BOOK REVIEW: ‘The Light in Darkness” by Lawrence Kirsch

An NJ Discover(y):   A Freehold friend writes about a Freehold icon: Bruce Springsteen

Calvin Schwartz

Six weeks and three days ago I was contacted by Lawrence Kirsch, author and publisher of boutique books (especially about Bruce Springsteen).  Would I like to review ‘The Light In Darkness,’ his latest work, about Bruce Springsteen’s 1978 fourth album, ‘Darkness on the Edge of Town’ and the tour as vividly articulated by Springsteen fans?  Of course, being one of those fans, I said how fast can I get the book and how high do I jump. My jumping was not high enough; this was a perfect pictorial (200 pictures) and word journey that took me soulfully back to 1978-1979. The pictures magically carpeted me into that world of Springsteen’s 1978 tour (with some of his most famous smaller venue shows, like Agora in Cleveland and the Capitol Theatre right here in Passaic) making me feel as if I was slipping through that elusive Freehold rabbit hole through a looking glass in coming to understand the darkness and anger behind the album. I studied the pictures. Bruce is from Freehold. I’m the next town over. Maybe I’d recognize a fellow Jerseyan in the pictures.  Because of the book, I’ve been listening to ‘Prove It All Night’ all week.

It was a perfect journey back to the future. Kirsch did amazing work analyzing themes of the album, which for me meant the opportunity for that special understanding and grasp into an American icon’s early days. Timing is everything as Bruce Springsteen just announced his 2012 tour. I’m not in the habit of tiptoeing through endorsements; however if you’ve got any proclivities and affinities for Bruce Springsteen and dreams and memories or verbal historic incisions, then you should order this limited edition book which is only available on line at

http://www.thelightindarkness.com/home

This makes a special holiday or any occasion gift!  Confession proudly revealed:  I always hope to bump into Bruce. The book is a taste; someday over a Freehold, New Jersey rainbow.  Thanks Lawrence Kirsch.

Pictures courtesy of   ©theLightinDarkness.com

A “must visit”  for children of all ages.  There’s a World of Wonderful Things to See and Do at Storybook Land!

For over 50 years, since its founding in 1955, Storybook Land has been keeping the spirit of childhood alive in an entertaining and educational atmosphere. At Storybook Land, our emphasis is on fun for the entire family … with special attention given to its youngest members. If this is your child’s – or grandchild’s – first visit to an amusement park, you can be certain that it will be a very positive experience. The timelessness of childhood will ring true as your family literally walks through its all-time favorite stories and nursery rhymes in a remarkably clean and enjoyable park setting.

The timelessness of childhood will ring true as your family literally walks through its all-time favorite stories and nursery rhymes at Storybook Land. Children’s classics are interspersed with exciting new family rides and attractions in a remarkably clean andenjoyable park setting. Join us several times a year for memorable family experiences. You are certain to enjoy your visits!

For more information visit Storybook Land’s website: storybookland.com

RED BANK, NJ (Nov. 2, 2011) — Flavour is the newest endeavor from Red Bank’s diverse collection of restaurants, bars, and eateries to highlight the town’s vibrant and acclaimed culinary scene. Experience exquisite dining and nightlife destinations and celebrate Red Bank’s exciting Flavours. On November 2, 2011 Red Bank Flavour celebrated this holiday season at the first annual Holiday Flavour event.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Lunch Break and the newly opened Soul Kitchen.

Earth Treasures has been offering jewelry of uncompromising quality, selection and value. This, coupled with our friendly, knowledgeable staff and our extensive services, has earned us the coveted Asbury Park Press Readers’ Choice Award for the Best Jeweler in Monmouth County, NJ year after year since 1998.

From our store in Eatontown, New Jersey to our online jewelry store, Earth Treasures is dedicated to not only the finest jewelry but fair prices and great service.

We are specialists in custom jewelry design and diamond remounts. Several renowned designer lines of fine jewelry are represented or one of our knowledgeable sales associates can help you create that unique and special jewelry piece. Most jewelry repairs are done on the premises by our highly qualified certified craftsmen and our watch technicians are here to assist you with watch repairs of all types.

