Mostly Froot Loops, A Bit Bran Flakes: C&R So Far…

We’re on the home stretch of this caper, and I thought I’d take a quick look at how things are going so far. When we eventually get to the end, I’ll do a thorough dusting of the crime scene, but for now, here’s where we stand.

Musically, I couldn’t be happier with what we’ve come up with so far. The cats have really outdone themselves- musically outstanding, super supportive of the project, and tolerant of my fluctuating emotional state. And I couldn’t be more thrilled with the generous contribution of our special guests Peter Bernstein, Rossano Sportiello and Bruce Harris- and there are more surprise visitors to come!

It’s not all a bowl of Froot Loops though. The biggest challenge I’ve been facing is fatigue- certainly my own, and quite possibly yours too. I don’t think I really grasped the magnitude of this thing when I started- it’s one thing for a whole freaking year! What was I thinking!? Promotion for a normal project might run for a month, and talking about oneself for that long is exhausting. Now it’s been nine months of trying to think of new things to say, new video ideas, new places to stick that effing plastic fish, all with out making one of us want to beat me senseless. And there’s another three months to go…

Reception has been mixed. I’ve had a great response from journalists: I think the concept gave them something to write about, and we’ve had articles on at least a dozen websites and blogs. Most notably, the wonderful Something Else! has been on board since the get go, putting their knowledgeable ears to each track as it dropped, and I thank them whole-heartedly for their continued interest. And I was well chuffed with E.J Iannelli’s in-depth profile at All About Jazz. Radio, on the other hand, has not been quite so receptive. With a few notable exceptions (Radio Adelaide, KSDS San Diego), radio stations have been reluctant to jump in. It seems they’re not moving to the digital format as easily as I’d thought. I don’t think it’s a sound issue, because the tracks I send them are higher than CD quality; so it’s either that they’re dragging their feet in the system-upgrade department, or they just think the music stinks.

But response from friends, acquaintances, and passers-by has been wonderful. Folks have been stopping me at gigs to ask how it’s going, when the next track is due, why haven’t I sent them their free track when they signed onto the blog three weeks ago; all signs of actual interest and enthusiasm. And this feedback, this genuine show of curiosity, is what’s going to put the fire into these last couple of installments. And I have a feeling we’re going to finish big. The next track is going to be a change of pace, something on the abstract side; and track #8 is going to see us going out swinging (with the potential aid of a very special guest. I’m going to get nervous, or not,  as soon as he tells me whether he wants to do it. Sizzle!!)

So there we have it, approximately three quarters of the way through, and far more ups than downs. Thank you for being a part of it so far; I hope you’ll stay with us, and tell your friends! Cheers, Nick