I ain't afraid a no muses:

I press onward:

After writing the first part of the article, I decided just for the fun of it to send my first Muse Food tape to some friends (whose muses probably turned up their noses at half the music on the tape): Gordon Bok, Sandy Paton, Jerry Rau and Pat Conte (Major Contay of Major Contay and the Canebrake Rattlers.) It seemed like the start of a good idea... exchanging Muse Food tapes. Just so that it's clear what a Muse Food tape isn't: it isn't a learning tape of songs that a musician would like to sing, himself. It also isn't a collection of music by people who are "important," or influential in the history of folk or pop music. Songs shouldn't be chosen to impress anyone, either. As a matter of fact, some of the songs you choose might even be an embarassment to you. Most of all, it's a tape that your muse will delight in listening to. And, the songs that you get back in return sooner or later are guaranteed not to be museless. (A real word..) Of course, one muse tape isn't enough to keep a muse happy for any period of time. They need new music and a broader range of songs than you're likely to be able to squeeze onto one tape. That's why I've made folk-rock, old-timey, rock-a-billy, contemporary folk and jazz tapes, too.

If my muse is typical, it needs kmore than music to keep it happy., and that's where the last two lines of the chorus come in... "the "all night talks," and "long slow walks" and "playing until dawn." Of all music, folk music seems the most poorly suited to exist in a formal music room on a Long Island estate. Muses need people, just as much as they do music. Many songs get their start as a natural, enthusiastic response to an all-night talk with friends. (Sometimes a long letter can generate the same reaction.) Muses don't seem capable of keeping their feelings to themselves for very long, and sometimes talking with friends is such a strong need that the instrument cases are never opened.

"Playing until dawn" is a sure-fire way to keep your muse contented. While they may not like to admit it, muses aren't nearly as creative as they'd like you to believe. They need to commune with other muses, and get new ideas. Muses can get into ruts, too. One of the great ways to rouse your muse is to play music with other musicians. That makes him stretch. For my muse, playing with old-time musicians is like eating a ten course meal. If I don't play with other musicians for a long time, my muse gets lazy and starts stealing ideas from songs he's already given me. I dn't know who he thinks he's kidding, because I can spot used inspiration as well as the next person.

That's enough for now... think I may just make a new muse tape tonight... I haven't made one for a long time... no wonder my muse has been so sullen recently.

And my muse smokes cigars, M Ted..

Jerry