Well, kids, Friday afternoon I was hangin out and my phone rings and JP. my music partner of 12 years asks if he can come over to bring back a bass he borrowded and to talk to me about some dates.
Now this is weird and not like him, I'm thinking, "I've seen this movie before and last time it ended real ugly"
And guess what, he drops the bomb. He has a chance to start working with Bobby Vega (great bas player from Tower of Power, Zero, he;s the V in KVHW, and they are gonna need our 10 year standing Wednesday night to "rehearse" and get ready for the festival circuit.
So yours truely is handed his hat, got nothing to show for ten years of slugging it out every Wednesday.
Next time you think that maybe you wanted to be a musician go to your job and count your blessings. You don't know how lucky you are, boys.
I'm sorry, JR--that's the kind of up-close hurt that's hard to shrug off...
For what it's worth, nobody can dodge that particular heart-break bullet: when people get real close, you're within real easy reach.
In my versions of that scene, I wanted to say both I can't blame the guy and I'm gonna kick his ass, all at the same time.
Well shitletts. Thats just downright fickle of the guy. Must be the heat.
.... but what great music it will make someday. 12 years of wednezdays reflection.
In the mean time, that vega feller ain't got nothing on you bro. Your about as authentic as they come Joe.
Well it takes one of the greats to steal this guys gig.//http://www.bobbyvega.com/
The bitch of it is, I got lots of history with JP, I stood by him when he had pretty much fucked up everything, even let him live in my garage for 6 months. Took the heat from club owners when he was late or didn't show, ect
A lot of people came down on the more power to him side, including my wife.
Quote from: "JRL"A lot of people came down on the more power to him side, including my wife.
Don't get me wrong, JR. Sure, it's understandable...nothing personal...bizness...
Now, poison ivy rubbed all over his guitar, that's understandable, too.
[that was the dark side of space speaking--pay no attention to the demon behind the peaceable old hippie]
Naw.. JRL you know where it`s at. You say the nice things,and try to think the nice thoughts,but I`m w/Space,a little
Thing is , tho` it may not make the translation into reality as it should of, but, it sounds youv`e been a good player,and are way more intelligent to buy into jus` 'thankyou and if`n you need someone to keep it all going......'
A good person like I think you are may have done jus` that , kept it all going. But that don` at all mean you`ll going to be there in the future to do it all again. Well, Playing in a group has all kinds of currents going tho`.I bet.
I`m personally pleased to have that CD of yours. Yah,some names carry wieght. Yours is there too.
Don` let it step on you,and continue in principle like how you are by nature,I quess.
could be a nice opportunity for you too Joe. I mean...... who knows where and whence the dust settles. breadth of vision and what not.
Joe, it says a lot for your knowledge of the universe when you knew something was a little putrid by the nature of his phone call.
The proverbial opportunity might come knocking in some other way - dear Avery Andy Great is right.
Another man's luck could shed some fallout on you on the good side of things. Wish him well and when Vega or whoever else needs another bass, it might easily come over to you.
love,
judih
JR, you got a lot more wisdom from Avery & Judih than you did from me...I'm just here to make 'em look good 8) ...
Judih- It's not knowing the universe, it's knowing that peculiar species known as band leader, total flash back to a previous hanging.
There is more: JP, and I also are members of Stacie Eakes and the Superfreakes JP's girlfriend's band. And to top it off, RT the superfreaky drummer broke his thumb in a car wreck and guess who the sub was! So 48 hours after the bomb dropped I was on stage with them. And it was fine, at least on stage. The breaks I went out back with the herbal medicine.
Spence(the drummer, the guy that orchestrated this) came and sat next to me at the bar and in his horribly inept way tried to make me feel better. So first I said, in the tradition of SPF style humor for sure " I should have taken you out when I had the chance" LOL
Then after 5 minutes of his bullshit about how much he respects me, I stood up put my hand on his shoulder and said " don't worry man, this ain't the first time I've fattened frogs for snakes" And left it there.
