fasstrack

That's nice to hear. BTW, just so y'all know I'm not a professional busker. I've worked a lot and with great people (and all the other kinds). It's just a slow summer and a few things fell through, etc. Plus I really like to play for people, especially when I'm getting paid. But these observations are of a more general nature. Almost all the musicans I know who once had plentiful work are hurting pretty bad just now, so in that sense it's not just me. But I'm also talking about trends of atomization I find disconcerting. This Internet thing is a mixed blessing. I've made friends and gotten gigs from these music websites, and recently where someone I'd had a running beef with we sat down on his gig and played a few tunes and the thing was washed away. That's the power of music and actual contact over electronic.We had to meet and play and it was another ballgame. So people are 'knowing' over the web without actually knowing. They think they are connected but really are not---until they are. The cell phone, the iPod, the self-absorption---it's hard to cut through those things, and I just happened to use busking as an example. I think a lot of young people are so unindoctrinated with real musicians and instruments through lack of exposure/education that when they see or hear them they are thrown for a loop---no associations. Music is something you download. Concert? What's a concert? I was listening to some friends play not long ago and these two girls came and sat at the bar. They were yammering so loudly and oblivious to the music I actually came over and shushed them (politely, I hope) because all I could hear was them. They became indignant, saying "it's a bar!". To which I replied "and those are musicians. And I'm trying to listen to them" The idiot barmaid began kissing their asses, though I was a paying customer also. She was saying "don't worry about that asshole". My friends and I just left. Maybe I'm a luddite and an old fart, but I prefer actual interaction, romance (as an artistic ideal), and actual friendship to these techno modes everyone seems to be living in. The technology is a great tool, but I miss the heart. I don't hear it in music, I don't see it in movies. I want it back, damnit! But I'm also wise enough to know that everything is cyclical. I believe people will sense what's missing in their lives if they aren't already. Then guys like me and my ilk will be waiting in the wings having quietly and patiently gotten better at what we do.

So they can give me money

Anyone ever hear this guy? He's totally original and amazing. He played corovox when I first heard him some years ago in duo with a singer. Now he also plays something called 'midi accordian'. I did some recording and the engineer was Lenny Argese. I heard he was a good guitarist and he is. He was a total sweetheart to work with and did the recording the way i asked, got us some sound and basically didn't come out of the booth to make a peep. After we finished the date he gave me this CD he's on called The Trio (It's rounded out by drummer Joe Cocuzzo, another old pro and warrior). I immediately perked up when I saw Monteiro's name. Alas, Argese gave me only a jewel case and when I went there today to pick up my recording he gave me the CD and I'm listening now. I guess it's not for everyone, perhaps a bit on the fusiony side. But it's very unpretentious music, Lenny has a really nice feel and Toninho Horta-like touch and way with melody, Cocuzzo is very sensitive---but this Monteiro is like a force of nature. He's so fresh and in the moment. And he sings along with his solos and also his comping, which makes it even more exciting to me, as he's hearing it at the same time we are. Like Chris Anderson and a very few others I've heard in my life he's that rarest of things: an original. I'm not sure where to get The Trio. CD Baby maybe? I'll look into it. Three cheers for Italian soul!

Because it's good music? And it might lighten their load and think better thoughts or remind them they love someone or remind them of something outside their eworld? That's why---to me, anyway. It's about using my talent to present a little beauty and human feeling. And getting something back too.

Wow. Guess I'll shoot myself. Just kidding. I don't always do this. I have runs where I work some, but not enough. I'll move somewhere else where I'll be busier, that's all. Thanks for your answer though. You pretty much said what was on my mind in different words.

