I’m back …
Hello all,
I’ve been in the blue ridge mountains in N. Carolina for the past few days recovering from fortune’s slings and arrows.
There’s little excuse for my lack of communication but here’s what I can tell you: I’ll be recording the Spring Awakening cast album throughout September and I hope to have it ready for release when the show opens in December (or before). As you may know the “Anthology” is coming out 8 weeks from now and Chris Garneau’s album “Music For Tourists” will be in Stores Jan. 23rd. So there will be no shortage of “product” this season. What else … I’m half way through “The Looming Tower” which is a very cogent and intelligent account of the rise of Al-Queda and Osama’s role in it from its inception. Because summer is almost over and it can’t all be beach reading all the time, folks.
Write me back.
XO
DS
August 29th, 2006 at 1:42 pm
Is “Looming Tower” a documentary?
August 29th, 2006 at 5:23 pm
Did you do anything while in the mountains (hiking, shopping, grandfathermountain) ? lookin forward to the spring awakening disc and anthology.
August 29th, 2006 at 7:48 pm
and still hiding out …
August 29th, 2006 at 10:24 pm
Glad to see you had some time to relax before diving into work again. I am looking forward to the anthology. Congrats on Spring Awakening going to Broadway, it looks like you are going to be going non-stop for the next few months. Take care!
August 30th, 2006 at 1:36 am
Good to hear that you’re giving yourself some downtime.
Everyone needs a break now and then and a trip to the mountains sounds like a great way to relax before having
to get back to business.
Yeah, I have a feeling that’s not a book you’ll be finding many people reading out on the beach…not that I can really imagine you reading the typical summer fare.
As for myself, I just started a new class last week.
(Child Development/Psychology)
I won’t say exactly how long it’s been since I’ve gone to school…but it’s been a while. I was a bit overwhelmed at first, when the teacher was going over the syllabus, but
I feel a little more confident about things now.
There’s one student that likes to participate quite a bit,
sharing more private information than I feel is necessary.
I mean, do we really need to know that her mother had more boyfriends than she could count? ::rolls eyes::
And may I add…thank goodness for eBay!!!
The book for this class costs $120.00 new/$80.00 used.
If all goes well, (fingers crossed everyone!) by tomorrow when the auction ends, I’ll be getting it for only $1.00!
Gotta love that!
Glad to hear that things are moving along with the Spring Awakening cast album and the move to Broadway!
Looking forward to hearing all the new “product”.
Enjoy the nice, fresh mountain air while you can, Duncan!
:) Tammy
August 30th, 2006 at 7:31 am
you are indeed a busy boy! :)
August 30th, 2006 at 10:33 am
“slings and arrows” … might be considered an idiom. the following, would not …
“this time, this place
misused, mistakes
too long, too late
who was i to make you wait
just one chance
just one breath
just in case there?s just one left ..
on my knees, i?ll ask
last chance for one last dance
cause with you, i?d withstand
all of hell to hold your hand
i?d give it all
give anything, but i won?t give up
cause you know, you know ..
i love you
i have loved you all along
and i miss you
been far away for far too long
i keep dreaming you?ll be with me
and you’ll never go
so far away,
so far away for far too long
but you know, you know ..
i wanted
i wanted you to stay
cause i needed
i need to hear you say
i love you
i loved you all along
and i forgive you
for being away for far too long
so keep breathing
cause I?m not leaving anymore
believe it
hold on to me and never let me go”
… (many thanks to Nickelback)
recover. love and rest.
August 30th, 2006 at 10:58 am
Um, anyway…Glad you’re back, Duncan…we’re still here. Slings and arrows sound bad, but there’s a lot of good too, in your list, so I hope that (and a bit of rest) is sustaining you.
and I think it’s safe to say, no one can fault your “product”ivity this year, so if you feel like cutting back a bit, I’m sure none of us is going to call you on it…
xo back at ya,
E
August 30th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Blue Ridge Mountains………I haven’t been there since I was a little girl….
Must be beautiful this time of year. And peaceful. For your sake, dear sir, I hope it was both.
August 30th, 2006 at 9:35 pm
Hahaha I wish I had to take a vacation from “fortune’s slings and arrows,” but I’ll take what I can get.
Good to hear things are going so well for ya, amigo. Let us know how that book turns out; it sounds really good.
Take care of yourself and enjoy your time off!
