And today, so that it can actually be read by real people...

So my post today was unreadable in all of those colors -- I've been forceably switched to Beta Blogger and I guess I need to read up on it...right now it feels weird but I'm going to enjoy those labels, I think, especially if I pick good ones that show up on Google searches. So I figured I'd repost in easy to read white.

Anyway, here's what will have the first official Robin Slick Beta Blogger label:
Saturday 17th
Ballroom
BUY!
Adrian Belew Trio
guest TBA
$30 / $35 | 7PM doors, 8PM show | 18+ |
Come Be A Part Of The Live Recording for the upcoming Adrian Belew Trio's “Side 4” record!

In other news, I woke up to a most excellent review of Three Days in New York City and Another Bite of the Apple at Bella Magazine today - thank you so much, Karen Pruitt Fowler.

While I'm shouting out in glee, I know I mentioned it yesterday, but I'm going to be writing a regular column called "Psychotic Reaction" for N.L. Belardes' Noveltown Review and to get this magazine off the ground and available all across the universe, Nick, or N.L., needs support in the advertising department so please click on the ad sheet link when you visit the link I provided -- especially if you are a writer and want to promote your work because something tells me, with the heavy hitters involved in this project, that this is going to be HUGE and you're going to reach a large audience. Just which luminaries are featured in the first issue besides me? Brad Listi, for one (LA Times best selling author) and Susan Henderson of Lit Park fame and today, of Neil Gaiman Hair Day if you click on that link, and just so I can stop feeling like Cyrano De Bergerac, you should know that I set those two up on their first date har har...Sue knew that Neil had graciously emailed me a couple of times and asked me to forward a request for an interview to him. I was too embarrassed to tell her "Hey, we aren't that close" so I simply did what she asked -- I forwarded her email to me directly to Neil along with a little note "Hope you aren't into shooting the messenger" and now the two of them are best friends and I'm sitting here sulking.

Hahahahaha - so not true.

I also have some amazing Eric Slick news to report: Watch this space, because Eric, who already has that endorsement for Paiste Cymbals, picked up a MAJOR DRUM ENDORSEMENT YESTERDAY!!!!! And I cannot wait to spill the details on this one because it's pretty spectacular and since it will be on this company's website in a week or two, I will wait until then for the official announcement.

Finally, some sobering news which makes everything else kind of trivial, really. As you know, I'm a big rock music fan and one of my favorite websites is DGM Live. There's an update on drummer Ian Wallace via a diary being kept by Ian and his significant other, Margie.

My heart hurts for them -- I've been through it (I lost my Mom at a young age many years ago...I've already outlived her, in fact)...and well, it's a life altering experience. You realize afterwards that caring about petty bullshit or hanging out with people who do is pretty much the world's biggest waste of time.

But err...while I was over at DGM, I had a peek at what's being discussed over at their forum where I smiled when I read this:

Posted by MudShark22 on February 06, 2007

"Since the forum is abuzz with questions concerning the original double trio and all the recent K3 talk; why not "re-invent the wheel" and add the Slick Siblings for Billy B. and Trey ? Not as nostalgia, but as a way forward."


Well, that's very kind/cool of you, MudShark, and you never know...

But for now, oh my god, I don't see how it can get any better than The Adrian Belew Power Trio. Can't wait until next week! Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Side 4 Live! YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Later,
xo.

So this is what's going on...

"Eric Slick stares into the distance for the cover of Playgirl"
(Photo of Blue Eric by Dan Nitz)

(Eric, you can't be mad at me for this -- I lifted the photo and quote off your own MySpace page har har)

So today I realized that my son is now an official Paiste Cymbals endorser (even though I announced it here a few weeks ago). I know this is true because the Paiste website says so. If you click on Eric's name on the Paiste page I linked, it takes you to aforesaid Eric's MySpace page, which is only temporary because www.ericslick.com is being designed/constructed as we speak. But if you click on "S" on the Paiste artist page and look for "Slick", well, how cool is this! I especially like "See Eric in Action".

Speaking of "seeing Eric in action", I notice that now that Google's bought You Tube, you can google a person's name, hit "video", and all of the You Tubes for that person are lined up nice and neatly. If you want to check out a varied collection of Eric's assorted performances with various bands/luminaries throughout the years, click here.

Actually, I notice that's an incomplete listing, most likely because Eric's name isn't tagged so Google didn't pick it up, so for more Eric, you can visit You Tube right here and to catch some Julie and Eric with Mr. Belew, click here.

I've felt bleh over the past couple of days so I haven't been up to blogging but here's what I did manage to do:

Wrote a column on blogging, which I should have titled "Blogging: Art Form or Mental Masturbation" but I didn't think of that until after I subbed it...anyway, it's for NL Belardes new print mag, Novel Town - the debut issue of which features work by Susan Henderson, N. Frank Daniels, Brad Listi, Conrad Romo, Rich Ferguson, and Cindy Wathen. You can find appropriate links at Novel Town Review.