Guys, in the past this would have devistated me, but I am ok. It's gonna be good, I think along with the gig I lose a lot of stress. There is talk of a pool on how long Bobby Vega is gonna put up wth JP's considerable bag of issues. My dear friend Boots said, well better get over it quick so you can go back to work with them when you get the call. My other brother Dave gave JP a call and said, "what the fuck are you doing?" I told JP, man you know I got a lot of loyal friends, He sez "so do I" I think " one less"
Stacie stent me a great e mail. she said that if it was not gonna be comfortable for me and J to work together I would not be the one leaving. She is really a sweetheart and JP is working hard on loosing her too, he is really a hellbent dude.
Thank you all for being here, I will get over it and shut up soon. You guys are great friends and I love you.
space. I can't believe you would suggest poison ivy. A bit shocked.......
Everyone knows we only got poison oak in California.
you sound good. Chaos flows in and out and you're surfing the waves.
i like the pool idea! Staying afloat with humour.
judih
I'm like Dustin Hoffman in Wag the Dog "This is nothing!"
A few days, some good gigs and a whole bunch of good friends are helping to put it into perspective.
Chaos surfing: Will it replace baseball in the Olympics? One sport us old timers might have a chance at!
Quote from: "JRL"space. I can't believe you would suggest poison ivy. A bit shocked.......
Everyone knows we only got poison oak in California.
10x Rhus radicans extract...just say the word...and some day I'll tell you the story of My Poison Ivy Vengeance, long ago and far away.
Of course, I'm not like that anymore.
<*space adjusts his porkpie halo>
I'm not like that any more, but I am not like that any less. J/k I think...........
Nah, dude suffers enough. I figure when the dust has cleared we're still gonna be brothers..... but I am gonna watch my back and count my pay, from this point on.
I agree with Avery, this could be a good thing in disguise. There is an old saying that when one door closes, another door opens. If you are alert you will find that open door and go through. I've seen that in my life. When I thought it was the end of everything, it was actually the beginning of something a lot better. Some day you will look back on this and say it worked out perfect.
I kind of feel like it's gonna be up to me to make it that. And I really doubt I was what's kept Jim from stardom. He's gonna still be the same dude when he steps on the stage in two weeks whether there is me or Bobby Vega standing behind him.
Guys I am ok. Love all the support, from friends here and IRL(don't really like that phrase, I am pretty sure most of you guys are real, except pot and jesus I think they might be bots).
I have started inviting my friends in for next wednesday, the last hurrah. You guys are welcome too.
Been a week now, I woke up this morning, felt more at peace than I have in a while.
Work has been the medicine as much as anything. Last Saturday morning, wounds still fresh, I wondered what kind of teacher I waas gonna be, but sitting there with my studunts, I felt good. No band leadrr or club owner can that away from me.
Like you guys say, one door one window. There is so much happening here now I just have to help myself of a bit of what is all around. Been in the studio with my young Israeli friend the songwriter Yogev( met him through Sistah Judih when I visitied her, Yogi is now staying with us).
Jimmy told me that my last night is going to be recorded. I am not sure why, maybe so Bobby Vega can steal my parts lol but hopefuly there will be cd called "The Last Hurrah" available for SPF members.
yeah, and you know what they say:
He, who last hurrahs laughs last (or best) or laughs again as he tells the tale
sis judih
Just found this thread. Glad to hear you are coming around, bro.
What about setting something up live with yogi for the next while somewhere? I see what bringing in a kitty does for old cats. Breathes new life into 'em, it does.....
lw
Actually we talked about that today. I am gonna have him do a break with Stacie this Saturday , Mutt and Jeff are both on it I am pretty sure. Yeah Yogi is heavy, he tries to do jazzy pop songs about his young life ( lots of heartbreak and hormones) with the intensity of Archie Shepp and he is schooled in jazz harmony and funk rythmn, and his interesting grasp of English is arresting.
He is getting a full adult dose of the music life staying here and hanging with my friends. He is seeing that he 's gonna have to work and deal with the business realities it takes just to get on stage consistently let alone be able to pursue the art full time.
It's big fun, several of my mentorees are really coming along.
