned right into her. She was the beloved member of the theater community. I think of her every day. Why would she have to die that why. It makes no sense.
Anyway I admire your moxie to keep at it. And I admire you moving to a whole new place in the world. I hope it feels like home and holds you and lets you rest. And that your elbow starts to feel better.
Thank you so much Lucy. And sorry for the sudden and tragic loss of a member of your community, these tiny tricks of timing, it really does feel unfair.
I'm happy to say this does feel like home. I saw a great quote by Banksy on my friend Allison Moorer's Substack the other day: "If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit."
Double condolences to Lucy and to us like rockin' road rat Amy who won't let the humanity and even more than that abstract concept, the gritty HUMOR of Jill Sobule slip away like some thief in the night's house fire....Human medication is how I've thought of going to see either Amy or Jill Sobule at a gig or finding one of their new albums or older ones I didn't know about when browsing my comfy fave disc shops or anticipatory rifling through the alternative weekly news paper or scrolling live gig posts when insomnia sends me to U. of Tube for more night school.
Also sending prayers\wishes for speedy and complete recovery to wing-ailing Amy.
No shortcuts through grief, so don't know when or if we'll meet again. I've never taken any "humanity" for granted and that is knowing only too well how short-tempered and crappy I've treated way too many through my live-long days and nights....Perhaps I may be next to visit that Great Big Seedy Green Room in the sky, Lawd, Lawd, In the sky (if only to sneak a catered sandwich a la Warren Zevon.....Who learned the hard way that true cost of an inspired moment of creativity channeled or received direct could be foretold by scanning the bowl after crouching to conquer or to scan the starry heavens for other signs for to see whether perhaps our "Shit's Fucked Up") as here a posted clip from UK TV, as Later With Jools couldn't get away airing over our Free Speech US airwaves no broadcast of death-reminding words cuz we're only allowed by our sponsors to be feeding our Weapons of Mass Distraction all-the-time by excising our Dust to Dust from our "Always be up-selling US TV or tube screened fare....:
Warren Zevon - My Shits Fucked Up Live
thegingeuk
1.8K subscribers
176,912 views Jan 1, 2009
A brilliant performance of My Shits Fucked Up by the late Warren Zevon on Later with Jools Holland
Wow. Amy, this one of your best. I love every syllable, the misery and (however temporary) the decisions made (or taken) at the end. "Without connection, what are we?" Jeez, lady, that is hardcore.....and absolutely true. One thing is certain: you have and continue to work very hard for your music. Dues have long been paid. You rule!
I love reading about the romance of the road :-) ....I kept thinking if Kerouac had been a musician...well, he was a guy too, so maybe it wouldn't have been as bad....but he might have titled it "On the Road My Ass!"
And he was...thirty five? I'm the same Stephen, I love the romance of the road, have taken the train from NYC to New Orleans, still love to drive (it was only a few weeks ago I did the beautiful 101 from LA to the Bay) I think it's the trying to get somewhere that;s hard!
I’m grateful that you write these. Theyre always so vivid, I feel like I’m traveling alongside of you. jealous of the garden, or rather, the garden help. Looking forward to see what this spring brings you both.
Really enjoyed reading your last few posts. A side of touring and being a professional artist/musician/songwriter that doesn't always get revealed. Real life. My wife and I saw you & Eric 10 years ago in Nashville opening for Ian Hunter. I've been listening to you since MOD HOUSEWIFE, it was a real treat to see you guys perform. Good luck with whatever lies ahead .
Another great report. Danke schoen. You might try cortisone injections for tennis elbow. Worked for me... but took 3 tries. If they get the right spot you'll know it. If not, expect to go back.
Glad you enjoyed it Don. Now that I'm home for a while gonna try what the doctor said and rest plus do gentle yoga, but thanks for the recommendation. I've also heard acupuncture works but takes at least four sessions. Hoping for the best!
Great writing. I feel like I went through that trip with you. If I had, though, I wouldn’t have been of any help. I’m definitely a one-language guy. And not a helpful language for a trip like that. Good to hear you did it and good to hear you made it home!
Thanks Clyde. I spent so much time and effort learning French, every time I tried to find a German word or phrase, it came out in French, doubly-frustrating. Of course now that I'm home I keep finding the German word for things, ya can't win. All the best to you and Tobi!