- Russell
August 31st, 2006 at 12:06 am
Oh, and I’m reading Rising Tide, which is a long history of how we got into this mess with the levees on the Mississippi River (one of my soapbox issues), and probably wouldn’t interest you. BUT today I found a devastating article on a subset of the issue, the levees and other ill-conceived public policy around New Orleans, and it is the best written, most succinct summary of the subject I?ve seen to date. So, if you?re bored with being mad at the government about the war and its boondoggles, and want to be upset about a whole other set of boondoggles, irrational spending, tragic loss of life and blatant disregard of science (sigh)
http://www.grist.org/comments/soapbox/2006/08/29/grunwald/index.html.
Not beach reading…
E
August 31st, 2006 at 4:47 pm
Hey Duncan,
I had considered leaving you a review of the Troubador show a few weeks back but I got sidetracked with life and failed to write it. Thanks, the performance was probably the “hardest” I’ve heard… and I won’t complain about listening to the man wail away on his guitar. I wonder why he doesn’t get more recognition in guitar mags etc. Milo seemed to be getting into the music more… making fun of you with the drummer during your soft serenades. I had to laugh at that one. Not to mention we made it through the show without someone heckling for barely breathing (the highlight of my night).
The reason for writing though is to encourage you to check out the latest work from BT - This Binary Universe
The album is truely groundbreaking… but make sure you watch/listen to the DVD in 5.1 surround on a good sound system (the album is mixed for 5.1). It will blow your mind!!
Good luck with the musical. Any place to hear samples from the album with David Poe?
August 31st, 2006 at 9:20 pm
Hey!
The other night as I was reading the latest issue of ‘Entertainment Weekly’ I came across the book charts and noticed that “The Looming Tower” is #6 on the Nonfiction Top Ten of Publisher’s Weekly.
(Beating the Guinness World Records 2007 at #10!)
It also had a little blurb about it: “The ‘New Yorker’ writer’s detailed look at al-Qaeda has 122,500 copies in print (after an initial press run of 25,000). Wright is now rehearsing a one-man show called ‘My Trip to al-Qaeda’ based on his experience writing the book.
Guess you might be wanting to go see that show, huh?
;)
Tammy
September 1st, 2006 at 11:45 am
i’ve been out of the loop for months-i’m sorry i didn’t get to see you when you were in town-i told doug to apologize for me… craziness kept me away. (on top of which, i was scheduled to move to NYC in august-you performed on my birthday!!!-but a few things ‘fell through’-gahhh…)
however, believe me when i say… you are missed.
come and visit me during the winter-i might just go back to my island in the middle of the sea for some R&R… i’ll save you a spot on the shore, drink in hand ;o)
be good… OR be very very bad… teehee.
xoxo,
c
September 1st, 2006 at 12:12 pm
I have read all the good news. Congratulations! I think it’s wonderful you receive recognition you deserve!
It looks as though a few friends and I will be in NYC for pre Thanksgiving shopping. Naturally, it’s apparent we’ll experience “Spring Awakening”!
The trip should be a veritable feast for the senses!
Always, my best wishes to you!
September 2nd, 2006 at 6:52 pm
Hi Duncan,
Hope you have been enjoying your retreat in the mountains. Sounds very peaceful. We had Tropical Storm Ernesto pass through the area where I live yesterday and left a mess in its wake. So today I spent the majority of the afternoon cleaning our yard. Its been a rough few weeks here for me and this just topped it off. As I sit here, I am listening to White Limousine and trying to heal. Thank you again for sharing your talent with us.
-Paradisestranger
September 4th, 2006 at 3:12 pm
Hey Duncan,
I just wanted you to know how much my wife and I enjoyed your show at the Birchmere a few weeks back.
I was really glad you had “For you” on the setlist - otherwise I might have had to heckle you until you played it :) That song has a special meaning to my wife and I as I borrowed some of your lyrics from it when I proposed to her.
Anyway, thank you for the wonderful performance, and I hope the Sharpie sufficed.
Greg
September 5th, 2006 at 12:32 am
Hi!
I hope that your days at the mountains were exactly what you are looking for…
I always wondering how the world can be such a different place for all… imagine… your summer is almost finish and at the other side of the world is starting a beautiful spring… awakening :)
weeks ago I read some critics about the book that you said, sound interesting know how things start, know the begining of this disaster…
is so difficult left things behind… but finnally times heals everything and slowly peace returns… i know… i hope
If you want to read something really interesting “The feast of the goat” by Mario vargas LLosa (a great peruvian writer), a really interesting view of politics in south america… sad, decadent, funny… but true… like everything…
Now i’m reading “Speeches of Tuiavii of Tiavea a south seas chief of
The Papalagi” by Erich Scheurmann, an amazing view of antropologie and how the researcher become the research… “through his eyes we look and see ourselves from a standpoint we can never try again…” we will see like it finishes
Congratulations for all your proyects and for all those that will come!
