I feel your pain on the email issue - lots of folks enjoy the anonymity of the Internet and use it as a cover to say things to others they would *never* say face-to-face. It's sad.
I would welcome best of dtm edited into book(s) with volumes organized around theme's, timeline, instruments....etc. Its the most intelligent, consistent, non monetization/star driven stuff out there for the past 20 years.
On the topic of cleaning up your old prose, just one writers opinion, but I'd fix factual errors and provide updates and clarifications, but I wouldn't worry too much about prose. Older writing can stand on it own legs and it is what you were thinking at the time. Which has proven to be quite interesting!
Sigh... The scary thing is that these people vote. But yes, the thought of your DTM material being refreshed and revitalized is certainly appealing -- as is the prospect of some books someday. Exciting stuff!
I too share your feelings about the various types of electronic communication out there. It feels like it should be easier to network and establish relationships, but it is not!
Loved the Red Top post. When I was in college (pre-internet) I’d play a sequence of recordings of the same song, sometimes crossing genres including blues, country, bluegrass and jazz.
Nobody else did it, but nobody complained.
What you’re doing is important and you’re doing it well. I’ve noted that you often respond to comments and that’s appreciated.
I have always loved your music, and discovered DTM while having dinner by myself at a restaurant one night. Then I discovered I loved your writing too! Thank you so much not only for the music but also for the book reviews, and your consistent and balanced approach to art criticism. Happy Labor Day!
I enjoyed reading this post; it’s honest, rational, and of course, so well written. Criticism is hard to take and undue is more so. It’s like a double negative. Write on and don’t judge your younger writing self too harshly. It showed traces of greatness to come!
Its getting crowded but this is a great crowd. As a chronic piano beginner, barely passed music theory in college, this substack and DTM before it is gold. I played the red top tracks for my 16 year old yesterday and she and my wife got to see your group play at Smoke in 2024. I just want to make sure I can link up to the next instructional material to further my chronic beginner piano beginnings! Thank you Ethan.
I am so grateful for all your writing - thank you! As I've told you before, I came for the jazz but am in more for the book recommendations - your Crimes of the Century post has been life-changing. And I will do what I can for the algorithm so your work gets the attention it deserves.
It touches me to hear you feel guilty about not writing back as much as you'd like - doing it imperfectly. That imperfection is a feature, not a bug, of being human.
Cal Newport just mentioned on his podcast why he doesn't correspond much - he said that a Neal Stephenson essay on that subject helped clarify his thinking. Applicable to you, every email you don't respond to is another word you can write here , that will reach more people, that will help more of us.
Here's the essay link - and I noted Snow Crash by Stephenson as the one you recommend - I'll start there.
thanks so much. I do think that I will eventually take a summer or something and do a grand 20th crime fiction project, maybe a small book or eBook. Maybe when I'm 60? Take a break and deal with that topic? I still love it, and I was there as a superfan back in that millennia.
Your newsletter is one of the best ones I get. The range of topics and insights are always interesting and thought provoking. In fact, I'm still holding on to your Oscar Peterson post so that I can read it over this Labor Day weekend. I run hot (love it) and warm (like it, but not wild about it) in my relationship with Mr. Peterson's music. With the net being that I always want to hear everything he has to say to the last note. I'm anxious to read your thoughts.
Please keep up the great work, and know that a lot of people sincerely appreciate your varied efforts! By the way, I was listening to your album "Purity Of The Turf" the other night and was really blown away by your version of "Darn That Dream," and loved the entire album. To say I love that particular song is an understatement. Your version on that album is wonderful. I found the album on the Criss Cross Jazz label's website, but it looks like CD fulfillment is on Amazon (which I try to avoid like the plague that it is, but where I also do what I have to do). Thank you!
I admit I think "Darn That Dream" is one of my better tracks. I was so relieved to have survived a session with Ron Carter that it just fell out of me.
It's a terrific track, for sure! Lol regarding surviving the session with Ron Carter. I can only imagine what it must be like playing with a giant like him and some of the others of similar stature. What fell out of you is beautiful.
Thank you, Ethan. I appreciate your Substack as well as your decision to move DTM to TT.
As for the occasional nonsensical yet rude Comments from accounts you don't know, they may not be human. Natural language processing (NLP) is progressing rapidly. Nevertheless, like machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), its uncurated application is usually easily distinguishable from human-made creativity. For example, spotify (which I am trying to wean myself from) used to "personalize" ineptly, with playlists just for me that were stuffed with dreadful machine-made tracks by fictitious names. Looking forward to our next crossing of paths irl.
I remember, many years ago, when we were about to release Never Stop at eOne Music, I asked Darryl Pitt when you were going to put the best of DTM into a book. The answer came back, “Eventually.” As a senior with more yesterdays behind me than tomorrows to come, I hope “eventually” arrives soon! I still believe in the power of a book, digital fine but physical better.
