Re: Owen's posting Nov 21, 1997

[Wolf Krakowski, Paula Parsky <media...>]

Dear Owen:
If you read carefully, there  were no threats made of any  nature:
I merely wish to underscore the stupid and insensitive  comment (however
"honest") that "There are no strong people on this album".  A comment
that maligns, slanders and defames some of the most respected and
cherished figures in Jewish music (and one spiritual titan)  most of
whom are dead and are in no position to speak  up for themselves.  Not
to mention guys  you know like Jim Armenti  and Ray Mason.  WHERE DOES
ARI GET THE KHUTSPAH TO SAY SUCH A THING? I did not say that my back-up
singers WOULD kick his ass, but COULD, as in to have the ability.  
You are in a band.  Picture your last CD getting the treatment mine did.
Held up in comparison to an entirely different kind of band, for one. 
Jibes  at your personal appearance, for another.  The shameless plug
for  friends at your expense.  I don't think Yosl and the other folks
would keep quiet about it.  It does bothers me that this drek is out in
cyberspace, possibly forever.
As for the part about future artists that Ari may  misrepresent and
callously put down:  Hey, I'm trying to do him a favor.  I would
personally never
come to blows over something like that.  I have way too much to lose to
be looking  at an assault charge;  that would never happen.  But I do
acknowledge my anger; so sue me.   You ever get angry, Owen?  If you
don't, a tip of the old fedora to you;  you are one spiritual guy. 
As far as your use of "snarling" (very creative, I like it)--know this:
my family did not survive both Hitler and Stalin so that I should take
crap off a n y b o d y.  Why should I?  You think a person should roll
over and take it for the sake of Viennese politeness, or something? 
There can be more viciousness  and harm in soft words than in strong
language.  There is a saying:  "Don't write no checks, that your mouth
can't cash."
If the strength of my convictions or choice of words upsets you,  I'm
sorry.  They were not directed at  you.  Ari should own up to those
remarks and think about the people he may have hurt by them.  Get it? 
I like your comparison to:  who is and who is not a Jew.  I have thought
of it myself when I read certain people's comments on what is and what
is not klezmer.  
Take it easy,
Wolf
PS  Of course, I expected to be hassled for sticking up for myself and
the memories of Kaczerginski, Gebirtig, Witler, Perlman et al.