I also wrote two short stories - both of which I sent to print mags who thank God take online submissions -- only of course after hitting the "send" button, I'm expecting instant gratification and would like my acceptances/rejections immediately without having to check my email every five seconds.

Oh wait. I do that anyway.

So today I'm out of bed, back in the real world -- I've got a bunch of unpleasant mundane things to do/places to go in Philadelphia weather which is registering a wind chill factor of six below zero -- none of which I'm looking forward to.

But hey hey, that's life, huh.

Later,
xo

Oh, I'm screaming alright...because yeah, Robin Slick and Neil Gaiman's Fragile Things are featured at Lit Park today

Okay, yeah, I'm excited.

But first things first, and when I say that, you know I have to be talking about my kiddies. Jo, my wonderful webmistress, has made me a permanent banner for the purchase of Beat Box Guitar which will appear indefinitely at the top of this blog, and if you click on it, it will take you directly to the 123 Music Store so you can download it and hear how incredible Adrian, Julie, and Eric sound live...a total tease for the new CD to come, which, as you all know if you read this blog on even a semi-regular basis, will be recorded live on February 17, 2007 (scroll down to my prior posts for all of the details).

Secondly, my pal Lloyd was kind enough to also feature me over at his amazing website, Your Drum, and I thank him very kindly for that...he's got an awesome site for us hipster Baby Boomers and, well, note to self: Link Lloyd more often - don't just keep him to yourself! He always finds incredibly cool things to post...in fact, he reviewed an Indian Restaurant in New York City the other day which has me so excited I'll probably go to NY with my daughter in the next few weeks just to try it out.

And, finally, going with the drum theme (my son Eric the drummer, Lloyd's website named Your Drum...get it?), let's have a major drum roll please: Susan Henderson has annointed me emcee of Neil Gaiman week over at her fabulous website where I have reviewed Neil's latest and greatest collection of short stories...and well, without further ado, here's the link to Lit Park and my review of Neil Gaiman's Fragile Things!

Okay. It's only 7:30 a.m., I just woke up to all this great stuff, and I'm only on my first cup of coffee. This is way too much excitement for me so early in the morning.

Must.Go.Calm.Down.

Later,
xo

And Because He Asked Nicely...

So here is the new book cover for Another Bite of the Apple, coming to a bookstore near you sooner rather than later and I'm totally psyched...I even have the blurbs which will be on the back cover but I'll keep the authors' names a secret just in case I shouldn't be doing this:

""...I really enjoyed this story with its fast pace, its convoluted twists and turns, and the first person point of view. You’ll get to know Elizabeth and her idiosyncrasies and see just how entangled things become before they finally work themselves out."

"...Ms. Slick knows her way around words. She uses them in a way that I love to see! Thumbs up for you, Ms. Slick! Now, about my reading experience, ask me if I laughed? Yes, I did (in the public bus! Imagine that!). If my attention was solely absorbed by my reading? Oh yes! If I want more? Oh yes!"

"...Ms. Slick has created a commendable character in Elizabeth and there is no mystery to be solved and no over the top action in Another Bite of the Apple. It is just a simple life story of two people coming together and finding the answers to their life through each others eyes. Told in first person, this story shows that even though the road to personal growth is hard, all one needs is love and determination to make the journey worthwhile. If you are a mom struggling with motherhood, check out Another Bite of the Apple!"

So am I happy about this right now? Oh yeah!

Guess what else I'm happy about?


Click the banner to purchase...

The Adrian Belew Trio get a mention over at Progressive World, which basically has the same info I've been posting here on a daily basis -- all about the Side 4 Live CD which will be recorded during the trio's upcoming shows -- well, specifically at the show on February 17 at The Southgate House, a haunted mansion in Newport, KY, and the possible impending K3 tour. Nice to see this news getting picked up by different 'zines.

The cool factor in recording a live CD with Adrian Belew in a haunted mansion goes totally off the chart in my humble opinion. Eric Slick and Julie Slick are incredibly lucky, but then again, they are also incredibly talented so they deserve all of this great stuff coming their way. But I repeat: The cool factor here really rocks.

Found another blurb about my amazing son right here...authored by percussionist Bruce Baldwin:

" I tried recording the sound of turning the crank on a flour sifter as well, but it didn't work out well. I recorded the drum part when I was feeling especially inspired to play drums the day after going to see Adrian Belew here in Phoenix. I know that doesn't seem to make sense, but I was thinking of this insistent mid-tempo jam he has called "Madness." Belew's current drummer is this amazing kid named Eric Slick. I knew full well that the drum recording wouldn't turn into anything like that..."

Yeah, but Bruce, I had a listen to your music and it's pretty interesting and obviously Belew influenced so good on you!

Anyway, back to writing. I am sooo close to finally being happy with Daddy Left Me Alone with God. I can taste victory...okay, it's the glass of wine I had with lunch...but no, really, what I truly feel is relief that I worked my way through some troubling chapters and forced myself to cut out some things I liked because deep down I knew they slowed down the story and took the reader right out of it.

