the last few weeks have been, how can I say it, spiriting? 

In the interstices of quiet that one finds here and there while rearing small children, I have been listening to the music of Elliott Smith.

24 years ago

The first time was in 2002, my suitemate in grad school came into my room and threw a DVD at me. "I rented this, it was supposed to be a comedy. I don't get it, but I think you'll like it."

There in my hands I had what would become one of my favorite movies ever: The Royal Tenenbaums.

I not only loved the movie, but also its soundtrack. I bought the CD (no longer available, as far as I can tell). I studied it. I knew The Velvet Underground. I did not know Nick Drake. I did not know Elliott Smith.

Richie Tenenbaum's scene in front of the bathroom mirror, with Needle In The Hay playing in full clarity is not from this universe. I heard Johnny Depp say that the song does something to him every time he hears it. Hard to explain. One just needs to experience it.

Back then, though, my explorations went deep into the world of Nick Drake and I left Elliott for later.

later is now

How did he come back into my orbit? It's only been 3 or 4 weeks but I can't remember and it doesn't matter.

This was THE time to rediscover Elliott Smith and have my kids and my wife listen to his music. We watched Jack Black in an interview declare straight from the heart:

"you know, one of my favorite musicians of all time was Elliott Smith. He wrote the most heartbreaking, beautiful songs. The melody is genius! He's a genius."

My wife and I even found energy one night (after the kids fell asleep and the chaos settled) to rewatch Goodwill Hunting, just because of the song Miss Misery.

I also discovered that he was born to sing John Lennon's Jealous Guy. As simple as that. Period. There's a video in YouTube. Everyone should watch it.

And later is now not only because I can share his music with my family, but also because of playing the guitar again. I have tuned down (one full step) my acoustic Epiphone Hummingbird just so I can play Between The Bars which, from every perspective, is genius.

He's a genius.