I find this post unexpectedly moving, I suppose because it bears your aspirations and vulnerability. I would think that getting bad emails is a feature of celebrity, and you can't avoid this exalted status. "Im gonna writ t Iveson!"
About email: before I retired, I wrote far more emails daily than anyone else at my small employer's, and it reduced my formerly English Major vocabulary, as I was obliged to be comprehensible to my colleagues. My CEO, who got dozens of emails daily, rarely responded to them. Not quite file and forget; rather, file and remember as necessary. It took me a while to shift from annoyance to admiration over this. The lesson is, keep one's self to one's self as needed — I have a hard time with that one.
About this last, by the way, I managed to catch a French TV documentary of Konitz's European tour with my distant cousin Dan Tepfer where the two of them sing one of the Shoe Shine Boy solos in the back of the car taking them to the next gig. I don't think you can find this on the Internet (maybe it's on the Archive) but you can use my Dropbox link, https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1slhcu8ja6vlnhj5xe6dj/All-The-Things-You-Are-Lee-Konitz-Portrait-MEZZO-2011.mp4?rlkey=2k2e1q16vtxxpugb4awkv3atf&st=mgop8drk&dl=0 if it will work. Lots of French subtitles, and no English ones when Tepfer, fully bilingual, is speakng French with someone.
thanks very much I appreciate it. To be clear, those DTM links on Tristano and Konitz are still good on my site as well. The Tristano has been through a lot of edits already, while the Konitz essentially has to be the final as he is gone now.
Sure, I got the DTM Tristano link from DTM and tried it out at Archive.org's WayBack Machine to see what would happen. The Archive has saved several copies of it over the years. The version of "18 with Lee K. (listening to Lester Young with Lee Konitz)" that the Archive's DTM Tristano page liks to is also on the Archive. Aside from all that, I wonder what in my post you appreciated, since it has tangents.
Many thanks, for all you do Ethan!
I feel your pain on the email issue - lots of folks enjoy the anonymity of the Internet and use it as a cover to say things to others they would *never* say face-to-face. It's sad.
I would welcome best of dtm edited into book(s) with volumes organized around theme's, timeline, instruments....etc. Its the most intelligent, consistent, non monetization/star driven stuff out there for the past 20 years.
On the topic of cleaning up your old prose, just one writers opinion, but I'd fix factual errors and provide updates and clarifications, but I wouldn't worry too much about prose. Older writing can stand on it own legs and it is what you were thinking at the time. Which has proven to be quite interesting!
yes. Well I won't edit the interviews of course, but even there I regret a certain bumptiousness on my part in the early years...
Sigh... The scary thing is that these people vote. But yes, the thought of your DTM material being refreshed and revitalized is certainly appealing -- as is the prospect of some books someday. Exciting stuff!
thanks Karl! I listened to some of those piano quintets the other day as I am writing for that instrumentation. Your review was fair.
I too share your feelings about the various types of electronic communication out there. It feels like it should be easier to network and establish relationships, but it is not!
Should have added that it was the college radio station and their record library.
Loved the Red Top post. When I was in college (pre-internet) I’d play a sequence of recordings of the same song, sometimes crossing genres including blues, country, bluegrass and jazz.
Nobody else did it, but nobody complained.
What you’re doing is important and you’re doing it well. I’ve noted that you often respond to comments and that’s appreciated.
I love a playlist of the same song done different ways!
I have always loved your music, and discovered DTM while having dinner by myself at a restaurant one night. Then I discovered I loved your writing too! Thank you so much not only for the music but also for the book reviews, and your consistent and balanced approach to art criticism. Happy Labor Day!
cheers!
I enjoyed reading this post; it’s honest, rational, and of course, so well written. Criticism is hard to take and undue is more so. It’s like a double negative. Write on and don’t judge your younger writing self too harshly. It showed traces of greatness to come!
haha thanks so much!
Its getting crowded but this is a great crowd. As a chronic piano beginner, barely passed music theory in college, this substack and DTM before it is gold. I played the red top tracks for my 16 year old yesterday and she and my wife got to see your group play at Smoke in 2024. I just want to make sure I can link up to the next instructional material to further my chronic beginner piano beginnings! Thank you Ethan.
Seth
fantastic to hear
I am so grateful for all your writing - thank you! As I've told you before, I came for the jazz but am in more for the book recommendations - your Crimes of the Century post has been life-changing. And I will do what I can for the algorithm so your work gets the attention it deserves.
It touches me to hear you feel guilty about not writing back as much as you'd like - doing it imperfectly. That imperfection is a feature, not a bug, of being human.
Cal Newport just mentioned on his podcast why he doesn't correspond much - he said that a Neal Stephenson essay on that subject helped clarify his thinking. Applicable to you, every email you don't respond to is another word you can write here , that will reach more people, that will help more of us.
