Always keep a diamond in your mind.
True music freaks out there will nod their heads in recognition of the following scenario: You really love a particular chunk of music and try to introduce somebody to it. But the thing is, this somebody just can't pay attention long enough. You put the music on and a minute later the listener is asking a question about dinner plans or something. "Listen!" "But I am!" "No you're not! What's it got to do with dinner?!"
So yeah... this is the kind of relationship I've had with my sister for years. No... decades. Even though we've shared some impossibly great musical moments (Springsteen on The River tour — including the Southside Johnny cameo, two nights in a row of Kiss at the Richfield Coliseum in Cleveland, The Tubes on the Completion Backward Principle tour), she never really approached my level of musical obsession. It's always been sort of tough to take. In my (slightly warped) mind, there is music... and everything else. I mean, that's reality, right?
I certainly know that that's not true for the vast majority of people. After all, real life does intervene, however you choose to define 'real.' I've always known this, though in my sister's case, it always seemed to me that a person who owned records as disparate as Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen and Carly Simon's Hotcakes might be tuned in to a higher level of appreciation.
Ah, but that's just me projecting again. So when I recently obtained a copy of Healing the Divide, I had to dial back my enthusiasm for the brilliance of Tom Waits' "Diamond In Your Mind." My fanboy reflex wanted to push this into my sister's hands, proclaiming the goodness of Waits' distilled melancholy. But decades of experience has shown that, though she might like the tune, she wouldn't (maybe that should be couldn't) love it. She didn't have my musical 'affliction.'
Article comments
1 - Jordan Richardson
Beautiful piece, Mark. Simply beautiful.
2 - Donald Gibson
This just about ripped my heart out.
3 - Pico
Mine, too. My deepest sympathies, Mark.
4 - Mat Brewster
Jeezus. That destroyed my morning. Beautiful, beautiful piece of writing. I'm so terribly sorry for your loss, Mark.
5 - Glen Boyd
I'm sorry to hear about this Mark. In my thoughts and prayers.
-Glen
6 - Tom Johnson
Damn, Mark, that last paragraph came out of nowhere. I was not expecting that. I am really sorry to hear about your sister.
7 - El Bicho
Home run. Really sorry to have to offer condolences to you and yours again so soon.
8 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
About your sister,Everyone else has said it so well... I am deeply sorry.
In my (slightly warped) mind, there is music... and everything else. I mean, that's reality, right?
Well, that makes two of us! I'm happy to be in the minority because it's this minority that gives us musicians that stand the test of time. Music can be a brilliant communicator as well as a lifelong education where boundaries are endless.
Thank you for such a entrancing read and another glance into your life! Again, I am truly sorry for your loss.
9 - Duke De Mondo
Jesus Christ Mark, i'm shiverin from that. i'm so sorry to hear of this, man.
10 - Ruvy
Mark,
You know how to pack the surprise punch in your writing - I almost feel like taking lessons. But seriously, may you not hear bad news like this. May your sister, who evidently had the rougher ride, find peace in her new Home.
And may you and yours be comforted in your mourning.
Reuven