Peter's Chat on AOL
![[Abstract Image of Peter]](../images/petefaq.gif)
Drawing by Peter Himmelman
Orchestrated by Pamm
Edited by Ellen
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PKohn: does peter have any pets?
Ravchaz: he had an ant named Jane but she drowned
DSsultan: why are great songs never on the albums?
DSsultan: like, not in vein, mercy never came , discipline of rain. sweet tears of joy
Woogz79: Does anyone remember "A New America" by PH
DSsultan: new america was great
PammSch: HE'S HEEEEEEEERE
PammSch: the first question is will he be touring with band?
Peter: yes, next time around, after the first of the year, will be with the band
Ravchaz: ask Pete how he decides what song to open with. I thought A Thousand Years an odd choice
Peter: oh really?
Peter: I generally have very little conscious thought that goes into it and sometimes I don't even know. why an odd choice?
Ravchaz: I never heard you play it before and then twice in three days. seemed odd
Shargot: Any recording with David Broza in the future?
Peter: I hope to record with DB we have a bunch of songs we wrote together
Shargot: thanks
Ravchaz: how did you hook up with David Broza -- you and he are my 2 fave artists?
Peter: I met DB at the Bottom Line in NY about ten years ago
Woogz79: What is Peter a fan of these days?
Peter: Grant Lee Buffalo
Peter: I'm working on a kid's record ("My Fabulous Plum") with the GLB drummer
LUVY2613: when can we expect PLUM?
Peter: I hope to finish "Plum" in a few weeks
LUVY2613: Label?
Peter: I'm making a new deal for the "Plum"
GABIBO: Peter - what do you think of the "Himmelmaniac" term?
PammSch: he's going to go pry now. He'll be right back
LUVY2613: pry?
Woogz79: pray
SHNEL1: pray
LUVY2613: ohhh.
Harpo7373: it's DAVEN Pammy
Harpo7373: that should be about 10 minutes
SHNEL1: you must be from NY
PammSch: That's the word. I guess it'll take about 20 minutes. That may mean we're done.
SHNEL1: depends if its mincha of maariv
SHNEL1: or
Harpo7373: too late for mincha, silly
SHNEL1: in Chicago?
PammSch: he's back
GABIBO: Peter - what do you think of the "Himmelmaniac" term?
Peter: I love the term, it will look good on a t-shirt,
LUVY2613: are you just saying that for Pamm's benefit?
PKohn: Will "A Simple Faith" ever make it to a recording?
Peter: yes, "A Simple Faith" will be the final song on the first cut of a new "from the vault" CD
Peter: It's got a lot of unreleased stuff.
Peter: Only innocent with different lyrics, weird things, I'm going to put about two or three of them out a year
LUVY2613: cool; when can we expect that?
Peter: This will be available before LTNE at shows, online, and 800 number, then after LTNE, it will be available in stores
DSsultan: awesome
GABIBO: Great!
VIRULNCE: Cool.
DSsultan: any old band stuff?
GABIBO: Sussman on CD - any chance?
Peter: I'd like to re-release Pop City when I get some time on CD
Peter: that could happen any time
LUVY2613: that would ROCK!!!
VIRULNCE: I would love to hear that
Peter: also a sussman CD of four tracks (unreleased recordings)
LUVY2613: THAT ALSO would be Great!
Woogz79: Peter what happened to "A New America"
Peter: new america will probably be coming out sometime and it may well how up on the vaults thing
PKohn: Also love "Gonna Have to Wait" Will that be on "vault" also?
Peter: "Gonna Have to Wait" maybe, that's a strong consideration (I forgot about it)
VIRULNCE: But will there ever be a place for "Disgruntled Postal Worker?"
Peter: it'll come out on the vaults, I want to get a good version of it make it sounds like an old fashioned record
Kim Dober: I'd like to know how Peter comes up with the improvisational songs at his shows...like Steak
Peter: I don't know myself how I come up with the improv songs.
Harpo7373: KIM,,,it's DIVINE INTERVENTION
PKohn: But when will he release the "Star Search" video?! ;-)
Peter: The Star Search video will be released around the time Ed McMahon and I Go in on a line of men's underwear together
DSsultan: does peter have a fav. song of his?