I so relate to your travel experience through Germany as a few years ago I experienced similar trying to navigate myself and my bicycle laden with heavy panniers through Hamburg, Berlin and Hanover train stations. Feeling like a hopeless middle aged woman . But afterwards could look back with some sense of achievement. You write about such things in such a captivating, human way. Thank you Amy and keep writing please.
And be patient with the elbow- it will get there, albeit in its own time.x
Oh Cath - thank you! I can just imagine that journey. You think it'll be an adventure - magical - I kept wondering "where's the magic?" but thankfully found a few moments onstage, as I imagine you did when you were ON your bike. And you end up stronger at the end. Thanks for your kind comment, and for reading.
I usually don't read the full posts from artists about their lives. But every time I start reading yours, I just can't stop. They are so nicely written and engaging. Thank you for that. On another subject, it is going to be some time before I get over the loss of Jill. She's younger than us. It isn't supposed to happen this way... this horrific way. Watching people like Margaret Cho sing Mexican Wrestler, just kicks me in the stomach every time (pun intended). There are already 2 tributes being set up in Los Angeles; at Largo and McCabes I believe.
Thanks for continuing to read Bruce! Jill was actually a week older than me (born Jan 1959) - I don't think I ever realized this, her energy was eternal! It's harder to find people over here aware of her but I've been learning and playing some of her songs, just for me.
You're too young to die as well. :-) There's no greater tribute to an artist than for another artist to learn their songs. Which reminds me, I always thought that "20 Questions" had a bit of her voice in it. Keep on keeping on, Amy.
Always beautiful in addition to being well written. I am in awe of your travels alone with so much to schlep. Beyond my physical abilities. You are definitely still cute and young.
That's so kind Sally - I imagine myself at 85 looking back to 66 thinking "hey you were still young then" - just as I look back to my early fifties, inconceivable to my thirty-something self!
Yes, and, the next day, you wake up, enjoy breakfast. Catch the right train to a massive city train station in the center of Hamburg, where you find yourself eating wurst and fries and drinking a small beer. Knew the job was dangerous when we took it, love. Thanks for your service.
Did we know Craig? Oh well, it's too late to wonder about that now. Thank you!
I loved reading about your journey, thank you, you made my morning. I understand what you said about why did Jill Sobule have to die that way. I didn’t know of her but still find myself thinking about her and that she lost her life in a house fire. An acquaintance of mine was killed recently walking while taking a walk in her neighborhood. She was crossing the street and a teenager in an SUV turned right into her. She was the beloved member of the theater community. I think of her every day. Why would she have to die that why. It makes no sense.
Anyway I admire your moxie to keep at it. And I admire you moving to a whole new place in the world. I hope it feels like home and holds you and lets you rest. And that your elbow starts to feel better.
Thank you so much Lucy. And sorry for the sudden and tragic loss of a member of your community, these tiny tricks of timing, it really does feel unfair.
I'm happy to say this does feel like home. I saw a great quote by Banksy on my friend Allison Moorer's Substack the other day: "If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit."
Double condolences to Lucy and to us like rockin' road rat Amy who won't let the humanity and even more than that abstract concept, the gritty HUMOR of Jill Sobule slip away like some thief in the night's house fire....Human medication is how I've thought of going to see either Amy or Jill Sobule at a gig or finding one of their new albums or older ones I didn't know about when browsing my comfy fave disc shops or anticipatory rifling through the alternative weekly news paper or scrolling live gig posts when insomnia sends me to U. of Tube for more night school.
Also sending prayers\wishes for speedy and complete recovery to wing-ailing Amy.
