Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Recap . . .

. . . or retread (on the former occupant of the White House)

(from https://www.mankatofreepress.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/my-view-trump-may-be-first-to-be-indicted/article_5aa84ba6-8d77-11eb-8f05-072a3eb7b06b.html)
". . . (1) Attorney General Karl Racine has opened a criminal investigation into Trump’s actions on Jan. 6, when his supporters sacked the Capitol to try to stop Congress from certifying Biden’s win. . . 
(2) Cyrus Vance Jr., the Manhattan District Attorney, is investigating potential tax crimes, insurance fraud and other financial crimes under state law. . . 
(3) There are two investigations in Georgia, one where Trump pressured Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) to “find” enough votes to let him win. . . 
(4) At the same time, Leticia James, the New York attorney general, is conducting a civil investigation of the Trump organization’s alleged fraudulent real estate practices. . .
(5) In addition, two Democratic congressmen and the NAACP have filed lawsuits over the insurrection under the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 which bars violent interference in Congress’s constitutional duties. . .
(6) Trump’s niece, Dr. Mary Trump, has filed a lawsuit alleging he cheated her out of part of her inheritance. . . 
(7) Trump is also fighting lawsuits by E. Jean Carroll and Summer Zervos, who allege that Trump sexually assaulted them and then defamed them when they called him out. . . 
(8) He is also accused of paying hush money to two other women, Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. . . 
(9) Twenty-four other women have accused Trump of sexual assault or harassment (https://twitter.com/postcards4USA/status/1317560278100463616/photo/1). . . 
(10) He is also facing fraud charges with respect to a hotel in Panama, another hotel in Chicago, and misuse of 2017 inauguration funds. . . 
(11) The AP has suggested that his Seven Springs country mansion may be one of his biggest problems. He has claimed tax deductions for a conservation easement that exceeds the value of the estate by more than double the cost. . . 
(12) Trump is reportedly personally responsible for repaying $300 million in loans over the next four years, according to a New York Times analysis of his tax records. . . 
(13) He has also issued a statement ordering the GOP to stop using his image and name to raise money; He wants it all to come to him, which could leave the Republican National Committee strapped for cash and affect some individual campaigns. . .
(14) Attorneys have sent cease-and-desist letters to GOP committees demanding they stop using his name in fundraising appeals, but the RNC has rejected the order.



What do you think? Tell me at
https://rayjozwiak.com/contact


Other Ray Jozwiak Offerings





              Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak



Visit Ray Jozwiak at: Website - https://rayjozwiak.com

Visit OHO at: Website - http://www.ohomusic.com


Subscribe to:
Ray Jozwiak's You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/RayJozwiak
Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddYvAMASspamahkMS5XKuw
OHO Music You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/ohomusic






Monday, April 5, 2021

Fire . . .


 (from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/30/opinion/biden-stimulus-infrastructure.html)
". . . Michael Gerson, the former George W. Bush speechwriter and now columnist for The Washington Post . . . (wrote) “One of the United States’ venerable, powerful political parties has been overtaken by people who make resentment against outsiders the central element of their appeal. … Elected Republicans who are not bigots are generally cowards in the face of bigotry. And that is a shocking, horrible thing.” . . . The key to winning that fight is for Joe Biden to succeed well enough and long enough for this antidemocratic Trump version of the G.O.P. to flame out and be replaced by a new, principled, center-right Republican Party . . . (by ensuring). . .  the success of Biden’s two gigantic spending bills and deal a knockout blow to this pathetic dumpster fire called the Trump G.O.P. That would be a gift to both liberals and principled conservatives — and to Lady Liberty. . ."



What do you think? Tell me at
https://rayjozwiak.com/contact


Other Ray Jozwiak Offerings
     

                         2014


Visit Ray Jozwiak at: Website - https://rayjozwiak.com

Visit OHO at: Website - http://www.ohomusic.com


Subscribe to:
Ray Jozwiak's You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/RayJozwiak
Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddYvAMASspamahkMS5XKuw
OHO Music You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/ohomusic






Sunday, April 4, 2021

One . . .

. . . thing


Everything really is negotiable,
Though your initial look may betray.
So big and frightening they may appear.
Your dedication and intellect take the day.

There's one thing you have to remember,
You mean so much to me.
That's one certainty.
When concerns become burdens
Please know I'm the one you need to see.
I will always be available,
No matter how far life removes you from me.

There's no necessity for extreme bravery.
All your good qualities I admire.
There's no embarrassment and there's no shame
If you accept someone's helping hand when you tire.

Any other time,
Any other place,
Nothing between us will be any different.
You don't have to hide
Feelings deep inside.
I'm here to help you so please let me try.

You may not understand.
You may not care.
I know you'll realize what's to bear.
I always felt that my responsibility
Is to make sure you find happiness anywhere.




