Thank You, Roslyn!

I like small towns.  I like the clarity in people’s eyes and the direct kindness in their conversation.  I like the sense of community that an outsider can perceive.  I like the slower pace, more suited to enjoying life.  I like the fact that small towns allow the chance for my cliché-ridden self to shine.

Just played the Brick with Judd Wasserman and company (Jason Gray, Colt Valenti).  This band is still in the process of finding what exactly it is, but that process is good.  We’re kicking more and more ass every time we play out.  If I manage to get a hold of the footage (hi, Jenna!) I’ll post video of Judd coming out from backstage during my solo with a sheet over his head, looking like a ghost.  My solo quickly became an accompaniment.

Also, do try and make it to Sullivan’s (7th and Union) some Wednesday.  The Mack Grout Trio plays there from 5-10 every week, and we’re starting to dial in the sound, playing more and more original compositions.

Thanks for listening,

B

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An Eternal Playlist

Recently, I spent a few days at a Buddhist meditation retreat.  This is a regular occurrence for me.  During zazen, as well as throughout the day, thoughts, images, sounds, etc, come to one.  These are fleeting apparitions.  Sometimes they have meaning to one’s life, such as when an emotion is triggered by a particular thought.  Sometimes, as I said, they are merely apparitions.  Scenery that shouldn’t be given too much attention.

It’s not usual for me to keep a journal during these times, as one tries to focus on the present as much as possible, not getting too caught up in the mental processing of events, however I thought it would be a nice, brief pastime to notate the songs that came to mind while in retreat.  All but one of these songs came as an actual song and not a thought of the structure—I heard them, noted, and then turned off.  (Thank god I’ve acquired the ability to turn these things off, not letting them loop endlessly.)  Here they are, in order of appearance (I will try and update this post in the next couple of days with samples):

September Song
Sunshower (Kenny Barron)
Everything Happens To Me (ver: Chet Baker)
No Such Thing (John Mayer)
Mood Indigo (ver: Mingus / Ellington & Armstrong - this was thought of first)
Lost Magic (Gilfema)

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Kristin Chambers

I’m pleased to announce the arrival of Kristin Chambers’ new CD of original material, which will be released on July 29th.  This album was a blast to workshop and record.  Featured on the CD is Jamie Dieveney, Glenn Allen, John Morton and Garey Shelton.  More info to come. . . .

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Deep Thoughts

In music, the question of how one marks their progress seems to be crucial to how one continues down the path.  For example, there are things like financial success/security and technical know-how, both of which are fine and generally aid one’s continued development.  Money is needed in order to have the time to devote to the practice; technique aids one in the pursuit of realization of ideas.  However, while money is relatively stable (in the sense of, “this pile of money pays my rent”), technique is so completely relative to our musical situation.  We record our shows and listen back years later, perhaps hearing that we have a better definition of pulse or that our notes are cleaner, but were we awake and aware of what we were doing then?  More importantly, are we now?  What is driving our music playing?  Do we ceaselessly chase after social gratification, money, more and better gigs, or do we try to figure out just what it is we’re doing and why we’ve chosen to do this?

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Lo-Fi Beats are not square.

More beats from the practice room that were captured via cellphone.

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