Peter: The songs are all like my children. Do I really name a favorite? At different times I like different ones
Woogz79: Peter how can we get a hold of your single with the reggae-type band
Peter: The single's called "Get a Grip" from Shangoya and there's a CD of a collection of all of their songs. I have a copy in a drawer
under my socks
LUVY2613: Do you know what Jeff and Al and Andy are up to these days?
Peter: Jeff is playing organ at Twins and Timberwolves games and making mood music
LUVY2613: mood music?
Peter: Al - working as a commercial jingle writer in LA
Peter: Andy - drummer on Ally McBeal
Harpo7373: really...now i have to watch Ally McBeal
LUVY2613: Andy! Really!
LUVY2613: Thanks for the answers...
PKohn: What does Peter think of "fan recordings"?
ALL LAL: A friend and I have taped a couple of your shows for private listening. Do you mind?
Woogz79: Bootlegs would be great
Peter: I like it when people tape, but when people ask me, I just say make sure I get a copy. so that goes for you guys too.
ALL LAL: Next time I tape I'll send a copy
Ravchaz: why does Peter ask for requests and then dis the people who make them?
Peter: I never dis the people
Peter: I hope they don't feel sensitive and I apologize if I've ever dissed you
Peter: I always process them in a respectful way,
Ravchaz: all is forgiven, it's funny actually
Peter: That's good, I feel better
Harpo7373: if anybody thinks they are getting dissed by Peter, then they just don't GET IT!
GABIBO: Peter -- Is there a better venue than McCabe's, anywhere?
Peter: I like McCabe's a lot but there are many many fine venues
GABIBO: Peter - I dream of an all-piano solo concert at McCabe's. Any chance?
Peter: McCabe's all piano! Hey it's a guitar shop
Harpo7373: what will tonight's opening song be?
Peter: I have no idea,
Harpo7373: how about WE pick tonight's opening song???
Harpo7373: <<<<
DSsultan: i vote for Trees r testifying....
Peter: Trees is a good idea I'll consider that strongly
VIRULNCE: Did that one at Schuba's..excellent.
LUVY2613: Is trees really about cockroaches?
Peter: No not at all. It has nothing to do about cockroaches. Where did you get that?
LUVY2613: From a story you told at Guthrie one time. Saying you were in your HELL's KITCHEN apt. and a cockroach ran across
your lips.
Peter: that's a true story, it might have set the mood
Healthebay: would you consider running for office
Peter: running for office? no
Magebird: I have a non-musical question...are you still neighbors of Paula Poundstone?
Peter: Paula Poundstone? yes
Magebird: those must be some pretty fun conversations over the garden fence, huh?
Shargot: does ph read tikkun magazine?
Peter: my uncle got me a subscription for the last two years
Woogz79: Any new movie scores?
Peter: new movie score called makeover, tv movie (like upn or usa )
VIRULNCE: Birthdate?
Peter: My birthdate is 11/23/59
VIRULNCE: Thank you!!
PSKATYDO: what type of international following does Peter have?
Peter: international, generally humans
Peter: I have many relatives in the mid-east, pretty strong in germany and australia
PSKATYDO: what countries? Israel? England? Greece? France? etc
PSKATYDO: have you ever played in Israel?
Peter: yes, to Israel
Shargot: was ph as frustrated waiting for the release of LTNE as we were?
Peter: no, I orchestrated the delay
DSsultan: why the delay?
DSsultan: to add more songs?
Healthebay: brilliant marketing strategy
LUVY2613: Are you playing a lot of the songs from LTNE now at gigs?
Peter: neither. the answer is technical and businesslike and not interesting
DSsultan: how do you feel about LTNE?
Peter: about LTNE, I have been very excited about it
DSsultan: r u adding or deleting songs?
Peter: I added a song call eyeball
VIRULNCE: Ever considered going on public radio?
Peter: I've been on PR many times, what are you referring to specifically
Healthebay: what brand of guitar do you use?
Peter: I have many many guitars so they cover a lot of brands
Healthebay: do you have a vintage fender?
Peter: yes I have a duo sonic (early 60's)
VIRULNCE: More fun to play alone or with a band?
DSsultan: why no more band shows?
