Author Archives: Jon Sidel

Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

I call up my friend the good angel / But she’s out with / Her answer-phone / She says she’d love to come help but / The sea would / Electrocute us all / Nice dream / Nice dream / Nice dream / Nice dream

Hopefully this new moon is treating you well. Some say the year is just beginning. Or is it ending? While I try and clear my head, a new generation is headed out to the California desert for Coachella.

Ah, those were some fun days in the sun. Hope you set your intensions and enjoy the music.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

Jenny said / When she was just about five years old / You know why parents gonna be the death of us all / Two TV sets and two Cadillac cars / Well you know, it ain’t gonna help me at all, not just a tiny bit / Then one fine mornin’ she turns on a New York station / She doesn’t believe what she hears at all / Ooh, she started dancin’ to that fine fine music / You know her life is saved by rock ‘n’ roll, yeah rock ‘n’ roll

Despite all the computations / You could just dance / To that rock ‘n’ roll station / And baby it was alright (it was alright) / Hey it was alright (it was alright)

Just got back from a week on the east coast with family. It’s been over two years since I’ve ventured home. I came back to hang with my mom, sister, and see my daughter off to work in Paris.

I must say it was hard “getting out” of LA. I feel like the pandemic has given me some kind of travel phobia. I really just don’t want to travel, and I must say “traveling” last week was a drag. Luckily I stuffed my wheele with warm clothes. I even brought my trusty USB microphone to cut last week’s show. It was nice to smell a hint of the change of seasons, but saw no green leaves and couldn’t get an Idelic Hour out for Good Friday.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

When she said, “Don’t waste your words, they’re just lies, ” I cried she was deaf / And she worked on my face until breaking my eyes, and said, “What else you got left?” / It was then that I got up to leave, but she said, “Don’t forget / Everybody must give something back for something they get”

I stood there and hummed, I tapped on her drum, I asked her how come / And she buttoned her boot, and straightened her suit, and she said, “Don’t get cute” / So I forced my hands in my pockets and felt with my thumbs / And gallantly handed her my very last piece of gum

As the first month 2023 spins us around and around into February, I’m asking myself, “I am just just fucking with myself”? At times I’m like Bob Dylan fucking playing games with his audience, save my audience is just in between my ears.

It’s likely best not to think too much and enjoy a few songs, and dig on another beautiful day here in our canyon. Mid 70s sunny and clear?

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

After nine days I let the horse run free / ‘Cause the desert had turned to sea / There were plants and birds and rocks and things / There was sand and hills and rings

The ocean is a desert with its life underground / And a perfect disguise above / Under the cities lies a heart made of ground / But the humans will give no love

You see I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name / It felt good to be out of the rain / In the desert you can’t remember your name / ‘Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain / La la la la la la…

La la la la la la La la la la la la. I’m driving through the canyon. Maybe I’ll head south or to Texas for SXSW? Likely Santa Calrita chasing baseball dreams.

Spring is trying to break. Clocks have pushed and birds are chirping. Although these days are indeed strange, we’re gonna drive like hell, reciting positivity and making new friends.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

I don’t understand, I am afraid of me / No one gave me boundaries / They always said that I was free / I just need someone to get a hold of me / Tell me where I’m going wrong / Tell me I’m the special one

So I should come into your life? / Come into your life / Come into your life / Stay a little while / Stay a little while with me / Learn a useful lesson / Before I fly

All my love letters sound like T. Rex songs / “To my dear old self, I’ll ride a white, white swan” / All my love letter’s sound like T. Rex songs / “To my dear old self, I’ll ride a white, white swan”

We’re fighting a wicked cold bug in the canyon. Slept through last week’s deadline. It’s been wet. Very wet. Strange times. Despite having to bid farewell to some, we’re making new friends. Birds and bees are buzzing around and frogs have moved into our backyard.

Did you know “frog-speak” refers to the vocal communication used by frogs for various purposes like mating calls, territorial disputes, and distress signals.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

Life is a wheel that drives me mad / Trying to find my way / Life is a wheel don’t know where I’m bound / Sometimes I’ve had to say

Where can I hide / Where can I hide / Where can I hide / When so many times I’ve failed

Growing up Jewish, an offspring of the “old country,” and a touch privileged in New York City, I have eaten at the The Russian Tea Room many times. It was often said often said that the Tea Room’s Chicken Kiev was better than the best in Kiev. The Tea Room was simply one my favorite fancy restaurants growing up. After my high school graduation, the Sidels dined there for lunch. I have never been to Russia or Kiev. From the look of things, I likely never will?

On occasion I do pop by Grandma’s Russian Deli in Studio City for the most authentic and excellent borscht and chicken. Borscht is a winter routine I developed at Teresa’s in New York’s lower east side. The day I stumbled into Grandma’s, the woman who runs the spot was very flirty and intrigued. She took no time in talking to me in her tongue, curious about my heritage and delighted by my request for black bread and a greasy patio pastry to go with my soup.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

You said somethin’ / You said somethin’ / You said somethin’ / That was really important

The truth is I have nothing to complain about. I’d like to, but today . . . nada.

Last night when I cut this Idelic Hour episode I noticed it was 2/22. Made me think of shooting craps with my dad. The old man loved the sharp pocket knives and the “hard four.”

