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Before I share this interview which was done at the very end of October when we knew that Linda Chorney was under “consideration” for Grammy nominations, I’d like to say few words. I met Linda and Scott on my first day as a journalist back in early August when she was singing at Old Freehold Day. I was mesmerized(and I use this word rarely) Her voice and passion gripped. I knew there was something totally uniquely special. A few days later we shared  two cups of green tea overlooking a pristine Jersey water view. Such unbridled energy, enthusiasm and zest for life was Linda who spiritually, synchronistically launched my journalism career.  We shared blogging experiences and shook hands to link to each other’s blog. Normally excessively verbose, I’m at a loss for words to express my total thrill, excitement and nirvana for Linda at a such a wonderful time.  I was asked to get a quote and this is what Linda said and it’s worth repeating:

“I am so honored, and touched by this nomination.  And I am still in shock.  To be in the same category that has included 2 of my heros, Bob Dylan, and Robert Plant.  But what was as touching is waking up this morning to find this letter…”

 

 

LINDA CHORNEY: My Exclusive Afternoon Interview with an Amazing Grammy Nominated Singer from Monmouth County NJ

 By Calvin Barry Schwartz

 

On the cover of her latest double album, “Emotional Jukebox,” which has just been Grammy nominated for Americana Album of Year, Linda Chorney is pictured holding several one-word signs, describing herself as “cocky, feisty, silly, fearless, elated” and “anxious” to name a few. She is all of the above, as discovered on a recent rainy late October 2011 afternoon with bagels and cups of green tea adorning her kitchen table.

 

Thoughts and emotions swirl around Linda Chorney; songs alone can’t suffice, so she has a blog. Chorney enthusiastically describes her blog video featuring astrophysicist Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson, head of the Hayden Planetarium and the “killer” of planet Pluto. “We met at a party and I decided to interview him on a more human level with a different angle,” she recalls.  Her blogs, like her music, speak a rugged, unbridled Massachusetts-bred individuality. Fascination with science stems from her MIT- PhD father. “If I wasn’t so into music growing up, I might’ve become a scientist,” she muses, adding that her parents supported her music.

 

Making “Emotional Jukebox” was unlike any past album she made (she made six). “Recording in a studio is like being in taxi looking at the meter. But for this album, I had the biggest budget I ever had.”  Thanks to a chance meeting. Back in 2003 when she was doing a show in Aspen, an eccentric man approached her, asking if he could send something through the mail. “I gave him a PO Box because I didn’t know what was up.” A few weeks later a wireless guitar and vocal mic arrived.  Turned out that the man was Dr. Jonathan Schneider, aka “The Rock Doc,” who became a life-long friend, supporter, backer and Chorney’s “long lost goofy brother.” In 2010, Dr. Schneider, who minors in music, told the Jersey Shore song writer:  “I want you to make the album you’ve never been able to make before.” She asserts, “He was instrumental in overseeing this passion project and is one of the most generous kindest people I’ve ever met.”

Chorney’s impressive cast on Emotional Jukebox includes Will Lee (Letterman’s CBS orchestra), Shawn Pelton (Saturday Night Live), Leon Pendarvis (Saturday Night Live music director), Jeff Pevar, and Lisa Fischer (back up vocalist with Rolling Stones since 1987) to name a few.

 “I’ve done six albums and this was the first time I actually did some cover songs from my heroes —  Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Crosby Stills Nash and the Stones.” Her face explodes in animation. “And I had Lisa from the Stones sing on ‘Mothers Little Helper!’  Mick Jagger sang that when he was 25. To have it come from the woman who actually is feeling that drag of getting old (me) brings a whole new perspective.”

 

Chorney also wanted to showcase favorite Jersey musicians on the album; not only is Lisa Fischer local but also Andy Burton, Hernan Romero, Ralph Notaro, Arlan Feiles, Gladys Bryant, Tony Pallagrosi, Mary McCrink, and Richie Blackwell (of the original E Street Band). Local photographer Danny Sanchez shot the cover.

