007-Richard Del Connor Philosopher Poet: "Family Tools" poem

Richard Del Connor Philosopher Poet

Richard Del Connor the Philosopher Poet reads his poem, “Family Tools,” from the PAPERBACK book, Philosopher Poet in a Field of Dreams. This book was written and published while Richard was homeless in North Hollywood, California.

Richard talks about the founding of the folk rock group, American Zen, “America’s First Buddhist Rock Band™” in 1991 when he became a Mr. Mom to raise his daughter, Caitlin. He talks about the love and friendship he had with his daughter and how the first four years of his marriage were incredibly romantic and filled with love.Then Richard explains cuckolding and how Jesus was the result of Joseph being cuckolded by God. He mentions the Vedic Scriptures of 4,000 years ago stating that only the wife knows who the father of the children are. He also briefly tells the story of a Catholic friend of his whose daughter was fathered by his wife’s previous boyfriend…. "Family Tools" is about fathers being used. Richard says he enjoyed being a Mr. Mom and that for 10 years after his children left him he still thought of them as his first priority every morning when he woke up until he moved into the North Hollywood Homeless Shelter, which broke that programming.

After all these dark stories of family life, and men being “Family Tools,” he ends the podcast with a song he recorded in 1974 titled, “What Do We Have Now?” This is a story during the Holocaust with two lovers eating from a “rusted can of pork and beans” as soldiers march over the bridge above them and other Jews are being executed nearby. Richard says this song was inspired by an Ingrid Bergman movie about the holocaust in WW II. After Richard’s bleak view of marriage this song is about love conquering all adversity.

Richard Del Connor explains his 8-LEVEL Buddhist journey depicted through the rock operas of the eight albums by American Zen that he produced for Shaolin Records. “Go out and buy the LEVEL 1 = Peace of Mind album by American Zen,” he insists. He says that this album was written while love was at a peak in his life with a loving marriage and wonderful daughter who he says was his best friend of his entire life. Most of American Zen's fans have stated that this first album, LEVEL 1 = Peace Of Mind, is their favorite of the series, despite it being recorded on a 4-track recorder. Perhaps it is the love and hope embedded in the songs and lyrics that inspire people.

The song “What Do We Have Now?” is from the Bonita album by The Rich recorded in 1974 at Bonita Studio. The short-lived band was called, “Lotus,” comprised of various studio musicians. They never performed a live gig, so they are also referred to as the first version of THE RICH who were different musicians performing in 1976.
https://www.shaolinrecords.com/RecordStore-R/AmZen_Lotus-R.html

American Zen Official website:
https://www.AmericanZen.org

American Zen FACEBOOK page:
https://www.Facebook.com/americanzenband

Produced by Richard Del Connor for Shaolin Records.
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Music used by permission of Shaolin Records and licensed by Shaolin Music. ASCAP
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