Sick Indian Musician(Vinny) Update...

Subject: Sick Indian Musician(Vinny) Update...
From: InOBU
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 02:57 PM

I ran into Vinny on the street today. He is looking chipper and well, and learning to speak again well. He is very understandable, though a little horse. He gave me a copy of the Village Voice artical about him, and sends his thanks to all who sent cards.
The artical is from August 13, 1996 and is titled "Street Indian - thirty five years on Saint Marks Place"
In the artical he explains the origion of his dog's name, Goomp. "Well, I saw this really down and out dog - some sort of mixed airdale, and I thought he looked like a Goomp, so I said, 'Hey, Goomp, come here.' And he got up and came over."
He was born on the Eel River reservation in Brunswick in 1943. In the artical they give his name as Farquail, though his tatoo says Harquail.
I would like to add my own thanks to Vinny's to all who brightend his days in the hospital. I hope at some time when it is warmer to get him a harmonica, and his permission to tape some of his extrodinary playing, and pass it on to our dear old Mudcat cafe. He really is very good.
All the best,
Larry

Subject: RE: Sick Indian Musician(Vinny) Update...
From: GUEST,bflat
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 03:04 PM

Larry, that would be a nice thing to do, the harmonica giving. Why do you want to wait until it is warmer, if I may ask? I think you would be doing a field recording in NYC which is just a super idea. I think it would even be of interest to WNYC for a short feature. You have a lot to work with on this one. Either way, nice post.

Ellen

Subject: RE: Sick Indian Musician(Vinny) Update...
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 03:59 PM

Thanks for letting us know how he is, Larry. Good to hear he is up and around and also that he is receiving some notice. I'd love to hear his playing, do you need a donation of a harmonica? Is this something one of us could help out with? BTW, did they let him have his smudge stick in hospital?*bg*

Thanks, again,

kat

Subject: RE: Sick Indian Musician(Vinny) Update...
From: InOBU
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 04:36 PM

I will ask him about the smudge stick. We are having a real cold snap in New York, and Vin is real uncomfortable about going in anywhere. I brought him several times to a reservation he asked to go to, however, he always leaves and thumbs it back to New York before a day passes. So, I wouldn't want to have him stand still and play in the cold. Vinny actually lives in a nook in a building, over a hot air draft from a celler door. He preferes the little Honer Harmonicas, so it is not a big expence for me to get him one, every once and awhile. They usually only last a day or two before he forgets where he left it.
How about another quote from the article? A sad one about Goomp. "... And it was a car that finally got him. Vinnie had some buiness accross second Avenue, and he left Goomp with a girl to hold onto until he got back. After crossing the street, though, he heard someone shouting. He turned around and saw that Goomp had broken loose and was racing accross the avenue. Suddenly, 'a car nailed him'.
Vinnie barrowed a wheelbarrow and shovel, wrapped poor Goomp in a piece of canvas, and pushed him down to East River Park, where he dug a hole and buried him. He found a couple of sticks and tied them together for a cross."
I will continue to send him you love.
Larry

Subject: RE: Sick Indian Musician(Vinny) Update...
From: Noreen
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 01:39 PM

Thanks, Larry, I'd been looking forward to an update. Please tell Vinny we're asking after him.

Noreen