Keep peace!
Daniela
Greetings from Chile, the country of the wine!
sorry for my english i’m out of practice
September 6th, 2006 at 1:44 pm
:: high fives Duncan for the awesome Hamlet reference ::
Some believe that “slings” is actually a misprint of “stings” because “stings of fortune” was a common phrase back then. Of course we don’t know for sure, but I like “slings” better anyway. Just some randomness from the resident Shakespeare geek.
By the way, your appearance at the Bowery Ballroom for the benefit was stellar. Can’t wait for SA on Broadway.
Kisses,
Shannon
September 6th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
dunc,
glad to hear things are going well, and that you’re staying busy. do you know when you will be rescheduling the minneapolis show? that’s cool if you don’t, i am just wondering.
it seems like you’re a reader, which is good, so if you haven’t already, you should read Seven Types of Ambiguity by Elliot Perlman.
keep it real.
kevin
September 6th, 2006 at 9:18 pm
Welcome back. Glad to see you’re getting a break…. and enjoying it.
September 7th, 2006 at 12:29 am
DUNCAN!
We’ve both come out of hiding!
Too bad I’m not busy making my mark in culture like you are.
Oh well. I’m cute. I’ll get by.
I think you should read Godless, just for the sheer entertainment of it.
Whether you agree or disagree with Ann, it’s astounding:
a guaranteed jaw-drop read.
I nearly choked on my own vomit around page 120, 130-ish.
Anyway. Glad to see you’re alive.
Come to Chicago soon, if you aren’t tuckered out.
“Freakfreak,” (track #13 on the new Justin album rocks the bomb)
Susann
September 8th, 2006 at 5:52 pm
Hey Duncan
Good that you had some Time away. . . and I agree, with your thoughts regarding reading material. Books are a lot like Food. Sometimes you juts gotta ‘ingest’ some junk -other Times you really HAVE to have a good meal!
Hopefully you had some quality out-door Time as well. . . There is NOTHING like hiking on pristine land. I used to be an avid Hiker- some how I let it get away from me, but hopefully I’ll get back to it soonest! Looking forward to seeing you Tomorrow Night! Take Care and ENJOY!!!! :-)
September 8th, 2006 at 7:35 pm
Hey There Duncan -
Good to hear you have taken some time to relax. You need to do more of that! Hope you had a nice time.
Since we are upon the 5th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks it has taken me back to that terrible day and I wanted to share. Hope you don’t mind. Here you go.
I’m a flight attendant and at the time of the attacks I worked for one of the airlines involved. After the initial shock wore off I realized that you only live a short distance from the trade center. The message board was buzzing with worries about your safety. I didn’t know how to find out if you were OK but knew I needed to find out.
A day or two after the attacks I called your manager and the phone line actually went through. He answered, surprisingly, and put my mind at ease that you guys were doing OK all things considered. I shared the news with the board so that they could stop worrying too.
That day was terrible for the world. For me personally it changed my career in many ways and I’ve struggled every day to regain some sort of job security. That day taught me many things but one very important thing, you are more than a “celebrity” or a “favorite singer”. You are a gift to all of us that are able to connect with your work.
Thanks for being the amazing person that you are and sharing your life journey with us. I would love to have you on one of my flights one day. But until then, see you the next time we meet.
Don’t work too hard.
- Brian
September 8th, 2006 at 8:52 pm
the sentiment of your post is very sweet, brian-makes me grateful.
September 9th, 2006 at 10:25 am
Very touching sentiments Brian. I remember very clearly …
As I’m certain it was with all of us for one reason or another, those were the most frightening 72 hours, ever, I can recall — the unknown, begging information from any newsource, holding vigil in front of the computer
screen — I’ve never quite fully recovered, eIther. I suppose I’ll always carry with me a tiny sense of foreboding, but it’s a good reminder too, that life is magnified in moments. However, precious or struggled, we can’t take it for granted. Have to make it count .. make it worth the time spent here ..
Be safe and Take care all.
September 11th, 2006 at 2:37 am
A well recovered Duncan is EXCELLENT news! :-)
Off topic here…
DS Ars Nova Show NYC for Sept.27th…limited time offer for tickets and exclusive announcement at SheikSpeak.com. Details are on the link below.
http://www.sheikspeak.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=387
Please do not miss out and purchase your tickets soon…IT IS GONNA BE AWESOME!
Cheers,
Leveriza
September 11th, 2006 at 10:24 pm
Duncan,
A couple of questions:
What’d you do today? How’d you feel? And where were you 5 years ago? Isn’t it a trip to think that it has been 5 years already?
