I am missing my Alonso Fernando Piano and, by proxy, Stephen Bruton. This little missive focuses on a furry family member who adopted me (and my brood at the time) at first glance and who I loved through all the blips of our trials and tribulations. And also on a fabulous songwriter and guitarist who I had a major crush on in my youth and who did not discourage me.
"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life. Music and cats."—Albert Schweitzer
Which reminds me of Stephen Bruton who I met in my teens when he was on tour as guitarist for Geoff Muldaur and later, for Kristofferson—a bright and brilliant servant to the main act. Wild and angelic as a sideman, he later came forth as a deeply soulful, truthful songwriter.
Decades later, commuting home along Memorial Drive one late summer afternoon, I heard a song that forced me onto a side street so that I could really listen. It was Stephen singing Under the Horizon. Here's the one I'm reminded of and another just for good measure.
The King of Everything.
Trip Around the Sun.