Friends last night, I had this dream I was playing a bass that was custom made for me ( just flashed on when I met Vega he showed me a bass looked a lot like the one in my dream)
At any rate, I woke up reborn, negativity and anger just drained out of me.
The music never stopped
Right on, bro.
And I'm guessing the kid would be tickled just to get the chance to throw a tune of his own or two into the mix while allowing him to learn some new material. I mean you IS da boss of dis here venture, no? hehe
lw
No, man, I just would want to play Yog's stuff in that particular configuration. That way we would be in a whole nother world than the Torch.
Hey, I only lost one gig a week out of the 5-6 I been doin all summer.
I like having one band of each kind, how many kinds are there?
QuoteThe music never stopped
I saw you didn't put a period at the end of that, and I thought, 'You sure you ain't a poet?'
Funny how aging anger works: I almost never get stiff about slights or hurts to me anymore--like an old bear, just shrug, turn and look...but when people I care about are in the crosshairs, the old resistance mojo starts to flow again.
That's a tribute, JR.
Time to ask: Where can I hear your sound?
And I'm glad you're teaching: there's a lot of boomer bashing these days, but we have something worth passing on to those who can hear it, whether in politics, music, art, writing, or just great big grinnin' life...
Your cd "serious trouble" I think it was, came around on the cd changer recently. It was nice to hear that again - hope to hear your new one soon.
Soon guys probably. I will let you hear the Yogi stuff when it gets furthur along.
The other thing is I think they are planning on recording my last night, why, I don't know? But if it is any good you better believe I will circulate that.
But as far as my stuff, my stuff is often behind the scene playing bass and helping with the production. I am thinking of compileing some of my best work for others and a few of my own songs, if I can do it cheap, call it "Joes's Garage Sale"
Even though the Jimmy thing didn't take much time outside of showing up for the gig, somehow I feel this has freed some energy, and I am seeing things I could do already.
I was thinking too that odds are if two of the most talented cats I have seen in my whole life in music, guys with connections, too, haven't done anything yet it's not real likely to happen now. and if it does it can only help me.
Like I said, actually Weir/Barlow said it first:
The music never stopped.....
Space thank you too for being down for me, but you can call off the hired assasins if you want. The karma for this will be perfect it always is. I figure if this was what was supposed to happen it will be good for everyone, and if not, I am still gonna make it good for me.
Quote from: "JRL"Space thank you too for being down for me, but you can call off the hired assasins if you want. The karma for this will be perfect it always is. I figure if this was what was supposed to happen it will be good for everyone, and if not, I am still gonna make it good for me.
I know, Shock Wave Rider.
Lessee, what was that cell #?
1-900-GET-VITO? No, maybe...1-900-PSY-CHOS...no answer, strange...
1-900-HIT-KNEE? No...that's not it...
Well, I'll try.
1-900-Get-Vito lol. You'd think the mob could afford a toll free number.
Shucks, jrl, you can't blame the mob for trying to go legit. The 1-900 bidness could help them on their way. hehe
lw
replaying the pasta scenes will get us nowhere.
(though the visuals of a down home mob satire might be amusing)
i love your description, jr of the yogi mix - he's a unique combination and will do so well with an inspired dose of stark life realities.
He's a lucky kid - hope the catalyst effect works on you all.
And lw, was it you who spoke about kitties rilin up the old catz? Aint' that the truth! A dose of young blooded energy works like magic on those of us who keep our flames simmering for such occasions.
Cat on fire!
Quote from: "judih"replaying the pasta scenes will get us nowhere.
(though the visuals of a down home mob satire might be amusing)
Why, Ms. Judih! I think you're indulging in stereotypes--all the made guys I know prefer Thai, Nouvelle, and Hispanic fusion cuisine.
You're right about Yogi: the breadth of exposure he's getting is priceless, and if JR teaches like he talks (and I have no doubt he does), Yogi is an especially fortunate son. The international exposure alone at that age is invaluable; my years in Asia changed me forever.
One's sense of nationality is never the same after some solid expatriate life. It is liberating and expansive to become a citizen of the world.
