#17.
Watched this in Jerusalem, which means the final buzzer sounded about 6:30am local time.
So tired, yet... so worth it.
Bravo, my green friends. You made Red proud.
Tired, and GREEN.
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OJ Simpson, PhotoBooth, Powersuckers, and a Dried Omelet…
Welcome to El Al 008, NY – Tel Aviv. Isn’t it illegal to leave passengers in a plane for more than 3 hours on a runway? Took an unexpected 3.5 hours to get to JFK from Brooklyn (about 11 miles…); the Van Wyck was actually flooded, leading to “The Great 678 Parking Lot of 2008.” So, got to the airport 45 minutes before takeoff, did my best OJ Simpson impression (the football part, not the more notorious stuff) by hightailing it through the terminal, spent 8 minutes being questioned by El Al security (So… where did you become Bar Mitzvah?...), went into full sprint to get to the gate, and pulled up to… a delayed flight. Strange days…
Hang out, and eventually we’re boarding. Door is shut, please prepare for take-off…. and then…. sit. For 3.5 hours.
At about 3 hours of the great-gate-late-wait, the ever astute Michelle Citrin points out that the flight attendants are about to lose control of the situation. Like clockwork, 10 minutes of relative quiet go by, and suddenly there is a large-scale Israeli revolt. “Sit down!” “Sir!” “Please!” etc., etc., etc. Dozens of folks are milling around the plane, laughing, ignoring the staff… We’re reminded of that Jet Blue incident where folks sat on the plane for hours upon hours…
Eventually, all is well. We’re late, but we’re getting there.
Heading to Jerusalem for the ROI conference. Basically, it’s a network-oriented gathering of young, Jewish, upstart leaders with progressive ideas. I’m really looking forward to this– some amazing folks are onboard.
So, Israel for a week or so, than a glorious few days back in NYC. I feel like I haven’t even seen it, like I’m a permanent resident of various hotels… In the end, though, it’s all good things.
In other news, use of the MacBook’s photobooth effects can lead to hours and hours of fun. Of course, this theory is predicated on the environmental factors of being stuck in a 747 for way too long, but still- can’t knock it.
Also, when one has 33 minutes of power left, and a random stranger approaches to ask if he can plug in his iPod to grab a charge, it is always best to say yes. Power is fleeting, but friendship is forever.
And…. Never, ever, (ever) eat the breakfast omelet. Trust me. I could drink a gallon of water right now…
Nonetheless, there can be no complaining. We’re over the Sea of Crete, about an hour or so away. Good to come back to what’s really home- been too long…
Hang out, and eventually we’re boarding. Door is shut, please prepare for take-off…. and then…. sit. For 3.5 hours.
At about 3 hours of the great-gate-late-wait, the ever astute Michelle Citrin points out that the flight attendants are about to lose control of the situation. Like clockwork, 10 minutes of relative quiet go by, and suddenly there is a large-scale Israeli revolt. “Sit down!” “Sir!” “Please!” etc., etc., etc. Dozens of folks are milling around the plane, laughing, ignoring the staff… We’re reminded of that Jet Blue incident where folks sat on the plane for hours upon hours…
Eventually, all is well. We’re late, but we’re getting there.
Heading to Jerusalem for the ROI conference. Basically, it’s a network-oriented gathering of young, Jewish, upstart leaders with progressive ideas. I’m really looking forward to this– some amazing folks are onboard.
So, Israel for a week or so, than a glorious few days back in NYC. I feel like I haven’t even seen it, like I’m a permanent resident of various hotels… In the end, though, it’s all good things.
In other news, use of the MacBook’s photobooth effects can lead to hours and hours of fun. Of course, this theory is predicated on the environmental factors of being stuck in a 747 for way too long, but still- can’t knock it.
Also, when one has 33 minutes of power left, and a random stranger approaches to ask if he can plug in his iPod to grab a charge, it is always best to say yes. Power is fleeting, but friendship is forever.
And…. Never, ever, (ever) eat the breakfast omelet. Trust me. I could drink a gallon of water right now…
Nonetheless, there can be no complaining. We’re over the Sea of Crete, about an hour or so away. Good to come back to what’s really home- been too long…
What's Shaking...
So, it's been a little while since the last post. Apologies - I'm in the middle of what's become an 8 week road run.
As tiring as travel can be it's been an amazing journey on multiple levels...