Linda Chorney is in complete control of every aspect of her music. She did everything for the album — spending a whopping 2000 hours editing with 100 tracks of different instruments; 10 to 20 takes for most tracks of every song, sometimes more. She also fulfilled a long-held dream by writing her first symphony “Mother Nature Symphony” with acclaim from classical Grammy members.  “You’re about to ask me what I listen to,” she jumps immediately, “Classic Rock and Classical.” She exaggerates the last syllable.

 

On “Emotional Jukebox,” her song “Cherries” is a favorite of many. “When you listen, you take a personal journey through your own life,” she offers.  “When I see people cry from that song I think it’s cool! It’s better than a record deal when people say my music has changed their lives.”  It is “Cherries” that is competing for song of the year. After pensive moments and an empty tea cup, she says, “If you’re not with a major label, you can only get so many Grammy votes and I know it’s a long shot.” She sits up in her chair and talks about how “Indies” support each other: “We have our own ‘Indie’ mob to compete with Nashville, LAand NY.” Linda Chorney wants just one Grammy on her mantle.

 

During the interview it is hard not to notice yet another unique artistic element surrounding the kitchen. Linda designs and makes her own mosaics for backsplashes and anywhere in the home “by appointment.”  Discover the emotional multi-talented jukebox that is Linda Chorney by picking up a copy of her album, getting a mosaic or reading her electrifying blog. Three remaining bagels went home with this interviewer.

 

Read Linda Chorney blog at:  lindachorney.wordpress.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

 

website:  http://vichywater.net/

 

Facebook:  Cal Schwartz

 

Twitter:  Earthood

 

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj2ko9gcC_M

 

 

IMPORTANT LINKS:

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR   www.njdiscover.com

 

 

 ARE you in search of another blog that is also outspoken, unique BUT refreshingly, topically unbridled which means uninhibited ????  Meet   LINDA CHORNEY:

http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/

 

 

 

Immortality Institute (which represents advocacy and research for unlimited lifespan)

http://www.imminst.org/

 

 

 

LINKS TO VIDEOS

1.   ZOMBIE WALK   October 22, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfFA-y115nc&feature=autoshare

2.  VETERANS DAY NJ VIETNAM MEMORIAL

Nov 11, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYwkaa_xreg&feature=related

3.  RANDALL HAYWOOD & JAZZ CONCERT

Nov 19, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNohzH8AHvM&feature=player_embedded

 

 

 

Mendacity. A lot to say on a strange Friday afternoon; actually it’s been one of the heavier emotional days of my earthly stage run. Where do I begin; let me count the ways; which means, let streams of consciousness take over the depression of the computer key board. You know what? I’m free at last. It seems there is no power in my soul to bridge the gap of  communicating understanding; it’s one of those blood versus thick water deals and I failed, but am taking half responsibility. Confusing so far?  Let’s backtrack to the cat.

 

Erwin Schrodinger, in 1935, proposed a theoretical experiment in which a cat was put in a steel box along with a vial of hydrocyanic acid (with a tiny amount of a radioactive substance). If just one atom decayed during the test period, it would trigger a sequence in which a hammer would break the vial and kill the cat. As long as the box stayed closed, you wouldn’t know whether this had happened or not, so with quantum law and the superposition of states, the cat is BOTH alive and dead at one and the same time. When a measurement is made (look in the box); the superposition ceases to be and the cat is either alive or dead.

 

 

The paradox is that observation (measurement) affects outcome, so the outcome doesn’t exist until the measurement is made. I brought this cat up because it fits the stream of my thinking this afternoon.

Now to our cat sitting precariously on a hot tin roof; you bet (chocolate syrup?), I’m referring to the movie ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ starring Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman and Burl Ives. Funny: they were supposed to film the movie in black and white but decided not to in order to take advantage of the popularity of Liz’s violet and Paul’s blue eyes.