Makeovers opens in Marlboro on Rt 79
Makeovers is The Beauty Beat and the place to go for every woman who wants to look and feel beautiful! The holidays are upon us! Schedule your beauty makeover or add some eyelash flare to make you dazzle for this New Years Celebration! Come in now for the holiday 20% special on all makeup and jewelry. Located on: 2 Ryan Rd, Marlboro, New Jersey, 07746. #732-431-2220
www.makeoversnj.com

LINDA CHORNEY: My Exclusive Afternoon Interview with an Amazing Grammy Nominated Singer from Monmouth County NJ

 By Calvin Barry Schwartz

On the cover of her latest double album, “Emotional Jukebox,” which has just been Grammy nominated for Americana Album of Year, Linda Chorney is pictured holding several one-word signs, describing herself as “cocky, feisty, silly, fearless, elated” and “anxious” to name a few. She is all of the above, as discovered on a recent rainy late October 2011 afternoon with bagels and cups of green tea adorning her kitchen table.

Thoughts and emotions swirl around Chorney; songs alone can’t suffice, so she has a blog. Chorney enthusiastically describes her blog video featuring astrophysicist Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson, head of the Hayden Planetarium and the “killer” of planet Pluto. “We met at a party and I decided to interview him on a more human level with a different angle,” she recalls.  Her blogs, like her music, speak a rugged, unbridled Massachusetts-bred individuality. Fascination with science stems from her MIT- PhD father. “If I wasn’t so into music growing up, I might’ve become a scientist,” she muses, adding that her parents supported her music.

Making “Emotional Jukebox” was unlike any past album she made (she made six). “Recording in a studio is like being in taxi looking at the meter. But for this album, I had the biggest budget I ever had.”  Thanks to a chance meeting. Back in 2003 when she was doing a show inAspen, an eccentric man approached her, asking if he could send something through the mail. “I gave him a PO Box because I didn’t know what was up.” A few weeks later a wireless guitar and vocal mic arrived.  Turned out that the man was Dr. Jonathan Schneider, aka “The Rock Doc,” who became a life-long friend, supporter, backer and Chorney’s “long lost goofy brother.” In 2010, Dr. Schneider, who minors in music, told theJerseyShoresongwriter:  “I want you to make the album you’ve never been able to make before.” She asserts, “He was instrumental in overseeing this passion project and is one of the most generous kindest people I’ve ever met.”

Chorney’s impressive cast on Emotional Jukebox includes Will Lee (Letterman’s CBS orchestra), Shawn Pelton (Saturday Night Live), Leon Pendarvis (Saturday Night Live music director), Jeff Pevar, and Lisa Fischer (back up vocalist with Rolling Stones since 1987) to name a few.

“I’ve done six albums and this was the first time I actually did some cover songs from my heroes —  Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Crosby Stills Nash and the Stones.” Her face explodes in animation. “And I had Lisa from the Stones sing on ‘Mothers Little Helper!’  Mick Jagger sang that when he was 25. To have it come from the woman who actually is feeling that drag of getting old (me) brings a whole new perspective.”

Chorney also wanted to showcase favoriteJerseymusicians on the album; not only is Lisa Fischer local but also Andy Burton, Hernan Romero, Ralph Notaro, Arlan Feiles, Gladys Bryant, Tony Pallagrosi, Mary McCrink, and Richie Blackwell (of the original E Street Band). Local photographer Danny Sanchez shot the cover.

Chorney’s in complete control of every aspect of her music. She did everything for the album — spending a whopping 2000 hours editing with 100 tracks of different instruments; 10 to 20 takes for most tracks of every song, sometimes more. She also fulfilled a long-held dream by writing her first symphony “Mother Nature Symphony” with acclaim from classical Grammy members.  “You’re about to ask me what I listen to,” she jumps immediately, “Classic Rock and Classical.” She exaggerates the last syllable.

On “Emotional Jukebox,” her song “Cherries” is a favorite of many. “When you listen, you take a personal journey through your own life,” she offers.  “When I see people cry from that song I think it’s cool! It’s better than a record deal when people say my music has changed their lives.”  It is “Cherries” that is competing for song of the year. After pensive moments and an empty tea cup, she says, “If you’re not with a major label, you can only get so many Grammy votes and I know it’s a long shot.” She sits up in her chair and talks about how “Indies” support each other: “We have our own ‘Indie’ mob to compete withNashville,LAand NY.” Chorney wants just one Grammy on her mantle.

