Sublime
This is a blog generally about woodworking and artistic implications of materials science, and life in the hinterlands. It is almost never about my personal tastes of food, entertainment or politics, my faith, or non-artisanal things that merely amuse me. I make no great effort to hide them either, they just are not the main point.
That said, as I sit working quietly at the compewder on this almost-wintry afternoon, waylaid by a virulent and first-ever bout of vertigo for almost a week now, I am utterly enchanted by this sometimes-whimsical Bill Frisell Group concert at Lincoln Center(?) It is majesty on display, purveyed with astonishing restraint by understated masters of the art form (as opposed the the smash-mouth brashness of another of my regular musical companions, SRV). Seriously, when was the last time you saw a non-symphonic percussionist reading a score?
Frisell is featured prominently on one of my “desert island” albums, Fluid Rustle by Eberhard Weber. I first heard Fluid Rustle in the early 80s and it is a rare week that I do not listen to it a time or two. As they might say, “I could listen to Frisell play the phone book.” Proof of that is in the hands of these maestros, even themes from James Bond movies somehow transcend the dreck that they are.
When it comes to non-destructive, non-transcendent choices you make I can be pretty sanguine, but if you cannot appreciate this, then, my friend, you are a barbarian.
Sometimes I break even my own rules.
Enjoy.
Now back to our regularly scheduled blogging.
I’ve been a Bill Frisell fan for decades.
To Ralph’s point, Frisell is not an artist that can be painted into a box. He’s done work from Country to Beatles, show tunes, Cindy Lauper covers and some more avant garde. The common element is what he does with his electric guitar, which remains unique.
He’s not for everyone but there is a lot to like once you warm up to him.
What I love about jazz is that the artists are playing the same song but not everyone can hear it.
If you ever get a chance to see Willie Nelson play, please do. He sings in jazz. Always a beat or two off on purpose. Great delight in watching fans try to sing along.
Hi Don,
I must be a partial barbarian. I liked it but it isn’t something I would listen to while working in the shop but I do like listening to BB King. The blues just don’t trip my trigger. On the other hand, oldies from 60’s do trip it.
It’s probably sorta like wine, to me virtually all of it tastes like something from a gas can but vinophiles swear there is a delicate and exquisite difference from one octane to another. It’s all gasoline to me. My wife makes me listen to most of my music in the barn or truck, she will not have it in the cabin as she finds un-melodic arrhythmic avant garde tones unnerving. Try some early Mahavishnu Orchestra some time, that may light the fuse one way or another; ignite a burning interest or merely the desire to burn the CD. When my musical tastes congealed my Baptist-preacher parents were convinced they brought home the wrong kid from the hospital. In the 60s and 70s I was listening to stuff like Gregorian Chants and John Coltrane, though not at the same moment. I remember once my church-organist mom peeked into my room and asked, “Are all those guys playing the same song?”
there are several different sets of movements you or your doctor can put you through to help “reset” your inner ears to help with this. You can look some up on youtube. I use Dr. Carol Foster’s, since I can do it at home, it has really helped me. And thanks for all the info you post, I really enjoy your site.
Yeah, I’ve been doing Epley Manipulations twice a day with incremental improvement. At this point I am convinced it is either an unidentified inner ear inflammation or virus or some sort that must run its course. Of course the Youtube videos pretty much all show instantaneous relief, reality is more challenging. At least now I can keep food down and slowly move about with assistance; Tuesday was the sickest I have ever been as an adult.
I’ll check out the Foster method. Thanks.