Wednesday, April 19, 2006

RIP Mr. Lewy

Dear Henry,

I didn't know you so well but you were always kind and genuine with me.
You were a giant who helped to birth some of the most individual music of our time.
I grew up on those Joni records, even before I had the good fortune to know you... Leonard Cohen... Those beautiful sounds caressing my ears, fully realized.
How could more beautiful records be made? Hejira? Blue? Court and Spark? Clouds? Ladies of the Canyon? Mingus? Do you realize what you did?
And now, the added bonus of a discovery of Judee Sill's work. You were a giant.
And not only that, but you were a friend to my mother for all those years... 50 years or more... Stayed a friend. I heard about you before I ever knew the first thing about Joni Mitchell.
How lucky she was to have a friend like you. And what an angelic person you were, always with that positive way and big smile of yours. My mom really loved you and will always remember you.
I wish I had seen you that time in Scottsdale in 2004. It was a rare opportunity missed. I know we both were disappointed. I felt so bad that it couldn't happen. And had I known that might be the last time we could connect, I would have gone against orders, you can bet on that. If we get another chance to replay that karma, we'll fix it in that mix.

But I know you are in a beautiful place now... I'm listening to "Heart Food", thinking about The Pearl, The Phoenix, what we should be ready for when the Bridegroom comes. Also, Little Green, This Flight Tonight, Woodstock, Song to Sharon, Hejira, Morning Morgantown... endless melodies... and your smile which I remember.

And I will still always have those beautiful sounds that you helped to bring into the world. From now on, they will mean even more.

Thinking of you and sending you love,
AW

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