I recently did an interview for writer pal N.L. Belardes and he's got the "coming soon notice" up if you click on that link.

And tomorrow over at Lit Park I've dubbed myself the emcee for Sue's huge upcoming interview with Neil Gaiman - as an introduction she asked me to do a review for his latest book, Fragile Things, but said "Don't make it a typical review - see if you can make it short and funny."

Ha! Short and funny is what I do best and the mirror confirms it every day as well.

So speaking of "back to writing", that's what I'm going to do now. But before I go...

Because he asked nicely, this is for Neil Gaiman:
Penn Jillette

Later,
xo

Odds and Sods for February 1, 2007

How awesome is that photo? Thank you, Daryl.

So bleh, I'm under the weather but felt the need to come downstairs and post something anyway because I can only stay in bed for so long without getting nuts.

Here's another review of Beat Box Guitar, and this one is from drummer Neil Bettencourt:

"Adrian, Julie and Eric Slick. What a combo!! If you didn't get to see the tour, then this is a great way to get a glimpse into the quality and intensity of what they did. Eric and Julie show their mastery on this track, as does Adrian with great tones, great grooves, and imagination that goes so far!! This is fabulous stuff that any Adrian fan just has to have!! Good recording quality, and just a solid performance all around. Thumbs up!!!!"

You, too, can own a copy of Beat Box Guitar by clicking right here:



Also, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finally has the Zappa week info up on their website, but it's moot because I JUST FOUND OUT BOTH SHOWS ARE COMPLETELY SOLD OUT!!!

"FEBRUARY, 2007

14 PROJECT/OBJECT with Ike Willis Performing The Music of Frank Zappa

PROJECT/OBJECT formed in the early 1990s as an offshoot of the annual Frank Zappa birthday celebration that took place in guitarist Andre Cholmondeley's basement in New Jersey. As the event grew in size and popularity, PROJECT/OBJECT decided to take their show on the road, performing Zappa's music in more cities and in larger venues, with a growing set list from every era of Zappa's 30-year recording career. The band strives to stay true to Zappa's vision of constantly challenging musicians and their audiences. This event is free with a reservation. Please email edu@rockhall.org to RSVP. If you do not have access to email, please call 216.515.8426.

7pm

15 An evening with Adrian Belew

Highly regarded for his work with artists and bands including Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Talking Heads, Nine Inch Nails and Paul Simon, Adrian Belew is considered the guitar player’s guitarist. He is a five-time winner of Guitar Player’s best guitar player award, has been inducted into the Guitar Player’s Hall of Fame, has been honored by ASCAP and was nominated for a Grammy award. This event is free with a reservation. Please email edu@rockhall.org to RSVP. If you do not have access to email, please call 216.515.8426.

7pm"

Oh, one more thing before I crawl off back under the covers. I have finally impressed my son today in a big way because Relix Magazine, which is where all the cool kids hang out, made my blog a permanent link on their website right here.

How freaking cool am I?

Later,
xo

Got a feeling 21 is gonna be a good year...

Even though probably three years old, this is still my all time favorite photo of Julie Slick on stage

So my daughter turns 21 today.

Hard to believe...my mind is having a very difficult time wrapping around it.

What a life she's had! Traveling all around the world playing bass first as an All-Star with Rock School, then England with McRad, going to Drexel University where she'll graduate this year with a degree in Music Industry, and now her current gig with The Adrian Belew Power Trio with whom she'll spend the second half of 2007 on tour all over the universe again...and who knows what else. She's also got a bunch of bands lined up to record and is currently producing the new Sweatheart CD.

Speaking of Adrian, I received a personal email about the download of Beat Box Guitar (and if that link doesn't work because I tried something different to get you there directly, simply go to www.adrianbelew.net) featuring Adrian on guitar, Eric Slick on drums, and Julie Slick on bass, which really brought tears to my eyes:

"I purchased the down load yesterday. What a blast it is ordering a down load of Adrian with Eric and Julie. His drumming is so much his own style. Julie too. They both play with flawless execution. I really expect this level after say touring as a member of YES for 20 years, or something like that. But for them to have that "it" thing going at 19, and 21(few days), is remarkable. There are really good musicians, and then there is that unmistakable virtuosity in a musician that is so unique, that it is beyond good. Both your kids have natural talent that is really amazing. I started trying to compare Julie to Tony Levin like some people have, but she sounds nothing like him-she has her own thing. I tried to think Carl Palmer, Bill Buford, Stewart Copeland, or Bozzio for Eric, but him too. He has his own distinct sound, and he owns the drumming. Many drummers are background, and you never really care who they are. The Who without Keith Moon was never the same, although the drummers were good. Whomever Eric sits in will forever have that hole to fill, and that includes Adrian for me.

I was so excited I wanted to share my feelings with you."