 

Why bring the movie up? Big Daddy’s (Burl Ives) character seems to resonate more with me these days; perhaps because we’re basically the same age now; I caught up to him after watching it decades ago. I love Brick (Paul Newman) because he was the only one who never lied to Big Daddy and was disgusted with the complicated rules of social conduct in Southern society and culture; so am I.  Mendacity has been swirling around my life since I learned what the word meant, studying for my college boards when I looked it up after I saw the movie. The older I get, like Brick; it seems I can’t have falsehood in my life anymore. Part is expected idealism of the human spirit. Part also is sharing the same womb with a view. Idealism once made me not to talk to a room-mate fraternity brother for seven months because I believed fraternalism was real and when I was let down, I withdrew. It is a burden to pretend. Sometimes I think I’d like to find a cabin in Montana, hang out, grow bananas and apples in the backyard and live final days (like Big Daddy) in a mendacity free environment. By the way, I mentioned examples of white fruit because eating it daily may drastically cut down odds of suffering a stroke. Now the cat is off the roof; I’m saddened, heart broken, disbelieving that thick water is now flowing through my veins. Maybe I’ll knock on the big greed doors at Emerald City and find that rascally Wizard?  This blog is always carefully edited. One more elusive thought which may shine a dim light: Not in the past eight years could I find even a sentence of moral support, as I’ve become a writer, from two people who are supposed to be close. So that makes me nothing and them too. And the burden of pretending they care is just too heavy;  therefore they must become less than nothing in my life. La De Dah. There I’ve done it.  I sound like Taylor in the last scene of ‘Planet of the Apes.’  “I’ve finally really done it.”  Perhaps burden free thick water living is really the best for me.

 

Now to the swimming hole; there’ll be no more of that until next May or June or perhaps if global warming really gets a head of steam going, on some future February, we’ll be swimming outside here in central Jersey. 58% of tea party members say global warming doesn’t exist. Alas, the swimming hole is just a way to convey how my head is swimming around. No matter what ever I say, always remember my ultimate goal in life is getting to 150 years. Taking 40 supplements a day for 40 years is one way, my way. I do hang out in several health food stores; even have been elevated to VIP customer status. But I’m saddened to learn that only 7% of health food store employees give good advice, the rest (93%), perhaps were used car salesmen. Poor abused used car salesmen having to endure endless stereotypes. Once, a long time ago in that galaxy far away, I went to buy a new car. I told the salesman that I myself am a salesman and just give me the best price; please no games; I’m too intelligent. In a few minutes he got up and said, “Let me talk to the sales manager. See what we can do.” In a few minutes he came back and said, “Just for you, we’re going to give you this discounted price.” And I said, “Just for me? I just walked in off the street. No one knows me here. Why just for me? Goodbye.” And I left.

 

Now another digression; remember the Harrison Ford swordsmen scene in ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’? (He takes a gun and shoots the Cairo swordsmen rather than engage him) As the story goes, Harrison was not feeling well, and just couldn’t draw out that scene more than another hour (instead of three days), so Harrison said to Spielberg, “Hey Pal…..” Here’s the link to the story and video.

harrison ford/steven spielberg video

More swimming; 366 million people world-wide have diabetes; every 7 seconds someone dies from it. 22% of children in Texas have no health insurance. In 2010, 7.6 million children world-wide died before they were five. In 1990, the number was 12 million. Two million children in Somalia are starving.

 

Porsche (yes the car) has designed an elegant baby stroller that matches their lavish car. Edith Bunker used to say, “Isn’t that something, Archie?”  Congress now has a 12% approval rating (lowest in history?) and there are 11.2 million undocumented immigrants and a 1 in 3 chance of another recession. Today has been a hard rain’s going to fall day and I’m running on emotional empty.

 

So what’s all this stuff about ‘Sponge Bob’?  SAT average scores: Verbal 489. Math 514. Down 33 points since 1972. Funny: College graduation rates are down while ‘Sponge Bob’ viewing is up. Young children who watch fast-paced, fantastically wild television shows may become “handicapped” in their readiness for learning, according to psychologists who tested 4-year-old children immediately after they had watched nine minutes of the popular show “Sponge Bob Square Pants” and found that the ability to pay attention, follow rules, remember what they were told, solve problems, and moderate behavior had been severely compromised. Why? Too much extreme fantasy, schools are too boring or maybe teach video games in schools. There are more than 7.5 million Facebook users younger than 13 and more than 5 million are 10 or younger. I’m glad my son is over 25 and living in Brooklyn. Facebook hit 750 million world users and is valued at $100 billion. Ah, good ole intellectual property is alive and well.

