tag:samcrain.com,2005:/blogs/saturday-afternoon?p=41Saturday afternoon2024-03-20T19:38:43-05:00samcrain.comfalsetag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73701232024-03-20T19:38:43-05:002024-03-26T19:33:49-05:00My Goal is Zetan<p>It's my favorite line from a David Carradine movie made back in 1978 called Circle of Iron. In it, Cord, a martial artist, aspires to fight and defeat the legendary Zetan. </p><p>I don't remember where it is in the movie, but someone along his travels asks Cord what his business is. “My goal is Zetan” is his succinct response. </p><p>This would make a wonderful line to use in a wide variety of situations: any restaurant(particularly fast food), any government office--especially the Human Services--, the Bank. Might be interesting to go a whole day walking in places and stating your case. “May I help you?” “My goal is Zetan!”</p><p>You'd get a fairly wide range of responses, from hostility to bewilderment. Me, I'd probably start laughing, for lack of any other comeback. </p>samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73680962024-03-16T13:27:17-05:002024-03-16T14:09:56-05:00The Great Indoors-or- Geezerhood 2<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, and I'm enjoying it from the confines of my Music Room. I'm not a hermit, but rather a <i>Rugged Indoorsman.</i> Yeah, that's the ticket. </p><p>I can tell from the commotion behind me that my two cats are scuffling. They usually do this right at bedtime, but I guess this is the Day Show. Right now it's going on here on the desk. </p><p>Back in the days of dayjob, there was a lady I worked with who would go on and on in the break room about her kids and her life in general, for both her morning and afternoon breaks. I referred to it as the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock shows. That didn't go over too well, but she probably would've made the same joke if the tables were turned. </p><p> Geezerhood 2. That's the name given to life in the 70s. I'll be a Septuagenarian in a couple short months. Not as cool as being a Sexagenarian, and harder to spell. But so far it's a lot like regular Geezerhood, just more so. </p><p>And I figure there will be other phases, or sub-phases, coming up. Geezerhood 3(or perhaps 2.5)might be the Assisted Living Phase, if there is one. But so far Geezerhood 2 is enough to deal with. </p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. Same old same old . I don't have as many consecutive days as I used to, so I haven't been able to build any kind of momentum in terms of any new music. It'll happen sooner or later. Always has. And I'm still giving her hell on a more-or-less daily basis. </p><p>The guitar has always been high-maintenance as far as that goes. Don't let her fool you. You don't have to buy her anything, but she still requires a lot of attention as far as scales and arpeggios. Calisthenics, as it were. </p><p>Anyway! This page needed a new post, so I guess this is it. When another gig comes up, I'll let you know. Still workin' it from here in the Music Lab, for the most part. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/c555b4f9dad1c69f50be83cdaf07fb55a31194fc/original/img-1074.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" height="3864" width="5152" /><p> </p><p> </p>3:30samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73607742024-03-06T18:33:25-06:002024-03-13T18:01:20-05:00MIttwoch<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. And it's been awhile for one of these blogs. So here goes..</p><p>Noticing something of a paradigm shift as I move into age 70. The actual date is 5 months and 4 days away, but I'm already there. These are my findings so far:</p><p>You've got a few more aches and pains than you had a decade ago. And you might have already had a knee or hip replaced. And as far as those aches and pains, you're either helping someone in your family or someone in your family is helping you. And your house probably has a few bugs in it that need fixing. </p><p>At the moment I have a roof that needs some work. The windstorms of the past couple weeks have pulled up a few of the panels, exposing my old thatched roof. But the leaks are still taken care of. I had quite an adventure this past year when another storm put a good-sized hole in there. Not a fun experience. Still feeling great relief at having that patched, and not having to go all 1800s bailing out the rainwater..</p><p>Sometimes happiness is just having misery taken away..</p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. Same old same old . Still practicing, and making YouTube videos. And still getting new subscribers here and there. It's great hearing from them. And it keeps me practicing. </p><p>Trying to rotate the guitars I play, to some extent. I've got a sunburst Epiphone ES-335, a Gretsch Streamliner(basic ES design), and my Jim Hughes guitar- which is its own shape. I'm hoping it adds interest to my YouTube videos, having a different visual and sound every so often. </p><p>At the moment I have eleven guitars and one bass guitar. One of them is an Ibanez classical electric, which currently needs a couple strings. I've never changed nylon strings, but I guess I can take a shot at it. It's a guitar I used to play a lot of, both on recordings and gigs. </p><p>I'm not a collector as such. Guitars are just something you accumulate, one by one. And every guitar serves some kind of purpose. The classical electric, once it's restrung, will add a unique timbre. And I've got a Mexican Fender Tele for any kind of twang- plus many other sounds. Plus a couple of archtops-one in particular- for that big guitar tone. And so on. </p><p>This is a long post. But it has been awhile. Nice to see people stopping in to visit the site. I had some more music stuff to talk about--to do with picking, and some stuff I've figgered out--but it'll keep. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Much love. More later. </p><p> PS today's pic goes back to 2013. This is downtown at the old PNC Bank. My first gig in retirement. Kevin Ellis on bass and Jaro Howse on drums. Tim Roseberry took this picture. My only aerial photograph..</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/b58de00a46ae091bf32d3d2713f46c2d147674ad/original/me-kevin-and-jaro.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" height="425" width="640" />1:56samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73566792024-02-24T13:05:21-06:002024-03-02T18:31:31-06:00Guitar Talk<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/7bf79cd93a03961c2710ec0fb46f59a87c112279/original/gretsch-guitar.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" height="261" width="500" /><p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! I know somebody's been stopping by in here, because the site lets me know how many folks- if any- stop in on any given day,. </p><p>Today's pic is of one of my guitars. It's one I've been playing a lot these days. I didn't know the model name or any other features, just that it's my Gretsch guitar. The only Gretsch guitar I own. </p><p>So my Gretsch guitar is actually a Gretsch<i> Streamliner</i>. With a laurel neck. The color is listed as <i>Burnt Orchid</i>. It's also available in Fireburst and Gunmetal. The Gunmetal model is a cool blue. One of its characteristics, on all models, is a V-shaped tailpiece. I don't think it has any bearing on the sound, just one of those things that look cool without serving any particular purpose. </p><p>I got it at the Rock Shop back in 2014 or so. A local entertainer named John Sweet was selling it on consignment. I remember being about 14 years old--which would've been 1968--playing my first jazz gigs in a place in a then-thriving Town and Country Shopping Center. The place I played in was called The Flaming Pit. </p><p>John stopped in to see us, spreading good will wherever he went. Kind of a Don Rickles. As I remember, he managed to offend a few people there at the Flaming Pit, most notably a waiter, who called him a <i>hayseed.</i> </p><p> According to the employee I talked to at the Rock Shop--46 years later--the jokes are still flying and still crude and usually insulting to someone or other. Nice to know some things never change.. </p><p> Anyway! My first ES-style guitar. I've got two archtops, one Ibanez and the other a B. Cook model(for Billy Cook, a guitarist and luthier from Peoria), and love them both--especially the B. Cook model--but it's a lot of guitar to reach around. </p><p>So I've gravitated toward the ES-style guitars, having less girth and all. And I now have four of them: a cherry-red Epiphone Casino, a sunburst Epiphone Casino Coupe, a sunburst Epiphone ES-335, and my Gretsch <i>Streamliner</i>. </p><p>I should say here that I'm not a collector per se. I don't have that kind of disposable income. Just a player who likes to have a few options as to which guitar he feels like playing. So my purchases are “off” brands like Epiphone and Ibanez- all decent but inexpensive instruments. A Benedetto or Collings guitar would be doable, but it'd set me back aways…</p><p>Well so much for guitar talk. For now anyway. As far as any bona fide<i><strong> Music News,</strong></i> nothing much to report. I had a gig on the 4th of this month, out at Harvest Market. Much fun. The next thing I have on the books is November 1st at Boone's. Something will surely fill in between now and November. </p><p>I'm still pretty busy with family stuff, as well as keeping my own stuff together. It's almost a job in itself, particularly as you get older and things start falling apart. But I'm managing to get in some good practice time. And with that, keeping my YouTube page well-stocked with videos. Subscriptions are at 419 folks. I've got a few regulars, who drop me a line when I post something, It's always a kick hearing from them. </p><p>So that's it for now. All the news from my world that's fit to print. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Much love. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>6:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73526172024-02-17T11:37:15-06:002024-02-24T11:35:07-06:00Another Day at the Office<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! </p><p>A snowy day all around. My brother has just retired from his job of 40-some years, and is celebrating the fact that he doesn't have to trudge through it to get to work. That is a wonderful feeling, one I'd wish for everyone who wants or needs it. </p><p>I left the world of daygig in the middle of the year, so I had to wait on that one. But the following January was nasty- the Winter of 2014(remember that one?)-- and I couldn't help posting a picture of my street, with my vehicle being just about the only one left on the block.</p><p> I added a note, which read “don't hate me because I'm beautiful. Hate me(if you must)because I'm retired and don't have to trudge through this shit anymore”. I could certainly feel the hate that day…</p><p>Lesson learned: sometimes it's best to keep your good fortune to yourself. </p><p><i><strong>Music News</strong></i>. I'm practicing more these days. The impetus for this is partly just because it's there, but mainly from hearing a whole crop of guitarists from the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Guitar Competition. You can find it on YouTube. It's a humbling experience…</p><p>These players all looked to be in their 20s or 30s, and all of them <i>without exception </i>had monster chops. Stoopid good technique. All were plectrum players--meaning that they used a pick--but the fingers are used a lot more for chording, with the thumb for bass notes. </p><p>I don't expect to be pulling off the kind of fingerboard shenanigans I saw going on at that competition, but I can at least try. Seems like the bar is set awfully high as far as that goes. Killer chops are now a prerequisite, just to get your foot in the door. At least it's something to aspire to. </p><p>More to come on the YouTube page. I just lost two subscribers, but got a number of very nice comments with the last thing I posted. As long as people are enjoying the stuff I post, there's no sense worrying about a few fluctuations here and there. </p><p>So that's my news, such as it is. Still in there plugging away. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/52a7531a2cca73a190aef8048e7e54a010e4072c/original/on-the-job.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /><p> </p>5:59samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73497992024-02-11T17:39:25-06:002024-02-16T14:37:04-06:00Man With a Mission <p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! I'm a Man With a Mission today here in the music lab. My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to put these strings--Stage Right--with this guitar. Stage Left. The guitar is a Jim Hughes Special. It's currently missing an E string, and the other strings could probably stand to be replaced themselves. The strings I've got are Ernie Ball 10s. </p><p>10s are pretty much standard procedure for all my guitars. My wine-colored Gretsch has 11s and my cherry-red Epiphone ES has 9s, but everything else has 10s on it. String gauges are a trade-off. Heavier strings give you a fuller sound but are tougher to play. Lighter strings give you mobility but a thinner tone. I usually go for the Great Middle Way with my 10s..</p><p>So I'm down for the mission. Got my guitar and my strings <i>and</i> my wire-cutters. We're off to the races. Changing strings is a pain in the ass, and I'd just as soon get that experience in the rear-view mirror as soon as possible.</p><p>I've had this guitar for a number of years now. I was attracted to its unique shape. As I remember, the high E went out soon after I got it, and I never got around to replacing it. As a result, exploring this instrument for its sound and feel is something I've still yet to do. </p><p>I know he's built other instruments, but this is my second Jim Hughes guitar The first one was a bass, back in 1980. It had a built-in EQ, which made for a warm sound but also a few squawks here and there. It was even dubbed the Squawk Bass by someone I used to play a lot of gigs with. </p><p>My Squawk Bass Anecdote: I played a lot of shows back then, and was doing Hello Dolly. There was a lot of down time in the pit, and we were watching the show. A very quiet dramatic scene. All of a sudden my bass made a big awful sound, and I lunged to turn off my amp. It was just a second, but the embarrassment reverberated for quite some time. </p><p>The next day, before the show, I approached the actor who was doing the scene, apologizing all over myself for my bass and its noise. . Öh hell, he said. “I just thought Dolly had gas!” The actress was just a few feet away, and was not amused. Aghast might be a better word…</p><p>Well once I get this thing re-strung, I might just take a shot at some more playing today, and maybe even something worth sharing. </p><p>Another guitar of mine that's been just gathering dust is an Ibanez Classical Electric, which is missing several strings. The Music Shoppe, out in Parkway Pointe, has a new person doing guitar repairs, and should be able to get it re-strung and overhauled a bit. For the immediate future though, I'm still concerned with this Jim Hughes guitar. Hope her sound is as good as her shape. </p><p>So that's all I've got for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Much love. More later. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/3600876e651f433bb13853ef8f1bcc2ef9cf17a9/original/img-6168.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/159a527232b26511c3be8e27dd9f215e5d81c37e/original/img-3768.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />5:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73462402024-02-05T13:03:06-06:002024-02-05T22:27:46-06:00un-manic Monday<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! Actually, there are folks out there who <i>do</i> read it, at least here and there. I know because they tell me. Also, the website tracks activity, so I can tell somebody stopped by. </p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. Fresh on the heels of a very nice gig. Grocery stores, or at least the one I visited yesterday, are a new venue for me. The 10am start time was challenging, but I still like the hours. And the fact that it's alcohol-free. Our crowd would've been a lot noisier if they'd been drinking. </p><p>Along that line, Harvest Market also has some evening entertainment, up on its second floor. That's where the bar is, so I'm sure it's more lively. Someone who came down yesterday suggested we move it upstairs for future gigs.</p><p>I was just filling in, but probably wouldn't be as interested in the later hours. 10am-1pm is much nicer than, say 7 to 10pm. At least to this old curmudgeon. And I much prefer the quieter day crowd. Most of the venues I play are noisy- and as a result, I'm always frazzled by the end of it. With this one, there was no overload, nothing to shake off. </p><p>Such are the challenges of a musician as he gets older and grumpier. You sometimes have to find new ways of doing what you do. More time is spent here in the Music Lab, but I still get out of the house- as long as it's early and quiet. And fun.</p><p>Not much more to report. I've got a collection of electronic pieces I'm looking to release. There's a version of it right here on the site, under My Wares. It's called Nine Pieces. Coming soon!</p><p>With that, I should ring off here. Got to get to practicing. I'm not pursuing a career as such, but I'm still trying to get better. More to come on the YouTube page. So thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Much love. Later.</p><p> PS today's pic is from a Bassburg gig. Me, Mark Sanders and Rob Killam. I've worked with both these guys in different settings, always fun. Rob and I have done many many gigs over the years. Lots of duos and- my favorite- trio gigs with the great Buddy Rpgers. </p><p> This is not something I would ordinarily ask for, but Rob could use prayers if you've got ém. He's having some health problems- actually, theý've been going on for awhile-- and can use whatever help is available. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/18602d5ed47974838883c134fc7d23695baf948b/original/1601319-10201550355823301-1378282304-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /> </p>3:49samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73453702024-02-03T13:16:12-06:002024-02-05T11:56:13-06:00Saturday<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a beautiful day out there today, and tomorrow's supposed to be more of the same. Just finishing off the morning coffee and getting ready to embark on something or other. I guess I'll figure that out in the time it takes to finish this last cup. </p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. I have something tomorrow, from 10am-1pm. It's at Harvest Market. I see their ads all the time as far as their Sunday musical events, but haven't ever done one myself. Julie Brown on vocals and guitar; Frank Parker on trumpet; me on guitar. Normally they use a bass player, who comes all the way from Rantoul(!), but he's unable to make this one. </p><p>I played in Julie's group eleven years ago. I'd just left my job of 22 years, planning to formally retire the following year. We were experiencing wave after wave of layoffs, office closings and other such merriment, so my best option was just to bail, and tread water until I came of age. Hers were the first gigs I played upon leaving my job/retiring. So I suppose this is a bit of a reunion. </p><p>As far as the location, Harvest Market is right across the street from White Folks Mall, where Cub Foods used to be. This will be a first for me, as far as playing there. I used to have to visit Cub Foods back in daygig times, doing the Job Service thing. Jobs for people, people for jobs. Or something along that line..</p><p>So this is my trip out of the house for the month. Well, two months.. Still mostly working from home as far as musicmaking, but I've been getting a few in the last couple months: November at The Pharmacy; December at All About Wine, and now Harvest Market in February.</p><p>The trips out of the house are just often enough to keep their novelty, and there's at least one that's “my” gig-meaning that I call the tunes I want to play(but with some democracy), and solo as long as I want--within reason, of course. </p><p>Well that's what I've got in the way of news. Still practicing most every day, and still posting to my YouTube page with the stuff that seems to work. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/7dd4a570fb6b300695b922b3976d64bc1194b32c/original/julie-jewelz.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p> </p>5:59samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73415732024-01-27T20:59:28-06:002024-01-27T20:59:28-06:00Happy Mozart Day!<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! I'm sure it's Mozart Day in Salzburg and Vienna and a few such places. If Mozart were alive today, he'd be 278 years old. </p><p>One of my groups had its first gig on Mozart's birthday, back in the days of Robbie's. Trying to remember whether it was 2005 or 2006, but it was a brand new year with a more-or-less brand new band. The Sam Crain Trio made its debut on that date. </p><p>Our second gig at Robbie's, late in September of that year, turned out to be Snoop Dogg's natal anniversary. Not as cool as Mozart, but still noted. And really, still cool--albeit in an anti-climactic sort of way. Got my mind on my money, and my money on my mind…</p><p><i><strong>Current Music News</strong></i>. Still playing/practicing here in the Lab, doing my daily calisthenics on the guitar, and making videos here and there. My YouTube page is now up to a whopping 400 subscribers. Another milestone..</p><p>My next gig is still November 1st of this year, at Boone's. Once this year normalizes, I imagine something or other will come up. A couple of us have been getting together for jam sessions this past month, and that should pick back up. </p><p>Not much for news right now. I just wanted to pay my respects to good old Wolfgang, and to the old trio. We finally fizzled as a group sometime in 2015. In the words of our drummer Don Cochran,<i> the flame had flickered</i>. Bands, at least in my experience, seem to last about as long as a good TV series: 6 or 7 years. </p><p>Anyway! Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy whatever! More later. PS today's musical offering is a Fugue I wrote some years back. Probably more reminiscent of Bach, but fits the general bill. Hope you like it!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/6a1a671d938331322aee507c6152f757e01e206b/original/mozart-portrait-croce.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p>3:31samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73390512024-01-23T20:13:07-06:002024-01-23T20:13:07-06:00Aquabob<p>Season's Greetings, y 'all. According to Facebook, this big-ass stalactite hanging off my back porch is called an Aquabob. Sounds like something from Bikini Bottom. </p><p>Back in working days at the Unemployment Office--which kinda sounds like an oxymoron--I was briefly in charge of the Convicted Ex-Felon Program(or something like that- it's been over a decade!). Besides securing them employment, one other goal of the program was, through the proper “channels”, having the felony stricken from their records. </p><p>I thought that might be well-represented by a cartoon character of some sort. Kinda like McGruff, the Crime Dog from the 70s, <i>taking a bite out of crime</i>, only this time in a marine setting. Yes, here comes the groaner: <i>Expunge</i>-Bob.</p><p>Yeah, that was awful. The kind of thing that sounds a lot funnier resonating inside your own head. I have a fair amount of those..</p><p><i><strong>Music News</strong></i>. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_khKuEgNOBaSZKwGSOgTTNutJjsjjXmwJU">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_khKuEgNOBaSZKwGSOgTTNutJjsjjXmwJU</a> this is one of my new albums. It's called<i> Interluudes. </i></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nLPkw5EyvoqeYgIDgVjt62xbT3N4xooHY">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nLPkw5EyvoqeYgIDgVjt62xbT3N4xooHY</a> and this is another one. It's called <i>Boom Boom Room</i>. </p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kYeiXZatzNiOZU5-AXwEiFAJcK1GoRdfE">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kYeiXZatzNiOZU5-AXwEiFAJcK1GoRdfE</a> and last but not least, here is yet another one. It's called <i>Jazz Guitar Vol 5</i></p><p>These were all projects I'd started and then shelved for some odd reason. They just all seemed to finish themselves around the same time. So I suppose I'm feeling some Post-Partum Blues, after this wave of activity. </p><p>Not much happening on the guitar either, but I'm doing the basic maintenance: scales and arpeggios with the metronome. The YouTube page is getting ready for another Minor Milestone here with 398 subscribers. You need at least 1000 to get paid--or, as they put it, monetized--so I doubt that I'll get there. So I just have fun with it. Cool to get comments from various folks out there. And I enjoy all my victories, however minor..</p><p>Okay. That's all I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this. Much love. More later. </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/cb91b50d1c621d5f8c151fa13b02976e88c4e42e/original/seat-of-doom.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p>4:27samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73365642024-01-18T22:18:29-06:002024-01-20T10:18:50-06:00We Were All So YOUNG<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! </p><p>It's Thursday night, about 9:30. Snow is falling, along with the temperature. Back into the freezer for us, along with more shit to shovel.. It's a typical Winter for this part of the country: nasty subzero patches alternating with days of relief. Errand days alternating with mini-hibernations. All I know is I'm old and it's cold.. </p><p>If Winter were a menu item, I'd have sent its ass back to the kitchen long ago.</p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. This picture was taken in the summer of 1985. Calgary, Alberta CANADA. It was an event called Klondike Days. 10 days of drinking and carousing. Our booking agent joined us in music, playing a wind instrument called a Condor. This was also referred to as 10 Days of the Condor. Not the most euphonious thing you'd want to hear. But he <i>was</i> our manager..</p><p>I also remember seeing people literally falling-down drunk in Calgary. I myself did a bit of drinking there. And also discovered what is quite a gastronomic issue in America: pizza with pineapple. </p><p>I think it depends a lot on the pizza, but I found it to be delicious. Call me a heretic if you must, but dammit I like pineapple on my pizza. At least occasionally..</p><p>Calgary, for what it's worth, was used as Metropolis in Superman III. The opening scenes, anyway. We also played in Edmonton, which wasn't as memorable but still a nice time. The province of Alberta kinda reminds me of our Wyoming. A cowboy state. </p><p>The band in the picture is, of course, all of us in the white dinner jackets. I think I still have my jacket and pants. Actually got married in this suit some years later, in 1988. We had both a Civil and Church wedding, and this was my monkey suit for the civil ceremony. </p><p>I was with that band from December of 1984 until March of 1986. Nashua, New Hampshire was the starting point, and I think Houston was the end point, getting on the train back to Illinois. I got a very nice, unabashedly sentimental card from them, and taped to the inside of the card were two quarters, paying me back for the two bits they bummed off of me to pay the toll at the airport in Boston. </p><p>Anyway, a nice slice from my life. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Much love. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/e34e8105c8d46d432f415182c66fa4d3321953ba/original/klondike-1984.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /> </p>4:18samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73350902024-01-16T19:14:07-06:002024-01-16T20:20:17-06:00The Two Jacks <p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/654d4983d1c6472818456c7dd45ca51bff884c37/original/jack-frost.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_s justify_inline border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/82db4ccbebc1ea402025220b4ce23351ef467d39/original/download.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_inline border_" />It's Winter. To be more accurate, the dead of Winter. Temperatures just now making it into the positive single digits. Winter, for me, involves the emergence of two pernicious forces: Jack Frost and Jack Torrance. </p><p>While Jack Frost nips at my nose and my toes, inviting Hypothermia at every turn--if I'm fool enough to venture out into it--Jack Torrance nips at my psyche, inviting all manner of Dementia. Well, at least Neurosis…</p><p>Sometimes they Tag Team my ass all Winter- depending, of course, in large part on the severity of said cold season. Actually, Jack Frost is easy enough to sidestep, just as long as you've got your layers of insulation in place. Torrance is the more insidious. He works his way in through the cracks, until he's hot-wired everything in between your ears..</p><p>Kinda tough if you were already a bit cracked to begin with. </p><p><i><strong>Music News</strong></i>. After a busy December, with three recording projects coming to fruition, I'm catching my breath. This would be the perfect time for a new project, but I've kinda blown my wad for the time being. </p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhY7dNUZE6oBg6QyQF-g2g">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhY7dNUZE6oBg6QyQF-g2g</a></p><p>They can all be heard here, with the three newest albums right up front. </p><p>Remembering some Epic Cold Weather gigs, from my checkered past. The Winner(or Loser):1980, Rock Island, Illinois. Wind chill was reported as 80 below zero. Not sure about that statistic--sounds more like Antarctica--but suffice it to say, it was damn cold. The coldest weather I've experienced. </p><p>Runners-up: Boone's Saloon, 2023. 7 degrees. The Hoogland Center, 2007, 9 degrees. </p><p>One positive thing about Winter is that perhaps you make better use of your “nice” days, since they're relatively infrequent. Tomorrow looks like it's all we get for another short while, so I'm going to make the most of it. And then it's back to hibernation. Hopefully a period bereft of both Jacks..</p><p>Thanks for stopping in and reading all this mess. Stay warm. Later for now. </p><p>PS today's tune is an electronic piece called Cybertraash. It's on an album of mine called Garden of Sonic Delights. </p><p> </p><p> </p>3:01samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73334652024-01-14T12:35:41-06:002024-01-14T13:30:45-06:00HiberNation<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's cold in these parts. How cold is it? It's so cold the dogs are sticking to the sidewalks. </p><p>That was Edward Albee's witticism, not mine. The Skin of Our Teeth is the play of his that contains that great line. I read it in High School, and that's the only thing I remember. </p><p>I feel sorry for dog people, having to be outside in all kinds of weather waiting for their canine to do his business. Hearing the dogs outside this morning, and feeling for my poor neighbors having to endure this cold. Cats at least have a litter box, whatever their other failings.. </p><p>It's currently -3 degrees, up from -10 earlier this morning. The high today is supposed to be 0. Kinda like the day is breaking even. </p><p>That was my lame witticism, not Edward Albee's..</p><p>Meanwhile, here in the Music Lab, I'm getting ready to give the guitar what for. Still keeping up with the practicing, and have a few things to share, either on Facebook or YouTube or both. </p><p>One thing- I started to say as a musician, but really as a <i>human being</i>- I've found to be true as I get older is that you celebrate your victories, however small- however <i>infinitesimal</i>. My YouTube subscriptions are now at a whopping 395, and I'm looking forward to this New Milestone. </p><p>My stuff earns a little money from streams and the occasional download. This is through CD Baby. Literally, pennies here and there. A download gives me a couple bucks, but most everything else is a few cents at a time. And still I keep track of it, even celebrate my small victories. </p><p>No matter what, I'll always be the King of my own Country..</p><p>Anyway, that's what I've got for you on this Epic Cold Day. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Much love. Stay warm. Later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/63fe6d303e738f9a88bc12fc8bae2923323b6c24/original/img-0008.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p><p> </p>2:33samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73309352024-01-09T18:45:28-06:002024-01-13T12:47:01-06:00Hibernation Begins<p>Well, we didn't get what we expected in the way of snowfall, but Winter is still here. It's already wiped its big dumb feet on the carpet, and getting ready for another round--either snow/rain or cold or both. </p><p>One thing I do most every weekend is take my brother to Walgreen's for cigs and food and prescriptions. This is doable under any conditions short of a blizzard, but we both agreed that maybe he pick up a carton of cigarettes for the siege ahead. We're both getting too old and crochety to deal with this kinda stuff. </p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. Still fooling around with a few Western Swing things. I wasn't sure how it'd go over on my YouTube page, being mostly straight-ahead jazz, but it was well-received. Not as many purists out there as I thought. Lots of likes, and two new subscribers. I'll take that as a green light. 392 subscribers at the moment- coming up on another minor milestone. </p><p>It's all good. I have some folks who write to me on occasion, and am always sure to send something back their way- even if it's just a thumbs-up. And it's a nice outlet for me. Helps keep me somewhat connected to the world at large..</p><p>One of the Western Swing things I'm planning on doing is a thing called Beaumont Rag. I actually know a few things about Beaumont, Texas. I played there sometime or other in 1985 while on the road with a band called Scoundrel. My few observations about the place were that the women all wore sensible shoes- and there was a song on the jukebox I was particularly fond of. It was called Ï Don't Recall Lovin' You'. </p><p>Obviously somebody slapped with a Paternity Suit. But seriously folks, Beaumont is also the birthplace of two of my favorite musicians: Johnny and Edgar Winter. Along with Clapton and Beck and Hendrix, I listened to a lot of Johnny Winter. With Edgar, I enjoyed Frankenstein and some of his other creations, but was most taken with that first album of his. Entrance. </p><p>I remember playing in a band at that time--1972 or so-- and coming up with what I thought was a great original composition. I played it for the rest of the band, and they just began singing the words to the Edgar Winter tune I'd gotten in my ear. Yes, I was crushed. But I recovered…</p><p>Well that's what I've got for you for the moment in the way of news. Much love. More later. PS today's tune is called Down Groove Street, and is on this album:</p><p>https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m07lddS-1tJestqdW8jlHe7ZmrWVquJUI</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/f1ddd186ab8344cb85d456a01db6c41780e82a0a/original/1-8-24-new-profile-pic.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /></p>2:41samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73294472024-01-06T17:27:07-06:002024-01-09T12:03:50-06:002024 So Far<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! We're just six days into the new year. There's snow on the ground, signifying the new season, but Winter actually starts for me when something freezes. Usually the window on the driver's side of my van. Or I get stuck in the snow. That's when I know I've arrived. When Winter lets me know it's Winter </p><p><i><strong>Music News</strong></i>. I've gotten a few requests for lessons in the past year, something I'd normally be up for doing. But I've been tied up with some other stuff- family stuff, mainly- that takes up just enough of my time that adding to it would over-schedule me. Having worked a day job all those years plus playing gigs and giving lessons, I know all about over-scheduling. </p><p>And I know what I'm like when I'm over-scheduled. One of the things my ex-wife was right about. “You say yes to everybody who calls, and then you're a crab-ass because you're too busy!”</p><p>Yes, dear. I don't want to be a crab-ass to anybody. Not even her. But I am on hand to answer questions about guitar playing, either online or possibly by phone. And maybe I can open things back up, down the road. </p><p>In other music news, I've been turning out some new albums, at the tail end of this last year. A couple projects that finally came to fruition, after sitting around forever... Interluudes, Jazz Guitar Vol 5, and Boom Boom Room. This link will take you there: <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhY7dNUZE6oBg6QyQF-g2g">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhY7dNUZE6oBg6QyQF-g2g</a></p><p>As far as any gigs, I have one on November 1st, at Boone's. I figure something else will fill in between now and then, hopefully not until it warms back up. In the meantime, I've got something semi-planned for here in the Music Lab. Hoping to lay down some more bass lines for some more of that straight-ahead jazz stuff. </p><p>And that's my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. As Hurricane Ruth might say, much love! PS The picture goes back to 1980-something. Sebastian's on 5th street, downtown Springfield. Jeff Magby, me, and Tim Green What a gig! <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/f56e6ac432dd36afa7e85f797256ae5023d82590/original/1970794-10201803341227778-1273644206-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>3:48samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73273262024-01-02T17:13:02-06:002024-01-06T16:41:41-06:00Happy World Introvert Day<p>Today, and January 2nd of every year, is World Introvert Day. Did you know that? I sure didn't. But it does make sense. The day after New Year's Day is our day to recharge those batteries from all the draining social interactions of the Season.</p><p>Not that we don't enjoy the socializing. Speaking as a representative introvert. I know I do. But after awhile( and here I know I'm speaking for the group), I start to get overloaded. That weird buzz that comes over you when you're aurally maxxed out. Red-lining on all the commotion. Time to get home and let your levels sink back to where they were before you got so worked up.</p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. I've been on a Western Swing kick these past couple days. Just stumbled onto something on YouTube, a website devoted to backing tracks in this style, and in a fairly wide range of tempos. What I already do on guitar seems to fit, though I do need to keep things more mainstream harmonically. In playing straight-ahead jazz, I often like to slip in and out of the tonality, but with this style the alterations just sound weird. So I keep to the straight and narrow there. </p><p>I'm sure I'll end up posting something or other on the YouTube page. It reminds me of my time playing R & B in an organ trio. I had to adapt my style in much the same way, leaving off some of the extensions I liked playing.</p><p> Lots of fun doing the R & B thing. Everything but Margaritaville was a pleasure to play, whether or not it lent itself to improvisation on my part. The keyboard player in this group had some jazz harmonies going, so I could play some jazz when the song warranted it. </p><p>So far, the new year is going along just fine. As far as birthdays, another milestone year. In just seven months, I'll be 70 years old. A septuagenarian. Basically pretty healthy for this advanced age. I plan on making more music in this coming year and sharing it with you guys. Nothing new. </p><p>Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy 2024 to you! This is all I had, so until next time, ich bin outa here. More later. PS today's tune is from my album Tele-ology, which is jazz on a Fender Telecaster. It's called Boot Scoot, and is based on the standard Lover, Come Back to Me. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/0a9fc3e862d6e98d090dac6b2160a92489cf00d1/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-5.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_orig justify_left border_" /></p>5:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73264502023-12-31T11:20:25-06:002023-12-31T11:20:25-06:00Happy New Year!<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! Here we are on the last day of 2023. This year has had its share of adventures- domestic, physical and familial. But the house is still standing, I'm still standing, and my brother is still standing. So on we go, into 2024. </p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. One more album for 2023. I released one in the Spring <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mGhJq-rmD70_wH02XBAWRVWT1Pbubb8lE">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mGhJq-rmD70_wH02XBAWRVWT1Pbubb8lE</a> and figured that would be it for the year. But I uncovered a lot of backlog stuff that I thought might be sharable. So here come three more: Interluudes, Jazz Guitar Vol 5, and Boom Boom Room.</p><p>The cover pic was taken at Lime St Cafe. I think I'm somehow on their shit list, as far as the musicians they allow to play there. I did sub with Juke House for two years running, but haven't been there as me in quite some time. One of my oldest friends- James Isley- took the picture. Unfortunately, he's passed on, but does at least get a posthumous credit here. </p><p>Nietzsche: Some men are born posthumously. I spent a Summer reading various works of Fred Nietzsche, and didn't find much that resonated with me, but there is the occasional quote. </p><p>Anyway! <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nLPkw5EyvoqeYgIDgVjt62xbT3N4xooHY">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nLPkw5EyvoqeYgIDgVjt62xbT3N4xooHY</a> is where you'll find Boom Boom Room, as well as the other “rooms” on the recording. It's more along the lines of Fusion/Smooth Jazz, but has plenty of guitar soloing. </p><p>I hope to have even more music to share in 2024. And a few gigs to invite you to. Here's wishing you a happy and safe new year! I'll be playing my guitar, but it'll be within the confines of my Music Room. Still, if there's something worth sharing, I'll lay it on you. Ich bin outa here. More later. PS today's tune is the title tune of my new album. It was originally called Blue Dream. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/a5992608ef38ae04f7ef11db3bc6a8d0bed10e44/original/boom-boom-room.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /></p><p> </p>3:49samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73240172023-12-24T20:15:11-06:002023-12-24T20:15:12-06:00Merry Christmas!<p>It's a nice green one this year. I do like the traditional white Christmases, the stillness that comes over everything after freshly-fallen snow. Just not the cold temperatures and all the shoveling that goes with such an idyllic Noel. Bah humbug to <i>that</i> shit..</p><p>I had a minor jaunt today, to the home of some friends out near Mechanicsburg. A nice 20-minute drive, with plenty of rolling hills, perfect on a sunny day. This friend is a former guitar student- who, like me, has a passion for home recording. I added a couple guitar parts to a couple of his tunes, and look forward to hearing the finished product one of these days. He put me to work today--the songs often have a million chord changes in them--but fun work..</p><p>Christmas Day will be spent with my brother, just us old guys. . If you're on Medicare, you're <i>old .</i> He's 65 and I'm 69. No getting around it. So there are two recliners in his living room which we plop our geriatric selves into.. We watch a couple hours of TV and talk about this, that, and the other. Hopefully with a few laughs in there. Sometimes we bicker a bit, in true sibling fashion. At some point, he lets me know when he's had enough company, and I paddle home. </p><p>This has been a crazy year. Problems with my roof, a potential health problem on top of my head-- on<i> my</i> roof! The demise of my 14-year-old cat Cindy. The roof has been repaired, the thing on my head was deemed benign, and I have two new cats. So at least those things have been fixed. Of course, I still miss Cindy, who was with me for 14 years in there..</p><p>In this next year, and those to come, I plan to just keep doing what I'm doing: playing and writing music. And sharing it with you guys. Mostly here in the Music Lab, but I still play gigs here and there. I have one booked for November 1st of next year, and am reasonably sure something else will fill in. </p><p>Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Merry Christmas--however you want to say it--to everybody who's reading this(both of you!), whether it's Facebook or maybe YouTube or who-knows-where. </p><p>PS The picture was taken sometime in 1985. I was 31 years old, on the road with a band. We travelled in a beat-up old Schoolbus(shades of the Partridge family!). The hat I got someplace in Texas. PPS today's tune is called Blues on a Hot Fudge Sunday. It sounds a little bit like Western Swing. Hope you like it. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/5822ee409d8839fee1ea7ba201ec3873720b24fd/original/2020-03-18-133019.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p>3:34samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73229782023-12-22T15:04:01-06:002023-12-22T15:04:01-06:00Boom Boom Room<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! A dismal rainy day outside, trying to keep it from being dismal inside. Thanks to some work done on my roof earlier in the year, it's at least no longer rainy inside. Just gotta work on the dismal part..</p><p><i><strong>Music News.</strong></i> I've gotta be out of my friggin' mind. Another album, due to release on the 29th. It's more fusion stuff, but does have a few new features. There's a tune I play bass on, which even features a bass solo. Also, there are a few electronic interlude-type pieces.</p><p>The cover photo was taken at Lime Street Cafe, way back when I used to play there. It's a nice, surreal pic, taken by James Isley. I don't know if he intended the surrealism, but it's sure there. </p><p>I'm hoping to do more home recording in the months ahead. Maybe even drag out the 5-string bass and lay down a few tracks. As I've said before in here, I like being my own bass player. At the very least, I should have some more tracks to put on the Music page here on the site. </p><p>As far as the guitar, I'm still on it. Probably should be practicing right now, rather than writing this drivel. One thing I've used over the years is a couple of DVDs with playalongs on them. Courtesy of Bill Schlipf. Unfortunately, they're both getting some hum. I guess everything reaches that age.. Thanks again though, Bill, for your generosity. </p><p>The YouTube page is doing fine. My supply of playalong material has diminished, but still trying to have a post every couple of days. Getting a few more subscribers lately. Great hearing from some of them. It helps this old guy keep going. </p><p>So that's what I've got for now in the way of news. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Adios for now. PS Today's tune, originally titled Blue Dream, is my new album's title track. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/a5992608ef38ae04f7ef11db3bc6a8d0bed10e44/original/boom-boom-room.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /></p><p> </p>3:49samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73206132023-12-17T20:37:56-06:002023-12-22T14:42:13-06:00Another Day at the Office<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! This is my usual starting point for a practice session. Scales and arpeggios at 75-80bpm. That's my warm-up. Sometimes I subject myself to further abuse with gnarly picking exercises, and other times I'm kinder to myself and just play. Tunes, whatever. That's where much of the stuff for my YouTube page comes from. </p><p>After 57 years of being a guitar player, I still have to practice most every day. I've still got to do my calisthenics, and my metronome time. <i>Especially</i> the metronome time. Melody and harmony came easy--okay, easi<i>er</i>-- but rhythm is something I've had to work at. And it's the first thing that goes if I slack off on the practicing. Sorta like falling off your diet and having that gut(or that butt) return..</p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kYeiXZatzNiOZU5-AXwEiFAJcK1GoRdfE">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kYeiXZatzNiOZU5-AXwEiFAJcK1GoRdfE</a> Jazz Guitar Vol 5 and <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_khKuEgNOBaSZKwGSOgTTNutJjsjjXmwJU">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_khKuEgNOBaSZKwGSOgTTNutJjsjjXmwJU</a> Interluudes. Those are two new albums of mine, released just this month. They're available on all the usual digital platforms(was that the right term?), as well as streaming on YouTube. </p><p>There's also some new stuff here on the site. A couple new tunes on the Music page, and a new cover pic, plus a newer YouTube video on the Home page. Hey, when I update, I don't fool around about it. </p><p>As far as any gigs, nothing more this month. The traditional New Year's Eve gig, where you ring in the new year, is something I haven't done in several decades. Since then, I have done some First Night Springfield gigs, both with my own group and as sideman. Those are cool. The old New Year's Eve gigs paid better, but the city stuff had earlier hours and fewer drunks. </p><p>So far, my next live performance is still November 1st of next year. Obviously, something will fill in between now and then. In the meantime, still making music here in the Lab and sharing the stuff that works. I can always be found here. As ever. thanks for stopping in and reading all this! For now, I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/5b3043d78cb6d7d54f82f6e9c52185cf691e516b/original/img-3572.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>3:59samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73186832023-12-13T11:40:36-06:002023-12-13T11:40:36-06:00MIttwoch<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! Kickin' it here in the Music Lab, nursing that first cup of coffee, bringing the world into focus. Okay, not <i>too</i> much focus. It's such a nutty place anymore, I kinda try to leave it on soft-focus..Like it was an issue of Penthouse..</p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. A nice gig this past Sunday with Ocean State, at All About Wine. We had a nice crowd, including some people I knew. It's also a very dog-friendly establishment, and we had two in attendance. A brief skirmish, but nothing out of hand. </p><p>I'm still an adjunct member of the band. My duties as such are providing chords for the occasional rehearsal, and subbing when needed. Sometimes it's not all that convenient: one gig was an a day with<i> 7 degree weather</i>; another was on about <i>4 hours notice</i>.. But we're friends, and that's what friends do. I may bitch about it, but I'm still there..</p><p>My next gig on the books is<i> November 1st of next year</i>. It's at Boone's. Just got the email from Sheila at the Arts Council as far as the 2024 dates, and mine was on February 9th. Doable, but that's invariably the coldest month of the year. January and March can go either way, but February is almost always that last shot of Winter. </p><p>After all these years, I know me pretty well. I know what a neurotic cold-weather wuss I am. I'd be dreading it. So I asked if there was anything further along in the year. I was thinking Spring, but what the hell. </p><p>Otherwise, still working away here in the Music Lab. I'm still making music videos, and have a couple to share on my YouTube page. And also working with my own music. I've released two albums this month: <i>Interluudes</i> and <i>Jazz Guitar Vol 5</i>. Some material I'd had laying around for awhile. </p><p>And I've got yet another one to release, one last gasp out of all this backlog. The working title is <i>Boom Boom</i> <i>Room. </i>It's more fusion stuff. Coming soon. </p><p>So that's my music news for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy MIttwoch to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/333e9f6febdbf33bc38681dce4b56f70a25ed986/original/at-the-pharmacy-with-ben-taylor-and-matthew-green.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p>Today's pic was taken at The Pharmacy. Matthew Green, Ben Taylor and me. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>6:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73164712023-12-08T11:11:27-06:002023-12-08T11:11:27-06:00Tres Amigos<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kYeiXZatzNiOZU5-AXwEiFAJcK1GoRdfE">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kYeiXZatzNiOZU5-AXwEiFAJcK1GoRdfE</a> It's here! My new album. Jazz Guitar Vol 5. It's unlike many of my current albums in that I play my own bass. As opposed the usual left-hand synth bass. So there are bass solos in here, and on just about every tune. I like being my own bass player. </p><p>Jazz Guitar Vol 5 is now available at the usual digital places: Apple, Deezer, etc. You can download the whole thing-or any individual tracks. Hope you'll check it out. </p><p>In other music news, I have a gig this weekend. With Ocean State at All About Wine. Sunday from 3 to 6. We're getting back to those <i>perfect gig hours</i>. Back before COVID, I had a nice little niche with mid-afternoon Assisted Living Center gigs. Just early enough, and just late enough.</p><p>I had a nice in-house session earlier this week. 2 guitars, harmonica/vocals and percussion. By in-house, I mean in someone's living room. The material was stuff I don't usually play--a number of Rolling Stones tunes--but the fun was as much in the pure getting-together, the <i>fellowship</i>, as anything. I still play out occasionally, , but I kinda favor playing <i>in</i>. </p><p>And as far as the material, I'm much more of a Beatles fan, but I'm still partial to the Stones. I kissed a girl for the first time--age 12 or so--while a Rolling Stones song was playing. Don't remember the name of the song, but the lyrics had the line <i>a million miles away</i>. So there's that…</p><p>So that's what I've got for you for the moment. .An upcoming gig, and a new album. The link at the top of this blog will take you to a YouTube page where you can listen to the selections. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. See you on Sunday at All About Wine. In the meantime, ich bin outa here. More later. PS the cover pic is me, Gordon Cahvallo and Mark Russillo. Two of the people I had my session with this week. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/ed3454249261ea9c8b4eefcfe8ab842919054a12/original/10849927-10203437285195356-9092658554870540652-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /></p><p> </p>5:17samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73145582023-12-04T20:38:32-06:002023-12-04T20:38:32-06:00Jazz Guitar Vol 5<p>This seems to be Album Release Month for me. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_khKuEgNOBaSZKwGSOgTTNutJjsjjXmwJU" data-link-type="url"><i>Interluudes</i> </a>was the first. It's one of my mutts: a curious mixture of funk and fusion and smooth jazz and maybe some other stuff. It released just four days ago. </p><p>And I've got another one, which is due to release this coming Friday. It's called Jazz Guitar Vol 5. My titles are sometimes quite boring and functional. Just depends on what the situation calls for. This particular collection fits best in a volume format. </p><p>The Jazz guitar series is unique to my collection of recordings in that I also play bass on the selections(as opposed to left-hand synth bass), and even take a solo on most of them. Likewise keyboards. My keyboard chops have been better over the years, but still are enough to squeak by. </p><p> Actually, my first band experiences were on bass. I started guitar about the same time, but someone needed a bass player, so I just gravitated that way- even though I still played guitar at home. I loved the instrument but I had too many people telling me how to play, so I eventually just went to guitar exclusively. Too much butting of heads over The Role of the Instrument in a Band..</p><p>But I still love being my own bass player, on these occasions. Working with myself, I know nobody's going to give me any shit…</p><p>So, six selections on this one, all originals. Three of them have been recorded with other musicians, on a few of my CDs. Of the jazz guitar albums, #s 1 and 5 are solo efforts, where 2, 3 and 4 have other folks. The middle three recordings have out-takes from a few of my CDs.</p><p>That's my news for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in here and reading. I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/a49a601ed7538750fb94588cdcf69357720615c2/original/sam-crain-jazz-guitar-vol-5.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p><p>PS The enclosed tune, AB Positive, is on this new album. It was written for bassist Andy Burtschi, and recorded on my CD Bird's-Eye View. </p>6:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73110932023-11-29T14:15:44-06:002023-12-03T12:36:47-06:00Bona Fide Music News<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! I have some bona fide Music News for you today.</p><p><i><strong>Bona Fide Music News</strong></i>. I just hatched a new album. It's called Interluudes. Yes, I guess that's my coy drug humor at work here. Actually, it's more a play on words than any kind of homage to The Stoned Life. I never touched a quaalude or any other downer in my life as far as that goes. Though I have had my fun with the milder hallucinogens..</p><p>Anyway, the music. I just got done putting all this stuff up on CD Baby, so it should be available soon. I set December 1st as a release date. Gotta get all this stuff up here on the website, under My Wares. </p><p>As a listening experience, it's set up like a concert or show, right down to the exit music. Having played many shows in my lifetime, I remember having to give the audience their walk-out music. Actually, it was usually<i> two</i> tunes, at which point they were all long gone. </p><p>So it's a lot of guitar stuff, as usual. The opening piece, called Evanescent, is something different for me, more akin to Van Halen. I wasn't a huge fan, but I still enjoyed his playing and even worked up my own version of Eruption. Back in the 80s..</p><p>And as if this weren't enough, I've got another such collection of tunes- or <i>interludes,</i> if you will- to share. It just needs a cover photo and some semblance of a title. I used up all three free tries on the Photo Editor website I've got, so I can either fork over a couple bucks or wait until tomorrow.</p><p>Waiting until tomorrow sounds like a good plan. But I am getting this stuff off my desk, so to speak. A wave of productivity at the end of the year. </p><p>And that's my news for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/86e4e9e101df6ecec1c519dc01cd72e5dff456b4/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-6-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>2:21samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73082232023-11-22T21:24:33-06:002023-11-26T20:22:53-06:00Happy Thanksgiving<p>Well I'm jumping the gun just a bit here. The actual day is tomorrow. For about three hours out of the day tomorrow I'll be enjoying a fine meal and some lively conversation with a handful of friends. I see these people at least twice a year: Thanksgiving and Christmas and maybe something else added in there.</p><p> I've done all sorts of gatherings on this day, from solo to a packed house. Getting older and all, I like ém somewhere in the middle. Just a few folks. Then to enjoy what's always the quietest day of the year: Black Friday. </p><p>It's quiet because of my non-participation. If I were fool enough to join in, it would be anything but quiet. I feel a little bit sorry for retailers this time of year. Even though they're crying all the way to the Bank, it still takes a toll. </p><p><i><strong>Music News.</strong></i> There are 11 new entries on the Music page, and a new YouTube video for the home page. And maybe something new under My Wares. In the process of cleaning out the music files here on my computer I keep coming up with stuff that seems worth sharing. Much is getting scrapped, but a fair amount is getting saved.</p><p>Yes, a fair amount of my music is accepting Jesus Christ as its personal savior. Getting<i> saved</i>..The rest is going to Hell in a handbasket…</p><p>Okay, that was a weird joke. I just went back in time, to the 70s. <i>Getting saved</i> was part of the vernacular, along with becoming <i>enlightened</i> through Transcendental Meditation(and lots of hallucinogens). I never gave it up for Jesus, but I did learn how to meditate.(And yes, I've tried a few substances in there..)<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/2e9838aa91033b1d25d451fca6bc326ff73b863a/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />And even though I can't say it hasn't helped me, I've yet to become enlightened..</p><p>Anyway! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who reads this! And thanks as ever for stopping in here and reading. For now, ich bin outa here. More later. </p>5:59samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73054602023-11-17T22:33:51-06:002023-11-19T11:58:39-06:00News from Samland<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's Friday night, about 9:30. For at least 22 of my years, Friday night meant the POETS Club was having a meeting at my house. Actually, the meeting consisted of me and at least a few Coronas, and POETS is really an acronym for “piss on everything, tomorrow's Saturday”. And of course this could be extended to the next day of freedom: piss on everything, tomorrow's Sunday. </p><p>Working for the State for 22 years, I heard a lot of acronyms. But the POETS Club was my favorite..</p><p>Having been retired now for 10 of my years, I no longer have any sense of work-week or even calendar week. It took 3 or 4 of those years to shake all that loose. I do try to practice most every day, and exercise at least twice in the week, but otherwise every day is Saturday. </p><p><i><strong>Music News.</strong></i> I've got the makings of a new album, which should be ready to go just as soon as I come up with a title and a cover page. It's all material I'd had sitting there, stuff I'd long intended to do something with. And you can hear all the selections here on the website, under My Wares. </p><p>This upcoming album is another one of my mutts, stylistically speaking. Funk and fusion and smooth jazz and probably some additional other stuff is mixed together. Lots of guitar and piano work. I was going for lyrical, tuneful playing, more legato rather than the usual torrent of 8th notes. </p><p>And I've got another collection of tunes, this one more straight-ahead jazz. Again, needs a title and cover page, and probably some serious remixing as far as levels. I usually go to Taylor Music in Pawnee for these remixes. and will probably be doing this one there as well. </p><p>As far as any upcoming gigs, I should be hearing from the Arts Council sometime before the month is up. Another Boone's gig for the Friday Night Jazz series. The dates are supposed to be for the whole year. I usually try to grab something in the Spring. Not a Winter person, so I'll see you in March at the earliest. </p><p>This has been a hell of a year. Domestic and health and family stuff. Things have settled a bit, at least for now. So as far as my music-making, I'll be at it as much as I can. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you, POETS Club or not! Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/333e9f6febdbf33bc38681dce4b56f70a25ed986/original/at-the-pharmacy-with-ben-taylor-and-matthew-green.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p> </p>3:12samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73031652023-11-13T14:53:32-06:002023-11-19T11:58:39-06:00un-manic Monday<p>My Mondays are hardly ever manic anymore. It's been a full decade since I left my job at the unemployment office, where <i>every</i> Monday had some mania to it. But some Mondays still have some irritation to them. </p><p><i><strong>Music News</strong></i>. I've got a sort of mini-CD to release, just 2 tunes and lasting no more than 7 or 8 minutes. Tried to put it up on CD Baby, who told me during the entry process that my music couldn't be monetized due to the genre I selected. </p><p>So I went back and changed the genre from Classical to Electronic, which seemed to go through, only I couldn't get the cover photo to download. It seems I ran out of free downloads from the page I've been using. At least until tomorrow. And at that point, I just scrapped the whole thing, and put it up here. </p><p>And as far as being monetized--21st century vernacular for getting paid--I just said <i>fuck it</i> and made this into a free download. One to take home with you. </p><p>Well that's my news for today. A minor rant. Still gonna keep trying to make music here in the Lab, and share whatever seems to work. Much falls on the cutting room floor, but there are always a few survivors. </p><p>Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. Later for now. PS today's pic was taken sometime in 1985, somewhere in the territorial United States, most likely one of the Western ones. I was part of a roadband that travelled around in an old School Bus--yes, shades of the Partridge Family. I'm pretty sure I got that hat somewhere in Texas.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/5822ee409d8839fee1ea7ba201ec3873720b24fd/original/2020-03-18-133019.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_right border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p>5:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73023462023-11-11T21:59:33-06:002023-11-12T10:57:43-06:00Samstag<p> I just checked it, and I was right! It certainly doesn't happen every time out. But in this instance, I was <i>correctamundo</i>. Samstag is German Saturday. My cat Svetlana has just leapt up here in hopes of blocking the monitor. So far it's not working for her.</p><p>Well it worked for a minute. She<i> is</i> trying, gotta give her that. Just like a little kid, determined to put themselves between you and whatever you were doing. I can always tell when I'm in for one of these times when she jumps up here with <i>attitude. </i>We're still having our turf war, but I've got plenty of monitor that's viewable around where she's got her little carcass planted. </p><p><i><strong>Music News</strong></i>. Well I guess with the cold weather approaching, I'm getting myself into Hibernation Mode. Just got started on another home recording project, the results of which I should have out in download form before the end of the year. </p><p>The style could possibly be described as Acid Jazz. 4 guitar selections and 6 electronic pieces, all in all. Both the guitar and electronic pieces have some unusual sides to them. Should make for a nice listen. </p><p>All the music is already written. Just some stuff in the archives I stumbled onto while trying to clean the damn place up. So Step One is out of the way. Now I just have to figure out what goes where, and then see how it all sounds. This is a fairly exacting process, getting everything to flow just so. </p><p>So I should have this project out there well before the end of the year. This will make 2 for 2023, the slowest year for recordings I've had in awhile. I had some crazy productivity in 2020 and 2021, the COVID years. It's started to taper off as life has re-emerged. This current year has been particularly eventful, with health and domestic and family stuff to manage. </p><p>No title as yet, but I'm sure I'll come up with something. And that's all the news I've got that's fit to print. My feline kept bugging me as far as getting in front of the monitor, so I finally removed her ass- and maybe a bit forcibly because she hid under the living room couch for several hours. She's back up here in the Music Lab with me, asleep in the chair next to me. Still pissed I think, but at least somewhat thawed out. Life goes on. </p><p>Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this. Happy Saturday to you! For now, I'm outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/5584cddb44166f9fe52dedd239a5772f12c472e3/original/svetlana-blocking-the-computer.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /> PS This is an older picture of Svetlana, not long after I got her and her brother Dmitri. I got rid of that silly collar..</p><p> </p><p> </p>1:56samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/73011262023-11-09T10:32:35-06:002023-11-11T18:23:12-06:00Donnerstag<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Quite a bit cooler, but still acceptable. . </p><p>RIP Gene Haas. Saw some old familiar faces at his Visitation yesterday. And some new ones. I got to meet his Grandson Ian, for one. Gene was sort of equidistant between me and my friends, and my Dad and his. And he worked with both groups: the Fred Beck Quartet for many years(of which my Dad was a member), Jane Hartman's trio, and assorted gigs with me. And Gene(along with Brian Justison)plays on my very first CD, made back in 1997. </p><p> He was 13 years older than me, and 14 years younger than my Dad. For what that's worth..</p><p>With the old and familiar faces, I noticed we're all starting to have our Senior Moments. A certain haziness is starting to set in. My such moment was goofing up the location. I thought Staab was on 6th Street, and found it almost by accident on the way home. </p><p>So it was a nice reunion with a couple folks in there. And I got to pay my respects. As well as imparting some wisdom, Gene had two expressions which have always stuck with me, and I suppose will always live on in me: Not too shabby; and Doesn't that just frost your ass?!</p><p>As far as my news, nothing much to impart. Sheila from the Arts Council will be sending out a list of dates for Boone's in this coming year, and I'll try to snag something in the Spring. And there may be more stuff at The Pharmacy down the road. </p><p>In the meantime, still hittin' it more or less daily here in the Music Lab, and still taping part of my practice sessions. Sometimes it all ends up on the cutting room floor, but I still get inspired moments which I share on my YouTube page. </p><p>Okay! Time to wrap this up. More coffee to drink, along with my morning stuff: Wordle, Spelling Bee and Lumosity. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/156da1026cba91089745d539a2b5e5b37680e7d0/original/300x300-2-5.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" />. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Thursday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p> </p><p> </p>3:34samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72985192023-11-03T22:50:07-05:002023-11-04T00:27:15-05:00Whew!<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! Just getting home from a gig, and beginning the wind-down process. I'm almost glad I don't drink anymore, because I'd probably be on my third Corona by now. </p><p>This was at The Pharmacy, which is an Art Gallery downtown. It's on Adams, right across the street from one of Springfield's Weed Stores. The IL Dept of Commerce and Community Affairs has long since vacated their office there. Likewise, Recycled Records, which was pretty much a local institution. </p><p>So that stretch of Adams Street between 6th and 7th now has a wonderful Art Gallery, a good Dispensary, and a growing homeless population. They're pretty much camped out, sometimes all the way down the block . I recognized a few of them from my trips to the Dispensary, and I think they recognize my vehicle. I always float them a couple of bucks when I buy weed there. </p><p>There used to be an Art Gallery on Monroe Street as well. Don't know if it's still there, but I played there as well on at least one occasion. I think over the years I've played in damn near every edifice in this town, often through several changes of ownership.</p><p>One reason I still get out and do these gigs on occasion is the nice reunions that sometimes happen. Tonight's gig certainly had one. . A lady I knew years ago- decades ago- in conjunction with my folks. Mom was her boss at MacFarland Zone Center(IL Dept of Mental Health). This was in the 70s, which was my twenties. I'm now 69 and she's 80. Time flies…</p><p>So that'll do it for awhile. These gigs take more out of me as I've gotten older. But I'll be back. This month the Arts Council is putting together the list for next year for Boone's, so I'll be sure and snag a date. Probably in the Spring, once everything has thawed out for the year. </p><p>In the meantime, between one gig and the next, I'm still at it. I still play most every day here in the Music Laboratory, and still use backing tracks as part of my practice routine. Still got the YouTube page going, and try to put something up every couple of days.</p><p>It's a couple hours later. I've listened to all the stuff from tonight's gig, and four of the selections worked! So they'll be going up on my YouTube page in the next week or so. And with that, I'm outa here. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this. More later. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/333e9f6febdbf33bc38681dce4b56f70a25ed986/original/at-the-pharmacy-with-ben-taylor-and-matthew-green.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>6:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72909932023-10-21T18:02:39-05:002023-10-21T18:07:50-05:00Saturday<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! Today's cover pic is of a painting that now resides in my upstairs bathroom. A guy I used to work with, back in the days of daygig, dropped this off. Just out of the blue, there was a knock on the door, and there was my old buddy from IDES days, bearing this gift. </p><p>I worked for the Illinois Department of Employment Security from April 16th,1991, to June 30th of 2013. The unemployment office, at least for most of my tenure with State of Illinois. A big, noisy room full of people. The agency kept closing offices, due to budget constraints, which meant we'd absorb another community, another population of claimants. Plus we kept losing staff ourselves. It was a sinking ship. </p><p> My official retirement date was actually supposed to be September of the following year, but I'd had enough. All those things, plus the cumulative effect of all those years in a big noisy room, finally got to me. I finally had that Special Day, where, like Popeye the Sailor, I'd <i>had all I could stands and couldn't stands no more</i>. </p><p>But there was a pretty good camaraderie among us worker bees. We needed it! Amid all the shit(which just kept getting piled higher and deeper toward the end),there are a few folks in there whom I think helped me get through some of those years, the bearer of this painting being one of them.