I'm writing from a studio in Denton, TX (for those in the know, it's totally the new Austin). Great vibe, great food, and AMAZING music. The U of North Texas is located nearby (home to some of the finest young musicians in the world), and the town has embraced the arts in an incredible way.
We're tracking the new record in a joint called "Panhandle Studios." Sweet room, beautiful outboard gear, and a stunning, vintage old Neve console. I'm really digging the sounds, and we're tracking much of it live... just an awesome hang.
Hava Nashira in WI was pretty amazing... a great week of music, personal connections, and an unbelievable teaching team. Thanks to everyone there, and especially to the faculty (family), who left it all on the table...
There's over ten thousand miles of travel ahead in the next two weeks... stay tuned for road stories.
Oh... and... OBAMA.
Yes we can.
-j
As tiring as travel can be it's been an amazing journey on multiple levels...
I'm writing from a studio in Denton, TX (for those in the know, it's totally the new Austin). Great vibe, great food, and AMAZING music. The U of North Texas is located nearby (home to some of the finest young musicians in the world), and the town has embraced the arts in an incredible way.
We're tracking the new record in a joint called "Panhandle Studios." Sweet room, beautiful outboard gear, and a stunning, vintage old Neve console. I'm really digging the sounds, and we're tracking much of it live... just an awesome hang.
Hava Nashira in WI was pretty amazing... a great week of music, personal connections, and an unbelievable teaching team. Thanks to everyone there, and especially to the faculty (family), who left it all on the table...
There's over ten thousand miles of travel ahead in the next two weeks... stay tuned for road stories.
Oh... and... OBAMA.
Yes we can.
-j
And I would walk/drive/fly 5000 miles….
First off, we all need to find ways to help in Myanmar, Burma and the Sichuan Province of China. When disaster strikes, it’s our human responsibility to act… no matter who we are, or where we live. The people of the world are one people, for better or for worse. For info on ways you can help, visit http://www.unicefusa.org/ or http://www.redcross.org/.
In other, less important news: I’ve been AWOL from the blog for a bit. This road swing is a heavy one, and I’m wearing a little thin at the moment. However, it’s all been worthwhile and seriously rewarding.
Spent a week in LA for the “Let My People Sing” festival. Awesome stuff, great players, and a wonderful vibe. Seven shows in 5 days, including a secular show at Ghengis Cohen. It’s really something to see a community come together… What an assortment of folks; Hadag Nachash, Idan Raichel, Noa, Craig Taubman, Alberto Mizrachi, and many more... just an incredible atmosphere of family and community. Beautiful to spend some time with Michelle Citrin and Shira Kline, as well – funny that we’re Brooklyites, and need to travel 3000 miles to hang out.
Left LA and headed to Dallas to begin the next recording. The team is uber-excited… we’ll cut most of it live, and really try to capture the energy of playing together in the same space. 3 days in Tejas, too much Mexican food, and then back to LA for a whirlwind weekend of shows and services…
Saturday morning at Sinai was markedly beautiful. It’s always rewarding to play with incredible musicians, and these guys are some of my favorites… Jeff Stern, Bruce Stone, Dale Schatz… just ringers and menches alike. Nothing like a couple thousand people singing together to get your blood pumping. Saturday night was a private event for Leo Baeck Temple. Short set, REALLY powerful and totally fun. Joey Cataldo on drums, and a special guest appearance by Ken Chasen (who rips on keys). Sunday morning was a smaller show at Kol Tikvah in Woodland Hills. Sweet event… very intimate, and I felt we developed a deep connection with the audience.
In Minneapolis today to plan Artsfest, and then home for a glorious day in NYC before heading out again. Stay tuned.
Packing Up....
Gearing up for a long road haul.
Sitting here packing, and I'm listening to a news story on the radio about the family & friends of Sean Bell, an unarmed man who was shot outside a nightclub just hours before he was to be married.
His family and friends staged a peaceful protest, kneeling down in traffic -filled streets.
Amazing story... and amazing people.
-j
Welcome....
Hey there,
Thanks for checking out the new site. Stay tuned to this spot for notes, thoughts, ponderings, and other bits of miscellaneous typing.
Hope you enjoy the new album!
Peace,
-josh
Thanks for checking out the new site. Stay tuned to this spot for notes, thoughts, ponderings, and other bits of miscellaneous typing.
Hope you enjoy the new album!
Peace,
-josh
