Recap of Peter Simon's Reggae Scrapbook Slideshow at Johnny D's

re: Recap of Peter Simon's Reggae Scrapbook Slideshow at Johnny D's

Kyle Russell — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:59:30 GMT

Alrighty, thanks to Chris for your direct email address, I'll surely be in touch with you independently about future happenings (ReggaePR@aol.com is my main screen name. I have several other contacts at the Phoenix who get my press releases weekly, so our information's been available organizationally. I learned recently that you reviewed the Lee Perry movie I believe was playing down at the Coolidge Corner Theater. Sounds like covering hip hop's your main thing, and we are actually honored to have you giving Reggae some play. We DON'T want to turn you off to it, or make you feel punished for the coverage. You DO deserve a stress-free night out (without obligation to sleuth out all the players, conduct interviews, etc.), and we're glad our event offered you that opportunity. All we're trying to do - and we'd be remiss if we didn't work hard at it - is to complete the picture and furnish more context, since it takes a community effort to make a night like Wednesday come off as well as it did.

Thanks to Peter for correcting his book sales total from the initial typo: '3' to the actual 30+ of those magnificent coffee table editions his eager (and new) fans scooped up. Kudos to him as well for his qualification of the "silver spoon" theory behind his career (which he would have done well to further elucidate in person that night). I think it would have further cemented his credibility as an authoritative witness and contributor to the genre.

I think this type of dialog - far from estranging us from one another - can actually (and should) bring us together, in greater understanding and collaboration as we share the music we love. Looking forward to future connections - Kyle.

re: Recap of Peter Simon's Reggae Scrapbook Slideshow at Johnny D's

Peter Simon — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:02:06 GMT

Hey Chris....thanks for your sweet review! I was amazed at the turnout that night, and in these hard economic times, at least 30 people saw fit to buy my highly interactive and comprehensive Reggae Scrapbook. The audience was very knoknowledgable and attentive as well. Just one thing to clarify: True - I was born with a silver spoon. But my father was not a very wise businessperson, and we were let with very little of his publishing company largess. Thus, since the late 70's, and particularly through the 90's and this century, I have had to work as hard as everyone else, and rightfully so. Necessity is the mother of invention, and if I had been merely able to lounge my life away, I doubt I would have been as productive a photojounalist/artist/writer as I have managed to become. It's through people such as yourself who serve to spur me on to greater heights, as it were. And another kuddo to the club itself...Johnny D's. What a great vibe!!! Thanks to everyonewho was there! -Peter-

re: Recap of Peter Simon's Reggae Scrapbook Slideshow at Johnny D's

Peter Simon — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:51:06 GMT

Hey Chris....thanks for your very appreciative review. I was quite gratified to see such a large audience of real knowledgeable reggae enthusiasts! Dring these tough economic times, I was astounded to have been able to sell over 3 copies of the highly interactive Reggae Scrapbook.

re: Recap of Peter Simon's Reggae Scrapbook Slideshow at Johnny D's

Chris Faraone — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:20:05 GMT

Three things: 1 - It's hysterical how I can't even go out for a night and drop a brief vignette without catching grief; 2 - This is always what I get every time I venture outside of hip-hop; and 3 - If you have reggae goings-on to alert me to and school to bring please drop me a line at: cfaraone@phx.com.

re: Recap of Peter Simon's Reggae Scrapbook Slideshow at Johnny D's

Kyle Russell — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:58:36 GMT

Peter alerted me to this review - classic Phoenix cynical style - but acknowledging with sincerity the magnitude of Simon's contributions, even suggesting his work was instrumental in putting Reggae on the map. No mention was made of the band or DJ that followed, or of the host of the night: KRucial Reggae, who's worked tirelessly for 15 years to bring quality Reggae programming to Boston (and indeed, internationally). Would love to hear from you, Chris (our URL provided), to follow up and perhaps fill in some vital blanks regarding the various players who still carry the torch, and who's acknowledgement in THIS time could help perpetuate and elevate the ongoing contribution that Reggae has to offer this community and the world as a whole. Blessings, Kyle Russell (KRucial Reggae).