</p><p>It took a minute to find a wall with enough space to accommodate it, but ended up as a place of honor in my upstairs bathroom. I don't have all that many visitors here, and when I do, they usually use the downstairs john. So it will likely remain something for my eyes only---well, and that of my two cats. I'm sure they'll notice the bright colors, plus whatever it is that cats see. They seem to have their own apparitions, phenomena visible only to felines..</p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. A gig coming up in a couple weeks. November 5th, at The Pharmacy, downtown Springfield. Looking forward to it. And looking forward to seeing a couple familiar faces. Guitar, bass and vibraphone. 2 sets. Details here on the site, under Shows. Been awhile since I've had something to put up. Boone's should be coming around again, as far as my place in the rotation. Those I usually book for the Spring, if I can. I try and avoid Winter altogether, if possible. </p><p>I'm still playing most every day here in the Music Laboratory. Working on some picking exercises I got from a guitarist named Jens Larsen, who has a site on YouTube. They're arpeggios, and have some different melodic shapes to work with. Picking across on the guitar has always been like Castor Oil. Any way to make it easier. So I'm working on it. I want to play more arpeggiated things, like I hear from Jonathan Kriesberg and Adam Rogers, among others. </p><p>My YouTube page is still alive and well, with a whopping 350 subscribers. Still trying to keep it well-stocked, with a post every couple days. And with that, I should probably ring off here. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this verbiage. Happy Saturday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p> </p><p> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/15e3f3b80075d813f1e8315c95de1048f280389a/original/prurient-artwork.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_right border_" /></p>4:04samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72873742023-10-13T11:54:46-05:002023-10-20T17:01:03-05:00Friday the 13th<p>Well I'll be dogged. Somebody's stopped in here in the past couple days. A couple of somebodies. I have my ways of knowing. you know. </p><p>Well, okay, the stats as I sign in here show me any activity on the site. Some ancient Chinese secret, eh? </p><p><i><strong>Music News.</strong></i> I have a gig next month. November 3rd, from 6:30 to 8:30, at The Pharmacy. Joining me will be Ben Taylor on bass and Matthew Miller on vibraphone. This should be a very nice time. An Art Gallery is going to be a lot<i> quieter</i> than your average bar/restaurant. Even the conversations will be lower in decibels. This will make it much easier for us to concentrate on the music. </p><p>One thing I'd like to get going is having a couple musicians come over here to play. Maybe once a month or so. For the experience of playing with other people(which of course is quite different from playing with backup tracks), and also to make some more tapes to put on YouTube. </p><p>I do have some videos on there with other musicians, but they're few and far between. Mostly just a boy and his guitar. And his backing tracks…</p><p>Re a discussion of sorts on Bookface the other day about the roles of various instruments in the band. The bass, at least in most popular music, is primarily an accompanist. Once in a blue moon, there might be a solo, but for the most part you're responsible for the groove. </p><p>Got me to thinking(and here's where it gets dangerous)that the bass in a pop band spends 98% of its time backing up someone else, and maybe 2% soloing. Its role in the group is similar to that of the Pancreas in the body, which spends 98% of its time secreting digestive enzymes into the stomach and the remaining 2% making Insulin. </p><p>The bass is to a band roughly what the Pancreas is to the body. </p><div class="video-container size_xl justify_center" style=""><iframe data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="9QbU0U610i4" data-video-thumb-url="" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9QbU0U610i4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div><p> </p><p>And speaking of the Pancreas one more time, I do have this tune I wrote some years back. At the Holiday Inn, Gene Grman's Happy Organs was the entertainment. “Happy organs” stuck with me and another tasteless song title was born. Hope you like the tune!</p><p>So that's my news on this shitty, rainy Friday the 13th. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading(and listening). Happy Friday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/18f450b371e2b3a8a7827971e247e1265cef2c54/original/img-0020-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /></p>4:15samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72829882023-10-04T19:19:46-05:002023-10-04T19:19:46-05:00Another Installment<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! </p><p>Another day here in Paradise--well, maybe Paradise Adjacent. Or, better, Lower Paradise. The temperature is supposed to plummet in the next day or two. Time to break out what I call my thermal dermis. And they'll stay on until March sometime.( Not the same pair, of course!). Seriously though, I don't think I could live anywhere further North. </p><p><i><strong>Music News</strong></i>. A gig on November 3rd, at <i>The Pharmacy</i>. Ben Taylor on bass and Matthew Miller on vibraphone. 6:30- 8:30. I've never been there before. It's on Adams street right downtown, between 4th street and the tracks. Or thereabouts..</p><p> I can tell already that this is going to be a better atmosphere for music-making, just by virtue of the fact that it's <i>quieter.</i> Ben and I have played a lot of gigs together over the years, mostly as fellow sidemen in Ocean State. This will be the first time I work with Matthew Miller. </p><p>In the meantime, still trying to get some practice in every day. And still making practice videos. They don't all survive, of course. Some I delete in disgust, and a few my cats ruin--in particular, my female cat. Svetlana the Saboteur.. But there are still a few that make it to the gates of YouTube. Still getting new subscribers, a few at a time. </p><p>Svetlana is up here now, just seeing what she can do. In the midst of watching a show, she'll sit on the mouse and somehow mess up the sound. I have to stop the movie and unmute the speakers. This is about all I had to talk about for now anyway. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading! Later for now. PS Today's pic was taken at Boone's earlier in the year. Jaro Howse, Ben Taylor, me, and Mark Russillo. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/448ccc50ea27c8755198da4f1f3a1fa479c03a32/original/jaro-ben-sam-and-mark.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /></p>3:44samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72799872023-09-28T12:42:59-05:002023-09-28T13:58:22-05:00Life Stuff<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! A cloudy, soul-crushing day out there. One I'm working on improving from here in the Music Lab. If we can't have a nice day out there, we can at least try for one in here. Mind over matter. We'll see..</p><p><i><strong>Music News</strong></i>. I'm happy to be getting a number of new subscribers on my YouTube page, It's also cool hearing from them. People who listen to and enjoy my stuff are never taken for granted. They help keep me going, keep me in the game.</p><p>I don't do nearly as many gigs as I did when I first retired. Back in 2013, I was doing 6 to 10 every month. Here in 2023, It's dwindled to a couple around the beginning of every year. The Sam Crain Trio sort of ground to a halt in 2016 or so, and I haven't been able to put together another band. Several attempts, but no soap. </p><p> Plus, the venues have gotten noisier. Maybe that's just advancing age creeping in there. I still love to play, of course, and enjoy seeing familiar faces, but hate the crowd noise…</p><p>So I try and make up for that with more posts on the YouTube page. And my various home recording projects. Still in there. </p><p><i><strong>Health news. </strong></i>I have occasional issues with my left ear. It clogs up on me every now and again. Ended up spending about three hours at Priority Care yesterday. Two and a half waiting and about half an hour having my ears flushed out. My left ear is now <i>clean as a whistle.</i> The Nurse Practitioner's words. </p><p>They nicked the right ear, the one that never gives me a problem, but not the end of the world. It smarted pretty good for a minute, but hasn't given me any further trouble. Got some drops to put in it for the next ten days, to take care of any possible infection. (Isn't this just <i>fascinating?</i>!)</p><p>And I was advised to make this an annual event from here on in. I figure it's analogous to having your teeth cleaned at the Dentist's, where regular appointments(as well as brushing and all that)make the experience less arduous. Figuring also that eventually, I'll have regular check-ups for every part of my body. From Podiatry to Neurology..</p><p>Anyway. That's my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Hey, the sun's out! At least for now. PS today's pic was taken at The Alamo, back in 2014 or so. Mark McKnight on drums, Rob Killam on bass. Good time<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/eb9349394b0c05888488ddb5fdf46447a19a83a8/original/12190018-507961222715728-968029675638865159-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>4:54samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72781302023-09-24T20:53:03-05:002023-09-24T20:53:04-05:00Holy Moley!<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! </p><p>A pretty good day in Samland. Some actual Music News, for a change. I guess we should make it official:</p><p><i><strong>Music News. </strong></i>My latest post on my YouTube page has gotten a lot of listens today. Approaching 1000. For me, that's a lot! I've also picked up 15 or so new subscribers. Also a lot, at least for one day. Not your usual Samland Statistics..</p><p>I enjoy the comments from people who've listened to my efforts on the guitar on YouTube. There was one question I got a particular kick out of, more rhetorical than anything: </p><p>“Fucking hell- how do you make this sound effortless?”</p><p>I started to dash off an answer, but couldn't conjure up anything to respond with. Couldn't put the words together. Mainly, I'm thinking, because it sure as hell doesn't <i>feel</i> effortless! Despite whatever illusion I may be creating here, I'm working at it. </p><p>Actually, the answer is a paradox. Or maybe one of them Zen Koan things. You achieve effortlessness(or at least the illusion thereof)through great effort. Practicing scales and arpeggios and patterns over and over and over again until you're sick to death of them. Hours of playing with a metronome, the frustration of trying to align yourself without rushing or dragging. Yours truly has had one hell of a time working on his time. </p><p>If you've been doing your work with the scales and whatnot, as well as Mean Old Mister Metronome, you <i>are</i> going to feel looser, more relaxed. But I have yet to get to the point where it <i>feels effortless.</i> If that even exists…I'm still working at it. </p><p>Anyway! Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. And thanks to those folks for subscribing, if they happen to read today's blog. So, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/d352cedb7177278dc853e85614b3fba5456dd162/original/7-17-22.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p> </p>3:30samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72777312023-09-23T16:13:28-05:002023-09-24T20:42:02-05:00Still At It<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! I just completed my second of two workouts for this week. It's a combination of isometric and weight-training exercises, and takes about 45 minutes to get through.</p><p> I worked out some with weights in my early twenties, to try to gain bulk. Went from a bony 120 lbs to 130 in the first year, then put on another 10 pounds, which felt like my ideal weight. Ended up weighing 150-something. Some muscle, but a pretty good beer gut which was hellacious to get rid of. </p><p>At this point, at the end of my 60s, I'm back to the Before Picture. But more wire and sinew than I started with. Extra bulk would be nice- especially in the calves and forearms(they're at least getting gnarlier!)- but I'm doing this now just to keep everything working, regardless of its aesthetic appearance. </p><p>Staying ambulatory is the main priority these days…</p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. I had a few goals at the beginning of this year that fell by the wayside. One of these was a new solo guitar album. Part of this has to do with getting some playing in with an old friend from High School days- something I haven't forgotten about. Another was making some recordings for the YouTube page with real live musicians. There's no expiration date on either of these, so I can still get ém done whenever. </p><p>Sometimes in life, you have to deal with non-musical stuff. This year has had a fair amount of it. </p><p>In the meantime, still practicing most every day, and making my practice room videos. Sometimes my practice routine is just scales and arpeggios and patterns, usually with a click track(what I call the Castor Oil stuff); and other times it's focused on playing tunes. After 57 years of doing this, I still have to practice to keep my fingers limber. It's maintenance, not unlike the physical stuff I put myself through twice a week. </p><p>Anyway. It's been about a week since I've written anything in here. And somebody or other has been visiting the site. So thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! Later, <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/02d1f7218c0c3f2d164afe4bf85e9af2c806187a/original/1379851-10200871571814125-1176721633-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p>3:34samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72744482023-09-16T17:02:59-05:002023-09-16T17:04:00-05:00Saturday<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a cloudy day in the neighborhood. Mother Nature's unsmiling--or, if you prefer, <i>deadpan</i>-- face. The sky is darkening, so it looks like She's gonna lay a shower on us. Tears of Demeter. </p><p>I should check my facts here, but I'm more the type to just take my chances and go for it. As long as it isn't about Politics. So, remembering some stuff from Mythology. Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, was consigned--tricked, really-- to living in Hell for six months out of every year. Demeter wept, and her grieving gave us the Seasons. At least Winter.</p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. Musically speaking, this has been a relatively inactive year for me. Three gigs, all near the beginning of the year, and only <i>one</i> new album. (Yeah, I did get a bit crazy during the COVID years as far as productivity.) But that's been the pattern for me , for a couple years running. A couple gigs, then back here to the Lab for the rest of the year. </p><p>But music is something I'll never really retire from. It's never got me fame or fortune, but it has brought--and continues to bring--great joy. So yeah, I'm still workin' it. Still practicing most every day, and I'm sure I've got another album or several in me..</p><p>And that, skimpy as it may be, is at least the music news. Otherwise, just doing my same stuff. Exercising twice a week, helping my brother with a few things. And binge-watching NYPD Blue on Hulu. I could probably do a whole blog just on the Dennis Franz character--who, strangely enough, has a Chicago accent. in the midst of all the Noo Yawk dialects. Thanks for reading. Later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/4dd4db8d07c840d3cdd0273ba962b069d9f78c62/original/guitar-and-effects-processor.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p>PS I checked my facts. I was right, for once..</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>3:00samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72716122023-09-11T11:55:05-05:002023-09-11T11:56:50-05:00Patriot Day<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! I didn't know what to call this blog, so I just looked at the calendar.</p><p> Remembering the original 9/11, back in 2001. Our office closed at noon. I spent the rest of the day riveted to the TV, watching in horror. That was 22 years ago, but I still remember it as if it were today. It was my generation's Pearl Harbor.</p><p>I have friends who worked in New York City, in the middle of what must've been pandemonium(even for NYC!). It took them six hours to get home- and they live 8 miles from the city. In Nutley, New Joysey.</p><p>This is a musician's website, and as such, usually has nothing to do with current events--or even not-so-current ones. With the exception of U2, and maybe a few others, musicians are notoriously unaware of such matters. Mozart, in his correspondences, was supposed to have never had anything to do with the political climate of his time. He just talked about whatever piece he was writing. </p><p>But I couldn't fail to mention this day, no matter how <i>musicianly oblivious</i> I may be to what's going on around me..</p><p>Okay! Back to <i><strong>Music News</strong></i>. I'm still practicing most every day, and posting to my YouTube page. I'm still getting new subscriptions, one or two at a time, and also getting some nice comments from listeners. This will never be a money-making venue--you need at least a thousand subscribers, among other things--but it is a way of getting it out there. </p><p>My next move is getting some folks--bass-playing and drum-playing folks-- over here. To make more videos, and just to be making music with other humans. I figure if I do this every so often, it'll take care of both these needs. And maybe even lead to some playing<i> outside the house</i>. What a concept, right?</p><p>This has been a helluva year. Domestic and family problems out the ass. The house has had its major problems fixed, but I'm still helping with family matters. Most every weekend, one day or the other, plus a few appointments here and there during the week. Between that, and trying to maintain an exercise regimen, I'm about as busy as I need to be.</p><p>So in between all this, I'm still committed to making music and sharing it. More to come. T</p><p>Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading! For now, I'm outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/2e9838aa91033b1d25d451fca6bc326ff73b863a/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>6:19samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72681942023-09-03T11:27:11-05:002023-09-04T12:29:49-05:00Labor Day Weekend<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. While I'm channeling Mr. Rogers, one of my cats is sitting just to the right of the monitor, and staring at the screen as if she's actually reading this. Well, we don't know they <i>can't…</i></p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. Yesterday was a <i>great</i> day for playing guitar. I've got a number of videos to show for it, and will be posting more stuff on my YouTube page, and on Facebook. I remember a similar experience playing a gig at Norb's, as a sideman, where everything I played just came together. The bandleader just said, “Yeah, all your shit worked.” </p><p>Poor guy. He'd probably had to sit through more than a few nights when <i>none</i> of my shit worked..</p><p>After 57 years of doing this, I still have to work at it. I still have to do the calisthenics--scales and arpeggios and the like--which are still a bit grueling, especially the arpeggios. What I call Crosstown Traffic on the guitar. And the metronome work. Oy, don't get me started on the metronome work. I've had to work like a <i>dog</i> on my time, my rhythm. </p><p>Sometimes my best days with the guitar are days when I exercise. Trying to keep up there as well, with two sessions every week. I'm pretty spent after those, but usually get a second wind. One discipline helps another. </p><p>This discipline stuff is foreign to my nature, but I'm trying to stick with it. Problem is, I get going on a routine, and then it falls by the wayside. Time after time. Trying to avoid that this time. My Mom was big on self-discipline. Neither of her kids ever had much, but this one is at least giving it a shot. Once again….</p><p>So that's basically it as far as my news. Just trying to<i> stay regular</i>. Not in terms of having enough fiber in my diet, but just keeping up my routines. Mental routines as well as physical and musical ones. </p><p>Every day also includes a Wordle puzzle, a Spelling Bee game, and 5 games on Lumosity. Like guitar practice, lots of fun but grueling here and there. </p><p>Speaking of which, it's probably about time to get back to them. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! Ich bin outa this place More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/4dd4db8d07c840d3cdd0273ba962b069d9f78c62/original/guitar-and-effects-processor.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>5:27samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72653922023-08-29T20:13:07-05:002023-08-29T20:13:07-05:00What's My Next Move?<p>In the last one of these I wrote, I promised to lead with music news. This has been a bigger year for domestic and family stuff, so I've had to put my music on the back burner. But a promise is a promise…</p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. It's been sporadic this year, but there has been a bit of music news. I had three gigs around the first three months of the year. One was with Ocean State, and two were my own. There is some trio stuff from this year on my YouTube page. Mainly practice sessions--sometimes you play your best on those--but also a few gigs here and there. Also released an album, called Hanging On. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mGhJq-rmD70_wH02XBAWRVWT1Pbubb8lE">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mGhJq-rmD70_wH02XBAWRVWT1Pbubb8lE</a> This is the address on YouTube.</p><p>The pattern has been a few gigs around the first three months of the year, then getting into various home projects for the other nine. I've tried on a couple of occasions to keep things going after my annual gig at Boone's, but it's fizzled every time out. Gone soft on me…</p><p>So maybe that's what wants to happen. I still make music year-round, even if most of it is spent here in the cloistered confines of the Music Lab. And at least there is still a gig or two I can invite folks to. </p><p>As far as any kind of next move on my part, it's a bit early in the year for my Boone's gig, so probably another project here in the Lab. I've also been thinking about working up more solo guitar stuff. I dunno. Something…</p><p><i><strong>Non-music news</strong></i>. Trying to stay regular with the exercising. At this age(69), it's gotta be a priority. I've got a routine which is pretty comprehensive: calisthenics, then 3 different leg exercises(some with weights); pushups, dumbbell curls, reverse curls, and 2 sets of leg lifts. Takes about 45 minutes. </p><p>Also still binge-watching NYPD Blue. I could go on here, but I'll just leave you with one line, delivered by one of the Detectives to a street hustler of the Men's Room variety:</p><p>“You're goin'down- no pun intended!”</p><p>And with that, thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I'm outa here. More later. </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/be176d012a537af19a32f1ada126565b1122e6c7/original/img-0023.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>4:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72635072023-08-25T14:59:53-05:002023-08-29T18:14:23-05:00Those Solar Rays<p>We're in the midst of a heat wave around these parts, we here in the midst of Illinois. The vast flyover part of our great State. </p><p>At the moment, it's 99 degrees, with a Heat Index of 116. All this started on Wednesday. I was fine until yesterday afternoon, when the Central Air went kaput. More precisely, a <i>part </i>went kaput, rendering the system incapable of starting back up. All I was getting was fan air, which kept things tolerable but still pretty grim. </p><p>Turns out it was a capacitor. Whether or not it was a Flux Capacitor(which, at least according to legend, is what makes time travel possible)I wasn't able to ascertain. All I know is that the house is cooling back down. Always nice when cool or heat returns. I even have an album, called Toasty Relief, which was inspired by having heat restored to the house. </p><p>Gatschenberger is my go-to person for these things. Maybe this will be helpful to someone here in Illinois's solar plexus who is in need of cool. Or heat, for that matter. I've been working with them pretty much since I moved in here back in 1996. Both in the dead of Winter and the dog days of Summer. Someone was here within a couple hours of my call. </p><p>So the place is cooling down, bit by bit. The temperature reading on the thermostat was originally 85 degrees, but was down to 82 the last time I checked. Back in bi'niz.. </p><p>Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading this drivel. Happy Friday to you! For now, I'm outa here. Some kinda music news next time. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/9c4eb4f82b448888468003249a0706829f2251e5/original/img-1548.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />2:42samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72586602023-08-17T19:46:34-05:002023-08-17T19:46:34-05:00Sam Crain: Lawn NInja<p>I've had fairly limited Martial Arts experience in my life. A couple months of Karate, and a little over a year with Tae Kwon Do. These are both ancient history at this point in my life, but I do have a little more--and much more recent-- experience as a Lawn Ninja. </p><p>This machete--I don't know what else you'd call it--was a gift from my neighbor. It's fun to use and it makes some noise. All boys like things that make noise. So I've used it over the years to try and tame the shrubbery around the house. </p><p>I've had a lot of work done on this old place over this past year. They put up a new roof, and tidied things up front and back with power-washing, as well as cleaned up the lawn. This inspired--and shamed--me into getting back into taking care of my own lawn, something I'd gotten lazy and farmed out to the neighbor kid. Got myself a nice electric mower(see previous posts),and just today got the machete back out. Ready to rawk…</p><p>Speaking of<i><strong> Music News</strong></i>, the guitar is still getting a more-or-less daily workout as well. Playing my sunburst Epiphone ES-335 a lot these days. I'm still keeping my YouTube page alive <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjVSsUMZ_YLwlMYVjeKx7pQ?view_as=subscriber">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjVSsUMZ_YLwlMYVjeKx7pQ?view_as=subscriber</a> , with a new post every couple of days. I also try and share music videos on Facebook. </p><p>At the moment, my life is about as busy as I need it to be, between taking care of my house, getting enough exercise(Doctor's orders- or at least recommendations), and helping my brother with a few things. Oh, and practicing. Subject to change, of course, but that's what's happening at the moment. </p><p>I'm also binge-watching NYPD Blue on Hulu. Currently about in the middle of the 6th Season. New York is my favorite big city, so I enjoy the visuals. Interestingly enough, Dennis Franz, who plays the irascible Detective Sipowicz, has a Chicago accent. It's a nice contrast to everyone else, who usually has an authentic Noo Yawk accent. </p><p>Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. For now, ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/2a3e8ae472824b77168bc0ad80e8bff19540df09/original/lawn-ninja.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>3:06samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72573962023-08-15T15:12:46-05:002023-08-17T17:01:59-05:00Music Stuff<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! I'm here in the Music Lab, seeing whatever kind of trouble I can stir up. </p><p>One thing that's got me a little bit riled up is the fact that there are no more Music Retailers here in Spiffld. I was needing a new Instrument Cable, formerly known as a guitar cord. Time was, you could get these needs met either at Walko's at 1120 S 2nd street, or at the House of Music at 3rd and North Grand. The closest thing we've got now are two Monster Pawn shops, one of which just happens to be at the site of the old House of Music. As it turned out, the store on South MacArthur had one of what I was looking for. Being pawn shops, they deal a lot more with instruments than accessories. </p><p>I remember going through this trying to find my favorite kind of guitar pick a few years back. I think they're called small teardrops. The Rock Shop used to carry them. After they closed, you couldn't find ém anywhere. I finally got online and found Sweetwater, who did have them- even in the color I wanted. They drove me a little nutty for awhile thereafter with all their follow-up calls and emails, but that's not the worst thing in the world..</p><p>So maybe they're now my go-to people for Instrument Cables as well as picks. Might just order up a bunch of them. For the moment, though, I do have one serviceable cord. </p><p>As a younger guy, I had the bad habit of hanging on to my cords even after they started to short out. For awhile in there, if someone heard a buzzing cord, they'd assume Sam was on the gig. That's a rep I had to get rid of as best I could. </p><p>As a so-called adult, I don't bring funky cords with me if I'm playing a gig, but I will hang onto them here in the Lab if I can get just a little more action out of them. Still working on that bad habit, I guess..</p><p>Actually, the demise of retail music came about with the birth of the online music store . Places like Musician's Friend and Sweetwater just eviscerated them- at least around here. I still tried to give the local merchants my business when I could- when it was feasible. But it was often a much better deal online. </p><p>So yeah, today I'm missing the old neighborhood music stores. Walko's and House of Music, and the Rock Shop, were also places for musicians to hang out. Many of us taught lessons there, so you'd be there all day waiting for your students to show up. And you'd always have at least one cancellation, so you'd have some spare time. </p><p>This is probably enough outa me for the time being. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/4dd4db8d07c840d3cdd0273ba962b069d9f78c62/original/guitar-and-effects-processor.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />2:53samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72552932023-08-10T14:38:59-05:002023-08-10T14:38:59-05:00Happy Birthday to ME!<p>Yep. At 8:57 this evening, I'll officially be sixty-nine years old. My last year to be sixty-something. Those born on this date in 1963 will be enjoying- or decrying- their<i> first</i> year to be sixty-something. </p><p>Some years back, I had an Astrological Chart done. It's probably still in the possession of a woman I used to see. She had more of a belief than I did in such things. As regards things Occult, I'm open-minded but skeptical. Actually, I look at it more as a <i>quasi</i>-science than a pseudo-science. ``In the scheme of things, grand or otherwise, it's <i>coloration</i>. </p><p>So yeah, I'm a Leo with Pisces rising and a Capricorn moon. And that's all I remember about it. I did enjoy <i>Linda</i> <i>Goodman's Sun Signs,</i> a book I borrowed from another woman I knew. I thought Linda Goodman had good people-smarts, as far as that went. I liked her characterizations. The book was bathroom reading for several decades, until it finally fell apart. Literally. In my hands…</p><p>Other August 10 folks include Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, bandleader Claude Thornhill, and a few actors and actresses: Rosanna Arquette, Antonio Banderas, Eddie Fisher, Jimmy Dean, Peggy Fleming. Not particularly distinguished..</p><p>I'm celebrating the day by doing damn near absolutely nothing. Doing the daily nerd stuff on the computer: Wordle, Spelling Bee, and Lumosity. Maintenance work for my noodle. Working my way around to the guitar. </p><p><i><strong>Music News</strong></i>. I've got some jazz originals that have been sitting around, speaking of working your way around to stuff. Many of the download recordings I've been putting out are just an accumulation of material. When I get enough, I release something. So this is in the works. </p><p>And that's all I've got for you. At least for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading, especially on my natal anniversary and all. Happy Thursday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later.</p><p>PS the cover pic was taken in Houston TX sometime in 1985. I'd have been 30 or 31 years old. The guitar was a gold top Les Paul, which I'd had for a number of years. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/c446377343c91689de925aedb79af22d6d049020/original/562694-3618374140539-1838433820-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p>Today's tune is from my album Tele-ology. It's a take-off on the standard Lover, Come Back to Me. Same changes, and the melody is retrograded-- or bass-ackwardsed…</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>5:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72543782023-08-08T22:07:11-05:002023-08-08T22:09:44-05:00It's International Cat Day!<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's apparently International Cat Day, at least according to Facebook. </p><p>My two quadrapeds, who've been with me since the beginning of June. Our third month together. I think their names were Tçhalla and Nubia, but they're now Dmitri and Svetlana. They're about a year old, near-adults who still have some kitten in them. </p><p>This is my third generation of cats here at Crain Manor. My first pet was actually a dog- a Spaniel/Lab mix named Lester. He soon had a feline “pal” named Maxine. She pretended not to like him, but it was just a ruse. They had a good 12 years together, until Maxine's passing. </p><p>Enter two more kittens, Cindy and Jill. They kept Lester company until his passing a few years later. Then Jill had to be put down, leaving me with Cindy. We had a couple great years together. She helped me get through the COVID years, until she finally ran out of gas. </p><p>Two days passed, and I got a note on Facebook from someone trying to find a new home for two cats. Their owner was having to re-locate, and couldn't take them with him, so I decided to take a chance. A happy accident. Serendipitous even..</p><p>I couldn't find a picture of Maxine, but I do have a shot or two of Lester the dog, and his feline playmates Cindy and Jill. Actually he and Cindy did more playing together, and even napping. </p><p>So I have a new generation of felines on my hands. I love dogs as well, but am more of a cat person. That said, I do favor cats who have just a little bit of dog in them. Like my current two. I'm just two days shy of being 69 years old myself, so I figure they'll see me into my 70s or later. We'll see…</p><p>Music posts to return soon. Had to honor International Cat Day today. Not much left of me anyway, at this juncture. I bought groceries, mowed grass, and practiced guitar today. That's enough activity, especially for an öld"guy.. </p><p>Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy International Cat Day to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p>PS You may like the YouTube video on the home page. It's about as political as I get..<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/0de757b46cf389b07d3b9eef83423549b976146d/original/cindy-and-lester.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/7f1df5c2bbe1d5abb781c388157302beefa0189f/original/img-3034.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/59c17a4b4650a3402b851d789c441b1427085d5d/original/2020-03-17-213319.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/22bdcc0d66638ef695e725f9dde8424d8b586bfe/original/dmitri-and-svetlana.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>5:31samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72511142023-08-02T16:29:21-05:002023-08-02T16:29:22-05:00Sam Crain- Paragon of Virtue<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a rainy day here in Samland. I'm feeling quite virtuous, having just completed the second of two workouts for the week. I generally trash the whole body- legs first, then upper body, then two fun-filled sets of leg lifts. The whole spectacle takes just under an hour, leaving me pretty spent for awhile- but virtuous. </p><p>In just eight days, I'll be sixty-nine years old. Looks creepier when you write out 69, doesn't it?. But getting older isn't that bad. At least not yet. It does require more maintenance though, both body and mind. As well as these grueling exercises several times a week, I have my daily workouts with Lumosity and Wordle and Spelling Bee.</p><p>And then there's the business of being a musician, which seems to require more maintenance than any of that other stuff combined. As of last month, I've been a guitar player for 57 years, and I still try and practice every day, and am still trying to get better. </p><p>It's been a nutty year. A few gigs around the beginning, and then some real life stuff to contend with. I had a new roof put on my house, plus some other repairs; and am helping with some family stuff. The smoke is starting to clear just a bit as we wind into the latter months of the year. </p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/@Picker286/videos">https://www.youtube.com/@Picker286/videos</a> is still the place to go for my YouTube videos. I try and post something every couple of days. One plan I have for the near future is to get a bass player and drummer over here to make some more videos. It will also be a nice opportunity to play again with other musicians, something I've missed this year. </p><p>Well that's all I can think of for the moment in the way of news. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. One way or another, I usually have some kinda music to share. For now, ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p>PS the cover photo is my cat Svetlana with a full dose of crazy. She and her brother Dmitri are continuing to keep me entertained. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/ced49c1511e8b9593e81c5c29e77491ef571b1a2/original/svetlana-even-crazier.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72496102023-07-30T14:53:40-05:002023-07-30T14:53:41-05:00Sunday<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's another hot afternoon here in the Middle of Everything. That's how Illinois is described in the Tourist Commercials. The Middle of<i> Everything</i>. I think the smackdab point would actually be somewhere in Kansas- but it's another flyover state just like us(except for Chicago, of course), so I suppose we're interchangeable. . </p><p>I've been goofing around these days with some equipment that's long been on the back burner here in the Music Lab. My Line 6 Guitar Processor. Got it at the long-since-defunct Rock Shop, figuring 2009 or so. Also got a beautiful Gretsch thinline ES-style guitar from them, as well as many repairs over the years. </p><p>I miss the Rock Shop. There are other music retailers around, but it's not the same. </p><p>Anyway, I'm having fun re-discovering some of the soundz in here. I should probably be more systematic about it, but I just scroll until I find something I like, and then the memory saves it. But much of the fun is in the floundering around. </p><p>I use this thing mainly for recording, at least the home projects. A few attempts on gigs, but there's an undue amount of messing with it in between tunes. Nothing was said, but I could tell I was on thin ice. So playing out, I'm Mr Clean. The guitar plugs into the amp, with just a bit of delay and reverb. Not exactly no frills, but at least fewer of them.</p><p>But at home, more often than not, I'll find a sound with at least a little dirt in it for soloing. There are a lot of sounds to choose from. Maybe a few more Death Metal sonorities than I might use, but still a wide range..</p><p>So the plan for today is more messing with my tone. And recording a few things. I always share what works, one way or another. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! For now, I'm outa here. More later. </p><p> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/4dd4db8d07c840d3cdd0273ba962b069d9f78c62/original/guitar-and-effects-processor.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />2:16samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72492592023-07-29T11:45:36-05:002023-07-29T11:45:36-05:00Saturday<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! Looks like we've got another scorcher on the way. It's just shy of eleven, and the temperature is already 89 degrees. My music room is the only room in the house that doesn't have central air. A funky window unit and a box fan are my weapons against the heat. Definitely a suffering artiste in here…</p><p>My new quadrapeds, Dmitri and Svetlana, are much more interactive than my previous pets. Cindy would sit in the chair next to me, while Svetlana and her brother just park themselves right on the desk. Sometimes they get into one of their famous fights from here, and something on the computer follows them. I either lose the sound or the picture. </p><p>Pets are great. They provide wonderful company, and also remind you to roll with the punches. Having the computer go belly-up used to be more upsetting, but I'm learning to take life's vicissitudes with a grain of salt. Life is a lot easier this way..</p><p><i><strong>Music news. </strong></i>My only album for this year(so far, anyway), <i>Hanging On</i>, is actually getting some play! Went from .05 to 1.46 to 3.83 in streams. I know that's chicken feed, but I'm more concerned with the fact that people listened to it. Apple Music seems to be one of the better companies out there. They're all bandits, but Apple is more efficient as far as getting results. </p><p>I just posted a tune on my YouTube page. It's called <i>Woody n' You.</i> Written by Dizzy Gillespie as an homage to bandleader Woody Herman. I don't know if the band is still going, but I heard from a fairly reliable source that they had a tune in their book called <i>Just My Fuckin' Luck</i>. Supposed to be a really nice tune. I would love to request it if I ever see them..</p><p>I never got to see Jimi Hendrix, but I was able to catch most of the great Big Bands: Count Basie, Duke Ellington(with Cat Anderson on trumpet, playing amazing high notes), Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, and The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band. The St Nicholas Hotel, here in Spfld, used to host an event called the Eight o'Clock Dance Club, which brought in all these acts. </p><p>And that's my news, or at least what passes for it. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p> </p><p>PS today's musical offering is a tune of mine called <i>A Walk Through Astral Candyland</i>. It's from an album I made called <i>Garden of Sonic Delights</i>. Some of my weirder stuff…</p><p> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/716893dbf080bb97a734fc1f821f566fd3d4e237/original/dmitri-and-svetlana.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />3:30samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72475522023-07-26T13:01:41-05:002023-07-26T13:01:42-05:00Wet n Unwild Wednesday<p>I don't know who will read this one, but a number of people read yesterday's post. Well, if you've read it, you know I've already thanked you. At this very moment, I'm enjoying the rain. Well, what I'm enjoying is having my roof replaced and thus not having to deal with any leaks. </p><p>The only thing I'm having to deal with at the moment is my cats tromping around here on the desk where I keep my monitor and keyboard. At first, I'd lose the picture or the sound, or something else would get unplugged--usually during or just after one of their famous fights-but we seem to be reaching an understanding. </p><p>As far as any musical activity today, it will probably happen later this afternoon. And I always share what works. Gotta get that exercise session in first though. Still trying to stay with the program as far as that goes. </p><p><i><strong>Domestic news</strong></i>. Binge-watching NYPD Blue on Hulu. I'm into Season 3. They're honing the character of Det. Sipowicz, giving him more personal depth and funnier lines. Strangely enough, Dennis Franz, who portrays the grizzled New Yorker, actually has a Chicago Accent. It's more clipped and just a little bit nasal. It seems to fit with all the authentic Noo Yawk accents though. </p><p>Cool music too, if you like that synthesized groove stuff. Mike Post wrote and probably performed much of the music. Not sure where I've heard that name before, but there's something. </p><p>Anyway, that's all I've got for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you! Outa here! More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/d9441520a034d7a0a5cb9f37a8ada541e195243f/original/dmitri-the-comfort-pet.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>2:53samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72465052023-07-24T19:56:19-05:002023-07-24T19:56:20-05:00un-manic Monday<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mGhJq-rmD70_wH02XBAWRVWT1Pbubb8lE">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mGhJq-rmD70_wH02XBAWRVWT1Pbubb8lE</a> </p><p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! The link is to my newest album, called<i> Hanging On</i>. The cover shows me literally hanging on. I wasn't going through any sort of existential crisis, just plugging or unplugging something from the computer. But I suppose it had that look of a man at the end of his rope. Anyway, this one has been out for a couple of months now, and has garnered me a whopping $1.46 in streams. </p><p>I send my stuff out there via CD Baby, and it does go to a lot of places, digitally speaking. The buck forty-six was from Apple Music. My cut after everyone else took theirs. The Omega Man here.. Chump change aside, I'm just glad there were a number of people- or at least a number of <i>listens-</i>with the new one. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/b58de00a46ae091bf32d3d2713f46c2d147674ad/original/me-kevin-and-jaro.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p>Today's cover pic, courtesy of Tim Roseberry, if memory serves--my only <i>aerial</i> shot-- was taken just after I bailed on the daygig, soon to retire once I came of age. Summer of 2013. Kevin Ellis, Jaro Howse and me, playing at PNC Bank downtown. Kind of an old home week, not having seen those guys in years. We ended up talking in between every tune we played. </p><p>They've since closed that location. PNC is still here, just not downtown anymore. Somebody else will move in, eventually. Many gigs in that building over the years.</p><p>I even worked there, from October of 1986 to March of 1991, as a Bank Teller. Talk about your chump change. Plus you get to see what everyone else makes, having to deposit or cash their checks every week. As far as income inequality, your nose is pretty much rubbed in it. </p><p>But the good news is that you get perspective on the job market. The State and the Post Office were the best games in town, so that's where I set my sights. You're not gonna get rich working for the State, but you won't starve either. </p><p>And here we are in the Summer of 2023, ten years after I left my job. Ten years <i>older. </i>Turning 69 instead of 59. Everything is still holding together, but I'm having to get serious with the diet and exercise. I had a program using weights, but had whittled it down to isometrics, and I was even sloughing off with that. Lazy lazy..</p><p>So I've started to beef up my exercise program. My first priority is maintaining this new and tougher exercise program, plus watching the diet. And tied for first is some family stuff. Right behind that is my new animals, and tied for second is my music. Music will always be in there, but sometimes it has to take a back seat.</p><p>Anyway, I'm still in here plugging away. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading all this. For now, ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p> </p>2:14samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72448752023-07-20T15:00:27-05:002023-07-24T19:15:30-05:00Thursday<p>Well I'll be dogged! This site has had some visitors over the past couple days. Thanks, whoever you are, for stopping in. I don't get in here every single day, but I still try to keep things going, with whatever I've got that's worth sharing. </p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. Still here in the house(or should I say, In The House). I've had all of three gigs this year, and will probably get a couple more before the year's out. </p><p>This has been a busy year for regular life stuff. Sometimes it has to take precedence over the music stuff. But I'm still practicing most every day, part of which is playing tunes, so I usually have something to share to YouTube. I enjoy hearing from folks who've listened to some of the cuts. Actually, it makes my day!</p><p>As of this month, I've been playing the guitar for 57 years. It was July of 1966, just shy of my 12th birthday. And after all this time, I still feel like I'm just starting to get somewhere. Just starting to get the right rotation on my picking hand, or whatever. </p><p>And then, maybe there are some things that just take 57 years to learn..</p><p>Strangely enough, I think I've made the most progress since I've retired from the daygig, which was back in 2013- again, July, for what that's worth.. <i>Time enough at last.</i></p><p>I think I'm the only person alive who doesn't like that particular Twilight Zone episode. I thought it was cruel, and felt sorry for the poor guy. </p><p>As long as I'm digressing here, I just discovered two more movie versions of Orwell's 1984. One was made in 1954, as a BBC <i>Programme</i>, and the other in 1956. For their time, they're pretty good. Donald Pleasance stars in both of them, for what that's worth. They're both on YouTube. For all the Dystopia fans out there…</p><p>I spend wayy too much time on YouTube..</p><p>So that's my story, at least so far. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Thursday to you! I'm outa here. More later. PS today's tune is from an album of mine called Uncharted Waters. It's called As Time Draws Near.. Hope you like it. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/f611d32d057d8a8dbc8fb4ae187fbeba18def9a5/original/new-pic-of-me.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p>4:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72431842023-07-17T12:32:38-05:002023-07-17T12:32:39-05:00I Am Spartacus(NOT!)<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/723699d0bf993ff67f1b6c973d1c3e823d6f9c35/original/img-2848.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><p>Yesterday was a productive day for me. After years of having someone else mow my lawn, I've finally taken matters into my own hands. Got me this nice electric mower, and was able to tackle the jungle in back of my house. </p><p>Feeling like quite the manly man, taming the beastly lawn and all. What I jokingly call a Spartacus Moment.</p><p>The real accomplishment was finally getting back to mowing my own lawn. Forging my own destiny and all.. </p><p>It was quite a workout. Finishing up, all drenched with sweat, I was immediately reminded that I'm almost sixty-nine years old. </p><p>. The exhaustion stayed with me the rest of the day, and even after I went to bed. A little bit worrisome. It finally subsided, and I was able to drift off to sleep. Some Spartacus…</p><p>So I'm taking it easy today. Especially since my body gave me a stern lecture on the evils of over-exertion. The guitar will get a workout today, but that's about as strenuous as I'm getting. </p><p>I'm still playing most every day, even yesterday after all that yardwork. Some more stuff to share to YouTube. I'm enjoying hearing from folks out there. So, as Dean Martin used to say, keep those cards and letters coming. </p><p>That's all I've got for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you! I'm outa here. More later. </p><p> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/3d43e832c8236f3a50752e15b7eb74c78faaee1f/original/img-2847.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />5:12samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72422082023-07-14T19:10:16-05:002023-07-14T19:10:16-05:00The Coolest Thing I've Seen All Day<p>This is the coolest thing I've seen all day. It's a painting by a Bulgarian artist named Ivan Daskalov. Something I saw on Facebook. I'm not knowledgeable about Art, but I have a growing list of favorite artists: Miro, Kandinsky, Klimt, Chagall, Dali, Picasso. And Ivan Daskalov. </p><p>Here it is, coming on 7 o'clock, and I'm just now getting around to the guitar. My mornings are almost always periods of intense coffee-drinking and Wordle/Spelling Bee-playing. Afternoons are normally spent practicing, but this one was spent buying a lawn mower. </p><p>It's electric, meaning battery-powered. Seemed like a good idea, maybe it still is. So I charged up the battery, and tried to get it going, but nada. There's an answer to this problem. I just don't know it as yet. Got a few folks I can ask…</p><p>Back to the guitar. Next up on YouTube is probably going to be Locomotion. John Coltrane's blues and then some. just gotta get it uploaded. And the tune here(and on the home page) is from my newest album Hanging On. It's some of my smoother stuff. </p><p>And that's all I've got for this day. An abortive attempt at lawn mowing, but otherwise fine. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! For now, ich bin outa here More later. </p><p> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/7c0538211a93670cee833e9e57bc34b33ac14cba/original/ivan-daaskalov-bulgarian.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />5:04samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72416192023-07-13T20:32:57-05:002023-07-13T20:32:58-05:00Life at the Moment<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! The cat eyes looking at you belong to Dmitri. He's one of the new quadrapeds here at Crain Manor, along with his sister Svetlana. They've been here about six weeks now, and are still in the process of settling in. </p><p>At first, Svetlana would leap onto my back to announce her presence, always as I was sitting here in front of the computer and often when I was playing guitar. She's ruined a number of YouTube videos I was trying to make. I could probably set up a Playlist called Banzai! and get a bunch of streams from it if I cared to stoop down to the level of Funny Cat Videos…</p><p>She now has a new game, if you can call it that. The game is actually for me. While I'm watching TV, she'll get herself up on top of the set, which is a Big Screen model, and not know how to get back down. So I get to play Fireman and rescue her. </p><p>Dmitri is more even keel. He's still got some kitten in him just like she does, but he can also sit with me doing absolutely nothing. My comfort animal. Actually, I think I'm <i>his</i> comfort animal as well. </p><p>In the way of <i><strong>Music News</strong></i>, I've been getting in more time on the guitar. Some stuff is coming together in my playing that I've been working on for some time now. Continuity. Phrasing. Time. </p><p>I advocate taping yourself to every guitarist out there who wants to improve these things in their playing. There is a point, of course, at which you take a break from it, but the tape doesn't lie. </p><p>This is going to show you where you're going wrong, as it has for me many times. But, if applicable, it will also show you what's working! </p><p>So that's what I'm enjoying at the moment. Some progress. The nice thing is you never really quite get there. There changes as you get closer. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading! I'm outa here More later. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/d9441520a034d7a0a5cb9f37a8ada541e195243f/original/dmitri-the-comfort-pet.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />2:00samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72391662023-07-10T12:20:07-05:002023-07-10T12:26:01-05:00Da Newz<p>Welcome, whoever-reads-this! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.</p><p><i><strong>Music news </strong></i> Hanging On<a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mGhJq-rmD70_wH02XBAWRVWT1Pbubb8lE">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mGhJq-rmD70_wH02XBAWRVWT1Pbubb8lE</a></p><p>My newest album, released a month or so ago, is still my latest music news. All original music with lots of guitar and keyboard work. Stylistically, it's somewhere between smooth jazz and fusion. Some pretty tunes(I like to think)and some jamming. The link takes you to a YouTube page which features a number of my albums. </p><p>Still trying to keep up as far as practicing, and posting videos on YouTube. One goal I have for this year is to get a bass player and drummer over here and do a bunch of tunes to put up on my page. Also, just to get some time in working with real humans.. I can only make my own fun for so long, as far as that goes..</p><p>And hopefully another trio gig- or two- this year, down the road. I've even got a few folks asking me about that. </p><p><i><strong> Domestic news.</strong></i> . This has been a big year for all that other stuff that gets in the way of making music. Aka life.. I've had to get my roof repaired, and am helping out with some family stuff. Those have been the two biggies in my life for the moment. </p><p>Roof repaired(except for a patch taken down by the storm). but still helping with the family stuff. It's requiring more of my time and energy, which is just fine with me. Nice to be needed…</p><p>Not much to share in the way of actual news this time. Still plugging along though. Another goal I have is to get my ass back in some kind of shape. The exercising has fallen by the wayside, but I did get a session in yesterday- for the first time in weeks. </p><p>And that's the news I've got for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's not too much of a contradiction in terms! Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/448ccc50ea27c8755198da4f1f3a1fa479c03a32/original/jaro-ben-sam-and-mark.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p>PS Today's pic was taken at Boone's. From left to right, Jaro Howse, Ben Taylor, me and Mark Russillo. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>6:01samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72369222023-07-04T18:42:40-05:002023-07-10T11:44:23-05:00Happy Independence Day!<p>Happy birthday, America! You don't look a day over 247. </p><p>Glad to see most everybody with their power and internet back on. For some, it's been an ordeal. Days on end. I was lucky enough to get my power restored after just over a day, but unlucky enough to incur some damage to my roof, plus a goodly amount of food that had to be pitched. </p><p>The roof damage is minor, and the contents of my fridge were easily replenished, so I really can't complain. Plus, I learned a new word. <i>Derecho.</i> It's what we just experienced: a series of Thunderstorms with straight winds(as opposed to rotary)- Derecho is actually Spanish for right. </p><p><i><strong>Music news. </strong></i>I read a quote today, supposedly a famous one, from Joe Pass. I think his original name was Passalaqua. Anyway, he's one of the finest guitarists ever, in any style. He could play without a pick or without a rhythm section and never lose a beat. </p><p>He is quoted as saying that anyone who considers themselves a guitarist should be able to play for an hour without any accompaniment. The article goes on to challenge guitarists out there--hey, that's me!--to work up an hour's worth of stuff they can do all by themselves. <i>Doing so will greatly improve your marketability</i>, the article goes on to say. Gotta have that hook in there. Like telling you you'll get lots of girls if you just do this/buy this. </p><p>So I think I'm gonna take the Pepsi Challenge here and do it. Easy in that I already know a lot of tunes, difficult in that I've gotta get them perfected as far as playing them solo. </p><p>I'm not looking to do a lot of gigging, but I could stand to do more than I'm doing. What I'd most like to do are trio things, with me, bass and drums, but the solo thing would open up a few new opportunities. I've done them before, and used to have at least one every year with the Artist-on-the-Plaza series. </p><p>. This has been a year with more stuff in it, as in domestic and/or family problems. It's all good though. Trying to take care of stuff, and still keep up on <i>being able to call myself a guitar player</i>- re that article I just mentioned..</p><p>Okay then. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy 4th! For the moment, I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/e4cf48d49eb6f0a2012990f60073176e24d37169/original/4th-of-july.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>1:19samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72354432023-06-30T21:22:28-05:002023-06-30T22:58:48-05:00Aftermath<p>We just went through a lollapalooza of a storm. .Technically, I've just learned, *a <i>Derecho,</i> which is another name for a straight-line Windstorm(as opposed to rotary), was what hit us. Part of my roof- my <i>new roof</i>-- got pulled up by the wind and part of if fell to the ground. The damage is visible just to the right of this picture. I didn't feel like taking a picture of it. There's enough horror in the world already.. Fortunately, the critical parts of my old roof were still covered, thus preventing any leakage. </p><p>The bad news is that the guys will have to come back and put the roof back in place. They'll probably be grateful for the work, and are pretty entertaining to have around, so it's not really awful news. Just one step forward, and one step back. Or maybe a step and a half. </p><p>I lost power from 12:30 on Thursday to about 1:30 today. 25 hours. My neighbor immediately put himself in Easy Mode: nothing we can do about it, so just sit back and wait. Nice to be able to just switch gears like that. I was able to get to Easy Mode myself, but not before a lot of fidgeting. I have to go through several Modes before I get to Easy..</p><p> But I've got my power-outage tools: my trusty candles and flashlight. And once I finally resigned myself to the fact that there was nothing I could do about it, everything was cool. Not sure how many more nights I could've done it--as many as I had to, I guess…</p><p>Some folks here in town weren't at all affected by the storm, except maybe to lose their internet connection. And on the other end of things, there are people still waiting to get their power restored as we head into another evening. And with much more damage done to their homes. </p><p>So this town will be a mess for awhile. Having been without power for 25 hours, I had to replace the contents of my refrigerator, which involved a trip down a busy street with blinking stoplights at damn near every intersection. And if you take the quieter streets, you're dodging tree limbs every which way.</p><p>Now having adequate lighting and cooling in the house, I can concentrate on other things. The nice thing about a truly shitty day, or days, is that it feels so good when it's over. So I'm enjoying the various restorations going on here. That said, I'm sure to see what kind of trouble I can make with the guitar in these next couple of days. And I always share what's worth sharing. Later. </p><p>*I've got this one friend on Facebook who knows almost more than you'd want to hear about a variety of subjects. Not playing Meteorologist here, just sharing. </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/9c4eb4f82b448888468003249a0706829f2251e5/original/img-1548.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>5:30samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72334602023-06-27T17:16:21-05:002023-06-27T18:28:40-05:00Psycho Svetlana<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's Tuesday evening, around 5:30. The picture is of one of my new quadrapeds. They've been with me since the beginning of the month, and are becoming acclimated to their new surroundings, as well as their new attendant. </p><p>This is Svetlana. Her full name would be Svetlana Vlobodnikov Crain. Her brother, Dmitri Mikhailovich Crain, is also jet-black with big green eyes. His middle name I got from Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevski. Svetlana's middle moniker I something I just kinda sounded out. </p><p>Naming pets is about as much fun as naming your new band. So many possibilities.. With bands- and, for that matter, songs- my names are either boring and functional or off-the-wall. No middle ground.</p><p> With pets, they usually get regular Christian names. Growing up, there was a family we were friends with- the Englands- who gave their pets what I considered colorful Christian names: George(whom we got from them under the assumption it was a male cat), Roy, and my brother's favorite: Kenny. </p><p>Since moving into my own house back in 1996, I've had Lester the dog and Maxine the cat; followed by cats Cindy and Jill; and finally Dmitri and Svetlana.</p><p><i><strong>Music news. </strong></i>Not sure what form it'll take, but I'm getting ready to make some. Music news, that is. One thing I'd like to do is get some people over here to play and make a couple videos. I'd like to have some more actual live stuff for my YouTube page, something which always feels in short supply; but also just to get in some playing with other people. </p><p>And there was a solo guitar thing I was going to record at someone else's studio. An old friend/fellow picker from High School. This is also an opportunity for us to just sit down and play. I haven't forgotten about it. Just had other stuff to contend with this year. </p><p>And there may even be another occasion when I can put together a trio to play a couple hours for an audience. I'll let you know. </p><p>Such is my news almost halfway through the year. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! More later. </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/ced49c1511e8b9593e81c5c29e77491ef571b1a2/original/svetlana-even-crazier.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>5:03samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72321002023-06-25T12:10:01-05:002023-06-25T12:10:02-05:00Sunday<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/f611d32d057d8a8dbc8fb4ae187fbeba18def9a5/original/new-pic-of-me.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><p>Off and running on this Sunday morning. Doing my morning rituals: coffee, a wee bit of cannabis, a pastry, and the computer stuff: Wordle, Spelling Bee and Lumosity. </p><p>This is the first night in awhile where I've gotten <i>luxury sleep</i>. I seem to require 7 hours just to function, and it's been a lot of 6-hour nights, or 6.5. Just a little shy of comfort. </p><p>Nine hours of sleep last night. My cats were meowing early this morning, but they let me go back to sleep. Or maybe I just grabbed those extra winks. Dreams out the yinyang. Places and situations. I rarely remember my dreams, but some of the stuff I had to dream kinda comes back as the day progresses. Sometimes at the very end of the day, right before embarking on another nocturnal adventure. Part of the fun of being me.</p><p>If you're still reading this, you're probably wondering where the hell the music news is. I guess it's here. </p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. One new album released this year.<a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mGhJq-rmD70_wH02XBAWRVWT1Pbubb8lE">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mGhJq-rmD70_wH02XBAWRVWT1Pbubb8lE</a> It was something I started back in the COVID years, and never got around to finishing until now. </p><p>Music has had to take a back seat this year, what with various domestic/health/family things to contend with. Finally, here in the middle of the year, I'm able to poke my head back out and look around. So there's news to come. </p><p>Well, for the moment, I have more coffee to drink and more morning to get through. Currently working on Spelling Bee. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Happy Sunday to you. For now, ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72307122023-06-22T13:48:03-05:002023-06-22T13:48:04-05:00Thursday<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/7026b147c5fcbe7a1018bd8a7c7c2384ef09b581/original/new-pic-of-me-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><p>Hey, whoever-reads-this! Still at it, whatever<i> it</i> is.. </p><p>After some domestic upheaval earlier this year, with the roof literally caving in on me and a few other fun items, things are getting back to some kind of normal.</p><p>For starters, I'm getting back into my daily practicing/playing here in the Lab. And continuing to post on my YouTube page, and on Facebook. </p><p>I don't do a whole lot outside of the Lab these days, but I do get out there on occasion. I just need other humans to get out there with. Kinda working my way back to that. At the very least, I might get a bass player and drummer over here to do some live cuts- which I can put on the YouTube page. </p><p>Not much of a post today, but all is fine. I'll probably try and stir up some guitar trouble at some point(s)today. And as always, I try and share what I keep. More later. </p><p> </p>samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72286772023-06-18T18:52:43-05:002023-06-18T18:52:43-05:00Father's Day<p>Happy Father's Day, whoever-reads-this! This is a picture of my folks with their first little handful. My brother would join us a couple years later. I was born in 1954, and look like I'm in the midst of the Terrible Twos, so I'm figuring 1956 here. </p><p>Dad left us in 1992, and Mom at the end of 2007. My brother and I are a couple old gumps at this point, much older than our folks in this photo. Josh just turned 64, and I'll be 69 in a couple months. We both have to take meds at this point, like most people our age. For some time now, the Pharmacy has replaced any bar in town as far as a destination. </p><p>A sibling is like your best friend and worst enemy(or at least fiercest rival)rolled into one. They've got your best interests at heart-- as well as your back-- and you can tell them stuff you wouldn't tell anybody else. But at the same time, they <i>love</i> seeing you fall on your ass .It's all about who got the bigger room when you were kids. At least as far as the younger of the two..</p><p>My sibling has had some health issues for awhile now. Hoping to get some resolution on things in this coming week. I've been helping him here and there, with rides to the Pharmacy, and just giving him some company. I call it our Old Guy Time. Even getting in a few laughs, amid all the grim shit going on.</p><p>We tend to get on each other's nerves with too much time together--present time is an exception of course=-but have also bailed each other out on more than a few occasions. Your basic sibling relationship. It's all good…</p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. Just getting back to it. What with my brother's stuff, plus some stuff of my own, it's had to take a back seat. But I'm getting back into practicing every day. Still posting to my YouTube page. I'm up to 299 subscribers at this point, waiting for that next one to come in. </p><p>Hoping to get another trio date at some point in the not-too-distant future. I don't have a set group these days, so I just get the best players who are available. So far this year I've had a whopping three gigs: one with Ocean State and two of my own. I'll be more than glad to let you all know when I get something. </p><p>So that's my news for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this. Happy Father's Day and Happy Sunday to you! For now, I'm outa here. More later,. </p><p> </p><p>PS Today's tune is called Pauline's Basement. It was written in memory of Pauline Cormier, who was a guitarist and guitar teacher here in town. Pauline was a generous soul who gave not only instruction, but, in a few cases, temporary <i>lodging</i>, for aspiring local guitarists. Pauline and I both worked in Betts Pree's band, back in the 80s. </p><p> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/ec6fc539ec123553313f3ccb8d42fa5cd3648cd0/original/265717828-348681583751567-4846594087860420307-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />3:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72239322023-06-09T13:25:41-05:002023-06-15T13:02:38-05:00The Sam News<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! </p><p>Most of my current news is domestic right now, but there is <i>some</i> music news to share. </p><p><i><strong>Music News</strong></i>. Breaking news, just got off the phone. I might have a new guitar student. A referral from a friend and former student. </p><p>It's been ages since I've taught anybody. I told him these days I teeter between retirement and semi-retirement, still keeping my hand in there.. So maybe I'll open it up a little bit. We'll see how that first lesson goes. I've always enjoyed teaching, so long as I have good and motivated students. We'll see. </p><p>In other music news, I have a brand-new recording. It's called <i>Hanging On,</i> and is available as a download at the usual places. And you can stream it on YouTube. During the COVID years, I got crazy-prolific, and this one was the last of the batch. </p><p>Stylistically, it's a mutt: sort of fusiony smooth jazz(but not Kenny G smooth!). Some pretty tunes. Hope you like it. </p><p>Otherwise, just continuing to play here in the Music Lab, though I've had to take some days off here and there while work is being done on my house. Still at it though..</p><p><i><strong>Domestic News.</strong></i> A blurry-but-surreal photo of one of the two new quadrapeds living here. This is Svetlana. Her brother Dmitri is nearby. He is also black, with big luminous green eyes. I don't know where they came from(beyond the local APL), but Svetlana just looked like a Svetlana. With her brother, it was a toss-up between Dmitri and Zoltan. . </p><p>I lost my former cat back on May 31st. Had to have her euthanized. Ended up getting two new cats 2 days later. . A bit soon, but still an opportunity I had to jump on. They hid for the first couple days, but have warmed up to me over the past week. We're doing great. </p><p>The other domestic news is a new metal roof, which may well be noisy in a rainstorm, but at least keeps the water out. They did a lot of clean-up work as well, and the place is definitely spiffed up, front and back. Enjoyed the crew who've been working on it, but am looking forward to them getting done, and getting back to some sort of normal..</p><p>Both of these events were serendipitous. Happy accidents. Someone was leaving town and had to leave his cats with somebody, right as I lost mine; and someone needed work as a Roofer, right as I needed a new roof. NIce when things work out this way..</p><p>And that's all I've got for now in the way of news. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/fea350ff7c9e15fdc2e85c110ee8a149ea3a66cd/original/those-cat-eyes.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>1:56samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72204002023-06-04T11:34:35-05:002023-06-04T11:34:36-05:00New Life<p>Good morning, whoever-reads-this! Today's pic is an old one, of two former pets. Lester the dog and Cindy the cat. Lester has been gone since 2012, and Cindy has been gone just under a week. I always liked this picture of them. Lester, as it turned out, was more comfortable with cats than with other dogs. </p><p>I love dogs, but am really a cat person at heart. A woman I was seeing thought I needed a dog, so we got me one. Gave it my best shot, both with her and with him. One highly amusing fact about dogs is that when meeting another dog, they try to hump each other. It's actually a dominance thing, but is funny as hell to watch..