Good morning and TGIF! That's probably what folks working in the unemployment office are seeing on their screens as they boot up for another big day. They don't have the public to deal with directly, so I imagine the phones are going nonstop. I used to refer to the atmosphere in the office as the ppc level: phones, printers and complaining. So now I suppose it's just the pp level. That c is only added in if you answer the phone.
Music news. I now have all the tunes for a new CD. Nine selections, all original, with a bonus track playing over Confirmation. Now is the time to get with someone who has a more high-tech studio than mine and get everything balanced as far as levels. Those are kinda all over the place. Equalizing is the one thing I can't do with my present setup. So that's the next step. But we're getting there!
I've made it "company policy" that all the jazz stuff goes on CD. More of a hassle to do, but you have a tangible result. Something you can sell at gigs and pass out to a few folks. It's now easier to do them in smaller quantities-- so I still have boxes but they' take up a lot less space.. Also I like to write liner notes, and send 'out shouts to a few people who've been supportive. That means a lot to me. Not everybody is going to be in your corner in this life, so you cherish the ones who are..
The 'weirdo' stuff I do will continue to be available in download format. It's mostly electronic music these days, but I add in the guitar on occasion. Most of my formal training as a musician has been in the craft of musical composition. I've had three different teachers: one in Boston; one in Rochester Michigan; and one in Baltimore. On guitar, I had a couple years of lessons at a music store, and a few lessons elsewhere, but am pretty much self-taught. This is why my writing is a lot weirder than my playing..
And I also have a "middle layer" of material. It varies between Smooth Jazz and quirkier, more eclectic stuff. Home Cookin' and Toasty Relief are two such albums. These are also downloads these days, but if there were enough interest, I'd go the extra mile and make another CD or two.
So that's probably more than you wanted to know about my musicmaking. Something to read with your morning coffee--just as for me it's something to write with my morning coffee. This looks to be a pretty good day for further musicmaking. Two new pieces done yesterday here in the Music Lab. One is pretty normal(for me!)and is awaiting some guitar. The other one might just get me committed..
Okay then! That's all the news I've got for you for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you, especially if you've worked all week! For now, I'm outa here. More later.
PS Today's pic is from 1986, at the Blacks, Whites and Blues Festival, then an annual 3-day celebration in the now-defunct John Hay Homes. From left to right: me, Dianna Thompson(seated), David Hoffman, Art Carey, Larry Nelson(whom we called Hubba), Jeff Davis, Frank Vanes. 