The Jimmy Herring Band – Variety Playhouse – September 22, 2012 – Some thoughts and reflections

Humbling.  To see and hear music played at maybe the highest levels of mortal human capability.  Technically, it was jaw-droppingly stunning. I think I've only encountered two players anywhere close to this level of proficiency & dexterity - Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, and Allan Holdsworth.  Professionally the performance was of the highest quality – from the sound (after some gremlins were exorcised), to the lights, to the set-list and precision of the musicians.  However, the real magic that took place was in the interaction between the band members themselves.  There was an almost telepathic connection between all of them, seemingly being conducted through Jeff Sipe (AKA Apt. Q258) the drummer. He was ‘ground zero’ for just about everything that happened on stage – I’d NEVER seen or heard anything like it before (maybe I wasn’t paying attention before?).  Each player is a monster musician in their own right, but when they play together they ascend to a higher level.  They exemplify the Gestalt Theory of the’ whole being greater than the sum of its parts’.  The various dynamics taking place on that stage and in the theater resulted in a dizzying array and assault of the senses.  Jimmy has a tone he has perfected on his various Stratocasters and amp rig that cuts right into your soul.  His signature approach is a multi-modal scale run assault punctuated by impossibly melodic and beautiful chord overlays.   His tenure with Widespread Panic hasn’t stretched his ability, as much as it perfected his approach to the ‘jam’.  Jimmy has that rare and unique talent of playing just what the music calls for, not just gratuitous ‘shredding’ and show boating.  

The true highlight for me was to watch the interplay between Jimmy and Matt Slocum on Keyboards.  Throughout the evening I couldn’t help be reminded of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and how John McLaughlin and Jan Hammer used to spar with each other.  To round out this comparison they brought out Nickey Sanders on violin for a few tunes and strains of Jerry Goodman made the association complete.  You can tell Jimmy has been deeply influenced by McLaughlin, Holdsworth, Pat Martino, and Jeff Beck (to name a few).   

Part of the 2^nd set saw a decidedly ‘Beetlie’ influence with the George Harrison, Within You, Without You, and A Day in the Life.  The former tune started with an ethereal intro that took the entire theater to some mystic mountain in India, and then launched into a traditional Indian raga that transported us to another place & time, until Jimmy released the ‘Gods of Thunder’ and peeled our scalps back.  The latter tune, Day in the Life, was interesting in how Jimmy effectively used his guitar for what would have been the singer.  The song was spot on to the original, musically, until the part where it all comes apart, crashing and burning which then launched the band into a wild ‘free for all’ jam that blew the roof off.  The Col. Bruce Hampton made an appearance for a rousing rendition of, Fixin' to Die Rag and His Weirdness  delighted the crowd as he led the band through a hilarious 'play behind your head' routine that erupted into a wonder jam.  True to form, once the Col. was done, he put down his guitar and left the stage, even though the band was still playing - and he was gone as quickly as he appeared.    

They closed with what seemed almost anti climatic – it was a slow, low key interpretation of Ray Charles, Georgia on My Mind.  In a way, that was probably wise as it gave everyone a chance to start coming down out of the clouds.  I’m still in ‘shock and awe’ even as I write this Sunday morning. 

Its experiences like this that are not just life sustaining – they are life affirming!  

Food Insecurity in the U.S.A, Really?  

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning with a hint of fall in the cool air.  Bill Evans is playing On a Clear Day (you can see forever), and there’s fresh brewed French roast in my cup.  I’m in a contemplative mood and got to thinking about an article I read yesterday in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.  The title was, “US ‘Food Insecurity’ Hits Record Levels”.  The USDA defines this as, “…a household that did not have enough food at all times last year to sustain active, healthy lives for all family members…”  It said that a record 18 million U.S. Households, 700,000 more than in 2010 were ‘food insecure’.  That’s 15% of the total U.S. Households – 50 million people.  Of course, these rates were highest among households with children, those headed by single parents, and those black and Latino families. 

     I am surprised by these statistics, however I’m not shocked.  The ‘Great Recession’ has affected all of us however it has disproportionately affected the most vulnerable citizens amongst us.  I think it’s time for a bit of a ‘reality check’.  Most if not all of us know friends or family who have been or are unemployed or under-employed, however I don’t have any friends or family who are ‘food insecure’.  Although we do have some friends who have been foreclosed on, they simply moved into an apartment and still have plenty to eat.  How many of us have no medical insurance?  What happens when you have an accident or, God forbid, get diagnosed with a disease such as cancer or diabetes?  Will you be able to afford the care you need without bankrupting your family? Clearly there are many, many people who need help.

     I’m writing this today because I think that sometimes we need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.  With over 300 million people now in this country, everything seems more complicated and the issues and problems are overwhelming.  However, the United States is a large, complex country with a tremendously dynamic economy.  We need to take care of the most vulnerable people in our country; however we also need to do it responsibly, and sustainably.  I don’t know the answers here; I’m just learning to ask questions.  Yes, we have an election coming up and there are two very different approaches of how to lead our country and take care of its people.  My opinion is that I think there really isn’t that much difference between the two men running for president – all you need to do is look at how President Obama led the past four years, and how Governor Romney governed Massachusetts to see who and what they are. However there is a huge difference in their Vice Presidential running mates.  There is even a larger difference in the platforms and visions of the two parties.  

