I've been in the studio with a musician, of all creatures, working on an arrangement for Pop Down The Years. I thought I needed a real musician to help me. I think these guys believe they get paid by the note. After two sessions I gave up.

I am reminded of David Bowie's 50th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden ... where his guitarist Reeves Gabrels turned Robert Fripp's magnificent, timeless 3-note guitar figure for "Heroes" into a 6-note monstrosity ... the beginning of the end of their partnership, I believe.

In any case, I'm scrapping everything we've done. Writing the proper arrangement on my own - as it should be - an homage to the songs of the golden era of pop music - and then back into the studio to rerecord guitar and vocals.

Like I should have done in the first place.

Here, you can download the original, just me and my gr-33. 

*"Knox," you ask, "what do you mean 'perfect?'" And my reply is,"Child, Pop Down The Years is my favorite song of ALL my songs [today] and I wouldn't change a thing on this particular rendition. Therefore I like to think of it as the perfect love song to the music of my youth, and to a girl, of course."

But then you might just say,"Bongos, Knox, it needs bongos."

And, jeeezus, you might be right.

I forget how I found photographer Jordan Matter's site, "Uncovered: Busting Out in the Big Apple," but who cares, now that I think about it!? We just like pictures of naked girls ... uh ... I mean ... women.

One finds, much to one's delight, all shapes, sizes, and ages of women cavorting topless in various locales around the city.

"I had a meeting with a casting director from LA. Without a glance at my headshot or resume, and not even a decent introduction, this stranger looks at me, all 5 feet and two inches, 125 pounds ofme and says,'You need to lose twenty or gain thirty because where you are right now, I can't do a thing with you.' A bit thrown, but not wanting to be rude, I asked,'Can you elaborate on that?' To which she replied,'Your face says ingenue, but it wouldn't quite work, and I can't put you as fat best friend because you are not exactly fat.'" --Katy, On Broadway

Jordan Matter on his work: "This is a collection of photographs featuring bare-breasted women in public around New York City, often presented with interviews exploring the issues of body image and sexuality in America today. The informal and humorous nature of these images celebrates women without sexualizing or objectifying them, while creating the illusion of a tolerant world in which shirtless women go casually about their lives."

"The magazine racks are filled withwomen basically naked. When I get dressed to go out, I wear things that are basically showing my boobs anyway. It's not trashy. Everybody does it." -Julia, on the subway.

 
time to sing...

Thank you girls!