Oh No Not the Bass solo!

On a recent trip to Chicago for a family wedding, I had the opportunity

during one of the many family gatherings to make a toast to a special person who has become a very important addition to my family, in an unusual way.  This lady is quiet, gentle, pretty, elegant, funny, soft-spoken, smart, caring, competent, and most important - very good at what she does.  All those years raising children, managing a household and loving a strong willed husband has presented her with many challenges and tremendous satisfaction.  Through it all she kept her composure, sense of humor, and just as important, her sanity.  The toast I made was, like most toasts, completely impromptu and in my inimitable style, I used a music analogy.

I got to thinking about the 'unsung hero's' of any great band. Everyone knows and loves the singers, and the lead guitarist or other lead instrumentalists take center stage.  The drummer's job in most bands is to keep time (unless you're the Who ;-), however the guy you never seem to hear or see is the bass player.  He/she is always seemingly tucked into a corner quietly, unnoticeably just doing their thing (whatever that may be).  The job of the bass player is to 'hold down the bottom end' of the groove allowing the other players to do their thing.  It is not an overestimation to say the bass player has the most crucial role in the band. Everyone in the band depends on the bassist's subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) lead. If the guitarist or saxophonist makes a mistake, hardly anyone will notice, but if the bassist makes a mistake, everyone in the band and the audience will instantly know that something is wrong. The Bass player links the harmony (chords) with the rhythm which determines whether it's the blues, rock, jazz, etc. 

I have two stunning examples of what I'm talking about here.  First, is James Jamerson known for his work over a 30 year period as bassist for the Funk Brothers - otherwise known as the band behind almost EVERY Motown record you ever heard.

James Jamerson

  Yea, that's him leading off the Temptations, My Girl. 

The other great example is the legendary Donald 'Duck' Dunn, who played bass with Booker T & the MG's.  'Duck' Dunn, along with mates Al Jackson and Steve Cropper as the studio band for Stax Records created the Memphis sound, which was the 'archrivals' to what the Funk Brothers were to the Motown Sound.  Yea, BOTH anchored by calm, cool bass players. 


This brings me back to Gerry.  This is the role Gerry is now playing in my family.  She's 'holding down the bottom end' that was once held by another very special lady - my mom.  She hasn't replaced her, heaven's no!  She has simply brought her unique 'voice' and style to a group of 'misfit toys' that was sorely in need of this sort of quiet, subtle, but strong and loving leadership.  May you continue to be blessed with good health, good humor, and surrounded with people who love you Gerry.  Thank you for all you do for the Berrafato's!

 

So my question to my dear readers is: Who is the 'unsung hero(s)' in your life? 

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.   

Some Christmas Thoughts for 2011

     As Christmas 2011 descends upon us, I would like to follow up my previous post of the Rule of Three.  In case you missed it, this was the thoughtful and excellent homily on the three types of friends in your life by Bishop TD Jakes.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV6Ki_sau7g

     In the 27 years I have been a professional sales person, I can count the number of times I have missed my sales target on one hand.  After this disappointing and challenging year, I won’t be able to say that again.  This has left my head in a bad place where, like December, the days are short on sunlight, and the nights are cold, wet, long, and dark.  

     Like most of the U.S.A. recently, we have also had some unseasonably warm weather for December so I went for a long run yesterday.  As I was enjoying the fresh air and invigorating feeling of my muscles working and blood pumping, I had the overwhelming feeling of how great it is to be alive and healthy.  Like any 51 year old, I have my share of aches and pains, but for the most part I’m healthy.  My mind quickly went to thinking about friends and loved ones who are either no longer with us, or are struggling mightily with significant life threatening illnesses.  

     When I was 16, I watched in horror as my brothers best friend broke his neck in a hockey game, becoming paralyzed from the neck down.  Four years ago I helplessly sat by my mom’s side while she died from diabetes related heart disease.  Less than two years ago I carried the casket containing my closest and dearest friend from my childhood, who also succumbed to diabetes related heart disease.  Just this past year I witnessed my uncle, who at 70, was the fittest and healthiest person I know suddenly contract a deadly form of blood cancer which has racked his kidneys, leaving him depending on dialysis three days a week while he battles for his life. 

     My point is simply this (and no one struggles with this as much as I do!):  Intellectually I know how fortunate I am to have my health, however I continue to let the fact I missed my sales target this year bum me out.  How many of us let money, material things, and petty arguments obscure what is truly important to us?  I know we all have to have money to live, but you can’t live if you aren’t healthy.  Money won’t buy back your health (think Steve Jobs).  

     Christmas and the beginning of a new year is a great time to look back at how fortunate we all are for all that we have, and all that we have achieved.  The birth of Jesus gives us the hope for a new, brighter tomorrow.  Let’s all try and transcend our intellectual understanding of what’s important to an emotional and spiritual one.  Since our experience on this earth is a physical one, let’s start by taking better care of our human bodies so that we can free our minds and souls to pursue the limitless potential of the human experience, never forgetting that there are others who are not as fortunate as us. 

     I'll leave you with a couple of verses from the Red Hayes/Jack Rhodes tune,

 "A Satisfied Mind"

'How many times have you heard someone say'

'if I had his money, I'd do things my way?'

'But little they know that it's so hard to find'

'one rich man in 10, with a satisfied mind'

'Money won't buy back your youth when you're old'

'A friend when you're lonely, or peace to your soul'

'The wealthiest person is a pauper at times'

'Compared to the man, with a satisfied mind'

     This holiday season, count your blessings, hug your family & friends, stay safe, and eat more fruits and vegetables!

Peace & Love,

Mark-

Today I launch my Blog.  I'm calling it, The Other Side Of This Life.  Why?  Because I am.  Regardless of how much time I may have left on this planet, I'm on the other side of 50.  I find myself looking back as often as forward.  Nostalgic? Sometimes. But mostly I find that this is the best way to orient oneself in the present. I'm reminded of the popular Chinese proverb / curse, "May you live in interesting times".  Indeed we do.  However, I don't know that it is any less 'interesting' than the decades of my youth, the turbulent and crazy 1960's and 1970's.  Just different, I guess.

My goal in writing this occasional Blog is simple:  I want to share my observations, experiences, opinions, and thoughts with anyone who may take notice.  I've been thinking long and hard about what my legacy on this planet will be.  I don't think I'm anywhere near finished, but I am coming to some conclusions.  The first, and most important one is that I'm beginning to regularly question just about everything I once thought I knew.  The second one is that I truly believe that it matters what you say and do to the people around you - strangers as well as loved ones.  Thirdly, I want my children to know, I mean really know what I think about things that matter.  

You'll find two themes that will run through just about everything I write.  The first is the concept of sustainability.  Not necessarily in the environmental sense of the often overused buzz word, but rather the very real benefits one reaps from employing and harnessing the true and oft hidden power of putting it to work for you.  Secondly, music.  That may sound a bit odd - music as a theme?  The great soul singer turned preacher, Al Green once said, "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."  This describes me pretty well and if you read anything I write, this will come through, I'm certain.

I really don't know who, if anyone will actually read anything I write.  I do have one rule which I will absolutely adhere to as well as enforce.  That being civility and respect at all times.  I'm not particularly interested in finding only readers who agree with me, but rather those who want to share their own experiences, thoughts and ideas as they relate to what I have written.

I like to tell my children that when everyone agrees with you, nobody learns anything.