You explain how it went, and as far as you can figure out how it got that way.

I never learned to verbalize an abstract musical concept. No thank you. The whole point of being a serious musician is to avoid verbalization whenever you can.

Musicians own music because music owns them.

Verbal communication about music is impossible except among musicians.

The way to write American music is simple. All you have to do is be an American and then write any kind of music you wish.

The description and explanation is the best part of music reviewing. There is such a thing, and you know it too, as a gift for judgment. If you have it, you can say anything you like. If you haven't got it, you don't know you haven't got it.

I've never known a musician who regretted being one. Music itself is not going to let you down.