Hey... I'm gonna be right back with another regular update.
But, I hadda head downtown today.
My buddy Walter... (Yeah, the guy who's helped me thrown thousands and thousands of Kudos Granola Bars to audiences in Central Park for so many years.) ... is graduating from 8th grade.
Important stuff.
So, in the meantime, here's a little repeat of yesterday's update... to say goodbye to George Carlin.
Along with some really great thoughts from Jerry Seinfled.
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I know there are people reading this across the country and in different parts of the world. And, most every day you guys show up here to see what we're doin' here in New York City... and y'know, generally what's goin' on. And of course, I always hafta start out by saying THANKYOU to everyone who showed up in Central Park this past Saturday.
And, I'll get to a kind of a regular update. But first...
Someone who was a force in America's artistic growth, collective conscience and cultural revolution... not always recognized as such... has left the building.
Here are a few thoughts by Jerry Seinfled about Mr. George Carlin who died this week.
Dying Is Hard. Comedy Is Harder.
By JERRY SEINFELD
Published: June 24, 2008
THE honest truth is, for a comedian, even death is just a premise to make jokes about. I know this because I was on the phone with George Carlin nine days ago and we were making some death jokes. We were talking about Tim Russert and Bo Diddley and George said: “I feel safe for a while. There will probably be a break before they come after the next one. I always like to fly on an airline right after they’ve had a crash. It improves your odds.”
I called him to compliment him on his most recent special on HBO. Seventy years old and he cranks out another hour of great new stuff. He was in a hotel room in Las Vegas getting ready for his show. He was a monster.
You could certainly say that George downright invented modern American stand-up comedy in many ways. Every comedian does a little George. I couldn’t even count the number of times I’ve been standing around with some comedians and someone talks about some idea for a joke and another comedian would say, “Carlin does it.” I’ve heard it my whole career: “Carlin does it,” “Carlin already did it,” “Carlin did it eight years ago.”
And he didn’t just “do” it. He worked over an idea like a diamond cutter with facets and angles and refractions of light. He made you sorry you ever thought you wanted to be a comedian. He was like a train hobo with a chicken bone. When he was done there was nothing left for anybody.
But his brilliance fathered dozens of great comedians. I personally never cared about “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television,” or “FM & AM.” To me, everything he did just had this gleaming wonderful precision and originality.
I became obsessed with him in the ’60s. As a kid it seemed like the whole world was funny because of George Carlin. His performing voice, even laced with profanity, always sounded as if he were trying to amuse a child. It was like the naughtiest, most fun grown-up you ever met was reading you a bedtime story.
I know George didn’t believe in heaven or hell. Like death, they were just more comedy premises. And it just makes me even sadder to think that when I reach my own end, whatever tumbling cataclysmic vortex of existence I’m spinning through, in that moment I will still have to think, “Carlin already did it.”
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He was a funny, funny man. But he took chances, pushed the envelope, broke the rules and liked to make Americans think... making us laugh as we really consider our values and our hypocrisy.
He was the comedian who came up with the 7 words you can't say on television. (Which eventually went to the Supreme Court.)
Click on the image
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And so, I want to post his last interview... in which, when asked about the criminals in this unAmerican Bush administration, he said:
I use the sledgehammer. I don't bother with the rapier when it comes to Bush. I like moving in and really hurting them. I don't like this, "Let's be cute and let's be clever." I like smashing them. That's the only way to take care of them.
Click on the image
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George Carlin made a difference, helped America laugh... and grow up a little.
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I wanna float this idea passed you again that looks like it's gonna happen... might become a really cool NYC experience if everyone is up for it and will support it.
It's an outdoor music festival/picnic right here on the Upper West Side of Manhattan on Saturday, JULY 19TH.
Is that something you guys would be up for?
I mean, I'd see if I could put together a lineup of wonderful singer/songwriters and make it a day-long party on the back property of the H.I. New York Performance Hall.
So many of you have already come to the indoor concerts in the new music hall. But, can you imagine a "picnic" on the block-long, back lawn on a beautiful Saturday afternoon or Sunday afternoon?
I'm thinking... music on the block-long back yard lawn. A bunch of musicians who wanna show up and jam. A chance for all of you to actually meet some of the same people you hang out with all summer. A real weekend party with great live music.
Y'think?
If you guys tell me you'd be up for it and could bring friends, then I'll start setting it up! I'm thinkin' you could bring come of your own picnic if you want. Maybe even... everyone could cook up or bring a little somethin' extra to share with the people around you. Might be really cool
Sound good?
OKAY!!!
NOW... here's a little repeat of that gallery I ran a few weeks ago. This is just a random mish-mosh of a bunch of ridiculous things that have been posted here in the past. Let me know if you dig this kinda thing and I'll do more of it. (I'm gonna be making more songs available as FREE downloads as well.)
Click on some of the images for a large version.
Click to download song
Blessed Mike of God
The Pope goes yard.
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Obama sings "Keep Hope Alive"
"...to comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comfortable."
Roadtrippin' with Sid Bernstein
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THE GEORGE BUSH/DICK CHENEY SECTION
(Includes some cartoons I drew on a whim.)
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Only, now there are over 4,000 Americans dead and over 100,000 Iraqi
men, women and children dead.
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WELL, THAT'S JUST A SAMPLE!!!
Let me know if you enjoy this kinda thing... if you like the idea of grabbing these images and sending them to your friends - and even people you DON'T like!
Y'know?
Email me if you have any reactions to any of these images, good or bad.
Ha! If any of these images piss you off, definitely email me and let me know why! Because if that's the case, I'm fascinated by you!
Okay... I gotta get back to work.
I hope I see you at any of the places I'm gonna be next weekend!
Thanks for everything.
And thanks... Mr. Geroge Carlin.
Okay! Back to the music!
All outdoor events are weather permitting! Stop by the website before you go if it is questionable.
David is available for private parties and events. Please call 646-224-8162 for fees and availability.
Right now in Central Park:
Please help David play in Central Park this summer by donating to the Permit Fund! Playing in Central Park costs David about $100 per day in permits and fees -- and they are only valid on those days, rain or shine.
I Love The Company (CD)
Common Ground
The People on the Hill
Crazy On The Same Day
It's Just Us (Live)
Talk Louder (single)
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Right now in Central Park:
