Today I was briefly sucked into the vortex of “THE” tawdry daytime soap-reality show. The Staples Center was smothered with the syrupy shallow superficiality of an American Idol episode!. Pandering to human frailty and morbid curiousity,The Hollywood Media Machine pulled it off  with predictable ostentatious aplomb. I was sickened but not surprised. I would occasionally leave my studio to catch a sound bite or two only to return back to my room harboring a little more anger after each nano viewing of the spectacle.

As a musician and artist, I was moved and saddened by his “untimely” death. It always hurts when an “Artist Brother” dies.

But that honest visceral emotion progressively eroded as each day of the circus unfolded. Certain realities crept in that would focus my perspective on myself, the media and the state of humanity in general.

I as a musician, unlike many who lead “normal lives”,  had a more direct connection to his legend. I guess you can say three degrees rather than six degrees of separation. On many occasions, I had the privilege to work in two of the recording studios where his most seminal albums were recorded. Over  the years I also had the privilege of working with musicians and engineers that directly worked with him on those famous albums. I was also very close with someone who personally worked for him for many years, and as such, was privy to information, albeit already second hand.

This has given me a more balanced perspective of him as an artist and human being. I am not intimating that my point of view or views are more credible than the die hard fan who loved him for his music, or his iconic status, but I do know, that I am less impressionable to the effects of here say and legend.

So, to all the empty headed Talking Heads of Media and to all of those who glut themselves on the morbid fatty diet of tabloid fodder, only to regurgitate it as fact:  please STFU!!

For those of the “ill-iteratti” who don’t know what that means, I will make myself very clear here. If you personally were NOT or are NOT privy to ANY of the highly touted allegations, whatever they may have been, you are out of your league, so just SHUT THE FUCK UP!!

Yes, inasmuch as we still live in an allegedly free society, you can have and voice an OPINION, but, unless proven otherwise, it is exactly that; an opinion! An opinion is part of the family where assumptions reside, and of course, I hope you are familiar with the saying regarding ASSumptions?

Get on with your lives!

The Will, The Children, The Burial, Their Private Lives, are NONE of your business! Just move along, this doesn’t concern you!

What I observed of the memorial during my nano moments of weakness prompted questions and insights.

Did we really need to hear Mariah Carey’s soulless show of vocal gymnastics as she bloviated and butchered a Jackson Five song?

Where does Al Sharpton find the time to accomplish anything? After all, from what I’ve noted, he IS a close and personal friend of any and every celebrated African American Artist or any African American who has achieved ANY media celebrity! Al’s a very socially busy man! I guess if he had the time, he would have bought a sequined glove that he could have worn to the memorial!

Did we need cute Brooke Shields sharing her even cuter maudlin anecdotes?

As for representative Jackson-Lee, and I am very glad I caught her entire hypocritical eulogy-What about the minute of silence The House NEVER gave to the victims of Katrina?

Your poignant description of MJ's charitable efforts were very touching! How about YOU and your House colleagues learning from MJ’s benevolent side and START TAKING CARE of “WE THE PEOPLE”!!!!

You shameful hypocrite!!

I’m sure there would have been a lot more fodder if I could have stomached the entire “Performance”, but it was more than a mortal human being could tolerate!

My only final question is, how much will the promoter charge for the DVD,  “The Making of the Memorial”??

Like airborne sharks flying in a frenzy towards the scent of blood, I was shaken by the thunder of the many media choppers as they passed over my house towards nearby Forest Lawn.

I wondered, and then briefly turned on the TV to see the limos parked in front of that familiar assembly hall.

I turned the image off. I started to cry. I cried for a friend we buried so many years ago in that same cemetery. That same assembly hall was packed.

I also cried for the famous “Artist Brother”, MJ, who I had never met.

I cried out of frustration for the shallow morbidity of the gossip mongers.

I shed a tear for all those that live vicariously through others.

My tears welled up in anger thinking about the “Travesty” AKA, “Our Government”!

Tears fell in compassion for all those that died today from, disease,starvation, wars etc.. They all left families behind. They all touched someone’s life!

Then I went outside.

I was shocked to find that the world was still here!

I thought the skies would be overcast and ominous in a Shakespearian display of Pathetic Fallacy!

To my surprise the cloudless afternoon heavens were an electric blue.

I was surrounded in sweet bird song.

Squirrels chased one another up and down the rich green living trees.

Ocassionally, I was jolted by the ugly cacophony of a car horn.

I could hear distant children.

I was surrounded by LIFE!

