“Um, can I just voice my opinion that this is a VERY good idea on your part,” I said, for probably the fifth time, as we rolled up to the mountaintop chalet.

Sy’s idea was full retreat, a plan which neither he nor I liked at all on the face of it. Retreating while the tumult died down meant no performances, no stadiums of energy, no triumphs and afterparties and whirlwind tour life. But Sy had a specific retreat in mind that very much softened the blow: he showed me ...