THE GRAPEVINE By David BlumTHE BAD APPLE Special Turkey of the Year: Bruce Gaitsch
Shoshanna Rosenstein specializes in picking up rare kind of wild cyclamen...and turkeys. A few month ago, Shoshanna chose rapper Chadlove "The Golden Turkey of the Year". This week, Shoshanna found another character. In her column "CDs Reviews" at the World Jewish News Agency, Shoshanna wrote: "Bruce Gaitsch released a new CD "Sincerely". Don't waste a penny on this ridiculous and most boring so-called album. It is funny and incomprehensible how third rate guitar players like Gaitsch manage to stay in business. This guy is the perfect living example of mediocre musicians who produce nuisance with the blessing of studios operated by people who lack taste and knowledge of real music. Rating: Just below zero. Don't expect much from a person who knows little about refined music, class and civility. I am talking about Bruce Gaitsch, "Mr. Vulgarity" par excellence!" And there is more to the story. Publicist Carol Lexter told the New York Monthly Herald: "I never heard of this guy (Gaitsch) before. I was asked to email him a profile application form to include him in the forthcoming book World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment. So I did. I sent thousands of emails addressed to singers, composers and entertainers...and politely requested them to complete the application form...you know, we were collecting their biographies, press quotes, stuff like that to print them in the book. Mr. Gaitsch replied back in this manner: "50$ to process a photo. You are so full of it." (Date: 11/15/2006 9:52:57 PM Central Standard Time.) Obviously, Carol Lexter felt very uncomfortable. So he called Shoshanna Rosenstein to inquire about Gaitsch. Shoshanna replied: "Don't worry Carol, Gaitsch's demeanor reveals nothing but vulgarity and ingratitude. Besides, he is a third rate musician. It was a mistake writing to this character." |
THE GOOD APPLE
Helene Feldman: Lots of class! The world of music is full of all kinds and sorts of people. Some are considerate, engaging, courteous and wonderful people like Helen Feldman, Paulette Attie, Barbara Cook, etc., and some are rude and lack good manners like Bruce Gaitsch. I wanted to know more about the ramifications of Mr. Lexter's story. Politely, he declined to provide me with additional juice but said :"You can talk to Mrs. Germaine Poitiers, a reporter in England who is also involved in collecting data on jazz singers and musicians." I contacted Germaine. She was very sweet and amicable. Poitiers said: "Yes, I did write to a great number of jazz singers and entertainers in the United States. All were very cooperative and polite. I collected tons of data and biographies. Some were extra, super duper polite and friendly. After all, we are doing them a favor. By writing about them in this new, massive and authoritative book (World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment), a maximum exposure is thus given to them. I recall one particular lady who was exceptionally friendly and classy; Ms. Helen Feldman, a singer in New York City. I was touched by her warmth and engaging nature. She even invited me to her show at Dany's in Manhattan." That's right folks, the world of music is full of all sorts and kinds of people. Like a basket of apples. Would I say Bruce Gaitsch is a bad apple? You bet! Could I say Helen Feldman is a good apple? Absolutely! World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment is a three volume encyclopedic work by Maximillien de Lafayette, author of the international bestseller Entertainment Divas Cabaret Jazz, Then and Now.
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Photo:
Bruce Gaitsch