No shortcuts through grief, so don't know when or if we'll meet again. I've never taken any "humanity" for granted and that is knowing only too well how short-tempered and crappy I've treated way too many through my live-long days and nights....Perhaps I may be next to visit that Great Big Seedy Green Room in the sky, Lawd, Lawd, In the sky (if only to sneak a catered sandwich a la Warren Zevon.....Who learned the hard way that true cost of an inspired moment of creativity channeled or received direct could be foretold by scanning the bowl after crouching to conquer or to scan the starry heavens for other signs for to see whether perhaps our "Shit's Fucked Up") as here a posted clip from UK TV, as Later With Jools couldn't get away airing over our Free Speech US airwaves no broadcast of death-reminding words cuz we're only allowed by our sponsors to be feeding our Weapons of Mass Distraction all-the-time by excising our Dust to Dust from our "Always be up-selling US TV or tube screened fare....:
Warren Zevon - My Shits Fucked Up Live
thegingeuk
1.8K subscribers
176,912 views Jan 1, 2009
A brilliant performance of My Shits Fucked Up by the late Warren Zevon on Later with Jools Holland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwQjy_ZTaRM
Tio Mitchito
Thank you Mitch - I have watched this clip, brings back memories. See you out there and if not, yes meet in the Green Room in the sky.
Wow. Amy, this one of your best. I love every syllable, the misery and (however temporary) the decisions made (or taken) at the end. "Without connection, what are we?" Jeez, lady, that is hardcore.....and absolutely true. One thing is certain: you have and continue to work very hard for your music. Dues have long been paid. You rule!
You're so nice Scott- thanks a million, honestly.
I love reading about the romance of the road :-) ....I kept thinking if Kerouac had been a musician...well, he was a guy too, so maybe it wouldn't have been as bad....but he might have titled it "On the Road My Ass!"
And he was...thirty five? I'm the same Stephen, I love the romance of the road, have taken the train from NYC to New Orleans, still love to drive (it was only a few weeks ago I did the beautiful 101 from LA to the Bay) I think it's the trying to get somewhere that;s hard!
I’m grateful that you write these. Theyre always so vivid, I feel like I’m traveling alongside of you. jealous of the garden, or rather, the garden help. Looking forward to see what this spring brings you both.
Thanks so much Caryn!
I'm sorry for your travails, but what a fine and compelling writer you are.
One day you will get to explore Hamburg. It's a really cool city.
Thank you for your nice comment Rick - I do look forward to exploring Hamburg someday.
Really enjoyed reading your last few posts. A side of touring and being a professional artist/musician/songwriter that doesn't always get revealed. Real life. My wife and I saw you & Eric 10 years ago in Nashville opening for Ian Hunter. I've been listening to you since MOD HOUSEWIFE, it was a real treat to see you guys perform. Good luck with whatever lies ahead .
Thanks so much Bob.
Another great report. Danke schoen. You might try cortisone injections for tennis elbow. Worked for me... but took 3 tries. If they get the right spot you'll know it. If not, expect to go back.
Glad you enjoyed it Don. Now that I'm home for a while gonna try what the doctor said and rest plus do gentle yoga, but thanks for the recommendation. I've also heard acupuncture works but takes at least four sessions. Hoping for the best!
Great writing. I feel like I went through that trip with you. If I had, though, I wouldn’t have been of any help. I’m definitely a one-language guy. And not a helpful language for a trip like that. Good to hear you did it and good to hear you made it home!
Thanks Clyde. I spent so much time and effort learning French, every time I tried to find a German word or phrase, it came out in French, doubly-frustrating. Of course now that I'm home I keep finding the German word for things, ya can't win. All the best to you and Tobi!
Thanks for another terrific read, Amy. I hope you're able to rest that elbow now.
Thanks Naomi - trying to NOT work in the garden but it's hard to resist!
I so relate to your travel experience through Germany as a few years ago I experienced similar trying to navigate myself and my bicycle laden with heavy panniers through Hamburg, Berlin and Hanover train stations. Feeling like a hopeless middle aged woman . But afterwards could look back with some sense of achievement. You write about such things in such a captivating, human way. Thank you Amy and keep writing please.
And be patient with the elbow- it will get there, albeit in its own time.x
Oh Cath - thank you! I can just imagine that journey. You think it'll be an adventure - magical - I kept wondering "where's the magic?" but thankfully found a few moments onstage, as I imagine you did when you were ON your bike. And you end up stronger at the end. Thanks for your kind comment, and for reading.
Whew! I’m exhausted just reading your tale from the road. I hope your arm is better and you’re feeling at peace.
Thank you Thea, and glad to discover your newsletter!
Nice to connect! 🤘🏻🎶
Welcome home. Anyone who hears you sing is glad you showed up.
Thank you so much Hal, always!
nice writin'!! hope that elbow gets better!! xxxcm
Thanks Clarke!