Notes on a train

Small trials, small triumphs

My dear Subscribers,

I believe it’s been a few days since I’ve posted, so I’m writing you from the train from Karlsruhe, heading to Weimar. I am happy to be returning to Weimer and the neighboring Jena, both alive with the lingering spirits of the Gingko, Goethe and Schiller.

I am hoping to make a little side trip to Jena. There is a round stone table in the garden where he would sit with Goethe and talk for hours. This table is also beloved by the painter Sabine Moritz, and I will think of her if I see it again. Goethe planted gingko trees in the garden and it is said that the gingko presently in the garden is a relative of that tree.  It’s a small garden, but very appealing, and I am reminded of the garden of Magister Ludi in The Glass Bead Game. So much so, that I can well imagine Herman Hesse making a pilgrimage to this garden and storing its dimensions for the Magisters humble garden.

I haven’t written as I was stricken with an offshoot of my chronic bronchitis that I have had all my life. I only mention it as that accounts for my silence. I saw a doctor and he gave me medication so that I would be able to sing at my concert. I normally don’t like taking medications, but as I could not stop coughing it was necessary. Unfortunately, a side effect was extreme dizziness and I was obliged to sit down on a chair  and perform a number of songs. As I could not hide the dizziness I had to explain to the people that it was necessary that I sit. The people of Karlsruhe were very supportive, even when I had to leave the stage to regroup.  I was playing with my son Jackson, Tony Shanahan and Seb Rockford.  I asked them to improvise while I got some ice and ginger root and pulled myself together. They did an awesome Let me stand next to your fire by Jimi Hendrix. The fellows never played it together, they just winged it.  I thought to myself that it was worth sitting on the sidelines with cold rags and a pail of ice, just to hear Seb’s Mitch Mitchell style drum solo.

This is why I mention my difficulty, which in the scheme of things was not so bad at all. We got through our concert in Karlsruhe, quite happily, as the band and the people stayed unified. They not only showed understanding but provided an extra flow of energy that kept me going. If my voice faltered they sang along and as light reveled their smiling faces I was truly gladdened. I have learned that if you stay in communication with the people and let them know you need their help they will give it to you, support you whole heartedly.  

Now we are passing the countryside, I am wearing a mask. Though my chronic affliction is not catching, the consistent cough can be disturbing to others. It’s a travel day so I have no concert tonight.  Touring is always challenging. Hard travel, changes in temperature and food, delays, faulty technology or getting a bit run down. But the reward is the opportunity to serve, inspire and incite the people through music. Last such wordless commune always makes me want to do better.

P.S. Having arrived, a personal reward is my nice room at the Elephant Hotel, with a view of the trees and a little fountain. And now it’s time to say goodnight, with a Weimar report tomorrow. Ah, it is well after midnight here, so happy birthday John Lennon. Hope everyone is well, I am certainly on the mend.

My room at the Elephant