Here's the essay link - and I noted Snow Crash by Stephenson as the one you recommend - I'll start there.
https://www.nealstephenson.com/why-i-am-a-bad-correspondent.html
thanks so much. I do think that I will eventually take a summer or something and do a grand 20th crime fiction project, maybe a small book or eBook. Maybe when I'm 60? Take a break and deal with that topic? I still love it, and I was there as a superfan back in that millennia.
Your newsletter is one of the best ones I get. The range of topics and insights are always interesting and thought provoking. In fact, I'm still holding on to your Oscar Peterson post so that I can read it over this Labor Day weekend. I run hot (love it) and warm (like it, but not wild about it) in my relationship with Mr. Peterson's music. With the net being that I always want to hear everything he has to say to the last note. I'm anxious to read your thoughts.
Please keep up the great work, and know that a lot of people sincerely appreciate your varied efforts! By the way, I was listening to your album "Purity Of The Turf" the other night and was really blown away by your version of "Darn That Dream," and loved the entire album. To say I love that particular song is an understatement. Your version on that album is wonderful. I found the album on the Criss Cross Jazz label's website, but it looks like CD fulfillment is on Amazon (which I try to avoid like the plague that it is, but where I also do what I have to do). Thank you!
I admit I think "Darn That Dream" is one of my better tracks. I was so relieved to have survived a session with Ron Carter that it just fell out of me.
It's a terrific track, for sure! Lol regarding surviving the session with Ron Carter. I can only imagine what it must be like playing with a giant like him and some of the others of similar stature. What fell out of you is beautiful.
Thank you, Ethan. I appreciate your Substack as well as your decision to move DTM to TT.
As for the occasional nonsensical yet rude Comments from accounts you don't know, they may not be human. Natural language processing (NLP) is progressing rapidly. Nevertheless, like machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), its uncurated application is usually easily distinguishable from human-made creativity. For example, spotify (which I am trying to wean myself from) used to "personalize" ineptly, with playlists just for me that were stuffed with dreadful machine-made tracks by fictitious names. Looking forward to our next crossing of paths irl.
it's a good point that bots are everywhere now!
I remember, many years ago, when we were about to release Never Stop at eOne Music, I asked Darryl Pitt when you were going to put the best of DTM into a book. The answer came back, “Eventually.” As a senior with more yesterdays behind me than tomorrows to come, I hope “eventually” arrives soon! I still believe in the power of a book, digital fine but physical better.
Ok Chuck thanks for the nudge. And also thanks for all your support over the years!!
A pleasure and a privilege 🙏
I find this post unexpectedly moving, I suppose because it bears your aspirations and vulnerability. I would think that getting bad emails is a feature of celebrity, and you can't avoid this exalted status. "Im gonna writ t Iveson!"
About email: before I retired, I wrote far more emails daily than anyone else at my small employer's, and it reduced my formerly English Major vocabulary, as I was obliged to be comprehensible to my colleagues. My CEO, who got dozens of emails daily, rarely responded to them. Not quite file and forget; rather, file and remember as necessary. It took me a while to shift from annoyance to admiration over this. The lesson is, keep one's self to one's self as needed — I have a hard time with that one.
Finally, I don't like to contradict you but almost NOTHING disappears on the Internet. I just found a couple of your old DTM posts on the Internet Archive (Wikipedia has details on this invaluable resource, very useful for a Wikipedian like me) and I don't think they'll go away even if you kill your website. A Tristano fan myself, I have https://web.archive.org/web/20200610102152/https://ethaniverson.com/tristano-at-100/ and https://web.archive.org/web/20200610132018/https://ethaniverson.com/rhythm-and-blues/18-with-lee-k/ stacked up to read.
About this last, by the way, I managed to catch a French TV documentary of Konitz's European tour with my distant cousin Dan Tepfer where the two of them sing one of the Shoe Shine Boy solos in the back of the car taking them to the next gig. I don't think you can find this on the Internet (maybe it's on the Archive) but you can use my Dropbox link, https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1slhcu8ja6vlnhj5xe6dj/All-The-Things-You-Are-Lee-Konitz-Portrait-MEZZO-2011.mp4?rlkey=2k2e1q16vtxxpugb4awkv3atf&st=mgop8drk&dl=0 if it will work. Lots of French subtitles, and no English ones when Tepfer, fully bilingual, is speakng French with someone.
thanks very much I appreciate it. To be clear, those DTM links on Tristano and Konitz are still good on my site as well. The Tristano has been through a lot of edits already, while the Konitz essentially has to be the final as he is gone now.
Sure, I got the DTM Tristano link from DTM and tried it out at Archive.org's WayBack Machine to see what would happen. The Archive has saved several copies of it over the years. The version of "18 with Lee K. (listening to Lester Young with Lee Konitz)" that the Archive's DTM Tristano page liks to is also on the Archive. Aside from all that, I wonder what in my post you appreciated, since it has tangents.
Thank you for your writing. Always something new for me to learn.