Robert, thank you for taking the time to participate in this and for sharing so much of yourself in the process. Your answers carry the same sincerity and care that run through your music essays, and it’s a privilege to see the experiences and memories that shaped the voice so many of us admire. What comes through most strongly is how deeply rooted your love of music is in family, discovery, and connection—exactly the qualities that make this community feel alive. I’m grateful you stepped into this with such openness, and even more grateful you’re part of this space.
Loved this Robert, thanks for answering so many questions, I’m sure it was quite an undertaking. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know some of my favourite writers through this series.
P.S. I used to eat Oreos exactly the same way!! 🤣🤣
Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for answering my questions as well as the other writers' questions! I enjoyed getting to know a bit more about you. I so need to check those early Elvis recordings! I also loved what you said about Tapestry and the comfort feel of a home. Happy Sunday!
Robert, these are really lovely answers and I appreciate the thought you put into them. I nodded in recognition at the McRea quote. Realized I need to get out that Blues Project album. And wanted to ask if you have heard the Mills Brothers delightful Xmas album. Thank you for sharing your background, your aspirations, and joys. I am looking forward to reading what you do next
P.S. Robert, have you ever listened to Gene Pitney or Johnny Rivers? I think they're both quite underappreciated and definitely in the era/ style you like. It would be great to read whatever you wrote about them.
I most certainly have. I wrote about Johnny Rivers earlier this year: https://www.listeningsessions.ca/p/johnny-rivers-sing-us-a-song. Gene Pitney is great too - he had a powerful set of pipes and an almost cinematic approach to singing (quite literally then thinking of 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance'). He'd be a good one to write about, for sure.
Congratulations! You definitely deserve it-- you do a great job of conveying your appreciation of underappreciated artists and their music. Keep up the great work! Have a great holiday season!
Robert, thank you for taking the time to participate in this and for sharing so much of yourself in the process. Your answers carry the same sincerity and care that run through your music essays, and it’s a privilege to see the experiences and memories that shaped the voice so many of us admire. What comes through most strongly is how deeply rooted your love of music is in family, discovery, and connection—exactly the qualities that make this community feel alive. I’m grateful you stepped into this with such openness, and even more grateful you’re part of this space.
Thanks, Howard, and thanks for the nudge to share a little bit about where my love of music came from.
"Cannonball Adderley’s recording of ‘74 Miles Away’ from 1967"
I love this one too- thanks for getting it on my radar!
You're welcome - very glad to have shared it with you. I remember very well hearing it on the radio for the first time, and being deeply shaken by it.
Carole King's Tapestry evokes comfort and a homey feel for me too.
Grew up with Johnny Mathis and second your sentiments about him.
Loved this Robert, thanks for answering so many questions, I’m sure it was quite an undertaking. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know some of my favourite writers through this series.
P.S. I used to eat Oreos exactly the same way!! 🤣🤣
Thanks, Mark! It's a fun series and grateful to those who got me to take part.
Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for answering my questions as well as the other writers' questions! I enjoyed getting to know a bit more about you. I so need to check those early Elvis recordings! I also loved what you said about Tapestry and the comfort feel of a home. Happy Sunday!
My essays on Elvis are a good guide to the music - I could go on about it for ages. It all started there for me!
Yes Robert, Projections, almost perfect and a masterpiece.
I'll get to writing about it in the New Year.
Good man, Robert. Rising tide…
Exactly! The Substack community is amazing.
Congratulations. I love your stuff.
That means a lot to me! Keep fighting the good fight!!!!
Congrats on the nomination, and good luck! Loved reading your answers to these questions.
Thanks, William, and thanks as well for all the support!
"Seventy four miles away-that's out there!"
Thanks, Robert!
Cannonball knew how to emcee!
Robert, these are really lovely answers and I appreciate the thought you put into them. I nodded in recognition at the McRea quote. Realized I need to get out that Blues Project album. And wanted to ask if you have heard the Mills Brothers delightful Xmas album. Thank you for sharing your background, your aspirations, and joys. I am looking forward to reading what you do next
Thanks! Oh yes, well-acquainted with the Mills Brothers' Christmas album - wish I had a copy.
If I see it in my travels, I will grab it and send it along. It is superlative.
Oh wow, thank you!
P.S. Robert, have you ever listened to Gene Pitney or Johnny Rivers? I think they're both quite underappreciated and definitely in the era/ style you like. It would be great to read whatever you wrote about them.
I most certainly have. I wrote about Johnny Rivers earlier this year: https://www.listeningsessions.ca/p/johnny-rivers-sing-us-a-song. Gene Pitney is great too - he had a powerful set of pipes and an almost cinematic approach to singing (quite literally then thinking of 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance'). He'd be a good one to write about, for sure.
Congratulations! You definitely deserve it-- you do a great job of conveying your appreciation of underappreciated artists and their music. Keep up the great work! Have a great holiday season!
Thanks, Peter - my best to you and your family for the holidays.