What do you think? Tell me at
https://rayjozwiak.com/contact


Other Ray Jozwiak Offerings





              Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak



Visit Ray Jozwiak at: Website - https://rayjozwiak.com

Visit OHO at: Website - http://www.ohomusic.com


Subscribe to:
Ray Jozwiak's You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/RayJozwiak
Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddYvAMASspamahkMS5XKuw
OHO Music You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/ohomusic




Saturday, April 3, 2021

Again . . .

. . . an opportunity to hear some current work from the guys in OHO, this one entitled 'The Hours'. The concept of hours, days, years; or time in general has been the topic of countless songs and other entertainment vehicles.  As we mature, we tend to appreciate the value of what used to be called 'quality time', which I employ to mean time applied to a substantial activities that result in something positive. When you accept the fact that your time is finite, you tend to want to make every bit of it count. 

". . . party's only what you make it. Make it into the BEST you can . . . "






What do you think? Tell me at
https://rayjozwiak.com/contact


Other Ray Jozwiak Offerings
     

                         2014


Visit Ray Jozwiak at: Website - https://rayjozwiak.com

Visit OHO at: Website - http://www.ohomusic.com


Subscribe to:
Ray Jozwiak's You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/RayJozwiak
Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddYvAMASspamahkMS5XKuw
OHO Music You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/ohomusic




Friday, April 2, 2021

Credit . . .

 

. . . where credit is due

Seems there are more and more You Tube videos of bands playing cover versions of older music. They're playing it very well. The technical quality of both audio and video is impeccable. It sounds damned good. But they're playing it just like the record (like the original recording). Sometimes the arrangement, instrumentation and vocal is exactly like the record. If you close your eyes, you might think you're listening to the original. BUT IT'S NOT! 

Essentially, it's 'Full-Body Karaoke.' Right? After I've heard several of these, I get a yen for the original. Let's face it, with digital remastering the original comes very close to the young, new cover version on a technical basis. Why go to all the trouble?

I only ask the question, and this is my rant for today. But as an original musician, who (maybe, just sometimes) feels under-appreciated and under-supported, I cringe at the number of highly-recommended cover music videos presented to me. 

Make no mistake, I completely appreciate any and all musical efforts. I am a firm believer that MUSIC IS MAGIC. The talent, skill, time and financial investment in these videos is, I'm sure, substantial. Kudos. But on a purely personal level, I prefer an original composition, original approach to a genre or a blend of multiple genres, because there really is no limit to the twists and turns an original artist can employ to create something new and possibly different.  

That's what I'm talkin' about.



What do you think? Tell me at
https://rayjozwiak.com/contact

Other Ray Jozwiak Offerings
                                                          
















Visit Ray Jozwiak at: Website - https://rayjozwiak.com

Visit OHO at: Website - http://www.ohomusic.com


Subscribe to:
Ray Jozwiak's You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/RayJozwiak
Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddYvAMASspamahkMS5XKuw
OHO Music You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/ohomusic




Thursday, April 1, 2021

Tribalism . . .

 


Mother always told us it's not nice to hate.
She'd been practicing that golden rule for years.
If we'd only treat each other how we want to be ourselves
God will love us.

When I first met you I was quite impressed.
So much more than pretty face among the crowd.
And it didn't happen overnight but the curtain slowly fell
And the colors of your rainbow were revealed.

You are the tribis hippocriticus.
We don't like you,
Just trying to be honest.

From your position of authority on that lofty height.
You looked down, and not across, our great divide.
With a smile upon your face and hands placed firmly on controls,
The truth is evident and there for all to see.

'Cause that's the way we all should be.
We're not islands. 
We're not stones.
And just what will it take
To make you see this truth?

Let me make it so crystal clear just how strongly that I feel 
'Bout the way you take advantage for yourself.
If you took the power devoted to your cold conniving ways
And you simply turned it totally around.




What do you think? Tell me at
https://rayjozwiak.com/contact


Other Ray Jozwiak Offerings




Visit Ray Jozwiak at: Website - https://rayjozwiak.com

Visit OHO at: Website - http://www.ohomusic.com


Subscribe to:
Ray Jozwiak's You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/RayJozwiak
Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddYvAMASspamahkMS5XKuw
OHO Music You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/ohomusic




Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Iteration . . .


 . . . One more iteration related of the song "Eye", or more specifically of the song as a basis for improvisation. I always like to try to attempt a take on the acoustic piano, my Kawai baby grand. That's what I've posted here with some manipulation of volumes to enhance the previous arrangement featuring various instruments on the breaks between verses.  

I may just be finished with this one . . . for now.




What do you think? Tell me at
https://rayjozwiak.com/contact


Other Ray Jozwiak Offerings




Visit Ray Jozwiak at: Website - https://rayjozwiak.com

Visit OHO at: Website - http://www.ohomusic.com


Subscribe to:
Ray Jozwiak's You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/RayJozwiak
Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddYvAMASspamahkMS5XKuw
OHO Music You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/ohomusic