Rocket Man by William Elliot Hazelgrove

As I approach that time in life others have said should be "gentle time, learn to laugh" I am more inclined to go with Dylan Thomas' "rage, rage at the dying of the light, do not go gentle into that good night." After reading Rocket Man by William Elliot Hazelgrove I realized that Thomas had the right idea. Yossarian, from Catch 22 fame, meets middle age in the suburbs: "That men would die is a matter of necessity; which men would die is a matter of circumstance."

Rocket Man is one of those novels that brings together drama and comedy in perfect form to make it true life art. At some point in your life, you are going to meet each one of the characters Hargrove brings to life, maybe not in the same relationships as he describes, but believe me, you will know them when you meet them. From the book you'll receive a reminder of life from what it was like when you were a child growing up; to the gnawing impact of middle age; and a glimpse of life as you enter the alleged mature retirement years... "the glory of altruism may be nothing more than walking out and going home."

The characters are well developed but not predictable and just when you think you know where something or someone is going, the story turns on you and leads you down another path for more fun, drama and retrospective personal moments.

It was either or both Charlie Brown or Jean Paul Satre who said "Hell is other people" and through his prose Hazelgrove brings that feeling to light. Whether it is those people we meet in coffee shops; the mall or through our jobs; in social or semi-political organizations; or our children's lives, one day you realize - as Dale senior tells us - "The world wants your balls and usually gets it." But he also reminds us "Everybody has their day in the pickle barrel, and this is yours, but you'll get out."

As I finished the book, I remembered way back in time when I had gone to the school's back parking lot and submitted a rocket I had built for a science project for launch. I was there by myself so, until now, I had no one to share the joy of watching the rocket take off, rise into the clouds, reach its final height and like magic out popped the parachute that brought it back to me.

I kept that rocket for years, packing it with loving care each time I moved. As Wendy said, "It's beautiful, Dale." So belated thanks to Dale, my science teacher Mr. Thane and William Elliot Hazelgrove for the memories.

Nearly 2500 years ago Aeschylus could have been talking about Rocket Man when he wrote in The Oresteian Trilogy:

By cunning we die, precisely as we killed.
Hand me the man axe, someone, hurry!
Now we will see. Win all or lose all,
we have come to this - the crisis of our lives.

I won't tell you how Rocket Man the book ends as I'm not sure it really will ever end. But once you read it, you will have to decide how your own personal version of Rocket Man ends; or at least whether on the path in life you choose you will seek continuing adventure or stop and climb a tree and spend your life counting the leaves.

Robert "Ice B" Gorham

Photo: flickr (carleyware)

See also: http://troybear.blogspot.com/2009/04/harmony-review-of-rocket-man-novel.html

Never On Monday: Ice B. Reviews the Grand Old Lady of Tacos

Emma's Taco House is located at 1617 Sacramento Avenue in West Sacramento, California (zip code 95605).

You could eat at Emma's almost every day, except on Monday's when it is closed, and still desire to come back often for more. This is one of those classic places to go and eat in the Sacramento region. The food is great and far better than at the now-closed satellite site in downtown Sacramento.

Park your gas sipper on the private rock/dirt/asphalt lot close to the front door. The service is friendly, prompt and quick. The restrooms are clean. This is simply a great place to meet for a meal with a group of friends, family, co-workers or music critics; or just stop by on your own for a quick meal.

They have tables or booths plus a large meeting room that they'll hold for you and your guests if you call ahead. Look for the Emma's sign or you might miss it.

Notes: Ice B. is an artist, social commentator and a co-founder of The Purple Haze Alliance. Depending on whom you choose to believe, Emma's Taco House has been in constant operation at this location since either 1949 or 1950. (Munchy says to make sure to try the beef tamale plates! He's eaten take-out tamales since his kitten days.)

The Author Weighs In On Ice B.'s Book Review...

Yesterday we posted Ice B.'s review of the new book by writer John Einarson, "Hot Burritos: The True Story of the Flying Burrito Brothers," co-written with musician Chris Hillman. Today we received a very nice comment from Mr. Einarson as follows:

Great review! Nice to read someone who 'got it' in terms of what the book is trying to do. Thanks for the tips on further books. One of those women is already on my future books list. I'm currently writing a biography of enigmatic 60s cult figure Arthur Lee of (the) legendary band Love. It'll be with Jawbone again. They did a terrific job with Hot Burritos.

John E.

Ice B. Reviews The True Story of the Flying Burrito Bros.

With the release of the new book "Hot Burritos: The True Story of the Flying Burrito Brothers" by John Einarson and Chris Hillman, another door has opened on the history of what some refer to as country-rock, but I call rhythm and blues folk country rock (R&B/CR). This book is 326 pages of music history and entertainment. Everyone recognizes Hillman as one of the founders of the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers (FBB), Manassas, and The Desert Rose Band. Hillman's contribution to music is also legendary.