I’ve been following the case of Troy Anthony Davis in a Georgia prison who is supposed to be executed next week despite the fact that seven of the nine witnesses have changed their story and no physical evidence links Davis to the crime. No one should be executed, especially if there are doubts about guilt. I’ve learned to ask, from a lecture I attended at the University of Michigan on equal justice initiatives; is it better to be rich and guilty in America rather than poor and innocent? If anyone is interested, here’s a link to a petition.

stop-the-execution-of?source=mo&id=31059-19471797-IlAXqJx

 

David ‘Honeyboy’ Edwards, a Delta blues artist (gosh am I loving blues more and more) just died at the age of 96. He toured almost to the time of his death. Remember living to 150? We’re getting there.  Here’s a YouTube interview with David in Chicago a few years ago.

David ‘Honeyboy’ Edwards interview and singing in Chicago a few years ago

What amazing precious talent.

This living to 150 year gig is all consuming. Part is think young and dive into life, stretching telomeres and playing tricks with DNA. So Thursday, I went down to Belmar,N.J.(the place of my dreamy jetty since I was ten years old) at 8:30 AM to catch the first heats of short board in the Belmar Pro Surfing Tournament (National scope). Surfing stereotypes are doing just fine (ripped folks with long blonde hair everywhere). I saw Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) sitting on the side listening to Van Halen.

 

 

I actually had my IPod pumping in Beach Boys surfing sounds to get me in the spiritual surfing mood. Spicoli’s character was iconic from ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’. I love when he pounded his head with a sneaker. Since I’m a columnist for OUR TOWN, I do these things; found a surfer and asked if I could interview and photograph. I call him ‘Spicoli’, and he said, “I’m wasted, stoned and drunk. Sorry.” Soon I found this ebullient young surfer named Zion Balbuena from the Dominican Republic more than willing; he was one of the more impressive surfers. Hey Mah, look at me at a surfing tournament! I confessed to Zion, I lost my desire to surf over forty years ago. And I still can’t find it.

 

Now it’s Friday night and I’m emotionally drained. I don’t know why but I’m in a desert now; dunes and emptiness. It’s hot and unforgiving. Now I’m in Gloucester, Massachusetts at a bar. It’s 2 AM. The Juke-box is playing ‘Harbor Heart’ by Slim Chance and the Gamblers (really really great blues) (find them and listen on Reverbnation).

I’m shipping out in the morning; I keep promising it’s my last beer. Sure I’m worried; we keep going further out into the Atlantic; no fish around here anymore. So there’s a huge rogue satellite due to fall from the sky in next few days. The government won’t know where until two hours before; odds of me or you getting hit by that: 1/3200; bad odds. I’ve rambled around this blog tonight; it’s a profound sense of loss and failure. Thoughts just fire away. Bear with me. Now I see Scarlett sitting on the steps after Rhett left. “After all, tomorrow is another day.” And I think I’ll go to You Tube and listen to excerpts of the movie music.  I’ll drift far away, not back to Tara, but to Newark,N.J. when those near and dear were still on this earth, and frankly my dear, I really do give a damn that I can’t get advice and consent anymore. Suddenly Saturday. Good night Gracie and reckless ostrich.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Information:

website: http://vichywater.net

Facebook: Cal Schwartz

Twitter:  Earthood

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

 

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Immortality Institute (which represents advocacy and research for unlimited lifespan)

http://www.imminst.org/

 

August 2011. Guest on Alicia Cramer Show (podcast) “Thin Healthy Happy” :
http://wausauhypnotherapy.podbean.com/2011/08/02/calvin-barry-schwartz-interview-on-living-life/

ARE you in search of another blog that is also outspoken, unique  BUT
unbridled which means uninhibited ????  Meet Linda Chorney:
http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/