Question for Philip Chevron

[Doktor Avalanche]

If you hang around long enough, you'll learn that tears are frequently shed for the Famine.

[mekongwhiskey]

Thanks so much, Philip, for your prompt and honest reply. I'm giddy with excitement that you answered me! I've never posted on any forum anywhere before, but I'm almost certain no other music fans in the world are treated to this one on one experience with someone so renowned. I am touched and honored. My husband wants to know who Mr. Cohen is. I now know who Behan is, but the more I learn, the more I have this drive to learn more. As you can see, you've done your job well. Your students thirst for knowledge. Teach us everything you know! Just kidding. I'll do my own research and give you the credit for leading me there.

[philipchevron]

Thanks so much, Philip, for your prompt and honest reply. I'm giddy with excitement that you answered me! I've never posted on any forum anywhere before, but I'm almost certain no other music fans in the world are treated to this one on one experience with someone so renowned. I am touched and honored. My husband wants to know who Mr. Cohen is. I now know who Behan is, but the more I learn, the more I have this drive to learn more. As you can see, you've done your job well. Your students thirst for knowledge. Teach us everything you know! Just kidding. I'll do my own research and give you the credit for leading me there.

Glad to be a mere signpost. Mister Cohan (the Irish spelling, derived from O'Caomhain, O'Caithain or similar, usually transliterated as Keohane) is George M. Cohan, who was one of the most important Irish-Americans in early 20th century showbiz as an actor, author, producer and songwriter. His songs include "Give My Regards To Broadway", "Life's A Funny Proposition After All", "Yankee Doodle Boy", "Mary (It's A Grand Old Name)" and the First World War rallying anthem "Over There". There is a famous 2nd World War Warner Bros propaganda flick masquerading as a Cohan biopic called Yankee Doodle Dandy, notable for its Academy Award winning central performance by James Cagney who, it is widely believed, channeled Cohan's performance style (Cagney knew Cohan from their vaudeville days) with uncanny accuracy. There is an extensive section in the movie which faithfully reproduces a whole ten minute chunk of Cohan's best known stage musical Little Johnny Jones (1904) with Cagney giving the greatest hoofing performance ever seen in a Hollywood movie.

Cohan is "Times Square's favourite bard" because there is a statue of him there and Times Square is the epicentre of Broadway, if not the world.

[NewJerseyRich]

Mr C , speaking of Times Square....is this your first time back to NYC since they made part of it a pedestrian thru way? If so whats your take, good or bad? Do you like the change?

Personally I like the change. I think they need to make more of Midtown pedestrian only.

[mekongwhiskey]

Philip, thank you for bringing to life for us Mr. Cohan. Now we can listen to "Thousands" with a new appreciation. I intend to find out all I can about a man grand enough for his own statue, and in Times Square no less. Can we nominate you for a statue? We'll put it in the most prominent harbor in Eire looking out to sea. Wow, now I'm gonna cry again! Fondly, Angela

[philipchevron]

Mr C , speaking of Times Square....is this your first time back to NYC since they made part of it a pedestrian thru way? If so whats your take, good or bad? Do you like the change?

Personally I like the change. I think they need to make more of Midtown pedestrian only.

No, I witnessed the ill-judged pedestrianisation of the Square earlier this year. In fact, I was in New York the very first day it happened and was horrified to find the place automatically turn into the New Year's Eve version of itself. A native explained to me that it's a bad idea because ultimately it's about raising rents and real estate values in the area and that Bloomberg has ulterior motives entirely unconnected to the well-being of either New Yorkers or tourists, but I can't remember the full thrust of that argument so I won't attempt to paraphrase it.

Besides, it just looks silly.

[DzM]

Mr C , speaking of Times Square....is this your first time back to NYC since they made part of it a pedestrian thru way? If so whats your take, good or bad? Do you like the change?

Personally I like the change. I think they need to make more of Midtown pedestrian only.

No, I witnessed the ill-judged pedestrianisation of the Square earlier this year. In fact, I was in New York the very first day it happened and was horrified to find the place automatically turn into the New Year's Eve version of itself. A native explained to me that it's a bad idea because ultimately it's about raising rents and real estate values in the area and that Bloomberg has ulterior motives entirely unconnected to the well-being of either New Yorkers or tourists, but I can't remember the full thrust of that argument so I won't attempt to paraphrase it.