Peter: They each have their advantages right now I wish I was with a band I've been playing by myself for a week
DSsultan: do you play with a band in the west coast?
Peter: yes
Harpo7373: peanut butter: creamy or crunchy???
Harpo7373: Pammy,,,,,no peanut butter questions allowed???
Peter: crunchy -
PSKATYDO: YEAH crunchy
Ravchaz: whole wheat or regular waffles for the kids?
Peter: regular waffles
ASAMEL: How about that artichoke recipe?
Peter: mayonnaise
Peter: fresh dill, salt and pepper lemon juice
PKohn: Do you have any hobbies?
Peter: hobbies - scuba diving
Shargot: has ph heard iris dement?
Peter: yeah I love her
Peter: at least I loved her first two albums
DSsultan: amiee mann?
Peter: I know her I like her
Shargot: your opinion of dan bern?
Peter: I have something by dan bern an EP that I really like. I was listening to it in the kitchen for a long time
PSKATYDO: do you like neil finn?
Peter: yes I like NF
Ravchaz: ever hear Ben Sidran's "Life's A lesson?" If so, thoughts?
Peter: yep, he's quite a piano player
PKohn: Was Bug Juice as much fun to work on as to watch?
Peter: bug juice, as it went on, it got to be a lot of fun
PSKATYDO: any interest in acting?
Peter: acting - my whole life is an act (in a barry white tone of voice)
Healthebay: is lifetime too late about anyone? it seems very bitter
Peter: "Lifetime Too Late" was written about a friend and his situation
Harpo7373: does Wrapped Up In Cellophane have any special meaning you can tell us about?
Peter: Wrapped - it has a special meaning to me but I don't want to tell my meaning because it will interfere with their meaning and
might jeopardize the song
LUVY2613: Does Wrapped up have a G rated explanation?
Healthebay: fifty bucks for the meaning
Harpo7373: any thought you can share on DAMAGE AND THE DUST?
Peter: The homeless lady that D&D was based on is somebody that I see almost every week
Harpo7373: thanx
LUVY2613: does she get royalties? j/k
Peter: if I got some, maybe she would
Harpo7373: now THAT is funny.
LUVY2613: Do you ever play fight for the world anymore?
Peter: no to fight for the world
LUVY2613: too mellow or what?
LUVY2613: just wondering...
LUVY2613: Gematria - I fell in love with that album as a soundtrack...
LUVY2613: 1,000 years, excellent song
LUVY2613: so many great ones...could never pick a fav. from all your songs.
Peter: thank you for sharing that
Shargot: is there a gematric meaning to 245 days?
Peter: there is a meaning to 245 days, I looked this up once but I forgot what it meant
DSsultan: is million miles wide about his wife
Peter: more about me and about nostalgia
PKohn: re: 11:30 Pacific Time -- what did you want to tell her about the Chinese Man?!
Peter: that he looked worthy of comment, we people watch together
Susiesig: Do you have a dog?
PammSch: no a duck Quacker or Quackie
PammSch: sorry duck's gone
Ravchaz: why a duck?
PKohn: (heard the duck?!?)
Peter: Because Raina brought it home from kindergarten. there were five, and we were the lucky ones
DSsultan: would you rather live away from CA?
Peter: no i like it
PSKATYDO: How come your head isn't covered on album covers?
Peter: isn't it? I think it's a small yarmulke
LUVY2613: how many kiddies do you have now?
Harpo7373: how long did u live in NYC?
Peter: four kids, four years
Peter: the new york thing is the four years
Harpo7373: did we decide on an opener for tonight??
DSsultan: trees, dedicate it to us
GABIBO: Peter - Do you list Cat Stevens among your influences?
Peter: I love Cat Stevens
GABIBO: I love Cat too, even though he's gone astray
Peter: going astray is subjective opinion. maybe it's us that have gone astray.
ASAMEL: Peter ever consider doing the Folk Festival circuit?
Peter: played telluride last year and the lyon festival two years ago. I really enjoy it.
PKohn: Did he actually teach song writing at that thing in the mountains this summer?
Peter: yeah I did it was a really rewarding great experience
PKohn: I wanted to go (song writing thing), but have no talent 8-(
DSsultan: is it hard to make every show different?