Good points. That last line made me laugh, reminding me of a Jack Paar story where he said a little old lady said of politicians "I never vote. It only encourages them".

has the romance of hearing a live musician ended? This is a serious question and I'd appreciate serious answers: I sometimes play outdoors to keep in shape, make some money, and have contact with people, give and get back. If they stop and lsten it has to be sincere on their part, I figure, b/c there's no pressure or hype. They stopped because they liked the sound. Even though I had 2 gigs last week and one coming up I go out and did so yesterday. I play in Soho. I don't know if it's because it's summer, ergo tourist season and the NYers are away, or just a general observation, but I'm invisible out there. 20 years ago I did the same thing and people always stopped, listened, appreciated---and I always made money. I'm 20 years better and do exactly what I did then: play melodies as beautifully as I can and I can play melodies. It's really my thing. Maybe I'll play a few choruses for myself once in a while but communcating is my MO. Stevie Wonder. Beatles. Great American Songbook classics of Berlin, Porter, ect. I even do Wake me Up When September Ends Nothing. Nada. Zilch. If I make $15 after my hand practically falls off it's a big day. I notice people a lot and I cannot read them. They seem afraid to connect emotionally beyond their little cell phone conversations or their iPods. If they look at me at all they are at best confused. A guitar. I saw that on TV I think. A man playing guitar. Oh, I forgot. I have to call Joanne..... What's up with that? Maybe I'm not getting something or should change my approach. I'm listening---especially to younger people weaned musically in the Internet age. (BTW, it's not all bad. People do stop, take cards and even buy my demo CD. I get many compliments and people do take the time and stop to listen for a few minutes and chat. I'm happy for that. But I notice this other thing and it troubles my soul. And other musicians and even artists and vendors all pretty much concur).

At age 36. I remember reading it in the paper away in the catskills with my family. A sad little girl trapped in a blonde bombshell. She was terrific in Some Like it Hot. Guess she was Sugar. Editorial: I wish you guys would lighten up with this and that should be moved or this thread already happened here. So what? This is an organic thing. Schoolmarms with hospital corner minds need not apply. Please get over it. To quote Big Jule 'you're slowing up the action around here'. Just my 2c and not trying to insult anyone.

Thank you. I'd take the gig in a heartbeat. Er, Martha......I play the guitar. BIG fan....

I believe it's 'oy vEy'. I can't help it, I get a little verklempt when people mess with Yinglish. And I get verklempt when people make shitty CDs with pretentious tunes and titles replete with reverb-saturated vocals that get marketed like they were gold. Oh P.T.....P.T. I want to study at your feet....

Haha. That's you. I know you from your avatar. In the words of the immortal Johnny Carson: That's weird, wacky, wild, funny, funny stuff

I don't even know why I'm bothering with this. It's not to be mean. it's more like I got snookered. But it didn't cost me anything, so no biggie. Someone, maybe a student's dad, maybe a barfly said he could play. I just took the CD out of the library with Voltaire-like curiosity. I just pulled it out of the player in less than three minutes. I swear I wanted to like it. He actually can play the instrument. He gets a sound and plays pretty damn clean. But taste? Oy vay. Mail this MF a Wes or Charlie Christian or even a Stevie Ray Vaughan or frickin' AL CAIOLLA CD ASAP. Horrible, Star Search-worthy songs. But he is a decent guitarist and that's a start.

I'm working hard at the 1st piece in Bartok's Mikrokosmos. And I feel in time and with assiduous dedication I will get it Actually some time ago I took off Chopin's Prelude #4 and made a lead sheet out of it. I'm hardly the first jazz knucklehead to have done this either. I never heard anyone improvise on this convincingly though, have you guys? I heard Art Farmer recorded it. I'd like to hear that. Benny Aranov did a nice job with some Debussy themes on an album called Shadow Box in the 70s. (or maybe it was some Horace Debussy Jones themes and I'm confused again ) I think, though, when I get off my ass and work on the Chopin piece I'll just play it 'au jus' on guitar, maybe put an ending. It is so perfect as is.

'kay, that's where we'll search for the body first. This shit between Doug and myself has been going on for three years on various websites, starting with Bran's (Doug records for marsalis Music and has 2 CDs out). I take things too seriously and let people get under my skin. He's probably cool once you get to know him. The thing tomorrow is a duo with his bass player. I bet halfway through the set will practically be tongue kissing. We love to play. Who doesn't?

Larry, call me Joel. Everyone else does including the IRS. My alternate title is 'asshole'---let's start with Joel though.

John still plays his ass off. World class player, world class swinger and a good egg to boot. I tried to use him on my record date recently, but he was unavailable. He's working with everyone all the time. Maybe we can still do it because I only finished half. Money, you see I spoke to Rod on the phone some years ago. I like to stay in touch with writers because I write and I admire these cats. He is a nice man. I hope he's faring well. Like the great Bill Finegan he's all-but-forgotten in this 'what have you done for me lately' society.

