I must start with an apology. My desire for my dear friend Steph was for her to simply start a blog, not for me to get entangled in a back and forth digital dialogue. My bandwidth is a bit thin these days considering I'm now eating dinner with a naked 2.5 year boy at dinner. It's what a busy travel schedule and potty training will get you. Now, reading said blog, as I've been reprimanded, is another point all together. And one that I haven't been doing. So here you go world and Steph, I'm sorry. I find your posts interesting, well written, and doggone fun to read... for the most part.
Now for my thoughts on the aforementioned "interesting posts".
Bassists:
If you listen to a really good band, the bassist will be the last one you notice. If you listen to a bad band with a good drummer, the bassist will still be the last one you notice. He (or she) is just always there trying to hold the pocket... but let me break it down a little for you. You can't really play or listen to a bassist playing at a coffeehouse, it's just not how the instrument was set up. However, the bassists you love (Vic, Getty Lee, Les Claypool, Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorius, Flea [to a degree], most jazz bassist) catch your ear because they play the melodies on top of, or with the rhythm. That's what they get paid for, the rhythm - thus the rhythm section. Drummers you like do that as well. Just listening to a drummer playing beats is cool - Lord knows I can listen to that for weeks - but what makes them catch you ear is their ability to play the melodies, such as Carter, Neil Peart, Futureman, I could go on... The bassist is cool, the drummer is cool.. is one the best?? Dunno if I could say fully yes either way... Usually you like one over the other because of what they bring out of the rhythm section the other isn't, thus the perfect complementarians.
Names:
I can't say that I would fall in love with a Shaquanda at first, however had I ran into a beautiful, blond haired, tan, big smilin' blue eye havin' babe in Park City out in a bar prior to asking her name -- I may not be able to say the same. It's actually quite a selfish statement... What I hear you say is more, how does me being friends (or in love) with a Dale reflect on me... That is vain. However, it's equally as vain to have a vanity plate (thus the name)... I love DALES. He must be cool in Putnum county. A wealthy friend of mine growing up's mother always had the newest, hottest car - her plate read: CHARGEIT. I had a 1982 Buick Regal (Limited, I may add) when I turned 16 - my mom got me a tag that read THEBUGAL. I loved it! My friends quickly turned that into the BAGEL. I still loved it. Is it vain? Who cares.
Lawn Seats:
I'm of the belief that it's up to you to make the best of the situation. People watching, pot smoking, dancing, mingling, star gazing is all a part of the experience, and you can take from it what you want. As you mentioned you know what you're getting when you buy a lawn seat. Katie and I were invited to John Mayer two weeks later (on the lawn) and passed. Ok, so that said [please take your seat] I agree with Steph here -- It was Jack's fault. I've listened to Jack Johnson since he came out and really enjoy his records - however I enjoy him usually on a plane while I'm banging away on my keyboard, I enjoy him on the deck at Greg and Steph's, I really enjoyed him this summer on the deck while in Wilmington, and it's a great background for making iMovies. While we were at Lakewood, standing around, talking, laughing, drinking, it was perfect, yet still situational - Jack didn't draw me in. Now I would not have rather been in the parking lot - maybe a back porch or beach would have been better. I saw DMB from 9 miles away and loved every second - he brought me in. I saw Lenny Kravitz from the lawn, same thing -- he demanded my attention. Song one of Jack Johnson's sounded exactly like the encore, even though I sang every word in between. I will say, I wasn't unhappy, nor did I want a refund - being there in the environment, with Katie, who was on cloud nine, made my experience completely worth it... but, it's on the artist.
Opinionated:
All I have for you here is -- opinions are like assholes, we all have one. And thank God for that!
...and yes - SEC is the best conference in the land!
Peace - mitch
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1 comment:
Mitch - Thank you for taking a minute out of your precious schedule to reply to the blog; it really means a lot. And I know our avid readers(Greg and Katie)are thrilled that the suspense is finally over! Your infinite wisdom and pompous tone are always appreciated.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
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