pianogonzology

Sunday, September 4, 2016

But . . .

. . . that was yesterday . . .

Finally, a 'club' that required exactly the musical product we, 'Ful Treatment,' were offering. It was a relatively roomy, oblong configuration with a large rectangular bar that encircled the tending staff, located at one end with a dance floor to the side and a stage at the far end of that. It was located in an industrial area to the south of the city, in close proximity to the docks, business of which brought many merchant marine and an assortment of blue-collar clientele for some weekend reverie. In fact, we frequently, unfairly generalizing, joked about the patrons' general lack of teeth and violent tendencies. Let's face it though, large amounts of quickly consumed alcohol frequently result in less-than-gentlemanly behavior in humans, irrespective of type of employment or socioeconomic level. . . Our bigotry was not based entirely in fiction though. One particularly well-lubricated Friday night crowd included two, physically imposing females, complete with the teased, bouffant hairdo, each with a personalized version of a blond-streak adornment. Someone in the crowd was heard to refer to these ladies as 'skunk-heads', referring to the aforementioned blond coloring. As the evening progressed, it became obvious to us that night that the 'skunk-heads' had become enamored with several male members of the crowd. It became more obvious still later, that there was some discontent among the party of ladies and their newly-found, romantic interests. Eventually a real, true-to-life bar brawl erupted as a result of the developing sexual tension (or was it friction?) When the fists began flying, one of the involved merchant marines picked up a chair from a table adjoining the dance floor, and broke it over the head of his antagonist, sending a wooden chair leg hurling meteor-like onto the bandstand. It seemed as though the frame froze at that point, all sound ceased, and we all stared toward the crowd, mouths agape in astonishment for what seemed to be a short eternity, but ended with Greg (our saxman/vocalist) picking up the disconnected furniture appendage, waving it in the direction of the audience saying something to the effect that he dared anyone to 'try anything NOW!' . . .

Bb Blues
live recording of Ful Treatment apprx 1977

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(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
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Saturday, September 3, 2016

Wishful . . .

. . . thinking . . .

The black coffee’s aroma hangs thick like a cloud every morning
He sorts through paisleys and patterns and stripes on the door
As he lifts up a vain little finger to stifle the blood
From a close shave in the battle of life
The late night crowd’s returning from an all night bout of drinking
While he’s all-consumed by grand delusions also known as wishful thinking

His star quality seems to escape everyone
Who would be in position to help him
Still he goes off each day in anticipation of all
Of the thrill and the joy that one feels
When he’s making interment arrangements
He’s misunderstood
A book a song a TV sitcom part you’d miss for blinking
Or a winning lotto ticket in his hand is only wishful thinking

Oh its nobody’s fault but his own
So few offers come over the phone
But he still perseveres faces up to his fears
That can cloud the intentions and bring on the tears

Still his spirits get lower each day that this program’s protracted
Moment by moment it takes all he has to go on
But he just grits his teeth charges in slings the arrows back into
The face of outrageous misguided conclusions
And even though he’ll never die a pauper or a rich king
He’s just not content to spend his time on anything but wishful thinking

Oh the groceries and the bills aren’t paid by talking or by drinking
So he just resumes the grind lacklusterly and does his wishful thinking

Wishful Thinking(excerpt)
©1993 Raymond M. Jozwiak

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My latest solo offering, No Frills, is now available at - No Frills

Friday, September 2, 2016

She . . .

. . . comes out of the night she wrote every book you've read
Fingering her pearl(s) every bead a lover dead
She wears that feathered hat ends up burning on the bed
Her freedom ring's not cheap the beast the till both must be fed

We twins sit on this leather seat this woman this man
One lives the level of her heart the other's gland's in hand
She serves that wicked brew opens minds opens eyes
Holds up the looking glass cracks to cut the shame that binds

What is is what is not is too
This emptiness inside includes
The mystery awaiting moving you
To be released and not removed

And she runs me down in my limousine
And she picks me up in my limousine
And we drive it home give our breath away
Though I'm left alone no way am I the same

The hand extends the fingers eyed they fondle urging every word
You only have what you give up fluxing in the flow
Holding on to what you want will only keep it out of reach
And lock you up inside yourself and block epiphany

Read the beat the rhythm takes and gives
The bodies dance in primal play
Forever steps alive into today
Here each word points but does not say

And she runs me down in my limousine
And she picks me up in my limousine
And we drive it home give our breath away
Though I'm left alone no way am I the same

What do you think?
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http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, No Frills, is now available at - No Frills

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Dread . . .

