Blue Love Monkey

Burial and Ash Scattering for Rick Nafey
Sunday November 20, 2005 @ 11 AM
Madrid Cemetery, Madrid, NM
Please bring musical instruments and Play for him.
You can bring anything small you would like to either bury with him or
decorate the grave with. Bring a memory to share and love to spread around, as he would.
BYOB - Bring food for your friends - Pot Luck
Remember chairs.

Blue Love Monkey was the performing identity of singer / songwriter Rick Nafey, who passed away Oct. 21, 2005. A compelling performer on guitar and blues harp, Nafey was comfortable with many differing musical styles. The Blue Love Monkey band featured a fluid roster of members geographically spread across the USA. Raised in Southern New England, Nafey began studying guitar and harmonica in the early ‘60’s, listening to the folk and blues music of Reverend Gary Davis, Muddy Waters, The Holy Modal Rounders, Dave Van Ronk and John Lee Hooker. While in high school in the mid ‘60’s, Rick joined with classmate Billy Borsey to form Billy & The Kids, a rock group in the Rolling Stones - Kinks vein. As the decade progressed, Nafey broadened his influences, listening to R&B, jazz, country and folk music from many countries. He developed his guitar style, drawing from the genre crossing explorations of John Fahey and Sandy Bull. He began writing songs, inspired by the work of Fred Neil, Bob Dylan and Michael Hurley. By the late ’60’s, working at his home studio, Nafey, Borsey and other friends, had recorded a wildly eclectic collection of original material with influences ranging from The Incredible String Band to George Jones and Tammy Wynette. From these sessions grew a performing band - The Immaculate Conception. In 1970, Borsey split for the UK pursuing a solo career and Rick, armed with new songs, formed a rock group named Stillwater (not the fictional band from the Russell Crowe film “Almost Famous”). The group evolved into a proto jam band and continued performing through 1972. Nafey and Borsey were together again in 1973 as The Royal Pythons, performing original material as well as folk, country and blues numbers. In ‘74, Borsey split again, this time for San Francisco, where he became Willy DeVille and formed Mink DeVille. Rick traveled the country, moving from New York to Bolinas to Boston, often performing solo, some times starting up a new rock group. In the early 80’s he fronted The Mojomatics, a Chicago style blues band based in southern Connecticut. Settling in New Mexico during the mid ‘80’s he continued performing as a solo act. In 2000, Nafey and DeVille, both living in the Cerrillos Hills of New Mexico, renewed their musical partnership. Rick had some new songs and recording sessions with Willy producing began. Enlisting some of the best local musicians, the result was Blue Love Monkey ‘A Crooked Mile’, an eclectic mix of electric blues, country and folk. Rather than shop the material to record companies, Nafey decided to take advantage of the new business model of internet based music sales and downloads and establishes Cracker Records. A predominantly acoustic Blue Love Monkey recorded 2002’s ‘The Things That I Can’t See’ EP, where Nafey explores his musical roots in folk and Americana styles. Rick spent 2003 writing and recording with a rock band lineup of Blue Love Monkey. ‘I Ain’t Got Time to Die’ features 9 original songs showcasing Nafey’s talent as a songwriter and cross pollinator of musical styles. ‘Kissin' Booth’ the new Blue Love Monkey CD was in the final stages of production at the time of Nafey’s death. Filled with original material performed with a further expanded roster of musicians, ‘Kissing Booth' will be completed and is scheduled for release on Cracker Records winter 2005.

Richard Paul Nafey, 57, son of Amelia Nafey and the late Herbert Nafey, went to Rock and Roll Heaven on Friday, October, 21 , his big and loving heart too confined here on earth. Rick leaves everyone who knew him better for that gift and wishing his song, "Ain't Got Time to Die" had held true decades longer. Rick was born in Stamford, Ct. and lived recent years in Madrid, NM. Lead guitarist and singer with the Mojomatics and diverse groups from an early age, Rick was producer, singer and lead guitarist of Blue Love Monkey and in that role was winner of the Best Alternative Rock Single in New Mexico in 2004. Rick was an accomplished songwriter and musician. He never intentionally hurt another human being in his life. May the old rocker inspire the rest of us to leave a similar legacy. Later, Gator.......www.sfnewmexican.com

Rick Nafey was remembered Sunday, November 13th, 2005 at the Jazz Vespers service, St. Peter's Church, 54th and Lexington in New York City. http://www.saintpeters.org/jazz/ I had e-mailed Pastor Dale Lind earlier in the week to ask him to please add Rick to the names of the deceased and gave him a little background on the BLM-meister. Dale told the congregation that Rick had passed, gave a short bio of his accomplishments and asked for him to be remembered in their prayers. Every week a different jazz group performs during the service. I played bass on the 13th with my friend Robert Silverman on piano and trumpet, and with Lawrence Killian, percussion, and Jamie Doc Halliday on tenor sax. Robert has performed all over the planet with his own groups and with Albert King, Cecil McBee, Buddy Guy, George Russell, and Jimmy Heath. Lawrence Killian [a kick-ass conga and percussionist and one of the nicest human beings on the planet] has recorded and toured with Miles Davis, Pharoah Sanders, Larry Coryell, Lonnie Liston Smith and many other artists (including the Village People…he was even in the movie…dig that, Rick!). Doc Halliday has performed and recorded with Bob Moses, Robert Silverman and many other artists. Doc joined us on the last song, 'Promises, Broken Dreams'. It was a very powerful service. Pastor Lind sends his thoughts and prayers to all of Rick's extended family and friends. Dale was the co-owner (with his friend Dave Van Ronk) and bartender at Preacher's, a bar on Bleeker Street when he was going to seminary school. Other musicians who have had their memorial services at St. Peter's include John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Robin Kenyatta, Coleman Hawkins, and Jimmy Rushing, to name a few. Pretty good company to be in, Rick! Happy trails. xo, Bobo…l8r g8r…