</p><p>Lester was bigger than her dog, so he was able to assert himself as <i>Number One Dog</i>. . My brother's dog, however, was a big Lab, twice Lester's size, and pinned him every time. When we got home, he gave me a look as if to say, “Don't put me through that again!”</p><p>Fair enough. So now, as of 3 days ago, I have two new cats. They're brother and sister, both jet-black with big luminous green eyes. Dmitri and Svetlana. I'm as new to them as they are to me. So they hide out for hours at a time- which has been disconcerting. But the re-appearances are getting better. Last night I had both of them on my lap for awhile in there. They're very affectionate, just skittish. We'll be fine…</p><p><i><strong>Music news.</strong></i> Getting back to the <i>daily grind </i>as far as practicing and playing. Nothing on the books just yet, but still posting to my YouTube page. I still get out and play, just not as often. So In lieu of that, I try to keep the page well-stocked, so there's always something new to share. Actually picked up<i> 4</i> new subscribers!</p><p>In other music news, I have a new album! It's called Hanging On. It's available at all the usual places: iTunes, Apple, Deezer, etc., and you can stream from here. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhY7dNUZE6oBg6QyQF-g2g/playlists">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhY7dNUZE6oBg6QyQF-g2g/playlists</a> Some of the mixes I may do over, but all in all, it should be a nice listen. </p><p>I also have another solo guitar album kind of in the works. This year has just thrown a lot of shit at me, between the Atypical Cells on the top of my head and the leaky roof on top of my house--and some Dental issues.. But I've got the tunes pretty much mapped out. Just a question of recording them. </p><p>Also wanting to play more trio stuff. I don't have a regular group, but I have people I can call. If I ever get a group going, I'll probably get out and play more. So for now, it's kinda here and there. At least I'm out there a little bit..</p><p>Okay then. This is more than enough to read. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Sunday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p> </p><p> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/34055dbc9f0c340c9cf9e81bde32f6e5fb2ef393/original/cindy-and-lester.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />5:27samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72143902023-05-23T19:41:36-05:002023-05-23T20:28:16-05:00Om Sweet Om <p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/b7d325055e2cfa2ad490b73b92f1ae21ce458af4/original/img-1548.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p>I actually have a song called <i>Om Sweet Om</i>. It's on my album <i>The Big Box of Love.</i> And yes, operators<i> are</i> standing by to take your order. </p><p>Come to think of it, I think I got that cheesy play on words from an old R. Crumb comic strip- which no doubt featured Mr Natural, and his disciple Flakey Foont. </p><p>My humble homestead is the central theme these days. I have a crew who've been here the past two days replacing my roof, and taking care of the environs as well. </p><p>They power-washed front and back, and cleaned up the yard. My main concern, of course, was the <i><strong>big gaping hole in my roof</strong></i>, but these extras are nice. This is actually the before picture. I'm sure this place will be a little bit more photogenic in the next picture I take. </p><p>The real reward in all this will of course be when we get the next Biblical rainstorm. The ecstasy of not having to monitor wastebaskets rapidly filling up with rainwater. Man, that's gonna feel great! </p><p>Then the novelty will wear off, and the rainstorms will go back to being just kind of a downer-which <i>still </i>beats the pants off the experience of bailing water, as well as the hazard. Sometimes life is just plain gonna suck. But you can at least control the suckage. That is to say, the <i>degree</i> of suckage..</p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. I just finished up one of two home recording projects, at least as far as the music. It's in a sort of eclectic style: fusion without the pyrotechnics, and smooth jazz with more substance. Now I just need a cover and a title. Coming soon!</p><p>The other one is more straight-ahead jazz, and I may have to get some outside help on this one as far as recording levels. But also coming soon. </p><p>Nothing outside the territorial limits of Crain Manor at this point, but I still play most every day and am always working on something new- or at least a new way of playing something old.. So I should be ready when the next opportunity presents itself. </p><p>For now, more to come on my YouTube page. And a few pictures when they're done with my house. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading! Later for now. </p>7:26samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72123942023-05-19T21:22:39-05:002023-05-19T21:22:40-05:00Kickin' Back the Clydesdales<p> I've made two decisions lately: 1)to start writing these again; and 2)to give them whatever title just occurs to me, rather than just naming it after the day of the week. Yesterday was, admittedly, to see if I could get Facebook's goat. But it feels like a nice change. Sometimes the slightest change is good just by virtue of being something different.</p><p> And as far as getting Facebook's goat, I guess I'll just have to try harder..</p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. Working on an intro to Giant Steps. I recorded one which I may put up on Facebook, but it's kinda sloppy. Got a half-assed idea involving major 7 arpeggios, being as the A section is made up of two such patterns. I dunno. We'll see. </p><p>Also working on some of my recorded music here in the Lab. Much like the work of a Mad Scientist, only I'm combining tunes rather than potions. I was trying to finish up one old project that got interrupted by life this year and it's turning into two. Musical mitosis..</p><p>One is in this sorta fusion/smooth style my home stuff falls into, and the other one is more straight-ahead jazz. So my stuff is going into two piles. Hopefully, two new recordings will emerge from the rubble. </p><p>I have a lot of fun puttering here in the Lab. Much like a Workshop(I've heard that many non-musicians have them), only instead of saws and hammers, I have keyboards and guitars and recording equipment. What I refer to as my makeshift home studio. </p><p>Still planning to do another solo guitar album, which will be done at someone else's less makeshift studio. And I'd love to do another one with a bass player and drummer. But for now, I'm just tying up some loose ends. </p><p>The title of today's blog is one of my tunes I hope to work up. It's been sitting around since 1985 or so. Playing Houston TX, a place we spent a lot of time in when I was on the road. We also played Dallas, Corpus Christi, Beaumont and Brownsville, but mostly Houston it seemed. </p><p>Anyway, Houston. Much drinking, as happened on the road. My wastebasket was overflowing with Budweiser Tall Boys. What should've been an embarrassing sight. The housekeeper who was cleaning my room quipped, “Looks like you been kickin' back them Clydesdales”. She made a few other witty remarks, but that was the only one I wasn't too hung over to remember. </p><p>The Clydesdales gave way over the years to cervezas--Corona, Dos Equiis, Tecate, like that--and eventually, some time after retirement, faded away. All that Øl had gathered around my middle--which was an embarrassing sight. It took a good year of trying, but I was finally able to lose the gut. And I'd think of that every time I wanted a beer. </p><p>Anyway! Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/c446377343c91689de925aedb79af22d6d049020/original/562694-3618374140539-1838433820-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p>PS Additional info: The picture was taken in 1985, probably in Houston. I was 30 or 31. Today's tune is one of the straight-ahead things I've got. Øl, pronounced oil, is what they call beer in Norway and Denmark. In Sweden, it's the same word only with an umlaut instead of a tong. For what all that's worth…</p><p> </p><p> </p>4:53samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72116462023-05-18T19:03:55-05:002023-05-18T19:03:55-05:00Ding-ding-ding-fuck<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! </p><p>It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Nice and sunny, and quiet- except for the kids playing in the Day Care across the alley from me. I enjoy hearing them playing, and sometimes regret that they probably have to hear me too, at least to some extent. </p><p> My noise is much more obnoxious than theirs, at least my non-musical noise: playing video games and cussing when I miss a shot. Something like ding-ding-ding-<i>fuck. </i>Many of the Lumosity games are set up with a 4-part set of patterns, with the appropriate dings when you get them right. Only instead of ding-ding-ding-<i>ding</i>, it often ends up as ding-ding-ding-<i>fuck</i>. Or even ding-ding-<i>fuck</i>..</p><p>Fuck. </p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. With the smoke starting to clear from this year's assorted adventures,(see previous blog: What a Year I'm Having) I'm starting to get back on track as far as what I was doing musically. The Covid Years- 2020, 21 and 22- saw a ton of home projects from me, something that seemed to run its course. Going into 2023, I had just one more of those projects to finish up.</p><p>So that's where I'm finding myself here in mid-May of 2023. Right where I left off. Finishing up a CD. This will make CD #50, at least as far as what I've got up on CD Baby.</p><p>From here, I've got a whole solo guitar project I've been meaning to do for years. Something I was finally gonna do as 2023 rolled in. Even got another person to work with on this one. Sometimes life gets in the way of music, especially as you get older. And you have to tend to it for awhile before you can get back. </p><p>I've done two gigs of my own this year, and hope to do more as we go into 2023. Not looking for sideman stuff, except for the one band I always bail out. Ocean State, of which I was a member for about two and a half years in there. I don't have regular personnel, as far as that goes, but I do have people I can call. </p><p>Anyway, that's the basic mostly musical news for the moment. This goes up on my website first(and really, foremost)but I'm wondering if Facebook will have a problem with my use of the f word. We shall see. As ever, thanks for stopping in and reading. Happy Thursday to you! Ich bin outa here. Later.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/7e2a966cf2e33ef1421a58b969fca26ffb0b5e64/original/img-1251.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p>PS today's tune is a tune of mine called Hanging On. It's one of the songs on this CD I'm finishing up. </p>5:27samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/72102502023-05-16T18:43:16-05:002023-05-16T18:43:17-05:00What a Year I'm Having!<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! </p><p>Long time, no blog. So I'm writing one. This used to be a daily thing, but my other daily things seem to have crowded it out of the picture. Wordle, then Spelling Bee, then Lumosity- and by then I've pissed away roughly half my day. Maybe it's time to bring back the blogs, at least on a weekly basis. </p><p>This has been a hell of a year, and it's not even half over. In January, I had to see a Dermatologist about a mole on my forehead my regular Doctor was unsure of. That one was immediately dismissed as benign, but they found another one right on the top of my head that looked suspicious. </p><p>So a Biopsy was done, and then outpatient surgery to have it removed. And then a follow-up appointment telling me that it was all good. No Cancer. Some anxiety about the possibility of <i>having</i> Cancer, but no Cancer. </p><p>Also in January, I lost a shingle from my roof, and had some <i>serious</i> leakage. A couple of plastic wastebaskets were enough to contain it, but it's been stressful. Lots of rainy days and nights monitoring the water flow.. The sustained vigilance is what gets you the most- having to constantly be watching the levels on your wastebaskets... By dumb luck, I was able to get a good Roofer, so this situation is on the way out.</p><p>What was supposed to be the Trifecta in my Year of Shit was a Dentist appointment I had this afternoon. I thought they were going to pull some bridgework, which would've left a huge gaping hole in there. Instead, they cleaned. I think they gave me a worst-case-scenario just in case, but maybe didn't find enough decay to justify pulling the whole thing out of my mouth.</p><p>So these things have worked themselves out. Not without first taking a bite out of my ass, but still- a better resolution than I thought possible. Maybe I can get back to concentrating on the guitar. </p><p>Three gigs so far this year. Two of them were trio, and all three were fun. I don't have anything else lined up at the moment, but now that these situations have all been tended to, maybe I can see what kind of trouble I can get into. </p><p>This is already too much to read, so I'll ring off here for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Tuesday to you, whatever that means! Ich bin outa here for now. More later. PS Today's musical offering(which comes with every blog I write in here)is Toots Theileman's Bluesette, done in alternating keys: G and Bb. It's on my CD Jazz Guitar. Operators are standing by to take your order…<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/5f8d03dbc3ceb2253e5e6f90694847305fbf82d5/original/img-1931.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>2:14samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71996572023-04-28T22:50:28-05:002023-04-29T12:44:15-05:00News from Samland Part 1<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's been awhile since I've written up one of these. I still practice every day, as far as that goes. But the daily blog fell by the wayside as my morning rituals expanded to include Wordle and now Spelling Bee. </p><p><i><strong>Music news. </strong></i>At the moment, just practicing and learning new tunes. <i>Along Came Betty</i> is one I've just gotten under my fingers. <i>Airegin </i>is another. Learning new tunes is important. I fall into playing the same stuff myself, but try to push myself out of over-familiar territory every so often. </p><p>Mainly I just practice playing over this or that tune, with various objectives. I always work on rhythm, on my <i>time</i>, maintaining a relationship with the bass and drums. Sometimes just bass, sometimes just drums, and even a simple click track- but something generating a pulse. </p><p>These days I'm working on leaving more space. The best thing you can do for your time is to find out where <i>not</i> to play. It's harder to do than you might think. But it seems to solidify your time on the notes you do play. So, trying to be cognizant of this when I'm playing. </p><p>I've had three gigs this year. One was a fill-in gig with a band I used to be in, and the other two were trio gigs. I want to do more trio gigs. Hopefully more things will come up. I don't want to be working a lot, but would still like to do more of these threesomes. </p><p>My YouTube page is still going strong. Just got a new subscriber, which brings things up to a whopping 278. That's still a lot of people, as far as I'm concerned..</p><p>I love hearing from folks, and always fire something back at them. Not every day of guitar practice yields a video, much less a decent one, but I'm still able to keep it well-stocked. And I've got a few from a recent gig. Hopefully more gig tapes, but always something!</p><p>Sometimes, space allowing, I have a section in here called Domestic/Old Guy News. That news is actually a lot more interesting than this stuff. Maybe next blog, As ever, thanks for stopping in and reading. Much love . More later.<a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NobTU7gibGw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NobTU7gibGw</a><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/5f8d03dbc3ceb2253e5e6f90694847305fbf82d5/original/img-1931.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71909582023-04-15T11:57:08-05:002023-04-15T11:57:09-05:00Saturday<p>Good morning, whoever-reads-this! It's straight-up 11 in the a.m. I started to say another knocko day, but it's starting to cloud up. Well, it's another day, regardless of Mother Nature. Working on that first cup of coffee, and bringing the world into focus. </p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. I'm inspired, from the two back-to-back trio gigs I just had. Me bass and drums is my favorite way to fly. Hopefully I'll get a few more opportunities along this line. At this juncture, I don't have a regular group, but I do have some good people I can call. </p><p>In the past, I've always had my own group plus one group in which I was a sideman. I was a sideman for Frank Trompeter in a few of his groups; and with Dan Rivero and Wayne Carter. Also Ocean State, for whom I still sub from time to time. Sideman work is fine, but I do feel restricted after awhile. </p><p>My trio lost its long-time bassist in 2013, and finally faded away about two years later. So all my gigs from then on were on somebody else's show. I kept going, but it was like the bottom fell out. It messed with me more than I realized. </p><p>I had some bouts of insomnia which started about that time. Like a third of the population, I have this occasional problem. But it got hairier. With my Doctor's help, I was able to whittle those back down to maybe one a month. I figured, initially, that it was just part of being retired. Looking at it now, I can see that it had much more to do with the gig situation.</p><p>So I hope to do more trio gigs in the future, at least for my own mental health. I've been “thinking trio”, working on playing more chords in my solos, at least to outline the form. Many times I just forget to play chords at all, going off on melodic ideas. I did have a drummer complain once that I got too carried away playing lines. Thanks, <i><strong>Rich</strong></i>. I am now cognizant of that when I'm playing. Just for you, pal!</p><p>And that's all the news I've got for you for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/b1ff36d421a38c005954b6076014291dc44c3775/original/12122850-967450286649949-25796863537676818-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p> </p><p>PS Today's pic goes back a couple decades. Me, Steve Adleman and Gene Haas. I don't remember the name of the place, but Lou LaBonte ran it. PPS Today's tune is called Twitchin' in the Kitchen. It's from my album Oop Bop Sh'Bang. Me, guitar; Andy Burtschi, bass; Craig Russo, drums.</p>5:36samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71895392023-04-13T12:38:55-05:002023-04-13T12:38:55-05:00Thursday<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a beautiful sunny day here in the neighborhood. The kind of day you wish they could all be. Enjoying that third and last cup of coffee before I figure out today's plan of action--or lack thereof..</p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. As far as anything I can invite you to, I do have something in the works. That's all I know for the moment. Still enjoying the hell out of retirement, but I'm getting out of the house just a little bit more. </p><p>These last two weeks have each had a nice trio gig. Thanks again to all who came down to Boone's on the 31st. It's been some time since I had a regular working group, but I figure I can always get somebody to fill the bass and drum slots. </p><p>Actually, I have a long history of my own groups. Had a quartet from 1998 to 2005--first with a trio + female vocalist, and then trio with a saxophonist who could also sing; and a trio from 2005 until sometime in 2015. Each of those groups went from being <i>my</i> band to<i> our</i> band. That's the goal, to me, of any band I put together. </p><p>A musical relationship is not all that dissimilar to a regular interpersonal relationship. The chemistry still has to be there. And of course it doesn't happen with everybody. So that may or may not happen again for me. But I'll still get in there and have a good time..</p><p>Still having fun with the YouTube page. Currently up to 274 folks. If any of you are reading this, I <i>love</i> hearing from you! Your comments help keep me going, keep my morale up. They help keep me in the game. And thanks to these recent gigs, I actually have live stuff to share with you, as well as the endless array of home stuff. . And I have a few more to post. </p><p>And that's my news for the moment. P<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/5f8d03dbc3ceb2253e5e6f90694847305fbf82d5/original/img-1931.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />robably more than enough to read. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Thursday to you, whatever that means! For the moment, ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p>PS today's musical offering is something from the archives, back to the 80s. It's called Charles Manson Eyes.(I think that was the time period of the song Bette Davis Eyes).</p><p> </p><p> </p>6:47samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71870872023-04-10T11:16:28-05:002023-04-10T11:16:28-05:00un-manic Monday<p>Good morning, whoever-reads-this! Another beautiful day out there at 10:17 in the am. Another Sunday, as far as I'm concerned, even though the sign says Monday. There's a Day Care right across the alley from me, and I can hear the kids playing. All's right with the world--at least this little corner of it. </p><p>Today's pic is from a gig back in 2013. Gotta love the aerial view. Kevin Ellis, Jaro Howse, and me. It was my first gig as a “free man”, having just left my daygig of 22 years. Illinois Department of Employment Security, aka the unemployment office. It was supposed to be 23, but I'd had enough. The house was paid off, and I'd socked away a little money, so it was a good time to exeunt. </p><p>Still grateful as hell to have had a job to retire from, but enough is enough..</p><p>I hadn't seen these guys in ages. We'd done lots of gigs together over the years, and in various bands. A very nice reunion. Lots of talking in between the tunes, but nobody complained or anything. This was the lobby of PNC Bank downtown, a location which no longer exists(!) Many gigs over the years in that beautiful lobby. Gotta love all that marble..</p><p>. Lots of gigs when I first retired, 6 to 10 every month. Got burned out from the “excess busyness” and cut back, but got a nice niche going with the gigs I did play. Then COVID came along and blew everybody's plans. I had a great time in the home studio, but eventually got to missing working with other humans. I'm only human myself..</p><p>At this point, I'm starting to re-emerge. Had a trio gig on Friday the 31st, and another one this past Saturday. And I've got a possibility at The Pharmacy. There was somebody at the party on Saturday who does booking for that place. Supposed to get a call. Things are picking up. </p><p>Well that's all the news I can come up with for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/b58de00a46ae091bf32d3d2713f46c2d147674ad/original/me-kevin-and-jaro.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />5:58samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71866642023-04-09T10:18:58-05:002023-04-09T10:18:59-05:00Easter Sunday<p>Good morning, whoever-reads-this! It's about 9:45 in the am, 52 degrees at the moment. A beautiful day in the neighborhood. Working on that first cup of coffee, slowly bringing the world into focus. Screw carpe diem. I like to ease into my day. </p><p><i><strong>Music news</strong></i>. I've had a couple of gigs lately. Yesterday and last Friday. The picture is from the Friday gig, at Boone's. Jaro Howse, Ben Taylor, me, and Mark Russillo. I always open up that second set for a few folks to sit in. We also had John Coss sitting in on drums. </p><p>Yesterday's gig was at someone's house, between Spfld and Mechanicsburg. A birthday party for a friend. Musically, that was me and Ben and Nikola Djokic on drums. I couldn't pronounce his name, but now that I've had to spell it, I'll probably do better. Got some pictures from yesterday's event as well.</p><p>I brought my trusty digital camera with me for both gigs, and captured a handful of things from both. Quite a lot to go through last night. I've been wanting to put live stuff on my YouTube page for a good while now, and finally put my money where my mouth is. Or was..</p><p>So I posted three selections on the page, and have a few more to put up. I'll still be posting videos from here in the Music Laboratory, but hopefully more interspersed with music made with other humans. </p><p>I've been working a lot here at home, in the Lab, practicing with either a metronome or playalong recording. And I've made some progress, especially in the rhythm department. And I could hear that yesterday, playing with a real live rhythm section. Some progress made, still a few things that need work. </p><p>Nothing else on the books at the moment, but--to quote Ahnold--I'll be back. I think that's a line from The Terminator. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Easter Sunday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p>PS RIP, Julia Hoffman. Your struggles are over. </p><p> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/448ccc50ea27c8755198da4f1f3a1fa479c03a32/original/jaro-ben-sam-and-mark.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />3:30samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71823992023-04-01T11:28:23-05:002023-04-01T11:28:23-05:00April Fool's Day<p>Good morning, whoever-reads-this! It's 10:34 and a windy 39 degrees. </p><p>A fun gig last night at Boone's. I was tickled that people made it down, storm or no storm. It was pretty much over and done with by the time we we finished. Most of the things I'd practiced worked on stage. I taped a few numbers, thinking I might have some new stuff for my YouTube page. Well, maybe next time. But I still got a good idea of what worked and what didn't. Something to build on for next time..</p><p>I survived the deluge of last night, though some folks weren't so lucky. There was some damage just north of us, in Sherman. I've got a leak in my roof(yes, you could take that one of two ways!)which got some water of course, but it was all contained. I've got two wastebaskets to cover it and they were both full to capacity. Couldn't even lift them, so I had to drain part of the water into another container just to get it to the tub. </p><p>Got another gig a week from today, this one earlier hours and a <i>much quieter</i> place to play. Boone's is a very nice place, with friendly staff and great food, but it's<i> noisy</i>! So this one is for a birthday party at someone's house. I'll have the same bass player as last night, and a different drummer. I'll probably try to tape some of that, and I think I'm going to get better results. </p><p>In May, about the middle of the month, I'm having some Dental work done. May be out of commission for awhile as far as playing anywhere, but I'll still be kickin' it from my music room here at Crain Manor. This seems to be a year of changes, and I'm just trying to roll with them.</p><p>Well that's my news for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. More later. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/448ccc50ea27c8755198da4f1f3a1fa479c03a32/original/jaro-ben-sam-and-mark.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />5:34samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71776862023-03-23T23:01:52-05:002023-03-23T23:01:53-05:00Friday<p> Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's actually Thursday night, about 10, for what that's worth. </p><p><i><strong>Music news. </strong></i>I just got a very nice note on my YouTube page from someone in the Philippines. They're just getting started learning to play jazz on the guitar, and told me they were inspired by my playing. That, to me, is what it's all about. I'm honored. </p><p>The other news item I have is this new guitar. It's an Epiphone ES-335. I just ordered it from Musician's Friend, and should be getting it sometime on Monday. This body style agrees with me. Archtops are too big, and solidbodies are too small. Plus, I've always loved Sunburst, and wanted to have one of my favorite body styles along with my favorite coloring. </p><p> My guitar collection is tame compared to that of some players I know. The new guitar will make 10. But I've already got two other Epiphone guitars: a Casino in candy apple red and a sunburst Casino Coupe. I call the Coupe my <i>mighty mite</i> guitar, as it's a smaller body but has a pair of P90 pickups that pack a surprising punch. Still, the smaller body didn't fulfill my desire for Sunburst. So we have another addition to the family, due to arrive this Monday. </p><p>So I'll probably have it on my gig this next Friday. Looking forward to seeing whoever comes down to Booné's, as well as playing music with other humans. I can make my own fun here in the Music Lab, but only up to a point. </p><p> And I even have another gig a week after that, this one a private party. And the hours are perfect: Saturday afternoon, from 2 to about 4. Before COVID, I had a nice little niche going, playing various Nursing/Assisted Living gigs. Always mid-afternoon, and never more than an hour or two. And always with a very good saxophonist and bass player. </p><p>Staying in the game gets harder to do, getting older(and crabbier)and all But as long as there are mid-afternoon and Happy Hour gigs to be had, I'm still in there. Especially with this new axe. </p><p>Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. </p><p> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/70807d31904d1f5af20664c072bcd80d0fb9451d/original/my-new-guitar.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />5:13samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71749542023-03-20T11:38:43-05:002023-03-20T11:38:43-05:00Andere Montag(another Monday)<p>Good morning, whoever-reads-this! It's eleven o'clock and 34 degrees on this dreaded first day of the workweek. Yours truly got nine and a half hours of sleep last night. That's a rarity. I usually do around seven.</p><p>There is a qualitative difference, I've found, between seven, eight, and nine hours of sleep. Anything less than seven is a little more wired. Eight is more relaxed, and nine is practically invertebrate. Yesterday was a busy day, probably more befitting of a Monday, so I must've needed the sleep. </p><p>Anyway! <i><strong>Music news.</strong></i> As it turns out, I have <i>two</i> gigs coming up. The first is a week from this Friday at Boone's. 5:30-7:30, come on down! The second is a private party on April 8th. It's for some friends of mine. They have a beautiful house, between Spfld and Mechanicsburg, which will be a nice setting for a party. </p><p>I swore off background music gigs some time ago. The band always seemed to be placed smackdab in the middle, surrounded by people all talking at once. A grim experience for the folks trying to make music. Something I don't want to put up with anymore, as I get older and crabbier. </p><p>But if they put us in a corner someplace, it's a<i> wonderful </i>experience. They do their thing, we do ours. Plus, we usually get fed..I was able to negotiate this, so we should have a great time of things on April 8th. </p><p>I don't play out as much as I have in years past, but I still play every day here in the Music Lab. And I try to make up for my scarcity of gigs by having something online I can always invite you folks to. My You Tube page seems to serve that purpose. There are frequent posts, and it's always the best I can do. So it's like hearing the best tune of the night. </p><p>Well that's what I've got for you in the way of news. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/18602d5ed47974838883c134fc7d23695baf948b/original/1601319-10201550355823301-1378282304-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p>PS today's pic was taken at a Bassburg concert. Me, Mark Sanders and Rob Killam. The picture of intensity.</p><p> </p><p> </p>6:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71703242023-03-13T11:09:30-05:002023-03-13T11:09:30-05:00Montag<p>Good morning! 10:30 and 30 degrees at this juncture, a cold and windy Monday. Had to open the front door to put something in the mailbox, and that was enough Monday for me. </p><p>In July it'll be ten years since I've retired. All the days of the week kinda run together anymore, but I still remember Mondays. And I give thanks. All the shit I've taken off all those people--though more often just the same ones over and over--and for all those years.. It's just about worth it. I worked in the Unemployment Office, if you didn't know that. </p><p><i><strong>Music news.</strong></i> Friday, March 31st, I'll be at Boone's Saloon. Ben Taylor and Jaro Howse will be joining me, on bass and drums respectively. 5:30 to 7:30. Jazz standards and maybe an original or two. I always have CDs on hand, which I sell at gigs for a paltry $5 apiece, and there will be some folks sitting in sometime in the second set. Hope to see you there!</p><p>I had a recording project going that just kinda fell by the wayside. Might see about resurrecting it, put yet another album out there. Also another solo guitar album. 2023 seemed to start with a bang. Just getting around to some of these projects I'd promised myself I'd finish. </p><p>I've been listening to and playing some of the music of Wayne Shorter. I also listened to him on YouTube, talking for about an hour about music and philosophy and many other things. Very interesting guy. He was a long- time practitioner of Buddhism, specifically the NIchiren style. Nichiren was the name of a monk in 13th century Japan, who founded it. </p><p>Another musician turned him on to the practice of Buddhism: the great bassist Buster Williams. Herbie Hancock is also a Nichiren Buddhist, and has given lectures on the subject which you can find on YouTube. These guys are all getting older. Wayne Shorter was 89, Buster Williams is in his 80s, and Herbie Hancock will be 83 in about a month. </p><p><i><strong>Domestic/Old Guy News</strong></i>. Had two appointments this year with a Dermatologist, one to biopsy some stuff on the top of my head, and one to remove it. I had the stitches taken out this past Thursday, and was informed that there was no Cancer in the stuff they removed. Just a couple of rogue cells in there. I wasn't sweating it, but it was still nice to hear. </p><p>Well this went on a bit longer than I'd intended, but it's my news for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/@Picker286/videos">https://www.youtube.com/@Picker286/videos</a><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/5f8d03dbc3ceb2253e5e6f90694847305fbf82d5/original/img-1931.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71682302023-03-09T11:41:12-06:002023-03-09T11:41:12-06:00Wayne's World<p>Good morning, whoever-reads-this! It's 11:04 and a windy 40 degrees. Giving a weather report here before talking about the man who <i>founded</i> Weather Report. </p><p>I know Wayne Shorter more as composer than player. <i>Footprints</i> is probably his most widely played tune. <i>Fee Fi Fo</i> <i>Fum</i> and <i>El Gaucho</i> I've played on gigs here and there. HIs songs are harder to play mainly because the chords move in different ways. HIs ways of connecting the chords is often unusual, but there's always a connection.</p><p>I shied away from a few of his tunes because it was harder to sound good on them. They're often a tougher nut to crack. But after putting in some effort, they get easier. Shorter was not a cerebral writer, like Joe Henderson and even some of Herbie's stuff. I find his stuff fairly emotional, but it does have its own flavor. </p><p>So I've been re-learning a couple of his tunes, adapting them to the guitar. <i>Fee Fi Fo Fum</i> is still a bitch on guitar, but doable. <i>El Gaucho</i> I've been able to “cowboy up” and do, but there are still a couple changes that elude me. I've also fooled around with <i>Marie Antoinette</i>. She's somewhere in the cluttered confines of the music room. Once I find her, we'll pick up where we left off. </p><p>I think the reason his music resonates with me is that I was in dire need of some change in my diet. Maybe cut back on the Charlie Parker, and get some different harmonies going on. Wayne Shorter's music has helped pull me out of a slump I was in. </p><p>RIP Wayne Shorter. </p><p>PS Today's tune is one of my weirder creations. It's called Blanche and her Cheezball Friends. Hope you like it. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/696b2794233c046e7198eb74332f6cd40f968db3/original/wayneshorter-4-1.webp/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />2:23samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71663142023-03-06T17:08:56-06:002023-03-06T17:08:56-06:00Wessonality<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! This is the 100th anniversary of Wes Montgomery's birth. He died in 1968, just 45 years old. And he's been gone now for 55 years, longer than he'd been alive. </p><p>And I discovered him in 1969, a year after he died. Thinking of the Nietzsche quote that some men are born posthumously. It was certainly true in this case. Guitar on the Go was the album. It soon became <i>the</i> album. </p><p>What I liked best about Wes's playing were his single-note lines and his chord solos. The chord solos were particularly ingenious. I never took to the octave stuff, for some reason. That was of course his trademark after awhile. I tend to like his earliest stuff best. </p><p>I remember giving a lesson, several decades later, where I was admonishing my student to stay away from mannerisms. He threw in a couple of octave things while we were playing, which got him a fishy look from me. After we were done , he said, “I just did that to piss ya off!”</p><p>Which got a chuckle out of me. Waddya gonna do?</p><p>For a long time, I had a solid list of favorite jazz guitarists. My top five were Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Jim Hall, Jesse Van Ruller and Joshua Breakstone. Pat Martino also figured in there. Likewise Mike Stern and others. </p><p>These are still great players, but anymore I have a whole new list of favorites. If I had to pick a Top Five, it'd probably be Adam Rogers, Mike Moreno, Yostein Gulbrandsen, Sheryl Bailey and Charles Altura. All younger than me, some by quite a few years. </p><p>I'm currently learning a song by another jazz legend who's left us. Wayne Shorter. Fee-fi-fo-fum is the tune. I've played it as a sideman on many occasions. It's awkward on the guitar, but I'm hanging in there. Coming soon, I hope. </p><p>This is all I've got for you for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's not too much of a contradiction. Until next time, hasta la vista.</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/35d67aad255c9f4acd66fd0cf137abb6c305787b/original/wes-montgomery-photo-chuk-stewart-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" />5:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71646392023-03-03T13:47:05-06:002023-03-03T14:00:06-06:00Paradise Adjacent<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a rainy day here in Paradise Adjacent. Thinking of the old TV show<i> Son of the Beach, </i>which was set in a location called <i>Malibu Adjacent.</i> Right next door to where the real fun is. At least that's what today feels like. In Regular Paradise, I'm sure they're enjoying a perfect sunny day. </p><p><strong>Music stuff.</strong> I'll be playing at Boone's in a couple of weeks, on the 31st. Ben Taylor and Jaro Howse will be joining me. 5:30-7:30. Jazz standards and maybe an original or two. Sometime in the second set, I'll probably have a few folks sitting in. I look forward to seeing you there!</p><p>In other music news, still working the YouTube channel, as far as adding new content. I'm up to 253 subscribers at the moment. Always cool to hear from folks who enjoy the music. I did get a comment just today that I'm not sure I understand: <i>This guy's on the Epstein rollodex. </i></p><p>I'm just going to assume it's a positive remark, and move on from there. Thinking of one of our music professors at Peabody, who'd had his music played someplace in Italy, and overheard one of the musicians saying Tremende. He looked it up in his Italian-English dictionary later, and found out it meant <i>awful!</i> </p><p><strong>Domestic/Old Guy stuff.</strong> This year has started off with a bang. Problems with my roof, which is getting replaced this Spring sometime. Some <i>problem cells</i> on top of my head, which have been removed. Getting the stitches out this coming week. Plus a fractured front tooth, which has also been <i>removed</i>. Waiting on that new tooth, along with everything else..</p><p>Well good. I got all those woes condensed into a paragraph. Things could certainly be a lot worse, but that's the stuff I've got on my plate at the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this. Happy rainy Friday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. Until next time..<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/90bb7ee9f66741eecd6d10a69639875bd09e16d5/original/2020-02-08-182500.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p><yt-formatted-string>This guy's on the Epstein rolladex"</yt-formatted-string></p><p>PS The cover pic was taken in Las Vegas, sometime in 1986. PPS today's tune is called Blues on a Hot Fudge Sunday, and is from my CD Jazz Guitar. Operators are standing by to take your order!</p>3:34samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71601362023-02-24T12:07:50-06:002023-02-24T12:07:50-06:00Battlescar Galactica<p>Good morning! 11:33 and a breezy 27 degrees from where I'm sitting. It's been awhile since I've written one of these, so here goes: </p><p><i><strong>Domestic/Old Guy News</strong></i>. I just had surgery on a place on the top of my head that had a few ‘atypical’ cells. The surgery itself took maybe 20 minutes, but I was advised to take the rest of the day off. They had me bandaged to keep everything in place, which I kept on for the full 24 hours. Right down to the minute. Made a game of it..</p><p>I felt restricted as hell having that thing on. Is it just a coincidence that bandage and bondage are such similar words? I felt very liberated taking myself out of <i>bandage</i> just now..</p><p>So I go back and see them in two weeks. And then a 6 month checkup. All good. Just a part of getting older..</p><p><i><strong>Music News</strong></i>. Friday, March 31st at Boone's. 5:30-7:30. Ben Taylor on bass, Jaro Howse on drums, and yours truly on guitar. I'm using different people this time, which is no reflection on the guys who've been doing these with me. Just wanted some different energy. Looking forward to this, as I do all my gigs. Hope to see you there!</p><p>I think from here on in, I'm just going to use different people when I get something. Groups tend to form themselves, so it'll either happen or it won't. But I've got what is essentially my <i>book</i> of tunes, which should work with most anybody I hire. </p><p>Otherwise, just continuing to practice here in the Music Lab. And to make YouTube videos, when the spirit moves me--which is usually! And I haven't forgotten about doing another solo guitar album, one of the plans I had for this year. Just got sidetracked with some of this old guy stuff. </p><p>I was saddened to read on Facebook about a friend selling all his keyboard gear because of Arthritis issues. This friend is a good deal younger than myself, and should have more years left to play. Makes me that much more determined to make use of my hands while I've still got ém.</p><p>Anyway! Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! Recovering nicely from yesterday's activity. Another battle scar..</p><p>Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/44033bc5a5f38765c9d37369194fd16bd5e4a378/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-6.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p> </p>5:03samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71518602023-02-10T11:29:56-06:002023-02-10T12:25:14-06:00Friday<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Digging the mild Winter we're experiencing, at least so far. Half-waiting for that other shoe to drop, so to speak- a sucker punch from Mother Nature--but we're getting through February relatively unscathed..</p><p>It's been awhile since I've written one of these. It used to be a daily event. Usually a morning event, with the coffee. I've added Wordle to my morning rituals, so the blogs just got lost in the shuffle.</p><p> We have a small group on Facebook, all of whom check in at some point in the morning with their Wordle scores. It's wonderfully non-competitive. We all have our good days and our not-so-good days..</p><p> I also do the games on Lumosity. Those are more competitive but I'm competing against myself. Been doing this since 2015, so I'm competing with the me of 8 years ago, who usually kicks current me's ass…</p><p><i><strong>Music stuff</strong></i>. March 31st is still the next time I'm playing someplace. Boone's Saloon, from 5:30 to 7:30. Ben Taylor on bass; Jaro Howse on drums. Jazz standards and maybe a few originals. I'll have CDs on hand to sell for a paltry $5 apiece, as usual, and we'll probably have somebody or other sitting in sometime in the second set. It's <i>not </i>a jam session, but I do open things up if we have anybody<i> in the house</i>.. Hope to see you there!</p><p>Otherwise, just continuing to practice here in the Music Lab. Still trying to get better. Sometimes I just use a click track, but more often I'll use playalong recordings. I look at it as if I'm going on Test Missions. </p><p>Then I go back and listen. See what I did right--if anything--and what still needs work. Being my own worst critic, this can be a harrowing experience. But there are survivors. And those are the ones I share with you guys.</p><p>I try to post something to my YouTube channel pretty much every day. 240 subscribers at the moment, which still feels like a lot to me. .Just like in Lumosity, I'm competing against myself. Only this time I'm winning. Paltry successes, but I'll still take ém.</p><p>Okay, this is probably enough to read in one sitting. It's certainly enough to write. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! With that, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/443313/05290f3ba602668e3c071ed3886b1425faffe8b2/original/308036348-10159663097711311-6538877552876282405-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p>5:03samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71474752023-02-02T09:26:14-06:002023-02-02T09:26:15-06:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 8:47 and 26 degrees at the moment. A sunny Winter day. I'll take it- just as long as I don't have to get out<em> in </em>it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I have a gig on Friday, March 31st, at Boone's. Ben Taylor on bass and Jaro Howse on drums. </span></p>
<p>I'm using some different players this time, which is no reflection on the guys who've been doing these trio dates with me over the past couple years. Rob and Dave have done a great job. I just wanted some different energy.</p>
<p>Actually, my first attempt at filling this was going to be a drummerless trio with Rob and myself and Buddy Rogers. Rob works with me under duress, but he <em>loves </em>working with Buddy. (Me too, for that matter). We've done it before. Buddy was up for it, but is already working on that date, so I had to start over. </p>
<p>When I hire people, I tend to think in terms of how they're going to get along with one another--especially bass players and drummers. Ben and Jaro have worked together on several occasions, and there's good chemistry between them. So I think we'll have us some fun..</p>
<p><em><strong>Domestic/Old Guy news.</strong></em> I have an appointment on the 23rd with a Plastic Surgeon, to have an <em>early Melanoma</em> taken off the top of my noggin. Something they found when I went in on the 16th of last month. Might see if he can do something with the nose and jawline while I'm there. Not worried about this, but looking forward to having it in the rear-view mirror...</p>
<p>Otherwise, just continuing to enjoy my retired life. Speaking of which, it's about time for that second cup of coffee, so I'll ring off here. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Thursday to you! Ich bin outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/16a1f3a6a68d8ed550b938aec3d5ca63e847c343/original/2020-03-17-213534.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>4:04samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71457662023-01-30T11:58:55-06:002023-01-30T11:58:55-06:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 11:07 and a <em>bone-crushing </em>16 degrees. Well maybe not bone-crushing---that would be 16 <em>below</em>--but still colder than I might like. Heading into the second half of Winter. So far so good. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Easing into 2023. An almost-gig back on the 8th- which consisted of waiting around for the employer for about an hour. I did get paid for my trouble, which was cool but not necessary. It was a bandleader I hadn't worked with in quite some time. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Some nice catching up in that hour, but also a reminder that they have a snarky side to them--one I'd do well to avoid. And so it goes with people you've known for several decades. In all that time, they've probably said and done some very nice things on your behalf. But they've probably also pissed you off on more than a few occasions. So you don't condemn them, but just lower your dosage..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As I get older, and have to take more medications, I tend to view people in that way.. Some make you feel better, some make you feel worse. So you try and keep the nutrients, but get rid of the toxins. And so it goes...</span></p>
<p>On a more positive note, I have a gig coming up. Friday, March 31st, at Boone's. 5:30- 7:30. Me and a bass player and drummer. Jazz standards and maybe an original or two. And I'll have CDs on hand, which I always sell for half-price at gigs. Hope to see you there!</p>
<p>Still continuing to practice, and make videos. Working from home is<em> not</em> the same as playing with other musicians. Obviously, you don't have the interaction. But you can still work on things like <em>time</em>, and <em>sound</em>, and <em>phrasing</em>. I'm thinking about all those things when I make videos. I suppose they're like Test Missions. </p>
<p>Anyway, that's my story for now. On the 23rd of this coming month, I go see a Plastic Surgeon about an early melanoma on top of my noggin. Might see if they can make me better-looking while they're at it. The Dermatologist I saw back on the 16th of this month is too busy, so they're farming me out. At least it's right here in town. It's just one of those things we oldsters have to go through...</p>
<p>Okay. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. Ich bin outa here. More later. PS today's tune is from my album Jazz Guitar. It's called Autumn Gets Up and Leaves. Hope you like it. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/7e2a966cf2e33ef1421a58b969fca26ffb0b5e64/original/img-1251.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p> </p>3:30samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71442392023-01-26T21:50:49-06:002023-01-26T21:50:49-06:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Greetings, whoever-reads-this! About 9:10 in the pm, starting to wind down for the night. It's been a week since I've written anything in here, so we're overdue. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I have a gig on Friday, March 31st, at Boone's. Two other people will be joining me on bass and drums. Just got the contracts in the mail today, so this is hot off the presses. We</span>'ll be playing some of that jazz music, and I'll have CDs on hand, which I always sell at half-price--still an inflation-busting $5 apiece. Hope to see you there!</p>
<p>Still keeping the YouTube page alive. The videos come from my practice sessions, so it all depends. Sometimes I've got a winner or two, other times it all goes in the cyber-trash. And there are still other days when I don't self-record at all, but just go to work with my brutally honest friend Mr. Metronome. But it's still going, and I even put up a new one here on the homepage. </p>
<p><em><strong>Domestic/Old Guy News</strong></em>. This is my year for repairs. The front porch got a much-needed facelift, and the roof is getting an even more sorely needed replacement this Spring. I've also gone from one back to two working johns here in the house, Still feels like a luxury. </p>
<p>On the old guy front, my visit to the Dermatologist last week revealed an Atypical Conjunctive something or other, which translates in Layman's terms as an early Melanoma. I go see someone in about four weeks--right here in town-- and arrange to have it removed. Then there are follow-up visits every 6 months for at least awhile into the year. Another old guy rite of passage...</p>
<p>So with this news, things are settling back down. I've been waiting over a week for those medical results, so it's been tough to really get going on anything. Back to the guitar, and more musicmaking. </p>
<p>And that's what I've got in the way of news. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Thursday to you, or whenever you read this! Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/02d1f7218c0c3f2d164afe4bf85e9af2c806187a/original/1379851-10200871571814125-1176721633-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>5:02samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71403542023-01-19T13:11:06-06:002023-01-19T13:11:06-06:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Greetings, whoever-reads-this! A cloudy Winter day out there. Cloudy days are my Kryptonite. Trying to make it a nicer day in here. So here's some news:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">On Monday I had an appointment with a Dermatologist. My regular Doctor wanted them to look at a lesion on my forehead. No problem there, but they did find something on the tip of my nose, which they zapped off. I now have a red spot on my nose. Maybe they can zap that off as well. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">They also found something on the top of my head from which they took a sample.. Waiting on those results, which they should have sometime next week. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">"What if you find something?" "We'll cut it out. " That was encouraging...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So 2023 is off and running. On the musical end of things, an almost-gig back on the 8th of this month. The employer never showed up to let us in. Otherwise, still hanging in there from here in the Music Lab. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">There are some musicians here in town I haven't worked with in ages. I'm not really on the scene, but have subbed here and there, and am seeing more of these stab-from-the-past folks. Most of the time, it's a joyous reunion. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">On a few occasions, though, I'm reminded why I haven't worked with them in ages. And I swear--and probably not for the first time--never again. I try to do this peaceably. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As I get older, I tend to view people as medications. So if I have a problem with somebody, I Just lower my dosage . Sometimes a full-on ThatPerson-ectomy is necessary, but usually just lowering their amperage works..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway! I just had to sound off there.. Most of my encounters with other musicians are good ones. And with that, thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy gloomyass Winter Thursday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/b7a1641f0d85ed8e11e442cc10bc30f79c10a32c/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"> </span></p>2:16samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71386552023-01-16T19:25:43-06:002023-01-16T19:25:44-06:00 Monday Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:45 and 46 degrees on this wet n' unwild Monday. Happy Martin Luther King Day!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I had a medical appointment this morning with Springfield Clinic. Dermatology. They took a look at a couple places on my head, and biopsied one of them. I'll know something in about a week. Ahh, the joys of getting older...But if there <em>is</em> something amiss, at least it's fixable. I went through all that with them, as far as <em>my options</em>..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As far as music news, I'm just getting back to it. Had to get through today's adventure first. Still amazed at how little time all this actually took. . Half an hour later, I'm back home- with some pamphlets and some stuff to put on the top of my head where they did the cutting. So we'll see what gives. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">7:11 and 50 degrees. A nice low-key day, after the brief morning excitement. Not much else to say, but we'll just try it all again tomorrow. And maybe later tonight, if I get ambitious enough. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/f4f80ea3bc3f14180b33db41ea47ae2917b34949/original/2020-04-02-130448.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
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<p> </p>3:30samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71375532023-01-13T10:53:07-06:002023-01-16T11:22:32-06:00Friday the 13th<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:03 and 27 degrees at the moment. Who the $%$ ordered the goddamned snow, anyway?! Mother Nature has been toying with us this Winter. The snow will be gone in a couple days. February may be a different story, but that's aways down the road. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">RIP Jeff Beck. He was an artist. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Always liked his playing- through the Yardbirds, and his various groups. Beck, Bogart and Appice was a favorite. And of course his most recent group with Tal Wilkenfeld on bass. I don't remember where Tim Bogart came from, but Carmine Appice was in the band Vanilla Fudge. You Keep Me Hangin' On was one of their hits. Testing my memory a bit here.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Another favorite album of his was Wired. Jan Hammer has some nice moments on there as well. I remember having the King Crimson album Discipline, which I traded for it. "I'll trade you Wired for Discipline". A short pause, as we both realized that was a great name for something or other..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Wired for Discipline.. Actually, that would make a great band name. Probably for a Thrash Metal band..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Back to my own thrilling life. Heading into the new year in a good way. I don't have any gigs to share at the moment--I do have one in the works for Boone's, but no date yet--but I'm still doing a lot of playing here at Crain Manor. </span></p>
<p>YouTube is still alive and well. Still getting new subscribers, and some wonderful comments. With the guitar, I always feel like I'm just starting to get it. Even after all this time. In July, it'll be 57 years. I think the beauty of it is that you're always<em> in the process </em>of mastering it. </p>
<p>So that's what I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading Happy Friday the 13th, for what that's worth! Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/eb9349394b0c05888488ddb5fdf46447a19a83a8/original/12190018-507961222715728-968029675638865159-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken at The Alamo in 2013 or 2014. Mark McKnight, Rob Killam and me.</p>6:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71351692023-01-09T09:38:17-06:002023-01-09T09:39:21-06:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 9:03 and 28 degrees on this Winter Monday. Back in working days, a Winter Monday was a double whammy. Monday by itself in the Unemployment Office was already like a Minnesota Winter, regardless of the actual Season. . No, scratch that. A <em>North Dakota</em> Winter. But once you got Monday out of the way, the rest of the week was usually downhill from there..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I don't think much about those days anymore. In June it'll be ten years. But I do think about it on Monday morning. Well, for a minute or two...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Musical news.</strong></em> An almost gig yesterday, at Indigo. Flute/saxophones, guitar and Vibraphone. Our employer never showed up to let us in. Just a tad bit too cold to stand around outside, so we waited in our cars. Still, I didn't begrudge the time. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Except for the cold, it was at least a nice hang. The flute/saxophone guy and I have known each other for over 40 years. Hadn't seen him in ages, so there was some catching up to do. And I got to meet a new musician, Matthew something-or-other. Nice guy.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As I've said before, gigs are social events. So the nice conversation yesterday was at least half the battle..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I ended up having a great day on the guitar back here in the Lab. Recorded a bunch of things with my digital camera, of which a few survived. So there should be some new stuff on the YouTube page. Continuing to get new subscribers, which is still a huge kick. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Overnight success after 56 years of trying!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Well this is probably more than enough to read. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible! For now, I'm outa this place. More later. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">PS today's pic was taken at Lime Street. Kevin Hart, me, Kevin Ellis, and Don Cochran. Or at least Don's drums. Virgil Rhodes was also sitting in. I was trying to find a pic with him in it. He is the flute/saxophone guy from yesterday's almost-gig. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/9c23e9518dae75321c27cd757344d97b9c0be8fc/original/2020-02-08-181705.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>5:13samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71328202023-01-04T17:23:48-06:002023-01-04T17:25:41-06:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's been awhile since I've written one of these. So here's some news.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music-type news</strong></em>. I have a gig this coming Sunday at Indigo, which is a fancy restaurant in the Parkway Pointe area. 12:30 to 1:30, and some good players. Should be a fun hour. Even if it isn't, it's just an hour. Can't lose either way..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And I submitted a couple dates to the Arts Council as far as something at Boone's for their Friday Night Jazz. So sooner or later, I'll have a gig of my own to invite you to. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The YouTube page is still alive and well. I try and post something every couple of days. Still practicing, trying to get better. Sometimes my practice routine just involves me and my brutally honest friend Mr. Metronome. Most of the time, though, <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e53a85ac696eb6589b59453db7e14a7970301466/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-7.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" />I use playalongs, which is where the material for my page comes from. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As far as the domestic front, just moving further into Geezerhood. I'll be 69 this year.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This has been a good day. Happiness is getting your lab results the day after your 6 month checkup, and having <em>those critical numbers</em> going down instead of up. Having given up burgers and pizza and beer and all things high-carb, I'm glad there's something to show for it! What I'm doing, in all this abstinence, is working. At least somewhat...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So that's my story for right now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Wednesday to you! With that, ich bin outa here. More later. </span></p>5:03samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71310192022-12-31T22:30:47-06:002022-12-31T22:30:47-06:00Happy New Year!<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/950d4b451e2b0c7b083eea94f33ed263bec33f6c/original/img-1612.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>This is the only calendar I could find at Walgreen's today, as we proceed into the new year. Good thing they had one in my sign!</p>
<p>We're just about two hours from the Blessed Event, and the fireworks have already started. We'll get another blast at midnight. </p>
<p>I played last night at Boone's, for their last Friday night of the year. Wasn't sure who all would be there, but was pleasantly surprised.</p>
<p>We had a full house on stage. Trumpet, saxophone, two guitars, bass and drums- and some folks sitting in. When musicians are in attendance at someone else's gig, they're usually there to play. With a few folks I know, it's almost an unwritten Law. </p>
<p>I had a great time socializing with a few people on our break, and after the gig. Like I've said before, gigs are largely social events to me. I'm there to talk to people as well as play for them. </p>
<p>And the following day, I usually hole up, recharging my batteries. Today has been spent exercising, practicing and watching episodes of The Sopranos. And not talking to anyone. </p>
<p>As far as any gigs for 2023, I've put in my bid for a date at Boone's. Made three selections, and will get one of them. It'll be in the Spring. Unfortunately, the Friday night things and Artist-on-the-Plaza gigs are mutually exclusive. You can only do one or the other. So I'll see you at Boone's. And probably someplace else. </p>
<p>And always online. Keeping the YouTube page well-stocked, as best I can. Like many folks, I'm my own worst critic as far as listening back to my own performances. So there's a lot of stuff on the cutting room floor, but something or other usually survives..</p>
<p>So here we are 90 minutes until midnight. Time to wrap this up. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Wishing the best 2023 for my family and friends out there. To quote one of my favorite blues singers, much love. For now, ich bin outa here. See ya next year.</p>
<p> </p>5:58samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71294302022-12-28T12:40:50-06:002022-12-31T21:40:52-06:00Charley-horse Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Greetings, whoever-reads-this! Just a shade after noon here in the middle of the week. Still nursing the morning coffee, as well as a charley-horse. Just below my back on the right side. Yes, I know- a charley-horse is most often associated with the legs. But it still applies here..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I get it in that same location every time. Happened yesterday, just from bending the "wrong" way. It was giving me some real backtalk as I woke up this morning, but has subsided. Advil, time, and perspective..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">One saving grace in getting older is that much of the stuff that happens to you has already made an appearance- and thus a<em> dis</em>appearance. Still a pain in the ass--or hip, as the case may be--but one you've been through before. This too shall pass...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">There's a drummer I work with here and there who's a great one to talk to about anything health-related. He's a veteran of just about every medical procedure you can think of, and then some! And he has put me at ease on at least one occasion I can recall. No names, but he actually reads my blogs once in a while and would certainly recognize himself here. Plus, he keeps a pretty good beat..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Well I think I've segued back into music here. I'm working this Friday at Boone's, 5:30 to 7:30, with my old buddy Rob Killam and a few other folks. It should be a pretty varied setlist, with some R & B as well as jazz. Hope to see you there!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And that's my news for the moment. Old guy news mixed with music. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Wednesday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e465b4f1f5e79ddb56dc29c3eef90b78b6873a9c/original/1597737-10201978086707951-391665820-o.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
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<p> </p>4:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71286342022-12-26T13:31:10-06:002022-12-26T13:31:11-06:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's the day after Christmas. Enjoying the slightly warmer temperature, and coming out of hibernation- at least enough to run an errand. Technically, my hibernation ends mid-week. Wednesday is a Christmas dinner, and Friday is a gig at Boone's. My social calendar for the week.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">On Friday I'll be with the Rob Killam Experience. Vocals/guitar, me on guitar, Rob on bass, keys and drums. 5:30 to 7:30. Jazz and some other stuff. Hope to see you there!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The list of dates for 2023 should be out sometime this week. From there, I'll have a Boone's gig to invite you to. Figuring sometime in the Spring. </span></p>
<p>I'm still practicing most every day. There were a couple days this month where home repairs took precedence over my woodshedding, but I'm back at it. Still trying to keep my YouTube page well-stocked, so there's usually something up there to listen to. </p>
<p>Anyway, December 30th I'll be at Boone's. And sometime this next year, hopefully in the Spring. And I can always be found on my YouTube page, as well as here at Sam Central. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy un-manic Monday to you! Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/18602d5ed47974838883c134fc7d23695baf948b/original/1601319-10201550355823301-1378282304-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken some years ago downtown during a Bassburg concert. From left to right: me, Mark Sanders, Rob Killam. Today's tune is the title track of my album Oop Bop Sh'Bang. Me, guitar; Andy Burtschi, bass; Craig Russo, drums. </p>
<p> </p>4:38samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71262892022-12-21T10:14:36-06:002022-12-21T10:14:37-06:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:38 and 25 degrees at the moment. Thinking of the Chicago song Approaching Storm. That's what we've got going here in the middle of the State in the middle of the Country. I think Kansas would actually be smackdab in the middle, but we're close enough. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Our Winters aren't the kind they have in, say, Buffalo New York or Minneapolis, where it stays bitter cold the whole time. It usually gets that way for a couple days and then normalizes. So my Winters are a series of mini-hibernations. Preparing for one right now, as a matter of fact..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I've just recently had some work done on this place. Had the porch raised up to level height, and latticework put back in, plus some work on the roof. For me, it was great having people around. They kept me pretty busy as well. My cat didn't fare as well with all this hubbub. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">She's still camped out in the living room. Still freaked out from all the commotion. She usually roams the whole house, but she's severely limited her orbit. I think if we just get a couple quiet days in a row, she'll get herself back to nermal. She's making more attempts to get up the stairs, which is a good sign. My neurotic cat...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Unfortunately, I don't have music news at the moment. With this recent wave of activity around here, the guitar has fallen by the wayside. Still getting in some maintenance work- scales and arpeggios and like that- but no inspired cuts. So I'll have to get back on the stick here.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I do have a job a week from Friday at Boone's. Rob Killam, Stuart Smith, me, and a few other folks. it's Rob's gig. I'm pretty sure we'll have some better weather, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Such is life at the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this mess. Happy Hump Day to you, however you choose to celebrate it! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/02d1f7218c0c3f2d164afe4bf85e9af2c806187a/original/1379851-10200871571814125-1176721633-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's pic is from one of those Artist'-on-the-Plaza gigs. Mr Cool in his shades...</p>3:34samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71239472022-12-16T09:44:54-06:002022-12-17T08:18:02-06:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 9:08 and 30 degrees at the moment. I'm hearing the word snow a little more than I might like, but what the hell. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This has been quite a week here at Crain Manor. Home repairs, starting with the front porch. It's now level, and the latticework is back in place. There's a pretty good leak in the roof, but we found where it comes in. Two strategically placed wastebaskets catch most of it. Worst case scenario was a couple days ago, when it rained nonstop. Somehow survived that, so...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My friends are planning on putting something in there to block it so I don't get everything Mother Nature dishes out. In the Spring, I'll be getting a whole new roof. For now, I've got it covered. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My dining room still has scaffolding and a big ladder, which pretty much takes over the whole room. The folks helping me thought we'd have to take all the plaster down from the ceiling. Not the case, fortunately, but I still have all this stuff in my dining room. Not too concerned with it myself, but I think all these changes have messed with my cat. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Cindy has camped out in the living room. Somebody left their coat, which is spread over the sofa as her bed. She's just fine holding her ground in the middle of the house, all happy and purring away. But I can't get her to come upstairs. A skittishness sets in, and she heads back down to what I guess is her point of safety. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I'm figuring this will pass, especially after getting all this equipment out of the dining room. There has been a lot more hubbub around here than she's used to seeing. We don't ordinarily get people traipsing in and out. It's just taking her some more time getting back to normal. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The guitar has taken a back seat this week, but I'm back at it. I should have something or other to put up on YouTube sooner or later. And I'll be hitting it today. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So that's my news for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Friday to you, snow or no snow. I'm outa here., More later. PS I don't know when this cover photo was taken, but it was certainly in the dead of Winter. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/68428d0b4208a0674c6805885d4d38304152bba6/original/img-0009.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>1:56samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71221462022-12-13T10:39:53-06:002022-12-13T10:39:53-06:00Om Mani Padme Home<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:45 and 45 degrees. Right angle temperatures. Yes, I'm writing this with the morning coffee. The body has been up since about 8:30, but it takes my mind a bit longer..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I have a job on December 30th at Boone's. 5:30 to 7:30. Jazz and whatever. Hope to see you there!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">It's someone else's gig. These days I'm trying to concentrate on my<em> own </em>groups and projects, but I do make a few exceptions. Ocean State can usually get me to pinch-hit for them, and Rob Killam(who booked this thing on the 30th)is someone who's helped me over the years. He's been my bass player enough times that I can be his guitar player when needed. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I did send a note to Sheila with the Arts Council, as far as lining up another Sam Gig. She's sending out an email with available dates later this month. So I will soon have a gig of my own to invite you to. Also hoping to do an Artist-on-the-Plaza thing this coming year. An hour of solo guitar. I'm always wrecked afterwards, but it's fun..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Domestic/Old Guy news</strong></em>. Getting some things fixed that I should've done long ago, but better late than never. My front porch is looking a lot better, with a much-needed facelift and some new latticework.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As far as the interior of the house, some problems there as well. Plumbing problems. But I have somebody to attend to that as well. I was elated seeing my porch repaired. Having two working bathrooms will probably send me into a state of rapture. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So that's my news across the board. Things are looking up as we head toward another year. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! I'm outa here. More later. PS today's tune is from my album Uncharted Waters. Hope you like it. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/34ad8729eac02d574a3e6a1363bb522e2d150425/original/img-1548.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