I was alive!. My world was alive!!

I guess it’s true that “Life goes on”,…..c’est la vie!!

RIP Michael Jackson and ALL the souls that have left us today…….

……………peace for ’09 and beyond

This morning, I received a video from a friend of mine. He spammed his entire group list. I guess the video was of great concern to him. It was about the rise and spread of Islam. it cited statistics. It did a pretty good job of stirring up some fear with just a dash of hatred. Not sure who sponsored or created this particular piece of hate propaganda, but I could make some assumptions. Anyways, here's my response. I'm sure I'm going to have an interesting day "flamed by zealots" The subject title of the email read "VERY INTERESTING", followed by God Bless You!.............

"Yes! I agree! That WAS VERY INTERESTING!....

The less time I spend encumbered by the news and the economy, the closer I get to finishing my next album. I have 14 tracks almost done. Thought i'd "leak" one or two rough mixes for you to listen to. If all goes well, the new album "Looking Back Ahead" should be done within the next two months.

BTW, I have just signed a distribution deal with "Believe Digital" for my first album "2 Forty 6"

all the best....and...

ofcourse peace for '08 and beyond 

At a recent rehearsal taking a quick break. Sitting behind one of my favourite drumkits, my Drum Workshop black sparkle.

Getting out of the secure cocoon of my home studio to play live with live musicians that talk back is a real treat. Feels like coming home.

peace. 

I AM ONLY ONE VOICE AMONGST THE TENS OF MILLIONS IN AMERICA WHO WARMLY WELCOME YOUR NASCENT PRESIDENCY. I CELEBRATED YOUR INNAUGURATION HERE IN LOS ANGELES PERFORMING WITH MY BAND AT A PACKED CLUB.  PRIDE,JOY AND HOPE PERMEATED THE LARGE SPACE. I FELT A COMMON RHYTHM AS WE ALL BREATHED IN UNISON EXHALING A HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF.

IT WAS AN HONOUR CELEBRATING THIS HISTORIC OCCASION.

I MYSELF, AS SO MANY IN THIS COUNTRY, ARE PAINFULLY AWARE OF THE DAUNTING TASK THAT AWAITS YOU.

 I HAVE PROFOUND RESPECT FOR YOUR HEROISM IN EMBRACING THIS MONUMENTAL QUAGMIRE AND YET AT THE SAME TIME DO NOT ENVY YOUR POSITION.

I HAVE LIVED IN AMERICA FOR MANY YEARS AS A GREEN CARDED CANADIAN AND AS SUCH COULD NOT VOTE.

THE FACT THAT I COULD NOT CAST MY CHOICE DID NOT IN ANY WAY TARNISH THE LOVE I HAVE FOR THIS COUNTRY. YOU SEE, EVEN AFTER ALL OF THESE YEARS, I STILL PERCEIVE THIS COUNTRY THROUGH “IMMIGRANT’S EYES”.

THE DAMAGING FALL FROM GRACE THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS TAKEN DURING BUSH’S PRESIDENCY HAS PROFOUNDLY AFFECTED ME. THIS IS NO LONGER THE GREAT COUNTRY I JOYFULLY MOVED TO OVER TWO DECADES AGO

IT’S ONCE NOBLE FACE HAS BECOME GROSSLY DISFIGURED BY CORRUPTION, NEGLIGENCE, GREED AND NEFARIOUS DEEDS.

I BELIEVE THAT HONESTY AND TRUTH UNIVERSALLY, AS BRUTAL AS IT MAY BE SOMETIMES, IS THE ONLY PATH FOR US AS HUMAN BEINGS, US AS A COUNTRY AND ESPECIALLY YOURSELF AS PRESIDENT.

IN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH AND HONESTY I NEED TO TELL YOU THAT IF I HAD  THE PRIVILEDGE TO VOTE FOR YOU I WOULD HAVE.

I WILL ALSO SAY THAT BY MY OWN ADMISSION, MY REASONS FOR SUPPORTING YOU ARE BASIC AND FOR THE MOST PART SUPERFICIAL.

YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT BUSH (I DID NOT SUPPORT MCAIN/PALIN BECAUSE THEY WERE BUSH REINCARNATE)

I SUPPORT YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR CONSTITUTION.

I SUPPORT YOU FOR YOUR INTELLECT.

I SUPPORT YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR BIRACIAL HERITAGE.

I SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR YOUTHFUL VITALITY

I SUPPORT YOU BECAUSE YOUR ARABIC MIDDLE NAME SYMBOLIZES GOODNESS AND BEAUTY

EVEN NOT KNOWING WHO YOU ARE, THESE REASONS ARE ENOUGH TO RESTORE AN EMBER OF HOPE FOR ME AND FOR US

I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT YOUR PRESIDENCY RESUSCITATES WORLDWIDE RESPECT FOR AMERICA WHO’S STATURE HAS SUFFERED AT THE MISGUIDED HANDS OF THE BUSH LEADERSHIP AND THAT THE WORLD WILL ONCE AGAIN EMBRACE US AND OUR NEW PRESIDENT.

AS A NATION THE TIME HAS COME FOR US TO GET BACK WHAT WE ONCE WERE. WHAT WE ONCE HAD

I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOU WILL ALLOW US TO IGNITE A RENAISSANCE THAT WILL INSPIRE AND NURTURE THE DISENFRANCHISED AND THOSE THAT HAVE LOST FAITH HERE AND ABROAD.

ONLY TIME WILL TELL

OUR COMBINED ACTIONS AND EFFORTS OVER THE NEXT ONE AND HOPEFULLY TWO TERMS WILL FOREVER  LEAVE THEIR INDELIBLE MARK IN THE PAGES OF HISTORY.

ALL THIS BEING SAID AND ONLY INTO THE FIRST WEEK OF YOUR DIFFICULT PRESIDENCY, I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE PRICKLY BARBS OF DISAPPOINTMENT ARE BEGINNING TO MOUNT AGAIN, MENACING TO BURST THAT BALLOON OF HOPE THAT WAS SO PROUDLY INFLATED ONLY SEVEN SHORT DAYS AGO!

I AM REFERRING DIRECTLY TO YOUR PROPOSED STANCE ON OUR DIRE ECONOMIC SITUATION AND YOUR INTENDED INITIAL STEPS  IN SEARCH OF A REMEDY.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT MR. PRESIDENT I FEEL THAT YOUR FOCUS IS OFF TARGET. YOU SEE, I AM AN ARTIST WHO DESIGNS HOUSES, PLAYS DRUMS AND PAINTS PICTURES. THERE IS A COMMON DENOMINATOR THAT RUNS TRUE THROUGH ALL OF MY DISCIPLINES. IT IS A TRUISM THAT ALSO APPLIES TO ALL ASPECTS OF OUR EVERYDAY LIVES WHETHER YOU ARE A MUSICIAN, TRUCK DRIVER, HOUSWIFE, DOCTOR OR PRESIDENT. IT IS A TRUISM THAT AFFECTS ALL ASPECTS AND FUNCTIONS IN LIFE, WHETHER MEDICAL, ECONOMIC, PERSONAL, SPIRITUAL ETC.

IN ARCHITECTURE A BEAUTIFUL HOUSE OR ANY HOUSE CANNOT STAND WITHOUT A SOLID FOUNDATION.

IN ART, A PAINTING CANNOT BE STRONG WITHOUT A SOLID BASE LAYER OR LAYERS.

IN MUSIC, A SONG CANNOT BE STRONG WITHOUT THE SOLID FOUNDATION OF A RHYTHM SECTION.

ALL WALKS OF LIFE REQUIRE A SOLID FOUNDATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE.

WITHOUT THE FOUNDATION, THERE IS NOTHING SOLID TO BUILD UPON.

WITHOUT THAT FOUNDATION, PLANS FOR THE FUTURE ARE MEANINGLESS. THERE IS NO SOLID FOOTING FROM WHICH TO LAUNCH FUTURE ASPIRATIONS.

THIS MR PRESIDENT, I AM SAD TO SAY, YOU HAVE TRAGICALLY OMITTED FROM YOUR AMBITIOUS PLANS!

HOW CAN YOU PLAN TO STRENGTHEN THE INFRASTRUCTURE, SUPPORT EDUCATION, SPEAK ABOUT ENERGY ALTERNATIVES WHEN AMERICA’S WORKING CLASS AND MIDDLE CLASS ARE HAVING THEIR HOMES WRENCHED OUT FROM BENEATH THEM WITH MILLIONS AWAITING THE SAME FATE? IF AS YOU SAY, WE ALL HAVE TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES TO CORRECT WHAT HAS GONE WRONG, HOW CAN YOU EXPECT ANYONE TO FOCUS WHEN THEY ARE ABOUT TO OR HAVE ALREADY LOST THEIR HOMES HAVING FALLEN VICTIM TO HEARTLESS PREDATORY LENDERS?