Sniff. That was really a birthday gift to me, but I will pass that on to Julie.

I know I've told the story of Julie's birth before, but since I have a bunch of new readers, it's kind of worth repeating because it's a typical Robin and Gary story, so here I go, cutting and pasting from my own archives here:

"I will give you a brief synopsis of this day (ETA) twenty-one years ago. I went into labor, called my doctor, and you know, the contractions were coming pretty quickly and he said get to the hospital. It was the coldest day ever - it must have been fifty below zero, and because I'd been confined to my bed since October of that year because of all kinds of complications, I never bought a winter coat which would accommodate my pregnancy. So I wore this big old black coat with a huge beaver collar (arghhh...don't shoot me, PETA people, it wasn't mine) I'd inherited from my late mother and naturally because I hadn't been outdoors since October I had no gloves, no winter shoes, nothing available. Gary was like "No problem, Rob, we'll park in the inside lot adjacent to the hospital, you'll only be outside for a minute."

Cool, right?

Wrong.

We parked in what was the soon to be demolished indoor lot at Jefferson University Hospital in downtown Philadelphia. There were no available spots, so Gary kept driving up and up and up and up until we were like on the 17th floor of this thing and by now, the contractions are really coming hard and fast and I was starting to freak out. We get out of the car and head for the "EXIT" signs. Only one problem. Every door was locked. We then raced for a sign which said "Elevator"...only, the elevator had a sign "Out of Service". So then we tried to find stairs. Meanwhile, it may have said "indoor parking" but of course it was probably a hundred below zero in there; it was all open and we were up high in the wind...and I was in freaking agony.

We must have walked around that parking lot for a half an hour, me convinced I was going to die in there; Gary out of his mind altogether. Miraculously, we finallly stumbled on the one unmarked door that was actually unlocked and led to a staircase...only to walk down several flights to learn that the door on the ground floor was locked. Gary started pounding and screaming "SOMEBODY HELP US SOMEBODY HELP US!" At that point, we were both frozen solid and I didn't even feel the contractions anymore. Anyway, a pissed off looking attendant opened the door and said "What the hell are you two doing in here" and Gary started cursing at him about the conditions at the parking lot and I'm like "Um...I think I'm dying here" so we rushed into the emergency room and a couple of hours later, Julie made her appearance and life as we knew it would never be the same again and I swore she'd be an only child.

And six months later, I was pregnant with Eric."

Ha ha - I must have known I needed the rest of the rhythm section -- Gary plays guitar and it was jamming in our living room from the time they could hardly walk or talk that the first real Slick trio took flight. I have a couple of early recordings -- one, unbelievably enough, they recorded on tape cassette at ages 7 and 8 -- called "Red", and it's totally ironic, of course, because Red is a famous Crimson song only they'd have had no way of knowing that.

One of the famous lyrics they wrote in that song, which I will never, ever forget is:

"The cow says Moo."

Then there's a bit of silence for dramatic tension.

"It's red, too."

Oh god, here come the tears. I'm currently clutching my hand to my chest and thinking "I'm all verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves."

Ha ha - a little Linda Richman for you.

Anyway, Julie and I had our annual birthday lunch at Le Bec-Fin last week, a tradition we've upheld every year since Julie's 12th birthday in 1998, so this made it the tenth time we visited and the head waiter recognized us, knew of the occasion beforehand, and graciously treated us to a glass of champagne and a special appetizer of lobster bisque. They really get into the presentation there...we were presented with two silver domed bowls - we had a waiter on either side of us remove the domes simultaneously, and they contained chunks of what I believe were tempura fried lobster pieces. Then another waiter poured the rich soup out of a special serving pitcher on top of the lobster, ensuring the batter wouldn't get soggy.

It was truly orgasmic.

Julie then had an apptizer of Tartare de thon aux airelles canneberges et raifort
(Horseradish and cranberries tuna tartar); I had Rillettes d’aile de raie à la moutarde violette de Brive La Gaillarde (Skate wing rillettes with French purple mustard) and for entrees we both had the same thing - Filet de loup de mer, panisse et asperges sautées, sauce aigre douce émulsionnée (Sauteed black bass, panisse and asparagus, sweet and sour emulsion)

We were full beyond belief but then they went and rolled that pastry cart over to our table and you can pretty much select what you want.



Yeah, yeah, we pigged out, although believe it or not, amongst all of the gooey chocolate, Julie and I flipped out most over a dish of fresh pineapple slightly poached with basil. I'm serious. It was incredible and we plan on duplicating it here.

(Sorry Gary, sorry Eric - but trust me, you will love it and if not, oh well, more for Julie and me)

Back to music news again, Robert Fripp addresses the cancelled but still very much alive K3 tour in his diary entry of January 24, 2007. To see my son's name as "DRUMMER SLICK" in Robert's diary is more than a little bit surreal.

And I see Adrian has some outrageously cool gear on his blog today - definitely worth checking out and if you are like the members of this family, also eating your heart out over.

