BOOK
Check out the upcoming
illustrated book version of Norm's song When Cats Go Wrong!
POEMS
Norm usually includes one or two original poems in his
performances, and his Skysongs CD includes a spoken version
of "Can't Help But Love". Here is one poem - watch for another.
I Have Imagined
You
NORM the JOURNALIST
While Norm is widely recognized as a songwriter and
poet, his writing skills have taken him into a second career as a journalist.
In February 1992, his first monthly "Race Track
Hack" column appeared in Toronto-based Taxi News.
These slice-of-life musings have been very popular with readers. His
most recent column is now always posted at www.taxinews.com/racetrackhack.html
. Click here for the tribute column
he wrote just after the death in August 2000 of his close friend Lloyd
Landa, a very talented songwriter and musician; it includes a quote
from the moving "Songwriters Song" (oft performed,
but unrecorded). Selected columns are now on this website (watch
for more to be added):
Mar 1996 - Who is Race
Track Hack? by Syd The Cat
Sept 1998 - A Reminiscence with Friends [about Syd]
Apr 1999 - The Cat Came
Back
Sept 2000 - My Friend Lloyd [Lloyd Landa]
July 2002 - Some Stories
for July 1st [Norm's grandparents and uncle]
May 2003 - Dates with the Dead
Pt 1 - Lunch with Bogie
June 2003 - Dates with the
Dead Pt 2 - Dinner with Marilyn
July 2003 - Catman [how
Norm came to write songs about cats]
Aug 2003 - May I Reflect?
Oct 2003 - About Angels
Dec 2003 - Maybe One More
Feb 2004 - Big Hearts
Apr 2004 - For Rick
Fielding
June 2004 - A Folk
Singer's Riches [Norm's career start]
The Toronto Star published a major feature
article Norm wrote, "Looking for Christmas: A Songwriter's Journey"
(Sunday, December 19, 1999), describing snapshots of Christmas experiences
and incorporating quotes from many of his songs. Read the full
article.
Norm's moving prose also shines in his open dedication
letter to his about-to-turn-seven son Ben, printed in the liner notes
in his critically acclaimed 1988 Stubborn Ghost album
(vinyl). It reveals his thoughts on being a songwriter and musician
and the value of his musical friendships. The text and accompanying
photo are here .
Norm's prose files restored December 3, 2001
Norm's lyrics first posted December
1, 2002
Last update June 30, 2004
