Friday, March 4, 1994

I played on a beautiful Chinese song + the combination of Chinese Lute (Pipa), Chinese violin + my guitar was very moving. I am very happy w the result. Jimmy asked my 2 do a press conference + wether I would mind if they had a photographer taking pictures while I am in the studio. I don't think I want 2 agree 2 either. I also think I'll have him pay as I complete work on each song. I finished 1 + started another song. A couple of Chinese girls from the record company's office in Singapore took me out 2 dinner last night. Nice conversation. They told me this following story that reeks of modern urban folklore: In Korea a couple is only allowed 2 marry when the woman is a virgin. I guess a doctor has 2 varify her virginhood B4 the couple receives a marriage license. So this woman, who wanted 2 get married, was no longer a virgin, but could not afford an operation that would replace her hymen - apparently a common, yet very expensive procedure in Korea according 2 these Chinese girls. The woman became a prostitute 2 earn the money 4 her virginity operation. After a while she had enough money saved up 2 get the operation, become a virgin + get married. Other interesting topics of conversation: it is illegal 2 sell chewing gum in Singapore. It is however OK 2 buy chewing gum 4 personal use in foreign countries + bring it back here. In order 2 buy a car, a citizen has 2 buy a government permit which will cost anywhere from US$20,000-40,000. The government tries 2 limit the amount of cars in Singapore this way + indeed traffic moves very smoothly 4 a city of this size. Cars R expensive 2: a Mercedes Benz C-class costs US$110,000-140,000, the S-class model from US$300,000, a 911 Porsche will run almost US$275,000. Even a small car will cost around US$40,000. A Saab 9000 is over US$100,000. Spitting on the ground is fined around US$140. It is illegal not 2 flush your toilet after use. If caught, the police will publish your picture in the newspaper. If caught 4 the 3rd time, U will have 2 wear a bright overall + work in a public place, cleaning up. U will also B fined around US$1,000. ...... Did another solo on another song, worked on a traditional song they want 2 do w the engineer Yama, really Yamanuki Norihiko. On the trad. song I will only do rhythm guitar parts. We'll do those 2morrow. I let Jimmy in on a secret: don't ever let a drummer produce a record. They just want 2 play the drums, they want that direct satisfaction. They have wasted so much time Yama + I could have finished a duo recording 2gether if we tried. He is a keyboard player + plays electric guitar. He gave me 2 CDs he engineered + played on, 1 of which I am listening 2 right now + enjoy very much. Eno meets Techno. He would like Transglobal Underground. Went 2 a herbal restaurant w J + his wife. Double boiled shark soup w ginseng. Egg white w yam. A dessert jelly w herbs 2 purify the body. Afterwards a bar in the Raffles hotel + stories of WB's excesses of the eighties. Renting a whole palazzo in Venice 4 a party, flying in execs from around the world + 1 guest each - hookers from Bangkok, friends, lovers - hundreds of gondolas waiting 4 all the guests, the Modern Jazz Quartett 2 do 2 songs, blocking whole movie theaters etc, etc......   12:00:00 AM  comment []

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