Besides, it just looks silly.

?

Oh. No. Wait. That's somewhere else.

[NewJerseyRich]

Mr C , speaking of Times Square....is this your first time back to NYC since they made part of it a pedestrian thru way? If so whats your take, good or bad? Do you like the change?

Personally I like the change. I think they need to make more of Midtown pedestrian only.

No, I witnessed the ill-judged pedestrianisation of the Square earlier this year. In fact, I was in New York the very first day it happened and was horrified to find the place automatically turn into the New Year's Eve version of itself. A native explained to me that it's a bad idea because ultimately it's about raising rents and real estate values in the area and that Bloomberg has ulterior motives entirely unconnected to the well-being of either New Yorkers or tourists, but I can't remember the full thrust of that argument so I won't attempt to paraphrase it.

Besides, it just looks silly.

I do admit all those cheap little folding tables on the street don't give it any charm....Originally I was horrified by the idea. Althought I don't know about the raising of rents and such, I think they are looking to compare with some of the worlds great pedestrian cities throughfares. Don't beat me up too much here but I think the city is looking for something similar to Grafton St or Stroget in Copenhagen. As they have discussed making 5th Ave completely Pedestrian. I think Time Square is the tourist test track. NY could use a pedestrian only area. Just get rid of those damn tables!

http://estergoldberg.typepad.com/.a/6a0105349ca980970c011570a570b0970b-500wi

[NewJerseyRich]

Mr C will you be in the tri-state area long enough to catch the Thanksgiving Day Parade? I would have invited you over for Turkey and pumpkin pie but this will be my first T-day out of state visiting the family that has retired to warmer climates.

[philipchevron]

Mr C will you be in the tri-state area long enough to catch the Thanksgiving Day Parade? I would have invited you over for Turkey and pumpkin pie but this will be my first T-day out of state visiting the family that has retired to warmer climates.

Thank you Rich. Every year, I make a point of getting out of the city just before TG starts so that I do not have to choose between invites, a tricky negotiation. Nobody has ever been able to explain the point of pumpkin pie to me - I've never met an American yet who actually likes the darn savoury fruit/sweet vegetable thingy - and I'm sure this would make me a poor guest anyway.

[NewJerseyRich]

Mr C will you be in the tri-state area long enough to catch the Thanksgiving Day Parade? I would have invited you over for Turkey and pumpkin pie but this will be my first T-day out of state visiting the family that has retired to warmer climates.

Thank you Rich. Every year, I make a point of getting out of the city just before TG starts so that I do not have to choose between invites, a tricky negotiation. Nobody has ever been able to explain the point of pumpkin pie to me - I've never met an American yet who actually likes the darn savoury fruit/sweet vegetable thingy - and I'm sure this would make me a poor guest anyway.

Absolutely, the traffic and travel will be unbearable closer to the day. Thought you might be in a good place for parade viewing. Really, No fan of the gourd pie? I guess they had to find some use for them beside Jack O Lanterns. I have to admit I prefer apple but I enjoy a slice od pumpkin now and then. I believe the trick is the amount of spicing so not to taste the pumpkin Always a huge feast with family and friends with plenty of tasty dishes. Can't imagine you as a poor guest, great conversation and tales....ahh sounds like a great time!(for me anyway)

[Clash Cadillac]

I've never met an American yet who actually likes the darn savoury fruit/sweet vegetable thingy

We all love pumpkin pie in the Cadillac family, although I guess technically Mrs. Cadillac is both Canadian and American. The secret is a huge dollop of home made whipped cream.

[territa]

?
Oh. No. Wait. That's somewhere else.

that's what I said!

[Will]

Two years later . . .

I've kind of come to the conclusion that fast twitch muscle fibers have a lot to do with it. Having boxed, and seen that some folks just *naturally* move a hell of a lot faster than others, and having attempted to build up to that speed myself -- for years -- and failed utterly; and having repeated the same process with guitar -- for years -- and failed utterly -- I dunno . . . just seems to be some sort of a connection here that I can't quite put my finger on.

The only thing that throws me is that there are sixty-something-year-old hags who can play banjo twice as fast as myself, and that just doesn't add up. Guess I'll get back t'y'all in another couple years.

[Hennybhoy]

Dear Mr. Chevron,

I just send you a pm regarding the Summer gig in Hamburg in August, maybe you can help?! Would love to hear from you!

Kind regards