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<p> </p>4:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71215912022-12-12T10:07:40-06:002022-12-12T10:07:40-06:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning Vietnam! It's 9:12 and 33 degrees. Winter is icumen soon. It's hit both sides of the country, and will make its way mid-westward before long. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">At least it's just a couple months. There is a lady I met some years ago who is from Russia, near the Bering Strait. She told me they have about 7 months of Winter every year. For her, this stuff we're going through probably seems like small potatoes. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I have one job at the end of the month. Friday, December 30th, at Boone's. 5:30 to 7:30. It's Rob Killam's gig. Rob is a bass player I've worked with quite a lot over the years. Sometimes we're fellow sidemen, sometimes it's my gig, and sometimes it's Rob's. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">When I'm calling the shots, it's a trio or maybe quartet. We play standards, but avoid the war-horse stuff like Satin Doll and Girl from Ipanema. When Rob is at the helm, it's a bigger group, and the material is more eclectic. So I'll be a little more crowded than I'd like, and I'll be playing some stuff I wouldn't call. Still, it's just two hours, and should be fun once I get there...</span></p>
<p>I'd still like to get my own trio going. What I'd really like is to get my own trio going and have it become <em>our </em>band. I can get people to do the jobs with me, but haven't had the chemistry- or the willingness to put more work into it. So I'm re-thinking all this. Maybe a solution to this is to have my own book of tunes, and hire out a bass player and drummer. </p>
<p>The YouTube page is alive and well, with 219 subscribers. Still trying to practice most every day, and often taping part of my session. I'm getting some nice comments, and from folks all over the globe- Serbia, The Philippines, and Czech Republic so far. It's a good thing. </p>
<p>I try to keep these posts short and sweet, so it's probably time to ring off. The only other news I have is domestic stuff. Having some long-needed work done on my house. Maybe more on this in another post. For now, thanks for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. Je suis outa here. More later. PS today's pic was taken at Bassburg, an annual event celebrating all those lower-frequency folks who make the music sound good. From left to right: me, Mark Sanders and Rob Killam. PPS today's tune is from my album Jazz Guitar. It has a kind of Western Swing feel to it. Hope you like it. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/a428059ef8adbcc31413a4c0d4ca129cd9975f62/original/1601319-10201550355823301-1378282304-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>3:34samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71210042022-12-10T10:01:56-06:002022-12-10T10:01:57-06:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:18 and 41 degrees at the moment. Another Edgar Allen Poe day goin' on out there. A pluviophile's delight. A pluviophile is someone who actually <em>likes</em> this shit. Revels in the darkness. To me, it's Kryptonite. Mind over matter on these funky pre-Winter days.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music News</strong></em>. I actually have something on the calendar. Friday, December 30th, I'll be at Boone's with the Rob Killam Experience. Rob is a bass player I've worked with quite a lot over the years. Lots of duo gigs, a number of trio affairs, and the occasional Rob gig. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As far as the gigs we prefer, we're at cross purposes. Rob likes bigger groups, and I favor smaller ones. So there will be more folks on the stand than I would've hired. Noisy and crowded- my favorite! But it's five minutes from the house, and I haven't worked with Rob in 6 months or so. And most of these gigs are fun once you get there..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And it's something I can invite people to. I don't do a lot outside the house anymore, but I still take the occasional gig. It gets me out of the house, at least for those few hours. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">If I do re-emerge in any real way, it'll be with a trio. I can assemble people as far as that goes, but haven't been able to get a group going. It's been my experience that bands basically create themselves- but you've got to have the right chemistry. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In other music news, i have one more recording to get out before the end of the year. It's another of those smooth/fusion hybrid jobbers, with some nice songs and plenty of guitar shenanigans. With this one, I feel like I'm coming to the end of a phase that was brought on by COVID. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Lots of solo projects in these last couple of years. I'm really getting the itch to bring some more people into these recordings. So I hope to bring you another trio CD at some point in the near future. Next up is a solo guitar album- but I'm at least getting out of the house to record it!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Well this is probably more than enough to read. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Saturday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. PS today's pic is another crowded gig. Hate crowds but love the people. Johnnie Owens, Mark Russillo, Ben Taylor, me and Frank Parker. PPS today's tune is from my album Tele-ology. Jazz on a Fender Telecaster guitar. Operators are standing by to take your order. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/03e9557c02f807c290855793d4064f7976399b37/original/72948599-10156801993508137-7540533846610018304-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
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<p> </p>5:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71198242022-12-08T09:45:52-06:002022-12-08T09:45:52-06:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:01 and 40 degrees on this gloomy Thursday. These cloudy days are my Kryptonite. But at least it's not freezing. This is the time I do my<em> attitude adjustment</em>, only with coffee instead of Corona. Okay, I do add in another substance, in small doses. </span></p>
<p>I was reminded yesterday of an old expression of my Dad's. <em>Never get into a piss-fight with a skunk.</em> Being from a rural area of the state, he had some backwoods wisdom he'd lay on you when the time was right. <em> </em>This is my second-favorite of his various sayings.</p>
<p>My page on Facebook is usually apolitical. Music, art, old cars, B. Kliban cartoons, unique words. I follow the news, but hardly ever put it on my page. On those occasions when I have something pertaining to current events, I get <em>conservative backlash</em>. Nothing major, just a couple comments. </p>
<p>It was a meme about Herschel Walker. Since he lost the election, he can always fall back on his career in Law Enforcement. The two people who commented are friends, one of them an old friend. Waddya gonna do?</p>
<p>I could've argued with them, but chose not to. It would've just gotten heated. They already know I disagree with them. Best left unsaid. Thanks Dad...</p>
<p>Actually, I have less of a problem with Herschel than I do the people who put him there. It's disingenuous putting someone in a job you know they're going to fail at. Herschel Walker just doesn't have the horsepower between the ears to be a Senator. You do have to know something.. Never mind the moral turpitude of paying for abortions while claiming to be Pro-Life. He just ain't got it. </p>
<p>Anyway! A rare serious post by me. I'll try not to let it happen again.. But thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! For now, I'm outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/9f148067a470857c413a363c97f730f78a7952f3/original/img-0796.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p> </p><p> </p>4:18samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71185992022-12-06T10:42:07-06:002022-12-06T10:42:08-06:00Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:37 and 42 degrees. Another cloudyass day here in Paradise Adjacent. Thinking of the TV show Hero of the Beach, which took place in Malibu Adjacent. Funny stuff. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I like to write these posts as I'm still in the process of waking up. On that first cup of coffee. My mind tends to free-associate a little more, so you sometimes have these wonderful digressions..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I've got an album I've been kinda working on for awhile, trying various combinations of songs. And I'm kinda working on it right now, in my head. The last two tunes in the album are all set. I've just gotta figure out the rest of it. These albums pretty much write themselves, as far as what goes where. Sometimes the art is in staying out of my own way. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This will be album #50, and probably the last one-man-band project for a good while. I do have another solo guitar album in the works, but that will be done at someone else's studio. Working with someone else. More as this develops. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I hope to be back at Boone's again some damn time or other. Eventually I'll get an email from the Arts Council with available dates. It's time to make another appearance. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Not much else to report. I had a lot of fun last Friday subbing with Ocean State. They seem to need me just often enough to keep things interesting. We joked that I'm kinda like the fifth Beatle..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Okay. Skimpy as it may be, that's my news for today. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Tuesday to you! For now, ich bin outa this place. Wordle and Lumosity are comin' up next. Give this old brain its daily workout. Later for now..<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/1d36adc5317a179b93a04857379764e47f582c99/original/167793-1606653328776-8152324-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's pic was taken at One East Market in Taylorville. January 2011. Playing with Bob Katt and the Missing Lynx. PPS today's tune is going to be on an album of mine very soon. Hope you like it. </p>5:27samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71164412022-12-03T09:22:45-06:002022-12-03T09:22:45-06:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 8:31 and a bone-rattling 24 degrees. A cold, sunny day. I'm a certified--or certifiable--Cold Weather Wuss, but I'd still take a cold, sunny day over a warmer but cloudier one. Got that first cup of coffee going, easing into the day. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I played a gig last night! It was at Anchors Away, with Ocean State. A last-minute affair. I got the call yesterday afternoon. Last-minute stuff is anathema to me, especially as I get older and crabbier. But given who was on the gig, I knew I'd have fun once I got there. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So I've played four gigs this year with Ocean State. And two with José Gobbo. One of my own, and another as a sideman. That adds up to eight. At the beginning of my retirement, back in 2013, I used to do that many gigs in a month. I've really cut back, but I'm still in there. </span></p>
<p>I retired from the world of work almost 10 years ago. But music is something you never really retire from. In that sense,<em> this thing of ours</em> is a bit like the Mafia. You're in for life.</p>
<p>Okay, I was channeling The Sopranos for a minute in there. Better stated: making music, either here in the cloistered confines of the Music Lab or with other folks, is a <em>need</em>. Gotta do it.</p>
<p>Still nothing on the calendar, but I should be coming up in the rotation for another Boone's gig. I'll be back one way or another- just not as often(hey, I'm old!). In the meantime, still keeping the YouTube page well-stocked. </p>
<p>Nothing more to say at the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/a4cbccd63327ad6fadcfff01d157aecfcdf97bd1/original/47574338-2314529221950453-4863333714282676224-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken at Arlington's . Ocean State with some different personnel. Mark Russillo, Frank Parker, me, Ben Taylor and Lou Humphrey. PPS today's tune is from an album of mine called Near-Miracle on 33rd Street. All jazz, all original. This one is based on Charlie Parker's Confirmation, hence the name. </p>4:29samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71146292022-12-01T10:04:54-06:002022-12-01T10:04:54-06:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:13 and 23 degrees at the moment on this first day of December.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Today is Woody Allen's birthday. My Mom couldn't stand him, but I was a fan. I could relate to the neurotic character he portrayed, the Epsilon Male full of fears and insecurities. Even had a bit of the hypochondria that seemed to be his trademark. And as far as all the stuff he's been charged with, it doesn't affect my opinion of his movies one iota. HIs only responsibility to me is to make entertaining movies-<em>-if</em> I've paid to see them. </span></p>
<p>I don't get up on a soapbox very often in here, but every so often something triggers it. Lord knows, we have enough damned issues going on right now..</p>
<p><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> Bad news first. The Gibson SG I borrowed has some big-time problems. The jack is messed up, so it's tough to get that just right. And the pots all need cleaning. So it's back in the case, ready to Return to Sender. </p>
<p>The rest of the news is all good. Still hammering away at my new Epiphone Coupe- the little sunburst guitar. And even doing a few hammer-<em>ons</em>. And still taping most of my practice sessions. Sometimes they all end up on the cutting room floor, but I get a few winners in there. And those are the ones I post on YouTube. </p>
<p>As far as any recording projects, I've got one I need to get around to finishing. I'm getting tired of the one-man-band stuff, though this stuff did save my ass during COVID. So I've got one more of those smooth/fusion things to share. Some pretty songs. </p>
<p>After that, I've got a straight-ahead jazz project that just needs some adjustment as far as levels. Two of the cuts even have other people on them. I have someone who's helped me with this stuff in the past, having a much more high-tech studio than mine. </p>
<p>So that's my news for now. Always something brewing here in the Lab. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Thursday to you! Ich bin outa here for now. Wordle and Lumosity beckon. Later. PS Today's tune goes back to the late 80s. Wrote it during married years. The wife thought it sounded like porno music, and gave it its title. Thanks, dear...<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e6ef2131c0d917437eb87b0a6748b1b985d32414/original/2021-artist-on-plaza.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>2:16samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71133782022-11-29T18:15:27-06:002022-11-29T18:15:28-06:00Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Greetings, whoever-reads-this! 5:23 in the pm. Already been dark an hour or so. Well, the days will get longer again--eventually. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Domestic/Old Guy News.</strong></em> This old house of mine had an adventure this last Saturday. A rainstorm brought about a leak in the dining room. Just as I was getting ready for bed, about midnight. It was quite a mess, but the good news is that it's now actually cleaner than it was before the rain.. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">There are a series of fixes needed on this place, but it looks like they're all doable. To my great relief..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I'm fortunate to have a friend who knows of this stuff. He was able to diagnose the problem(s). Some of this will require some work on my part, but that's just fine. This is someone I've known since about 1966 or so--played in a band together at the ages of 12 and 13, respectively---and his wife almost that long. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">That's awhile.. I always leave with something under my arm, and this time it was a guitar. A Gibson SG. I remember having one of these in High School. Which finally brings us to: </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music News.</strong></em> Still practicing, and playing most every day. I try and post something to YouTube at least every day or two. Also to share some of my recorded stuff on Facebook. Working more from here in the Lab but still trying to keep the lines of communication open. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And I'm still planning on making a solo guitar album this next year. Which means a Release Party of some kind. Haven't done one of those in years. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway! I like to blog most every day as well. Finally got one written, such as it is. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Later for now..<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/5c4eaa8fd02ed6d8bd2d70b51cc66edfb624f096/original/317322369-10222991547839701-4903022075653680323-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>5:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71103122022-11-25T10:58:57-06:002022-11-25T10:58:57-06:00Blackened Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:18 and 38 degrees at the moment on this Black Friday. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Hope everyone reading this--both of you--had a nice Thanksgiving. Mine was just fine. I've had Thanksgivings with a packed house--mainly in the kid years-- and a few alone. The ideal, at least for me, is a handful of folks. This is what I had going yesterday. Great food, good conversations and a few laughs in there. I couldn't ask for more..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My brother had one of those solo Thanksgivings. But he called me to make sure I didn't have to have one. Gotta give credit where it's due here. My brother and I get on each other's nerves after awhile, but he's got my back. And I've got his. Your basic sibling relationship..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Black Friday has always sounded evil to me, like some sort of Satanic Ritual. But black in this case refers to profitability. In the black, as it were. I don't understand the mentality of Black Friday, the compulsion to get that Great Deal--which is not often advertised honesty as far as the actual inventory. But then there are a lot of mentalities these days that baffle me..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Still spending a lot of time with the new guitar. This coming year I'm going to do another solo guitar album. It'll be the second such album for me. The first was done back in 2007. So it's about time for the sequel. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Eventually I'll come around in the rotation for Boone's, and assemble the troops for another go. We played there this past May. I tried to get another rehearsal going, but we went through a heat wave that zapped everyone's motivation. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">That's all future news. In the present moment, I'm still making videos from my practice sessions. Some days everything is on the cutting room floor, and other days I have at least a couple of winners. More to come on YouTube. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway! It's now 39 degrees and the sun is out. These posts take a cup of coffee to write. Time for cup #2--out of a possible 3 and change. Lumosity and Wordle await. So thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you, however you choose to spend it! Later, y'all..<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/90af08253089636dd032d813694994f6d48b7adc/original/12010485-10153318852488019-8861205707719306598-o.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's pic is an earlier incarnation of Ocean State. Me, guitar; Lou Humphrey, percussion; Mark Russillo, harmonica and vocals. </p>2:33samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71081552022-11-22T11:10:08-06:002022-11-22T11:10:08-06:00Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 10:16 and 46 degrees at the moment. Looks like we're having another round of Indian Summer. Nursing that first cup of coffee and bringing the world into focus. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> Still enjoying my new guitar. Thinking of the classic Pacino line from Scarface: let me introduce to to my<em> leetle frien'</em>. Among my various guitars, there's the instrument dubbed the Huge guitar, and a host of medium-sized 335-style instruments, and then some smaller solidbodies like my Telecaster, and then this little minx- which will probably get called the Little Guitar. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The YouTube page is doing fine. I've even got some more to add to it. I don't get out nearly as much as I did when I first retired, so I try and make up for that by having a well-stocked page online. So I'm still playing for an audience. I even hear from some folks about my posts. It's a good thing. </span></p>
<p>Working from home is going great, but I still need to make music with other humans. So I sub with Ocean State, and occasionally get a trio date. I'm looking forward to another Boone's gig with my better two-thirds, and maybe another Artist-on-the-Plaza thing.</p>
<p>Well those are the major headlines. Looking forward to a nice Thanksgiving dinner two days from now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you, if that makes any sense! Onward and upward for me here: that second cup of coffee, and lumosity/wordle. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/7e2a966cf2e33ef1421a58b969fca26ffb0b5e64/original/img-1251.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p> </p>5:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71066952022-11-20T10:17:42-06:002022-11-20T10:17:43-06:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:08 and 23 degrees at the moment. Supposed to be up to 38 today- 6 degrees warmer than yesterday. . Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer still. Another round of Indian Summer before it gets truly cold. Fine by me. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Starting to get back to normal after Thursday's experience. There were no surprises(except for one surprise visitor), but it still shook me up. Just a little more self-conscious--but relieved--that I'm being watched over.. Good to get some perspective though. The world is a crazy place at the moment. Any kinda handle you can get on it is a good thing. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> It's been awhile since I've made music with other folks, and I'm starting to get the itch. I had gigs in January, February, April, May and August of this year. Feels like it's about time to do another something or other, even if it's just someone coming over to play. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I work pretty well as a solo act, here in the Music Laboratory. It's peaceful. No crowd noise. And no egos to deal with except my own. But every so often I need to have other people around, egos notwithstanding. So this will take care of itself, most likely..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In the meantime, I try to keep my YouTube page well-stocked. Up to 210 subscribers. Sometimes they send me a note about one of the things I post. I always write back. It's a good thing. Except for occasional trips out of the house, that's my audience these days. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So that's my news for the moment. I have yet another album to send out there pending a few re-mixes, and will be making another solo guitar album in this coming year. Still an active musician, even though I'm pretty much retired..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. Lumosity and Wordle await. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/8ed4ca74d69bb8a41d7d152ee67a197e8e464d16/original/943679-10200464426315742-387665283-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's pic is the old Sam Crain trio with Bill Schlipf and Don Cochran. It was my favorite of the various bands I've led. </p>
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<p> </p>5:18samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71055112022-11-18T10:32:52-06:002022-11-18T10:32:52-06:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:47 and 24 degrees are our current stats. Another cloudy pre-Winter day. Grateful to be old and retired on this day, meaning I don't have to get out in it. Sometimes you have to count your blessings, even if the count only reaches one or two..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Yesterday was a big day for me. I had a reading. It was done on ZOOM. Supposed to have happened in October, but I didn't have the right stuff on my computer as far as a camera and mic. Fortunately I was able to get in just a month later. Everything came through loud and clear, thanks to a Webcam I bought at Best Buy. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I'm still digesting everything that happened in the reading. Mom and Dad and my paternal Grandmother were all there, as well as a friend who died of a heart attack. And there was a Henry which I first thought to be my ex-Father-in-Law. At the very end of the day, I realized who Henry was. Henry Miles! I hadn't thought of him because I never thought of him in this context. I was thinking family.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Then again, the musical community is very much family. I've rubbed elbows with some of these characters just like they were kith and kin.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The tone was a lot more serious than I expected. They told me I'm stuck. I'm still working on that one. But they're very much with me. I kinda figured they were around, and it's nice to get a confirmation on that. I'm not crazy. Well, at least not in that way...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The Medium who did all this is someone I found on YouTube, of all places. He just seemed more sincere, and didn't have all the answers(I would distrust someone who claims to). He asked some pretty probing questions, to which I didn't really have answers. So he wanted not to charge me for this session but to book another one in January. In the meantime, he asked me to come up with some questions for them. I said sure.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Well damn! I guess this is my post for today. Again, not sure I'd want to post this on Facebook, but here it is on the site. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! For now, I'm outa here. Lumosity and Wordle are next up. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/ada7a5088fbc3454e69be9009bcfd9acc7029bfc/original/279082575-10221829714074583-3989442234379717529-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>1:56samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71045042022-11-17T12:29:04-06:002022-11-17T12:29:04-06:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 11:54 and 36 degrees here in Podunk Ellinoise. There is a Podunk in the US, It's in Connecticut. Probably a lot more expensive than this one. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This is going to be one of those posts I don't share to Facebook. And no, it isn't about Trump. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Earlier this morning I did something I've always been curious about. I had a reading with a Medium.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Ever since my Dad's passing back in 1992, I've been aware that <em>something</em> goes on afterwards. HIs departure seemed to open a door to all that. Certain other folks have come through as well. The reading confirmed a lot of things I wondered weren't just figments of my imagination---which is over-active to begin with. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Both parents, my paternal Grandmother, and one friend who died at 31 were my visitors. All people whose presence I've felt over the years. </span></p>
<p>I'm blown away by this. It's<em> not</em> just my imagination. The Medium wants to not charge me for this one but schedule a second reading in January, at which time I should have some questions. I said sure. </p>
<p>So I'll think on it. In the meantime, I'm just going to enjoy this day. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Thursday to you! More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/2e9838aa91033b1d25d451fca6bc326ff73b863a/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71026792022-11-15T10:22:59-06:002022-11-16T11:04:39-06:00Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:34 and 34 degrees at the moment. We're getting snow- in the middle of November! It's coming down as I speak. This is the time of year to live in Florida or Arizona. It's not the time of year to live in Minnesota or Wisconsin- or Illinois! But here we are..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I'm on a roll. Making some progress on the guitar. I go through slumps, where nothing seem to work and I just get my fingers caught up in the strings. And then I'll have a period where everything works. After 56 years of being a guitar player, I understand these fluctuations and try to just roll with them.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">One thing I've heard actors remark on in interviews is all the struggle that preceded their Big Break. . Burt Reynolds called it overnight success after 20 years of trying. When I listen back to something I did that works, I'm proud of it- but I also remember all the abortive attempts that preceded it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This coming year, I'm gonna make another solo guitar CD. Did one back in 2007, and have been meaning to do another one for some time now. So much of my practicing these days is geared toward that project. I'll be working with another guitar player who's been a friend since High School. Looking forward to the hang as well as the musicmaking. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I hope to do another Boone's gig at some time or other- and hopefully not in the dead of Winter. Also another Artist-on-the-Plaza thing. An hour of solo guitar always wears me out, but I have a great time playing and visiting with folks. I'm a Hermit these days, but not a <em>complete</em> one. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So there's some news for you. Past, present and future. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! Time now for that second cup of coffee, as well as Lumosity and Wordle. I'm tickled that we seem to have a Wordle Club going on Facebook. In my last years at IDES, I introduced the natives to Sudoku, and we had a similar club going. Anyway! Later for now. PS today's pic goes back a number of years. Taken at St John''s during Halloween. Dennis Darling on the piano, me on the guitar. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/dcf6d510cb8b8bf39397d140318d19864428bc49/original/2020-02-08-181333.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>5:03samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71018742022-11-14T09:51:15-06:002022-11-14T09:51:15-06:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 8:50 and 30 degrees at the present moment. If I had someplace to go, I'd have to scrape the ice off my windshield. An early Winter. The only saving grace is that by the time <em>real</em> Winter gets here, we're all broken in. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> Still putting in time with the new guitar. That sounds like I'm playing golf- and engaging in rhythmic putting. Keeping time with the guitar. Ah, the English language! But seriously, folks. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I have stepped up the practicing these days, even getting in some time at the very end of the day. Had to quit last night due to some soreness in my hands. Nothing major, just a gentle reminder to put the guitar away for the night. I've never had hand problems, and hope I never do. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">There are times to hold ém and times to fold ém. I think the problems arise when you <em>don't</em> listen to your body. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My YouTube page is continuing to grow. Up to 202 subscribers at the moment. And I've gotten some very nice comments, which I always respond to. It's gotten me to step up the practicing, something I need to be careful not to overdo lest I get the aforementioned hand troubles.. But it's definitely a good thing.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The tapes I make are really more of a practice tool. I go back and listen to identify any problems. If everything feels good, I share it. But I still think about an audience when I make them. These folks I hear from <em>are </em>my audience. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In the way of gigs, though, I hope to do another trio thing at Boone's and another solo thing downtown. Hopefully the Boone's thing won't happen in the dead of Winter. We shall see..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I started to veer off in the direction of current events, but caught myself. Maybe the post after this one, which I'll just keep here on the website. So thanks for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you if that's possible! I'm outa here. On to Lumosity and Wordle. Later..<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/02d1f7218c0c3f2d164afe4bf85e9af2c806187a/original/1379851-10200871571814125-1176721633-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
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<p> </p>3:30samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71013802022-11-13T09:58:29-06:002022-11-13T09:58:29-06:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! Currently 9:13 and 31 degrees, At least the sun's out today. Kinda starting to adjust to these new temps. Building up that callous, so to speak. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I'm a cold weather wuss, I'll admit it. To some, Winter means sledding and skiing and maybe even ice-fishing. All that rugged outdoor shit.. To me, it means extra layers of clothing and strategically placed space heaters. I do like seeing the first snowfall, but after that, you can pack it up and take it out of here. Bah humbug!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I now have 200 subscribers to my YouTube page! This is something I've been growing for awhile. The original intent was to tape various gigs, but it's never quite worked out that way. There are a few, but it's mostly just me in front of the camera- either solo or with playalong recordings. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I still want to get more group things on my page, but I think it creates a nice intimacy with just me and my guitar. Trying to remember to shave before I do them, so I don't look homeless. To the casual observer, it might seem as if I'm some old gump doing this for a hot meal..</span></p>
<p>Anyway! Such is life at the moment. Working on that first cup of coffee and bringing the world into focus. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this. Happy Sunday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. Wordle and Lumosity await. Later.. PS Today's pic goes back in time. New Year's Eve in Jacksonville with the Muzik Maker Band. From left to right: Bob Smith, me, Steve Fowler, Steve Dykema, Evans Brittin. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/3362e530707d9e91187a4362112e94cdd111036a/original/1897887-10201803309466984-51404813-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>2:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71009322022-11-12T10:07:19-06:002022-11-12T10:07:19-06:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:17 and 31 degrees(!) are our current stats. A dark, shitty day. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Existential news</strong></em>. Indian Summer left us yesterday , with a 40 degree drop in temperature. We had a fluctuation like that a couple months ago, and it took a couple days for my body to adjust. 3 days of chills. Got the chills again last night about 9, but had more of a this-too-shall-pass attitude. I was able to thaw out easier this time.. Except for bathing, I think the longjohns--or <em>thermal dermis,</em> as I call them--will stay on until Spring. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In other old guy news, I'm still missing a front tooth. Called my Dentist, and was told that we need to give it a couple months to fully heal. That's fine. There's no pain. I just have to go around a little longer looking like a jack o'lantern.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Yesterday's post was more political, so I didn't share it to Facebook. I make no bones about my opinion of Trump and his minions, but I have friends on both sides of the Great Divide, and thus try and keep my page nice and non-partisan. Once in awhile, though, I just have to get all this stuff off my chest. The media just bombards you with it. When that happens, you can read it here..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Still spending a lot of time with my new guitar. I'm planning on making another solo guitar album this coming year, at Dennis Neff's home studio. We go back all the way to High School, and have kept in touch over the years. I think we'll have a very nice time. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Not much else to lay on you in the way of news. Still just doing whatever it is that I do. Sometimes no news is good news. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Saturday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. On to Wordle and Lumosity. Later..<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/1f8ac2eff37f0444d21ec7b594ac14f09450c174/original/samanddave1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's pic goes back all the way to 2006. Me with my old buddy Dave Hoffman. PPS today's tune is from my album Sonorities. It's called Beez Neez, because the guitar tone sounds like a bee. At least to me...</p>
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<p> </p>5:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/71003042022-11-11T10:57:46-06:002022-11-11T10:57:46-06:00Happy Veterans Day<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:56 and 38 degrees are our current stats. Bye-bye Indian Summer. It's usually after Thanksgiving that the weather starts to suck. Well I'm sure it <em>already</em> sucks in a few places due north of here. So I'm counting my blessings. Not too many to count, but...</span></p>
<p><em><strong>Regular news.</strong></em> I'm glad to see the midterms ov<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/2e9838aa91033b1d25d451fca6bc326ff73b863a/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" />er and mostly done with. And I'm really glad to see Republicans starting to turn away from Trump. Even though he still has what was described as a <em>stranglehold </em>on about 30% of the country. He loves the poorly educated(or at least what they can do for him), and they love him right back. The <em>hoi polloi</em> vote. Moron pwoer! Okay, I'll stop.</p>
<p>But his 4 years in office were a travesty from beginning to end. One embarrassment or disaster after another. I don't dig the guy, to put it mildly. But he did get me to start paying more attention to this stuff. Everybody has at least one redeemable quality, and I guess that's his. Just like Hitler gave us the Autobahn.</p>
<p>Okay! Rant over. Most of my life, at least up to now, has been blissfully apolitical. A little bit weird seeing myself opining about this stuff. But it's better--actually healthier--to be engaged in what's going on, happy or not. </p>
<p><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Still spending a lot of time with this new guitar. I have a bunch of videos to post. Looking forward to sharing them with you guys. </p>
<p>Well, the news was pretty lopsided today, but sometimes you need to vent. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it all. Happy Veterans Day! This day is really about them. For now, ich bin outa here. More later. PS today's tune is from a collection of electronic pieces called <em>12 Twisted Tales of 2020.</em> Like this post, it was stuff I had to get out of my system. </p>
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<p> </p>2:17samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70993592022-11-10T09:30:33-06:002022-11-10T09:30:33-06:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 8:49 and 63 degrees at the moment. Can't beat Indian Summer. It's my favorite season-within-a-season. Easing into the day with that first cup of coffee.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Lots of shedding these days. Ah, another bit of musician lingo for you. Shedding means practicing. It's short for woodshedding. Ever since I got that new guitar, I haven't been able to keep my hands off her. We have our little trysts at various points in the day, and then right before bedtime.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I'm planning to do a solo guitar album in this coming year. As far as when to begin, that depends on what kind of Winter we get. I'm doing this one at someone else's studio. A trip out of the house that's not to the grocery store or the Pharmacy or the Dispensary. I figure it's a start...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And I've been recording some solo pieces. Waltz for Debby, Here's that Rainy Day, Turn Out the Stars. And I have a solo guitar/organ trio thing going on Have You Met Miss Jones. They're going up on my YouTube page, one every couple days. Now up to a whopping 195 folks. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Nothing on the books, but I figure I'll come up eventually in the rotation for Boone's. Hopefully not in the dead of Winter, but that might just be our fate. Me and the two people I bring with me.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And there's the Artist-on-the-Plaza series, which I missed last year but hope to be on for this coming one. An hour of solo guitar which always wears my ass out, but is usually a fun hour of music. And usually a nice interaction with the crowd. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I'm mostly online anymore as a musician, but I do get out and make an occasional appearance. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So that'll do it for this post. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Thursday to you! Ich bin outa here. On to Wordle and Lumosity. More later. PS today's tune is from my album Tele-ology. Operators are standing by to take your order...<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/b7a1641f0d85ed8e11e442cc10bc30f79c10a32c/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>5:08samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70982452022-11-08T17:47:49-06:002022-11-08T17:47:49-06:00Election Day<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/8b551a26d9851b4ca74762f941eaab76921192aa/original/img-1371.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, about 4:43 in the pm, a breezy 56 degrees. </p>
<p>As well as <em><strong>casting my vote</strong></em>, I had lunch at a new Mexican restaurant with some friends, discussing the various ills of the world over copious amounts of food. </p>
<p>One look at my meal, and I knew about half of it was going in a Go Box. This will be at least my next meal and a half..</p>
<p><em>Morolean Tropical</em>. On Wabash Avenue, just past the curve. A little Mom n' Pop shop. As long as they're good, I tend to prefer these places to their more corporate counterparts. </p>
<p>As far as any musical news, it's still happening right here in the Laboratory. I'm living a paradoxical existence, being pretty much retired from any kind of work but still practicing every day and working on recordings and so forth. Then again, if it's in you, music isn't really something you retire from--maybe like the Mafia... Your method of doing it may change, but you're still gonna find a way. </p>
<p>Okay, that's all I've got for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Tuesday to you! I'm outa here. More later. </p>3:34samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70966322022-11-06T09:18:54-06:002022-11-06T09:18:55-06:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 8:27 and 47 degrees at the moment. Another nice day We had a little bit of everything yesterday in the way of weather. Curious to see if today follows suit. Life in the Central Plains- gotta love it! Just glad I don't live in the <em>Northern</em> Plains, where you'd see an even wider swath.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This is normally too early for me by at least an hour... Good old Daylight Savings Time. We "give back" that hour come the Spring, but for now I'll take it.</span></p>
<p>Seems like it's been forever since I posted anything. To those who check in and actually <em>read </em>this stuff, sorry about that. Actually, I started to write on a couple occasions, but they never made it out of draft status. So here goes something or other. </p>
<p><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I have an album put together of all straight-ahead jazz, which I'm hoping to release sometime soon. It even has a couple of guest artists. Mostly vintage, but with a few newer things in there as well.</p>
<p>Gotta get all the tracks equalized as far as levels first though. There's a little too much variance as it is. Kinda like the weather in the Plains States.. The only thing I have on my computer is something called a Levelator, which is more designed for <em>spoken</em> presentations. So I'll have to go see someone who has the capabilities to even out the cuts. Coming soon!</p>
<p>I also have some plans to make a solo guitar album, which will also be done at someone else's studio. This, like the straight-ahead album, will be available as a CD. I've had this in mind for years, so I have plenty of material. So I'll get going on that in this coming year. We'll just have to see what we get for Winter as far as when I get started.</p>
<p>The YouTube page is alive and well, and now up to a whopping 193 subscribers. One of my newest subscribers is a young guy in maybe his 20s who's working on jazz guitar. He posts stuff like Sunny and Blue Bossa. He had one subscriber, so I was able to double that for him. We help each other..</p>
<p>Well that's all the news I've got for you for now. Everything else is old guy news. And the news in general, which is pretty crazy with MIdterm Mania going on, and the clowncar of candidates. So thanks for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. Wordle and Lumosity await. Later for now.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/cb17b69b1a1e39db23ea924f289291b5ef124fab/original/new-guitar-too.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>3:30samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70930172022-11-01T10:24:38-05:002022-11-03T11:22:18-05:00Tuesday Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:40 and 51 degrees at the moment. Another stretch of sunny days. Works for me. I've got my morning coffee going here, easing into the day. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I've been getting some nice comments on the YouTube page, and from some different spots around the globe. Someone from Serbia and someone from The Philippines were kind enough to write to me. It's more attention than I'm used to getting. I'm thrilled, and a little bit blown away. </span></p>
<p>Making music is something I love doing. I'd do it--and I have done it--even if nobody's listening, but I'm tickled to have my little following on YouTube. Overnight success after 50 years of trying...</p>
<p>I'm going to be doing another solo guitar album in this coming year. This one will be an actual CD, as opposed to all the downloads I've been making. So I've been working on some of the tunes I'll be playing. A bit more mainstream than you might expect from me: stuff like Autumn Leaves and Blue Moon. </p>
<p>The first solo guitar album I did was back in 2007. It's called <em>Solo Jazz Guitar</em>. Mostly standards, with a few originals. It's turned out to be the most successful of any of my recordings, and by quite a margin. Maybe this new one will follow suit. Time will tell. </p>
<p>Anyway, I guess that's all I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Happy Tuesday to you! For now, this one's moving on. Wordle and Lumosity are next up. And more coffee. Later for now..<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e53a85ac696eb6589b59453db7e14a7970301466/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-7.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>3:06samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70921992022-10-31T10:36:44-05:002022-10-31T10:36:44-05:00Happy Halloween!<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:51 and 54 degrees are our current stats. Another rainy day. Hope the kids have a good time tonight with their trick-or-treating. As a former kid, I remember it fondly. </span></p>
<p>As a grown-up, I once dressed up as Alan Alda playing Hawkeye Pierce. Okay, i don't have the height, but I did have the bathrobe and cowboy hat- and a tape of laughter that I'd play after anything I said. It got funnier(at least to me)as the evening wore on. </p>
<p>I think Alan Alda is probably a nice guy in real life, but he does get on the preachy side. These were the MASH years.. I remember playing a gig on the night of the last episode. It was also the Romany Club years. </p>
<p>KIm's Romany Club was a little downtown dive that featured live music. Not a good patch for me.. Springfield was really getting on my nerves. I think I'd had enough of the gossip and backbiting, and the little<em> in groups</em>. I went on the road with a band. Music <em>Therapy</em>...Left at the end of '84 and came back in the Spring of 1986<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/1956000af27ebd6943c9a5fc278c7d4f76abee82/original/halloween.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>I got married in '87, and had two ïnstant kids". This is one of them, in the picture. His name is Todd, and he now has kids of his own. Probably taking them trick-or-treating tonight.</p>
<p>HIs Mom and I went our ways in '94 or so, but I still keep in touch with the kids. </p>
<p><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Same old same old. Still playing my new guitar. I have been getting more subscribers to my YouTube page, and am up to a whopping 190 folks. I'll probably be putting up something or other today. </p>
<p>Not much of a post today. More sizzle than steak. Thanks for stopping in and reading. Happy Halloween to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later,. </p>
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<p> </p>5:08samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70917182022-10-30T10:13:44-05:002022-10-30T10:13:45-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 9:16 and 52 degrees at the moment. A rainy day after a string of sunny ones. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">A thoughtful post this morning on Facebook from an old friend, all about advancing on your instrument. He talked in terms of levels, like Intermediate and High Intermediate. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Most folks just settle into Amateur status, playing for themselves and their friends. Those who take it more seriously end up at an Intermediate or High Intermediate level- with some degree of mastery. But most of us don't reach that top stratum. it's a much steeper hill to climb.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I would consider an Advanced player one for whom playing has become effortless. In my 56 years as a guitarist, I've met very few individuals- on any instrument, not just guitar- who have attained that kind of mastery. I'm still working on it myself...</span></p>
<p>Anyway. First and foremost, this stuff is <em><strong>FUN</strong></em>. That's why I do it. Well, that and to get chicks..</p>
<p>Not much of a post today. I hope to have something new to share with you as far as my YouTube page. Still spending a lot of time with my new guitar, even getting a practice session in at the very end of my day- 11:30 or so until midnight.</p>
<p>Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! Ich bin outa this place. Lumosity and Wordle await. More later. PS today's tune is a thing I called Pickin' n'Grimacing. Hope you like it. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/cb17b69b1a1e39db23ea924f289291b5ef124fab/original/new-guitar-too.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p> </p>3:45samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70913692022-10-29T15:41:05-05:002022-10-29T15:41:05-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:45 and 45 degrees at the moment. Got that first cup of coffee going, easing on in to the day ahead. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Today is an exercise day, so about 40 minutes of it will be spent working various body parts. Earlier in my retirement I worked out with weights, but have wussed down to calisthenics. Everything still gets worked: legs, shoulders, arms- and the gut. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Actually, every day is an exercise day of some sort. I spend mornings doing Lumosity and Wordle, which both exercise the mind. And I spend afternoons and evenings on the guitar. I've even been getting in some playing at the very end of my day, from about 11:30 until midnight. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I remember wanting like crazy to get out from under the structure, the<em> tyranny,</em> of the 37.5 hour workweek. To free myself. If anything, my life is probably <em>more </em>structured now than it was back in the working years. But it's all self-imposed, so it doesn't feel oppressive. Funny how that works. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I have yet another album to release. I know you've heard that one before.. After a string of fusion/smooth records, this one gets back to straight-ahead jazz. And it even has a couple of guest artists on there. The volume of the individual cuts varies somewhat, so I'll have to run it past somebody who has those capabilities in their studios. Coming soon!</span></p>
<p><a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjVSsUMZ_YLwlMYVjeKx7pQ/videos">YouTube</a> is still alive and well. I wanted to have more live things on there, but it seems to be working just the way it is. Live from the music room. Jam tapes. I'm continuing to get new subscribers, despite the lack of live stuff, so I'll just keep doing what I'm doing- but still with an eye towards getting other folks on here with me. </p>
<p>3:34 and 65 degrees. Just got in my exercise. 38 minutes this time, from stem to stern. Not much more to say, so I'll wrap things up here. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! And that'll do it for me until next time. Later.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/2e9838aa91033b1d25d451fca6bc326ff73b863a/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p> </p>1:56samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70906732022-10-28T09:48:42-05:002022-10-29T15:30:45-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 8:49 and 40 degrees are our current stats. Another bright sunny day. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Folks , I've written an <em><strong>INSANE</strong></em> amount of music. That's neither good nor bad, it just is. Going in last night to finish up a project I've had going for awhile, only to uncover another one I never got around to finishing. Plus some other stuff that might just go somewhere.. A bottomless pit of backlog..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I'm still set to do a solo album this coming year. Doing it at a friend's studio. It's something we've talked about for years, and is also something that gets me out of the house. As far as a start date, that depends on how nasty a Winter we get. But this is the plan for 2023. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The project I uncovered is all straight-ahead jazz stuff. My old buddy David Hoffman is on two of the selections and my Dad is on one as well. Dave and I did a lot of collaborating over the years. I'm on his album <em>Sat Chit Ananda- a</em> <em>Thought Away</em>, and he's on my album <a contents="Jammin' with Sam" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ll004mjIrIGbZPV_TPNdb2OoD0KzInjMI">Jammin' with Sam</a>. </span></p>
<p>At this stage of the game, Dad's been gone since '92, and Dave is pretty much retired. Neuropathy in his hands makes it impossible to play piano, and much more difficult to play trumpet. That occurred to me last night, that these were the last we're going to hear from these two. So the album takes on more meaning. Plus I haven't done anything straight-ahead in awhile.</p>
<p>As for me, I'm in that gray area of semi-retirement. Still able-bodied, but much more sensitive to noise and crowds. That's the stuff I'm retired from. Yet I still want to communicate, to share what I do. So I post a lot on my YouTube page, and make albums. And occasionally leave the house to make an appearance someplace or other..</p>
<p>Well that's all the news I can come up with for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! For now, I've got a trifecta to enjoy: Wordle, Lumosity, and a second cup of coffee. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/16a1f3a6a68d8ed550b938aec3d5ca63e847c343/original/2020-03-17-213534.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic goes back to the 80s. Sebastian's on 5th St. Tim Green on piano, Jeff Magby on drums, me on guitar. An Ibanez Artstar was my guitar at the time. </p>6:12samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70898182022-10-27T10:49:43-05:002022-10-27T10:49:43-05:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:03 and 45 degrees at the moment. A nice sunny day on tap. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My new guitar and I are still in our Velcro Period. That's how my ex-wife described our early days. Not much adhesion at the end, but we did have a lot of stickum at first. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I don't name my instruments, but whatever her name is, I can't keep my hands off her. Even doing a bit of playing at the very end of the day. And I've got a growing number of videos to post sometime or other. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This coming year I'm planning on doing another solo guitar album. And actually leaving the house to do it. I did one back in 2007, at Michael Taylor's studio in Pawnee, and it's ended up being my best seller. I don't even promote it anymore because it seems to get all the attention. Been planning a sequel for some time now, so it's nice to see this coming to fruition. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I think I'll have a slight commute for this new one as well. Dennis Neff is who I'll be working with, and I think he lives in Dawson. Like Michael Taylor, another old friend and fellow picker. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">There are times for holing up here in the Music Lab, and there are times for getting out. I've done enough one-man-band projects, especially in the last couple of years- the COVID years.. So this is still technically a solo project, but I'll at least be working with someone else. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway, that's my news for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Thursday to you! For now, I'm outa this place. Lumosity and Wordle are next up. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/93f44e6cf2e4fd93c17483979f3d27f814117ca4/original/my-shining-hour-new-guitar-good-10-23-22-moment.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>5:18samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70882252022-10-25T10:51:54-05:002022-10-25T10:51:54-05:00Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! And what a glorious morning it is- if you're a duck! For the rest of us bipeds, it's a a shitty, rainy day. Oh yeah, it's 9:47 and 57 degrees. Gotta get that in there, or it doesn't feel right. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">They're probably having a ball down at the unemployment office, my old place of employ. Rainy days tend to amplify the despair people are already experiencing. Conversely, a bright sunny day takes off some of that edge. Glad there are still people doing that job , because it is needed. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The closest I come to that office these days is Joe Rogers Chili Parlor just up the street. About once a month I have lunch there with a friend who also used to work in the office. Suffered alongside me, helping many a disgruntled claimant. We sometimes talk about going down there and helping with a few unemployment claims. A hearty laugh usually follows..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> Me loving this new guitar. Can't seem to keep my hands off her. I've even been getting in another practice session at the very end of my day- between 11:30 and midnight. That's a first for me.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I should say here that I don't ordinarily<em> name </em>my instruments. I'll leave that to BB King and a few others. Though my archtop, referred to by some as my <em>huge </em>guitar, quickly became <em>Big Mama</em>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This new guitar is much smaller, more the size of a Telecaster. But it has a big sound. P90 pickups, same as my other Epiphone guitar. And the double-cutaway makes it easier to get up the neck. Sometimes dynamite comes in small packages..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I'll probably be putting something new up on my YouTube page. I've got a few to choose from, all with this new guitar. And of course I'll share it on Facebook. For now, this is my news. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Tuesday to you! I'm on to other stuff: Lumosity, Wordle, more coffee. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/93f44e6cf2e4fd93c17483979f3d27f814117ca4/original/my-shining-hour-new-guitar-good-10-23-22-moment.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>4:04samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70870762022-10-23T10:24:58-05:002022-10-24T09:56:21-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:46 and 66 degrees are our current stats. A bright sunny day. Can't beat it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. The top story is this guitar I just bought. An Epiphone Coupe Casino. Bought it on a Thursday, got it in the mail yesterday. There was a note on the side of the box cautioning you to leave it in the box for one more day. My first thought was, "this is a lot of baloney", but my second thought was that it was something that could turn around and bite me in the ass- especially if I were arrogant enough to just disregard it..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So I tried to wait. Lasted about five hours before finally opening the box. It's smaller than I thought it would be, and looks dinky next to my other Epiphone guitar. Still a beautiful sunburst finish. I took off the pickguard to bring that out a bit more. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">One other discovery is that there's a lot more neck to work with. Most guitars have 21 or 22 frets, with the neck joining the body at about the 19th fret. This one joins the body at the 21st fret, and is cut away on both sides, so you get a lot more to work with. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Kinda like a small country with a lot of coastline. Chile maybe..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So I'll be spending a lot of time today with this new addition to the family. I've got a few things to share to YouTube with the red Epiphone guitar, but I'm sure I'll have some stuff with this new axe not too far down the road. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Well I guess that's all my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Sunday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. Lumosity and Wordle await. Later for now. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/cb17b69b1a1e39db23ea924f289291b5ef124fab/original/new-guitar-too.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>3:45samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70866852022-10-22T10:03:34-05:002022-10-22T10:03:34-05:00Today's the Day<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:20 and 60 degrees are our current stats.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">What a deal, these posts. You not only get some snappy patter to read, but you get a nice tune to listen to--and last but not least, the current time and temperature! And all for free...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> The top story of the day is my new guitar, which is supposed to arrive today via UPS. And of course I'm driving myself crazy checking the front porch every other minute.. You're never too old to feel like a little kid at Christmastime.. Had to take some inventory here in the Lab, and I have nine guitars and a bass. This new addition to the family will be number 10. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Neighborhoods are not the only things to be gentrified. It's happened to guitars as well. Thinking in particular of Gibson guitars. My new one, an Epiphone Casino Coupe, ran me $550. The equivalent in a Gibson guitar would go for $3200. So I'll forgo Manhattan, and settle in The Bronx--or somewhere in New Jersey...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">But the real Rolls Royce of guitars is Benedetto. There is a shop in Savannah Georgia where they make these incredible instruments. You can go to the Benedetto website, or just to Bob's Boutique, to see them. The most expensive guitar they've got runs $40,000. From there, they run $20k or $10k; and then there are the Artist Models. There is a Pat Martino Benedetto which goes for $7500. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Shawn Purcell has one, which he plays on his video clips on FB. . </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">If you've got the means, you can design your own guitar with them. A beautiful idea, but too much pain in the pocketbook, For now, I'll stick with my Epiphone and Gretsch guitars..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Well I guess that's my news for you for now. It's still not here, but I figure any minute.. So thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later... PS today's tune is a thing called Boot Scoot, which is based on the old standard Lover Come Back to Me. Yes here comes the plug: it's on my album Tele-ology. Operators are standing by to take your order. .<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/4eeadb079cc015e60cc40c19819da09f9d3bf663/original/239581948-10158449361872615-6254951008048335342-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>5:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70851612022-10-20T10:53:12-05:002022-10-21T02:58:32-05:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:15 and 46 degrees. Mother Nature is breaking us in for Winter with these cooler temps. Building up that callous.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> <a contents="This " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk">This</a> is still my top story. My new album<em> Souvenirs</em>, which has just made its first profit. $.06 in streams. The link is a YouTube page CD Baby set up for me, one of three. There is a good cross-section of stuff on this site. Group albums as well as solo projects. You the reader are cordially invited to stop in and look around.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I know I've used this line before, but like they used to say in Baltimore's red-light district, "don't cost nothin' to check it out!" Not only the link above, but <a contents="this one" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdh8s961tIUSTDzYO6kY6OA">this one</a> as well. Think of it as visiting your favorite strip club- and you don't even have to buy a drink!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Okay, so much for the sales pitch. But someone's gotta do it. Might as well be me. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I'm still trying to practice most every day, and still using my cheapie Canon digital camera to record some of my practicing. My regular <a contents="YouTube page" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjVSsUMZ_YLwlMYVjeKx7pQ/videos">YouTube page</a> is alive and well, with now 184 subscribers. To me, that's still a lot. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">With the practice, as well as paying homage to the Goddess of Chops, I'm learning--or re-learning--some new tunes. Just the other day I worked on the Lee Morgan classic <em>Ceora</em>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Remembering a comment on FB regarding this tune, from a saxophonist. She said the melody was easy, but the improv was "no walk in the park". Personally, I found it just the opposite. The changes are easy to play over, but the melody is tricky. At least on guitar. It's awkward, doesn't lie right. Doable- but no walk in the park...</span></p>
<p>Skimpy as it is, that's my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I mentioned getting myself a sunburst version of my Epiphone, and just found one <a contents="here at Sweetwater. " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.sweetwater.com/c592--Semi_Hollow?highlight=EES335VSNH&mrkgadid=&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=&mrkgbflag=&mrkgcat=&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=92700073384080303&lid=92700073384080303&ds_s_kwgid=58700008069260211&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007215323&dsproductgroupid=1799957509400&product_id=EES335VSNH&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&device=c&network=u&matchtype=&adpos=largenumber&locationid=9022632&creative=625135836139&targetid=pla-1799957509400&campaignid=18467073255&awsearchcpc=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw48OaBhDWARIsAMd966B6sdHSNXt9gyn12vu-CReyFIQ7f0myqht6ODEaxXAsDpwD0Bve4dsaAu_hEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds">here at Sweetwater.</a>. I must say, they're very persistent. Bought some picks from them maybe a year ago, and still get mail from them <em>constantly..</em></p>
<p>Okay! Happy Thursday to you! Ich bin outa here. On to Lumosity and Wordle. More stuff later. PS today's pic was taken at the Hoogland Center, year unknown. Me, Lou Humphrey and Mark Russillo. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/90af08253089636dd032d813694994f6d48b7adc/original/12010485-10153318852488019-8861205707719306598-o.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>4:26samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70843732022-10-19T09:22:17-05:002022-10-19T09:22:17-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's currently 8:45 and 28 degrees. Got my supplemental heat going on here in the Lab, which is the one room that doesn't have Central Air. I broke out the <em>thermal dermis</em> earlier than I thought I'd have to. My longjohns. I think they're actually called <em>thermal underwear</em>.. But they're on my person, and except for bathing, will probably stay there until the Spring. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I do have several pair, so I'm not wearing the same thing every day. Just in case there was any confusion here. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music News</strong></em>. Monster Pawn has bought House of Music. I actually heard this news yesterday, overheard from someone at Walgreen's. I guess Walgreen's is the place to go for second-hand information. I'm just glad they had a buyer. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I did a lot more business with Walko's, back in the day, but I've known the Sordyls for years. Flattered that they invited me to a Celebration of Life for Ralph this coming month. Planning on being there. That makes two of these in the month.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The last significant purchase I made was at Monster Pawn, strangely enough. A cherry-red Epiphone Casino. It's been my main guitar ever since. I like the ES- style body. A lot less girth than the archtop. Got a Gretsch which is similar in design. I'd love to have one in sunburst. </span></p>