Finally, holy freaking cow, over on the Rolling Stone website there's an article asking readers to "Name the Show You'll Never Forget and I just scrolled down and saw at least three references to the Adrian Belew Power Trio's gig at Slim's in San Francisco in November, 2006. Oh my god. I just found that while typing this blogpost and googling the kids on another browser.

Must.Take.Deep.Breaths.And.Call.Gary.

Here's just one of the posts I found there:

"Jack Price | 1/29/2007, 5:13 pm EST

For me, hands down, The Adrian Belew Power Trio at Slim’s in San Francisco in November of 2006. Adrian is without a doubt one of the finest living guitar legends and he has a 19 year old drummer named Eric Slick and his 20 year old sister, Julie Slick on bass. They blew the roof off of Slim’s and it’s the first time that Boz Scaggs, who owns the place, stuck around for a whole show. Keep your eye out on Eric Slick. That kid is gonna be a monster."

Oy. Now I have to hit the "find" button and see what else is there. Holy crap.

Okay...that's it for now. I'm under the weather a bit today and tonight we're taking Julie out for her official 21st birthday dinner as a family - destination to be a surprise -- so I'd better recover over my shock from the Rolling Stone blog, call my husband, and take a nap.

Later,
xo

The Ain't It Cool News post (well, my version, anyway)

I love these black and white photos - this is yet another one courtesy of the fabulous Daryl Barnett taken during the west coast Adrian Belew Power Trio tour of November, 2006 tour

So I think Gary and I broke the world record yesterday for most listens to a single song - ha ha, you'll never guess which one.

Okay, so you guessed. If you haven't downloaded Beat Box Guitar for yourself yet, you are missing out on something quite awesome - click here and then click on "Store Belew".

Every time Gary and I listened to it, we heard something new -- just amazing guitar work by Adrian, making that instrument sound otherworldy, drumming by Eric that puts him into a whole new category of Class A drummers (hey, that's Paiste cymbal's words for him when they gave him the endorsement), and Julie...holy cow...I know she's my daughter and a great bassist but I've never heard her jam like that in my life.

The first review is in, and it goes something like this:

"Wow, it's great to hear the Trio in the comfort zone, able to wander off into unfamiliar territory. It shows that the unit is coming together as one after many days on the road. As always, it amazes me how Adrian dials into so many different tones and sounds with ease."

And regarding Adrian's recent news via his blog, I found the following, which really made me smile, over on the DGM Live Forum Board:

"The Ultimate Triple Bill... ?
Posted by jbricker on January 27, 2007

Raise your hand if you’re interested in this show:

First: ProjeKct 6

Next: Tony Levin Band

Followed by: Adrian Belew Power Trio

Encore: K3, which is Robert, Adrian, Tony +Eric Slick from ABPT.

Get thee to www.elephant-blog.blogspot.com for more info."

And..

"K3
Posted by dsdyte on January 27, 2007

"An encore of Robert, Tony, Adrian (The 3 kings of crimson) and Eric Slick playing a half dozen Crimson classics"

I don’t suppose we can vote on which classics they play?

I will be checking and rechecking and rerechecking the net every day between now and the moment I have tickets in my hand..."

And over at Krimson-News:

"‘K3′ and the Adrian Belew Power Trio

And just what might K3 be?

Adrian recently posted up on his new blog that it would be a project involving ProjeKct 6 opening for the Tony Levin Band followed by the Adrian Belew Power Trio, followed by an encore of Robert, Adrian, Tony, and Eric Slick playing some King Crimson classics. In my eyes this seems sort of like H.O.R.D.E. reinvented for KC fans, and certainly not to be missed!

Apparantly K3 was originally intended to roll out this March, however, it looks like it will be sometime after June but no dates have been released yet. I don’t care what it takes, I’m going to one of those shows!

But there is a more immediate Adrian Belew Power Trio show mentioned, and a very fun one at that! There are two dates currently on the schedule for the Adrian Belew Power Trio: February, the 15th and the 17th. The 15th will be in Cleveland, Ohio at the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame. The 17th looks like the winner to me though as that show will be used to make a live record, (Side 4). That show is set to be at the Southgate House in Newport, Kentucky. I already have some shoes ready for the foot stomping time that will be!

If that wasn’t enough Rhino King news for you, don’t forget that today at some point they are scheduled to release the redesign of the Official Adrian Belew website, so be sure to ping them every once in a while to see if they’ve updated!"

And my pal Andrew Greenaway mentions the upcoming Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gigs on his website as follows:

"...FZ will be saluted next month by Red (an orchestra), Ike Willis, Adrian Belew, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. The festivities culminate on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 February with a pair of The Importance of Being Zappa concerts by Red at the Masonic Auditorium, 3615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Both shows will feature the same programme, including Dog Breath Variations/Uncle Meat, Be-Bop Tango, Naval Aviation in Art? and G-Spot Tornado, as well as works by Stravinsky, Varese and Webern. Prior to this (on 14 February), Ike reminisces about his years with Frank and performs with Project/Object; then on 15 February, Adrian Belew gives a talk and performance. Lucky Eric Slick will be playing drums with both P/O and Ade."

