The Perfect Libra Man

Born in October
when weather gets colder
touch my shoulder burn my fingers
hold the door take me to dinner
turn on when I don't expect you
Sunday Special bring your friends too

I listened to Edie and where did it get me
receiver in hand and a sweater on my head
I believed in the story and in e.e. cummings
I shook my head at the papers
and signed the guestbook instead
I think I'm falling and then
I call you darling and when
I shut you out and pretend
you're the perfect Libra man

You are elusive
you are a nuisance
everyday I'm waiting for you
give it up you silly boy you
call your mother pour your heart out
sorry is nice - but love is harder

I listened to Edie and where did it get me
receiver in hand and a sweater on my head
I believed in the story and in e.e. cummings
I shook my head at the papers
and signed the guestbook instead
I think I'm falling and then
I call you darling and when
I shut you out and pretend
you're the perfect Libra man

Show.

Our first proper show in Toronto in a very. long. time.

Things feel different. The show changed while I lived in Paris; my performances just sort of naturally took a different shape with the musicians I played with there and the audiences we played for... as well as the impact of my experience of simply living in Paris. I felt quieter, more grounded, less rambunctious - my desire to "put up a show" lessened as my desire to simply play escalated. Probably there is more joy in my concerts now than before because of this? Hmmm.

Anyhoo, we shall play in the back room of The Cameron House in Toronto on Thursday May 14. Our darling friend Donovan Woods is our special guest. He is one of my most favorite songwriters in Canada at the moment, you must promise not to miss him.

So, there will be more details soon. This is just the first announcement - Myspace, Facebook, etc updates coming in awhile...although this is mainly a show for our friends...

Rosemary's Cerise Valise.

She left her bracelet on the table
next to the mirror beside the candle
and oh can it be - an old cinema receipt
These are the things he keeps in Rosemary's cerise valise

A dry fountain pen that can't write letters
the special soap to wash her cashmere sweaters
and oh it would seem - a list of books she'd like to read
These are the things he keeps in Rosemary's cerise valise

The comb kept a few strands of her hair
the key left on the table by the stairs
oh how can she be just a string of memories
These are the things he keeps in Rosemary's cerise valise.

maple syrup.

For those of you who might not know, it is maple syrup season in Canada. This past weekend I went to a sugarbush and walked around the mud, sampling syrup in small paper cups. The sky was very blue and seemed extra-high on account of all the tall trees.

I highly recommend maple syrup for any of the following remedies/procedures:

- sweeten your morning latte.
- pour over thick plain yogurt with fresh fruit
- drizzle on grapefruit
- gulp a tablespoon to quell a mid-afternoon sugar crash
- forgo the flu shot and get your immune-boosting zinc & manganese as naturally found in pure maple syrup
- add maple syrup and cinnamon to puréed cooked sweet potatoes
- combine maple syrup with orange juice and tamari (soy) sauce, and use as a marinade for baked tofu or salmon

I of course do not need to say anything in regards to pancakes, french toast or waffles. My younger brother, when he was little, used to pour maple syrup on his plate of sausages every Sunday morning. Brilliant.

The maple season lasts until the end of March.

Moriarty is coming, Moriarty is coming!

My friends from Paris in the brilliant band Moriarty are coming to play Canadiam Music Week.

Please come to their show - it is full of typewriters and vintage suitcases and double basses and glockenspiels and overall magic. You will love.

Myspace and The Story of Fou Du Roi.

I have uploaded some new, unreleased songs on my Myspace page, including a live taping of my solo performance of "A Little Sad" on the popular French radio show "Le Fou du Roi".

The nicest thing about that performance was the audience. I was surprised that hundreds of people show up in the middle of the day to hear the whole radio show, which generally features authors, actors, all kinds of artists and thinkers. Because they are a live audience, the rule is that they of course cannot be very boisterous and for the most part must be quiet, aside from appropriate applause.

It is a fairly unceremonious thing after a live radio performance like that - generally the show just carries on, as it did in this case. I was led to the back of the stage towards the exit door...but just before I left, I turned to the audience and silently waved goodbye to everyone with a big goofy smile on my face.

One of my favorite moments of all my time spent in Paris is when pretty much the entire audience smiled, and silently waved back.

www.myspace.com/lennijabour





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J'ai mis des nouveau chansons sur ma page de Myspace, avec un enregistrement live de « A Little Sad » sur le radio programme Le Fou du Roi.

La plus agréable de cette exécution était la publique. J'étonné que des les de gens qui arrivent a midi pour entendre le spectacle de radio entier, qui présente généralement des auteurs, les acteurs, tous types d'artistes et philosophes. Parce qu'ils sont une audience "live", la règle est qu'ils ne peuvent pas être très bruyant (bien sûr) et doit se taire pour la plupart, à part les applaudissements appropriés.

C'est un peu brusque après une exécution de radio comme ça, en effet - généralement le spectacle continue juste, comme il a fait dans ce cas. J'ai été mené au dos de l'étage vers la porte de sortie ... mais juste avant que j'ai parti, j'ai tourné à l'audience et ai ondulé adieu silencieusement à tous , avec un grand sourire dingue.

Mon souvenir favorite de tout mon temps passé a Paris est quand l'audience entière a souri, et a ondulé silencieusement de retour.

www.myspace.com/lennijabour

Kensington Market

If you visit Toronto, you will want to go to Kensington Market.

- Get caffeinated at iDeal Coffee (84 Nassau), or Louie's on the corner of Baldwin and Augusta. I call it Grumpy Louie's - but he makes magic coffee.

- Go shopping at Model Citizen (279 Augusta), the amazing clothing/accessories store for both women and men, owned/operated by my friends Julian and Georgia.

- Down a burrito at Big Fat Burrito (285 Augusta Ave). Get #2 spicy.

- Buy soy milk, sprouts and Ezekiel bread at Essence of Life Healthfood Store (50 Kensington Ave)

- Take out cash at the TD bank machine (kensington Ave at St. Andrew)

- Purchase dried burdock, lemon balm and black cohosh at Chinese Herbs on the corner of St. Andrew and Kensington Ave

- Pet/feed/rescue a stray market cat or kitten. (You can volunteer or even adopt from Kensington Market Stray Cat Rescue. 416-596-2331)

- Eat a square of mango cake from Patty King (187 Baldwin St). I cannot guarantee it, but the ladies behind the counter will most likely address you as "sweetie"

- Stock up on tortillas, black beans and chipotle peppers at Casa Acoreana (235 Augusta Ave)

And, click here to visit the Kensington Market website for more info and photos, etc. Since you will inevitably bump into someone you know (even if visiting Toronto for the first time, it seems to be the way), perhaps I will see you there.