Einarson has previously written "Mr. Tambourine Man: The Life and Legacy of the Byrd's Gene Clark," "Desperadoes: the roots of country rock," "For What It's Worth: The Story of Buffalo Springfield (with Ritchie Furay)," "Neil Young: Don't Be Denied," "Magic Carpet Ride: The Autobiography of John Kay and Steppenwolf," and several other books on contemporary music.

"Hot Burritos" is a book that covers not just the history of the FBB but also the universe swirling around the band during its creation, life and demise. The book is one of the first to be written critical of the myths and roles assigned to Gram Parsons. It is also one of the first books that places Roger McGuinn in a positive light regarding his service as one of the creators of R&B/CR. While much has been made of the mythical Parsons, more needs to be written about the involvement of McGuinn, Hillman, the Dillard Brothers, Clarence White, the Gosdin Bros., Young, Stephen Stills, Furay & Poco, and Rick Nelson & the Stone Canyon Band. All of these shaped the special style of music that was to come.

As stated in the film "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence": "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." If not for "Hot Burritos" and Einarson's other books, we would simply know about the legends of CR music. This book is about more than just the FBB, it is a continuation of his work on how the music was forged. Sadly, too many people today believe the era began with The Eagles; in fact, the Eagles were only a small cog present at the creation of the CR era.

As this book delves into the music's roots, we learn of the great bands of Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Buck Owens and the music of Bakersfield, California. Bakersfield's music rivaled that coming out of Nashville. All of this music was imprinted on the Burritos and their progeny and led to the development of R&B/CR.

It's always a shame to look back to see how alcohol and drug abuse interferred with the creative forces of so many musicians and song writers. Then there were the accidents that claimed the lives of some of the best. Where would the music of Nelson, White or Clark have gone if not for their untimely deaths?

My hope is that Einarson next explores the roles of Judy Collins, Billy Holliday, Joni Mitchell, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Odetta Holmes, Linda Ronstadt, Emmy Lou Harris and countless other women who were also integral creators of this style of music.

And, of course, would any of this have been possible without Woody Guthrie, Huddie Ledbetter, Holiday, Pete Seeger, Elias McDaniel or Bob Dylan? "Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me..."

Notes: Ice B. is an artist and social critic based in Sacramento, California. Also recommended is "Are You Ready for the Country: Elvis, Dylan, Parsons & the Roots of Country Rock" by Peter Doggett.

Next: Sleeping close to coffee heaven.

Ice B. on George Harrison and All Things

When All Things Must Pass first came out I, too, was blown away. The songs, lyrics and music were just all so good. Unlike the Beatles' White Album which had some good songs on it - but also some clunkers and some downright odd songs - George's All Things was a complete box set of wonderful and totally enjoyable music. The song "All Things Must Pass" is one of my ten favorites. As I grow older, it still makes me feel good and I smile at all the things that have happened since 1970.

When the Beatles broke up, there were all kinds of stories about how only John and Paul would continue to be successful. I remember listening to Ram by Paul. I traded it in for a Turtles album at Recycle Records in Foothill Farms. John's Plastic Ono Band was pretty good, but then they had Clapton and Voormann and they played some good blues and rock.

It was December 1970, during my senior year in high school. After getting the mid-month pay from my dishwasher job, I remember going to Tower Records on Watt Avenue in Sacramento. George's All Things was on display in the middle of the "B" isle, across from the Beatles bin. KZAP-FM had been playing All Things one side at a time. I picked up a copy, added it to my armful of records and headed to the front counter. (At that time Tower was the place to go at night and it was always packed. It was a destination place with a very eclectic and happy atmosphere.)

When I got home I remember opening up the boxed Harrison album. After I listened to all three records, I realized that this was one of the reasons the Beatles break-up was inevitable; they never would have given George such freedom on a Beatles album.

From then on, I became a big fan of George's albums. I own some of John's albums and Ringo's cassettes. For me, the best post-Beatles music consisted of the Harrison albums. I even liked the music and songs he contributed to the film "Time Bandits." And, of course, the Traveling Wilburys wouldn't have been the same without George. Ice B.

Notes: George Harrison was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an individual musician, as well as for being a member of Those Guys. Ice B. is an artist and social critic based in Sacramento, California.

Jenny Dalton's New Vision (by Ice B.)

The noted artist and social critic Ice B. was generous enough to send us his comments on Jenny Dalton, which we are reproducing below:

There is no doubt that Jenny Dalton is a wonderful singer and songwriter. I also view her as a poet. "Daughters of the Dead Sea" is a valuable new addition to the cycle of poets emerging in the 21st Century. I remember a poem by Gary Snyder: "The twang of a tire iron, the taste of rust..." In those few descriptive words you could feel our society age. In Ms. Dalton's book of verse, Entry 9, she writes, "I drink warm water..." and you sense that society can be reborn after cleansing itself of that which makes us weak and lethargic.

With the recent passing of Philip Whalen, it is good to know that there's a new generation of poets and writers providing us with fresh ideas and new thoughts.

Note: The photograph shown here might have been a fine illustration for Jenny's song Snow Mazes of Norway. However, the photo was actually taken in Switzerland. I wouldn't know the difference, but naturally Munchy the Norwegian Forest Cat was pretty clear on this.