"If you don't buy this magazine we'll kill this dog" "Jimmy the Weasel's Guide to Murder, Mayhem and picking up Girls" (Sample dialog:) "We got this guy drunk on his ass. We take him out, get him drinks, introduce him to a couple of celebrities, maybe even Frank. The guy has us in his living room. Wants us to meet his daughter. He's fucking crying. 'I love you guys'. We fucking throw the rope around his neck. One, two, three, it goes---a cakewalk". What, you thought I was gonna be serious in this heat?

I didn't like March of the Siamese Children as much. Too much flute. The one he made with Booker Little and Wynton Kelly, Fantastic, is a hell of a record.

Kenny Burrell: Ellington is Forever; Stan Getz: Early Getz; Sinatra: Sings for Only the Lonely, September of my Years;....meets Antonio Carlos Jobim; Ronnie Cuber: The 11th Day of Aquarius; Rein De Graaf: New York Jazz

Love locked Out (Mapleshade); Frank Strozier: Long Night (originally Jazzland, out now on CD); Inverted Image (trio record also on Jazzland, long out of print) Those are my faves. He made a duo CD with Clifford Jordan the same day he made love locked out. Don't know what ever happened to that. There's also a Jordan record he played Rhodes on. I can't remember the title. Remembering MiMi or something like that. The Frank Strozier record is great, period. Strozier played his balls off, and with such passion. Bill Lee (Spike's dad) on bass, the late Walter Perkins, drums, my old friend the late Pat Patrick, bari, and George Coleman. It has a lot of Strozier's writing and a beautiful solo by Chris on "The Need for love" I told him how much I liked that record and he said he fell down subway stairs the day before and broke both pinkies. He also told me another time that record was one of his favorites. it's sure one of mine.

Hey Chris, I have some local gigs this week if you're not doing anything. Tonight, friday and next Wednesday I'm at Blu in Hastings. Next Wed. it's with John Beal on bass, who you may recall. Great player. Tonight Sean Smith, a great musician and close colleague for many years, and Fri. Keith Saunders, co-founder of the hardbop Quintet. And tomorrow I go to Brooklyn for a little tete-de-tete with noted guitarist/singer/internet loudmouth Doug Wamble. we've battled for years and I told him music speaks loudest. He's a smart guy with a lot to say, though. He also has a good group and is an interesting player. He was gracious to invite me. We're supposed to play a tune or two together and pour a beer (hopefully not over a head) afterwards. Barbe's 9th St. near 6th Ave. Park Slope, Brooklyn. 10-12 PM (don't know when I play, but it's a 2-set gig. Near the 2,3, f and D trains.

I don't trust anyone or anything except music and proven friendship. And if you think I'm charming watch me verbally waste someone incompetent or daring to slow down my *NJD speed. I usually apologize afterward, though, FWIW. I'm an angel at times, an SOB at others, like most of us knuckleros. But I'm hardly naive or trusting of people. But, like that great bard the Pets.com dog said 'everyone deserves a second chance'. Until (if and when) Stanley screws me I say he's treated me graciously thus far. The personal troll I allude to is one John P. Cooper, who at first sent me friendly notes asking if I was related to so-and-so. I'm so heartbroken that he turned I swear i may bust out crying any minute. Damen is too concrete-headed and dimwitted to take seriously. Joke 'em all. They can't take a fuck. *Nervous Jew Disorder

Yes, Chris's music can be sad and precious too, at times. He really takes getting used to, as he's unlike anyone else. He sounds best to me playing rubato solo. He's a great reflecter. He can play with a rhythm section in time of course, but chris's special moments for me are him alone, letting us in on his thoughts. Go with him, it's a great journey.

I told Chris one time admiringly that he's a survivor. "Shut up" he explained.

They're not more valid. Just because something is new doesn't make it an improvement. If it is an improvement it doesn't negate the foundation on which it stands. It wouldn't even be there but for that foundation. Most of the real innovators in life know they didn't magically appear from nowhere. Let's give everyone credit.