<p><em><strong>Domestic news</strong></em>. I was supposed to have had a ZOÖM call this last month, Found out, at the last minute, that I don't have a working camera or microphone, so the call went belly up. So I talked to the nice folks at Hyperion about possibly having my computer--an HP Pavilion, on its way to Dinosaurhood--either upgraded or replaced. </p>
<p>As it turned out, all I needed was something called a <em>USB Webcam.</em> It plugs right in to one of the USB ports on the front of the computer. The microphone and camera are right there. I'm still amazed at how easy this was. I've got another ZOOM call coming up next month. I think I'm ready this time..</p>
<p>Well that's my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Hump Day to you! For now, I'm off to Lumosity and Wordle. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e855bfe0c62aab9f97ef84a54fdf61d25332fbff/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-6.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's tune is a thing I called Beez Neez. It's from my album Big Hair, Big Dreams. Operators are standing by to take your order..</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>5:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70829132022-10-17T10:16:22-05:002022-10-17T10:16:22-05:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:31 and 38 degrees. A bright sunny day out there, but don't forget your coat. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I just got a very nice note from a lady who enjoyed Blue Train on my YouTube page. She said her late husband used to play Coltrane on guitar, and that Blue Train was one of her favorites.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I started to tell her that he was probably still hanging around, but instead just said thanks. And that I was glad to bring back some nice memories. Sometimes the simplest answer is best...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Still just doin' what I'm doin'. I've got one more album to release sometime between now and the end of the year. With this upcoming album, I feel like I'm done for awhile. Done with making these one-man-band recordings, at any rate. </span></p>
<p>Those may end up being famous last words. But I feel like I've done everything I can do in this particular format. Time to take a breather. Rest on my laurels for a little while. And continue to hawk my stuff to you poor souls..</p>
<p>And I'm still continuing to work on the guitar. Still practicing most every day. There are instruments you <em>have</em> to play every day to maintain things like embouchure and breath-control. Yes, i'm thinking of the trumpet. Guitar isn't like this, although the more you practice, the more you feel it if you miss a day. I lost a couple days when I had my front tooth extracted, and definitely felt the rust!</p>
<p>I was discussing all this with a trumpet player buddy. Yes, the one who played with Ray Charles. I said, in a semi-lament, that I felt I was just now starting to get it together, at the ripe old age of 68. He said, "well, you'll have a headstart on next time"</p>
<p>Yes, we talk about That Stuff, as well as music...</p>
<p>Anyway. I'm starting to run out of page. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. I'm off to the races. Lumosity and Wordle- and more coffee. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/18b8f414c76ca0101e9a560de0f3456fa10e1889/original/1374322-10200833308737572-1647603718-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic, from left to right: Dan Rivero, Frank Parker, Wayne Carter and me. </p>
<p>PPS today's tune is the title song of one of my recent albums. Big Hair, Big Dreams. Operators are standing by to take your order...</p>2:53samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70820772022-10-15T11:28:14-05:002022-10-16T10:08:00-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:48 and 46 degrees, another beautiful but chilly day. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Nine hours of sleep! I had some crazy dreams, the central theme of which I was flunking History. Had a pile of papers with me, which were apparently my test results. There was an advisor, who told me to check my responses. Couldn't quite get back to them to fix things. I was only flunking in one subject, so it was a question of how it would affect me overall. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I've had the flunking-out dream before. Quite often it's a class I haven't attended all semester. I have a number of dream scenarios, school being one of them. There is also a nightclub, and a sort of 'red-light district'. And some places which are amalgamations of different locations.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"> I have quite an interesting night-life. Usually it fades into dust upon awakening. Once in awhile, though, I do remember them- or at least most of them.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In <em><strong>Music News</strong></em>, I do have a new post up on my YouTube page, and on Facebook. It's the old standard <em>It Could</em> <em>Happen to You.</em> My cat has been sandwiching herself between me and what I'm doing, including making those videos. One take was completely 'ruined'. I was able to get through another take, but had to pause here and there to keep her off the table. You can see her tail for a second in there, but I was able to keep the rest of her off-camera. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">A skimpy post today, but that's my news. If I continue, I'm gonna end up talking about what I refer to as the GOP Clowncar. George Orwell's description of Winston Smith's neighbor Parsons- <em>paralyzingly stupid</em>- would certainly apply to Herschel Walker, as well as a few others. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Feeling like I need to put my thoughts together on all this, which I'll probably do in another blog, this one<em> not</em> forwarded to Facebook. Coming soon!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Okay. That's all I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Saturday to you, whoever you voted for! I'm outa here. Lumosity and Wordle await. Later, folks. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/56d380e3346b667c83bc65e7ed4bf2a898518114/original/1911727-10201690998939291-2099293197-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken downtown on the Square, for the artist-on-the-plaza thing. Dawn DeFraties took this picture as I remember. </p>
<p>PPS today's tune is a multi-guitar thing. Hope you like it. </p>2:59samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70813662022-10-14T10:29:35-05:002022-10-14T10:29:35-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:47 and 48 degrees at the moment. A beautiful end to the week. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I have yet another album to release. These past couple years have been crazy prolific as far as that goes. There are three tunes I need to remix, and then I'll put ém all on one CD and upload that to CD Baby. That's the company that distributes my stuff, sends it out into the wide wide world.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">With this coming one, I'll have 50 albums up there. I try and make every album just a little bit different than the last one. Thinking of Vivaldi, who wrote some 500 Concertos. His detractors claim he wrote the same Concerto 500 times! Trying to avoid that fate..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This new one has a solo piece that sounds a little bit like parts of Eddie Van Halen's Eruption. Plus a couple of pretty songs, and lots of guitar and keyboard soloing. My keyboard chops are not at their best, but I can still hack out a solo or two.. Coming soon, to a store near you. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">There was a group I was in back in the 80s, with Brian Pryor and GG Pelletier and a few others, where I had a guitar solo which was also inspired by Eruption. Even got to play it in front of people at the Fair in New Berlin. The baddest cat from this time wasn't Van Halen but rather a Swedish guitarist named Yngwie Malmsteen. (Pronounced ING-vay). Paganini chops. Scary at the time..</span></p>
<p>There was an interview, in which Van Halen was asked, "How does it feel being the star guitarist of the 80s?" He said, "I don't know, you'll have to ask Yngwie". I liked that response. Shows some humility.</p>
<p>Hoping to bring you something new on my regular YouTube page. It's still growing, as far as subscribers. Slow but steady. Up to a whopping 181 folks. Getting back to nermal with the practicing, and should have something or other to show for it. </p>
<p>Okay, Once again, I've filled the page. And all music news for a change. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this. Happy Friday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e1327e5d840480f14251e233e8d06e120cc01d37/original/kevin-steve-and-me.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken at someone's beautiful house in Panther Creek. Kevin Ellis, Steve Alexander and me. PPS today's tune is the Van Halenish thing I was talking about. Hope you like it. </p>2:21samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70798822022-10-12T11:17:34-05:002022-10-13T12:32:42-05:00Wednesday<p>Rise and shine, campers! It's 10:11 and 64 degrees at the moment. Another shitty rainy day. At least it's a shitty day I don't have to get out in. Yesterday involved having a tooth removed. I had lost that same tooth on two occasions: on a gig, and meeting a friend for lunch. Familiar territory. Still a pain in the ass, but nothing to worry about. </p>
<p>The drummer who works with me on occasion has been through a <em>lot </em>of medical procedures, for a good number of ailments. He's a seasoned veteran. And the same principle applies here. Once you've been through it, you lose much if not all of the fear. As well as keeping a good beat, he has helped me not to worry about this stuff. Okay, not worry as <em>much</em>..</p>
<p>Today is a better day. I had to stay away from hot foods yesterday, and lay off the coffee. This morning I'm enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee, and will get my diet back in order as the day goes. Also hoping to get into some trouble on the guitar. </p>
<p><em><strong>Musical news</strong></em>. <a contents="The new one" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk">The new one</a> is still my top story. It's called <em>Souvenirs</em>, and the link will take you to a YouTube page which features a good number of my albums. These past couple years have yielded a lot of solo projects, a one-man-band. Crazy years, crazy music....</p>
<p>To counteract this, I've also recently released a few group albums: <a contents="The Sam Crain Quartet" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mUDZ_CXztGI7uJOuTW33R-rTTPRh-nvsE">The Sam Crain Quartet</a>(a band I had going from 1998 to 2005), and <a contents="A Walk on the Mild Side" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_laG6SYbT8qKgPevSgKzXJCFpDkHT1HU_0">A Walk on the Mild Side</a>, which is a compilation of trio recordings. As far as streams and so forth, I get more from the quirky solo projects than I do from these two. But it's still good to have a balance.</p>
<p>Still having fun with my <a contents="YouTube page" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjVSsUMZ_YLwlMYVjeKx7pQ/videos">YouTube page</a>, and will probably post something today. </p>
<p>Well I guess that's my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Hump Day to you, however you choose to celebrate it. Time for Lumosity and Wordle. Je suis outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/d352cedb7177278dc853e85614b3fba5456dd162/original/7-17-22.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's tune is an electronic piece called Cybertraash. It's on an album of mine called <a contents="Garden of Sonic Delights" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l23CYSQUDIxzM4aVfn9NKWetPVHLqW8l0">Garden of Sonic Delights</a>. Operators are standing by to take your order.</p>
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<p> </p>3:01samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70783762022-10-10T11:30:33-05:002022-10-11T13:31:13-05:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:35 and 63 degrees at the moment. Another day in Paradise. Well, another day here on terra firma. I let myself sleep in this morning. Up at 9:30. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Tomorrow I have to be out the door at 9- or at least 9:15- so I won't have that luxury. Seeing some folks about a tooth. It's called a<em> consult</em>, as they have to decide whether they're going to yank it.(That's a new one!) But things should go smoothly. From there, they'll probably send me straight to Walgreen's, with the cotton still in my mouth, to get pain meds. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I also need to have my computer fixed or replaced. There's no camera, and the microphone is turned off. It's something I've been unable to fix myself. Hyperion has been my place, both for computers and repairs. I've bought several computers from them over the years. We go back aways..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So I need to give them a call, and then bring my computer in. I've got another ZOOM call scheduled for November 15th, so sometime between now and then. This call isn't something I <em>have </em>to do, but more something I'd really <em>like</em> to do. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Well, with the world in the shape it's in- coming apart at the seams- I think it's actually something I <em>need</em> to do.. Perspective...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Still workin' it from here in the Lab. I think I've made more progress on the guitar here in retirement than in my working years. More time to devote to it, and less stress, being retired and all. Since I don't play out very often these days, I try to make up for it with my YouTube page. New posts happen pretty much every day. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Sooner or later, I figure I'll get one of those emails from the Arts Council with available dates for Boone's. And I'll round up the troops- Rob and Dave- for another happy hour gig. I've been learning more tunes these days, so I'll have some different material for you when this does happen. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This is a longer post than usual. Sorry for the extra verbiage, but thanks for wading through it. Happy Monday to you- or perhaps Happy Indigenous People's Day(Columbus was an asshole..)! For now, I'm on to Wordle, Lumosity and more coffee. Later for now...<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/d53bd521b392166e98eb7e20afc00fe0888166a4/original/45166-1430280919576-5610744-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's pic goes back to 2008. Remy's. From left to right, me(with the bad hair), Steve Jackson, David Hoffman. </p>5:18samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70778592022-10-09T10:03:39-05:002022-10-09T10:03:39-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's currently 9:04 and 47 degrees. Another beautiful day. </span>I haven't posted these to Facebook in a couple days, but somebody is stopping in here and reading.</p>
<p><em><strong>Domestic/Old Guy news</strong></em>. This coming Tuesday I get my tooth taken care of. The antibiotics have knocked back the pain, but I still can't bite down on anything. So it will be nice to get this handled. I've lost teeth before, so I know the drill. Some discomfort, and then a new tooth. This too shall pass...</p>
<p>Some months back , in a moment of whatever, I signed up to get a Psychic Reading. I'm a great skeptic as far as this stuff goes, but I've had some experiences that have led me to believe there's something to it- even though many of these so-called mediums are charlatans..</p>
<p>So I picked one who seemed more sincere and bereft of <em>jive</em>. It was supposed to happen yesterday, but my computer didn't have the stuff to connect me. I thought I had ZOOM all ready to go, but my microphone and camera were/are missing. So I could see but not hear or speak. And he couldn't see or hear me.</p>
<p>So, fool that I am, I signed up for another date, this one just a month away. If there had been another long wait, I probably would've thrown in the towel. But I'm giving it one more shot. In the meantime, I'll need to talk to the nice folks at Hyperion about either upgrading or replacing the computer I've got. Been down this road as well. </p>
<p>I also have a vehicle that's just gotten old and needs replacing. Also doable, but a bigger chunk out of my pocketbook. Not only am I getting old, but everything around me is in a state of deterioration...</p>
<p><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> Still at it. I still use the digital camera when I practice, and still have a few keepers. YouTube is alive and well. Today should be a good music day. We'll see what happens.</p>
<p>Well this is my news for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! For the moment, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/2e9838aa91033b1d25d451fca6bc326ff73b863a/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p> </p>4:29samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70774652022-10-08T09:44:38-05:002022-10-08T09:44:38-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9 o</span>'clock straight up, and a breezy 41 degrees. I actually broke out the Winter coat yesterday. This year has flown by. Can't believe it's already October. </p>
<p>In roughly two hours, I'm going to have a Psychic Reading. It's something I signed up for some months back. Can't believe it's actually coming to pass.</p>
<p>I have always been open to this kind of thing, but it's the women in my life who have dragged me to Psychic Fairs and the like. The ex-wife(when I was married to her)and another lady I was seeing before that. I was basically along for the ride..</p>
<p>My Dad's passing back in 1992 hit me hard. I couldn't write anything for the next two years, except for the tune One for Dad. Creatively blocked. But it opened the door as far as that kind of communication. I didn't see him but I sure heard him. And on many occasions since then. Mom too. Others followed, including a friend I used to hang out with, who left us at the age of 31. </p>
<p>Dad had a friend in Law School named Shahen Igian. I know I'm misspelling it. He was from Armenia. From him, Dad learned how to say <em>open the door </em>and <em>close the door</em> in Armenian. <em>Duru pats</em> to open, <em>duru pak </em>to close. If I'd had kids, I would've passed this one on. My brother had one, and staunchly refused to teach him these handy phrases. Not sure why....</p>
<p>it's now T minus 90 minutes until I get my reading. I have no idea what to expect, and am trying to keep any expectations out of my mind. The only reading I've ever had done was at one of those Psychic Fairs, and it kinda missed the mark. I'm open to this stuff, but at the same time I'm still a skeptic. </p>
<p>Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! For now, I'm outa here. Something to do between now and 11. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/ada7a5088fbc3454e69be9009bcfd9acc7029bfc/original/279082575-10221829714074583-3989442234379717529-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>4:54samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70766222022-10-07T10:50:41-05:002022-10-07T10:50:41-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10 o'clock straight up, and a breezy 50 degrees. My body and my house have adjusted to the change. It always takes a couple days to get with it, both coming and going. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Domestic/Old Guy news</strong></em>. I go in this coming Tuesday to see somebody about this tooth that's been bothering me. The antibiotics have knocked back the pain, but it's still there. Arrival time is 9:30, which is very doable. In retirement, I've gone from a night owl to a mid-morning person. Still can't quite hack the early morning, but anything after nine I'm good for. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Well I suppose the top story is still my new album <a contents="Souvenirs" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk">Souvenirs</a>. With these solo projects, you don't have the option of a CD Release Party. There's no fanfare. But it's still some new music I think you guys will enjoy. The link will take you to a site where you can hear other albums as well as this one. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I feel like I have one more of these albums in me. Hopefully I'll get all this together by the end of the year. Feeling done with these solo projects, at least for awhile. Like I've gotten them out of my system. Time for something different. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Next up will probably be a solo guitar album, which I'd be doing in someone else's studio. And I'd love to do another trio CD. Speaking of trios, it feels like we might be coming up in the rotation for another Boone's date. Looking forward to that, whenever it happens. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So this is what's happening in my corner of the world. Past, present and future news. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading,. Time for that second cup of coffee and Lumosity/Wordle. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/b627a5826e22399f57814563c3c5c2c72c339b97/original/300x300-2-008.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken back in the office, year unknown. I was King for a Day, or at least for a minute. PPS today's tune is a Bossa version of Giant Steps. Hope you like it. </p>3:06samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70750072022-10-05T11:23:20-05:002022-10-05T11:23:20-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:23 and 59 degrees at the moment. Another in a series of beautiful days. Got that second cup of coffee going as I ease into another day. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Domestic/ Old Guy News</strong></em>. Weil it seems that I've got a fractured tooth. It comes out next Tuesday. In the meantime, they've got me on antibiotics. Ultimately, they'll have another tooth to put in there. We've been down this road before. I've been going to the same Dentist for 25 years. They're almost like family. Except for the brief physical pain, I actually <em>look forward </em>to my appointments. Even this last one..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Musician news</strong></em>. My new album <a contents="Souvenirs" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk">Souvenirs</a> is still the top story. The link will take you to a YouTube page with not only this album but several others. This is a solo project, but there is a fair amount of <em>ensemble </em>playing- yes, the magic of multi-tracking. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Multi-tracking is something Les Paul was known for, as well as his wonderful guitar playing. He was an innovator, not unlike Jimi Hendrix and a few others.. Lester Polfus was his birth name, although I may have misspelled it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Okay, we're getting perilously close to what could well be described as a minefield of useless information. Celebrities' original birth names. There are a few musicians I can think of: Pat Martino was Pat Azzara; Eric Clapton was Eric Clapp; Paul Desmond was Paul Breitenfeld. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And there are a ton of actors and actresses. A few of my favorites are Karl Malden/Mladen Sekulovich; Danny Thomas/Muzyad Yakoob: Doris Day/Doris Kappelhof; KIrk Douglas/Issur Danielovich Demsky. I could go on, but I'll spare you. </span></p>
<p>Well this has all the makings of a good post. A link for listening, and some useless information. As I get older, that seems to be the stuff that sticks. Anyway. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Wednesday to you! For the moment, I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/47571710a0cd089eee7c949a72d52af0f5c6c0be/original/300x300-2-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken sometime in 1985. I was a road musician from the tail end of 1984 to the Spring of 1986. We travelled around in an old beat-up Schoolbus. I had the headphones on and was in the Zone...</p>
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<p> </p>3:00samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70742352022-10-04T10:34:50-05:002022-10-05T11:16:41-05:00Tuesday Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:08 and 57 degrees. Another knocko Fall day. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Domestic/Old Guy News</strong></em>. I've been nursing a sore tooth for about a week and change now. Not my idea of fun, but I've been making the best of it. Also figuring that there will be a cancellation sometime between now and the 25th . They just called this morning. So I go in today at 1:30. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">It'll either get fixed today, or he'll prescribe something to tide me over until I can see the Oral Surgeon. Been down that road before, and I know all the staff there as well. This week and a half hasn't been <em>awful</em>, but it's made me just a little grumpier than usual...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> Same old same old. I'm still getting in a fair amount of practice, and churning out the videos on <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjVSsUMZ_YLwlMYVjeKx7pQ/videos">YouTube</a>. Feels like it's time for another one of those emails from the Arts Council with available dates for Boone's. I've learned a few new tunes since May.</span></p>
<p><a contents="Here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhY7dNUZE6oBg6QyQF-g2g"><span class="font_regular">Here</span></a> is where you can hear a pretty good cross-section of my albums. Most of ém are up here. Always working on new music here in the Lab. I've long since retired from the world of work, and am semi-retired from the world of music. But I still like to keep my hand in there. </p>
<p>So these are the headlines for today. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! For now, I'm outa here. More later. PS today's pic was taken at Lime St, year unknown. Kevin Hart on piano, me on guitar, Kevin Ellis on bass and Don Cochran on drums. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/87eae959d6ae97c0a0b8e27f2e918d047dcef95c/original/2020-02-08-181705.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>3:19samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70734312022-10-03T11:26:04-05:002022-10-03T11:26:04-05:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:26 and 58 degrees on this oh-no-it's-Monday. Easing into the day. Strangely enough, I'm not having tooth issues this morning. Been up since about 8:30 and haven't had to take any Advil. I did visit my friendly Dispensary yesterday, picking up some CBD Edibles- something I've never tried. They may have actually made a difference. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Still waiting to hear from my Dentist, pain or no pain.. Scheduled for the 25th, but hoping to get in sooner. But this is an easier day than I've had in awhile. Except for the occasional toothache, I don't really have aches and pains to speak of- even at the ripe old age of 68. Hope my luck lasts awhile longer in this area...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music stuff</strong></em>. Well there is an album I just released. It's called <a contents="Souvenirs" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk">Souvenirs</a>. This is the YouTube page CD Baby set up for me. I have two different pages on there, but this one seems to have more stuff. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And I'm still putting in time on the guitar. It's still a whole lotta fun. Still trying to get better, but more for its own sake. Music is a great refuge, both from <em>the outside world</em> and from my own morass of whatever. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">A skimpy post today. Thanks as ever for stopping in to read it. Happy Monday to you- hope that's not too much of an oxymoron! Well, this moron is outa here for the time being. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/6c05f3f2b92329655bc2ddbd8678312d5f51b99c/original/47574338-2314529221950453-4863333714282676224-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken at Alexander's here in Spfld. Mark Russillo, Lou Humphrey, Frank Parker, Ben Taylor and me. It was a jocular moment..</p>3:30samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70729782022-10-02T11:05:43-05:002022-10-02T11:05:44-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:21 and 59 degrees are our current stats. A nice day for something. Birds have been landing on the air conditioner, which puts my cat in Full Predator Mode. She's watching intently for more prey. My brother and I both witnessed what cats can do to birds from a scene on our front porch. Not a pretty sight...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Domestic/Old Guy News</strong></em>. I've been nursing a toothache for about a week now. Got an appointment for the 25th, but there should be a cancellation between now and then. In the meantime, Advil is helping me through. Doses at 10am, 4pm and 9pm.. Not a picnic, but manageable...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I've had the same Dentist for the past 25 years. It's a very friendly scene. I actually look forward to my appointments. Okay, there is the physical pain of the Novocaine, and then the fiscal pain of the bill, But everyone there is cool. Hoping to see them before the 25th, but hanging tough here. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music stuff.</strong></em> Still workin' it from here in the Lab, but I'm figuring it's about time for another Boone's gig with my better two-thirds. Part of my practicing has been learning some new tunes, so I have some new repertoire. There's an email the Arts Council sends out with available dates, and it feels like it's time for this again. </span></p>
<p>I guess this is my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! Later for now. PS today's pic goes back to 1990something. Me, Steve Adleman, Dan Meyers. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/870966d300bf8cf57f06ad776478fb5f8801dd90/original/2020-02-08-183902.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>5:13samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70726142022-10-01T11:15:21-05:002022-10-01T11:15:22-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:27 and 59 degrees are our current stats. Another nice Fall day. I've been trying to write a post for a couple days now, and always seem to leave it for later. Let's see if I can finish this one. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Still workin' it from here in the Lab, but I've been learning a number of new tunes. Building up more repertoire. We just played Boone's back in May, so it'll take awhile for the rotation to get back to us. But I am looking forward to playing some of these new tunes with a real live bass player and drummer. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The YouTube page is doing fine. 180 subscribers at the moment. I've gotten some nice messages from folks out there, which I always respond to. Even though I'm doing these from the cloistered confines of the Music Lab, I'm still thinking about an audience. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This has been another prolific year as far as albums. The newest one is <a contents="Souvenirs" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk">Souvenirs</a>. I guess I self-identify as a<em> jazz</em> <em>guy</em>, but my home stuff seems to be more in a sort of fusion/smooth mix. Some guitar and keyboard shenanigans, but more just pretty songs. <a contents="Big Hair, Big Dreams" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n6oX45d4nedqzSYNjKpsB86Jt2wk23ins">Big Hair, Big Dreams</a> also has some purty tunes..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I have one more of those in me, with more purty tunes. Might try to get it out before the end of the year. Next up is a solo guitar album, which I'm gonna do in somebody else's studio. That'll be more jazz stuff. Another guitar player, whom I've known since High School days--which was awhile ago!</span></p>
<p>Okay! That's my news for the moment. I'm aware of what's going on in the world, but try to keep it out of my posts. This is why I haven't been able to finish one of these in a couple days. I do have a rant in me, and may unleash it in another post that I <em>don't</em> share to Bookface. </p>
<p>Anyway. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Happy Saturday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. PS Today's pic was taken in 2015 or 2016. Charles Tobermann, me, David Hoffman, James Singleton. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/dc978524e8238e2113349ea6f6e8a8b5b56c0ebe/original/1077813-10201709485440587-674764559-o.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>2:21samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70702442022-09-28T10:27:58-05:002022-09-30T13:37:16-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 9:23 and 47 degrees on this sunny Autumn day. I love this time of year, but it's always an adjustment here at Crain Manor. After a couple of topsy-turvy nights, where I'd wake up freezing, I've finally got things back to some sort of normalcy. Best night's sleep I've had in a couple days. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Adequate sleep is important. The world is weird enough as it is. Sleep helps to buffer all that, take the edge off. One of my favorite sayings, though I'm not really that cynical, is <em>Life is a shit sandwich and every day is another bite. But the more bread you have, the less shit you taste. </em>A decent night's sleep, then, is the <em>bread</em>..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music News</strong></em>. Lots of practicing this month. I still use the video camera to tape part of my sessions, and have had more winners these days. Been posting them faithfully to my YouTube page, which is continuing to grow. 179 subscribers, last time I looked. And I get comments from time to time, which I always answer. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I don't get out like I used to as far as <em>the scene.</em> January, February, April, May and August have been my gig months so far for the year. So these YouTube videos are sorta like my<em> virtual gigs</em>--or at least <em>excerpts</em> from them.. I still want to communicate with folks out there, whether it's from a stage or from the cloistered confines of my Music Lab. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">It's been awhile since I've posted. But you haven't missed anything. Just old guy news- me adjusting, day by day, to the plummeting temperatures, and also to a tooth that's been acting up. Advil is a pretty good band-aid until I can get in to the Dentist. One nice thing, perhaps the saving grace, of getting older, is that you get better at taking care of yourself. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway! That's my news for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/0c47b7153ab367b3ca8451bf229ba64720fe4560/original/279959071-1140380623419692-5761711255476604078-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's pic was taken at Lime St. I did two very enjoyable gigs with Juke House, filling in for Manley Mallard. . From left to right: me, Fats Waller, Mike Lang. I love the posters at Lime St. There's a good John Lennon, and a Crosby Stills and Nash which features a very stoned Stephen Stills. Cracks me up every time I see it. </p>
<p>PPS today's tune is from my album Uncharted Waters. You can listen to the whole album from <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ldZHmudHJsAu3wzu63Y8wVZYM_U8Q1QvA">here</a>. The cover pic was taken at The Alamo by Yolanda Deutschman. </p>4:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70683722022-09-25T11:43:52-05:002022-09-26T13:45:50-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:58 and 68 degrees are our current stats.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"> It's that time of year again. Time to break out the thermal dermis aka Long Johns, and the extra blankets. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night<em> freezing</em>, and couldn't get back to sleep. It was probably quite a show. Tonight I've got those extra layers handy if I need them. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Getting older is a bitch. Even without the chronic stuff many seniors come down with, you still have days where you just don't feel quite right. Days when you're just plain old. But along the way, you learn how to take care of yourself. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news. </strong></em>Well I had two engagements for this past week but neither of them worked out. The first one would've involved sitting around for more than an hour, so I'm taking a raincheck. With the second one, there was never any clear communication. It was for a friend from Robbie's days, one of the folks I'd play Jeopardy with before my gigs there. I didn't hear back, so I thought I must've pissed him off. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Fortunately that was not the case. I've been nursing a toothache since Thursday and wasn't in the greatest shape, so I wasn't able to make it. My friend was very understanding. About getting older, he said "more than you know". So I was greatly relieved. And there's always a next time, however far down the road..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In other music news, the YouTube page is still growing as far as subscribers. Up to 178 at the moment. I have a lot of fun with the page, and have a few more things to add. It's also cool hearing from some of these people out there. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Last but not least, I have a new album that just released today. It's called<em> <a contents="Isosceles Macaroni" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m57dNK-BK7u6JoFSHwgkgSi22B2p7giXk">Isosceles Macaroni</a>,</em> and as the title might suggest, is some of my wackier stuff. The title is from a dream I had back in 1979 or so.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I was 24-25 years old. In the dream, I'm having dinner at Ralph Nader's house. As dinner is cooking, he's giving a lecture. "We must view reality without bias" he was saying, and he then drew a 9-point star on the blackboard, and was solving various philosophical problems within the star. All this is going on, and the phone rings, I answer it. 'Hello?""What's for dinner? "Isosceles Macaroni' was my reply. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Pretty weird, eh? Anyway, the link is above. Hope folks will stop in and give a listen. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So that's what's up for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Sunday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/1c8a1ceced5beb51f742bb34640873adbd60a550/original/isosceles-macaroni-cd-cover.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p>PS today's pic is the cover of my new album. It's supposed to be an Isosceles Triangle made out of macaroni shells. Today's tune is also from the album. Hope you like it. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>4:05samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70664872022-09-22T14:01:30-05:002022-09-23T10:16:22-05:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Just getting ready to get into some kinda trouble here. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Well I had two engagements scheduled for this week. The first one had a sudden change in plans that would've had me waiting around for over an hour. I politely declined. Had a nice time playing for them before. Maybe we can do another one, where we don't have the waiting period. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The second one is at an unfamiliar location out by the Lake, and I expressed a few misgivings about getting in and out of there plus sustaining interest on solo guitar for a couple hours. Never heard back. As the song goes, if the phone don't ring, you'll know it's me. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Yes, I've become a grumpy old man. I don't think I'd hire me either..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">But that's become a consideration as I've gotten older. There have been more occasions than I'd like to admit, coming home from gigs--even local ones if they're way on the West side or some other unfamiliar spot-- where I've gotten myself turned around and had to re-group. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">That's one reason I don't do much evening stuff. The other being that I go to bed earlier. Again, old person stuff. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So there will be other things that <em>will </em>work out, down the road. In the meantime, I'm still workin' it here in the Lab. The <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjVSsUMZ_YLwlMYVjeKx7pQ/videos">YouTube</a> page is doing well, and continuing to get new subscribers. And I hear from some of them too. So far they've been kind. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And as far as my getting lost, I know there's GPS. Even got it on this new-fangled phone of mine. Incidentally, I do have it figgered out, as far as the basics: receiving and transmitting, plus checking my voicemail. Just had to sit down for a second and goof with it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So that's my latest stuff. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Thursday to you! For now, I'm outa here,. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/801887751563f335dd7bbe518222376f20c337aa/original/img-0844.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>6:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70658092022-09-21T18:19:01-05:002022-09-21T18:19:01-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a dismal day out there, but at least Jeopardy has been showing new episodes. You've gotta find your light wherever you can find it...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Music-type news</strong>. Still workin' it here in the Lab. And still making videos. That's one thing that seems to be working out. I'm continuing to get new subscribers on my YouTube page, and a little bit of interaction with them as far as comments and so forth. I'm still playing for an audience, and like having a rapport with them. Haven't lost sight of that.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">One other thing I've been doing here in the Lab is learning new tunes. Well, new to me at any rate. Airegin, Voyage, Anthropology, Along Came Betty. Currently working on the song <em>Laura</em>. Usually done as a ballad, but also works nicely as a medium swing. Bill Evans does it this way on his album <em>A Simple Matter of Conviction</em>(w/ Eddie Gomez and Shelly Manne). So that's my model. Coming soon!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Eventually, there will be another Boone's gig, at which time I'll be playing these new tunes. Good to change up your repertoire every so often. Actually, it's best to do that <em>continuously</em>. But I'll take what I can get..</span></p>
<p>In other news, I'm figuring out my new Android phone. Now able to both transmit and receive.. Not much to figure out really, more a matter of just sitting and messing with it. As you get older, learning new stuff is more daunting, or at least feels that way. But like anything, it becomes more fun as you get better at it. </p>
<p>There's a math game on Lumosity that's getting that way. An increasing Fun Factor.. It's called Raindrops, and is basically Space Invaders only with arithmetic equations. I actually broke one of the Enter keys on my keyboard doing this one. </p>
<p>Skimpy stuff today. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Wednesday to you! For now, I'm points elsewhere. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/52262ee28d4093f536ed0e7d64dc5a582edee54e/original/trio-x-3.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's tune is called Boot Scoot. It's based on the old standard Lover Come Back to Me. From my album Tele-ology. Jazz on a Fender Telecaster. </p>
<p> </p>
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<p> </p>5:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70643012022-09-20T10:28:11-05:002022-09-21T17:58:09-05:00Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:41 and 77 degrees. A perfect day out there. It's been awhile since I've written one of these, so here goes. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I was supposed to have a job tomorrow, on solo guitar. Even got a long-overdue haircut, so I'd look spiffier. . But they wanted me to show up at 10:45 to load in, and then wait around until about noon to play. This was something I just sort of glossed over at the time, but it came back to haunt me at the very end of the day. "Now wait just a blasted minute.."</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So I got up today, a bit earlier than I'd have liked, but with the courage of my convictions. Respectfully declined, and explained why. I have been a damn <em>people-pleaser </em>on more than a few occasions in my life, keeping other people happy at my own expense. Not anymore...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">It feels good to hold your ground. I almost feel like it's a new skill I'm just now learning. Had to do it earlier in the year, with a friend I'd always argue with. Life-after-death. A favorite old person topic, along with medications and medical treatments. I believe it exists, he doesn't. So we now agree to disagree- and have a great time discussing everything else!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Not much actual news at the moment. Still playing pretty much every day here in the Lab, and continuing to make tapes when I'm practicing. I always feel like I'm just starting to get it as far as improvements- even after 56 years of messing with it.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway, this is all I've got for you for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! For now, I'm outa here. More later. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">PS Today's pic was taken at a Luncheon I did for the same group I was going to play for tomorrow. Hopefully we can do it again down the road. PPS today's tune is from my newest album Souvenirs. Hope you like it. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/689d5affe8fafd1683cc6145013cfb4c21c1dd02/original/276024976-7103115783091749-7361888765349622515-n-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>5:02samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70625062022-09-17T10:15:30-05:002022-09-20T09:55:29-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:34 and 73 degrees. Can't beat it Got that first cup of coffee going, ready to take on the world. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Domestic news</strong></em>. Well, to quote Sylvester Stallone, I feel like a Kentucky Fried Idiot. Problems with my new cell phone. The place I bought it from- the Verizon dealer in Parkway Pointe is useless(don't go there!), so I go instead to the Verizon dealer way the hell on the north side of town. Russell Cellular. Much nicer to deal with. They supplied me with a charger, something the original store neglected to do. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I was having a lot of trouble answering my phone. Finally had enough of it, and made the 20-minute drive to Russell Cellular. It's on Dirksen Parkway a couple blocks north of Sangamon. There was only one staff person there, and I had two people ahead of me. It was about a 25-minute wait. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">When I finally got to talk to the staff person, it was a much simpler fix than I'd thought. This person had told me over the phone that my problem was a common one, but fixing it involved a couple steps on their part. As it turned out, all I needed to do was swipe the phone icon rather than pressing it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Most everything else on this damn new phone is self-explanatory. But this one threw me. I think a few people have given up on trying to call me- even though I call them right back- so now I can at least take your calls. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. A couple solo guitar things this coming week, one on Wednesday and one on Saturday. My YouTube page is continuing to get new subscribers, and is getting a bit more interactive, with some nice comments from a few folks. I'm sharing something I love doing. All good. </span></p>
<p>And that's my news for this installment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! Lumosity and Wordle and more coffee are all beckoning me. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/7f7d3050fdb11a14f25f455c4682de3422f89963/original/sam-on-guitar-looking-blue-collar.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken at The Alamo. Playing with Dan Rivero and Wayne Carter. My time with these guys was a nice patch. Enjoyed it. And thanks, Yolanda, for the picture. </p>5:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70617372022-09-16T10:41:25-05:002022-09-16T10:41:25-05:00Friday<p>Good morning! 9:48 and 69 degrees at the moment. A nice slothful week comes to an end. Stuff to do today. And two engagements next week. Wednesday and Saturday, both solo guitar. They're both private affairs, so unfortunately I can't invite you. </p>
<p><em><strong>The Man, the Music</strong></em>. I just made 87 cents from what people have streamed on Spotify. I've got a sort of Chump Change Account on CD Baby was far as this goes. When it reaches 50 bucks, they pay me. Not getting rich from these dividends, but it's nice to see what people are listening to--and the fact that they <em>are </em>listening. </p>
<p>I've hit a nice plateau with the guitar, where most everything I'm trying is working. This encourages me to play more, and to make more jam tapes to put up on YouTube. Still picking up new subscribers, and am now up to a whopping 169 folks!</p>
<p>It's getting more interactive as well, with some nice comments. This is a good thing. I always write back, maybe with a comment of my own. Even though I don't get out all that much these days. I'm still playing for an audience.</p>
<p><a contents="This" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhY7dNUZE6oBg6QyQF-g2g/playlists">This</a> will take you to another YouTube page of mine, with many of my albums. Some are solo projects, and some have a variety of folks on them. Styles vary, from straight-ahead jazz to fusion to more eclectic weirdo stuff. </p>
<p>Well that's all I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! For now, I'm outa here. Lumosity and Wordle are beckoning<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e36ebaf8f17ccd56cf108ef869a487f2986e96ee/original/images-1-5.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" />. Later for now. </p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken in Michael Taylor's studio in Pawnee, year unknown. He's helped me with all sorts of recording projects, over the years and even did two of my albums: Solo Jazz Guitar, and Spring into Swing </p>
<p> </p>4:18samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70608642022-09-15T10:06:09-05:002022-09-15T10:06:09-05:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Love is the answer! Well, it's the answer I'll take. Never met the guy, but we were Facebook friends. I'd hoped to meet him sometime or other, but it just didn't happen. But I did get to hear something on his YouTube page. Beautiful singing voice! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Strangely enough, it was a song I don't ordinarily like. Roy Orbison's Crying. But Sam won me over. Happy trails, pal. Maybe I'll get to meet you down the road..*</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Not much for news today. I just posted something on my You Tube page.<em> Like Someone in Love.</em> Great old Jimmy Van Heusen tune. He also gave us <em>But Beautiful</em> and <em>Darn that Dream</em>. It's up on Facebook as well. </span></p>
<p><a contents="This " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhY7dNUZE6oBg6QyQF-g2g/playlists"><span class="font_regular">This</span></a> is still the place to go to hear some of my stuff. A variety of albums. Always working on new stuff in that area. Especially these past couple years. </p>
<p>I do believe this is the skimpiest post I've written. But sometimes no news is good news. I did learn a new word though. <em>Spiegel</em>. Pronounced SHPEE-gel. It's a German word, and means mirror. It was a song title. Spiegel im Spiegel, which would mean mirrors within mirrors. The infinite mirror. </p>
<p>Anyway! Time to wrap this up. Lumosity and Wordle await. So thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Donnerstag to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/eb9349394b0c05888488ddb5fdf46447a19a83a8/original/12190018-507961222715728-968029675638865159-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken at the Alamo in I think 2016. Mark McKnight, Rob Killam and me. Frank Parker and Buddy Rogers were also on this gig. </p>
<p>*I don't have it in writing, but I'm pretty sure that life continues. That's all I know, and I've said too much already...</p>
<p> </p>4:54samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70602832022-09-14T14:36:10-05:002022-09-14T14:36:10-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's the middle of the day in the middle of the week. I don't know if that signifies anything, but it's where I'm at for the moment. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I just finished the first of what hopes to be two exercise sessions for the week. Standard stuff like push-ups and leg lifts. Takes about 40-45 minutes, with about an hour of fatigue and self-pity to follow. Not a lot of fun, but necessary- especially as you start to get some miles on you.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music stuff</strong></em>. Still at it .<a contents="Here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhY7dNUZE6oBg6QyQF-g2g/playlists">Here</a> is where you can listen to a variety of albums, some of them even with other folks on there. And styles from straight-ahead jazz to fusion to even some weirdo classical music. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Elsewhere in Cyberland, my <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjVSsUMZ_YLwlMYVjeKx7pQ/videos">YouTube</a> page is still growing, and is now up to a whopping 166 subscribers. Woo hoo! I doubt that it'll ever get up to a thousand(at which point, I believe, they start paying you), but I enjoy every increase, no matter how modest. And I get some nice comments from time to time. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Originally, I wanted to put up videos from gigs, but it's worked out more as practice sessions with playalongs. There are a few gig videos, and a few guitar/bass duos, but it's mostly just me and a virtual rhythm section. Then again, as far as rectifying the situation, there's always that next gig...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Remembering something from High School Jazz Band that applies here. Mr Garretson told us that ÿou can play your ass off here in the Band Room, but when you end up playing in front of an audience, you're gonna be at 80% of your capacity." That remaining 20% is sown up in nerves and uncertainty. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As you get some experience as a musician, that 20% whittles down to nothing. You end up conquering the nerves and uncertainty--at least for the most part. But I gotta say, there's still some truth there. Maybe that's why my jam tapes seem to work here, at least the ones that survive. No pressure here in the Music Lab..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway. A few random thoughts. And that's about all I can come up with to share at the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Wednesday to you! I'm outa here. Later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/f56e6ac432dd36afa7e85f797256ae5023d82590/original/1970794-10201803341227778-1273644206-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's pic was taken at Sebastian's on 5th st in Springfield, year unknown. Jeff Magby, me, Tim Green. What a gig!</p>
<p>PPS I didn't know Sam Draper, but we were Facebook friends, and he seemed to be a great guy. To those who did know him, sorry for your loss. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>3:34samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70592782022-09-13T10:48:47-05:002022-09-13T11:10:34-05:00Tuesday Welding<p>Good morning! 9:27 and 60 degrees at the moment. Looks like a beautiful day.</p>
<p>I'm welcoming the Fall. Cooler temps make it easier to work here in the Music Lab. We've had months of muggy weather, where I couldn't do much. It's always about 20 degrees warmer up here , heat rising and all that. </p>
<p><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Well, the top story is still my new album. <a contents="Souvenirs" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk">Souvenirs</a>. The link here will take you to a YouTube page CD Baby set up for me. They used to give you a website for each of your albums, but now they send all your stuff to YouTube. So you can stream all the songs from there.</p>
<p>In other news, I've got a couple solo guitar things coming up next week, on Wednesday and Saturday. They're both short gigs, just enough to get me out of the house. A modicum of structure in a blissfully unstructured life. And I might just have some fun in the bargain..</p>
<p>I've got a whole 'nother album more or less ready to go. Some remixing and re-arranging remain, as well as what the hell to call it. This will make 50 albums that I've done through CD Baby. The only positive thing to come out of the Pandemic was all these albums..</p>
<p>After this, I want to do another solo guitar album. And this time, I'll be working with someone else. Another guitar player, who apparently has a pretty nice home studio- much more high-tech than mine. And it's someone I've been friends with since High School, so it's about time we did this. </p>
<p>And that's my news for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! And with that, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/156da1026cba91089745d539a2b5e5b37680e7d0/original/300x300-2-5.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken at Sebastian's on 5th. Working with Tim Green on piano and Jeff Magby on drums. I think this was back in the 90s. </p>5:18samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70575132022-09-10T10:38:32-05:002022-09-12T13:08:36-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:44 and 70 degrees. A perfect day on tap. Got that extra hour of sleep this morning.. Luxury winks. I've been going on seven or a little under that for the past week. Enough to fuel me, but not enough to feel fully rested. So this is a good start to the day. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Domestic news</strong></em>. This is an exercise day. I should be getting more than I get, but I try for at least two workouts in a week. Got one in on Wednesday, so this is my last day to redeem myself. These sessions take about 40 minutes, and work the legs, upper body and gut. And then it's about an hour recuperating...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Musician news.</strong></em> Working on the guitar a bit more these days. I like to alternate between playing and writing. And I always seem to have one in the fire as far as writing/studio projects. I'll get back to it sooner or later. But some things are starting to come together on the guitar---after 56 years of trying! So that's where the energy is going at the moment. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I have a couple solo guitar things coming up, both of them the week after next. . They're both private affairs, so unfortunately, I can't invite you. But they're my trips out of the house for the month. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The sporadic Ocean State gigs--in January, April and August of this year--have worked out real well. I'm not in the band anymore, but seem to be their de facto 4th member. I'm there playing the gigs. So I'll probably be back with them again before the end of the year. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And eventually I'll have another gig of my own back at Boone's, when it comes around in the rotation. So there's more to come. Still in there, just not as often. </span></p>
<p>Anyway! Some new posts, at least one of which will go up on YouTube, for your listening pleasure. So thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. PS today's pic was taken at a local bar on Carpenter Street, year unknown. Steve Adleman on drums and Gene Haas on bass. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/b1ff36d421a38c005954b6076014291dc44c3775/original/12122850-967450286649949-25796863537676818-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>4:04samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70558452022-09-08T09:38:10-05:002022-09-08T09:38:10-05:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 8:41 and 60 degrees at the moment. A beautiful day, at least so far. I'm up a little earlier than usual, but not the worse for wear. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">One thing I'm noticing about being an old guy- an old <em>person</em>- is that we love our routines. We're <em>ensconced</em> in them. And anything that throws off those routines seems to give me just a little less sleep.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">There's something I've been invited to on Saturday which the younger me would probably have gone for. It's out in the boondocks, and is an all-day affair. At this point, I'd be good for a couple hours, and would probably get lost on the way home. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">But I still get my agoraphobic ass out of the house to play gigs. Had one in January, one in February, several in April, one in May, and one in August. Not as many as in past years, but I'm still in there. The rest of my time is spent here in the Lab, working on my stuff. </span></p>
<p><a contents="This" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk"><span class="font_regular">This</span></a> is still my news of the day. It's a link to my newest album, <em>Souvenirs</em>. I'm working on some new stuff as well, to emerge whenever. </p>
<p>Fortunately, one of my routines is practicing. I'll continue to share my jam tapes on YouTube, and sometimes just direct to Facebook. Got some more up my sleeve..</p>
<p>So that's my story for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Thursday to you! I'm outa here. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/56d380e3346b667c83bc65e7ed4bf2a898518114/original/1911727-10201690998939291-2099293197-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>3:39samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70550332022-09-07T11:00:29-05:002022-09-07T11:00:30-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning and Happy Hump Day! 10:30 and 71 degrees. Definitely moving into Autumn. Indian Summer is my favorite season-within-a-season. Hopefully we'll get one this year. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I'm up to the same shenanigans as usual: practicing guitar and working on my tunes. A classmate at Peabody, and a fellow composition major, used to refer to his own activities as working on his tunes. He was from northern Minnesota- Eveleth to be exact- and had a number of ruralisms going. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">45 years later, neither of us attained fame or fortune(though he kidded about faking a suicide to get his music played), but are still hanging in there. Still working on our respective tunes. And still in touch. </span></p>
<p>As far as my tunes, <a contents="this" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk">this</a> is my newest offering. It's called <em>Souvenirs. </em>The link will take you to a YouTube page with a number of my albums on there. </p>
<p>And I'm working on some new stuff here in the Lab. No surprises there. </p>
<p>As far as anything outside the house, I do have a couple solo guitar things coming up. Both private affairs, so unfortunately I can't invite you. Solo guitar is fun, but stressful. It requires more concentration. If you make a mistake, it's<em> your ass</em>, since you're playing by yourself. </p>
<p>So that's my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you, however you choose to celebrate it. For now, that second cup of coffee is beckoning me. Also time for Lumosity and Wordle. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e855bfe0c62aab9f97ef84a54fdf61d25332fbff/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-6.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70540582022-09-06T10:07:16-05:002022-09-06T10:07:16-05:00Muesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 9:19 and 69 degrees at the moment. Labor Day Weekend is over and done with, and all the government workers are back to work and probably having a hell of a day- and it's only about 9:30. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I was a State employee, and can attest to all the extra work on the day after a Monday Holiday. One of my friends from that era called it Muesday, since it's two days worth of work in one day. Especially if you deal with the public, as she and I both did. Happy Muesday, everybody!</span></p>
<p>Personally, I'm a big fan of Unions. They can get corrupted like anything else, but I love what they stand for. State jobs tend to pay better because AFSCME got in there and negotiated.(Likewise, AFL-CIO for Secretary of State workers).. The local Musicians' Union got in there and made sure musicians were paid for rehearsals as well as the performances for Muni Opera shows. </p>
<p>They make sure you have a decent place to work, and for a decent wage. Unions go back all the way to the Middle Ages, where they were called Guilds. Very similar to the trade unions we have today. </p>
<p>I mention all this because I got a dissenting comment on Facebook, denouncing it as "all whacky Liberal ideas". Seems like every time I express a real opinion, I get this. Didn't feel like arguing the point, so I just quietly cut them loose. I don't consider them any kind of <em>mortal enemy</em> or anything, just someone I'd do better not to see on FB. </p>
<p>I do have conservative friends on there, but we tend to <em>leave each other alone</em> when it comes to Politics. And religion. We share jokes and music, for the most part. Neutral stuff.. Still friends, despite our differences. </p>
<p><em><strong>Music News</strong></em> will be back next time. Seems like I had to get this out first. These are tense times. Very thankful to have a guitar and keyboard to take it out on. And thank you for stopping in and wading through all this. Happy Muesday to you! I'm outa here. MOre later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/b33e2f93b4c99911401b6521de00f5d35ca041d5/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>5:22samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70534932022-09-05T10:40:18-05:002022-09-05T10:40:19-05:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's currently 10:01 and 70 degrees on this Labor Day Monday. Remembering a gig at the Fair on this day, in the Ethnic Village. Paola somebody, from Italy. She'd sing her part and then look at us like "well, do whatever it is you do", and we'd fill in the spaces. A little exasperating, but still fun. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My Dad was actually on this gig. He'd just retired from a daygig he never did like(except for some colorful stories he regaled his family with at dinnertime), and was just in Hog Heaven as far as playing. Unlike me, he didn't have a job he had to return to the next day. Liberation! Wish he'd had more of those years, but glad he got in a few..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">He would've loved my stories about working in the unemployment office. I daresay they're as colorful as his tales behind the bench. We were both, essentially, musicians with day jobs. Making the best of our situations. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Well, <a contents="Souvenirs " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk">Souvenirs</a> is still the top story of the day. That's my new album. It's a mix of Smooth Jazz and Fusion, with some of my own quirkiness mixed in. The link will take you to one of the YouTube pages that CD Baby has set up for me. There are a number of albums in there. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And I've got a whole new batch of stuff I'm working on. My productivity seems to be either feast or famine. Still chowing down..</span></p>
<p>Also getting some practice in on the guitar. I've been using the digital camera to go back and assess what I've done. And there were a few which ended up on the cutting room floor, but also a couple winners. Or at least non-losers.. So I'll be sharing on YouTube today. Even got a new subscriber. 163 strong...</p>
<p>So that's my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Labor Day! For now, ich bin outa this place. Lumosity and Wordle are next up- along with that second cup of coffee for the day. Later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e6c5ea5145f4a46e6afca1c007a16fe6bbb7e576/original/45166-1430280919576-5610744-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>2:21samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70529762022-09-04T10:27:32-05:002022-09-04T10:27:32-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:37 and 71 degrees on this rainyass Sunday. Well, soon-to-be rainyass..Another decent night's sleep. Most of my nights are just fine anymore. Occasionally, something will get under my skin, and I'll toss and turn for a couple nights-or wake up too damn early. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In pugilistic parlance, I've got Insomnia on the ropes, but can't completely finish him off. More or less under control though. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> First off, thank you for listening to the new one! <em>Souvenirs</em> is the title, and it can be found <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk">here</a> at Ieast for streaming. And the usual places as far as downloading anything. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In other musical news, I have a couple solo guitar things this month. One is on the 21st and the other. which just showed up today, is on the 24th. I don't like to talk business on Sunday, but I'm good for it. We'll have to negotiate the hours and all, but it looks good. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Solo guitar is fun, but challenging. I'm usually pretty worn out afterwards, just from the concentration. So these will be my musical trips out of the house for September.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Looking forward to these upcoming engagements, but also watching the calendar to keep it from getting too full. Keeping the fun from turning into work. I'm too old and crabby to work anymore--if I can help it!</span></p>
<p>And that will just about do it as far as what I've got to share with you this morning. Working on yet more stuff here in the Music Lab. As far as any longer-range stuff, there is a fellow picker who was there on Sunday, with whom I'm planning a collaboration. A new solo album, and some stuff for my YouTube page with he and I playing our guitars. That's the plan, anyway..</p>
<p>Okay! Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! For now, I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/1d36adc5317a179b93a04857379764e47f582c99/original/167793-1606653328776-8152324-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken in January of 2011 at One East Market in Taylorville. Playing with Bob Katt and the Missing Lynx. PPS today's tune is from the new one. End of Month Funk is the title.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>5:18samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70524792022-09-03T10:09:10-05:002022-09-03T10:09:10-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:15 and 69 degrees. I started to say beautiful day, but it's starting to cloud up. Still a beautiful day if your version is dark and cloudy..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">What a week I'm having ! Tuesday, Thursday and Friday were all days when I got less than my RDA of sleep. One day like that you just sort of shake off. Two days starts to get your attention. And that third day starts kicking your ass. Friday was not a good day in Samland. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I had planned on going to the mixer for my 50 year High School Reunion. Even tried to fight through the fatigue and get myself going, but no soap. I am glad, however, that I'm still in touch with a number of folks from my graduating class. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">High School wasn't all that great for me. I was real shy, and had maybe two or three friends for most of it. I did start to come into my own sometime during Senior Year, so I at least ended in a better place than the one I'd been in. I look at it as <em>time served..</em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I've got a new one, which just released this past Thursday. It's called <a contents="Souvenirs" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk">Souvenirs</a> . The link will take you to one of my YouTube pages, where you can listen to any of the selections, as well as stuff from some of my other albums. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And as usual, I've got more stuff in the works. One project I hope to get going on is another solo guitar album. And I'm going to work with somebody on this one. More as it happens. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So that's what I've got for you for today. Again, regretted not being up for yesterday's event, but glad I'm still in touch with some of the folks from that time. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e53a85ac696eb6589b59453db7e14a7970301466/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-7.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>4:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70517822022-09-02T10:20:55-05:002022-09-02T10:20:55-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:25 and 70 degrees are our current stats. A cloudy day out there. Another night with 6 hours of sleep. For me, that's an hour short of the mark. We'll just see where it goes today.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My 50-year High School reunion is this weekend. I might attend the mixer this evening, depending on my energy level. I was pretty draggy yesterday, especially after meals. The thing about reunions is that most all the people I'd want to see I'm already in touch with. Still, I'm gonna see where I'm at this evening, and take it from there. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I did attend my 25-year reunion, at least the mixer. Four different people goaded me into attending, and I didn't see <em>one</em> of them. Murphy's Law...The best conversation I had was with someone I didn't really know. I gave the event a B-plus..</span></p>
