ASK ROD |
|
Rod & Rocky. Photo by Bob Gentry
©2000 by Stanyan Music Group
A Thought for Today
Life and its conflicts are the best education.
The Monday mailbag.
THE McKUEN MYSTERY BOOK
Dear Rod, I received a very unusual book for my birthday yesterday. In fact it was one of yours I never knew existed, a nearly 500 Page collection of three of your original paperbacks, "Loves Been Good To Me,"Hand In Hand" & "Looking For a
Friend". All in one thick beautifully bound paperback book. It contains 150 poems and if I'm not mistaken it must be the most extensive collection of your work ever published in one place. I love this book! But, it raises several questions.
1. The publisher is "Landsdown Press of Australia". Why was it never published in the United States?
2. There seem to be different versions of some of the poems than those published in the original books.
3. Where is it possible to get copies of this book in the United States
4. Are you planning to publish any more paperbacks in the future?
Thanks for any help you can give me on what I consider a great find. Affectionately, Rose Dyson, Cleveland
Dear Rose, Thanks for the comments on the Paperback Omnibus containing LOVE'S BEEN GOOD TO ME / HAND IN HAND / LOOKING FOR A FRIEND. The books were published individually in the United States and so there was no need for this particular configuration.
As for the different versions of some poems, I'm forever rewriting between different editions. Sometimes I confuse myself. Dwight Michaels of Stanyan By Mail found 200 copies of the book in one of the Stanyan Storage Units and so he listed
them for sale. About half of them are gone.
Incidentally, here's a McKuen Vanity story for you; I hate the cover of the book so much that I found the widest felt pen I could and obliterated the cover by autographing over it.
I hope there'll be future paperbacks. One, "Rusting in the Rain" has already been completed. Ideally I'd like to go back to the old schedule. A new hardback every fall and a paperback every other spring. With warmest regards, Rod
IN PRAISE OF MORNING
I just wanted to send you a small note of my total love of your work. I'm 17 and I've been reading your poetry for about 3 years now. You write beautifully. I love your new "In Praise of Morning". We share the same birthday, and I hope that in some way April 29th will give me the inspiration to write as well as you. I only wish that one day people will hold my poetry as close to them as I do of yours. Please keep publishing.
Woody.
Dear Woody, Glad you like "In Praise of Morning." Thanks for the good thoughts. Everybody needs a little praise now and again, because we all have doubts about our work and ourselves. Delighted to share a birthday with you and I hope you'll continue writing. Being a successful writer isn't an easy road, but for many of us it's the road worth taking . . .. or worse, it's what we have to do. With affection, Rod
NEW VISITOR
Dear Sir, Have recently contacted your site after an absence of some time. I'm sure you have heard this hundreds of times, if not more often, but I grew up loving your work. As a matter of fact was able to attend one of your "readings" at the University of Maryland in 1976 (WHEN)? And you were gracious enough to autograph a copy of BEYOND THE
BOARDWALK for me. I also attended a concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion~also in the late '70's. My point is simply that along with so many people...I'm thrilled to be able to "feel" you once again! Thank you for your continued excellent work. Kindest Regards Chris
Dear Chris, thanks for the kind words and for caring. Boy, do I miss those concert and book tours and that's the reason I'll be going out on tour next year again. I hope yours will be one of the faces out front and that after the show you'll say hello. Thanks for writing. Warmly, Rod
LONESOME CITIES
Dear Rod: My wife and I have enjoyed your poetry & music over the last 37 years of being together. One our favorite albums was Lonesome Cities. After all these years we still listen to it, but naturally it has become somewhat scratchy from so many moves, parties, and regular enjoyment. I recently tried to get a copy on CD through Tower Records, but they e mailed me that they were unable to fill my order after 45 days.
Is it possible, that you guide me to a distributor that may still have a few copies left on CD? Lonesome Cities really means a lot to my wife and myself and my two daughters. We would love to hear a nice new crisp clean copy.
By the way Rod, I've been to a few of those lonesome cities myself. Thank you for all of the great entertainment you have blessed so many with over the years. Sincerely, Herbert O. Edmunds
Dear Herbert, Thanks for the nice letter regarding "Lonesome Cities." There's a link to Stanyan By Mail on the Homepage of this site. They have plenty of copies of all my CD's including "Lonesome Cities" and they are the best and sometimes the only source for my books.
Happy 37th Anniversary to you and your wife and my gratitude to you for letting me be a small part of your relationship. With Affection, Rod
LIKE AN OLD FRIEND
Hi Rod, I have loved you and your work for a long time now. You touched my life with your special magic. I had the wonderful opportunity to see you at Red Rocks for your live concert and at The Warehouse, in a much more intimate setting. You held all of us there that evening spellbound, as only you can do.
Then some years later, I caught up with you here in San Diego at one of your book signings. Being a bit forward, I brought along a couple of your early books and you graciously signed them too. They sit proudly on the shelf along with every other book you've written except Valentines. (I need to get it from Stanyan By Mail but can't make the link from your site. What do I need to do)?
