Yo. Not to bust your chops, but wasn't Henry Miller first published by SCIART and
found-poetry pioneer Bern Porter? This has always been my impression, but if
you've evidence to the contrary, I'd be delighted to hear about it!
Dear Mr. Ralph R. Doister,
My name is Kylie Opelt. I was reading your website when I came across
the story about Aurturo Toscanini. He is a relative of mine, my great great
great great great grandfather. I learned this just recently and am
interested in finding out everything I can about him. I was wondering if
that story is true? If so, do you have any more information about it? If
not, do you know where it might have come from? Any ideas where I might find
more information about him?
Thank you your help.
Kylie Opelt
Kyliejoy@aol.com
Sick bastard. You wouldn't be laughing if YOU were anorexic like me.
<I recently read your review of Richie Haven's biography, the one that you submitted to Salon in September [reprinted in RALPH Issue #ZB.]
While I agree that Mr. Havens' book did not show much in the command of the writing craft, and maybe left out his in-depth philosophies on a few people or ideas that crossed his path, I feel that your attack on him as a person was disgusting.
By reducing Mr. Havens' career to little more than a publicity stunt, and by calling him a bad songwriter and an ignorant storyteller, you have done a great injustice to this human being. As a fellow journalist and acquaintence of Mr. Havens, I believe that he is one of the most genuine people I have ever met in my life.
Of course he gets to make the records he wants, and of course he likes to publicize his success, but it is all in the name of communicating positive social and political ideals to the world, certainly not money. Havens got rich by doing what he loves, and touched many people in the process. Would you pass up the chance to get rich doing what you love? And like Mr Havens, would you contribute so much of your time to social and political causes, the true essence of what music, as a medium, should help to create awareness of?
My take on Mr. Havens is that of a pure artist and humanitarian, one who sings and writes of things that matter. His intent is genuine. Mr Havens' lack of top writing credentials certainly does not make him a bad person.
You have taken on the role of a disillusioned cynic, and I don't know why, of all people, Richie Havens made you feel this way.
Perhaps you could enlighten me.
Keith D. Jones,
Baltimore MD
It's false advertising to pretend that They Can't Hide Us Anymore is an autobiography. It's a puff piece. If Havens wants to tell us his story, let him do so. If he wants to have us buy an extended commercial for Richie Havens --- let him call it something like I Can Still Hide Me (So Poo on You). Having written such a book doesn't make him stupid, or mean. It just makes him craven.
(A Wonderful Story)
During the following week's broadcast, Toscanini interrupted his program to say, I'd like to address the gentleman who wrote me from Montana recently. Here sir is the note of A. That night millions of people heard the note sounded in New York City vibrate across America to a small cabin in Montana where the old shepherd, sitting by his radio, couldn't refrain from fiddling with himself long enough to reach for the violin next to him. He spent the rest of that winter humming along to the sound of salt settling in its shaker.
--- Charles Wing Krafft
Go to the
CRICKET
page from whence this story comes.