The Kid Stays Out Of The Picture or Pilgrim's Progress Report

Usually when I ignore the blog for a while, I feel compelled to explain my absence. However, being the seasoned blogvet that I am, I know that I must grab your attention in the next few seconds or you'll be gone, baby, gone.

AND SO NOW, FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE, EASILY MUSED PRESENTS THE PHENOMENAL ADVENTURES OF THAT AMAZING COMIC STRIP SENSATION:

There's actually more panels to this strip (from Wham! Annual 1967), but I think it has more impact this way.

This year, I have been working toward the goal of recording and making available an entire album of original songs. The indie scene, I find, is full of friendly, interesting and creative people who mostly will never make a hundred dollars profit off of their music and the massive efforts they make to create and distribute it. The knowledge I have gained by observing the current status quo compels me to step back and approach my project from a different angle. More later.

Speaking of music, my listening tastes continue to evolve, leading me to exotic places where time stands still and individuality reigns supreme. Here are five nifty tunes that have filtered into my conscious over the last few months: 

1. Harry Belafonte - "Jamaica Farewell"

2. Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks - "Waiting For The 103"

3. Cab Calloway - "Everybody Eats When  They Come To My House"

4. Astrud Gilberto - "The Sea Is My Soul ( I Remember When) "

5. Roy Smeck - "Sweet Georgia Brown"

It's too early to tell how these new influences might affect my sound, but I can see that I am consciously trying to separate myself from modern mainstream pop music, which I find to be at best, innocuous, and at worst, artistically bankrupt. Hmmm, a thought just occurred to me...maybe I should call my album Backlash.

Namaste!