Yog has said he will go home a changed man. and Tj and I pretty much agree as long as he is doing something, performing and recording ect. (we already have a Gen Y slacker living under our floor, don't need another) he can stay pretty much until his open ticket is up in December I think.
I am pretty excited about the recordings, I have talked Valentino into doing three songs with the understanding that we want to put enough time into it to make them good. Yogi seems willing to let us produce him. His fertile mind just flows with ideas, the tracks he did himself are a mind numbing blur with each instrument playing a version of the same idea. I said "Yog, you don't need all that stuff cause you're good, the songs and your singing speak for themselves.. Gonna try to just cradle him with a strong funky dance groove.
Gonna be fun.
JR, you and TJ are angels.
Hope the Yo has the confidence to stick to this regimen and pull out the gold within.
space - i like that! Citizen of the World. Inching out of our little corner is always good, but surfing across the planet without losing balance is an honourable venture. Hard to stay locked in a mindset when confronted with the fact that there are others ways to look at life.
World Citizenry is perhaps the greatest accomplishment. Like Basho carrying his banana tree around, & wherever he set it down, that was his home.
banana greetings.
Quotespace - i like that! Citizen of the World. Inching out of our little corner is always good, but surfing across the planet without losing balance is an honourable venture. Hard to stay locked in a mindset when confronted with the fact that there are others ways to look at life.
Seems to me this is the next step in our social evolution: tribes stopped individuals from one-on-one predation and struggle, city-states united tribes, and nations united city-states. Now we need to recognize this sacred earth is the ground of our next great unity. After that, who knows what family we will find in the stars?
I recall stepping off the plane for the first time on the other side of the world, almost shocked, thinking/feeling "The sky is blue, the trees are green..."
Soon I was thrilled to discover that people are, after all, people, pretty much the same everywhere but endlessly rich and fascinating in their creative differences. It seems an obvious thing to
know, but it is an awesome, life-changing thing to
experience.
"We must love each other or die."
Auden
Amen.
Space, you sure YOU not a poet? I love the way long time heads weild words like light sabers!
Yeah, all that is so true, my time in Israel was that heavy. Since our planet sprouted this digital web, the rate of connection accelerates exponentialy. I had to comb the world to find a guy like Yog! And folks like y'all.
QuoteSpace, you sure YOU not a poet?
Yeah, such as it is, JR, that's my art. Keeps me alive.
And a fine craft it is......... does she get light speed?
Quote from: "Avery L. Breath"And a fine craft it is......... does she get light speed?
Sheesh! What a warped question! :wink:
So this Wednesday is my last, trying to decide which attitude to don.
Because Jimmy saw me talking to Drumbo, I think he thinks he's off the hook, and "It's all good" He wishes.........
My friend Dave, ripped the little drummer boy a new asshole, finally telling him(in these words) "fuck you Bruce, shut up and go play your drums"
I just hope they don't have a party for me, if someone bakes a cake it's going in Jimmy's face
JRL me brotha, though this has got to be such a bittersweet time for you; I find myself picking up on a glimmer of the true warrior, the victor, the one capable of vanquishing demons with will..... My guess is you will play with more precision and finness, more soul and holiness, than you will let yourself become aware of , until much later, in retrospect.... Gotta love that vision of the pie as projectile---------- Jeez, how I'd love to be part of the audience ---------------- senorsal
Quote from: "senorsalvia"My guess is you will play with more precision and finness, more soul and holiness, than you will let yourself become aware of , until much later, in retrospect.... Gotta love that vision of the pie as projectile---------- Jeez, how I'd love to be part of the audience ---------------- senorsal
Precision, fineness, soul and holiness-- couldn't have said it better, that will be my mantra. I bet you were a pretty damn good drummer when you was doing it, you sure know something about the act of creating music
Yeah man, this old warrior has been through many battles, at this stage of the game I don't got the time to wallow in the nether realms.
Wish you could be there too, its the energy of friends like you and Dave that I draw my strength from
My steely resolve is being put to the test, still some anger bubbling up.
