Open Thread

As I walk to the see Digital Antique's gig (it's on/by the UT campus-
the streets are a Myan maze. Impossible to find parking...Headed
toward Pie Guys Pizza... ) I'm thinking about the benefit for Haiti. I
love these kind of shows though I hate the reason for them. I recorded
on cassette the whole 9/11 concert. At least I'll be able to catch the
rerun on YouTube.

Gig Notes: Soul Track Mind-TC's Lounge Wed 1-20-10

Well, last night was my last gig at TC's Lounge for awhile at least. I won't say ever because I would love to get back here with the instrumental group i want to do. Our performance was better than last week's, but like B.B. King sings "The Thrill is Gone"



The power of the band at our peak is not there. We're like a married couple going through the motions, passing each other like ships in the night. It's such a shame. I think the crowd felt it tonight. The singer was not connecting with the audience like he's capable of doing. The stories between songs were falling flat. I tried to play as excited as I could. It's hard when the crowd is not hyped up. When that happens, the band would usually feed off of each other's energy, but the energy was sapped. It was a "dead bassist/horn section walking situation". Our gig on Saturday with T-Bird & the Breaks should be energizing since it's my last gig and we want to perform well for T-Bird's crowd.

Random Gig Notes:

1. Played both basses tonight. The P-Bass was thick and gorgeous. Thanks to Chuck at the Bass Emporium for the great set-up.
2. When STM was on it's break from TC's, Mudbone Hustler filled in for us. Jenni Jones (singer) & Mike Steel (Drummer) from the band came out to hang. During the break, they ask me to help with some arranging for the band. They're looking for an experienced outside ear to help them out. I told them I would. It's an honor for me to help musicians out. The opportunity to try some ideas out gets me excited. Kinda like a very very very small time Gil Evans.

That's why the STM break-up sticks in my craw. We were doing pre-production rehearsals for the album. I was going to produce the album because I've done it before. I was the only member of the band that recorded on commercially released material. It was a chance to try some of my ideas out. Oh well, I'll get the chance on more positive projects.

Aftermath in 4 Parts: Part 3

Tonight is my last gig at TC's Lounge with Soul Track Mind.

Weekly gigs can be a grind, especially when you have a Clark Kent to be at in the morning. I was always proud to be part of band with a residency. It is a special thing and not common. People depend on you to provide the soundtrack to their night. Their night could be trying to forget a shitty day, trying to find a spark to light their way to a better place. People dancing, feeling free to find what they want or what they need. Booze, babes whatever. That's thing about being a musician that's so powerful-the chance to matter to somebody. Musicians are stewards of spiritual renewal. It's a responsibility I take seriously. "With great power, comes great responsibility"

It's a topic of one of my songs called "Song" (I tried to think of another title, really)

"Song" (c) GJAS 1997

You come to my world to cleanse your soul.
You come to seek me, to seek my control.
Tears, blood, visions, drugs are mixed in the stew.
Handle with the care of a child as I give it to you.

I carve a great stone.
I paint a thick wood.
My Song is in them.
My Song is in them. 2x's

When you crave a release, a release from a truth.
You come to me, the magic man-your spiritual sleuth.
I twist and churn, freeze and burn so you can be free.
All I need for my hunger feed is some love from you to me.

I carve a great stone.
I paint a thick wood.
My Song is in them.
My Song is in them. 2x's

Freedom from your soul.
Freedom for your pain.

I turn off the valve now, the cipher is drained.
The color schemes from the other world, the other world are gained.
Dreams and fears, standing near the omnipresent gate.
I'm in the constant state-a tour guide for fate.

I carve a great stone.
I paint a thick wood.
My Song is in them.
My Song is in them.


It's why we get into this stupid business. It's why bands get together and break up and marginal players want a piece of it. Every other profession wants to a piece of it (politicians, athletes, CEOs are want to be describe this way). The ultimate description of cool, control, style, culture king or queen, tastemaker, zeitgeist zinger, meme manipulator is

ROCKSTAR.

I'm off to lay down rockstar bass....

Sign 'o the Times: Follow-Up

NPR.org is reporting a resolution to the massive & deadly Cleveland Orchestra strike.

WCPN.org's The Sound of Ideas had a feature on the story today.

Sign 'o the Times

Not the cool Prince tune/album:


This article by Daniel Wakin from The New York Times highlights a strike by the musicians of the Cleveland Orchestra. The following sentences drill down to the main point-

"In Cleveland, the fight revolves around several thousand dollars a year in salary for each player. But implicit is a debate over the worth of exquisitely trained musical artists in our society and how much we are now willing to pay for them."

As all artists move into the world of easy distribution and expectations of cheap or free content everywhere, our society really needs to answer this question.

Soundtrack Attack

This weekend I took part in filming a web series with some my friends. It's a 12 episode mini-comedy series. It's based on exaggerated versions of ourselves that appear on the LEOG podcast. On of the main creators asked me to create some music for the series. Soundtrack music is a field I've always wanted to get into. I listen to soundtracks all the time. I need to learn more about composing and classical music (I think I might look into taking some courses in composition online from Berklee College of Music)

He's looking for something similar to the Fratellis



Poppy, kinda silly happy rock. Cool stuff. I have some instrumental material like this already. What I need to do is upgrade my home recording gear so I can create soundscapes for images. Another film gig I want is music supervisor. I have a good feel for music & the visual image. What I need to do is get up to date on my copyright and licensing education. Here is a good primer from the LA Times about a career as as music supervisor.

The Week That Was: Birthdays & History

The Week In Birthdays:

January 10
Rod Stewart


Max Roach



January 12
Mississippi Fred McDowell


George Duke


January 14
Allen Toussaint


L.L. Cool J


January 15
Captain Beefheart


January 16
Sade (Her new album Soldier of Love drops on February 9, 2010)


And on January 16, 1957 The Cavern Club opens on Matthew Street in Liverpool.

This picture is from 2000. As a HUGE Beatle fan, I was in heaven when I visited the Cavern Club. Yes, it was awesome.