     The real issue is Congress.  More to the point, the real problem and biggest challenge is Congress.  This scares me the most.  I don't have hard data to back up this next statement, but it appears that most people in this country are either a little right of center, or left of center, however the 5 to 10% of the most extreme wings of both parties are making the decisions and they are not good for our country.  We need to tell them that this is not a game for them to ‘win’ at all cost.  It is not, ‘us against them’; we are not fighting the Civil War any longer (although someone needs to tell the Georgia Legislature this).  As a matter of fact, the Georgia Legislature redrew congressional districts to insure a ‘super republican majority’ which they now have and one party is making all the decisions and they are still unable to work together, and the decisions they are making are NOT serving the people of Georgia.  It's true that people are going to need help buying food, and this is only going to get worse due to the recent mid-western drought that decimated our corn crops.  We all need energy to run this country and we do have plenty right here at home.  The issue is can we harvest it safely, and take care of the water and air we all have to breathe.  We need to also invest in clean, renewable, alternative energy sources - it's not an either/or choice - it has to be both!  No one can be productive if they are sick or injured.  Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege.We need to have jobs that pay a living wage, and everyone should pay their fair share in taxes.  Stuff gets old and breaks down, so let's fix it and maintain it so all can safely use our infrastructure.    

     Our system of government only works when our leaders have the best interests of ALL the people in mind when they make decisions that affect us.  Our elected leaders serve at the ‘pleasure of the American people’ and are obligated to make decisions that honor, and care for all of us, not just some of us.  So let's all stand up together and make them work together for all of us!  This is a great country and I know we can do better. So lets all roll up our sleeves and get to work.  

Music as the Soundtrack to Our Lives

"There are two kinds of people when it comes to music. Those who have music as the background to their lives; and those who have music as the soundtrack to their lives. I have always been the latter."  Rev. Al Green from his biography, 'Take Me To The River'

     I’ve written before about experiences that have 

provided the basis of who we are today.  For many of us, these experiences are rooted in music.  Some of you inspired me with your own stories, and I’d like to revisit this.  

So imagine for a moment, a 16 year old boy from a North Chicago suburb who just recently discovered the FM dial on his radio.  After a brief journey through what were at the time the progenitors of what would become known as Southern Rock: the Marshall Tucker Band, Charlie Daniels Band, and Grinderswitch to name a few.  He then stumbles on the Allman Brothers Band.  At the very same time he was also turned onto (some) Grateful Dead by his pal Joel Schwabe, however this was still a bit too weird and inaccessible to him.  Like many of us, this boy was listening to things created a few years earlier than what he was listening to, so the ABB records – Live at Fillmore East (1971), Eat a Peach (1972), and Brothers & Sisters (1973) which moved him deeply, in 1975/1976 actually saw this band in the process of imploding due to drug and substance abuse, coupled with too much money and inflated egos (amongst other things).  I offer Win, Lose, or Draw (1975) as Exhibit A J. 

     However out of this collapsing star, was born a small group of great musicians who loved to play together and were making some real innovative, creative, and exciting music.  Jaimoe (Jai Johnny Johanson) on drums, Chuck Leavell on piano, Lamar Williams on bass (all members of the ABB) would get tired of waiting for Greg Allman and/or Dickey Betts to come to a rehearsal to record, or for a sound check prior to a gig, so they would jam together.  Jaimoe was the resident jazzman, and he never missed the opportunity to educate his band mates in the ways of the great jazz masters, but also injected this knowledge into his playing every chance he could.  Chuck joined the ABB after Duane died and brought a decidedly jazzy sound and groove to the ABB, and Lamar was brought in after Berry Oakley died (ironically also from a motorcycle accident almost a year to the day after Duane died).  Lamar was also a jazz and funk student and he and Jaimoe locked in tight, as friends and musical collaborators right from the start.  These three were making some incredible music together calling themselves the ‘We Three’, sometimes opening ABB shows.  After the ABB officially broke up they decided to bring in their friend Jimmy Nalls to handle the guitar work and Sea Level was born.

Sea Level-Grand Larceny (1976) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsbt8i25ccU&feature=related

     If you listen to Jessica from the Brothers & Sisters album you can hear what Chuck brought to the party.  Listen to his now famous signature piano solo – the melodic and jazzy riffs and runs that he creates in a subtle and rhythmic groove, which he then develops into an exciting and dynamic melodic single note run up and down the scale leading Dickey into his solo – it’s absolutely masterful and magical.  He’d never heard anything like this in rock music and it piqued his interest in the piano in a big way.  Sea Level produced their debut album in 1977 which he promptly bought with his hard earned caddying money.  What happened next, he NEVER saw coming!  The piano as a lead instrument, coupled with a tight rhythm section playing complicated time signitures, fuelled by a soaring electric guitar straddling rock and jazz (he was unfamiliar with fusion at this point) just peeled his scalp back.  All he could think about is where did this come from and how could he get more?  This experience opened up a whole new world – both in terms of improvisational music and jazz. 

     It wasn’t long before he discovered the Pat Metheny Group, Weather Report, and Miles Davis.  He was off and running.  The funny thing is that this also filled in the piece he was missing regarding the Grateful Dead.  He started listening to the way Jerry would develop solo’s over the incredibly complex and rich melodies and rhythms the band were laying down.  Improvisation started to make so much more sense to him, and became a goal of his – find more bands and groups who improvise.  This young boy from the Chicago suburbs found his new groove and it has provided him some of the most satisfying and sustaining experiences of his life. 

     What early experience can you tell us about that helped to define who and what you are today?  Extra points if it has a musical basis J.