<p><em><strong>Music news. </strong></em>My new album, <a contents="Souvenirs" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk">Souvenirs</a>, is off and running. The link will take you to a YouTube page of mine with a number of albums featured. Hope you'll stop in and check it out. </p>
<p>And I've got another album which releases on the 25th. It's called <em>Isosceles Macaroni-</em> and, as you'd figure from the title, is some of my wackier stuff. </p>
<p>And I've got yet another one to release in the not-too-distant future. When it rains, it pours.</p>
<p>So that's what's happening at the moment. Thanks to a couple fellow class-of-72'ers- and one from 73- for coming down this past Sunday to my gig at All About Wine. And thank <em>you</em>, the reader, for stopping in and wading through all this. It's now time for Lumosity and Wordle--and more coffee. Later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e855bfe0c62aab9f97ef84a54fdf61d25332fbff/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-6.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>3:54samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70509542022-09-01T10:59:44-05:002022-09-01T10:59:44-05:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:20 and75 degrees at the moment. Another beautiful day on tap. Just a bit under the weather this morning. I've been waking up about an hour too early the past couple days, and it's catching up to me. Nothing serious, just a little crispy around the edges. This is where coffee does its magic...</span></p>
<p><a contents="This" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_keTVCPIPko0zRhOT2EzDJy7hfHksM56Bk"><span class="font_regular">This</span></a> is my <em><strong>Music News</strong></em> for today. It's my new album. <em>Souvenirs</em> is the title. You can listen to any of the cuts on the album from this link. Probably best to listen to a couple in a row if you can. One thing you try for in an album is having each cut lead in to the next one. That seems to be working here. So, hope you like the sounds!</p>
<p>One thing I'm thinking about for the near-future is another solo guitar album. At my gig this past Sunday there were a number of pickers in the audience. One of them is an old friend who goes all the way back to High School. He has a home-studio just like I do, only probably more high-tech. We've talked about collaborating before, but this time i think I'm gonna put my money where my mouth is..</p>
<p>I've started on this maybe a dozen times over the past couple years. Got a pretty good list of tunes, mostly standards, which I need to get back in my fingers. I think it'll be fun for both of us. And I hope to get something or other with us guys playing our guitars for my YouTube page.</p>
<p>The coffee is starting to do its magic, as far as getting me going. Time for that second cup, and my second round of activities: Lumosity and Wordle. So I'm going to wrap it up here. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Thursday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/20f3f3a3890db46dbb0159013957e66a9ed08047/original/279387265-393027732712287-1946748840811452040-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>4:17samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70501062022-08-31T10:47:45-05:002022-08-31T10:47:45-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:07 and 70 degrees at the moment. The kids are playing across the alley in the Day Care, with some poor grown-up in charge of them. That person is usually drained by lunchtime. Well, it's a tough job..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I have an album that's supposed to release tomorrow. It's called <em>Souvenirs.</em> A mix of Smooth Jazz and Fusion like many of my home-made recordings these days, but it's a bit quirkier. There's plenty of jamming on both guitar and keyboards, but also a few of my <em>weirdo</em> electronic pieces. But it all seems to fall together as a listening experience. That's where a lot of the real <em>toil </em>is in making these albums- in making it all sound easy...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway, it'll be here tomorrow. Up on YouTube for streaming, and at the usual places as far as downloading anything. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Most of my efforts these days are downloads. It's just easier. There are enough boxes of CDs laying around here as it is. But I could be persuaded, if it's one people like. Still comin' atcha in one form or another. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I don't have any gigs at the moment, except for a luncheon this next month on solo guitar. The Ocean State gigs I've done- in January, April and now August- have all been fun. Likewise the two duo things with José Gobbo. And my trio gig back in May. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As long as it's an occasional thing, gigs are still enjoyable. Plus, people seem to get out to hear you more if it's just here and there. So my challenge here is in keeping my calendar from getting too full- tougher than it sounds.. Some folks I know thrive on having a gig <em>every waking moment</em>, but that drives me nutty.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Okay, <em>more</em> nutty. Already some there to begin with...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So that's what's happening in my little corner of the world. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you, however you choose to celebrate it. As for me, I'm off like a dirty shirt. Lumosity and Wordle are my next stops. Later for now. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/957fa1e5529c6c4d47b4fbacbb836392c4c81582/original/modal-mischief-good-5-19-22-moment-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's tune, <em>Groovomotor</em>, is on the new album. Hope you like it. </p>3:49samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70492442022-08-30T09:55:09-05:002022-08-30T09:55:09-05:00Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:09 and 71 degrees at the moment. Looks like a nice day today. Then again, this is central Illinois, where the weather seems to change every 15 minutes. Well, some days..</span></p>
<p>Today should be a pretty good day here in the Lab. I've had a couple social days in a row, so I probably need to recharge. Sunday was a gig, and yesterday was a dinner. One of my cousins, whom I hadn't seen in ages. A nice long conversation. I told her I'd saved my last shred of sociability for our dinner, and would probably hole up the next day. </p>
<p>Oh, and Saputo's is still a great place to eat. No surprises there. </p>
<p><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I have a new album, due to release on Thursday. It's called <em>Souvenirs</em>, and is a mix of Smooth Jazz and Fusion. Lots of guitar and keyboard work, and what I like to think are some nice tunes in there. So it'll be up on YouTube for streaming, and all the other places for downloading anything. </p>
<p>Most of my albums these days are downloads. The option to make a CD is always there, so if there were a demand for a particular recording of mine, I could do it without a lot of fuss. But it's nice not to have more boxes of CDs laying around. This is not a big place, so I appreciate all the space I can get. </p>
<p>I gave away a few of my CDs on Sunday to a few friends who came down. I was hesitant to bring too many, because it wasn't my gig, but I got the green light from Mark. So the next time I sub with them, I'll have some more CDs with me. </p>
<p>It's nice to make some of my money back, but I just like sharing the music. So I do give a few away..</p>
<p>Well that's all I've got for you for the moment in the way of Sam News. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/56d380e3346b667c83bc65e7ed4bf2a898518114/original/1911727-10201690998939291-2099293197-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>2:21samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70484042022-08-29T09:58:54-05:002022-08-29T10:00:23-05:00Oh no! It's Monday!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/5cc06b4601d24153ff9504462ceb25ff75c24770/original/ocean-state-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:05 and 78 degrees are our current stats. A beautiful day out there. My weather page says Thunderstorms, but let's hope we got it all yesterday. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Yesterday was the first gig I'd done since the beginning of May. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I got a text message earlier that day that we were to be playing in a tent. That, and the fact that it was 88 degrees already, helped me pick out what to wear. Those sillyass shorts were the only thing I had that wasn't in the clothes hamper. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The picture of me playing in <em>those shorts </em>embarrassed me at first, but I decided instead to just embrace it. I'm too old to give a damn what anybody else thinks anyway..</span></p>
<p>I had a great time socializing with a few folks. There were a few people there with whom I'd gone to High School and even Junior High. One of these friends is a fellow picker, and we made some plans to get together to do some playing. </p>
<p>Ocean State is a band I played in for a number of years. I made an amicable split a few years back, to work more on my own stuff, but am usually available to sub. These days I'm more of an Adjunct Member. Played with them in January and April and now August.</p>
<p>So I'll be back again, either with them or with my own group. After an event like yesterday, with all the socializing and whatnot, I'm always drained.. Playing out is an extroverted thing, in nature. My personality is more on the introverted and quirky side, which doesn't fare well with a lot of stimuli. I get over-loaded.</p>
<p>Recharging these introvert batteries today. This is why I just play gigs here and there. Gotta <em>recover </em>from them..</p>
<p>In other music news, still working away here in the Lab. At least half of my DNA as a musician is as a composer. That's what I went to school for. Working on my stuff here in the cloistered confines of the Music Lab does <em>not</em> drain me. I feel pleasantly spent, but energized. </p>
<p>But after awhile, I get to missing other people. The <em>fellowship </em>of making music together. This gets me back out of the house, at least for the one engagement. </p>
<p>So that's what I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. For now, ich bin outa this place. Later. </p>
<p>PS Today's tune is called Souvenir. It's from an album of the same name, due to go live this Thursday. September 1st. </p>4:26samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70466252022-08-26T10:36:13-05:002022-08-26T10:36:13-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:53 and 74 degrees. First cup of coffee. A beautiful day out there. An uncharacteristically terse blog, at least so far. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music News</strong></em>. This coming Sunday, I'll be playing with Ocean State at All About Wine. 3 to 6. Jazz standards and Latin. The last gig I played was a trio thing at Boone's on May 8th. We were planning on getting together after that, but it just didn't happen. The heat had a lot to do with it. So it's been awhile since I've played music with other people. I need this. </span></p>
<p>I'm not looking for work at this point, at least not as a sideman. These days, gigs seem to work best in small doses. All the novelty is still there, The fun. And it's always like Old Home Week, working with people you haven't seen in awhile. </p>
<p>If the dosage increases though, it starts to feel like work. This happened in April, when one gig turned into four. I found myself waiting for it all to be over with. Not the mentality I want to have when playing music. </p>
<p>So I'm looking forward to Sunday. Again, an Old Home Week situation, with folks I haven't seen or worked with in a good while. And it will probably tide me over for awhile, as far as all the noise and hubbub. Small doses...</p>
<p>Otherwise, just continuing to work here in the Lab. Writing new tunes and recording them. That's actually my bread and butter as a musician, at least here at the ripe old age of 68. After a day of tunesmithing here in the Lab, I'm pleasantly spent. That tells me I'm on the right track. </p>
<p>But I still need to get out of my room every so often, lest I start turning into Jack Torrance. So the occasional gig will still happen.</p>
<p>Anyway! That's what I've got for you today in the way of news. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you, especially if you've worked all week. For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/6c05f3f2b92329655bc2ddbd8678312d5f51b99c/original/47574338-2314529221950453-4863333714282676224-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>5:27samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70454282022-08-24T21:13:55-05:002022-08-24T21:13:55-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good evening! 8:24 and 76 degrees at the moment. This is normally a morning activity, with the coffee. 8:30 isn't the end of the day, but it's getting there. I can remember when 8:30 at night was when things got started. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I've written more than a few blogs after putting away a Corona or several, but this is my evening beverage anymore. I even take a bottle with me when I play gigs, since I don't drink beer or wine and don't care for soda pop. So it's something of a trademark with me, the red beverage. Also in the picture is my favorite guitar pick, both in shape and color. I like the feel, and the color makes them easy to find if you drop them on the floor. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So the red beverage and the orange pick are two of my accoutrements as a musician, in some ways just as important as the guitar and amp. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I have a gig this Sunday! It's at All About Wine, from 3 to 6, with Ocean State. Mark Russillo on vocals and harmonica; Ben Taylor on bass; Jaro Howse on drums; me on guitar. With my red beverage and orange picks. Jazz standards and Latin. Hope to see you there!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The last thing I did was back in May, at Boone's with Rob Killam and Dave Pruitt. Hopefully I can bring that group back at some point in the not-too-distant future. I've been doing fine working from home here in the Lab- and am just plain enjoying being retired- but I <em>have </em>missed working with other folks. So Sunday will scratch that itch for me. And hopefully also be something that's cool to listen to. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Well I guess that's all I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Wednesday night to you! For now, I'm outa here. More later. </span></p>
<p><br><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/7ef12af656499d46c0f10eb84223be066795f4a7/original/img-0945.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>5:39samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70440412022-08-23T09:16:06-05:002022-08-24T11:14:50-05:00Resurrection<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/4c60ecc2f17c22aed9f6e361c0e4ace0c747c694/original/img-0928.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>Good morning! It's bright and surly here, at 8:44 and 68 degrees. Well maybe not bright..</p>
<p><em><strong>Music/domestic news.</strong></em> I had a piece of musical equipment die on me this past Sunday. My digital recording unit. Seemingly out of the blue, I lost the sound. That kinda blows your day. </p>
<p>So yesterday I was bound and determined to get things working. Made three or four phone calls, to various music stores and electronics companies. No soap. </p>
<p>Then I figured I'd just try to unclog the phone jack and see what happened there. Took me three tries to get the stuff I needed. If anybody's having a similar problem with their electronics, Ace Hardware on Walnut and Jefferson has this stuff right up front.</p>
<p>And they're very nice to deal with. To paraphrase Sun Ra, Ace is the place!</p>
<p>I wasn't even sure this stuff was going to work. It took several applications, but the sound came back a little bit at a time. Eventually it was back loud and clear. And I even tested it this morning. Still doing fine!</p>
<p>At least it got me out of the house for awhile. I probably talked to more people on Monday than I do in a week. Make that a <em>couple </em>weeks..</p>
<p>Pretty much all my recent efforts are up on the Music page of my site. And there's even a free download or two in there. And there's a brand new post on YouTube. Still moving forward..</p>
<p>For today's picture, I was channeling Ernest P. Worrell. The actor who created him was asked in an interview how success had affected his life. "If i'm at the gas station or the supermarket or anyplace else, it's "hey Vern, know what I mean? "But when I go to the Bank, it's "good morning, Mr Varney. How can we help you? "</p>
<p>Anyway. That's all I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this. I do appreciate it! Happy Tuesday to you. Ich bin outa here. More later.</p>
<p>PS today's tune is called A Walk Through Astral Candyland. It's on an album of mine called <em>Garden of Sonic Delights-</em> which is electronic stuff with a kind of punk jazz undercurrent. </p>3:30samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70431772022-08-22T09:30:39-05:002022-08-22T09:30:40-05:00RIP Fostex VF-160<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 8:38 and 67 degrees at the moment. A beautiful day out there. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. My recording unit is on the fritz. Everything works except the phone jack. This seemed to happen all of a sudden. I'd been working away, then took a break, and came back to find I'd lost the sound. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I bought this unit- a Fostex VF-160 digital recorder- some 20 years ago, so it may have just run its course. You can find this one all over Ebay, and for a fraction of what I paid for mine back in 2002. So it's readily replaceable. I'll probably end up coughing up a few bucks for one of these Ebay deals, but I'd like to have the one I've got in working order. </span></p>
<p>I don't know if any of the local music stores have an electronics person doing repairs, but it's worth a phone call. The one wizard I know- Ron Kellus, aka Tarkus- has retired. It seems like it'd be a simple fix to someone who knows what they're doing.</p>
<p>It's a pisser having things going out of working order. Recordus interruptus.. Plus, I'm old, and don't like change- even though I roll with it. But I suppose there's a silver lining in here. My 20-year old recording unit only takes disks from Office Depot, which they don't make anymore. And I've been advised against wearing headphones, which I'd been doing a lot of..</p>
<p>I was able to get a pretty good disk full of tunes, so I do have things to share. With my recording studio out of commission, maybe I'll get back on the guitar. In one way or another, I'll have something for you. </p>
<p>So that's my Monday. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/7656330d6844370c2609e9fe081a5d7710608a54/original/img-2174.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>5:39samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70427672022-08-21T11:06:53-05:002022-08-22T09:08:32-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:21 and 66 degrees are our current stats. Lights out at 12:36, up around 8, back to bed until 9:30. Nine hours of sleep! Most of the time it's around seven. Luxury winks...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. And how! I've been working away here in the Lab, and have conjured up a couple more pieces. At least four new selections. Looking forward to sharing these with you. I still have to mix them- get all the sounds to balance, a job in itself!-and then upload all this mess to the computer. But they're on the way!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This seems to be where my energy is going these days. The best thing I can do is just to follow it, and try to stay out of the way. I'm still putting in time on the guitar, as far as practicing. But this seems to be more a time for <em>tunesmithing</em>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Skimpy as it may be, that's my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! Lumosity and Wordle are my next stops. Strangely enough, I usually do better on the cognitive stuff with less sleep. But we'll give it our best shot. Later. PS today's pic was taken back in 2008 by master photographer Ed Clark. PPS today's tune is called Just Passin ' Through, and is on an upcoming album, due to release on the 25th of next month. Hope you like it. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/09c0709709f282f820bfbc00ada98d6480917425/original/300x300-2-112.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>4:05samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70423622022-08-20T10:50:05-05:002022-08-20T10:50:06-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:49 and 71 degrees are where we're at for the moment. These posts are like something out of the movie Groundhog Day: same location, same first cup of coffee, same low level of alertness.. So here we go again.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Same music news</strong></em>. Still working away in the Lab. Came up with something new last night, and will be itchin' to go again today after I get some more coffee in me. After working last night, I felt <em>pleasantly spent</em> once again. This tells me I'm on the right track. Following my energy where it wants to go. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Whether or not they make it all the way to an actual recording, most of my efforts end up on the Music page here at Sam Central. I always try to throw in a free download or two. Something to take home with you. </span></p>
<p><a contents="Here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdh8s961tIUSTDzYO6kY6OA/playlists"><span class="font_regular">Here</span></a> is where you can find a lot of my recorded stuff on YouTube. All kindsa CDs, from straight-ahead jazz to fusion to classical music. Solo albums and group albums. You just might see somebody you know on one of these records. Heck, you might even <em>be</em> on one of these records...</p>
<p>This has been a spotty year for performances. One in January, one in February, several in April and one in May. We'd planned to rehearse sometime in June, but the heat wave seemed to put the kabash on it. And then the first two weeks in July were on hold, taking care of my brother. And then more heat. It's finally cooling down..</p>
<p>Since that fateful day in March of 2020 when all the lights went out, I've staged a couple of comebacks. It's been nice rubbing elbows with my fellow players and getting to see a few folks, but it hasn't pulled me back in. Gigging involves a lot of last-minute stuff, which is a little bit jarring to this old coot. </p>
<p> I'm sure there will be another comeback attempt. And maybe it'll take this time. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/14360205edb099f0914602f2f17e029a75ec80aa/original/300x300-3-223.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /> But in the meantime, I'll still be bringing it to you via my website and good old social media. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! I'm outa here. More later. </p>
<p> </p>3:34samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70414832022-08-19T09:59:57-05:002022-08-19T09:59:57-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! . 9:10 and 72 degrees are our current stats. </span>It's another picture-perfect day. The kids are playing in the Day Care across the alley, and I'm working on that first cup of coffee. Everything is where it should be. </p>
<p><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I just got three new subscribers to my YouTube page! Thankyouthankyouthankyou! I normally get ém one at a time. So we're up to 162 folks at the moment. I have a lot of fun with my YouTube page. Glad there are some others who enjoy it as well. </p>
<p>In other music news, I've been working away here in the Lab. There's a fair amount of new stuff on the Music page here at samcrain.com, some of which might make it onto a new recording. And there are always a few free downloads in the bunch. Something to take home with you..</p>
<p>These past couple years, with all the COVID craziness, have turned me into a home recording <em>Fiend</em>. 2020 and 2021 were insanely productive years, and '22 is getting there. Strangely enough, the crazy times don't elicit crazy music but rather smooth and tuneful stuff. <em>Comfort music,</em> as it were. </p>
<p>So that's what's going on here at Sam Central. Today may be a good music day, we'll have to see. More coffee to drink, more morning rituals to get through first. Lumosity and Wordle(and another cup of coffee)are next up. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. PS today's tune is one of my weirdo electronic pieces. It's called Cybertraash, and is on my album Garden of Sonic Delights. Operators are standing by to take your order...<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/2fff75072928f6cef1073d732d990d5102ee073a/original/img-8292.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>3:01samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70397912022-08-17T09:22:29-05:002022-08-17T09:22:30-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 8:42 and 64 degrees are our current stats. Another picture-perfect day. I woke up early this morning, at around 7:30. Mornings are actually nice when you don't have morning <em>people</em> to deal with. I'm grateful as hell to have had gainful employ all those years, but I'm glad it's all behind me. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. It's been busy here in the Lab. I've been on another roll. The top 6 entries on the Music page are all either brand spanking new or new remixes. It's either feast or famine with me as far as productivity, and I've been chowing down. I always try to throw in a free download or two, and there are a couple from this new batch. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I've got a new album that's due to release at the beginning of next month. It's called <em>Souvenirs.</em> Lots of guitar work, and a few weird little interludes. It'll be up on YouTube, for streaming, and at the usual places as far as downloading anything. </span></p>
<p>Hard telling what today will bring. I have an errand or two to run, and need to get some exercise at some point in the day. It's often tougher to get in the Zone after all that running around. But even if nothing comes, I've got plenty of new stuff- which I'm planning on sharing with you guys. </p>
<p>So that's my story for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you! For now, I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/fb385cd7842276471bb503046e65d5ca667a9e2a/original/2020-04-02-131104.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS Today's pic goes back to 1985. Elko, Nevada. I think we were there all of a week before they fired us. Never got the reason, but I think it was because we didn't play enough Country Music to suit them. RIP Susan Sacker, who passed away recently. </p>
<p>PPS today's tune is from the new batch. It's called Heartstrings. Hope you like it. </p>5:17samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70390462022-08-16T10:26:41-05:002022-08-17T08:57:05-05:00Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:35 and 71 degrees are our current stats. Another sun n' clouds combo. Today's high is supposed to be 79 degrees. A perfect day for damn near anything you'd want to do.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Yesterday was a great day here in the Music Lab. I made the journey over to the other side of the room where my makeshift home studio is located, and ended up laying down a couple new things. Two are percussion pieces, and one is a full-fledged song.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">After a day of work in the studio, I'm usually pleasantly spent. After laying down that tune, all seven tracks, I wasn't worth much for the remainder of the day. But it signifies, to me at least, that my Muse is back. I'm on another roll. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em>Do what you love, the money will follow</em> is a crock of shit. Unfortunately. Get yourself a decent job--with health benefits-- that pays enough to<em> finance</em> doing what you love, and take it from there. That's the best solution I've been able to muster. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">It's a helluva trade-off though, since any dayjob that pays anything is gonna take it out of you. I remember another busy day coming to an end, and asking a female co-worker if I had any ass left. It felt like it got chewed off by our clients.. <em>Un</em>pleasantly spent...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I was able to bail a little earlier than usual from the world of work. July of 2013, just shy of my 59th birthday. I had to tread water financially for a year or so, as well as get my own insurance, but it was worth it. Grateful as hell to have had a decent job all those years, even if it <em>was</em> stressful. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway! Here we are almost ten years later. This is another day in the office, but the <em>Fun Office</em>, where you feel <em>nourished</em> after a day of work as opposed to drained. So I'll be working away in here today, and looking forward to sharing the results with you guys. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! For now, I'm outa here. Lumosity and Wordle are my next stops. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/410e4035f408b822cf7908e83c4a0edc6e170ff0/original/img-0010.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's cover is a picture from my Line 6 Guitar Processor. All kindsa sounds. More Death Metal than I think I'll ever need, but still a world o'sounds. PPS today's tune is from a newer album of mine called<em> Pianoramics,</em> which is a collection of some of my piano music. </p>2:00samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70376962022-08-14T11:52:58-05:002022-08-14T11:52:58-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:48 and 76 degrees at the moment. A sun n' clouds combo. Enjoying that first cup of coffee of the day. For many of us, coffee is the new beer. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">But I have never liked black coffee. Yuk. Gotta have something in it. And these days, it has to be sugar-free. Like many older adults, I've gotta watch my sugar levels..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Not always an easy task, finding what you want in a flavor that's at least palatable. Like Diet Soda, some of the available flavors are awful. I remember my Dad drinking some kind of diet orange stuff that tasted like motor oil. That was <em>his</em> :new beer". Dreadful...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">But I got lucky last time at the grocery store, and was able to nab me a couple bottles of Coconut Creme. It's perhaps the one flavor they haven't screwed up.. The world may be a crazy place, but at least in the world of morning coffee(a world-within-a-world), it's Paradise. At least until I run out of Coconut Creme. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I have a new album, due to release on the 1st of September. It's called <em>Souvenirs,</em> and is a mix of Smooth Jazz and Fusion- another one of my mutts. There are plenty of guitar and keyboard solos, but also a lot of ensemble playing. That sounds strange for a solo project, but that's how this one came out. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I should probably mention here that there<em> are </em>albums I've released over the last couple years that have other folks on them. <em>Jazz Guitar 2015</em> has a lot of guests on it, as does <em>A Walk on the Mild Side</em>. And then there's <em>The Sam Crain Quartet,</em> which is all live from 2 different gigs. Strangely enough, they haven't done as well as my solo stuff as far as audience response. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">But I'll still keep making them. They are a<em> lot</em> tougher to do as far as the scheduling(as you can imagine), which I think is how i got into doing these onetet sessions. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway. That's all I've got for you for now. All good here in Samland. Today will probably be a day of musicmaking. And as always, whatever survives I share. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this. Happy Sunday to you! Ich bin outa here. Lumosity and Wordle are my next stops. Later for now..<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/6c05f3f2b92329655bc2ddbd8678312d5f51b99c/original/47574338-2314529221950453-4863333714282676224-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken at Arlington's. Mark Russillo, Lou Humphrey, Frank Parker, Ben Taylor and me. A jocular moment on the bandstand. We were all laughing at something or other...</p>
<p>PPS today's tune is something new. It's called Open Road. Hope you like it. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70347792022-08-10T10:13:42-05:002022-08-13T04:14:03-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:03 and 69 degrees are our current stats. The sun is shining, the kids are playing across the alley at the Day Care Center, all signs of life today. And as usual, I'm nursing that first cup of coffee. My pot makes about three cups and change. About half the time, I pour out that last cup. But I've gotta have that first one..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"> Today is my birthday. I'm 68 years old. Well, technically, I'll be 68 at 8:57 this evening. In Astrological parlance, I'm a Leo Sun Sign with a Capricorn moon and Pisces rising. I had one of those charts done some years back. The lion, the goat and the fish is a pretty weird mix. As I remember, Hitler had a Capricorn moon..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Actually, I think there's something to that business. But it's more of a quasi-science--as opposed to a pseudo-science. It doesn't claim to be anything else. The stars incline, but they do not compel. I look at it as coloration. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway. Famous people born on August 10 include bandleader Claude Thornhill, Ian Anderson, Rosanna Arquette, Jimmy Dean, Peggy Fleming, Eddie Fisher, and Antonio Banderas. </span></p>
<p>Anyway! In the world of music, I have two albums due to release this coming month: on the 1st and the 25th. <em>Souvenirs </em>and <em>Isosceles Macaroni </em>are the titles. <em>Souvenirs</em> is smoother and <em>Isosceles Macaroni</em> is edgier--as you'd probably gather from the titles.. I talked a little more about these titles in yesterday's post. </p>
<p>Also working on some new stuff. But I wanted to get those two albums off my desk, so to speak.</p>
<p>I'm doing more composing from the piano lately, as opposed to just plugging in the synthesizer and recording unit and just going for it. The go-for-it approach works, but you end up with a lot of binary forms, which ends up sounding formulaic. Still at it. </p>
<p>And that's my news for you for now. The only big plans I have on my birthday is dinner with my brother. Some music will likely happen today, and if any of it works, I'll be glad to share. So, thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you! Time for this one to move on. Lumosity and Wordle are up<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/15a2b633681023f93091e324227481c88040a967/original/562694-3618374140539-1838433820-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /> next for me. Later for now. </p>4:18samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70338662022-08-09T09:08:38-05:002022-08-09T09:37:40-05:00Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/957fa1e5529c6c4d47b4fbacbb836392c4c81582/original/modal-mischief-good-5-19-22-moment-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/1c8a1ceced5beb51f742bb34640873adbd60a550/original/isosceles-macaroni-cd-cover.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>Good morning! 9:10 and 69 degrees are our current stats. Cloudy but at least cooler. </p>
<p><em><strong>Music News</strong></em>. Boy howdy! A busy day in the Lab yesterday finishing up not one but two albums. The first one , <em>Souvenirs,</em> is already up; and the second one,<em> Isosceles</em> <em>Macaroni,</em> is going up today.</p>
<p><em>Souvenirs</em> is smoother stuff, but a little quirky around the edges. Lots of guitar and keyboard work, and a couple electronic pieces that sound a bit like Weather Report. </p>
<p><em>Isosceles Macaroni</em> is more edgy, more out there. It starts off relatively easy, and gets crazier from there- only to <em>normalize</em> at the very end. </p>
<p>I had fun putting the cover together. Pretty sure I got the triangle right, with the two even sides. </p>
<p>The title comes from a dream I had as a college kid, 24 or 25 years old. In the dream, I'm at Ralph Nader's house. Dinner is cooking, and he's giving a lecture, complete with blackboard and chalk.</p>
<p>He's saying, in his lecture "we must view reality without bias", and draws a 9-point star on the board. He then poses various philosophical questions, and answers them within the 9-point star, something like a Proof in Geometry. </p>
<p>While all this is going on, the phone rings. I answer it: hello? The voice on the other end said, "What's for dinner? Isosceles Macaroni was my answer. At the time it felt like a witticism. </p>
<p>Some witticism. But that's where the title came from.</p>
<p>So these two albums will be ready this next month. Souvenirs goes live on September 1st, and Isosceles Macaroni will probably go up around the end of the month. Nice to finally have closure on these two projects. </p>
<p>And I've got the beginnings of a new one. Smoother stuff, but still quirky around the edges. Coming whenever. But probably soon. </p>
<p>And that's my news for you for today. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Happy Tuesday to you. Lumosity and Wordle are my next stops. Later for now. PS today's tune is from Isosceles Macaroni. Hope you like it. </p>4:05samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70333522022-08-08T14:40:39-05:002022-08-08T14:40:39-05:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's currently 2:16 in the pm and a manageable 83 degrees. God knows why I seem to have to document that every time I write one of these..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I have a new album, the contents of which I just now uploaded to CD Baby. They're the folks who help me release my stuff, and distribute it to all kindsa places. Been with them for quite some time now, since around 2001. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The album is called <em>Souvenirs.</em> It's another one of my mutts as far as style. Some of it is nice and smooth, and some of it is quirky. As far as sounding like anybody else, there are a couple pieces on here that are somewhat reminiscent of Weather Report, particularly Joe Zawinul's playing and writing. One of them I even titled Birdland Adjacent, kind of an homage..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So, coming on the 1st of September, a new album. And I'm working on some more stuff, which will eventually be another album. When it rains, it pours..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">There are a number of new pieces of mine on the Music page. Most of the newest ones are works-in-progress, meaning that they need some more work or at least a new mix. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So that's all I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/957fa1e5529c6c4d47b4fbacbb836392c4c81582/original/modal-mischief-good-5-19-22-moment-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's tune is on the new album. Hope you like it.</p>
<p> </p>3:49samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70326082022-08-07T10:23:15-05:002022-08-07T10:23:15-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:50 and 83 degrees are our current stats. Another hot day on the horizon. It really helps to have enough sleep. When you don't get your RDA of <em>slarvak</em> , everything is just a little bit more irritating or worrisome. And the world is crazy enough right now as it is..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Yesterday was one of those days that fell shy of the mark. This used to be a bigger problem, earlier in my retirement. Had to work on it. I'm happy to say I now enjoy months on end of blissful slumber. But there's still a day or two here and there to bite me on the ass!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Oh yeah. Slarvak is the name for sleep on the planet Remulak. This is, of course, the Coneheads' real home. On SNL, they also used the term slarface, but slarvak sounds more linguistically correct. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Fairly current on most fronts here. There are some new tunes up on the Music page of the site, and YouTube has a fairly new post. This coming week I'm supposed to get together with a bass player friend. He's in town a couple times throughout the year. If all goes well, I should have some new stuff to put up on YouTube. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Today feels like a good day for musicmaking, so I may make some music news today. Yesterday was a wash as far as that went. I seem to need to have my beauty sleep to make music. The wired energy I have on those sleep-deprived days is great for Lumosity games, but that's as far as it goes. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So here we are on a brand new day. We'll see what happens. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! For now, I'm outa here. Lumosity and Wordle are next up. Later for now. PS today's tune is called Blues on a Hot Fudge Sunday. Kind of a Western Swing feel, as it turned out. It's an oldie, from my album Jazz Guitar back in 2002 or so. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e53a85ac696eb6589b59453db7e14a7970301466/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-7.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>3:34samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70316272022-08-05T14:22:35-05:002022-08-06T14:17:00-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good afternoon! It's 2:17 in the pm, and a balmy 81 degrees. A nice, sunny day- at least for the moment. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">It's taken me awhile to get going today. One thing about getting older is that there are some days you just don't feel right. Even if you're basically healthy. But your plumbing is getting older along with the rest of you. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The good news is that it's made me cut back on the caffeine in the morning. I don't usually finish a pot of coffee--which is three cups and change--unless I didn't get enough sleep. Actually I think it's the acids in coffee as much as anything.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I've got a couple of new tunes, and some new mixes, on the Music page. These past couple days have been a nice binge. There is a new album on the horizon, but I've got more work to do before we get there. Coming soon!</span></p>
<p>And this coming week will feature at least one session with a bass player friend. He lives in Poland most of the year, but has family here. I had just been wondering what he was up to. So I hope to capture something or other to share on YouTube.</p>
<p>Looking forward to making music with someone else for a change. It was supposed to happen back in June, the trio with Rob and Dave, but was postponed due to the heat. Hopefully we'll still get this going.</p>
<p>Last but not least, I have a brief solo guitar gig on September 21st. My second time playing for this particular group. Should be fun.</p>
<p>And that's all I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/56d380e3346b667c83bc65e7ed4bf2a898518114/original/1911727-10201690998939291-2099293197-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken at an Artist-on-the-Plaza gig some years ago. I missed getting one of these this year, but was on hand last year and hopefully will be for next year. PPS today's tune is from the new batch. Hope you like it. </p>samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70309692022-08-04T17:15:45-05:002022-08-05T13:44:31-05:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's 5:11 and 84 degrees from where I'm sitting. This seems to be a lazy day here in Samland. Can't get going on anything. But there are some new tunes on the Music page. As usual, they're right at the top of the page. <em>Morning Mix</em>, <em>Open Road</em>, and <em>Good News for a Change</em> are the titles. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Maybe tomorrow, or even later today, will be better for musicmaking. I guess I'm just gathering up creative energy at the moment. Anyway, new tunes on board. That is all. For now.</span></p>samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70298662022-08-03T10:37:20-05:002022-08-03T10:37:21-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 9:39 and 82 degrees at the moment. It's supposed to be either too hot or rain like hell today, probably both. So far so good though. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">There is a Day Care across the alley from me, and I'm seeing the kids out there enjoying themselves. Merriment is a good thing.. In a couple hours, the grown-up assigned to watch them will be absolutely drained. I've witnessed that on more than a few mornings..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Le News Musicale</strong></em>. The binge continues. Two more pieces yesterday. And I feel like I've got more in me to work with today. Round and round and round she goes. Where she stops, nobody knows. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">It's either feast or famine with me as far as my output. I had a whole schoolyear where I couldn't come up with anything(and I was a Music Comp major!), and then crazy productivity that Summer. And I had a dry period after my Dad passed away. back in 1992, which I eventually came back from. So I have my spells of non-inspiration. Actually, I think they're needed. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So I'll have a new album or two out of all this mess. Not in any big hurry there, already having 47 albums out there. But at the same time, you have to keep going forward. If you're around awhile, as I've been, you're going to have a lot to show for it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As far as any other musicmaking, I just heard from a bass player friend who used to come over and play. So it's not music outside of the house just yet, but still making music with<em> someone else. </em> I have a whole channel on my YouTube page called Sam and Raj with guitar/bass duos. More to come. </span></p>
<p>A week from today I'll be 68 years old. Grateful to still be in decent health at this advancing age. The night life doesn't really agree with me these days, partly because I don't drink anymore but mostly because I'm just getting older. It makes being a musician a little trickier.</p>
<p>Before COVID, I had a nice little niche carved out for myself, with a lot of Nursing Home gigs in the middle of the afternoon, and a few happy hour affairs. So I'm a man without a niche, at least for the time being...</p>
<p>Anyway. A little more long-winded today. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it all. Happy Hump Day to you! For now, I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/47571710a0cd089eee7c949a72d52af0f5c6c0be/original/300x300-2-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS Today's pic goes back to 1985 or so. I was on the road with a band who travelled around in a funky old Schoolbus. I've got the phones on and am in the Zone here...</p>
<p>PPS today's tune is from the new batch. Hope you like it. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>4:04samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70290212022-08-02T10:59:48-05:002022-08-03T01:17:01-05:00Tepid Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's currently 10:21 and 78 degrees, a dark and rainy day. An Edgar Allan Poe kinda day. But here in the cloistered confines of my music room, it's nice and sunny. Mind over matter. At least it's working so far..</span></p>
<p><em><strong>The Man, The Music.</strong></em> I do have some news, as it turns out. A recent home-studio binge has left me with a litter of 9. Six of them are now on the Music page here at Sam Central. As usual, they're right up at the top of the page. Some of it is nice and smooth, and some has a bit more edge. But all of it is there to entertain. </p>
<p>This is a perfect day to continue that binge. At the very least, I'll still be working here in the Lab on the ones I've recorded. And then there are all those guitars across the room, waiting to be played. Music will happen in one form or another. </p>
<p>Not much else to report at the moment. Just running through my morning paces, this being one of them. It's now time for Lumosity and Wordle. I'm my own worst critic on this stuff just as I am as a musician. But it's still a lot of fun. </p>
<p>So, thanks for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Happy Tuesday to you! For now, I'm outa here. More later. PS Today's pic was taken in either Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta CANADA in July of 1985. I was on the road with a band that played there every Summer. Today's tune is one of the hew ones. Hope you like it. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/14360205edb099f0914602f2f17e029a75ec80aa/original/300x300-3-223.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>3:12samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70281812022-08-01T10:08:55-05:002022-08-01T10:08:55-05:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:32 and 74 degrees are our current stats. Another can't-beat-it Summer day. Working on that first cup of coffee of the day, out of about three and change. I'm a slow starter in the morning, even with enough sleep. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Still on a roll here in the Lab. A creative binge. I have a number of new pieces, and feel like I've got more in me to work with as far as any more new music. So after swilling some more coffee, and running through my other morning stuff(Lumosity and Wordle), I'll be back in the office, working away. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So I'll be sharing the fruits of my labors on the Music page here at samcrain.com. I still have to remix all this new stuff, getting the levels just right( a sometimes maddening procedure<em>) </em>and then upload it all to the computer. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And I'm still working on a new album. Another maddening procedure is trying to get all the songs in the best order, but of course it's worth it in the end. With all this new material, I may even end up with<em> two</em> albums..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">With the weather all nice and moderate, this would be a good time to make another stab at getting a rehearsal together with my better two-thirds. I want to follow through with what I'm doing first, but this is definitely on the horizon. Best to do one thing and do it well, then move on. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I had a supervisor at work who told me<em> I do one thing, I do it very well, and then I move on</em>. I had to laugh, and told him he was channeling Charles Emerson Winchester from MASH. He wasn't given to hilarity, but as I remember, that got a chuckle out of him..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Another skimpy post, but it's all I've got. Having a lot of fun here in the Lab, and look forward to sharing the results with you guys. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. This one is out the door. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/801887751563f335dd7bbe518222376f20c337aa/original/img-0844.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's tune is from my album Sonorities. It's called Ascend. Hope you like it. </p>5:13samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70276172022-07-31T10:21:36-05:002022-07-31T10:21:36-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:40 and 74 degrees at the moment. These have been earlier lately, but I slept in just a bit this morning, and got that 8th hour of shuteye. Seven is my norm. Anything over that feels like luxury winks. With nine hours of sleep, I'm practically invertebrate. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">It still takes awhile to get up to speed, no matter how soundly I slept. And this is where coffee comes in. Coffee is the new beer for at least a few of us seniors. Working on that first cup of Morning Joe. Looks like a nice day on the horizon. Kind of a sun n' clouds combo. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I'm currently on a roll, working away in my makeshift home studio. This is what I wanted to happen back in May, after playing a wave of gigs. But it's happening now. I think the weather just had to break, from all those unrelentingly hot days. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So I have a couple of new things to share, with more on the way. I<em> love</em> being on a roll like this. To quote Miles Davis, it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Looking forward to getting back into it today. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">YouTube has a new post, as of last night. Another Jerome Kern tune: The Song is You. I'm now up to a whopping 158 subscribers. Keep ém coming..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This is the part of the morning, after writing this drivel, where I do Lumosity and Wordle. The body gets a workout twice a week, but my equally aging brain gets it every morning. I'm my own worst critic here, just as I am with the guitar. So there are a few four-letter words used during the course of my sessions. But it's still lots of fun..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Okay then. That's all I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/801887751563f335dd7bbe518222376f20c337aa/original/img-0844.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>6:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70271552022-07-30T09:31:04-05:002022-07-30T09:31:04-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 8:38 and 68 degrees are our current stats. And it's a beautiful day out there. Getting to bed just a tad earlier lately. I'm still a slug for the first couple hours, but at least I get it in with a bit more morning left. My version of Carpe Diem.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I've started working again in my makeshift home-recording studio. Creating more stuff. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I had hoped to do this back in May, after a wave of gigs. I'd done the same thing in February, after a couple of Winter gigs, and came up with a new album. <em>Big Hair, Big Dreams</em>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">KInda had to wait for the weather to be right. My music room is the only room in the house without Central Air, so the hot days we've been having have rendered it useless. I could reach an acceptable level of cool, but it was only right in front of the computer. Cool enough for YouTube videos, but not nearly cool enough to record anything across the room. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So I've got two new interludes, and beginnings of a third. All this new stuff will soon be on the Music page of my website. Working on a new album, out of all the messes I've made here in the studio. It's about 90% at the moment. Decisions, decisions..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As far as making music out of the house, that's still in limbo. But with the weather cooling for the moment, it's probably a good time to try to schedule another rehearsal. Once we get the ball rolling, we should be just fine. It's just getting that first step..</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 1em;">Anyway. Today should be a great day here in the Lab. This is also an exercise day. I move these old bones around for about 35-40 minutes, through various calisthenics and contortions. . I shoot for twice a week, but always get one in. So with whatever is left of me after that, I'll probably be making some more music today. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 1em;">So that's what's happening here in Samworld. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! For now, I'm outa this place. More later. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 1em;">PS today's pic goes back to 2015, and was taken at Panther Creek's clubhouse. Edwin von Fliege Jr on keys, Dennis Cronin on bass, David Hoffman on trumpet, Lonnie Wooden on drums, and me on guitar. Fun times!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/650133c35cc31eeac7e09f999b62588deb51b896/original/295526188-3294286764180895-5359486617494303343-n.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.png" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>2:53samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70247912022-07-27T10:55:26-05:002022-07-27T10:55:26-05:00Swingin' Syllables<p>Good morning! Straight-up 10 o'clock from where I'm sitting, and a most temperate 74 degrees. It definitely hits the spot after all those swelteringly hot days. Blessed relief! I think there's even a Frank Zappa song with that title. </p>
<p><em>Swingin' Syllables </em>refers to something I just posted on Facebook called a <em>Beatnik Dictionary.</em> I was born in '54, and just missed the Beatnik Era. I was just in time, though, for the British Invasion some ten years later. Maynard G Krebs was my first beatnik, but The Beatles were my first band. </p>
<p><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> A couple new things for my YouTube page, one of them a ballad. <em>Blame it on my Youth</em> is the tune, written by Oscar Levant. He was a pianist and Hollywood personality, a contemporary of George Gershwin, whom he idolized. I've never played any of his music, but I've read both of his books:<em> Memoirs of an Amnesiac</em>, and <em>The</em> <em>Unimportance of Being Oscar</em>. (A reference to Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest). He was one of the more neurotic personalities of his time. I think if you looked up OCD, you'd see a picture of him.</p>
<p>Both his books are recommended reading. They're mainly collections of anecdotes from that era. Dorothy Parker was also around during Oscar Levant's time. There are a few of her gems in at least one of his books. </p>
<p>In other music news, feeling the itch to make music with other folks. May 6th was the last gig I had, and we were supposed to get together this last month to rehearse. The heat put the kabash on that one. And the Ocean State sessions haven't happened due I think to COVID. So I'm starting to feel the withdrawal. </p>
<p>I love working on my own, but eventually I get a bit lonesome and need to rub elbows with other folks. And then, after awhile, need to get the hell away from them and just work here in the Lab. It's actually a nice cycle, the best of both worlds. </p>
<p>So something will happen, always does. And I'll be glad to give you the particulars. For now, I'm still working away here in the Lab. So- thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you! For now, I'm outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/520b9a5b87fd02e686b8f27f2e7666fe3ae1e585/original/july-31st-gig.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Today's pic goes back to last year. Late July, a rainy day that finally dried up. You can see downtown Springfield right behind us.</p>
<p> </p>4:29samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70238972022-07-26T10:02:58-05:002022-07-26T10:02:58-05:00Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:19 and 65 degrees at the moment. Much cooler than we've had it. The two animals who occupy this house--at least the two I know of--are most grateful. Cindy has been giving me her plaintive meow, which either means <em>pet me</em> or <em>it's too damn hot. </em>I actually put my fan on the floor and pointing in her direction to give her some relief. </span></p>
<p><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I have a new album ready to go, but I still don't know what to call it. This new one is a mix between smooth jazz and fusion, with a couple of my quirky electronic pieces thrown in for good measure. Coming soon--just as soon as it has a name. </p>
<p>It looks like we've got a nice stretch of cooler days ahead. This makes it much easier to be creative here in the Music Lab. Hopefully I'll have some new music to share as a result of this. </p>
<p>Skimpy news today. But I may well have some more guitar jams to share on YouTube. Like I said, much easier to get something going in here when the temperature is right. </p>
<p>The only other item I had may or may not be newsworthy, but it felt significant. I experienced a random act of kindness this past Saturday. Trying to get to my usual auto repair place which is at 5th and Stanford, and finding the roads blocked at every turn. Finally took the long way, from MacArthur, and had to get turned around to get there. Pissed someone off in the process, which just adds to your stress, being honked at and all..</p>
<p>It was a long wait just to get my vehicle in there, as they were backed up about three cars deep. Also, sweltering heat. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/20f3f3a3890db46dbb0159013957e66a9ed08047/original/279387265-393027732712287-1946748840811452040-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" />Once in, I had to stay in my vehicle. Good old COVID.. They took care of the basics, but didn't really answer my question about it being road-worthy. So I'm waiting to get back onto Stanford, and suddenly one car stops. This is a busy street, so it was unusual to see. A second later I realized that they were being nice. Waved to them and pulled out onto the street, heading home. </p>
<p>What made that feel significant was that it was a busy street. You don't just come to a stop without someone running right into your ass. Whether it was a random act or an ordered one, it made my day a lot better..</p>
<p>Okay. That's all I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. </p>2:16samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70230422022-07-25T09:47:00-05:002022-07-25T09:47:00-05:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 8:57 and a most temperate 69 degrees on this dreaded first-day-of-the-workweek. A co-worker, one of the ones I <em>didn't</em> like, used to take more of a Carpe Diem approach, stating that Monday morning is another chance to get it right.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Her desk used to be right behind mine. She used to interrupt damn near every phone conversation I had until I finally told her to kindly knock it off. Last I heard, she was a Supervisor. She'd be <em>my </em>Supervisor if I were still there. Memories like this make me especially glad to be retired. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. There's a jam session in Bloomington on Wednesday. I was invited, but had to decline. The bucket of bolts otherwise known as my van probably wouldn't get me there and back. I had almost forgotten my visit to a local service station, and them telling me it wasn't worth repairing.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Mom and Pop shops tend to be more honest, which is why I favor them. They told me my van was basically on its last legs. So I've been keeping it local. So far so good</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"> The host for this event in Bloomington was very understanding, thank goodness. An old and dear friend, but one of my more intense ones.. Nice to see he's mellowing a bit with age. . I was tickled to be invited to join folks like Chip McNeill and Richard Drexler. They're both brilliant improvisors. Next time..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In other <em><strong>music news</strong></em>, I'm still practicing most every day, and still making YouTube videos. The heat has slowed things down. We had a rehearsal tentatively scheduled for sometime in June, but it got sacked. Once we get rolling with the rehearsals, I think everything else will fall into place. But we still have yet to make that first move...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And I have yet another album to release. Lots of guitar work as usual, and also featuring a few of my weirdo electronic pieces. Home recording has also slowed up due to the heat, but I always seem to have backlog..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I had a little bit more to write, but this is already a full page. More than enough reading material for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/832cd398e68ba33a2fcc2b7d7d2cf05af83c73c0/original/198420-431431850221955-135051651-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p>PS Today's pic was taken at Robbie's, year unknown. Dan Rivero, Wayne Carter and me. I enjoyed my Dan and Wayne years.</p>samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70194342022-07-21T10:51:55-05:002022-07-23T11:17:01-05:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:07 and 82 degrees at the moment. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The struggle continues, as far as keeping the Music Lab cool enough to do my thing in here. This afternoon it'll be a lot hotter. I've got an old funky window unit in here that does provide some cool air( but noisy as all getout), plus a fan that gets transported back and forth between here and the bedroom. Sometimes Paradise requires a little bit of maintenance....</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I'm putting the finishing touches on what will be a new album. One more tune to add to the mix. It's similar in style to some of the other things I've recently released. A mix of fusion and smooth jazz, but with a character and mood all its own. At least that's what I was shooting for. I try to make each album different from the others in one way or another. Coming soon!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Still hoping to get another session in with the trio. We were waiting for the heat to break last time I checked in. And COVID has put the kabash on another Ocean State session. I'm a pretty good hermit, as far as that goes, but I do miss making music with other folks. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And that's all the news I've got for you for now. Still keeping up the practicing, and still making YouTube videos. I don't have a lot of gigs these days, so this is a good way to continue to share what I do. I still think of an audience when I'm making them, which is why I usually smile or grin at the end. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Okay then. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Happy Thursday to you. For now, I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/47571710a0cd089eee7c949a72d52af0f5c6c0be/original/300x300-2-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's pic goes back to 1985 o so. I was on the road. We had an old funky Schoolbus to get around in, and I was off in my own world with the headphones on and making some kind of music. </p>6:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70179242022-07-19T13:31:47-05:002022-07-19T13:33:47-05:00Tuesday<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's around 12:30, and still nice and temperate here in the Music Lab. Hoping to get into some sonic trouble this afternoon. </p>
<p><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> A couple new things up on the Music page here at Sam Central. <em>Souvenir</em>, <em>Energies</em>, and <em>Tumult</em>. All at the top of the page. At least one of them is a free download. </p>
<p>Getting back to this post at just after one in the afternoon. So much for temperate. The air-conditioner is running, and I've got a fan going, so this should at least take some of the edge off. Gotta have the Music Lab inhabitable. It's where the action is. </p>
<p>Anybody remember the TV show Where the Action Is? The only act I remember on there was Paul Revere and the Raiders. They ended up being a Las Vegas Showband, and were out there on the road at the time I was- '84-86. Never got the chance to see them, but we were more or less in the same orbit. </p>
<p>I have a vague memory of us on the road endeavoring to learn Kicks. Never got off the ground, but would've been fun.</p>
<p>Anyway, hoping to get into some trouble here this afternoon, either on the guitar or in the recording studio, or both. I've also got a tune I'm working on. Even went old school here and started writing a chart. Oh yeah, more musician lingo. A <em>chart </em>refers to either a score or lead-sheet(i.e. with the melody and chords)</p>
<p>I could probably do a whole column in here on musician lingo. So much of it is second nature that I'd have to think about it, see what I could dredge up. But I think it'd make for a nice post. Educational even..</p>
<p>Not much news today, but sometimes that's just fine. I'm gonna have fun doing something today, even if it's nothing. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this. Happy Tuesday to you~! So long for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/cf7c28d2bc0109cb963eeb2987ab5dd5516afc16/original/2020-05-23-162316.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>PS Today's pic was taken in Dallas in January of 1985. I'm somewhere in there. PPS today's tune is called Souvenir. Relatively new. </p>samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70170132022-07-18T10:51:11-05:002022-07-19T12:42:02-05:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:42 and 75 degrees on this dreaded first day of the workweek. At least it's a beautiful Monday, as Mondays go. I put in a lot of Mondays at the Unemployment Office over the years. Pandemonium every damn week. But a nice sunny day like today would at least take some of the edge off. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">First off, thank you for your concerns about my brother. He's doing fine. I just spoke with him this morning. Much better spirits. He's got a lot to process as far as these <em>new</em> health issues, but he's dealing with it. I've been leaving him alone for that very reason, but had to check in today. Doing fine.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I have a new album to release. It's all material from the past year or so. A mix of fusion, smooth jazz and some quirky weirdness in a few electronic pieces. My usual mix, but a different approach on a few of the tunes. Instead of one solo following another, I have some places where everybody improvises at once. A Dixieland approach. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I try to make every album a little bit different from the others With a quality all its own. At least that's the plan. This new one doesn't have a title yet, nor do most of the tunes. And there's no cover picture as yet, but I'm working on it. Coming soon!</span></p>
<p>Still working on the guitar. We've put off rehearsing with the trio due to the heat, but will get to it eventually. And it's been awhile since I've done an Ocean State rehearsal. That too will come back sooner or later. But I'm still practicing, and learning a few new tunes. And still posting to YouTube, </p>
<p>And that's pretty much my news for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible! For now, I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/9f148067a470857c413a363c97f730f78a7952f3/original/img-0796.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic is one I'm considering using for this new album. Unlike some of the other pics, I don't think this one will get laughs..</p>
<p>PPS today's tune is from the new album. Hope you like it!</p>
<p> </p>5:02samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70154782022-07-15T10:04:40-05:002022-07-15T10:04:40-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:26 and a very moderate 75 degrees. A rainy day, but hopefully a cooler one. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Domestic news</strong></em>. My brother is out of the hospital, and back in his new apartment. He'd been up at Memorial for almost two weeks. I was just up there yesterday, and they cut him loose that afternoon. So we have a few errands to run today, to get him set up with groceries- plus the meds he now has to take. Welcome to Geezerhood, bro!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I got a nice note on Facebook yesterday from my guitar buddy José Gobbo. We'd worked together in January, and again in April. Both of these gigs were a blast! It's getting to be time to do it again. I can feel it in my bones. So we'll be back stirring up more trouble at a future date. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In other music news, I have yet another album to release. It's a mix of smooth/fusion stuff, with lots of guitar work and a few of my weird little electronic pieces. Actually, the electronic stuff isn't all that weird. It sounds a little bit like Weather Report, like Joe Zawinul. I've just gotta get some cover art--and a title!--and upload the stuff to the computer. Coming soon!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And I'm still working on my guitar playing. Here in the Lab, I do a lot of practicing. Some of it is what I call Castor Oil exercises: nasty, awkward picking exercises up and down the neck. And with playalong recordings- and the winners get uploaded to my YouTube page. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">A number of years ago, someone commented on my YouTube page, saying <em>you're certainly not a perfectionist</em>. I do allow a clam or two, as long as they're not egregious errors, but I <em>am </em>fussy about the time, how it <em>feels</em>. That's what communicates to the listener, more than any right or wrong notes..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So that's the story so far. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! For now, I'm outa here., More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e855bfe0c62aab9f97ef84a54fdf61d25332fbff/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-6.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>3:30samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70137262022-07-13T09:59:41-05:002022-07-13T09:59:42-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:17 and 75 degrees are our stats so far. Looks like a nice day on the horizon. I don't think I'll ever be a true morning person. I'm a decadent musician's version of a morning person--which comes out to mid-morning. I never see the crack of Dawn, but rather wait until her whole rear end is showing..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The only news I have for you today is actually a photo gallery. I just added a new one in. It's called <em>Who Da Man,</em> and is made up of all my good Wordle games. People like to brag on Facebook when they get it in just a few moves.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I don't usually do this--for one thing, I don't know how to share the results in whatever coded form people use, so it ends up being a spoiler--but I'm just as vain as the next person. I may not share the results, but I still celebrate my attaboys. They're always saved to my Pictures. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So, hope you like Who Da Man. I'll be adding more as I have more good days with Wordle or Lumosity. This stuff is necessary for a person getting on in years, but I've always had an affinity for it. My brother and I both took to Sudoku as well, though we have our own processes. He likes to do it online, and time himself. I like to print it off and make notations here and there--even though you can paint yourself into a corner at times..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway, that's all the news I've got for you for now. Music news will return. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. PS today's tune is called Bub n' Grub, and is on my album Jazz Guitar 2015. Hope you like it!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/2d5ae0f074decdd1b6589ebbef3351f81a4bcfe6/original/image001.gif/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.png" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>4:04samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70129092022-07-12T10:20:01-05:002022-07-12T10:20:01-05:00Tuesday Welding<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:31 and 75 degrees are our current stats. It looks like a nice moderate day on the way. My music room--which is sort of my Center of the Cosmos--has been a frickin' <em>oven</em> lately. Grumble gripe groan...<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/bbbf249b6ad05a9c4625a0878117fccd041c8dc3/original/img-1614-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>This is another one of my guitars, an Ibanez Strat. I don't use the whammy bar anymore, but I still like the sound and the feel of this skinny Minnie. </p>