You would think I would be immune to this fucking bullshit after 40 years: I was told that the Sac Blues Society was told by the Torch Club owner that if they want to use the club for a Sunday afternoon show(which would conflict with Jimmy's Sunday jam( a whole other story, how I got aced out of that one) thye would have to hire jimmy because she didn't want him to lose the day's pay!
Anybody want to buy some bass gear cheap?
FUCK THIS!
People, if you see your kids take an inordinant interst in music do them a favor crush their hands, nail their feet to the floor, make them learn anything!
It's not worth it!
"Don't let 'em play guitars
and drive them old trucks...
Make 'em be doctors
and lawyers and such."
Nah. The things I love and the choices I made are worth the pain they bring...yours, too, JR.
If you'd picked another kind of gig, you'd still be a true one, and you'd still have to deal with the false ones: that's the way it is down here in Jungle Land.
Better to have a hurtin' asshole than be an asshole hurtin' others...
it's too late: my kid's no longer around long enough for me to apply various forms of torture. He's always playing, listening to music or talking about interesting lyrics.
i'm doomed.
he's doomed
we're doomed.
at least it's second generation doom. The kid knows that the dream can often be fulfilled for a brief flurry and then comes the rest of life.
But then again, today's today and as long as we're breathing, there's hope.
On the serious side sometimes I do feel guilty when I instill a deep love of the art in kids: knowing that they are doomed to frustration and hardship.
Warning: this could happen to you!
Anybody ever consider that once affected by a love of 'da arts, it's that very same melancholia, that comes from seeking out the answer to the enigmatic riddle, that's the true reason we are driven to seek???? A sort of self fulfilling, lifelong psychodrama... (self inflicted to be sure :wink: )--- senorsal
Sure is man. It's the mythic journey, the spiritual quest, grasping for meaning from the impossible predicament we find ourselves in.
Art, humor, love, sex: gifts from above to compensate for having to live down here on the ground
art hurts. But not having a method of expression hurts a shitload more.
Those who have no way to scream or cry or punch, except for screaming crying or punching do not happy lives lead.
At least, at least a musician, a painter, a poet, a dancer can do all those things (and more) and stay on this side of bursting. Not that there's a choice. No one asks if a person wants to be filled with brighter than life ruminations. But there is a question at some point in life: Do you want to know how to play this? how to hold a pencil? how to read? how to write? how to find the backdoor of a stage?
It was a choice at one point, and then the chemistry did its thing. Obsessive lovers of a craft became more obsessive and that's the story.
Those who don't have even a touch of the arts, sit down and cry all day out of frustration.
Now, which life would you pick?
Ok friends, I get it. You are right. I'll stop whining.
Wouldn't change it for anything. I've been know to say "how do people that don't play cope with lifes changes"
Folks I love changes, just hate goin' through 'em sometimes.
i love you, joe
i'm sorry for the hurting you're going through.
but grab Yog and hug him cause we're all in this together
judih
The love never stops either, JR.
I love you guys too. You will all be in my heart tonight, come what may.
tonight's already here, over here.
sending big hugs
QuoteYou will all be in my heart tonight, come what may.
Just tell 'em Vito sent ya ;)
...then play that heart out and leave them speechless.
Yeah, mon. We're with you. Come what may.......
Play your big old h'acidic heart out tonight, bro. Give them hell with your music and you may not feel the need to do so later.
Take no prisoners.
lw
..... And knock the dust off your sandals/boots on the way out the door.
lw
You guys are the best, just wish you would have had a chance to hear the Bad Boys in full bloom.
Been quite a ride past couple of weeks, said the fool on the hill
As I read through the last ten or so postings again, I could feel it... You know, the raw emotion, the love, repect, unity.. The whole ball of wax.... I noticed that there is even a crescendo effect to the thread.... JRL bro: 'Ya know we are all gonna be up on that stage with you tonight!! I'm reminded of the lyric line in Bob Seegers' Turn The Page.. ( and the sweat pours off your body like the music that you play) So, yeah, the page is turning; make it be a page that many will return to in their book of life, again and again, remembering a night of sonic grandeur............ I am completely certain the flies on the wall tonight will feel the spirit in the air....... Play those fingers numb -n- leave 'yer soul on the stage floor................... senorsal
Quote from: "senorsalvia"....... Play those fingers numb -n- leave 'yer soul on the stage floor................... senorsal
Sweeet^^^^,
JRL rap them roots around that twig with strings and
unleash the inner vibe!!! ;)
Guys, that is exactly what happened.