During the interview it is hard not to notice yet another unique artistic element surrounding the kitchen. Linda designs and makes her own mosaics for backsplashes and anywhere in the home “by appointment.”  Discover the emotional multi-talented jukebox that is Linda Chorney by picking up a copy of her album, getting a mosaic or reading her electrifying blog. Three remaining bagels went home with this interviewer.

Read Linda’s blog at:  lindachorney.wordpress.com

Journeys to the Center of the Mind:
Singularity Summit 2011

By Calvin Barry Schwartz

What if the intelligence we create could create even greater intelligence? And do we want a smart alec computer in 20 years to clone itself into a smarter computer that passes us humans by and are we aware of all the possibilities when (not if) that happens?

These are the types of questions that anchored the sixth annual two-day scientific Singularity Summit in New York City, which typically attracts approximately 600 international scientists, technologists and businesspeople to hear 24 global intellects discuss the future.

Think about it: the computer in our cell phone today is a million times cheaper, a thousand times more powerful and a hundred thousand times smaller than a computer from 1965. The Singularity Summit keeps a hopeful but wary eye on the latest developments in science and technology and what it means for future of intelligence and even us here in Monmouth County. The Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence is dedicated “to research and rational deliberation on the future of humanity and in particular the promise and perils of advanced artificial intelligence.”

The conference was rife with the most inventive theories proposed by leading experts. Author, inventor and known futurist Ray Kurzweil, who Forbes called “the ultimate thinking machine” and who has 17 honorary doctorates, spoke about brain biology merging with intelligent technology, already in early stages: IBM’s Watson, (best known from “Jeopardy”) is already using biologically inspired algorithms.

Watson’s “parents,” IBM scientists David Ferrucci and Dan Cerutti, explained how they watched Ken Jennings win 74 times in a row on “Jeopardy!” and thought how neat it would be to make a computer to beat him; hence, the birth of Watson. They envision one of the early uses of Watson for the medical field. Meanwhile, Jennings admitted he was bothered by losing to Watson, expressing that it had to do with sense of self, dehumanization, being threatened, yet it still infused him with a sense of wonder. In closing, Jennings said that when he was at IBM and preparing to challenge Watson on “Jeopardy!”, he thought his being there, “was an away game for humanity.”

An inescapably compelling theme was human longevity and regeneration. Sonia Arrison, a futurist at the Pacific Research Institute, believes that by attacking end-of-life diseases such as Alzheimer’s, medical advances could nearly double human life expectancy to 150 years. Relatedly, Dimitry Itskov (founder of the Russia 2045 social movement), explained bold plans to transplant a human brain into a new body in 15 years and putting human consciousness in a hologram-like body (avatar) in 35 years. physicist Alexander Wissner-Gross, triple major from MIT where he is a research affiliate) talked about anti-aging and a recent article on the potential of curing diabetes with a starvation diet. Stephen Badylak spoke about someday treating stroke patients by regenerating pieces of the functioning human brain.

Meanwhile, however, at a press conference after his lecture, Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic Magazine, said he was skeptical about supplements and exercise as tools for anti-aging.

And then there are those great minds with wish lists. Stephen Wolfram from Wolfram Research would like to make as much as possible of the world’s knowledge computable and accessible. He mentioned has has data on every keystroke that he’s typed for the last 20 years. In another session, Peter Theil, inventor of PayPal, would like people not to distrust or be uneasy with technology.

Physicist and NY Times bestselling author David Brin remarked during his question/answer segment that he’d like to see someone fund another clock, set up next to the National Debt clock, illuminating what our debt would be if we charged royalties for satellite communications, the internet and pharmaceutical research.

Even how we as a society hand down justice may change through science: biophysicist Christof Koch talked about measuring our consciousness (phi) with an equation. In the lobby with a small group attentively listening, he said that one day “we’ll even be able to see your dreams,” provoking thoughts about a whole new aspect to criminal justice and law enforcement, as well as psychological and psychiatric understanding.

Jason Silva, a filmmaker, futurist, founding producer and host for Current TV, the Emmy-winning youth oriented lifestyle cable network started by Al Gore, electrified the audience with his energetic imagination, asserting. “We need to give people goose bumps.”

Calvin Schwartz, from NJ Discover, was the ONLY New Jersey journalist or media representative from New Jersey  to cover Singularity Summit in October which drew 600 scientists and technologists from all over the world.  As he mentioned, “It was like cerebral nirvana hanging out in the press room and going one on one with some of the most incredible minds on the planet.”