MR. PRESIDENT, IT’S EASIER FOR YOU, YOU HAVE THE SECURITY OF A PAID FOR “WHITE HOUSE” OVER YOUR HEAD FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND HOPEFULLY LONGER!

HOW CAN YOU ASK FOR CO OPERATION FROM THE DISENFRANCHISED WITHOUT HEALTH CARE WHO CAN’T GET THE CARE THEY NEED?

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A TOOTHACHE OR MIGRAINE, OR GOD FORBID WORSE? I DON’T THINK INFRASTRUCTURE ETC. IS HIGH ON ANYONE’S LIST OF PRIORITIES WHEN THEY ARE IN PAIN OR DESPERATE BECAUSE THEY OR THEIR LOVED ONES CAN’T GET ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE!!

WHAT ABOUT THE SOON TO BE TENS OF MILLIONS WITHOUT JOBS LOST OVERSEAS TO  COUNTRIES THAT AMERICA’S WORKFORCE CAN’T COMPETE WITH?

THE WORKING AND MIDDLE CLASSES OF AMERICA ARE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES NEAR EXTINCTION DUE TO THE AGENDAS OF GREED AND AVARICE EXHIBITED BY CORPORATE AMERICA SPAWNED BY THE PREMEDITATED DERUGULATION, GLOBALISM AND NON TRANSPARENCY OF PAST ADMINISTRATIONS!

IN  OTHER WORDS THE CORPORATE BOTTOM LINE VAMPIRES HAVE BEEN GIVEN “CARTE BLANCHE” TO PROFIT IN THE ENTREPRENURIAL SPIRIT OF AMERICAN “KNOW HOW WHERE ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE” WITHOUT THE PARTICIPATION OF THE AMERICAN WORKFORCE!

HOW CAN YOU EXPECT THEM TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES TO HELP YOU WITHOUT A JOB, A HOME OR HEALTH CARE?

EASY FOR YOU TO SAY, YOU HAVE A JOB, A GREAT HOUSE AND EVEN BETTER HEALTH CARE! YOU’VE GOT PLENTY OF TIME AND SECURITY TO PLAN NOBLE DEEDS

ALL THE WHILE AS AMERICA SUFFERS, THOSE CORPORATE PERPETRATORS (PERPE-TRAITORS) WITHOUT CONSCIENCE THAT HAVE DESTROYED THE FINANCIAL LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS WALK FREE AMONGST US LIVING LUXURIOUSLY FROM ILL BEGOTTEN PROFIT. THEY HAVE NO FEAR OF RETRIBUTION!

ARE THEY ABOVE THE LAW? ARE THERE TWO AMERICAS WHO'S LAW DIFFERENTIATES BETWEEN RICH AND POOR?

WILL LIES AND DECEPTION CONTINUE TO BE THE CORPORATE STATUS QUO?

WILL THE GOVERNMENT KEEP LOOKING THE OTHER WAY?

WILL CORPORATE CRIME CONTINUE TO PAY?

EVERYTHING I HAVE TOUCHED UPON SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE NECESSITY FOR A SOLID FOUNDATION.

REVISE THE SUB PRIME DEBAUCLE SO THAT PEOPLE WHO ONLY WANTED A HOME AND NOT QUICK PROFIT CAN KEEP THEIR HOMES.

WITH STABILITY ON THE HOME FRONT, PEOPLE WILL BE MORE COMFORTABLE TO SPEND, THEREBY SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND STIMULATING THE ALL IMPORTANT “MAIN STREET” ECONOMY YOU REFERRED TO SO FREQUENTLY DURING YOUR  STUMP SPEECHES.

“TRICKLE DOWN” IS A “GOOD OLD BOY” FAILURE AND A DOWNRIGHT LIE!!

RESTORE “MAIN STREET’S” FOUNDATION FIRST..

START TAXING HEAVILY OR EVEN FINING THE CORPORATE GREEDY WHO OUTSOURCE AND SUCK THE LIFE FORCE OUT OF AMERICA’S WORKERS!

RESTORE THE PRIDE OF “MADE IN USA”, SO THAT OTHERS ONCE AGAIN LOOK UP TO US AS A MODEL. THIS COULD PERHAPS EVEN INSPIRE COUNTRIES TO “OUTSOURCE” TO THE USA!

MR PRESIDENT, REPAIR THE FOUNDATION AND MAKE IT THE BEST YOU CAN.

