+I'm Only Sleeping posted 11/15/2007 11:31:08 AM | 10 kudos what's this?     report abuse

Tunes4u

Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life. ~Ludwig van Beethoven

It's early morning, still dark, and I lie in bed, not yet quite awake, and write a blog in my mind. It is the perfect blog. And while I write, music is playing in my head. Many times it is a song I have been working on learning, or maybe just enjoyed so much playing it the day before, or a week ago.

Usually, the melody goes perfectly with the thoughts in the blog. Sometimes, the song's subject, is related to my "written" word. The emotions of the melody are the emotions in my post.

The words of my blog flow like warm melted chocolate. I find no barriers to my thoughts, and feel no hesitation in picking exactly the right words to express my feelings. I am the quintessential writer.


*Poof *

Is that a word? Hell ....I don't know....I'm awake now. It don't even work the same when I am awake. It's like pulling out one of those noodle strainers out of a sink full of water. There ain't nuthin' left.


I played my guitar a lot yesterday. I sang dozens and dozens of songs. I worked hard on them.
I have an Irish wake to play for today. I do a lot of old Celtic stuff, and the woman who died had asked for an Irish wake. They called me.

So I practiced for 3 hours on that yesterday morning.
Celtic tunes are a lot of fun. They also are very revealing. They come from a very different place. A different time, and different circumstances. They transform me and take me places I would never have visited had I not took them into my heart.

After that session, 30 minutes later, my bass player for the Thomas MacWilliams Band, ( that's me lol ) came into the store, and thought we should practice for this weekend. Of course I was totally all about that, and jumped at the opportunity. 3 hours later we were finished. We worked especially hard on harmonies. My favorite thing in the whole world. And it's not even a thing.

Our music in that band covers a wide range of subjects and styles. We go all over the place. From Beatles, to the Civil War......Moody Blues to John Gorka. Pink Floyd to Gordon Lightfoot or Nanci Griffith. Casey Chambers to Alison Krauss.

I sing almost all the songs, and I pick them too. I like songs about love. All kinds of songs about love. Because when we go to a place to play, I like infusing a warm happy feeling, even when singing about a broken heart, or a lost love....as long as the message is warm. It allows me to break from the traditional rock n roll menu, and take people on a ride that rocks, make no mistake, but takes them to places that are different, fresh, and happy.
It is obvious to all of us in my band, including my bass player who was afraid to deviate from the usual boring old set lists, that this approach is working beyond expectations. Our venues are packed when we play, and it is probably the most rewarding thing I have ever done musically in my career as a musician. I have been in bands since I was 9 years old. As you can see from my picture, and my profile, I am 99 now.

After that rehearsal, I worked a bit more in the store, and then finally got home. It was quarter to 8. That is a little later than usual.
I was searching through the fridge for an idea on what to fix the boy and I for dinner, when it dawned on me.....I had to go to rehearsal at the church! I play bass down at a church which is located 2 blocks from the house. Practice started at 8. I had 10 minutes to get there.
I borrowed the boys bass....he is 14 and playing guitar and bass.....and ran out the door. I was tired and a bit disappointed I had to go. I was ready for some rest.

By the time I got back I was totally a different person again. The music we play down there is soooo much fun. It is big, and powerful, and totally takes me to that place where a reconnect is possible. It washes me clean of the day's doings, and makes me feel happy. And secure. And my faith is re-newed and strengthened.
I returned to the house, yet again, but this time, content.

Music teaches me everyday. I wish I had connected like this years ago, while playing out across the country in all those road bands. In many ways, I did I guess, but not like now. I have always been an emotionally inspired drummer rather than an educated one. I have never lacked for work as a drummer. I am applying the same methods in my new endeavor with singing and guitar.....

I have learned so much from the songs I have played over the years.
I would not change a thing.
I guess there are a couple things I might consider changing, but then I wouldn't be here now. I would be some place else. And for right now, this place is pretty cool.

I am grateful for my life. And everything in it.
I am grateful for my knowledge of things that are not things.
I love making music.....of all kinds. Anything with melody.
I am a lucky guy.
Everyday is a new day, looking forward to my musical journey and where it will take me this time.

I wish I had been able to post the blog I wrote this morning while still asleep. It was a lot better than this one.


Music is love in search of a word. ~Sidney Lanier



Stay Tuned,

I do.

Love,
Tunes

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