not a drop of rain
welcome, summer 2020, creeping in after the languishing months of our new, slowed-down world. the arrival feels like a slow glide into a pool of cool water instead of the usual splash into the ocean. i wonder if i’m paying more attention to time, or less... a book and a hammock seem productive in our alternate reality; a seizure of life’s vitality rather than a retreat from it. and i really don’t want the old normal to return- at least not until summer’s over.
robert earl keen wrote a masterpiece called “not a drop of rain,” an emotion-soaked march through summer that should be required reading for all students of the heart before life’s graduation. it is the quintessential summer song of my personal musical lexicon, and i hope you will take a few minutes to enjoy it- on or off the hammock.
the van gogh brothers returned to woolly mammoth sound in waltham, massachusetts in mid-june to record the 4th track of our never-ending catalog now in its 15th installment, with david minehan producing and john sands on drums. this team is now at its apex- and the recording session for “a day at a time” showcased the great love and mutual respect among us that is creating epic results. i can’t wait to share the new music with you.
i’m also excited to announce that the van gogh brothers will appear live at magical moon farm in marshfield, massachusetts, on SATURDAY, JULY 4th at 6:00 PM for the farm’s first music event of the summer! there will be music, food and other activities throughout the day. the farm is a safe-distancing environment, more so than most because it is home to the programs of the magical moon foundation, a charity for children with cancer and other life-threatening conditions. the farm is a truly magical place situated at 575 summer street in marshfield on 5 acres facing the ocean in an aura of ‘60’s hippie chic created by artist and author donna green. the property includes an 1800’s residence with a massive barn, extensive organic gardens, a beautifully appointed farm stand, peacocks and other livestock. stay tuned…
we will return to woolly mammoth at month-end to finish recording and editing for “a day at a time” and then decide what’s next— with lots of tracks to choose from thanks to an incredibly prolific writing period between 2019 and now. our 15th album is shaping up to be something quite special.
looking ahead, we still have vincent’s worcester on the books for october and we’re hoping all will fare well and we can resume our lifetime residency at the best bar east of the mississippi.
i look forward to seeing some of you in marshfield this summer. in the meantime, stay safe and be well. we are all traveling back in time right now and many of us are finding things we’ve lost. i hope you find joy and peace in the summer months ahead.
love,
jc