The genuine raconteurs of this world often occupy the lower orders of society. It is the vagrants, street people, laborers and menials who practice the gift of anecdote with such superior grace, for telling things well is for them an act of survival. To keep away the hurt. To keep away feeling bad, which is hard. Loss is relentless in all our lives, but especially for those whose futures promise little chance to recoup.
Stories become shelters, keeping out the cold when everything else has been taken away.
Some stories are more factual than others, but that is no matter. First Mr. Ashley tells us about his friends. Then they speak for themselves. As a composer, Mr. Ashley is a superior writer. He has the gift of simple language that springs forward with a wonderful rhythmic grace.