- Russell
September 12th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
Am I missing something. “Anthology?”
I knew you were around someplace. Glad I poped back in.
Best Duncan,
BW :)
** Happy End of Summer !!
September 13th, 2006 at 11:47 am
Hi, Duncan.
I just wanted to tell you how much my son and I enjoyed your 9/8 concert in Somerville, MA. I have all of your music. Good luck with the play!
Always,
Susan
September 13th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
hello , Duncan.
This is the first time that i write in your blog, i guess your music its the best and i really admire you.. i hope to have you here in my country Colombia soon!!!
best wishes
juan Camilo.
September 20th, 2006 at 3:51 am
My first blog words ever…now, that’s flattery!
Look forward to your next trip to Minneapolis.
JJ
September 20th, 2006 at 3:55 am
I should clarify, I mean ANY blog…(been kind of busy)
Is blog an acronym for something?
September 20th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
in case you’re not being sarcastic, im.nami: blog is from web and log.
i’m going to see duncan’s past tour mate, jim boggia, tonight!
September 24th, 2006 at 11:07 pm
Hey Duncan -
While it’s great that you’ve been busy reading, relaxing, and creating, please don’t forget to work in some well-deserved time in good old Ann Arbor, MI at some point. I just know it would do you a world of good.
September 28th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
Duncan… just a fan here. I met you briefly in ‘98 I believe after a Portland, OR show. I waited outside the Roseland, there was me and one another girl. The girl wanted to take a picture with you(and did), and I just handed you a cassette(maybe CD, can’t remember) of songs I had written and recorded really slipshod. Then you disappeared. Always wondered if you ever listened to that. I am of course older now, have worked as a flight attendant for four years. Your music and style continue to be an inspiration to me. Thank you so much. -shelley
November 27th, 2006 at 3:46 pm
Where is an appropriate spot to post this ??
… As for comment moderation, I should point out, I’ll leave it to your discretion should this become public knowledge. Completely your call …
You never answered my question .. “What do you have faith in?”
I’ve stood in this very place, many times over .. unseen and unspoken .. Questioning, whether I conduct myself in this continuance of silence or revel in the admission of truth? Either choice leaves me uncertain of which is right for you … but it appears, now seems critical to timing, that I should break my silence and act upon my calling to finally come thru for you. I wish I could write with a poet’s skill, but I can only say best, what’s in my heart.
Everything that remains unknown, till now, is this … … you and I are fooling no one, least of all ourselves. We were brought together by some undeniable force of destiny — two, searching souls, colliding upon a narrow path of lost innocence and sadness. I can only speak for myself, but I have a gut feeling you would agree, that within this magical force, is found a safe haven in which we remain bound. If this were untrue, we would have walked away long ago, in our silence, never looking back.
Yet, that was not to be. We mingle still, tears and years later, entangled in some beauiful space where our spirits roam — pulling us over and under and in — Truth.
I know I haven’t given you much reason to have faith/belief in me, but for what it’s worth, it was first my call to you …
“hold on, hold on to yourself, you know that only time will tell ..
my love, let nothing come between us, my love for you is strong and true ..” completely.
I’ve been caught sleeping much too long, seeking comfort in a dream where I didn’t have to pretend, lying in wait for you to come thru for me. Somewhere beyond an aftermath, I stumbled awake from this sleepy state to such beautiful gifts laid bare. Only, sadly, I didn’t realize until much Later, you had already came thru for me, many times over .. .. You color my world in the most beautiful colors imagineable. And now, it’s my turn. Before every eye upon me, I vow my final steps are those of echoes leading to your doorway. (still here)
I can’t change the past, though if I could I would. There is one thing I can do, however. I can share with you the gift of pure and unconditional love, today and every day after … and this my promise, never to hide it away!
So, my friend, we?ll head out with our hopes again
Oh yeah, we?ll face whatever?s thrown us
Come, we?ll walk .. we?ll find what lingers
Of the things that might have been there
Other dreams of other winters …
Take my hand — c?mon and on we?ll go
Take my hand …
Bury the laughter
Here, with tears we?ve known
You and me, shadows,
Traveling this long road,
Built of sadness … for what’s happened
Something’s lasted …
There?s a home …
It?s our home …
Now we’re Home …
Stay. I miss you.
Kandi
June 11th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Well, I now since have the “Anthology” and No, it should not be in my Car….and Duncan, how was that Book anyway? I could use a good book to read, if I could only find the time myself.
Love as always & Much Peace,
BW :)