I've got something on my mind
It's no lie, I'm telling you why
It's no lie, I'm telling you why
I will say what's on my mind
And this time there'll be no lie
And this time there'll be no lie
I was terribly sad to learn that Michael Brown had died. All week at
work I had been focusing on the dark side of human
nature, becoming more and more convinced that the HBR article Davia circulated last year saying that 25% of humanity were sociopaths was actually correct. Every day for relief I would summon up Michael Brown songs in my mind (“Walk Away Renee,” “Pretty Ballerina,” “She May Call You Up Tonight”) and feel better.
Caroline had the good fortune to do publicity work
on his last commercial release with The Beckies at ABC Records early in her
career. It was a terrific record , which
I recall getting good reviews, but
unfortunately when it didn’t succeed there wasn’t a follow-up. She
also, weirdly (and we thought so at the time), somehow managed to be the person
who arranged The Beckies’ only live performance, which took place in
the Hotel Pennsylvania’s Grand
Ballroom during a NARM music industry convention.
Michael was there handling sound and recording the show (he had
already decided to do a Brian Wilson-like retreat from group live performances), and I
remember him being pleasant, intense and involved, and quietly
charismatic. Word had clearly gotten out in New York that Michael Brown’s new band was performing and there was enough of a
dedicated crowd in attendance to make the event very special. After the show, Michael looked very pleased and packed up quickly.
