One of my biggest issues in working with others is that I'm a hermit by nature, and really don't work with others. Maybe it's a character flaw, but really, I think it's just that I get the big picture of my own creativity- it is my responsibility good or bad. Of the bands I've worked with, one was with a bass player who wanted to be the next Gedde Lee, and he tried to re-arrange all my music to reflect that. Sadly, he didn't undertand progressive rock, and everything he played tended to be rather highy pitched, and not really smart. He was a fair player, but an unfair band mate.
A second band, earlier in my music-mission, was not even a band. It was a really cool ginger fellow who went to school with me. He wrote amazing music, and I was granted the permission to sing one of his tracks. Sadly, it was just a one time thing, and I had hoped that he would put out more so I could sing more of his poetry. That was great fun, and I still remember every note.
The two other bands I ran myself. One was in Santa Fe, and had three drummers, none who played a standard kit- all who were from countries whose names are distant memories to anyone from Africa. The rhythm is everything next to the lyrics in my book, and the guitarist I had wasn't up for it. The poor guy- to this day I'll remember him trying to figure out what chords he could possibly do for a solo that would match a talking drum, a dumbek and whatever the other guy played that week. The other was in Boston, back when I was still in high school, but as most people could surmise, a high school band doesn't go for without some support from some adults, and none of us could count our parents in on any help of any kind, creatively. When I graduated a year early, the rest of the gang went on without me, and so it goes, they went into other bands in college, some doing okay.
That's not to say I hadn't TRIED to work with others. The second to last husband met me when I was studying jazz vocals, and he was playing trumpet. We could have worked together a lot- but as much as I had him in MY gigs, he never seemed to want me in his. He joined a huge band, and there wasn't room for me in it. My last husband, the one I have now, and the one I will NOT trade in, is a pianist of world class renown. He is working with me on a recording project, but it's been YEARS in the making.
When I work with others, I'm learning, I have to take into account their visions may not be what I have, and vice versa. My goals are to record as many songs as I've written, hopefully sell them to the token Piece of Arse du jour who is singing on some stage to lots of people, and make money that way. Others suggest I become part of the fogies tours and get on stage myself. Not going to happen- too gimpy, and again, hermit.
The other issue seems to be my political and nonreligious leanings. I am squarely middle of the road if the road is on the left, and certainly as godless as any heathen should, would, could, and can be. (godlessgrief.com) I find religion and anything that's 'god'-ish just barbaric and archaic. If man had meant us to have gods he would have made them more manageable. Or something. When it turns into control, it's not a doctrine of theology, it's a dogma of beaurocracy. Blunderful at best. Generally I start talking to people about working on some music together, and next thing I know I'm being asked to talk about a relationship with a story book character. Don't play that well. At all. It's not my nature.
Music involves learning and listening. The band of the hour for me is Them Crooked Vultures, because of the perfect song writing, great rhythm section, and I only have ONE album, as that's all they've done so far, but can't wait for the rest. Because I can't, I'm listening and getting inspired to become THAT good. The pile of MP3's is growing. Hugely. I'm also working to reach out to people I listened to 20-30 years ago who have changed me. (I can't believe I'm SAYING 30 years ago...) It's been fun reaching out finding Willie "Loco" Alexander, Robin Lane, and looking up Human Sexual Response. And, it's sad to hear of the passing of friends and music monsters from Boston, Norfolk, and half the world I was in touch with years back.
Keeping on the keeping on here, and it seems like I'll have some sort of music recorded this year after all. It may be just demo material, but it will be mine and I'm okay with that.
A second band, earlier in my music-mission, was not even a band. It was a really cool ginger fellow who went to school with me. He wrote amazing music, and I was granted the permission to sing one of his tracks. Sadly, it was just a one time thing, and I had hoped that he would put out more so I could sing more of his poetry. That was great fun, and I still remember every note.
The two other bands I ran myself. One was in Santa Fe, and had three drummers, none who played a standard kit- all who were from countries whose names are distant memories to anyone from Africa. The rhythm is everything next to the lyrics in my book, and the guitarist I had wasn't up for it. The poor guy- to this day I'll remember him trying to figure out what chords he could possibly do for a solo that would match a talking drum, a dumbek and whatever the other guy played that week. The other was in Boston, back when I was still in high school, but as most people could surmise, a high school band doesn't go for without some support from some adults, and none of us could count our parents in on any help of any kind, creatively. When I graduated a year early, the rest of the gang went on without me, and so it goes, they went into other bands in college, some doing okay.That's not to say I hadn't TRIED to work with others. The second to last husband met me when I was studying jazz vocals, and he was playing trumpet. We could have worked together a lot- but as much as I had him in MY gigs, he never seemed to want me in his. He joined a huge band, and there wasn't room for me in it. My last husband, the one I have now, and the one I will NOT trade in, is a pianist of world class renown. He is working with me on a recording project, but it's been YEARS in the making.
When I work with others, I'm learning, I have to take into account their visions may not be what I have, and vice versa. My goals are to record as many songs as I've written, hopefully sell them to the token Piece of Arse du jour who is singing on some stage to lots of people, and make money that way. Others suggest I become part of the fogies tours and get on stage myself. Not going to happen- too gimpy, and again, hermit.
The other issue seems to be my political and nonreligious leanings. I am squarely middle of the road if the road is on the left, and certainly as godless as any heathen should, would, could, and can be. (godlessgrief.com) I find religion and anything that's 'god'-ish just barbaric and archaic. If man had meant us to have gods he would have made them more manageable. Or something. When it turns into control, it's not a doctrine of theology, it's a dogma of beaurocracy. Blunderful at best. Generally I start talking to people about working on some music together, and next thing I know I'm being asked to talk about a relationship with a story book character. Don't play that well. At all. It's not my nature.
Music involves learning and listening. The band of the hour for me is Them Crooked Vultures, because of the perfect song writing, great rhythm section, and I only have ONE album, as that's all they've done so far, but can't wait for the rest. Because I can't, I'm listening and getting inspired to become THAT good. The pile of MP3's is growing. Hugely. I'm also working to reach out to people I listened to 20-30 years ago who have changed me. (I can't believe I'm SAYING 30 years ago...) It's been fun reaching out finding Willie "Loco" Alexander, Robin Lane, and looking up Human Sexual Response. And, it's sad to hear of the passing of friends and music monsters from Boston, Norfolk, and half the world I was in touch with years back.
Keeping on the keeping on here, and it seems like I'll have some sort of music recorded this year after all. It may be just demo material, but it will be mine and I'm okay with that.
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