BUT I DIGRESS: Explaining ‘Musician Time’ to all you punctual bastards
As I sit here enjoying an episode of “CHiPs” while I lazily type this article well past my deadline, it brings to mind the curious notion of musicians keeping time. We do. We keep time all the time. But not the “One, and a two, and a…” of Lawrence Welk fame that undoubtedly came to […]
BUT I DIGRESS: Creating Top Five lists is the best way to talk – and learn – about music
I was absent last week because bicycle. Now I’m not absent. Thank you for your indulgence and junk. My topic this week is the lowly Top Five list. Don’t be fooled, dear readers. The lists of which I speak are the snobbiest of snob snobbery, the “bend you over and spank ya ass cuz yo […]
BUT I DIGRESS: After 30 years of playing music professionally, I’m taking guitar lessons – here’s why
I am not a late bloomer. I had a beard in eighth grade – true story. It would seem, however, that after 30+ years of playing music for a living, I’m finally getting the hang of it. Here’s what the haps be… I’m taking lessons for the first time ever. Well, in reality, I had […]
BUT I DIGRESS: The 5 benefits of consistent music practice with fellow musicians
Practice. I don’t make nothing perfect. Only serendipity can do that. But, without practice, all the serendipity in the universe won’t make any difference. You can use pitch correction if you’d like, but you’ll be way prouder if you just keep trying until you hit that opening note dead to rights, every time. Sure, it […]
BUT I DIGRESS: When you were mine – remembering Prince through young love and a ‘Dirty Mind’
Friday, March 13, 1987. Of the many milestone events in my lifetime, I remember very few exact dates. Most are relegated to generic descriptives: winter, rainy, nighttime, etc. This date is a bright, shining exception because of several events that coincided on that date. Those kind of cars don’t pass you every day. Friday, March […]
BUT I DIGRESS: Motörhead, Kimberley Locke, Thin Lizzy – it’s all just music to me
Today, on a walk to the store to purchase waterproof Velcro (nunya biddness), I decided to listen to some music. First up, “8th World Wonder” by Kimberley Locke. Next, “Jailbait” by Motörhead. Finally, “Black Rose” by Thin Lizzy. It wasn’t until some time later that it dawned on me – should anyone judge me based […]
BUT I DIGRESS: Immerse yourself in the vinyl experience and every day is Record Store Day
Record Store Day. This year, it falls on April 16. (Next year, it’s April 15, if you’re a planner). My personal favorite record store is Embassy Vinyl (342 Adams Ave., Scranton). Proprietor R.J. Harrington not only possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of all things record related, he makes recommendations based upon what you ask for and […]
BUT I DIGRESS: Why do so many albums sound so similar? Because they didn’t do their homework
prov·e·nance /ˈprävənəns/ noun the place of origin or earliest known history of something. “an orange rug of Iranian provenance” synonyms: origin, source, place of origin; More the beginning of something’s existence; something’s origin. “they try to understand the whole universe, its provenance and fate” a record of ownership of a work of art or an […]
BUT I DIGRESS: Hey, major labels – subgenres of music are bullshit
Subgenres. In modern music, popular and otherwise, there are too many to name. And I have a problem with each and every one of the contrived, divisive little fuckers. You may well say, “Yes, Fud, you overreactive weenie, but they help identify individual styles of music so the listener can more easily find what they […]
BUT I DIGRESS: Remembering my Irish brother on St. Patrick’s Day
It’s Thursday, March 17, 2016. St. Patrick’s Day. “Zavacki? That’s a Polack name, ainah?” Yeah, it’s a Polack name. And, like most everyone reading this, I’m a mutt. A half-breed, if you will. As my grandfather used to force me to say when asked why I wore a green carnation on St. Patrick’s Day sporting […]