. . . creeps up from behind
Overshadowing my customary optimistic demeanor.
It's a surprisingly potent force
Wielding power far exceeding that possessed by mere men.
A knot in the stomach causing uneasy nights
Turns to worry and preoccupation with situations indescribeable
Yet very real and yes very possible.
But are they probable? Maybe.
And are they really bigger than me?
Fact is, they do originate with mere men.
The voice of reason from the lips of angel
Reassures me that no matter what that dark force brings
It cannot destroy what we, the angel and I,
Have built together.
So forward I go.

What do you think?
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My latest solo offering, No Frills, is now available at - No Frills

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Where . . .

. . . is How we go . . .

Waited all these nights for the day to come
Nevermore will I ever suck my thumb
Imaginary pains from my misery
Merely phantoms peopling my fantasy
I believe in everything good
I am weathering life vicissitudes

How is where we go.
Where is how we go.

Severing the strings of the puppeteer
No longer victimized by the petty fears
Swinging round the pole of infinity
Now I am “in the know”

How is where we go, where we go.
Where is how we go, how we go.
How is where we go, where we go.
Where is how we go, how we go.

Cupid hurled his dart; aim was true, hit its mark.
I know that I will never be the same.
Writes across my soul in a secret, sacred code,
Pouring cream so sweet into my tea
Chiming bells ring. See this living take wing.

My identity’s been revealed to me.
I am in accord with my mystery.
How is where we go, where we go.
Where is how we go, how we go.
How is where we go, where we go.
Where is how we go, how we go.

How Is Where We Go
OHO live at Elk Run Vineyard, August 2016

What do you think?
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http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, No Frills, is now available at - No Frills

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Bears . . .

. . . repeating. . .

(from NBCNews.com) ". . . The following are Dr. Kent Brantly's prepared remarks given at a news conference at Emory University Hospital in August 2014, provided by his charity Samaritan's Purse:

"Today is a miraculous day. I am thrilled to be alive, to be well and to be reunited with my family. . . We moved to Liberia because God called us to serve the people of Liberia. . . As I lay in my bed in Liberia for the following nine days, getting sicker and weaker each day, I prayed that God would help me to be faithful even in my illness, and I prayed that in my life or in my death, He would be glorified. . . I have learned since, that there were thousands, maybe even millions of people around the world praying for me throughout that week, and even still today. . . what I can tell you is that I serve a faithful God who answers prayers. . . God saved my life — a direct answer to thousands and thousands of prayers. . . with the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. . . Please do not stop praying for the people of Liberia and West Africa. . . I am forever thankful to God for sparing my life . . . "

Guess the Doc never thought science, nature, germs and choices had ANYTHING to do with it, or why for that matter, his God chose him over the many Liberian folks who, presumably without the thousands of 'prayers' HE received, did happen to die.

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak

My latest solo release, '2014' of original, instrumental piano music, can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Monday, August 29, 2016

Character . . .

. . . can be found anywhere . . .

(from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wooden)
". . . In the 1948–1949 season, John Wooden was hired as the fourth basketball coach in UCLA history. . . Wooden signed a three-year contract for $6,000 in the first year. . . Officials from the University of Minnesota contacted Wooden immediately after he accepted the position at UCLA, but he declined their offer because he had already given his word to UCLA. . . When Mel Taube left Purdue in 1950, Wooden's inclination was to return and finally accept the head coaching job there. He was ultimately dissuaded when UCLA officials reminded him that it was he who had insisted upon a three-year commitment during negotiations in 1948. Wooden felt that leaving UCLA prior to the expiration of his contract would be tantamount to breaking his word. . . "

What do you think?
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http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html or at
http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, No Frills, is now available at - No Frills