I can't remember now who first used the word "genius" in the above messages, but I can tell you that I truly believe that Jonathan was the only unmitigated genius I've ever known.

I loved his music, his poetry in song, his power, his drive, his impatience, his continuous curiosity, his bawdy-house piano, his rough-and-tumble voice (which could also gentle down to a heartbreaking tenderness in a song like "Laurel" or his "Lament for a Red Planet " -- which is actually a love song, too), his brilliant wit, his vast vocabulary, and his willingness to express himself without reserve. He was larger than life, and now he's gone, and I am weeping.

I am glad I was given the opportunity to help capture a bit of his music for all of us to share -- his solo work, his part in The Boarding Party, and his extremely important contributions to Folk-Legacys two recordings of Helen Schneyer.

Fare well, Jonathan. I hope you know how much we'll miss you.