Yep, Eric is lucky, alright - but he's also very talented and that, along with luck, has everything to do with it. For an interesting perspective on the art world and luck, read this. I love a lot of the comments - for the most part, they really made me think about certain things/events in a different light.
*****
So now that I've become a huge graphic novel freak, having devoured The Absolute Sandman (and I have one other thing to say about that: Thank you, Neil Gaiman. Seriously. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Susan and I are still not completely recovered. We feel so...special. And I'd be ordering those sushi pillows as we speak but I suspect everyone in the universe has already done so and you know, that kind of makes them lose the coolness factor...although, now that I think about it, the only people who would order them are fellow cool people since they are readers of your blog and mine so okay, I'm ordering, I'm ordering). But anyway, since becoming a graphic novel fan, I've been checking into other writers and artists in that genre and this morning, I'd like you to meet my latest hero, Stephen Bissette, who had this to say about Dubya's recent State of the Union address:

"The most impatient President of my lifetime -- the man who couldn't wait for UN Weapons inspections, who couldn't wait for the United Nations or for "Old Europe" to catch up to his war-mongering faux-cowboy ("Texan," my ass; born and raised Connecticut, this man was) ways, who publicly mocked a born-again Christian who was on Death Row (imitating her born-again statements like he was some spoiled school brat, though we're all supposed to roll with his born-again piety and changed-ways from his wayward youth -- ah, adulthood) -- asked for patience last night.

He's asking for patience, and time for his new strategy to work.

Patience for his so-called "new strategy," which is just an escalation of the failed old one...."

God I love this post. Is it 2008 yet? I'm convinced the only reason impeachment proceedings again Dubya haven't begun months and months ago can be summed up in one word: C H E N E Y.

Click here to read the rest of the article on his blog and learn more about the amazing Stephen.

Okay, and while I'm talking about writers/writing...

Hey, did you know I have my own corner of Cafe Press and you can buy coffee cups, tote bags, etc. emblazoned with my book covers? Ha ha, since my book covers are going to replaced by new and exciting ones over the next couple of weeks (Borders told my publisher that didn't care for the white backgrounds and can you believe they wanted it corrected before stocking them on their shelves?), the items available at Cafe Press will be collectors' items. (Giggling at the very thought, but still). Anyway, if you are interested in having a look or buying something, here's the link.

And also, for the first time ever (I think), over at Publishers Marketplace, my web page was second most visited this week. Uh-oh. I just checked again when I went to retrieve the link and I'm now at #7. Ha ha - do my poor ego a favor and click me back up to the top, okay?

Just kidding, just kidding.

And in case you are wondering, I am still on pins and needles, waiting to hear from various editors, magazines, etc. as concerns my recent submissions tear (oh Tin House, where art thou? Surely I fit the guidelines for your Evil Issue har har) but in the meantime, I can return the favor by asking YOU, hopefully fellow writers and writer wannabes, to submit to the anthology I'm editing...and this will be out in print by December, 2007 so you will have "instant gratification" (those of you in writing world know that it usually takes between one and two years for a book to be published once your work is accepted)...anyway, for submission guidelines, click here, but basically, here's what I'm looking for:

"39 AND HOLDING...HIM: STORIES OF SEX OVER 40

NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS for a literally and figuratively steamy erotic romance anthology for Phaze.

TITLE: 39 and Holding...Him - Stories of Sex Over 40
EDITOR: Robin Slick
TENTATIVE RELEASE DATE: October 1, 2007 (eBook), December, 2007 (print)
SUBMISSIONS DUE: August 1, 2007
NO SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS FOR THIS ANTHOLOGY PLEASE!

Authors don't necessarily have to be over 40 to submit, the only requisites for this anthology are that:

1) All stories must be primarily heterosexual (my publisher's request)

2) All heroes/heroines must be portrayed as 40 and over (and everybody involved must be of legal age, of course)

All sub-genres will be considered for this anthology: interracial, BBW, comtemporary, romantic comedy, historical, etc. Show us that love and passion are timeless.

STORY LENGTH: We're looking anywhere from 5K-15K. Please visit the Phaze website for formatting guidelines, and when you're ready send your submissions to: submissions@phaze.com with OVER 40 STORY SUBMISSION in the subject header. Reprints will be considered if you have complete control of the rights.

Accepted stories will receive the standard Phaze contract for multi-author anthologies, for a share of royalties."
*****
Okay, that's enough blabbing out of me. Now I need to work on about a million things -- editing for Phaze; two columns for two separate print mags, my novel (yeah, yeah, the new novel remains a work in progress...I really do suspect I'll still be editing it even after it's been published)...and oh god, I have wash sitting in the machine since yesterday which I forgot to put in the dryer...meaning, unless I want everyone around here smelling like Dubya's armpits/breath, I'd better throw in some more laundry detergent and do a rewash.

