APOSTROPHE (')

Recollections of Frank and more... where to begin. My first glimpse of her was in a sleazy bar in Marin. Van Morrison was on a riser, singing his guts out to an almost empty room. Singing to her. Perhaps my best glimpse of her was watching Stevie Ray Vaughn, completely lost in a publicly viewed private orgy with her, the audience forgotten. Many of us have caught glimpses of Estelle, the cosmic whore. Some rare few have even ascended to her dance floor.

Estelle takes two kinds of lovers, The currency of her services is passion. The burning tearing passion that all too often takes our geniuses away before their time. There are those who would woo her, who would take that stroll, looking oblivion in the face. Then there were those who hearken to her, hear her breathe those darkling bright strains into their being and reflect them back as best they are able. Sometimes in words, sometimes in gestures, sometimes other. It is said Van Gogh would wipe tears from his eyes in the heat of his passion with this demanding mistress.

I had the honor of knowing Frank. Perhaps that is overstating things a little as Frank was as complex as his music. Or maybe one could even say the music was him. Most certainly his dances with Estelle were an integral part of his being.

Frank laughed at Apostrophe. I was offended, in a way, but concealed my feelings. Although the compilation by that name was light hearted and mostly a joke, he poured himself into it. One aspect of his genius was he knew when, on occasion, to know when to quit: That is good now let's more on.

Apostrophe was light hearted and fun. He seemed to crank out recordings like this as a break, a breather. Let's be honest, trying to churn out substance like Yellow Shark each and every time is the swift road to oblivion or insanity. Apostrophe was, of course, a compilation of experimentation, Frank's ribald sense of humor, a taste of his rapier wit, and a short quick fling on Estelle's dance floor. No doubt Frank would be the first to critique and shred the album, but then he always was his own fiercest critic.

Apostrophe, for me, was along the lines of Just Another Band and Overnight Sensation. Frank had a lot of humor that had to come out, along with his serious efforts. Not saying that he lost one when he pursued the other mind you.

Apostrophe is a few facets of a particularly complex diamond which was Frank. As with any gem, the facets are seen in a different light by each individual viewer. Some sparkle, some show depth and clarity, and some are muddy and drear. I would point out, the facets don't always sparkle with perfect clarity the same way each time we view them. Yellow Shark once put me to sleep then, in the right frame of mind, I caught a passage in it that absolutely mesmerized me.

As someone else mentioned, Apostrophe is a good 'primer' for Frank. I would agree. Get past the silly lyrics and pay attention. Even in comedy music you can easily discern the intricate demanding musicianship Frank either crammed in or simply let fall into place.

But as for Frank himself, Apostrophe is one small facet in one of the worlds greatest gems.

The irony of me writing this is if Frank was around to read it the following conversation would be me informing him where to kiss what while he nearly rolled off his piano bench, laughing at us both. Missing you, my friend.

PS I rated this exactly as Frank did.