<p>I've been playing it lately, and even have a few videos I made with it. So along with the red guitar and the yellow guitar, I have the copper guitar to put in the rotation. </p>
<p>Guitarists will notice the locking nut just above the fretboard. As far as unlocking it, i used to have an allen wrench someplace, but it keeps pretty good tune as is. </p>
<p>I used to have a gold top Les Paul Deluxe, to which I added a locking nut as well. Didn't take to the Les Paul. I think it was one thing too many, as far as souping up that guitar. Les Pauls are best left in their pristine state. Live and learn...</p>
<p>Over the years, I've gone back and forth as far as big guitars vs skinny ones. And lots of pedals vs no pedals.</p>
<p>On gigs, I'm pretty much no frills. just plug the guitar into the amp. But I do have a Line 6 guitar processor that I use for recording. Wayyy more Death Metal sounds than I think I'd ever use, but still lots of tone varieties. </p>
<p>My album <a contents="Sonorities" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lrUiRQ6rhY5EHVQAllduAN_o3lw6xt9N8">Sonorities</a> uses a variety of tone colors, all found on the Line 6. The link will take you to a YouTube page of mine which features that album as well as others. </p>
<p>Not much actual news at the moment. At least no actual music news. Still just doing what I'm doing. More YouTube videos, and more recorded music on the way, just as soon as I get it all organized. </p>
<p>So thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! For now, I'm outa here. Lumosity and Wordle are next up for me. Always had an affinity for that nerd stuff anyway ,but at this age it's necessary just as is physical exercise. So long for now. </p>3:34samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70121002022-07-11T10:07:54-05:002022-07-11T10:07:55-05:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:07 and 76 degrees are our current stats. Halfway down on that first cup of coffee, bringing the world into focus--but not too much!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Domestic news.</strong></em> My brother is still in the hospital. They're still working on him. Eventually, they'll cut him loose, and I can get him back to his new pad. He'd just moved into a new apartment when all this finally came to a head. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">We talk every morning, which is more conversation than we've had in awhile. Once this is over and done with, we'll probably go back to getting on each other's nerves. But for now, we're hanging in there. Honoring our covenant as brothers and all that. We may bicker, but I've got his back, and he's got mine.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I have some more recorded music to release. So what else is new, right? I wasn't really planning anything, just stumbled onto a collection of things that seems to work. Lots of guitar work, interspersed with a few weirdo electronic pieces. The working title is <em>Odds n' Ends,</em> but I'd like to come up with something better. My titles are either boring and functional or a little bit crazy. Coming soon!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Nothing on the calendar at this point, but I'm hoping to do some more trio stuff when I do get out. These YouTube videos I make are kinda my way of staying in touch with folks. If you don't see me out and about, you'll still see me online. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">One thing I'm working on in my guitar playing is leaving more space. I've always been a busy player, so this is a bit of an adjustment. It's harder to do, but you end up with a better sense of the time. <em>Time </em>is musician lingo for rhythm. Melody and harmony came easy, but I've had to work like a <em>dog</em> on rhythm. It's my Achilles' Heel as a musician. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">It may never be perfect, but my time is still a hell of a lot better than it was. So that's something. And I keep working on it...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Well that's the news I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/d24b4cb0ee3aba778d6256803a7be749bd65897a/original/548131-441099705921836-1114091171-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>4:46samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70103832022-07-08T10:26:03-05:002022-07-08T10:26:04-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:37 and 74 degrees at the moment. Just enjoying the lower temps, rain or not. My music room, from whence I'm writing this, is the only room without Central Air. Easier to warm up than to cool down. It's made it tougher to practice, much less make those videos I like to share. </span></p>
<p><em><strong>Sibling news</strong></em>. Thank you for your concerns about my brother. I just spoke with him, and he's still in the thick of it. They're ruling out some things and finding others. No COPD, but there is Cirrhosis. And then there's the ticker. It's a puzzle they're still working out. </p>
<p>Our Dad died of Lung Cancer- specifically, Small Cell Carcinoma. As they were running him through a battery of tests, he made a comment to me that was classic gallows humor: well son, my Liver's just fine!</p>
<p>I was amazed that so many people read my blog on Monday. Usually it's just a handful of people. I did share that with my brother this morning, as well as the good wishes from a few of his friends. And, as I wrote, that he probably got tired of my brutal honesty at those breakfasts we used to do: <em>Dude you look like shit..</em> That got a chuckle out of him. </p>
<p>We're both getting some miles on us. Josh just turned 64 last month, and I'll be 68 next month. One of the Doctors who looked in on him was a graduate of the class of 2012. That made us both feel like a couple of ancient relics.. Thinking of 50s slang, where your parents were referred to as<em> fossils.</em>.</p>
<p><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> As far as bona fide news, things haven't moved an inch. Still working on that next rehearsal with the trio, which we put off due to the heat. I am playing every day though, still working on getting better. And taping a few things, some of which I post to my YouTube page and then forward to you guys on Facebook. </p>
<p>Well that's my news for you for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! For now, I'm outa here. More later., <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/15a2b633681023f93091e324227481c88040a967/original/562694-3618374140539-1838433820-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken sometime in 1985, somewhere in Texas. I was 31 years old. Not sure what happened to the Les Paul Goldtop. Probably horse-traded it for another guitar. </p>
<p> </p>5:08samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70086182022-07-06T10:30:33-05:002022-07-06T10:30:33-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:30 and 78 degrees are our current stats. Hopefully a kinder, gentler day as far as the heat. My upstairs is always about 20 degrees warmer than my downstairs. Except for these dog days, it's usually not a big problem. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This has been a crazy week. On Monday, I took my brother to the Emergency Room at Memorial. We were there for a <em>long</em> time, almost seven hours. Par for the course. They whisked him around the area for various tests, and ended up admitting him. Congestive Heart Failure. Treatable but not curable. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I just talked to him this morning. Had to make the joke that having spent 7 hours together on Monday, we've probably met our quota for the next couple months. We're solid as brothers, but tend to get on each other's nerves after awhile. Typical sibling stuff. </span></p>
<p>Some folks are friends with their brother or sister, but more often than not, it's a bumpier relationship. A sibling is like your best friend and worst enemy--or at least sharpest critic--rolled into one. I played a goodly number of gigs with two brothers--the Thompson brothers---and remember them bickering all the way to the gig, and all the way home..</p>
<p>My brother didn't get the music bug. He joked that if we were both musicians, we'd steal each other's gigs. And I joked that if we had a band together, it'd probably be called The Self-Righteous Brothers..</p>
<p>Besides DNA, we do share a sense of humor. </p>
<p>The German word for sibling is <em>geswister</em>. Pronounced gesh-VIS-ter. One of the few things I remember from class..</p>
<p><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I was hoping to get something going in the recording side of the Lab, but it's been too damn hot. But I have kept up on the guitar, and am still getting a daily workout there. And I have a few new things to share on YouTube. More to come. </p>
<p>Well that's what I've got for you in the way of news. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you! For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/2e9838aa91033b1d25d451fca6bc326ff73b863a/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>5:18samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70074772022-07-04T17:26:12-05:002022-07-04T17:26:12-05:00Happy Independence Day!<p><span class="font_regular">Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's 4:27 and 91 degrees at the moment here on our Nation's birthday. Normally, I'd be watching Jeopardy about now, but am too damn tired to go back downstairs.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My day started about 9, taking my brother in to Priority Care and then to Memorial. Half of a cup of coffee in my system, and out the door. This was already the plan for the day- hoping for the quicker fix of Priority Care, but as it turned out, needing a full-fledged hospital. They did a CAT scan and various blood work on him, and are keeping him there at least overnight, most likely for the next couple of days. Nothing life-threatening, just a few things to iron out. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anybody who's ever visited an Emergency Room knows that you're going to be there awhile. I think it was close to 6 hours this time. But it's just what you do. I hung in there until the orderly came to take him up to his room. And I'll be back tomorrow. But unless it's another emergency, I think I'll have my morning coffee first. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I still have yet to do Wordle for the day, and Lumosity. Those are normally a part of my morning, along with a few cups of coffee. Hopefully they'll go okay without it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Music news is still in the works. I might just give the guitar what for later this evening. Pretty spent at the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday/4th to you! I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/dc978524e8238e2113349ea6f6e8a8b5b56c0ebe/original/1077813-10201709485440587-674764559-o.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p>PS today's pic goes back to 2014 or so. Charles Tobermann, me, David Hoffman, James Singleton. </p>
<p> </p>3:22samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70067832022-07-03T10:12:20-05:002022-07-03T10:12:20-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 8:25 and 70 degrees are our current stats. Enjoying a brief hibernation both today and tomorrow. The fireworks started last night. I feel sorry for my neighbors, with 5 small dogs who bark like crazy at the slightest provocation. Cats don't care about this stuff. They sleep right through it. One advantage to being a cat person...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>The man, the musician</strong></em>. Still working on that next rehearsal with Rob and Dave. We were waiting for the heat wave to be over, but it looks like we've got a week of rain ahead. This is moving at about the same rate of speed as the national news. But Dave and I get in some pretty good conversations..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I've been learning a few new tunes lately, and am looking forward to playing them with the trio. Alone Together, Along Came Betty and a few others. If we can just get in that next rehearsal, I think we'll go from there. All I can say is that it's <em>in the works</em>...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I've also just embarked on what may well be another recording project. Working on a new tune, and have a few other ideas forming in my head . My Muse is circling the Airport, getting ready to land..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">At the moment, I have 47 albums. 2020 and 2021 were crazy prolific years, galvanized by the craziness going on all around the world with COVID. I thought things might slow back down this year, but it looks like another nutty year--just different nuttiness. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Music is actually my refuge. Like retirement, this is something I wish for everybody. Maybe not music per se, but a creative outlet. Along with a sense of humor, this has saved my ass in this life..</span></p>
<p>A skimpy post today. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/d3983eb60bdd374d6a651f70d93fe4b3a9c205ec/original/img-0700.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p> </p>2:16samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70058612022-07-01T11:17:56-05:002022-07-01T11:17:56-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:59 and 83 degrees are our current stats. The rest of the country may be going to hell in a handbasket, but things here in Samland are nice and peaceful. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Today's blog took a different turn. I've never been political, but I'm starting to pay a lot more attention to the news these days. The stuff gets all up in your head. This blog is still primarily devoted to music, but once in awhile this musician has to get a few things off his chest. So bear with me. Music news will be back next time.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Like many Americans, I no longer trust our SCOTUS. Starting to understand the chess match between Dems and Repubs in filling those positions with Liberals or Conservatives and tipping the balance their way. Clarence Thomas came in courtesy of George H. W. Bush; Samuel Alito by Dubya; and Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsich from Trump. Strategically placed. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Samuel Alito's decision on abortion rights--the <em>model</em> he used-- is just so much sophistry, and doesn't make a lick of sense in the so-called real world. And Clarence Thomas seems like such a hateful human being, wanting to stay on until 2034 because "for the first 43 years of my life, Liberals have made my life miserable- and I want to spend the next 43 years paying them back". And then there's <em>Ginni </em>Thomas, a staunch Trumpie who buys into The Big Lie..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The Republican Party under Trump has transmogrified into a 3-ring circus, with a variety of sideshow acts like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert and Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity, among others. Dumb as a post and proud of it! There are still some decent Republicans out there, like Liz Cheney. I'm not a Republican, but I'm rooting for them. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Over the last 5 years or so, I've watched this country become more and more divided, and over damn near everything! It was a division that was always there, but just seemed to come to light with the election of 45. The word <em>schism</em> comes to mind. Thinking of the Great Schism of 1054, where Christianity split into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox(I'm no historian- had to look this stuff up); and watching us heading into a Great Schism of our own. I hope I'm wrong..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Just a few things I had to talk out today. Music news will be back with a vengeance next time. Scout's honor. For now, I'm outa here. More later. PS today's tune is called Action and Adventure, and is from an album of mine called Sonorities. Hope you like it. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/ada7a5088fbc3454e69be9009bcfd9acc7029bfc/original/279082575-10221829714074583-3989442234379717529-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
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<p> </p>5:31samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70042772022-06-29T11:17:32-05:002022-06-29T11:17:32-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good ,morning! 10:23 and 78 degrees are our current stats. Another perfect Summer day. Plowing through my morning routine. I've checked Facebook for any messages or birthdays, played Wordle, uploaded something new to my YouTube page, and am now in the midst of writing this drivel. And playing Lumosity. </span></p>
<p><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. A busy time here in the Lab. Still putting in time on the guitar. I usually tape something, and have been getting more stuff that<em> works</em>. Always a good sign. I've been favoring the yellow "surf guitar" these days- my Takamine electric. I love all my guitars--I'm a polygamist in this sense--but I have my periods where I favor one instrument over the others. </p>
<p>Much to share in the way of videos. I go through periods where nothing works, and others where just about everything falls into place. The fluctuations are necessary to the process-- like hills and valleys--, but I like it a lot better when everything works.. More hills. So, more stuff coming your way.</p>
<p>As far as any new recordings, I've got a few things that are starting to take shape. This is a slow process. My albums seem to go through a long incubation period before they come together. But I've got a few new things in the works.</p>
<p>And as far as making music with other humans, this too is in the works. Looking forward to getting back together with Rob and Dave. I've been learning a few new tunes lately, so we can add to our repertoire. One thing I strive for in my groups is playing different tunes, things you<em> don't </em>hear all the time. We don't do the old war-horse standards unless they're requested. And even there, money helps..</p>
<p>Well that's my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you, however you choose to celebrate it! For now, this one's outa here. More later. PS today's tune is from my album Tele-ology. Jazz on a Fender Telecaster guitar. It's called Boot Scoot, and is based on the old standard Lover Come Back to Me. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/d24b4cb0ee3aba778d6256803a7be749bd65897a/original/548131-441099705921836-1114091171-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>5:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70025772022-06-27T09:29:58-05:002022-06-27T09:29:58-05:00un-manic Monday<p>Good morning! 8:51 and 67 degrees are our current stats. Looks like a great day from here. Hard to get motivated on those hotter days, even with all the air going. I posted yesterday, but didn't share it on Facebook. Part of it was kvetching about all the craziness going on all across the country, and I figured there's plenty of that already.. You can still read the post from here. </p>
<p><em><strong>Music news. </strong></em>Planning another rehearsal with the new trio- same guys who worked with me at Boone's. We wanted to wait until the dog days are over. Hoping to turn this into a regular thing, as far as getting together to play. From there, we'll see about playing someplace. </p>
<p>Someplace quiet. Motorheads is probably one we'll avoid. There is a place in Petersburg looking for entertainment, which might be a possibility down the road. Baby steps...</p>
<p>I did have a good run yesterday, as far as playing here in the Lab. Recorded a couple things, and almost every one of them was a winner. I judge what I do not by playing all the right notes, but by how it <em>feels</em>. Of course, you don't want too many clinkers, but it's more important that the rhythm is happening. If the time is good, then it will feel good to listen to. </p>
<p>So I've got a couple things I'm looking forward to sharing with you guys. Stay tuned!</p>
<p>The other news item I've got is a jam session next month. July 27th, in Bloomington, a bunch of us are getting together to play some stuff. Tom Becker is hosting it. He no longer plays gigs, but is still an active musician with regular practice and these occasional sessions. He calls it playing <em>in. </em></p>
<p>I too favor playing in these days, and am much more amenable toward private sessions. But I'll still get out there and play a gig every now and then. So I guess I'm a Beckerite as far as my basic philosophy--but I'm not a strict one.</p>
<p>Okay. That's all I can think of for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. PS I think this is a picture I've never used. Year unknown, we're at the Hoogland Center, in the Art Gallery. John Crisp, Lou Humphrey, me and Mark Russillo. Today's tune is a bossa rendition of Giant Steps. It's from my album Jazz Guitar. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/b73431dbf6435f460bab0a3c81e8253e8a544cad/original/13217053-10153824198953019-3177304024877716895-o.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>3:06samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70019722022-06-26T10:25:40-05:002022-06-26T10:25:40-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:16 and 73 degrees are our current stats. A much cooler day on tap. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As a general rule, I avoid current events in here. Yesterday's post, had I written one, would've been full of raving about our corrupt SCOTUS, the never-ending waves of gun violence, the fiasco on January 6th aka the<em> Million</em> <em>Moron March</em>(well okay, <em>misguided souls</em>)-- okay, I'd better stop here, before my sense of humor gets me in trouble.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The nice thing about being a musician or other kind of creative person is that you can take all this angst and turn it into something cool. Ever since 2020, when everything shut down for COVID, my output as a musician just took off. And that carried into the next year as well. Things were just starting to slow down in this year. But now that the fit is really hitting the shan again, I just might get another surge..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I do have one new item today. I've been invited to take part in a jam session next month in Bloomington. Tom Becker is hosting it, and there will be a few awesome players there- like Chip McNeill and Richard Drexler. Unfortunately, I don't think we're going to record anything, so I won't have anything to share with you guys. Just what's bound to be a great experience. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Tom is an old friend of at least a couple decades. Many gigs together over the years. He no longer plays gigs, but is still an active player, and has jam sessions at his place, as well as putting in his hours of practice. . He did this in Florida as well, and had a top-notch bassist and drummer come by his place every week. He calls it playing <em>in</em>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I have adopted this philosophy myself, to a large extent. Most of my time anymore is spent here in the Lab. But I'll still get out there and do one on occasion. So I guess I'm a Beckerite, but not a strict one.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/2e9838aa91033b1d25d451fca6bc326ff73b863a/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p>I still want to communicate with listeners out there, gigs or no gigs. So my YouTube videos are like <em>virtual </em>gigs-at least that's how I look at it. Anyway, we're at the bottom of the page, which tells me this is at least enough to read. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it. Happy Sunday to you! I'm outa here. More later. </p>
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<p> </p>3:30samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70008692022-06-24T10:31:08-05:002022-06-24T10:31:08-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning and TGIF! 9:16 and 80 degrees are our current stats. Another scorcher on the way. TGIF means nothing to me now, just a holdover from working days. It was the message that greeted us on Friday morning. Thank God it's Friday. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Actually, my favorite acronym from that period was the POETS club. Piss on everything, tomorrow's Saturday- <em>and</em> piss on everything, tomorrow's Sunday! This was from a co-worker, and was pretty standard Friday conversation.. Kind of comforting to hear the same corny joke every week. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music News</strong></em>. Learning some new tunes.. <em>Alone Together</em> is a great old standard I've just gotten under my fingers. Also working on <em>Along Came Betty</em>, by Benny Golson(who also gave us <em>Killer Joe </em>and <em>Stablemates)</em>. Another session with Rob and Dave is in the works, and I plan to bring some new tunes to the table. I also have an original or two. So when The Sam Crain Trio finally makes another appearance, we'll have some new stuff.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Remembering a weekly gig I used to do with David Hoffman and a few others. Kim's Romany Club was the spot. A strange era. .Springfield was starting to get to me and I left shortly thereafter to play on the road. But Dave and I would retire a war-horse standard every week. They're still great tunes, but I do get tired of<em> Killer Joe </em>and <em>Blue Bossa. </em>And<em> All Blues </em>and<em> Song for my Father</em>. Crain raves on...</span></p>
<p>Dave and I had another gig, this one a guitar and piano/trumpet duo, where we'd have people call out page numbers, and we'd play whatever was on that page in the Real Book. This strikes me now as incredibly arrogant, but that goes with youth. Then again, we're both Leos. Probably the most arrogant sign in the Zodiac...</p>
<p>I still have yet to make it to the other side of this room to my makeshift home recording studio, but it'll happen. Just too damn hot to get inspired. Still giving the guitar hell on a daily basis, and will have a few of those sessions to share on YouTube. .</p>
<p>Another skimpy post. But with a few memories. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. PS today's pic is several trio gigs: two with Bill Schlipf and Don Cochran, and one with Kevin Ellis and Don Cochran. Bill is still missed. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/52262ee28d4093f536ed0e7d64dc5a582edee54e/original/trio-x-3.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PPS today's tune is one of my weirdos. An interchange with three different voices. </p>
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<p> </p>2:23samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/70000232022-06-23T10:10:23-05:002022-06-23T10:10:23-05:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:23 and 78 degrees are our statistics at the moment. This has been a topsy-turvy week. Finally settling in, getting back to normal. Had my 6-month checkup, which always throws me off a bit. Most of my numbers are good, but there are a few we always seem to be working on. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I feel like I've turned a corner here, at this ripe old age- 67, soon to be 68. The basic quality of life is still there, but I'm having to work a little harder for it. More referrals, more attention to diet and exercise. And more of what I call miscellaneous aches and pains. But I still feel good- basically.. And that's what I'm trying to preserve here. As long as I can..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Still working away here in the Lab, as far as guitar practice. That's pretty much a given. It's been a little while since I've played with anybody else, and am feeling the itch to get that going again. Another session with Rob and Dave is in the works. We decided to wait until this heat wave is over. So we're baby-stepping our way there..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I've sorta got the makings of yet another recording. This seems also to be a given. But this new one is a bit different. More folky, open-string sounds. Jam sessions kinda like a Dixieland band, where everyone is improvising at the same time. And I've got a goodly number of weird little electronic pieces- which I suspect nobody likes but me. Oh well...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">But I'd still like to make another recording with real humans. It's really been awhile for that. If Rob and Dave and I can continue to play together, I think we could make a very nice album. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">A skimpy post for today. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Happy Thursday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/41db371c745499c876a3f8e91d6e5621ec25f6da/original/300x300-2-7.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's pic was taken in Matamoros, Mexico sometime in 1985. We were supposed to play in Brownsvile TX, but they double-booked, so we had some time on our hands. The Mexican people I met were very friendly, but also very enterprising. They saw this gringo coming...</p>
<p>PPS today's tune is from an album called Concert Music. Hope you like it. </p>2:58samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69985772022-06-21T13:16:35-05:002022-06-21T13:16:35-05:00Tepid Tuesday<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's 12:34 and 90 degrees at the moment. Another scorcher on the horizon. Got it as cool as I can get it here in the Lab. My one room without Central Air. But it does have an old window unit that works if you crank it, and a fan. So I don't have Central Air, but I do have Peripheral Air.</p>
<p>Peripheral Air? Well it sounded good at the time..</p>
<p><em><strong>Old Guy News.</strong></em> Happiness is having all your medical stuff out of the way for the year. Here at the ripe old age of 67, I see a regular Physician, an Opthalmologist, and a Dentist- and starting next year, a Dermatologist. I was told by my regular Doctor not to worry about this, but at the same time to start wearing a hat when I go outside. </p>
<p>There are certain medical procedures that become a rite of passage for us older folks, like Colonoscopy and Cataract Surgery and having hips and knees replaced. I'm a veteran of the first two, but otherwise still have all my original parts.</p>
<p>It becomes the central topic for discussion: what specialist to see, what meds to take, ad nauseum.. Actually, a nice support group. I have been reassured about things, and try to do that myself when needed. </p>
<p>I actually learned the word Opthalmologist as a kid, from a Peanuts comic strip. We had the books around, and I think I read them cover to cover. Charles Schulz knew a few things. And I knew at least one new word. </p>
<p><em><strong>Music News.</strong></em> Well, it's budged about an inch. I talked to the drummer who'd worked with me at Boone's about setting up another session, and we agreed to do it sometime after this heat wave. Still in the works, but it'll happen. </p>
<p>I really appreciate all the folks who came down for my gig with José Emilio Gobbo on April 15th; and for my trio gig on May 6th. We'll do it again. Don't know when, but it will happen. </p>
<p>Wow, more old guy news today. Well some days, the old guy predominates. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading all this hoohah. Happy Tuesday to you! With that ich bin outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e855bfe0c62aab9f97ef84a54fdf61d25332fbff/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-6.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>2:16samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69972322022-06-19T11:17:42-05:002022-06-19T11:17:42-05:00Juneteenth<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:32 and 75 degrees are our current stats. Truly a beautiful day out there. On this day in 1865, a lot of people who shouldn't have been enslaved in the first place were told they were now free. This was in Texas, and General Gordon Granger gave the announcement, for what that's worth. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I just always liked the sound of Juneteenth. This is <em><strong>not </strong></em>a political blog, but once in awhile I feel like I need to say a few words, even if just to explain a few things. So yeah, this is a big day. </span></p>
<p><em><strong>The man, the musician</strong></em>. I think I like this heading better than music news. It's pompous, something I'm not. At least I hope so.</p>
<p>Of late, I've been learning a couple new tunes. <em>Upper Manhattan Medical Group</em> is one. I always saw it in the Real Book, on my way somewhere. It's by Billy Strayhorn, who was Duke Ellington's arranger, and the composer of many tunes we know, such as <em>Take the A Train</em> and <em>Lush Life</em>. </p>
<p>Another is <em>Along Came Betty</em>, which I already knew but had to get back under my fingers. It's by Benny Golson, who also gave us <em>Killer Joe</em>. And I'm working on a couple of Charlie Parker tunes: <em>Anthropology</em> and <em>Moose the Mooche. </em></p>
<p>Charlie Parker was supposed to have had great intellectual curiosity. . A guitarist from that era wrote about visiting him, and they would talk about all kinds of subjects, but never music. HIs titles like Ornithology and Anthropology indicate that he spent a little time in the Library as well as on his horn. </p>
<p>As far as actual news, not much going on right now. I hope to get together with a few folks and see about making some more music. From there, I figure we can establish a monthly schedule. And eventually have another gig I can invite you guys to. </p>
<p>Well I guess this is my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you, and also Happy Juneteenth! I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/2e9838aa91033b1d25d451fca6bc326ff73b863a/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p> </p>3:44samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69968242022-06-18T10:54:04-05:002022-06-18T10:54:04-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:53 and 74 degrees at the moment. I don't know any other songs by Martha and the Vandellas, but I sure remember Heat Wave. And we've certainly had one- with more to come. This is the first day in quite some time when the air-conditioner here in the Lab hasn't been cranked. You almost get used to that level of noise. Nice and quiet this morning. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I've learned a couple new tunes this week. Billy Strayhorn's <em>Upper Manhattan Medical Group</em>(usually just abbreviated to UMMG), and Benny Golson's <em>Along Came Betty</em>. Also looking at Golson's composition <em>Stablemates</em>. I've got a pretty good rendition of UMMG, which I'll probably post to YouTube sometime today. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In case you didn't know this, Billy Strayhorn was Duke Ellington's arranger. He wrote <em>Take the A Train</em> and <em>Lush Life,</em> among other classic tunes. Benny Golson is a saxophonist and composer, who also gave us Killer Joe. </span></p>
<p>Not all jazzers are the best composers. Sonny Rollins has written some wonderful pieces like Oleo and Airegin and Tenor Madness, and also some unlistenable stuff. I'm thinking of the album <em>The Bridge:</em> both the title tune and one called <em>John S</em>. Lee Konitz was a wonderful player, but his tune Sub-Conscious-Lee(based on What Is this Thing called Love)is butt-ugly.</p>
<p>Just my opinion. I have a more euphonious version of Konitz's composition, called Unconscious Sam, which I may get around to posting. </p>
<p>Feeling the itch to get back to playing music with other people. We'd talked about it at the end of my gig back in May. It was tentatively scheduled for the 10th, which came and went. And then we had all this damn heat. So, note to self, I need to get back on this. </p>
<p>And that's my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! I'm outa here. More later. PS today's pic was taken by Jim Laurie in 1986 or so. I was visiting him in Las Vegas. PPS today's tune is a weirdo electronic piece of mine called Dance Squared. Hope you like it. PPPS: I didn't mention Sonny Rollins's composition St Thomas. To me, it's kind of middle-of-the-road. Not a bad tune at all, just never did much for me.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/90bb7ee9f66741eecd6d10a69639875bd09e16d5/original/2020-02-08-182500.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>4:29samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69952432022-06-16T11:02:52-05:002022-06-16T11:02:52-05:00Thursday<p>Good morning! 9:52 and a balmy 82 degrees are our current stats. This has been a rough couple of days here in the Lab, having only a funky window unit and a fan for protection against the elements. The only room in the house without Central Air. Cooler than outside, but not by much.</p>
<p>The downstairs here at casa de Sam is always fine, but I have a hell of a time with my upstairs. Especially the room I spend the most time in. Still getting in some time on the guitar, but it's tougher. Might just have to get up off some money and get myself another air-conditioner. The one I have has lived a long and mostly useful life, but it's ready to be put out to pasture..</p>
<p>So those are the domestic headlines, now on to<em><strong> Music News</strong></em>. I have a few things I've taped over the past couple days. At least one of them is heading YouTube-ward.. In the direction of my YouTube page. On a couple of them, I have my shirt open--remember, it was <em>very hot-</em>-and it looks like I'm trying to go all Tom Jones on you with the chest hair, such as it is. More comfort than machismo..</p>
<p>Back in 1985, I actually worked with a Tom Jones Impersonator. I was on the road from December of '84 until March of '86, and one leg of our journey was playing in Canada during July of '85. Two cities in Alberta: Calgary and Edmonton.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure he worked with us in Calgary, during the Calgary Stampede, an annual festival. I saw Muhammed Ali in the parade, and have a pic somewhere. The tune we did with the Tom Jones guy was 'Please, love me tonight". He was a nice guy. We all liked him. Gotta say though, he was bound and determined to get lucky. On the last night of the show, near the end of his tune, we all shouted, '<em>please, love him tonight</em>!'</p>
<p>And I'm also pretty sure he got a kick out of it. Hope it worked for him.. Some Calgary trivia: it was used in Superman III, to represent Metropolis. That would've been around the time I was there.</p>
<p>Well I guess that's my news for you for today. I had no idea I was going to write about Calgary, but that's the beauty of it. These posts are often like improvisations on the guitar. Where she stops, nobody knows.. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Thursday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/cf7c28d2bc0109cb963eeb2987ab5dd5516afc16/original/2020-05-23-162316.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic goes back to January of 1985. Dallas TX. The first time I experienced 50-degree weather in January. The lady in the picture was a fill-in for the week we were there. Our female vocalist and drummer had both quit the band a month prior, so we got James Perkins from right there in Big D. His predecessor had a lot more drums. PPS Today's tune is from my new album Big Hair, Big Dreams. It's called Beez Neez because of the guitar tone, which sounds to me like a buzzing bee..</p>
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<p> </p>5:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69935982022-06-14T11:26:09-05:002022-06-14T11:26:09-05:00And Tuesday's Just the Same<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:07 and 88 degrees at the moment. I have a hell of a time with these heat waves. My downstairs is nice and cool, but the upstairs is always about 20 degrees warmer. I got the bright idea yesterday to move all the stuff in the bedroom away from the vent. Seemed like the air was getting trapped. It didn't quite work, but I think it was just the extreme heat. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I remembered my Mom commenting on how people would leave their furniture the way it was for 20 years. She was the antithesis of this, always changing things around just for the sake of variety.. This is the first such change I've made since moving in here- <em>26</em> years ago. And it will probably stay as it is now for <em>another</em> 26 years. But at least I made a change. And got some exercise..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The worst room in my house as far as weather extremes is my Music Room, aka The Laboratory. As luck would have it, it's the room I spend the most time in. No central air, just a funky window unit. I've got a heater for the cold days, and a fan for the hot ones. Still managing to practice- the show must go on- and might even have something YouTube-worthy to share. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Well it would appear that I don't have much in the way of news today. Just domestic stuff, dealing with the elements. Plenty to do today. I've got a guitar that needs practicing and a bedroom that needs more re-arranging. Also working on releasing some of my newer home-recorded stuff, or at least assembling it into some kind of album. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Looking forward in this next month or so to getting together with other musicians. I have a bass player and drummer on the one hand, and a former band on the other. I love working solo, but still need to connect with other humans. So we'll see what gives...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And that's all I've got for you for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! Lumosity and coffee cup #2 await. Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/5e22815156aa82ad3c0b4533e0bd2ef7b187be2c/original/img-8270.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /> </span></p>
<p>Today's pic is of one of my guitars. I don't know the model name but it's a Gretsch, patterned somewhat by the Gibson ES series. I've got heavier strings on this one, and have wussed out of playing it until just recently. Getting to like the bigger strings as they give you a bigger sound. Today's tune is from a new album of mine called Big Hair, Big Dreams. It's called Clear Skies Hope you like it. </p>4:54samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69927562022-06-13T10:40:02-05:002022-06-13T10:40:02-05:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:50 and 84 degrees at the moment. For the next couple of days, we're supposed to have Arizona Weather. Up in the triple digits. The hottest day I've ever experienced was in Paducah Kentucky, where it was 110. Got the Central Air going, and my funky little window unit here in the Music Lab. Ready for whatever..</span></p>
<p><em><strong>Music News.</strong></em> This past month or so has been slim pickins. Normally after a busy period, like I had in April, I settle into something new here in the Lab in the way of recording. Didn't happen this time, but I did get in a lot of practicing. Or, better, it hasn't happened yet..</p>
<p>As far as the guitar, I've been listening to a couple people these days, like Mike Moreno and Charles Altura, who are playing some cool stuff I can't quite get. Drives me just a little bit nutty. I hear what they're doing, but I just don't know where it is on the fingerboard. Lots of stretches over several strings. These stubby little fingers will get there eventually. Or at least go down trying...</p>
<p>Speaking of Slim Pickens, another movie he was in besides Dr Strangelove was Honeysuckle Rose. There was a wonderful exchange between him and Willie Nelson. </p>
<p>SLIM: I can remember when all I had was my guitar and a hard-on. </p>
<p>WILLIE: Well, you've still got your guitar. </p>
<p>So I guess this is all I have for you for the moment. I'm sure more guitar playing will happen today, and as always, anything I tape that works I share. My new albums are still <a contents="Big Hair, Big Dreams" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n6oX45d4nedqzSYNjKpsB86Jt2wk23ins">Big Hair, Big Dreams</a> and <a contents="Pianoramics" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lbPzEO7lSGClXqiLy8Rakaw-UPHvspucw">Pianoramics</a> . Nothing on the books as yet, but I do have plans to leave the house to play music with people. That's a start. We'll probably wait until these Dog Days are over though. </p>
<p>Okay. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. This one is outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/15a2b633681023f93091e324227481c88040a967/original/562694-3618374140539-1838433820-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS this pic was taken back in 1985 or so, on the road. 31 years old. Had that Les Paul Deluxe for a lot of years. PPS today's tune is from an album of mine called Tele-ology. It's called Boot Scoot, and is based on the standard Lover, Come Back to Me. </p>5:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69917852022-06-11T10:17:39-05:002022-06-11T10:17:39-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 8:50 and 67 degrees are our current statistics. A picture perfect day. Just a little shy of my RDA of 7 hours, but these are the kinds of days coffee is made for. I limit myself to one pot, which is three cups and change. Usually enough fuel to get me going..</span></p>
<p><em><strong>Music News.</strong></em> A slow patch at the moment. I've just been kinda drifting for the past month or so. April messed up my<em> rigorous </em>schedule of two workouts per week(and about 35 minutes per session), so I've gotten back on track with that. Still getting in the daily workout on the guitar, and still taping this and that. A lot of the stuff ends up on the cutting room floor, but most every day there's at least one survivor. So something is working..</p>
<p>I have yet to get together with my bass player and drummer buddies. We'd talked about the 10th, but there's still plenty of month left. Hoping we can get this going on at least a monthly basis. And also hoping I can get some good cuts to share with you on my YouTube page. </p>
<p>And of course something to invite you to, as far as an actual live performance. By that time, we'll be more <em>seasoned, </em>more used to each other. May 6th was good, but I know we can do even better. Down the road aways, but it will happen. </p>
<p>Gotta say, I love being retired. I love the every-day-is-Saturday aspect of it, and have filled in the once-terrifying void with all my regular old guy routines. I'm scheduled, but it's my own doing, so it doesn't feel oppressive. This contrasts sharply with the working musician lifestyle, where your schedule is always up for grabs.</p>
<p>I still put on the Game Face when I need to, but getting something on two days notice is now a jarring experience. Always throws something out of whack. Still a musician at heart as far as making the stuff, but a more persnickety old guy is working the controls..</p>
<p>Well this is a whole page of whatever. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through it- if indeed you made it this far. Happy Saturday to you! With that, ich bin outa here. More later. PS today's pic dates back to 1999 or 2000 or so. Steve Adelman, Gene Haas and me. PPS today's tune is from a new album of mine called Pianoramics. Hope you like it. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/b1ff36d421a38c005954b6076014291dc44c3775/original/12122850-967450286649949-25796863537676818-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>2:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69894552022-06-08T11:16:24-05:002022-06-08T11:16:24-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's currently 10:04 on this rainyass Wednesday. Battle stations with that first cup of coffee of the day. My cat often hangs out in here with me, and is currently dozing in her chair. She is also within petting distance, should I feel the urge. Being petted and being fed are her two ulterior motives. At least the two I've uncovered...</span></p>
<p><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I feel like I'm supposed to have some dates for you, being Music News and all, but it's all still happening here in the Lab. I have had some enjoyable gigs this year: in particular, the duo with José Gobbo on April 15th, and the trio with Rob Killam and Dave Pruitt on May 6th. And I was very pleased with the turnout, especially on the April date. </p>
<p>I ended up with a whole string of gigs in April, playing four weeks in a row. Ended up feeling frazzled by that fourth week. Doing it every week doesn't work anymore. It <em>becomes work. </em>Lesson learned..</p>
<p>So I'll be back whenever. And I'll have a great time doing it. Gigs are still important. But at this point, they're best in smaller doses. That way they're still <em>fun-</em> like gigs are supposed to be. </p>
<p>Still putting in time on the guitar, and making a fair amount of home recordings, some of which make it onto my YouTube page. I'm starting to get a few ideas as far as new material. My Muse is circling the Airport. Gotta mosey over to the other side of the room to my makeshift home studio and see what gives. </p>
<p>New albums are still <a contents="Big Hair, Big Dreams" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n6oX45d4nedqzSYNjKpsB86Jt2wk23ins">Big Hair, Big Dreams</a> and <a contents="Pianoramics" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lbPzEO7lSGClXqiLy8Rakaw-UPHvspucw">Pianoramics</a>. I've got the beginnings of a few ideas toward the next one. Always more to come!</p>
<p>And that's my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! For now, this one's outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e53a85ac696eb6589b59453db7e14a7970301466/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-7.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's tune is from a new album of mine called Sonorities. Hope you like it. </p>
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<p> </p>5:13samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69866632022-06-04T09:19:07-05:002022-06-04T09:19:07-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 8:33 and 71 degrees at the moment. Another beautiful day on tap. Keep ém coming. For those of you who check in with these posts, sorry I haven't had one in awhile. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. This past month, except for playing Boone's on the 6th, has been pretty uneventful. I thought I might get a visit from my Muse, and be all up into a new home-recording project. Didn't happen. She has yet to deign to grace this humble servant with some new ideas, so I put my energy into practicing. </span></p>
<p>It's been a pretty good month as far as that goes. But, being my own worst critic, it's gotten a bit intense. Had to get in there and remind myself to be patient. The changes I'm trying to make are happening, just more gradually than I might like. But that's how change happens. A little bit at a time..</p>
<p>I am due to get together with my better two thirds around the middle of this month. These are the guys who worked with me at Boone's and a few other places. Gonna try and remember to bring my digital camera, so I can get something or other up on YouTube. We don't have a gig scheduled or anything, just getting together to play. Gigs will happen of their own accord. They always have so far..</p>
<p>2 new albums out this month. <a contents="Big Hair, Big Dreams" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n6oX45d4nedqzSYNjKpsB86Jt2wk23ins">Big Hair, Big Dreams</a> and <a contents="Pianoramics" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lbPzEO7lSGClXqiLy8Rakaw-UPHvspucw">Pianoramics</a>. The first is a sort of fusion/smooth jazz mix, and the second is avant-garde classical music. Well maybe not avant-garde, bur certainly modern. Operators are standing by to take your order...</p>
<p>Skimpy as it may be, that's my news for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e36ebaf8f17ccd56cf108ef869a487f2986e96ee/original/images-1-5.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken at MIchael Taylor's studio in Pawnee, many moons ago. I haven't worn glasses since 2011. Still got that old archtop though..PPS today's tune is from Big Hair, Big Dreams. It's called Looking Ahead. Hope you like it.</p>6:14samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69843422022-06-01T11:17:46-05:002022-06-01T11:17:46-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning, whoever-reads-this! It's a rainy day in the neighborhood. i have a new phone I'm still grappling with, but otherwise all is well. No new Old Guy News, fortunately..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> Actually, this could almost be Old Guy News. I had an offer of something on Friday, but turned it down. Playing gigs is all about that last minute call, very spur-of-the-moment. As I get older(and thus more set in my ways) that last-minute stuff is more jarring to my system. I will be back out there sooner or later, but it will have some advance notice.</span></p>
<p>On the positive side, I did express an interest in doing rehearsals. This is a band I used to play in. l still show up and play chords for them on occasion. The joy of playing is still as strong as ever, but it's a lot easier in a private setting- or at least with a small crowd.</p>
<p>It's hard saying no. My ex-wife, while she was my wife, would get on my ass about that. "You say yes to everybody, and then you're a crab-ass because you don't have any time off!" Damn if she wasn't right. At least that time...</p>
<p>Anyway! I do have a session coming up this month with the guys who played Boone's with me. We're all in our sixties, so everything is planned out as far as the date and time. When I do play out again, it will probably be with Rob and Dave. And I'll let you know in plenty of time. </p>
<p>Otherwise, my news is still two new albums. <a contents="Big Hair, Big Dreams" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n6oX45d4nedqzSYNjKpsB86Jt2wk23ins">Big Hair, Big Dreams</a> and <a contents="Pianoramics" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lbPzEO7lSGClXqiLy8Rakaw-UPHvspucw">Pianoramics</a>. Those are the YouTube links. They're up on all the usual pages as well: iTunes, Deezer, etc. </p>
<p>Hoping to bring you more on my YouTube page. I spent yesterday on my Telecaster and am still going over those. Something or other will emerge..</p>
<p>And that-s all the news I can conjure up here. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e36ebaf8f17ccd56cf108ef869a487f2986e96ee/original/images-1-5.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p> </p>3:45samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69834482022-05-31T10:34:13-05:002022-05-31T10:34:13-05:00Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's just this side of ten, another decent day out there. Halfway down on that first cup of Morning Joe. Literally bringing the world in focus. The eyes are fuzzy for awhile in the morning. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Old Guy News</strong></em>. Yesterday I had something that felt much like the flu. Fatigue, chills, indigestion- the whole ball of wax. From about 9 in the a.m to 3 in the p.m., i was miserable. What it turned out to be was just something in my system that my body didn't want in there. Once it was out of my system, everything snapped back to normal. Or as close as I get to it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I also had a couple days last week where I lost my voice. Even if you're in relatively good health, you still have these <em>old person episodes </em> where something goes awry. By the time I'd call my Doctor, they've passed. Getting older is mostly okay, but you do have your days..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music News. </strong></em>And about damn time, I can hear you say. Still doing what I'm doing in this area, which is lots of shedding. Not in the biological sense but the musical one. I'm tickled when people ask me about my <em>gigs</em>- the one word they know in <em>Musicspeak.</em> Well you can add another one: shedding- or, in its full form: woodshedding. It means to practice. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Musicspeak actually sounds kind of Orwellian. Hipster seems to work better. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In other music news, I have two new albums out there. <a contents="Big Hair, Big Dreams" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n6oX45d4nedqzSYNjKpsB86Jt2wk23ins">Big Hair, Big Dreams</a> and <a contents="Pianoramics" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lbPzEO7lSGClXqiLy8Rakaw-UPHvspucw">Pianoramics</a>. Those are the YouTube links. The first one is my particular mix of Fusion and Smooth Jazz; and the second is more modern classical music. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">in this coming month, I'm getting back together with the guys who played Boone's with me just recently. i might just get real ambitious here and try to tape a couple things to share on my YouTube page. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">It takes awhile to get a band to the point where we're all tuned in to each other. This was true of the SamBillandDon ensemble(my last trio), and of the quartet which preceded it. So we'll get some more familiarity going, and be out there playing another gig sooner or later. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Okay, that's about it for news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! I'm outa here. More later. PS today's tune, Looking Ahead, is from one of my new albums. Big Hair Big Dreams. Hope you like it. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/2e9838aa91033b1d25d451fca6bc326ff73b863a/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>6:14samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69824002022-05-29T11:22:00-05:002022-05-29T11:22:00-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:28 and 73 degrees at the moment. Another nice sunny day out there. And another night with nine hours of sleep! i've been awake for about half an hour, that first cup of coffee at the ready, yadda yadda yadda. A lot of dreaming, which I'm still digesting. Sometimes I'm a busy boy after lights out. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I have a new album that just released today. It's called <em>Pianoramics</em>. All piano music, either solo or with an ensemble. <a contents="Here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lbPzEO7lSGClXqiLy8Rakaw-UPHvspucw">Here</a> is the link on YouTube. All my classical stuff from here on in will go to this link. CD Baby made me use my full name, so there are now 2 albums by James Samuel Crain. The other is a sort of concert band, called Concert Music. My titles are either off-the-wall or totally functional and boring. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As long as we're talking albums, I do have the other one that just released this month. <em>Big Hair, Big Dreams</em>. <a contents="Here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n6oX45d4nedqzSYNjKpsB86Jt2wk23ins">Here</a> is the link to that one. It's probably more to most folks' liking. A sort of fusion/smooth jazz mix. I try to make every album just a little bit different from the others. This one focuses more on the tunes. Some of them are kinda purty, if I do say so myself..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">At the moment, I'm just working on the guitar. Much of my practicing lately is done with my brutally honest friend Mr Click Track, but I still use playalong recordings. There are a ton of them on YouTube, and I have 2 DVDs full of Aebersold stuff courtesy of my generous friend Mr Bill Schlipf. And I have a couple of playalong things that worked, so I'll be sharing on YouTube- and here on Facebook. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Still nothing on the books as far as gigs, but I am at least leaving the house to make music. This coming month will include another rehearsal with the guys who worked with me at Boone's, and probably another session or two at one of Ocean State's rehearsals. Hoping to have another trio gig down the road.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Gigs are still fun, but they're draining. I have a wonderful time playing and visiting with folks, but my system gets overloaded with the noise and general hubbub. So I take breaks. But I'm still looking forward to doing another trio thing, whenever that will be. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Okay. More than enough to read for today. Thanks as ever for stopping in and wading through all this. Happy Sunday to you! For the moment, ich bin outa here. More later. PS today's tune is from my newest album Pianoramics. Hope you like it. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/2e9838aa91033b1d25d451fca6bc326ff73b863a/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
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<p> </p>2:00samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69812572022-05-27T11:27:53-05:002022-05-27T11:27:53-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:32 and 63 degrees at the moment. A rare night with nine hours of sleep. Seven is my norm. Anything over that, I'm progressively more relaxed; and anything under it, I'm more wired. So I'm down for whatever today with my 9+ hours of shuteye. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I also got my voice back today. I've been without it for a couple days, from a nasty cold. A bit hoarse, but still back in action. Phone calls were next to impossible. Boy, I sure sound like an old guy here!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>The man, the music.</strong></em> Doing a lot of listening these days, to a couple of players I've just discovered on YouTube. Mike Manero is probably my favorite of the new players coming up. There are a number of videos with him playing with various groups, and<em> killing it</em>! Great lines that seem to be somewhere just above the chord changes. Adam Rogers is another guitarist who does this. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I hear what they're doing- rather, the <em>effect</em> of what they're doing- but just don't know where to find it on the instrument. So that's my conundrum for the moment. Seek and ye shall hopefully find..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Strangely enough, guitarists around here have come to me for help in expanding their ideas. We never seem to get around to it though. I should add that I'm<em> flattered as hell </em>to be asked something like this. And i think those sessions would be a lot of fun if we were to ever follow through.</span></p>
<p>So that's my story for now. My voice is still kinda shot, but at least it's back. Probably more music-making today, and part of that involves working with playalong recordings- and anything that survives gets shared. So thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/0c47b7153ab367b3ca8451bf229ba64720fe4560/original/279959071-1140380623419692-5761711255476604078-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic was taken at Lime Street in maybe 2014 or so. Sitting in with Juke House, one of two gigs I played with them. Mike Lang is on bass, and Fats Waller is in the background. There's also a John Lennon, and a Crosby, Stills and Nash posted- with a very stoned Steven Stills..</p>
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<p> </p>5:02samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69802722022-05-26T10:29:10-05:002022-05-26T10:29:10-05:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:28 and 68 degrees at the moment. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. At least so far. The national news may be horrific, but the local news is still good. And by local here I mean the block I live on, maybe just the house I live in.. Local local news...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>The man, the music.</strong></em> Still spending a lot of time on the guitar, trying to improve in a couple areas. Starting to see some results, but it's a gradual process. These new things are starting to creep into my playing, bit by bit. Listening to some younger players these days, who are showing me all kinds of stuff. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In July, I'll have been playing the guitar for 56 years. One of the people I've been listening to- Lage Lund- is 44 years old. I've been playing longer than he's been alive. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In other music news, there's still my new album. <a contents="Big Hair, Big Dreams." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n6oX45d4nedqzSYNjKpsB86Jt2wk23ins">Big Hair, Big Dreams.</a> This link will take you to a YouTube page of mine, where you can hear the different selections. It's sort of a mix of fusion and smooth jazz as far as style. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I've yet to get going on any new projects here in the Lab, but I'm sure there will be more. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Another scary younger player I've heard recently is Charles Altura. All kinds of crazy stuff up and down the neck. He has a strange stage presence, just standing there like a Sphinx. Always starts slowly and builds up. Another thing I'm picking up from these <em>youngsters.</em> </span></p>
<p>Well damn, that's all I've got for you, at least for the moment. Got my morning rituals to tend to--this being one of them--and then more shedding. Oops, musician lingo for practicing. I get a kick out of how people love to ask me about my gigs, like they know one word in Musician. Well, now you can ask me if I've been shedding.</p>
<p>Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Happy Thursday to you. For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. PS today's pic dates back to April of this year. Kevin Ellis, Steve Alexander and myself. PPS today's tune is one from the new album. Hope you like it. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/55cf7794b979e2cb9a781156a167801f9ac789cc/original/277893063-1024394108196524-195794311049676150-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>4:12samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69794112022-05-25T09:33:58-05:002022-05-25T09:33:58-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 8:36 and 68 degrees from where I'm sitting. Not exactly the lap of luxury here, but at least it's quiet. Some birds chirping and the distant sound of a train. Soon we'll have the sound of yapping as the dogs get out. Five miniature pooches. I never remember their names except for Weezy. She's my buddy-once she recognizes me.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">You might be a redneck if the last words your wife said to you were "it's me or them dogs". </span></p>
<p><em><strong>The man, the music</strong></em>. I spent last night on YouTube listening to a couple fantastic guitarists. Lage Lund and Mike Moreno. They're both part of the New York scene. Stoopid facility on the instrument, as well as a different approach to chording.</p>
<p>Both players do a lot with the fingers as well as the pick. Lund especially. The melody and harmony are going on at the same time. And they have some crazy voicings. Ben Monder is another guitarist who comes up with wildass stuff. Makes me think of Allan Holdsworth. Metal Fatigue in particular. </p>
<p>And all these guys have pedalboards. A small, portable amp and an array of sounds via the pedals. That seems to be <em>de rigueur</em> on the scene. What <em>everybody</em> is doing...</p>
<p>I myself have gone back and forth with using them. Even had a pedalboard of sorts. I do have an array of sounds via a Line 6 Processor, but tend to just use it for recordings.</p>
<p>Guitarists often spend too much time fiddling with their effects in between songs. I played in an R & B organ trio for some time, following a guitarist who was <em>notorious </em>for this stuff. Brought my effects processor to one gig, and I could tell their patience was already worn thin by my predecessor. Live and learn..</p>
<p>I like a nice, clear tone with reverb and just a touch of delay. It takes about two seconds to make these adjustments, all on the amp, and we're off to the races. </p>
<p>Wow, it's all been shop talk in here. But that's the news I had for you. Still working away here in the Lab. Inspired and humbled by the people I've been listening to. More to come.</p>
<p>And that should do it for today. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you, however you choose to celebrate it. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/aa66c1e9f19e249c1415de0f9b46eac3afbe3ac2/original/45166-1430280879575-6854892-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic goes back to 2008. Remy's was the club. David Hoffman on trumpet; Steve Jackson on bass; me on guitar; don't remember the drummer's name, but I've worked with him before. </p>
<p>PPS today's tune is from the new album Big Hair, Big Dreams. Hope you like it. </p>
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<p> </p>5:19samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69771122022-05-22T10:34:06-05:002022-05-22T10:34:06-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:27 and 55 degrees are our current statistics, and we have the ever-familiar sun n' clouds combo going. Off to a rousing start. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>The man, the music</strong></em>. Still tearin' it up here in the Lab. I had something of a breakthrough on the guitar earlier in the month, and have stepped up the practicing. YouTube is a much busier place these days, with a new post almost every day. Up to a whopping 150 subscribers at this point. Only 850 more and YouTube can start paying me...</span></p>
<p><a contents="My new album" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n6oX45d4nedqzSYNjKpsB86Jt2wk23ins"><span class="font_regular">My new album</span></a> is still the top story. <em>Big Hair, Big Dreams</em>. This is the YouTube link, so it's just streaming, but they're available on all the usual channels. Somebody actually bought one on Deezer not too long ago.</p>
<p>And I've got another one on the way, due to release a week from today. It's called Pianoramics, and is a collection of various pieces for piano- both solo and with an ensemble. A kind of virtual chamber orchestra. It'll be up on YouTube, as well as all the usual digital companies out there. </p>
<p> Plus more stuff in the making here in the Laboratory. More backlog. I have yet to settle into Studio Mode and get started on anything new, but it's coming. </p>
<p>Next month, I'm due to get back together with my better two-thirds. The same guys who worked with me at Boone's. Hoping we can keep this going. We all get along, and enjoy playing together, so it augurs well. Eventually, we'll have another date I can share with you guys. </p>
<p>I also leave the house on occasion to help Ocean State at their rehearsals. So that's coming up as well. And I've subbed with them when they need me. </p>
<p>Well damn, that's everything I could think of at the moment as far as news. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. PS Today's pic goes back to 2008. Remy's, a nice but short-lived establishment. My buddy David Hoffman on trumpet. PPS today's tune is another one from Big Hair, Big Dreams. It's called Looking Ahead. Hope you like it.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e6c5ea5145f4a46e6afca1c007a16fe6bbb7e576/original/45166-1430280919576-5610744-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>6:14samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69758732022-05-20T10:47:35-05:002022-05-20T10:47:35-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! Just shy of ten. I started to add that it's a rainy day on the way, but why be negative? Back in my working days, our manager used to say <em>ït's a beautiful day"</em> when coming in on a dismal morning like this one. He told me later that he was trying to convince himself. Whatever works..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Yep. Here comes the rain. It's a beautiful day...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> <a contents="Here " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kp8hkY-rifV8MeRicOaQhUElflxY6sqDw">Here</a> is another album of mine you might like. It's called<em> Indian Summer</em>. I wish I'd given it a more unique name, but there you go. Written back when COVID was at its worst. I guess it's my comfort music. Like my old boss and the weather, I think I was trying to provide it for myself as well. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My regular YouTube page is now up to a whopping 150 subscribers! I know that's still not very many, but still encouraging to me. Still working every day on the guitar and taping lots of stuff. Always more to come..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Nothing on the books just yet. But I am getting together with my better two-thirds early this next month--Rob and Dave, who played with me at Boone's, my semi-regular group--just to do some more playing. So we'll be back out eventually. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Wow. Another skimpy post. I wrote one yesterday which similarly had more sizzle than steak, but didn't post it to Facebook. Anyway, all good here in Samland. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. And with that, ich bin outa here. Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/b1ff36d421a38c005954b6076014291dc44c3775/original/12122850-967450286649949-25796863537676818-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's pic goes back several decades. Don't remember the name of the place, but it was on Carpenter Street. Steve Adleman, Gene Haas and me. My guitar at the time was an Ibanez Artstar. And a Polytone Bass amp with a delay pedal. Much better setup now.</p>
