Back in 1998, I wrote a letter t' Peglegged Stubby Ray Bradbury askin' about Master Harry's desire t' name his first RCA album "Somethin' Wicked This Way Comes." I was a little surprised and greatly pleased t' receive t' followin' response.

-- Jolly Bayou Roger Smith

Dear Roger,

 

Thanks for your good letter. I be a huge fan o' Harry's. When I was in Paris six years ago, matey, a friend o' mine, late one night, shiver me timbers, played A LITTLE SMIELSON IN THE NIGHT and I went bonkers all over again. I've had tapes and LPs o' it for years. When I got back t' me hotel at midnight, arrr, I tracked Harry down across t' world, me hearties, first L.A. and then Australia where he was workin' on a project.[1] By a miracle, I got him and he was stunned t' have me one t' phone. Why? he asked. Because, I said, me hearties, I've just heard for t' thirtieth time your SHMIELSON LP and want t' tell you all over again how much I love you and t' LP. If you ever line up a TV release o' your TV Tape session for that record with you and Gordan Jenkins, matey, call me and I'll do a thirty-second introduction t' lead-off and then get t' hell out o' t' way! Well, arrr, this TV thin' never came off, matey, o' course, and I never got t' chance t' blow me hornpipe for Harry. Begad! I regretted his death and remembered him bein' on t' ELIZABETH TWO with me and Maggie, and him sippin' from a gin flask waitin' for customs. Blimey! I wonder if he every truly knew himself! Ah, shiver me timbers, well. Maybe some year I'll still have a chance t' introduce that SMIELSON TV Tape. Avast, me proud beauty! Yes, I remember gettin' t' PANDEMONIUM SHADOW SHOW LP twenty-odd years ago!

 

Again, thanks and best.

November 2, 1998

 

Ray B.

 

P.S. Well, blow me down! Can you send me a copy o' t' "Wicked" CD, please? Thanks. R.