November E-News Highlights

My Fellow Americans, please vote on November 4th, 2008. It’s the greatest expression of freedom in any society, even if you dislike the candidates up for election, even if you think your favorite candidates are going to win (or lose!) with or without your vote, even if you have to wait in line for a long time before casting your vote. Also, regardless if your candidates win or lose, let’s all roll up our sleeves and get involved for the common good in our communities, our country, our world. And please, let’s end the shocking divisiveness that is strangling our great nation and come together reasonably with respect for each other and our differences, peacefully for a better America, a better world and a better way of life for this and subsequent generations. These troubled times demand that we do.

In case you missed it, our Simon & Garfunkel Songbook CD,
Time It Was will be available November 1st on our website http://www.aztectwostep.com/store.htm and at our Little Theater concert with Pete Fornatale in White Plains, NY. Here is an excerpt from the Kennebec Journal in Augusta, Maine, our first review so far:

This 28-track, 76 minute, 17 seconds-long CD was recorded live in 90.7 WFUV’s studio A and features just the two guitars and voices of Shulman and Fowler… period. And guess what — they don’t need anything else. Taking the music and lyrics of Paul Simon with the Aztec Two-Step signature style of vocal harmonies, you have not a carbon-copy of these classic songs but a true and distinctive — as well as loving — translation/transition of past to present. Add to that the thoughts, observations and narration of Pete Fornatale (he also contributes the liner notes on the booklet, as well as some fancy whistling on “Punky’s Dilemma”) who marries the music with the history of the famous duo throughout the entire album. You have a slice of musical memories realized by these equally impressive singer-songwriters. Lucky Clark, 10/23/08 http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/2084305918.html

Thank you Lucky and thank you Scott Yonan of Rhode Island for suggesting the CD title, Time It Was. Thank you all for your on-going support - we couldn’t possibly do it without you!

PEACE if we want it, Rex & Neal

P.S. Here’s a link to another great review, this time by Bob McKillop of Maine Folk Music.com about our recent One Longfellow Square concert in Portland, Maine: www.mainefolkmusic.com

P.S.S. It’s not too late to book ATS for a private party or your
New Years Eve bash. Damn the apocalypse and call today!
201-207-5304 or bobbi@aztectwostep.com

P.S.S.S. Thanks to all of you who purchased Stargazers, my kid’s of all ages (9 to 92) CD. 32 down, 2668 to go!

October E-News Highlights

Fast times at D.C. High. I know it’s shameful and perverse but there’s a part of me that is delighting in the pending apocalypse. I’m referring NOT to the purported rapturous sky fairy apocalypse; rather to the fiscal apocalypse our nation is currently engulfed in as my meager 401(k) fritters away. Of course this couldn’t be worse timing for the average Joe (like me!) and the politicians whose jobs are also at stake with the November election at hand. Win, lose or draw, it’s heartening to see all the American colors across the great divide rising up, dialoging and demanding their representatives in Washington be held accountable. Democracy at its finest! Meanwhile, truth be known, much of my misguided enthusiasm is for its therapeutic renderings; diverting the pain of yet another colossal collapse by my beloved New York Mets. As much as I loved how Jerry Manuel guided the team with intelligence, humor and grace after the shameful (yet necessary) firing of Willie Randolph, and therefore would love to see Mr. Manuel return as the manager next season, it might be wiser for ownership to bring Dr. Henry Jay Heimlich in to manage (or better yet maneuver) the team until he can expurgate their propensity for choking down the stretch in the heat of a pennant race. OK, perhaps GM Minaya should bring in a few new relievers as well. Without my Mets involved, wouldn’t it be grand if the Chicago Cubs won the World Series on the 100th anniversary of their last championship? Let’s Go Cubbies! Postscript: Ok, how about Dodgers vs. Red Sox in the fall classic? It would be surreal to see Manny being Manny being managed by Torre in Fenway. Go Sox!


On a more serious note, the Daniel Pearl Foundation has invited us and thousands of musicians worldwide to participate this month in raising awareness for their cause.

“Daniel Pearl was a newspaper reporter and a violin player who traveled the world and used music to make friends in many countries. In 2002 he was murdered by terrorists while investigating a story in Pakistan. His family decided to carry on Danny’s work and use music to help people learn to respect each other and honor diversity. October 10 was Danny’s birthday…. This month, all over the world, musicians of all kinds are dedicating concerts to our shared belief that even though we may be of different races, religions or ethnic backgrounds, we can all work together to achieve a better, hate-free world for everyone.”

http://www.danielpearlmusicdays.org/dedications.php

Perhaps we can embrace these sentiments not just for this month, but day in and day out for the rest of our lives. What better place to rededicate the practice of these principles than right here in our troubled and divided nation? We are honored to dedicate our October 2008 concerts to this courageous and noble man, Daniel Pearl.

A Fanciful Thought: our mailing list guru Chip Bemis has informed me that there are now over 2700 of you beautiful people on our mailing list. My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you for signing up and to those of you who ordered Stargazers, my kids of all ages CD from our website last month. BUT, if all 2700 of you ordered it now (or before the end of this holiday season) it would easily pay for its total cost and a national promotional campaign too.

Mr. Fowler, I am Marlee. We saw each other at the Heartland Concert this past Saturday night. I am 8 years old and I think your kid’s CD is great. I really like number 6. Thank you for the CD. Marlee Mullane

AND, if you could also order just one or two ATS CDs or DVDs between now and then, Neal and I could pay for and promote our LIVE Simon & Garfunkel Songbook CD featuring Pete Fornatale due out this November 1st.

DAMN THE APOCALYPSE AND ORDER TODAY!! http://www.aztectwostep.com/store.htm

Peace, Love and Harmony,
Rex & Neal

P.S. We have lots of open dates this coming December. How about hiring us for an ‘Almost Apocalypse’ Holiday Party?

Cheers!