Oh, one final thing. I know I owe a million people responses to their emails -- I haven't even commented back on the remarks made on this blog which is very unlike me...but I've been swamped and well, busy listening to Beat Box Guitar every twelve minutes...but I promise, I will get back to all of you within the next few days. Okay? Okay!

Later,
xo

Yes!

Another groovy Gary Slick photo of the Adrian Belew Power Trio, November, 2006

Adrian Belew's new, improved website is live!

Man, it's a beautiful thing to see. And the background artwork is also by the incredibly talented Ade. Note to self: I want one of his paintings!

And...you can purchase a download of an eleven minute version of his Grammy nominated, amazing song, Beat Box Guitar, featuring my son Eric Slick on drums and daughter Julie Slick, celebrating her 21st birthday this coming Tuesday, on bass, on his website right here! Well, wait, actually, I just tried that link and it doesn't take you directly there but it's a no brainer - just click on "Store Belew" and you'll see the download section.

Think I'm a little bit excited? Ha ha - I've just listened to it three times. It's freaking spectacular!

Oh, and there's finally an article about the shows at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in February, and as I've mentioned, Eric will be doing double duty on the drums, playing with Project Object on February 14 and with Julie and Adrian as the Adrian Belew Power Trio on February 15. Here's the link.

There's lots more to talk about but it's 1:15 a.m. and I'm whipped.

Later,
xo

So remember I was telling you I was sitting on big news?

Eric Slick with Paul and Tyler from California Guitar Trio at NAMM - Eric is wearing nerd glasses he doesn't even need purchased from the dollar store but you know, he's the man, what can I tell you.

Ha ha - remember how I kept saying I had major news but had to keep my lips zipped. Well, now I apparently can talk a bit about what's going on...and this is what you call Cross-Bloggination:

From Adrian Belew's new blog:

"hoots and shouts!

great news...the Adrian Belew Power Trio will be playing on the 15th of February in Cleveland at the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame. then on friday night at Canal Street, a cozy club in Dayton, Ohio. after that,
get ready to have your best hoots and shouts put on a live record!
The AB Power Trio is making side 4 the live record at the Southgate House in Newport, Kentucky on February 17th. this promises to be an awesome show for posterity and I'm hoping to see every greater cincinnatian I've ever known in the audience.
somebody bring me some Skyline! this is what I live for.

Posted by adrian belew at 1:06 PM

Cuddlefish or chameleon, you decide.

those of you visiting this site know by now of my propensity to change colors often. and so it is again. I had plans for touring march with something Robert Fripp (forever hereafter known as robert) calls K3. which would involve ProjeKct 6 (me and robert) as the opening act for the Tony Levin Band, followed by the Adrian Belew Power Trio, followed by an encore of robert, tony, adrian (the 3 kings of crimson) and eric slick playing a half dozen crimson classics.
that was the plan, but this is the music business and rarely do things acquiesce to our wishes.
as it turns out K3 will have to wait until the fall. this combined with the need for julie slick to finish out her semester until june caused a New and Improved! plan to be devised. the AB Power Trio will be bach (to quote the governator) post-june. meanwhile...

Lions and Tigers and...

you got it, Bears. who are nearing the finished line on our next as-yet-untitled effort, which we think may be our finest. we plan to have our record available by the last of march in time for a BEARS TOUR sometime through april-may. our agent Joshua Knight has already begun therapy in preparation for the big event. where would we like to play? well, everywhere there are people stupid enough to, no wait, that's not it. let's just leave it at everywhere. so start telling all your stupi, er, all your friends The Bears are coming. you never know, it could be our last tour ever, so let's pretend it is. it will take a few weeks before the dots (pun intended) start to connect (or else Joshua throws some darts at a map and that becomes the tour). but I will blog you to death when I know more."

*********

So now you know one of the reasons I've been so excited. Oh.My.God. My kids are going to record a CD with Adrian Belew on February 17 live at The Southgate House in Cincinatti. And K3 in the fall. Julie and Eric Slick with Adrian Belew, Robert Fripp, and Tony Levin. Excuse me while I go hyperventilate.

More tomorrow.

Later,
xo

Whilst I wait...

Another fab photo taken by Gary Slick of the Adrian Belew Power Trio (Julie's there, she's just hiding) in California, November, 2006

So whilst I wait to post some pretty major cool news -- and because I'm a Brit wannabe and I've always wanted to use the word "whilst" -- I figured I'd post a few blurbs, anyway.

Oh, what am I waiting for? Well, in writing world, I went on a submissions tear and sent off short stories to a whole bunch of pubs, the most prestigious of which is Tin House but I'm not holding out hope because two of my favorite writer pals subbed for that same issue (The Evil Issue) and received their rejections already, and since they are much, much more literary writers than I am, I can only assume my story has been used as toilet paper over at Tin House central and I won't be hearing anything at all. But I'm a dreamer and nonetheless have that glimmer of hope because my said rejection has still not arrived...