<p>PPS Today's tune is from my album Jazz Guitar, and is Giant Steps bossa. Big Steppin'. Operators are standing by to take your order...</p>3:06samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69749142022-05-19T10:26:31-05:002022-05-19T10:26:31-05:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's just shy of ten on this penultimate day of the work-week. Next year will mark a decade since I put in one of those. I still have a work-week of sorts in my head, but it starts on Wednesday. Too many Blue Mondays over the years at the unemployment office. Mondays in retirement are more like the Sabbath. What was an awful day is now a nice quiet one- if I can help it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I'm on a nice roll with the guitar. Making some progress on the blasted thing these days. This makes it more fun, more rewarding, which makes you want to spend more time at it. Something in life that feeds itself in a <em>positive</em> way, for a change!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So more YouTube videos. I have a couple all ready to go. And I'm sure there'll be more today. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Nothing on the books at the moment as far as leaving the house. But my better two-thirds and I are getting together again early next month to do some more playing. Hoping to have some more trio gigs down the road.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">For the time being, I'm still enjoying the peace and quiet of a slow period following a busy one. Starting to think about maybe getting over to the other side of this room to the recording stuff. As Jed Clampett would've put it, I'm commencin' to do that..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">A skimpy post today. But all is well here in Samland. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! For now, I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/b33e2f93b4c99911401b6521de00f5d35ca041d5/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>4:54samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69739522022-05-18T09:59:28-05:002022-05-18T09:59:28-05:00Hump Day<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning and happy Hump Day! That's the greeting we'd get on our computers at work on this day. And a TGIF on Friday. Hey, Agencies are people. Yeah, right-- about as much as Corporations. So it's 9:08 and whatever degrees on this rainyass Wednesday. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Sibling relationships are a bitch. There are a few folks out there who are delighted with their brother or sister, but more often than not, there's some degree of disharmony. My brother and I have bailed each other out on numerous occasions, and the basic brotherly love is still there. But it's always been a bumpy road.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I think as the years go by, you just have less and less in common. Your parents and grandparents are gone, as well as many friends. All the glue that held you together. To borrow a line from the Sopranos, all you have left between you is DNA. And a lot of baggage, starting with who got the bigger room. My brother would appreciate the line from the Sopranos. Maybe I'll tell him--whenever..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Okay! Had to get that off my chest. Now we can move on to <em><strong>Music News.</strong></em> Still spending a lot of time on the guitar, and doing a lot of taping. I've had something of a breakthrough as far as technique, and am following the energy--so to speak--with a bit more work. My YouTube page is pretty well-stocked, with new posts on the way. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This is a nice slow month. I had one gig on the 6th, and one Doctor's Appointment on the 16th, but otherwise you could shoot a cannon through the month of May. From our gig on the 6th, we all agreed to keep things going. So we'll be getting together again soon. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><a contents="Here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n6oX45d4nedqzSYNjKpsB86Jt2wk23ins">Here</a>, once again, is the link to my new album. It's YouTube, so it's just streaming, but the stuff is on all the usual digital platforms, as it were. Somebody actually bought this album on Deezer. Anyway, hope you'll stop in and check out some of the tunes. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This is probably more than enough to read. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you! Time to move on here. More coffee to drink. Later for now. PS today's pic goes back to 2015 or so. Charles Tobermann, me, David Hoffman, James Singleton. Old friends. PPS today's tune is from an album of mine called Garden of Sonic Delights. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/dc978524e8238e2113349ea6f6e8a8b5b56c0ebe/original/1077813-10201709485440587-674764559-o.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
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<p> </p>3:01samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69723932022-05-16T14:39:57-05:002022-05-16T14:39:57-05:00Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good afternoon, whoever-reads-this! Finally getting around to putting up another post. Today was my annual Eye Exam. I've been going to the Prairie Eye Center since 2011, when I had cataract surgery. I was pretty sure my eyes were still okay, but it's nice to hear from them. It's one of the few things I <em>don't </em>worry about;..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> Lots of work on the guitar these days, as in practicing. I've recently unlocked one of the <em>secrets of the</em> <em>Universe</em>. Well maybe not, but I had something of an epiphany with a change I made in my right hand. By angling the pick, I'm catching those notes I used to miss, and am also able to move around a lot better. It also gives you a better time-feel, right in the pocket. </span></p>
<p>This is also making for more YouTube videos. Lots of work, but also lots of fun!</p>
<p>in other music news, I have a new album. It's called <em>Big Hair, Big Dreams</em>. You can hear the selections <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n6oX45d4nedqzSYNjKpsB86Jt2wk23ins">here</a>. It's somewhere between Smooth Jazz and Fusion as far as style. Later this month, I've got another one set to release. It's called <em>Pianoramics,</em> and is more along the lines of modern classical music. Kind of a virtual chamber orchestra. </p>
<p>Nothing on the books as yet. Enjoying a nice slow month after a busy one. I am getting together again next month with the bass player and drummer who worked with me at Boone's, just to get more playing in. So sooner or later, we'll be out someplace making trouble..</p>
<p>Well that's my news, such as it is. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible. For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/ff38a4754287400b9553de42664fc931aeb75ae5/original/11076175-10204111489970054-5611305982947614934-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>5:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69686662022-05-11T10:49:17-05:002022-05-12T13:45:29-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:46 and 80 degrees at the moment. This latter statistic begs the question: what the hell happened to Spring? But then wild fluctuations are the name of the game here in the Great Plains. At least it beats the Northern Plains..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The main <em><strong>Music News </strong></em>I have for you is my new album. It's called<em> Big Hair, Big Dreams</em>. One of the songs has a kind of 80s vibe to it, hence the title. It's not straight-ahead jazz, but more a jazzer's approach to Fusion/Smooth Jazz. More guitar and keyboard solos than you might find in your basic Smooth Jazz, but not the pyrotechnics associated with Fusion. Just what I hope are nice songs. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I got a note here on the site that someone had purchased <em>Big Hair, Big Dreams</em> on Deezer. Not familiar with Deezer, but I've heard of it . Another digital company out there. Wherever they bought it, it certainly made my day!</span></p>
<p><a contents="Here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n6oX45d4nedqzSYNjKpsB86Jt2wk23ins"><span class="font_regular">Here</span></a> is where you can go to listen to the different selections. Hope it's a pleasant listening experience. </p>
<p>And I have yet more stuff brewing here in the Lab. Lots of backlog. Always more to come. </p>
<p>More than anything, I've been working on my playing. Always trying to get better, even after 55 years of doing this. One thing I stumbled across recently has made a big difference. </p>
<p>It all has to do with your right hand. For best results, your pick should hit the strings at a 45-degree angle, so you have to slant your hand a bit. And I favor a much looser grip on the pick. But hitting it at an angle like this, you get <em>all </em>the notes- not just most of ém. </p>
<p>This has been a bit of a revelation. And a liberation. It was the missing piece of the puzzle. It was actually something I was told in a guitar lesson back in 1986. God knows why it took this long to finally sink in, but it did. You hear things when you're ready to hear them I guess. </p>
<p>Well this is all I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you! For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e855bfe0c62aab9f97ef84a54fdf61d25332fbff/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-6.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS Today's tune is called Looking Ahead. It's from the new album. Hope you like it. </p>6:14samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69668182022-05-09T10:23:01-05:002022-05-09T10:23:01-05:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 9:44 and 67 degrees at the moment on this sun n' clouds Monday. I have three errands to run today, and all of them can wait until I'm ready. Trust me on this one- Mondays are a lot more fun(or maybe just a lot less irritating)when you don't have to work. Retirement is something I wish for everybody.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music News.</strong></em> I have a new album which just released yesterday. It's called <em>Big Hair, Big Dreams</em>, and is sort of a fusion/Smooth Jazz mix with lots of guitar and keyboard work. You can stream it on YouTube, or download from any number of sites(like iTunes and Amazon).</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Most of this stuff was conceived back in February and March of this year. In between a busy January and a very busy April. I am now in another of those in-between periods, so we'll see what gives. If anything. My Muse, I'm fond of saying, is a capricious chick who shows up when she's good and ready, but not before..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Now we're going to descend into Shop </span>Talk, at least for a minute. I discovered something last night while practicing that seemed to liberate my right hand. There is no right or wrong as far as your picking hand, whether you rest a pinky on the guitar or whatever. Whatever gets the notes out. </p>
<p>For me, it works best to have my hand balled up and out of the way. I used to be one of those pinky-resting folks, and then had a couple lessons with Rick Haydon at SIU Edwardsville. Took about a year to feel normal, but he changed my right hand. </p>
<p>The only problem was that I'd still kinda hover over the strings. More mobility than with the pinky resting, but still not quite there. Still some missed notes. But if you elevate your hand just a little bit, and position it right in the center, between the D and G strings. you're there! Found this almost by accident, but it works much better. </p>
<p>Okay. Enough shop talk. Had to share that Secret of the Universe though. Maybe it'll help another struggling guitarist. It sure helped this one.. So thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible! For now, this one's outa here. More later. PS today's pic was taken at Lime Street back in 2014 or so. Subbing for Manley Mallard with Juke House. 2 years in a row. Much fun! PPS today's tune is the title song of my new album. Has kind of an 80s vibe to it, hence Big Hair, Big Dreams. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/20f3f3a3890db46dbb0159013957e66a9ed08047/original/279387265-393027732712287-1946748840811452040-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>2:53samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69662612022-05-08T10:08:48-05:002022-05-12T09:08:15-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's nine o'clock and 58 breezy degrees at the moment. Happy Mother's Day. If mine were still here, we'd be having a dinner of some sort. She passed away back in 2007. I've felt her presence on a number of occasions since then.. I don't have it in writing, but I'm pretty sure. So wherever she is(maybe even sitting right here) , I'm sending a Happy Mother's Day to her. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Music news.</strong> I have a new album that just released today! It's called <em>Big Hair, Big Dreams</em>, and is somewhere between Fusion and Smooth Jazz as far as style. I put it together back in February. February was a slow period following a busy one, just like I'm in now. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><a contents="Here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n6oX45d4nedqzSYNjKpsB86Jt2wk23ins">Here</a> is where you can listen to each cut. It's just streaming, but if you like what you hear, I'm sure it's available through the usual channels. Nothing special I can say about this new album. They're just nice songs. At least that was my intention..</span></p>
<p>In other music news, I've been doing a fair amount of practicing these past couple days, and have a couple videos that aren't too shabby. More to come on my YouTube page. </p>
<p>I'll probably get going on another recording project before too long. Still enjoying the peace and quiet. I'm sure I'll have some crazy new ideas before long. </p>
<p>In yet more music news, I am getting together with the bassist and drummer who were with me last Friday, probably early next month. We're keeping it going. So we'll be back somewhere, at some future date. </p>
<p>A sleepy post today. But then it's a nice sleepy day. But not sleep<em>-deprived</em>. Working on my usual 7.5 hours of shuteye. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Mother's Day and Happy Sunday to you! For the time being, i'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/b0e77c9f55fe611717070e814280267a169bdecc/original/12936548-10206401800866395-837667433192634072-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p> </p>2:53samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69658582022-05-07T10:25:19-05:002022-05-07T10:25:19-05:00Saturday<p>Good morning! 9:07 and 54 degrees at the moment. It's a beautiful day. (Wasn't there a band with that name- back in the 70s?).Enjoying the aftermath of a busy patch. My 4-week tour of local Springfield spots. That line actually got laughs..</p>
<p>Last night's gig was fun, both in the playing and the socializing. I was glad to get to play with Rob and Dave again. It had been awhile. Years, even. Now that we've established a place to rehearse, it looks like we're keeping it going. So we'll be back at some point down the road.</p>
<p>It takes awhile for a group to really jell. This was true of my old trio, and the quartet before that. And like those other ensembles, we'll have a lot of fun getting there. But I think we sounded good, and so did a few of the folks listening .One thing I liked in particular about last night was that the tempos all stayed where they started. So I look forward to our next session. </p>
<p>For the time being, though, I'm back in Studio Mode. I have a new recording that's due to go live tomorrow. It's called <em>Big Hair Big Dreams,</em> and is somewhere between Fusion and Smooth Jazz. Much of the material on the album was created in February and March of this year.</p>
<p>I was back in Studio Mode then, after a busy January. So we'll see what this current period brings about. </p>
<p>That's all I've got for you for now. Just kinda basking in the quiet today. Happiness is a slow period following a busy one. But you've got to have the busy period to fully appreciate it. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/0c47b7153ab367b3ca8451bf229ba64720fe4560/original/279959071-1140380623419692-5761711255476604078-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS Today's pic goes back to 2015 or so. Subbing for Manley Mallard on a Juke House gig. Played 2 years in a row with them. Mike Lang is the other person in this picture. And yes, it was at Lime Street. </p>
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<p> </p>6:01samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69651882022-05-06T10:30:13-05:002022-05-06T18:18:05-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:51 and 52 degrees at the moment. Another rainy day, but a milder one. At least that's what they're saying so far today. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news. </strong></em>A gig this evening , from 5:30 to 7:30 at Boone's. Rob Killam, Dave Pruitt, and me. This ends my 4-week tour of local Springfield nightspots. Back-to-back gigs at Anchors Away and Boone's. Busier than I like to be, but I do feel good that I helped some people out with a few of those extra dates. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Rob and Dave and I have played as a trio on a couple occasions. COVID cancelled our first gig, back in May of 2020, and also a later date at Anchors Away- though we did play there in September of 2019. One new development is that we have a nice place to get together and play.. Dave's place. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">My place could accommodate a small group, but then there's the cat allergy thing. Rob has trouble after about an hour. So this is the elegant solution. A 15-minute drive for Rob and me, but a much roomier place- and, I guess, feline-free. Half the battle is having a nice place to rehearse. Gigs will take care of themselves. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So we're on tonight. Unlike some gig days, where I tossed and turned the night before, I got in my 8 hours. Nice and rested for tonight's festivities. I don't do much on these days. This afternoon I'll get moving, but for now it's nice and slothful. The end of a busy patch..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In other music news, I have a new recording that's set to go live on Sunday. <em>Big Hair Big Dreams</em> is the title, and the material is somewhere between Fusion and Smooth Jazz. I regret choosing that title, because it's fairly commonplace. Nothing special about this new album, except that they're just nice tunes- if I do say so myself..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">That's all I've got for now. More coffee to drink, and on to the next phase of my morning, which is Lumosity and Wordle. Maybe see you tonight at Boone's. For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/6fffef3ae7aca03d657de21fc4ac719bcebb8bc1/original/71016835-10212336641291537-4803955967509135360-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>3:19samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69638502022-05-04T18:46:10-05:002022-05-04T18:55:59-05:00Wednesday<p>Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's about 5:33 in the pm, still looking like it'll rain any second. A pretty good Wednesday here, as Wednesdays go. Wednesday is the new Monday, as far as I'm concerned. Any business I have to conduct I try to put in the middle of the week. Carpe diem in reverse..</p>
<p><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. So we got together today and rehearsed for our gig on Friday. We're playing Boone's, a gig we were supposed to have had back in May of 2020. By <em>we</em> I mean Rob Killam and Dave Pruitt and myself.</p>
<p>We've played together as a threesome on a number of occasions, and have been friends for years. I think there was at least as much storytelling this afternoon as there was playing Still, it's good after all this time to just play music together. I practice a lot at home, but it's usually with playalong recordings. I've got a ton of them on YouTube, as well as two DVDs Bill Schlipf was kind enough to bequeath to me. </p>
<p>It's a different story working with <em>real humans-</em> who, unlike the virtual folks on playalongs, are reacting to what you're doing. But I was glad to hear that some of my metronome time with the playalongs has helped in the real world.. Sometimes in the practice room, in the midst of your toil, it's easy to feel like you're getting nowhere. So it's nice to see real improvement..</p>
<p>So anyway. Friday should be a good time. And it looks like we'll be having some more get-togethers at our drummer's place. This is a real good thing. Like the duo sessions with José Gobbo, I'm going to follow the energy, as it were. See where it goes. </p>
<p>My favorite instrumentation is a trio with bass and drums. I had a trio for many years, which changed hands in 2013, with the passing of Bill Schlipf; and then folded two years later. Crystal Rebone played one gig with us, and then Tom Fatten played a number of them.</p>
<p>I've had a nice time in various people's bands, but have always been happiest when I have a group of my own to work with. I think after awhile, you just get too old and crabby to work for anybody else.. Ideally, I'd like a group that becomes <em>our</em> group, just like the one pictured here. </p>
<p>Okay. That's what I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you! Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/8ed4ca74d69bb8a41d7d152ee67a197e8e464d16/original/943679-10200464426315742-387665283-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS today's pic is of the old Sam Crain Trio. Bill Schlipf, Don Cochran and me. </p>
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<p> </p>8:57samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69625482022-05-03T10:47:31-05:002022-05-03T10:47:31-05:00Tuesday<p>Good morning, whoever-reads-this! Currently 10:12 and 64 degrees. Another wet n' unwild day ahead. This is my last slothful day of the week. Tomorrow we rehearse for Friday's gig; Thursday is a trip to the Dentist; and Friday is showtime. </p>
<p><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. I'm working this Friday at Boone's, from 5:30 to 7:30. Rob Killam and Dave Pruitt will be joining me. Jazz standards and a few originals. I'll have CDs on hand if anybody wants to buy one- and they always go half-price at gigs. We also have a good possibility of a few folks sitting in during the second set. Hope to see you there!</p>
<p>Coming to the end of another nice busy patch. I played on April 7th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, and now May 6th. Trying to keep my hand in there as far as the<em> music scene,</em> but also remembering to be kind to myself and <em>exheunt </em>when I need to. </p>
<p>So I'm going to have me some fun on Friday, but am really looking forward to May 7th. Peace and quiet for awhile. Once I catch my breath, in a month or so, I'll be ready to go back out. And on it goes..</p>
<p>In the meantime, my YouTube page is alive and well. Got myself a new cheapie Canon Powershot, and have been making music videos out the wazoo. And I'll probably mosey over to the other side of the room where my makeshift recording studio is located. </p>
<p>And now it's time for the Cognitive Skills part of the morning. Lumosity and Wordle. I have a natural affinity for this nerd stuff, but it's also necessary as you get older, to work those aging neurons. I have enough senior moments as it is..</p>
<p>Okay then. That's all the news fit to print. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/52262ee28d4093f536ed0e7d64dc5a582edee54e/original/trio-x-3.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>6:24samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69616752022-05-02T10:31:31-05:002022-05-02T10:31:31-05:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's Monday, another of those sun n' clouds combos. My neighbor's dogs are all yapping. They're all miniatures, so the barking is more wispy. Fortunately, that doesn't carry very well, so it doesn't quite make it up here. But I'm sure it's an earful from where he's standing.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Okay, <em><strong>music news</strong></em>. This Friday I'll be at Boone's. Rob Killam and Dave Pruitt will be joining me. We're rehearsing on Wednesday, something I've gotta get set up today. Otherwise, a wide-open day here. As a retired person, I don't like too much scheduling, especially in a week when I'm playing. But we'll be there on Friday. Hope to see you there!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Damn, he's still dealing with those dogs! We sometimes have some pretty good discussions from across the fence, but we always have to wait for them to settle the F down. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In other music news, I've got a new recording that's due to go live this coming Sunday. May 8, two days after our Boone's gig. It's called <em>Big Hair, Big Dreams</em>. One of the tunes, which ended up being the title tune, has what sounds to me like an 80s vibe.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Stylistically, the album is somewhere between Smooth Jazz and Fusion. More going on than a lot of smooth jazz, but without the pyrotechnics of fusion. I hope that makes sense. So it'll be up on YouTube as well as all the other streaming platforms. You can even download it from the usual places: Amazon, iTunes, etc. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">After this gig on Friday, I'll probably be cooking up something else as far as new recordings. . Looking forward to a period of peace and quiet here in the Lab after playing out for five weeks in a row. My introvert batteries need recharging now, but there's one more on the books. Looking forward to Friday's gig, but also to 7:30 that evening, when we're done. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Not too far down the road, there will be another string of gigs. And at that point, I'll be all rested up and ready to go. For now, I'm just a little frazzled from all the noise and hubbub. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway! Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible! Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/6fffef3ae7aca03d657de21fc4ac719bcebb8bc1/original/71016835-10212336641291537-4803955967509135360-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's pic is the group you'll be hearing this Friday. PPS today's tune is from an album of mine called Tele-ology. Jazz on a Fender Telecaster. It's based on the old standard Lover Come Back to Me. </p>5:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69606642022-04-30T09:55:19-05:002022-04-30T09:55:19-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 9:02 and 63 degrees at the moment. More or less bright-eyed and bushy-tailed here first thing in the a.m., with that first cup of Morning Joe. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Yesterday was a gig day. Strangely enough, I don't always post on those days. Played with Ocean State at Boone's, to a packed house. I am still an adjunct member of this group, it would seem. I do their rehearsals, and sub when needed. We had a dual birthday celebration going for Duke Ellington and Toots Theilemans. I think the Duke would've been 123.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">These affairs are kind of a mixed bag for me. I enjoy working with other musicians, and I enjoy playing for people(so long as they're listening). And I like the socializing- though I wish it were more social in some ways. But I really have a problem with the noise. It overloads my system and wears me down. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So I'm recharging these introvert batteries today. Next Friday I'll be right back at Boone's, only this will be my gig. Two more hours of music, socializing and cacophony. Looking forward to the music and the socializing. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">May 6th will be it for awhile. I like to do a string of gigs and then take a break. A gig schedule is hard to control, because you always have these last-minute things, and it's always a friend asking ,so you're pretty much obliged. But I'm still taking a breather. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So I'll be working on more stuff here in the Lab. Both new compositions and YouTube videos. I like to alternate between playing out and playing in. This way I'm always where I want to be, and I think I give more to both. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And that's all the news I can think of at the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! Later for now. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/18b8f414c76ca0101e9a560de0f3456fa10e1889/original/1374322-10200833308737572-1647603718-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS Today's pic goes back to 2013 or so. Dan Rivero, Frank Parker, Wayne Carter and me. PPS Today's tune is a thing of mine called Ascend. It's on an album of mine called Sonorities. Operators are standing by to take your order..</p>5:13samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69590242022-04-28T10:53:27-05:002022-04-28T10:53:27-05:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! Just shy of ten on this rainy Thursday. Edgar Allan Poe, who lived for a time in the Fells Point area of Baltimore, said of it, "It's always Thursday and it's always raining". I went to school in Baltimore, and they definitely have a Monsoon Season..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Back-to-back gigs at Boone's. I'm there tomorrow with Ocean State, and a week from tomorrow with my own group. I don't have a band to call my own at the moment, but I have people I call for such an occasion. And I'm not in anybody's band, but I help out on Ocean State gigs when they need me. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This has been a busy month. Started off with one on the 15th and ended up with four gigs. These next two should be considerably easier than last Friday. More familiar territory, at any rate. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">May 6th is the last thing I've got on the books. After this one, I plan to take at least a couple weeks off. Recharge the batteries, work on stuff here in the Lab. The nice crowd we got on the 15th gave me a reason to keep my hand in there as far as playing out. So I'll be back with something, maybe even another guitar duo. Boy, those are fun!</span></p>
<p>My YouTube page is alive and well, and I'm again able to upload my <em>jam tapes</em>, with various virtual rhythm sections. <a contents="Here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdh8s961tIUSTDzYO6kY6OA/playlists">Here</a> is where you want to go to hear some of my recordings. Some are group CDs and some are solo projects. Being YouTube, they're just streams, but you can download various stuff from my website if you want to.</p>
<p>And that's the scoop for now. On to the next phase of my morning, which is Lumosity and Wordle- and more coffee. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Thursday to you! For now, I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/90af08253089636dd032d813694994f6d48b7adc/original/12010485-10153318852488019-8861205707719306598-o.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>PS Today's pic was taken at the Hoogland Center. A truncated Ocean State, with Mark Russillo, Lou Humphrey and myself. Missing the bass player, but still on it. </p>3:19samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69580952022-04-27T09:56:58-05:002022-04-27T09:56:58-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:09 and 49 degrees so far on this breezy Wednesday. Okay, breezy was an ejimicated guess. Haven't opened the door yet. All I've done so far is put on clothes and make coffee. I like to write these before I've really woken up. Gives the posts a kind of not-all-there quality. This is something that people have probably come to expect. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Okay, <em><strong>Music News</strong></em>. Two items of business today. First is a gig this Friday at Boone's. It's with Ocean State. I played in Ocean State for maybe two and a half years. A nice stint, After awhile though, I got the itch to get back to working on my own stuff, so I parted company. But I'm still a sort of Adjunct Member, in that I occasionally run chords for them at rehearsals-as well as bail them out on gigs like this one. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So I'll be at Boone's this Friday. And next Friday, for a gig of my own. Back to back performances. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The other news item is that I now have a new digital camera and a new battery, so I'm ready once again to make YouTube videos! I've been posting a couple things I took with my camera, but the sound quality is tinny. My phone takes better pictures, but the camera is still what's needed for videos. Another of life's trade-offs..</span></p>
<p>Now all that's needed is just to get me out of the way. The critical, judgmental me at any rate. I am often my own worst critic as far as evaluating what I've done. So I've made a couple videos with the new camera, but they sound <em>terrible</em>! </p>
<p>New videos on the horizon anyway...</p>
<p>I have a couple of new recordings that are due to release this next month. One is a smooth/fusion sort of thing called <em>Big Hair, Big Dreams</em>. The other is a collection of piano music, some solo and some with other instruments. Sort of a virtual Chamber Orchestra. It's called <em>Pianoramics. </em>Coming soon!</p>
<p>This is probably more than enough news for the moment. . Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. On to the next phase of my morning, which is Wordle and Lumosity(and more coffee). Keep the mind alive. So long for now.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/6c05f3f2b92329655bc2ddbd8678312d5f51b99c/original/47574338-2314529221950453-4863333714282676224-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /> PS today's pic was taken at Arlington's. Mark Russillo, Frank Parker and me; and Lou Humphrey and Ben Taylor. Looks like a moment of jocularity..</p>
<p>PPS today's tune is from a collection of electronic pieces called 12 Twisted Tales of 2020. This was one of those projects I just had to get out of my system. </p>
<p> </p>
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<p> </p>2:33samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69571182022-04-26T09:46:42-05:002022-04-26T09:46:42-05:00Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 8:37 and 37 degrees at the moment. After a 3-day patch of not-so-good sleep, we're back in action. I'm not a chronic insomniac. Most of my nights are spent in blissful slumber, but occasionally I'll have an experience that sets me off. In this case, it was a gig on Friday that didn't go as well as I'd hoped. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">But it always passes. Whatever was eating at me has worked its way through and out of my system.. A bad gig is like a hangover in this respect. You feel shitty for a time, all the while chanting <em>never again</em>..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I guess it's a good thing that I don't drink anymore. Alcohol fell by the wayside not long after I'd retired. I still seem to get <em>life hangovers</em> here and there, but at least they're not made worse by a few too many cervezas. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Coming up on May 6th is a gig at Boone's. Rob Killam and Dave Pruitt will be joining me. This was a gig I was slated to do back in 2020. when the fit first hit the shan. Glad we're finally getting it done. The Uptown Friday Night series is always fun. Looking forward to it. Hope to see you there!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I'm still tickled at how many folks came down on the 15th to Anchors Away. Flattered to have something of a following. This is an incentive to keep going. As you get older, it's all too easy to just say<em> fuck it</em>, pardon my French, and not go through all the hassles. So I may take a breather after my gig in May, but I'll be back!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And my YouTube page is still alive and well. I use a digital camera to make those, and had the battery finally fall apart, so I've been doing without. Fortunately I'm one of those people who keeps things, so I've got a pretty good backlog. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">But I miss making them. Videos made by my phone just don't cut it. Supposed to get a new camera in the mail today. Back in the saddle soon...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And that should do it for this edition of Samworld. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! For now, this one's outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/d53bd521b392166e98eb7e20afc00fe0888166a4/original/45166-1430280919576-5610744-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>4:18samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69558482022-04-24T11:41:35-05:002022-04-24T11:41:35-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's a rainy Sunday around these parts. Still behind the 8-ball as far as sleep, but this always turns itself around. For the time being, coffee is doing its magic. Or should I say, for the time be<em>an</em>. Oh, that's awful! Yes, the jokes get worse with insufficient sleep.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> I just got a note on FB about a recording session in Bloomington in late Summer. The bass player and drummer are from Florida. Got to play with them back in 2015 when I visited the area. Even released a CD with some cuts from our sessions. It's called<em> Jazz Guitar 2015.</em> Operators are standing by to take your order..<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/b33e2f93b4c99911401b6521de00f5d35ca041d5/original/278680550-10221831068668447-2814146139795628830-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p>This has been a pretty busy month, at least for a retiree. Gigs on April 7th, 15th and 22nd. They were good, great, and not-so-hot respectively, but you just put your best foot forward and hope for the best. I did this all three times, albeit with mixed results..</p>
<p>And I've got one more scheduled. Friday, May 6th, at Boone's. Rob Killam and Dave Pruitt will be joining me on bass and drums. Hope to see you there!</p>
<p>That's gonna do it for gigs for awhile. It's always worked best as an on-and-off thing, and it feels like it's time to get off the bus again. This last one kicked my ass. But I keep getting back up, so..</p>
<p>I'm always working on my music, whether I'm in Gig Mode or Studio Mode. And I'm always sharing- at least if I have something worth sharing. So more to come..</p>
<p>Still tickled at the turnout on the 15th. I've got some great friends. After awhile, I'll be back in Gig Mode and hope we can do it again.</p>
<p>So that's my story for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy rainyass Sunday to you! For now, ich bin outa this place. Lumosity and Wordle are beckoning me. More later. </p>
<p> </p>
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<p> </p>5:31samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69553792022-04-23T10:40:38-05:002022-04-23T10:40:38-05:00Saturday<p>.Good morning! 9:51 and 72 degrees at the moment. Here in the aftermath of another Anchors Away gig. Just like last Saturday, not enough sleep but a few more bucks to my name. </p>
<p>From 8 to 10 last night I played for Victoria Capo. She's very good. There was a lot of reading, and I did get lost here and there, which created some tension on the bandstand. It was a weird evening for me, but ended gracefully. I got my money, said my goodbyes, and was out the door.</p>
<p>I had met her years ago, at another gig. She sat in on a tune I didn't know very well, and there was some fumbling. That evening also ended gracefully, in spite of the weirdness. History repeating itself...</p>
<p>I'm a rhythm section guy, and don't really relate to singers, at least as a group. It's a different mentality. Everything revolves around them. But I do appreciate artistry when I hear it. And I was hearing it last night. Like I said, she's good. </p>
<p>So I have one more gig on the books. May 6th, at Boone's. 5:30-7:30. This one should be easier, being my gig and all. And it's the last one I'm doing for awhile. I get a bit worn from being up in front of people, and take breaks when I need them.</p>
<p>I'm still working on getting myself a new digital camera. This is what I often use to practice with- that stern friend who tells it like it is--and also to make YouTube videos. My new phone just doesn't cut it. Fortunately I have a ton of backlog as far as posts. But I'd like to put up a new one. Coming soon!</p>
<p>This is probably more than enough news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! For now, ich bin outa here. More later. PS Today's pic goes back to the days of Robbie's. Dan Rivero, Wayne Carter and me. I enjoyed my Dan and Wayne years.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/832cd398e68ba33a2fcc2b7d7d2cf05af83c73c0/original/198420-431431850221955-135051651-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>8:57samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69526862022-04-20T11:10:36-05:002022-05-10T12:10:55-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:25 and 47 degrees on this wash-out Wednesday. Nine hours of sleep. Working that first cup of coffee, and bringing the world into focus. Okay, not <em>too</em> much...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>The man, the music.</strong></em> Working this Friday at Anchors Away with Victoria Capo and Ben Taylor. Should be a nice time. Also working on May 6th at Boone's, with Rob Killam and Dave Pruitt. Hope to see you at one of these events!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">After May 6th, I plan to take another breather and work on stuff here in the Lab. Also see if I can get myself to three exercise days in a week. Gigs will resume when I'm ready again. These duo things with José Gobbo have been the most fun. I'll probably have another one of those, and probably before I'm ready to come back..</span></p>
<p>In other music news, I ordered a new digital camera. Should be here any day. This is what I use to make YouTube videos, and of course for taking pictures. Still getting used to my new cell phone, as far as that goes. One abortive attempt at a music video. I'll get it..</p>
<p>Feeling fortunate to have a nice boring life. Thinking of the chaotic lives of the Ukranians, and of a few of my friends right here in Amurrica. I'll take boredom over chaos any day..</p>
<p>Another skimpy post. Sometimes, like boring, skimpy is better. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day/Stoner day/Hitler's birthday! And with that, I exheunt. Stage right. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/61101501a045b963eff8cc1b1a134e16677a1e03/original/2020-03-20-195053.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>2:11samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69516512022-04-19T10:49:41-05:002022-04-21T03:33:04-05:00Tuesday<p>Good morning! 10:07 and 40 degrees are our current statistics. This is the first day in awhile without errands. I can sit here and swill my coffee and wake up at my own snail's pace. </p>
<p><em><strong>Domestic news.</strong></em> I now have a fully functional cell phone. Learning how to use it a little bit at a time. Tried to make a music video and upload it to YouTube, but something went awry. It was still uploading this morning- so back to the drawing board with that one. </p>
<p>As far as any future music videos, maybe I'll get it together with this new phone. But I also ordered a cheapie digital camera just like the one I've got. Canon Powershot. It should be here this week. Maybe the old-school digital camera is actually better. I miss making music videos, and am going to be making them again- one way or another..</p>
<p><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. A gig this Friday with Victoria Capo and Ben Taylor. I just spoke with Victoria yesterday. She's a lady about my age, who was also having trouble with her cell phone. We were both glad that we'd talked and gotten a little bit acquainted before the gig. Now looking forward to it. </p>
<p>I have another one coming up on May 6th, at Boone's. This one will be trio: guitar, bass and drums. And we may well have our usual second-set feature the Men Under 5'8". Messrs Russillo, Parker and Crain. Harmonica, trumpet and guitar. I'll also have my usual bag of CDs at half-price. It should be a fun two hours.</p>
<p>Nothing booked past May 6th, but things will fill in on their own. What works best for me is to do a wave of gigs and then take a couple weeks off, maybe even a month. That's what I'm shooting for in this next month. After that, I'll probably be ready to go again. And I'm pretty sure José Gobbo and I will get into some more trouble..</p>
<p>But in the meantime, I've got April 22 and May 6. Hope to see you at one of these events! </p>
<p>Getting ready for my other morning rituals: Wordle, Lumosity- and of course, more coffee. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you! Ich bin outa this place. More later. PS today's pic goes back to 1995. Ashikaga, Japan with the Frank Trompeter Quintet. Dave Burdick, Frank, me(with the usual bad hair), Brian Pryor and Tim Hartet. PPS today's tune was played by David Hoffman. He plays my stuff better than I do. Enjoy!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/0f4f383d362dfd221b9cdf40191d6d808995b2ec/original/2020-05-23-163928.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>4:17samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69509152022-04-18T12:31:32-05:002022-04-18T12:31:32-05:00un-manic Monday<p><span class="font_regular">Guten tag! I had a morning post started, but had to dash, so I'm starting over. It's 11:50 and 39 degrees at the moment, and I'm settling in with that second cup of coffee. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Domestic news.</strong></em> I now have a charger for my new cell phone, as well as a place to go with questions or problems. <em>Russell Cellular on north Dirksen Parkway. </em>It was an interruption of my morning coffee time, but I was treated with courtesy and respect. And they fixed the problem! So rather than bashing the place where I bought it, I'd prefer to recommend the place I'm gonna go to for service. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">There are already enough things in this world to bash..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">On the musical side of things, I've got a job this Friday at Anchors Away. Victoria Capo, Ben Taylor and myself. This was José's gig, but he won't be back in time to make it. I was going to just cover it until he got there, but it looks like I've got the whole evening. It's just two sets, and there should be charts to read. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I've worked a lot of gigs with Ben, but I haven't met Victoria. She sent me a message I couldn't bring up, and I sent here a Facebook friend request. One way or another, I'm sure we'll talk between now and Friday </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This has been a crazy weekend. A great gig on Friday with José Gobbo, and then a relatively shitty Saturday and Sunday trying to get my phone going. If I had a job I had to go back to today, I'd be pissed about missing my weekend.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">One saving grace of retirement is that you can take your weekend anytime. So today is my Saturday, even though I had to drag-ass all the way across town <em>before I'd had my coffee.</em> Important to get your SOA time in. A term my folks used, which stood for sit on ass. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anyway. Some Monday stuff. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that makes any sense! For now, I'm outa this place. Later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/673e7654b7126f934f58f7cab136572ee3382288/original/2020-02-08-181333.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS today's pic was taken at St John's in the cafeteria, year unknown. Dennis Darling and myself.</p>
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<p> </p>4:18samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69502332022-04-17T10:42:03-05:002022-04-17T10:42:03-05:00Sunday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:12 and 42 degrees at the moment. A day of fixes. Got a new phone with a charger that doesn't work, so it's off to the Mall to see if I can either resurrect or replace it.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I bought it at the Parkway Pointe store, but don't want to deal with them anymore. Came in there yesterday and got a reproachful look from the manager, who just let her associate deal with it. Okay, folks, if you don't want the business, I'm happy to oblige. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Amid yesterday's hassles, I went in and ordered myself another digital camera just like the one I've had. So phone or no phone, videos will continue to be made. The phone does look like it will work quite well for these, once I get it all charged and ready to go. But for now, I just had to have the tried-and-true..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In the world of music, it looks like I have another gig. It's this coming Friday, back at Anchors Away, with Victoria Capo and Ben Taylor. It was José's gig, and I was just going to fill in until he got there, but he's not going to be back in time, so I'm doing the whole thing. Oboy. Then again, it's just two sets. And I've worked a fair amount with Ben, so there will be some familiarity. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So that's what's up at the moment. A few fixes today, and a job this Friday, but otherwise a nice leisurely week ahead. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/1d36adc5317a179b93a04857379764e47f582c99/original/167793-1606653328776-8152324-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>3:34samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69497802022-04-16T11:18:26-05:002022-04-16T11:25:39-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 8:28 and 39 degrees at the moment. I'm a bit crispy today. It took awhile to come down from last night's gig and I woke up earlier than I'd have liked. Some very eventful dreams though, which I'm half-remembering. And I'm in good spirits-- my hangover from last night..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"> So as crispy days go, this is one of the better ones. Currently futzing with my new phone. I finally got around to upgrading from a flip-top to a more full-function model. Just got it yesterday. After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, I got it running. Not sure if I'm online with it, but I've got the basic stuff. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news.</strong></em> One more date on the books for now. Friday, May 6th, at Boone's. 5:30-7:30. That will be trio: Rob Killam, Dave Pruitt and yours truly. </span></p>
<p>At this point in the game, I'm enjoying the hell out of being retired. The itch to make music is still as strong as ever, but the gigs take more out of me. After an evening of musicmaking and socializing, I'm pretty much spent. I'm not a natural extrovert--more like an ambivert--so I get overloaded after awhile and have to recharge my introvert batteries.</p>
<p>That's what I'm doing today. Airing out. I still have my nerd stuff to do: Lumosity and Wordle. But otherwise I plan to <em>wallow in solitude</em>, as my Dad would've put it. For all his apparent joviality, he wasn't a natural extrovert either.</p>
<p><a contents="Here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdh8s961tIUSTDzYO6kY6OA/playlists">Here</a> is where a majority of my albums are. At least for streaming. I always encourage whoever reads this to stop in and have a look around. Hey, somebody's gotta do it..</p>
<p>Not much more to share. A great time playing last night. The duo sessions get more interactive as we go. I think the most fun I had was us taking the music to strange new places. More to come..</p>
<p>And more to come here. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Saturday to you! As for me, I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e84077fce7e0a055636e461f831973c88d4dd9ed/original/jos-and-me.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"> </span></p>2:14samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69489832022-04-15T09:36:34-05:002022-04-15T09:36:34-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:06 and 52 degrees at the moment. Doing the usual morning dance with that first cup of coffee. I just solved today's Wordle, but at the last minute. Earned myself a PHEW. Not worth sharing even if I wanted to. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>The man, the music.</strong></em> A gig tonight at Anchors Away with José Gobbo, 8 to 10. Hope to see you there!</span></p>
<p>There's a lot going on around town today. Hope the weather holds up for all the folks scheduled to play this afternoon. Should be nice and dry by the time José and I go on. </p>
<p>In other news, my digital camera seems to have bought itself another lifetime. I was finally able to get the battery out of the machine. It's now all charged up and ready to rock. I doubt that I'll do anything today, being a gig day and all. But more new videos to come..</p>
<p>I still have a new phone on order from the nice folks at Verizon which will do all this and more. But getting my camera back in action felt good. Like I said, more to come.</p>
<p>Skimpy as it is, that's my news for now. Looking forward to my two hours of pickin' and grinnin' this evening. 10pm is a bit late for me, but I think I can hang with it. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! For now, I'm outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/d24b4cb0ee3aba778d6256803a7be749bd65897a/original/548131-441099705921836-1114091171-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>5:18samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69481912022-04-14T10:10:01-05:002022-04-14T10:10:01-05:00Thursday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:35 and 43 degrees at the moment. A beautiful sunny day for a change. Thinking of the expression make hay while the sun shines. I know less than nothing about farming, but I might make some music today. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">How can you know less than nothing about a subject? Sounds like one of them Zen koans or something..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Tomorrow at Anchors Away, from 8 to 10. José Gobbo and myself. We did one of these guitar duo gigs back in January, and we're doing another one tomorrow. Hope to see you there!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Still working away here in the Lab. More practicing than usual, with this duo gig coming up. And I've got some recorded stuff I'm working with. Yet more music to send out into the world. When it rains, it pours- and we seem to still be in Monsoon Season, as far as that goes.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Either the Music or My Wares sections of my site will have things pretty much up-to-date. And there are usually a couple of free downloads in there. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And that's all I could muster up here in the way of news. Getting ready for the next phase of my morning, which is Lumosity and Wordle. Everybody on Facebook has been bragging about their Wordle scores this morning. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Remembering the Sudoku games at the office back in working days, and one guy who used to monogram his winning games. I started doing that myself, until someone changed my initials to theirs. Made me laugh out loud.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I still enjoy what I call my <em>who da man</em> moments, when I do well on Sudoku or Wordle or Lumosity. But it's a private celebration.. Anyway, 'bout time to wrap this up. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Thursday to you! For now, je suis outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/56d380e3346b667c83bc65e7ed4bf2a898518114/original/1911727-10201690998939291-2099293197-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>5:13samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69473662022-04-13T10:48:55-05:002022-04-13T10:48:55-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:50 and 65 degrees at the moment, a rainyass day on the horizon. Battle stations here with that first cup of coffee, easing into the day. One of the perks of retirement, no pun intended, is being able to nurse that initial cup of Morning Joe, and take my time waking up. </span></p>
<p><em><strong>The man, the music.</strong></em> Well one new item is that I saw the nice folks at Verizon yesterday, and ordered myself a new phone. Should have it tomorrow. It's a Samsung Galaxy, which has all the bells and whistles people have on their phones these days.</p>
<p>My flip-top phone has been pooping out on me, and my digital camera is shot--so this will replace both of them. The picture quality is supposed to be a lot better, and you can make videos. Killing two birds with one stone. I'm not fond of that expression, but it works here. And there's even GPS, which I could've used after last Thursday's gig. </p>
<p>In other news, I've got two new albums due to release this coming month. One is a collection of piano music, some solo and some with other instruments. It's called <em>Pianoramics</em>, and will be here soon. The other is a more fusion/smooth kinda thing, and is called <em>Big Hair, Big Dreams. </em>Coming soon!</p>
<p>Two gigs on the horizon: this coming Friday at Anchors Away, and the first Friday in May(that's the 6th)at Boone's. Hope to see you at one of these events!</p>
<p>This year I've been able to engineer my schedule just like I like it, which is to play a string of gigs, then stay home for awhile. I had two January gigs, and then about six weeks here in the Lab .After May 6th, I plan on returning to my Music Lab here and cooking up some more stuff. And then a few more gigs- and on it goes..</p>
<p>Best of both worlds. Playing out all the time gets on my nerves after awhile, but then so does staying home all the time. Better to just adjust the dosage. </p>
<p>Okay then. That's all I could conjure up this morning. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy rainyass Wednesday to you! For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/f6c6523653ce4137d05a1cc7b0fd6900bc2c9ee9/original/trio-x-3.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p> </p>3:48samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69465682022-04-12T10:27:21-05:002022-04-12T10:27:21-05:00Tuesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:34 and 56 degrees at the moment. Looks like the fit is ready to hit the shan tomorrow as far as all that rain we're supposed to get.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>The man, the musician</strong></em>. This is a busy week, at least by my retired standards. Yesterday I got together with José Gobbo, with whom I'm playing a gig this Friday. This evening I'm attending a rehearsal for Ocean State, the band I used to play in. With the gig on Friday, that's three days of activity. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I'm still in the process of replacing my digital camera, as far as making any new YouTube videos. Fortunately, I'm one of those people who hangs on to stuff much longer than I should, so I have a lot in the way of archives. But I'm starting to Jones for it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I was told, just recently, that those cheapie Android phones they sell at Walgreen's and damn near everyplace else, will take better pictures and videos than I'd been getting with my handy-dandy Canon unit. So that seems to be the way to work smarter. They're probably cheaper than cameras anyway..</span></p>
<p>In other music news, I have a new album that's going to release early next month. It's somewhere between smooth jazz and fusion as far as the style and approach.<em> Big Hair, Big Dreams </em>is the title and title song. Has kind of an 80s vibe to it, hence the title. You can listen to it now on my website, under My Wares. </p>
<p> This Friday at Anchors Away, and May 6 at Boone's are the two gigs I've got on the books. After May 6th, I'll be back here in the Lab working on new stuff- and recharging my introvert batteries. And after a while of this, I'll be ready to get out of the house again, and will have more dates to share. That's my cycle.</p>
<p>I still consider myself a full-time musician. It's just that more of the time- but certainly not <em>all </em>of it- is spent here in the cloistered confines of my Music Room. It's more peaceful...<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/ba970017a19fc1dedd1c1cbb87d29f290ec67eef/original/2021-artist-on-plaza-7.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>So thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Tuesday to you, whatever that means! For now, I'm outa this place. More later. </p>
<p>PS today's tune is called Big Steppin' and is from my album Jazz Guitar. It's a Bossa treatment of John Coltrane's Giant Steps. Hope you like it. </p>
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<p> </p>3:06samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69447002022-04-09T10:35:28-05:002022-04-09T10:35:28-05:00Saturday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:44 and 41 degrees at the moment. A nice sunny day for a change. Ready for something or other, just as soon as I've had my coffee..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. One thing I enjoy about our little musical community is the stories. Just about everybody I know has an anecdote or two attached to them. Some would take the whole evening with their antics.. At my gig on Thursday, they were flying as we got caught up on one another and some of the other characters we know and love. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And I'm sure there are anecdotes about me. I'd feel slighted if there weren't. I feel like I fueled a Sam Anecdote at this last gig by getting lost on the way out. West Side gigs are my nemesis, at least if they're at night and involve a series of turns. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">When I was 5 years old, I wanted to be a Cab Driver when I grew up because I knew all the streets in the city. In reality, it was just long stretches of Lawrence Avenue and North Grand. But I knew my Grandview streets: Wirt, Wheeler. Albany..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As a grown-up, I could probably get you as far as Knox Knolls, but anything west of Veterans Pkwy is pretty vague..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">In other news, I've got a few more gigs coming up. This coming Friday, I'll be at Anchors Away. My second gig with José Gobbo. 8 to 10. And the first Friday in May, I'll be at Boone's with Rob Killam and Dave Pruitt. Hope to see you at one of these events!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And I can't seem to stop making albums. My output as a composer is either feast or famine, and I'm still chowing down. The Music page and the My Wares page have what I'm up to in this regard. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This is about all I can think of to share for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Today's picture should've gone with yesterday's post, but I posted before I got the picture. Except for getting there and back, a most enjoyable time. And with that, ich bin outa here. More later. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/e1327e5d840480f14251e233e8d06e120cc01d37/original/kevin-steve-and-me.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>2:53samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69438282022-04-08T09:10:46-05:002022-04-08T09:10:46-05:00Friday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! It's 8:35 and 35 degrees on this dismal Friday. Up and more or less at ém, and working on that first cup of coffee. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. A gig last night in the Panther Creek area. Guitar, bass and drums. I've played many a gig in the Clubhouse. Nice place but noisy as all getout. I was relieved that this was at a private residence. We had some rambunctious kids running around, but otherwise a lot quieter. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The downside of playing a private home is that you usually have a couple turns to make. I knew it would be tricky , and it met my expectations. I asked to follow someone out of there, and then was told I should've followed the other guy. After driving all over hell and high water, finally ended up back at Wabash and paddled home from there. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">And what added to the stress was a gas tank on E. And while that's always stood for excellent in my book, I think it meant I was out of gas. Very concerned this morning. Actually went out <em>before I had my coffee </em>and got some of that overpriced fuel in there. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Except for the trip to and fro, a very nice time. Good people to make music with, and our hosts were cool. And after finally getting home with my gas tank perilously on E, I enjoyed a nice meal courtesy of our hosts. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Next Friday I'm at Anchors Away with José Gobbo. 8 to 10. Two guys and their guitars. Hope to see you there. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Once again, I've filled the page. So I guess this is it for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you. For now, I'm outa here. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/f56e6ac432dd36afa7e85f797256ae5023d82590/original/1970794-10201803341227778-1273644206-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span>PS Today's pic goes back to the late 80s. Jeff Magby, me and Tim Green at Sebastian's. Tim was apparently saying, "what a gig!</p>2:53samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69417622022-04-06T10:48:48-05:002022-04-06T10:48:48-05:00Wednesday<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 10:06 and 47 degrees at the moment. I've been up about half an hour. Partly sunny, what I call Nature's Deadpan Face. What the hell, it's what we've got for today. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Music news. </strong></em>I actually have a gig tomorrow. It's a House Party, in the Panther Creek area. 2 hours, good people to work with, and a pretty good chunk of change to take home. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The only request they have is the tune At Last. I love that song, but have never played it before, believe it or not. So I went to YouTube and listened to Etta James's masterful version. And then tried to find it in a Fake Book. I've got a bunch of them on disk, and went through maybe five of them before finally hitting it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I then sent a message to the bass player that I was able to get the tune they wanted. He already had it in his phone. I could've saved myself all that time and trouble if I'd just stopped and asked for directions...</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This gig was very short-notice, just got it yesterday. I'm not a fan of last-minute stuff, but like I said, it's short hours and good people and decent money. And last but certainly not least, this bass player and the drummer who was working with us once bailed me out of a <em>same day </em>situation. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Perfect Impressions had called me to tell me I had a gig that day. Talk about somebody pissing in your Cheerios. Thanks to my guys, I was able to produce three warm bodies. I think that was also <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/f6c6523653ce4137d05a1cc7b0fd6900bc2c9ee9/original/trio-x-3.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /> the infamous no-bass-solo gig, where they kept interrupting just as he was about to take one. </span></p>
<p>in other music news, I'm working a week from this Friday at Anchors Away with José Gobbo. And then on May 6th at Boone's with Rob Killam and Dave Pruitt. Another wave of busyness, after which I'll probably hide out for awhile, recharging these introvert batteries and cooking up some new music. </p>
<p>So that's my news for today. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Hump Day to you! For now, I'm outa here. More later. </p>1:58samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69407742022-04-05T10:30:06-05:002022-04-05T10:30:06-05:00Tuesday<p>Good morning! 9:30 and 44 degrees. We're back to the rain. At least we get a reprieve here and there, like yesterday. So this is going to have to be a mind-over-matter day..</p>
<p><em><strong>Music news</strong></em>. Well, I hatched another one. Recording, that is. It's not yet officially released, but it's up on the site under My Wares. It's called Pianoramics, and is a collection of pieces featuring the piano. There are some woodwind and percussion sounds in there as well. Kind of a Chamber Orchestra in places. </p>
<p>It's due to release late next month. CD Baby, the company I go through for these, still has to approve it. And then it goes to all the streaming platforms and companies like Amazon and iTunes and so forth. </p>
<p>And there's more to come. There's still a big pile of tunes to go through. Coming up with this stuff is usually a pretty quick process, but organizing it is slow as molasses. So I go from Speedy Gonzalez to Slowpoke Rodriguez. But I keep polishing until it's done. </p>
<p>I still have the itch to get other folks involved in these recordings. At the beginning of my retirement, I did some stuff with other musicians. <em> Jazz Guitar Vol 4</em> and <em>Jazz Guitar 2015 </em>have guest musicians on them. Solo projects are infinitely easier, since they don't involve scheduling. But I haven't lost sight of getting other people on board..</p>
<p>So that's the news from the Lab. Gigs on 4/15 and 5/6, details on the Shows page. I'm looking forward to seeing a few folks on both these dates. The Lab is more my natural habitat, especially as I get older, but I still need to get out of the house every so often. So there will always be something in the way of a gig.</p>
<p>This is probably a good spot to ring off. I might just get going again on that vociferous lady from the Bronx. "Trump 2020, motherfucker!" Ye gods. In a world that seems to get crazier by the minute, music is a wonderful refuge. So I'll leave you with that. </p>
<p>Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Happy rainy Tuesday to you! For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/aba0940f795b864c4fe3db0d02d105aa9f420921/original/pianoramics-copy.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p>PS Today's tune is the last piece on Pianoramics. Hope you like it. </p>4:01samcrain.comtag:samcrain.com,2005:Post/69399102022-04-04T10:28:02-05:002022-04-04T10:35:37-05:00Oh no! It's Monday!<p><span class="font_regular">Good morning! 9:30 and 53 degrees at the moment. Mostly sunny is the description. Yes, I'll be mostly happy today. I try for that regardless of the weather, but it does affect your morale. Especially if you're old and retired and home most of the time..</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>General stuff</strong></em>(whoever <em>he</em> is). Just finished reading James Joyce's <em>Dubliners</em>. Thoroughly entertaining and a little bit disturbing, a portrait of life in Ireland in the early 20th century. A beautiful but beleaguered place. Joyce is supposed to be a tough author to read, particularly <em>Finnegan's Wake.</em> <em>Dubliners </em>is probably his most readable. Recommended. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">It's rare that I talk about politics, but has anyone seen the ads for Tina Forte? Like AOC, she's from the Bronx, but there the similarity ends. One particular video, taken in her car while she's driving, is replete with f- bombs and sounds like she's ready to get out of the car and take you on if you disagree with her. Or maybe even if you agree. Yeesh.. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/443313/ff38a4754287400b9553de42664fc931aeb75ae5/original/11076175-10204111489970054-5611305982947614934-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" />Go to YouTube and bring up her name, and you'll see what I mean. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">There are certainly enough ignoramuses in the world. What I know about the Bronx: it was founded by Jonas Bronck in whatever year; it's the poorest of New York's 5 boroughs and second-most dangerous(after Brooklyn). And then there's the infamous Bronx Cheer, which really goes well here. 'Nuff said.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Musical stuff</strong></em>. I've been messing around on the recording studio side of the room, and have a litter of seven. Some of it is nice and smooth and some is a bit edgier. I'll be uploading this stuff to the Music page on my site today. And I pretty much always have a free download or two in there. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">On 4/15 and 5/6, I have gigs. They're on the Shows page of the site. Of course, I hope to see you at one of these events!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">That's all I had for today. Thought I'd share a few non-musical things as well. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Monday to you, if that's possible! For now, ich bin outa this place. More later. </span></p>
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<p> </p>5:22samcrain.com