I spent the whole day getting focused and spent an extra hour warming up. After a big kiss from my sweet TJ I went to the dance. As soon as I walked in the door I realized that I was fine.
Jimmy and co were knee deep in setting up the recording stuff, a Powerbook, a big rack of preamps, mikes and cables. I hear Drumbo go off on D Baba and Jimmy go of on Drumbo. I sez to myself "self, those guys deserve each other.
So about a half hour late we commence to play. Immediatley I see whats up on the astral lane. I am just sitting on all this energy just sailing on my good clean karma. Now Jimmy on the other hand was scattered everywhich way. Guys, he looked like hell, and played real sloppy.
That set the stage. I was just in there, stoned immaculate. We played and played, music got better and better. Lew sang Lawdy Mama, Jimmy sang Red House, we jammed on Cissy Strut all took solos and ended the set with Lew singing Fever(the old Peggy Lee song), and the sex juices just dripped.
The night when on and I felt stronger and stronger, and I kept thinking, listen to this! This is something special! You don't replace chemistry like this no matter how good someone is it's gonna take a long time to get like this if ever.
Jimmy couldn't look me in the eye.
We played on. Stacie showed up and sang Standing on Shakey Ground. We whipped into Hey Pockey Way and jammed for 10 minutes and put a ribbon on the set with the deep blues of Dr Feelgood.
Last set was Hey Joe/Voodo Chile.
So yeah, I did give em hell, don't care who is gonna stand in my spot. The energy I brought was as strong and true as it can be, I got no regrets.
And folks, as soon as I get a copy of the night, it's gonna be in y'alls hands.
the anticipation is burning the cyber waves!
what a fantastic surf daddy thing that be
chaos will never be the same
judih ( :!:
Yep, just as I hoped and suspected would occur.....(and do believe me when I say I can not stress how joyous that makes me feel).... Sure, the transition is bound to be disconcerting, but always, always, every single F***'N time, the true sonic warrior resolutely prepares for battle, and the strength of his convictions, the sheer joy and humanity he is willing to pour out, becomes the bridge that spans the depths, and leads to the highest realms............. senorsal
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. "Fever".... One of my all time faves---- Gimme gimme one of those recordings whenever they are available brudda---------------- senorsal
You haven't heard Fever til you hear Brother Lew sing it.
Check out his stuff here://http://artists.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/Lewminators/
Play Serious and Lew makes 25 cents
Hey, Joe :)
Voodoo Chile ranks high: takes me back to head-full and cock-strong...ya know, you hit a certain age and you discount youth; you hit another, and you give youth its due. We're both at that age (along with senor) where you can sometimes summon it back up for a while, and it's so sweet...
Of course you surged on cruise control, mon--little did they know you had a Soul Community in your pocket!
I'd give my eye teeth (wrapped in a plain brown wrapper, delivered discreetly in the dead of night to a street corner near you) for that recording. Me and Lew got our two bits worth on Serious.
Rock on, Joe.
Yeah, mon. I'd really like a copy of the last wednesday's show, bro.
lw
Soon as I hear something I will let you know D Baba said he thinks we got it all. So I am gonna ask him for a rough mix of all the raw trackage.
I think Jimmy is hoping to cull a track or two from it for his CD. Guess he wants to throw me a bone.
Serious is a great tune, no? Lew is my dear brother, a holy guitar player and a most soulful singer. On Serious he layed it down so hard it stayed down
See if I can remember some of the lyric, I told him he said it for all of us.