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

Does it hurt to fall in love so easy / Does it hurt to fall in love so fast / Does it hurt you to find out / Thirty-second hand

Is it such a big task / Such a big task / Are you too proud to ask / Remember last one was your last

It’s too early to run to momma / It’s too late to run like hell / I guess I would tell ya / ‘Cause I don’t want to ask / That this one be your last

And this one child is killing you / This one’s your last chance / To make this last one really the last / Oh are you too proud to ask / Is it such a big task / Remember last one was your last

Hope you all had a nice Valentine’s. Mine is always about love songs of all types.

When I owned restaurants in the ’90s I would create a mixtape with the goal that Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” would play shortly after a romantic dinner. After decades of Valentine’s listening, I still believe that Green’s magic is the greatest love song of all time. 

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

There’s a world out there I’m running from / Full of plastic cards and chewing gum / The best of you, the worst of me / Leaves everything the same

I can’t take the light face to face / I spent my whole life moving in place / To live and die by a blinking star / Due north, only where you are

On a Spanish dune / We’ll turn to the moon / I’m here for now and I’m calling out

After this week’s “biblical” downpour in LA, I’m happy to report your humble Idelic host has not washed away. I just checked the garage and it seems my vinyl is also intact.

It’s a bit chilly for LA but to recap, it’s a clear beautiful morning in the canyon. We have electricity, internet, and therefore music. Some excellent coffee so…

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

We hear them sayin’

How you get a rude and a reckless? / Don’t you be so crude and feckless / You been drinking brew for breakfast / Rudie can’t fail (no, no)

We reply

I know that my life make you nervous / But I tell you I can’t live in service / Like the doctor who was born for a purpose / Rudie can’t fail (ok)

I went to the market to realize my soul / What I need I just don’t have (oh no) / First they curse, then they press me ’til I hurt / They say, Rudie can’t fail

First you must cure your temper / Then find a job in a paper / You need someone for a savior / Rudie can’t fail

I’d say thank god it’s Friday, but I missed my TVD deadline. It’s a slightly chilly but clear Saturday morning in the canyon. It’s “Grammy Week,” filled with a number of events and parties. A week of industry schmoozing that really kicks the people who work in the music bizz into gear.

Of course technology (aka streaming) has changed many things, but happily some things remain the same. As I’ve said many times over many years, my journey is about great songs and the cool people I’ve met. If this week has any indication, 2024 will be filled with both of them.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

I wake up early in the morning / And I’m up until the dawn / And it’s only getting harder / For me to carry on / So I’ll Go to California / And I hope I get there soon / I’ll just sit next to the ocean / Underneath the yellow moon

Indeed there is nothing like a full moon over the city of Los Angeles. Last night’s hung low and wise. This morning was chilly but here comes the sun, and a couple of warm low hanging suns.

Cool bands are in today. The Smile, Ty Segall, Ekkstacy, Future Islands, Bill Ryder-Jones, and BRMC dropping cool vinyl. Justice and Tame Impala bring an electro clash, psyche-pop platter to the party. I can’t believe January is all but dust. Jonesing for longer days so…

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

Your daddy, he’s an outlaw and a wanderer by trade / He’ll teach you how to pick and choose, and how to throw the blade / He oversees his kingdom, so no stranger does intrude / His voice, it trembles as he calls out for another plate of food

One more cup of coffee for the road / One more cup of coffee ‘fore I go / To the valley below

Out of my head this morning. Up to wee hours battling tech issues on my computer. I’ve always dreamed of getting back to cutting the Idelic hour at a radio station. I loved that feeling of broadcasting, completely alone at a radio station in the middle of the night. Dropping records for imaginary truckers on speed or lovers driving fearlessly into the desert night.

What that has to do with my broken laptop? Dunno? But to have resiliency in 2024 means something. Especially when it come to music and the business of it.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

You know I’m just a man / like any other man / Perfect is a thing I’ll never be / Awwww but it’s gonna be alright mmmm / It’s gonna be alright, listen to me / It’s gonna be alright / Wait and see / Wait and see

Week #2 of 2024. We’re still in good spirits, but I still have to say this cold and wind…yikes. Thank god for heating pads, hot coffee, and my old cashmere sweats my dad gave me. Year after year Kenny seemed to gift me the same sweats. I’d smile, try not to roll my eyes, graciously accept, and stash deep in my closet. So grateful for the warmth of an old friendly sweater this morning.

Oh yes and sweet music. Love and Other Crimes found its way onto my holiday turntable and “Wait and See” has become a bit of a mantra for me this new year. I love thinking about that famous first encounter between Sinatra and Hazlewood, bringing Lee into Reprise Records. Hazlewood thinks he’s gonna work with Frank. The Chairman walks in with Nancy says, “You kids go and make some records.”

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

Like tattooed sailors who sailed all their lives / They will never sail again / Just imagine this, every trail in the south / Could be traded and judged by you and me / Like a crippled man who spends his whole live searching for one good friend / Sadly after all the time he find you’re still your own best best

Cause even tough dogs get beaten eventually

Listen hard, / All my artist friends who are crying / They won’t be crying any more / And we won’t respect a cop who gets a pay check for busting up an American union picket line / Together we grow up so fast like the fighters of 49 / Like Willie Hopkins and Gold Earl Jones / They won’t get forgotten by me in time

Even good dogs get beaten eventually

Top week of 2024. We’re in good spirits but I have to say it’s been very cold, dark, and windy in our canyon.

Feels like the weather could get crazy in 2024. Hopefully the rock ‘n’ roll will follow suit. For the first Idelic Hour of each passing year I generally just musically “dust myself off” to get a set of old favs that stumble onto my turntable and mix it with some discoveries I’ve made of the past month or so.

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