I am now anxiously waiting for your new book and can hardly wait till you go on tour. To hear your voice "live" again will be truly wonderful. Love, Linda-Jean Fredrickson
Dear Jean, From time to time, like all Websites, A Safe Place To Land has its troubles (we were down for a couple of days last week for instance.) Usually the problems are cleared up pretty quickly, especially since Ken Blackie our Webmaster keeps a tight watch on all things concerning the
site. If you're still having troubled accessing Stanyan By Mail, here's another direct link
to Stanyan By Mail
There are also links to Stanyan By Mail from The Rod McKuen Message Center and The Stanyan
Message Board. Thanks for the thoughtful letter and I hope you enjoy "Valentines." Warmest Regards, Rod
LOOKING FOR AN OLDER POEM
Hi, I'm 40 yrs old. When I was around 15 there was a piece of work that really struck me hard. Some of the words have been in my heart all this time. The only words I can remember follow:
Funny how they all come back
They always do
. then something like...
Back they come with the words I wanted once to hear.
... and then the last line is
This time come back while I still care.
Been on your site for 2 1/2 hours searching. You'll know best. Would you tell me if it's in Stanyan Street and Other Sorrows and if not where it can be found? If there is a electronic copy that I couldn't find please advise. Thanks, Shannon Monahan
Dear Shannon I've searched my thoughts and can't seem to identify the poem you're looking for. I even sent a copy of your note to Jay Hagan who thinks you might have "Lilacs" a poem that appears in one of my 1970's calendars. He has posted it on the board at the R. M. Message Center.
Wish I could be of more help, Shannon, but this one stumps me. Sincerely, Rod
JUST FOUND WEBSITE
I just found your web site. I originally found you several years ago but have lost track over the last few. I am so glad to know that you are still giving us more. I am looking forward to updating my collection! I hope that you will tour and by all means put Atlanta on the list. Thanks for being you! Sandy Hughes
Dear Sandy, how could I ignore Georgia, home of my favorite fruit
peaches and my beloved Vidalia Onions. I expect you'll be seeing me there eventually. Welcome to A Safe Place to Land, Rod
NBC TV SHOW
Hello kind sir rod, do you have a copy of the TV show you did for NBC television? Is it available? I think I speak for a lot of your fans when I say " I think I would melt if I saw it! "
How is Anita Kerr? and thanx to you, our dearest rod , for all the words and music that were , and still are, so truly mod!
Spacebase 25.
Dear Spacebase, "The Loner" isn't currently available on video, but I have a feeling it'll make its way to DVD and video
eventually. All the best, Rod
FEEDBACK: OGDEN NASH
Dear Rod: I hope all goes well with you. I did a search on old flight plans yesterday looking for something totally unrelated to this:
"Thanks for the thoughtful letter, Simran. One of the biggest thrills of my life was to be encouraged by a rather grumpy, not so young, by the time I met him, Ogden Nash and even have my name dropped in a poem he wrote for The New Yorker. It was later published in one of his last books, "The Old Dog Barks Backwards". Wish I still had a copy of that."
I remembered reading this and making a mental note, at the time, to write to you about it. But alas, it slipped my mind. (not unusual these days) *S*
I don't know if you meant the book or the poem Rod. In any case, here's the poem. (I don't have that particular book though)
I'm also going to post the poem on the Message Center - let the other "bairns" enjoy it with us. *S* Affectionately, Larry
WE HAVE MET THE SASSENACHS AND THEY ARE OURS; EVEN THE YEAR IS NOW McMLXIX (isn't this clever?)
Lang syne 'twas only a pair of Mc's
Gaed wimplin' through the town--
Marshall McLuhan and Rod McKuen,
Wi' never an Alec McCowen.
McLuhan shared a braw pint-stowp
Wi' ghaist or deil or Ouija,
Till himsel' nor naebody else could tell
The messages from the meja.
McKuen trolled the guid folk song
Like "Relique of Bishop Percy,"
And frae dine to ilka mornin' sun
Set the bairns all arsy-versy.
But a' things canty maun come in threes
(Sing thistle, heather, and rowan!);
Quo' Rod McKuen to Marshall McLuhan,
"Ca' oot for Alec McCowen!"
"And gie's a hand, my trusty fiere,"
Says McLuhan to McKuen,
"We'll take a right guid willie-waught
In honor of the new one."
Now there's three hae rin about the braes
And pu'd fu' monie a gowan--
Marshall McLuhan and Rod McKuen
And his holiness Alec McCowen.
Ogden Nash, (1902-1971)
Dear Larry, I'll never get over meeting Ogden Nash and spending some time with him. Being part of his "Mc" poem was a once in a lifetime thrill. Thanks for sending in the words. I had lost the book, but Jay was kind enough to dig up a copy for me.
Keep smiling today and sleep warm tonight.
RM 6/23/ 2000 Previously unpublished
|