Serious (c and p by Lew Fratis)
I may not be too serious about the kind of car I drive
Don't care much for jewels and such
Just need what you need to survive
Like water off the butt of a duck I let roll
Get it off my back
When it comes to my ax let me tell you the facts
I'm serious as a heart attack
(Good stuff eh? gets better)
Didn't go one to school but I ain't no fool
Been around for a number of years
I could play that game but I don't need that fame
MTV ain't worth the blood sweat and tears
Just me and my music and the music in me
About this I couldn't be more austere
Broke a lot of hearts getting here including my own
So excuse me while I crank up my gear
Wow! Those last two lines slay me. hen the bridge says:
Serious as a junkyard dog
Serious as a blinding fog
Serious and I came to play
Don't know long I've got left to stay
Could just be a day
What a song!
Yah know, I'm glad to see this all progress in such a possative fashion. I've learned something from this thread. Been chewing on a thought the last couple of days now. About how gald darn hard it is to hold a grudge. I mean a real grudge..... it's alot of work. The finality of it bears down on you. It's like cutting out your tongue to spite the bitter taste in your mouth. Your just never as big as once were then before you draw the line and said 'this I will not cross again.' I mean, sure, you learn to stand tall again anyways in spite of it all...... eventually......if your lucky. But........
yeah.
My parents used to say, never burn your bridges.
Avery, bro-- Well I am not sure if I am 100% grudge free at this point in time, but life does go on. I am certainly able to work with Holmes, but things ain't the same. We played a little house party last night. We still got the musical chemistry- it's strong as always- but off stage I just kept to myself.
As luck would have it, I am taking a two week vacation starting next week, plenty of time to plumb the depths of my soul and figure out just how I feel about all this.
I think he's hoping that since I haven't said anything and have been working my gigs with my customary good attitude that it's all good and I am back in the ranks of the Pailer lovers.
He wishes!
So I think I do need to speak to him again before I go, he's got to know.
Ultimatley I got a feeling that he will miss me more than I will miss him.
"I am taking a two week vacation starting next week"
Come out to Colorado if you can. Were having a little musical hippyfest get together Aug 12-13th.
I would love to but already got plans up on the Russian River, any ways will be back at work on the 12th.
I hear you bro. If'n I feel the need to say something, I'll usually say it.
That said..... I learned a long time ago to stear away from (most) proclaimations made in anger. It usually backfires on me. ANd I'm not sure JP is worth the curse.
Action speaks sooo much louder than words, brawh. ANd you're still gigging with the guy? Leave him without a bass player some night and that will prolly get through to that neandrathal-looking bastid as quick as anything.... hehe
lw
On the other hand.........
What could JP have done differently to help alleviate your hard feelings?
And what would have done if'n another pro guitar slinger had asked you to go on the road with his band?
Just some grist for the mill, bro.
Have a nice vacation up nort'.
lw
Well here is the difference: me leaving Jimmy- he still got the gig. It's being squeezed out of something of value I helped build over a number of years that still sticks in the old craw.
As far as talking in anger, I think I am way done with that. Jimmy is and will always be my brother so what I think is important is a clearing of the air. Jimmy and I have always both been good at avoidance as evidenced by both of our hard drug struggles. I wrote him a letter in the first few days and said that while I wasn't gonna try to hurt him, I was not gonna lie about how I felt.
So what I am doing is trying to do the work to keep all this from effecting the total amount of great music in the world.
LW did you suggest pulling a no show? well man, while Jimmy has done that to me, I could never do that. It would effect way too many people.
But.......Flash back about 4 years ago:
Jimmy hired me and Drumbo du Jur to play this community party at this place called Mountain Home up in the hills(way down Hiway 49, 2 1/2 drive)
Me and Drumbo get in my van make the drive, get there, set up. Commence waiting. Getting close to downbeat, the natives are getting restless. Still no Jimmy.
Me and Drumbo repair to my van to hide and consume mass quantities af various substances. Getting later.
The powers that be find us and say what the fuck?
We hustle up an old PA head and put it through one of my cabs.
I spot a hippie walking across the lawn with a guitar case. I run up to him and ask "can you play that thing?" Before he even answers I say dude you are in the band.
