Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 12/26/2007 - 23:17.
Adam,
I was completely floored and depressed to hear about Joel last Tuesday. It made me about as sad as I've ever felt, and the only thing to do was put on my ipod and listen to Rahsaan's Bright Moments a little too loud.
I consider myself very fortunate to have intercepted some of the crank calls your dad would be making to my dad all throughout my childhood. As the little boy trained to answer the phone, I was subjected to an infinitely diverse cast of incomprehensible characters and put-ons. But then he would drop the act and converse with me as an old friend--never a hint of a put-on once he got real.
A few years ago I got to spend some time with him at the 32 Jazz offices. I'll never forget his office: no desk, no computer, just a couple of chairs, a phone, and piles and piles of cds, papers, books. The most casual office I've ever seen--but not because it was messy (which it was). It was casual because sitting there with him there was nothing between you--no desk, no pretense, no nothing.
He left us too soon, but he also left so much behind--he'll never really leave us. His wit, his wonderful deep vocal tone (my personal nomination for 'best radio voice ever'), and his warmth stay with me. And of course his impact on the music is everlasting and unmistakably Joel. All I have to do is sit back with "The Case of the 3-sided Dream" or "The Doctor is In... And Out!" and hear his personality meshing perfectly with Rahsaan or Yusef to create such odd beautiful classic jazz funkiness.
I still remember him telling me the story about the fourth side of "3-Sided Dream" vinyl which is mostly blank. "The accountants went nuts!" Pure Joel. Artistry and Marx Brothers-style mischief in perfect harmony. I've tried to help carry the torch for Rah for years--ever since my dad gave me "Does Your House have Lions" to play on my radio show in college. I'll continue to carry it high--and knowing for sure that's what Joel would have wanted.
My father told me that he felt Joel and I had a "mutual admiration society". It's a big complement, it's the highest society in my book, and it lives on in me. It happened to be my dad's birthday Last tuesday, and we raised a glass to Joel over dinner, where mom, dad, and I made three, sitting at a table for four. Joel was sitting in for Elijah in the fourth chair as far as I'm concerned.
All my love, and deepest most hearfelt condolences to you and your family.
a beautiful human being
Adam,
I was completely floored and depressed to hear about Joel last Tuesday. It made me about as sad as I've ever felt, and the only thing to do was put on my ipod and listen to Rahsaan's Bright Moments a little too loud.
I consider myself very fortunate to have intercepted some of the crank calls your dad would be making to my dad all throughout my childhood. As the little boy trained to answer the phone, I was subjected to an infinitely diverse cast of incomprehensible characters and put-ons. But then he would drop the act and converse with me as an old friend--never a hint of a put-on once he got real.
A few years ago I got to spend some time with him at the 32 Jazz offices. I'll never forget his office: no desk, no computer, just a couple of chairs, a phone, and piles and piles of cds, papers, books. The most casual office I've ever seen--but not because it was messy (which it was). It was casual because sitting there with him there was nothing between you--no desk, no pretense, no nothing.
He left us too soon, but he also left so much behind--he'll never really leave us. His wit, his wonderful deep vocal tone (my personal nomination for 'best radio voice ever'), and his warmth stay with me. And of course his impact on the music is everlasting and unmistakably Joel. All I have to do is sit back with "The Case of the 3-sided Dream" or "The Doctor is In... And Out!" and hear his personality meshing perfectly with Rahsaan or Yusef to create such odd beautiful classic jazz funkiness.
I still remember him telling me the story about the fourth side of "3-Sided Dream" vinyl which is mostly blank. "The accountants went nuts!" Pure Joel. Artistry and Marx Brothers-style mischief in perfect harmony. I've tried to help carry the torch for Rah for years--ever since my dad gave me "Does Your House have Lions" to play on my radio show in college. I'll continue to carry it high--and knowing for sure that's what Joel would have wanted.
My father told me that he felt Joel and I had a "mutual admiration society". It's a big complement, it's the highest society in my book, and it lives on in me. It happened to be my dad's birthday Last tuesday, and we raised a glass to Joel over dinner, where mom, dad, and I made three, sitting at a table for four. Joel was sitting in for Elijah in the fourth chair as far as I'm concerned.
All my love, and deepest most hearfelt condolences to you and your family.
Fitz Gitler