DSsultan: is it a lot of effort to make it a new show each time?
Peter: it would be much more of an effort to do the same show every night
DSsultan: it makes it hard on me. i have to see every show...
Shargot: i want ph to know that through his music i have met some wonderful people.
VIRULNCE: Me too!
Peter: I really liked hearing that.
Healthebay: do you play weddings?
Peter: only if the people are really really poor or really really rich
Healthebay: Damn, I'm middle-class
Susiesig: How about a song book with chords?
Peter: I'm getting to it in my spare time (the song book)
Susiesig: Good, hurry, wouldja
Healthebay: a song book would be fantastic
LUVY2613: Pete - that would ROCK so much! I would love to get my hands on that!
PSKATYDO: Peter I have no kids...but i bought Salamander anyway and LOVE it
Peter: watch out for my "Fabulous Plum" CD, some of the titles are Herman the Big Oily Moose, Cindy and the Octopus, Sherm the Worm
PSKATYDO: along the lines of salamander?
Peter: it's new and improved
VIRULNCE: Way cool.
LUVY2613: sounds like interesting songs!
PSKATYDO: do you do "family" concerts of those songs?
Peter: yeah I've done couple in LA and one in December at McCabes.
TDanielR: Why do the tracks seemingly end in the middle of songs on "Souler Opposites?"
Peter: Cause they're cues from scenes in the movie, it's not like a record.
DSsultan: are you a strict parent. Like: no t.v?
Peter: do I look like I'd be a strict parent?
VIRULNCE: So your wife has an extra child always?
DSsultan: no, you never know, u could be different in life.
PSKATYDO: Peter---do you watch RUGRATS.
Peter: no to rugrats
EJB512: : ( I luv rugrats!
TDanielR: Was there an event in your life that turned you more toward religion?
LUVY2613: serious question...
Peter: yes there was - birth.
DSsultan: why did Peter orchestrate the delay> i don't get it...
PSKATYDO: probably because the company was in turmoil
Peter: exactly, the turmoil response
Peter: chris blackwell quit, I smelled danger.
DSsultan: how long will national tour be?
Peter: I don't really like going on the road for a long time.
DSsultan: any great books you recommend?
Peter: I'm just finishing moby dick now.
MUSSUGANA: was the song untitled a true story?
Peter: yes, it sort of tells the story right there
MUSSUGANA: i played it to a distant relative of mine who was a holocaust survivor. he was touched by it.
Peter: that's nice to hear.
DSsultan: how about religious books
Peter: please elaborate on the religious books request, what do you mean?
DSsultan: any one that was an eye opener for you?
Harpo7373: PAMMMMMMM...ask Peter if he read the book i gave him by Rabbi David Goldwasser??
Peter: yeah I did
Peter: fascinating
Harpo7373: he is my neighbor. i played UNTITLED for him. he was touched natch!
Peter: oh wow
Peter: the wow was for the goldwasser comment
PKohn: I have to go..... 8-( This was great!
LUVY2613: Bye Peggy!!!
VIRULNCE: Peter, if you don't already know, your songs are wonderful and your fans are the best too!
VIRULNCE: Gotta go now, thanks Pamm, thanks Peter! :-)
PammSch: we're getting ready to wrap up, Peter's eating and Pamm has to go
Peter: thank you everyone let's do this again.
PSKATYDO: Pamm...you are so cool to get this together...thanks!
PammSch: thanks katy
LUVY2613: Pam - you ARE cool!
Healthebay: Pamm, marry me. you're that cool
PSKATYDO: Peter...thanks so much for chatting with us. You're the BEST!!!
DSsultan: peter, you are my hero
Healthebay: mine too!
Woogz79: Peter you the man, be good, keep playing, you're an inspiration to good music
Harpo7373: PETER, your music has helped alot of us thru tuff times --- STAY WELL ALL
LUVY2613: Thanks SO MUCH! Both of you!
Kim Dober: Thanks for taking time to do this chat Peter...and thanks to Pamm
MUSSUGANA: thanks for some great music over the years
DSsultan: do trees for us
LUVY2613: (all of you!)
EJB512: : )
PammSch: thanks you guys.
EJB512: thanks, pammy