We get up there and play, dude sings these horrible xtian originals, I tell him "lay out" and me and Drumbo lay the groove. We find one song the guy can play well and we play it 5 times.
After we are done me and Drumbo feel pretty good, went above and beyond to provide some music for the several hundred people .
Then the boss lady comes up and says, well of course you guys aren't geting paid. Too bad cause we got a check made out to Jimmy for $800.
$800! Jimmy had offered me and Drumbo $175 each, so he fucked off $450.
So now we got 2 reasons to be pissed at him. One for being greedy and another for being stupid.
I appealed to the boss lady's husband, finally after a letter from an attorney friend we got $100 each
Jimmys story: he over slept!
Ultimatley I got a feeling that he will miss me more than I will miss him.[/quote]
Well, I am getting a feeling that this is what is happening. Jimmy is finding out that chemistry(no pun intended) is what is most important, especially in a 3 piece situation. Jimmy knows exactly what he wants from the rythmn section, and most guys no matter how good they are seem to be unwilling to give it to him.
No one is gonna cradle him like I do.
HHHmmmm::: After rereading the thread a few times. and being a rhythm afficianado m'self; I find myself pondering..... So Jimmy knows exactlly what he wants as far as a percussive/dynamo of accompaniment to his musical endeavors eh??? Is it in any way allowable to consider the possibility that such defined sonic parameters might just be misguided??? Is it concieveable that a more nuanced interplay of sonic awareness and egocentric manipulation of melody and beat might well lead the way to aural nirvana.................... Jeez, It's no wonder I blow notes on empty beer bottles-n-tap beats on fallow fibers of aged Big Mac Containers :lol: -------------sal-------------- ( as Cher stated so eloquently: And The Beat Goes On and ......) :P
LOL Poor Jimmy. I'm guessing he ain't calling the shots this time around. And his boss man bass player prolly know just exactly what HE wants Jimmy to sound like. hehe
lw
No man, Jimmy has unerring musical instincts( it's everything else that gives him trouble).
What he wants works. He wants the rhythmn section to be a rhythmn section. He wants to be able to NOT play and have the music go om just bass and drums. he wants it to be totally attuned and responsive, but to leave him space and let him control the dynamics. He complains when the drummer "always wants to play my part".
This is really a perfect template for making music. I have learned much from all of these brilliant men, no sour grapes will ever make me say otherwise.
I have seen this movie before. Brilliant cats with issues like Jim's drummer boy join a band,manouver their friends into the situation and ruin it for everyone. Here is how bad Spencer is. He went on tour with Winona and got sent home cause he kept telling Willie Weeks , Winona's musical director and one of the best bassists in the world, how to play. Thats why he's not out there making $1000 a show but working for $60+ tips.
Yeah it's gotta be hard for Jim. I mean with me around as his #2, he still had a modicum of control. But you're right, Bruce and Bobby have a real good idea what Jimmy should do, prolly got nothing to do with what the weekly bachanal at the Torch needs.
Quote from: JRLNo man, Jimmy has unerring musical instincts( it's everything else that gives him trouble).
This is really a perfect template for making music. I have learned much from all of these brilliant men, no sour grapes will ever make me say otherwise.
Yeah it's gotta be hard for Jim. I mean what Jimmy should do, prolly got nothing to do with what the weekly bachanal at the Torch needs.[/============================== ============= Sounds like Jimmy is indeed an actual talent... ( can't help note the respect afforded)-- That said, maybe he needs to pusue a session career, or, given his apparent penchant for artistic control, maybe writer/arranger....... { Tha drummer playing anothers' part }:shock: --- Whooda thunk it :lol: ---- ) sal
Jimmy does as many sessions as anyone in this town(not that many).
He is a huge talent, a bonafide musical genius IMHO. I think what he needs is a band of people who support him with understanding and love, and who will call him on his bullshit.
Check this out: Jimmy's drummer boy( the one who squeezed me out) got a better offer and quit the band!!
Ha!.......... as predicted.
Yep, this dude has had a lifelong habit of doing this.