Heck of a Close Call

Just eight weeks ago, the Linda Heck album "Transformed" was released. Two years from the start of the project, which suffered various non-musical complications along the way, it was incredibly exciting to finally see it out, available for people to hear, as well they should.

I was, and am, very thankful to have had the chance to take part, and extremely proud of Linda, not only for writing, orchestrating, and producing such a fine body of work, but also for persevering in actually getting it out. I know the latter achievement came much less rewardingly, carrying with it hours of tedious research, brain-picking, form-filling, web account creation, and other assorted bullshit.

We chatted shortly after the release, to discuss life in general and specifically a new trans-Atlantic recording collaboration which we had only just initiated and were trying to scope out. She seemed to be daunted by now having to promote "Transformed." At one point, she observed that in many ways it's easier to promote your music if you die in an untimely fashion.

Neither of us could have guessed that this would soon become a very real possibility.

She went off to SXSW in Austin, and I went about my daily life here, spewing out bits and pieces for the new project. She returned home with a sore shoulder, which was diagnosed as bursitis, but which then rapidly deteriorated into a severe infection. About ten days ago, following a visit to the dentist, she happened to stop in again at her doctor's practice (next door), to ask a question and have someone take another look. One of the other practice doctors examined her, and came to a diagnostic conclusion along the lines of (I'm paraphrasing here), "Holy shit, how are you even walking around?! You could easily be dead by now. We need to get you on the table ASAP."

Emergency surgery followed, she was released from hospital four days later, and she now faces weeks, possibly months, of being housebound, rammed with tubes, heavily dosed with antibiotics, and undergoing various forms of therapy. The good news is that she doesn't seem to have suffered any nerve, circulatory, or muscle damage, so she will be able to return to playing and writing and performing, and I don't doubt for a second that she will be more awesome than ever.

Linda is a great and true friend, and I struggle to express the admiration that I have for her as a person and an artist. She is likely to go through some dark days, and there will be some ugly medical bills to confront at the end. Send her some positive thoughts and love, and if you haven't bought the album (or even if you have), there has never been a better reason to buy it (or buy it again). Rest assured the proceeds will be well-spent. CDBaby Amazon iTunes