That being said, I'm sure it will come in the mail today.

Eric and Julie have had a few cool projects lately and we'll see how that goes...all I know is, they are busy, busy, busy and Eric is jamming with some pretty interesting people this week so he can fill in some holes and stay "in shape" while the Adrian Belew Power Trio is on hiatus until mid-February.

Speaking of Adrian -- he's entered blogland! Here's a direct link to his on line diary, aptly named Elephant-Blog, and okay, okay, I'm thrilled because he's listed his first two links on said blog, -- one is DGM Live and the other one is mine! Yay!

And oh man, try not to salivate too much over the guitar Ade has up on his blog -- it's the one which will be for sale on eBay today used during the Laurie Anderson sessions. Arghh....I want it!

I also couldn't help but notice Ade has the following on his website as of last night:

"LIVE BEAT BOX GUITAR DOWNLOAD COMING IN A MATTER OF HOURS
A live 11:08 recording of Beat Box Guitar by the Adrian Belew Power Trio will be available for download soon. This version was recorded at the Triple Door in Seattle Washington on November 14, 2006 and has been mixed at StudioBelew. After we have tested the store thoroughly, we hope to add some Dust particles to it. Stay close!"

Oh, I'm staying close, I'm definitely staying close! I cannot wait! I actually have the DVD from that show courtesy of a lovely fan, and to say that version of Beat Box Guitar is spine tingling awesome would be putting it mildly.

It will be fun to see if Adrian keeps up the blog -- I can tell you from personal experience it's pretty time-consuming but also very addictive. I really look forward to seeing how it all pans out.

So have you noticed lately that this world is getting crazier and crazier?

This happened right around the corner from where I live. I think I may be having heart failure. If it wasn't so close to home, it'd make a great short story:

Growing Concerns After Latest Foot Fetish Assault
Same Suspect May Be Responsible For Seven Attacks

"A sexual assault suspect with a love of feet may have struck for a seventh time. Police said a woman was attacked by the armed foot fetishist in the Fairmount section of the city Sunday morning.

Authorities said a 33-year-old woman took a cab to...on her way home from a night out with friends around 3:35 a.m.

Police said the suspect approached the victim, put a gun to the victim’s head and led her to ..., where she was told to remove her shoes. For some unknown reason, the suspect became frightened and fled the scene after taking $40 from the victim.

The incident disturbed many residents in the Fairmount neighborhood.

"It's just creepy that my husband and I got home from dinner last night and parked just feet from where that happened," said neighbor xxx.

Some in the neighborhood had a more light hearted opinion of the strange suspect.

“Better a foot fetishist than something else, I mean, the gun is really scary though,” said resident xxx.

Investigators are trying to determine if the suspect is the same man responsible for six similar attacks throughout Philadelphia since November 21 of last year.

Police said the first victim was a 21-year-old woman was taken at gunpoint, fondled and robbed on the 3200 block of South Street.

Dr. Ralph Taylor, a Criminal Justice professor at Temple University, said he is concerned the suspect will get more aggressive.

"Armed robbers are dangerous people and the research shows that one of the things that armed robbers like is freaking people out and taking control of the situation and making people really scared,” he said.

If you have any information on this incident, contact Philadelphia Police"

Great. Something new to worry about. A deranged thief in the neighborhood who wants to smell and fondle feet.

Okay, back to talking about positive stuff again -- Eric came home from LA last night exhausted but extremely happy. NAMM was an incredible success for him; in addition to now having the Paiste cymbal endorsement he also may have picked up a drumstick endorsement; he hung out with all kinds of celebrities, went to the Guitar Player Magazine cocktail party...and Marco Minnemann actually did an "I'm not worthy" bow when Eric was introduced to him as Adrian's drummer. Wow.

And have I mentioned my beautiful daughter will be turning twenty-one in a few days? In celebration thereof, and it will be a week long celebration as usual, we are having our annual lunch at Le Bec Fin later this week. This has been our tradition since Julie turned twelve years old; we've never missed a year since. I was kidding her that this time we'd order a bottle of wine with lunch since she's now legal, but um, Le Bec Fin marks up their wine by 500%. I'm sorry, I'm not paying $50.00 a glass for swill.

But...we'll see. I mean, how often does a person turn 21? Then of course we're going out to dinner a few days later with the entire family at an outstanding restaurant which is a surprise to Ms. Julie so I'll discuss it here after it happens; she's got a romantic night out with just her boyfriend the following evening...ah, life is good and I know I've said it before but I'll say it again -- in my next life, I'm coming back as my kids.

In this one, Gary and I will settle for being their tour manager/publicists. Ha!

Okay, time to get this day started. I'm writing up a storm again. Whee!!!!!

Later,
xo