IF YOU DO THAT WE WILL HAVE THE PRETTIEST HOUSE ON THE BLOCK. WE WILL BE PROUD OF IT. WE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT. WE WILL MAINTAIN IT BECAUSE WE KNOW IT’S  FOUNDATION IS SOLID AND WILL BE AROUND FOR A LONG LONG TIME.

YOU DO THAT AND I GUARANTEE ANYONE WILL GLADLY CHIP IN AND ROLL UP THEIR  SLEEVES TO REPAIR THE ROOF OR THE SHUTTERS WHEN NECESSARY.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT AS NOBLE AS YOUR PLANS FOR CLEAN FUEL, ORGANIZED MEDICAL RECORDS, SMALL TAX INCENTIVES, INFRASTRUCTURE ETC. ARE, YOU NEED TO SHORE UP THE DAMAGE DONE TO YOUR FOUNDATION, IN ESSENCE YOUR FUTURE SUPPORT.

FIX THOSE LIVES DESTROYED BY GREEDY, PREDATORY MORTGAGE LENDERS.

FIX THOSE LIVES WEAKENED BY ILLNESS EXACERBATED BY LACK OF HEALTH INSURANCE.

FIX THOSE VETERAN’S LIVES WHO MADE HORRIBLE SACRIFICES ONLY TO RETURN, THEN TOSSED ASIDE LIKE CRUMPLED EMPTY COKE CANS!

FIX OUR BROKEN SPIRIT AND OUR DAMAGED WORLD STATURE BY GOING AFTER THOSE WHO KNOWINGLY BREACHED THE CONSTITUTION, LIED, PERPETRATED CRIMES, OR WERE NEGLIGENT AND OR COMPLICIT, WHETHER THEY BE HERE OR ABROAD, NO MATTER WHAT SIDE OF THE AISLE THEY COME FROM.

I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT FROM ARTIST TO PRESIDENT, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT IF YOU TEND TO YOUR FOUNDATION AND REPAIR IT, YOU WILL HAVE ALL THE SUPPORT YOU NEED FOR THE DURATION OF YOUR PRESIDENCY! PEOPLE IN COUNTRIES ABROAD WILL ADMIRE OUR BEAUTIFUL REMODELLED HOUSE, WILL RESPECT GOOD PEOPLE LIVING IN TRUE FREEDOM PROTECTED BY A TIME TESTED AND RESPECTED CONSTITUION.

ALTHOUGH NOT DRUNK WITH JOY, I DO HAVE A GLIMMER OF HOPE.

PLEASE TAKE CARE OF “WE THE PEOPLE”.

DON’T LET US DOWN LIKE THE OTHERS HAVE.

DO THE RIGHT THING!

THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION WAS A GREAT WINDFALL OF NEGATIVE FODDER FOR MY PAINTING AND SONGWRITING.

I HOPE YOUR PRESIDENCY INSPIRES MY WORK TO RETURN BACK INTO THE LIGHT!

ALL THE BEST

MARVIN KANAREK (AKA “KANAREK”)

WWW.POODIEMUSIC.COM

PS.

I HAVE ALSO ENCLOSED A SMALL GIFT FOR YOU. IT’S ALL I CAN AFFORD RIGHT NOW, I’M SURE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND. IT’S MY ALBUM. IT’S NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM. MAYBE SOME OF THE GROOVES WILL INSPIRE YOU TO MAKE THAT THREE POINTER FROM CENTRE COURT

Alan Gordon, a great human being and seminal songwriter and Jamie Cohen another great human being both passed away in the past couple of months.

They were good friends who touched many people through their humanity and talent.

Posting them here brings me solace.

If you don't know them, Google "Alan Gordon So Happy Together" and "Jamie Cohen Private Music" 

RIP 

Been continuing my new series.

Thought I would share one more of them with you. 

I've also been spending alot of time helping promote my album "2forty6". I am pleased with the progress and response. I'm now being played on about 25 internet stations,most are on the Live365 network, There are also atleast 5 FM stations that have my songs in rotation. It is gratifying that with some work I have found people who resonate with my music. It still amazes me that with the "push of a button", I am being heard internationally! Our World situation aside,what a great time this is for indie artists. Sometime in the future, when the planets of opportunity are in alignment, I will put my "touring band" together to play some clubs where the music is "working". Looking forward to that. A couple of album reviews will be out in September. Will be interesting what the critics will say. Launching this album reminded me that the most important tools any artist must have are,conviction self-confidence not to be confused with arrogance, and incredibly thick skin! Once an artist puts it out there, the critics will come. That you can count on!

all the best

peace for '08 and beyond