Creative genius, generosity of spirit, a passion for life, his sense of humor…some of my favorite things about the Monkey. Many Santa Fe area musicians felt deeply Rick’s support of their music and creative process. Many co-created with him. He and I had a brief chance – all too brief – to explore life and music together. Becoming close friends and companions the last months of his life, we laughed, we played, we sang his songs…and then our songs.

From a song that I finished for Rick a few days after his death…

We all live out the dice we toss

A true friend won is never lost…

Now you’re gone, you’re free at last

I thank the stars we took our chance.

Rick was about sharing the Love. The friends he made he rarely, if ever, “lost.” My life is profoundly richer for having shared with him. He will be an inspiration forever.

For all of you who knew him who hadn’t seen him or talked to him for awhile…Please know that he created – passionately -- to the very end.

And, to Ricky…Journey well, my friend, journey well!

-- Girl with the Red Guitar

"Your Song" winner of the 2003 New Mexico Music Industry "best alternative rock" award.

9 original songs about love, grief, truth, delusion, dread, hope & monkey business.
Plus Richard & Mimi & Mickey & Sylvia.
"Your Song" winner of the 2003 New Mexico Music Industry "best alternative rock" award.

- The Blue Love Monkey Band -
Rick Nafey - vocals, guitar, dulcimer
Jim Bracken - lead guitar, vocal
John Curtis - drums, percussion
Steve Lindsey - bass
Busy McCarroll - vocals
Sara K. - vocals
Steve Guilmet - piano
Dominick Costanzo - accordion, theremin

Produced by Baird Banner & Rick Nafey

Also...

Whether extolling the virtues of Thunderbird wine, projecting sonic landscapes of the Southwestern desert, serving up delta blues straight, no chaser, or melding The Jaynettes with William Blake, Blue Love Monkey gets you off the musical Interstate to roads less traveled on their first CD - A Crooked Mile.

Solid performances of 4 original songs and unique arrangements of 9 classics by diverse artists such as Fred Neil, Robert Johnson, The Cats and A Fiddle, Roy Acuff and Little Brother Montgomery.

A Crooked Mile re-unites Rick with long time musical partner Willy DeVille, who handled production.

The Blue Love Monkey Band
Jim Bracken - guitar
Bobby Glenn - bass,
John Curtis - drums
Busy McCarroll and Sara K. - vocals
Michael Polera - violin
Jeff Nelson - keys
Willy DeVille - harp, percussion

Raised in suburban Stamford, Connecticut, Rick Nafey began studying guitar and harmonica in the early '60's, listening to the folk and blues music of Reverend Gary Davis, Muddy Waters, The Holy Modal Rounders, Dave Van Ronk and John Lee Hooker. While in high school in the mid '60's, Nafey joined with classmate Billy Borsey to form Billy & The Kids, a R&B group in the Rolling Stones - Kinks vein.
As the decade progressed, Nafey broadened his influences, listening to jazz, country and folk music from many countries. He continued to develop his guitar work, drawing from the genre crossing explorations of John Fahey and Sandy Bull. He began writing songs, picking up from Fred Neil, Bob Dylan and Michael Hurley.
By the late '60's, Nafey, his wife Linda, Borsey and various friends were recording a wildly eclectic collection of original material with influences ranging from The Incredible String Band to George Jones and Tammy Wynette. From these sessions grew a performing band - The Immaculate Conception.
Nafey's marriage had dissolved by 1970. Borsey left for the UK to pursue a solo career. Nafey, armed with new songs, formed a group called Stillwater (not the fictional band from the Russell Crowe film "Almost Famous"). The group evolved into a proto jam band and continued performing through 1972.
By '73, Borsey had returned with a new batch of songs. Nafey & Borsey teamed as The Royal Pythons, performing traditional folk and blues numbers. Borsey traveled to San Francisco in '74 where he changed his name to Willy DeVille and formed Mink DeVille.
Nafey began traveling the country. Moving from New York to Bolinas to Boston. In 1981 he was back in Stamford fronting The Mojomatics, a Chicago blues band. Relocating to New Mexico in the mid '80's he continued performing as a solo act.
In 2000, Nafey and DeVille were both living in the Cerrillos Hills area and renewed their musical partnership. Nafey began writing again and DeVille offered to produce a new set of recordings. Nafey enlisted the aid of some of the best local musicians. The result was Blue Love Monkey.
Now living in the former mining town of Madrid, Nafey continues to perform both solo and with various incarnations of the Blue Love Monkey Band.