The Gambler
One of the clubs made a deal with me, they only charged a percentage of the door. Then, weeks later, they sent a contract stipulating I had to pay almost […]
shboom shboom life could be so good
He saw it in the spit valve water trembling under neon lightTuesday night gig, half-empty bar, bartender polishing the same glass like eternity had fingerprints He held a note so […]
bear baker
The bear arrived on a Tuesday, which is traditionally the least dramatic day for history to occur. Paul, the club owner thought it was a publicity stunt. Someone had called […]
horror
The pressure is on for the horror film I’m scoring. To be done before I leave to tour Western Canada within a week. Oy. There is a scene that scares […]
robert duvall
Musicians know the person in the background is sometimes holding the entire structure together. The drummer who never overplays but somehow defines the feel of the track. The arranger who […]
waterloo sunset
There are songs you admire from a distance, and some you promise yourself you will one day learn properly. For me, one is Waterloo Sunset. A small miracle disguised as […]
Giancarlo confusion libraries
The musician began to suspect that composition was a form of cowardice. To plan a piece in advance was to erect a wall. Improvisation, by contrast, required faith so he […]
ikea valentines
We went to Ikea for dinner on Valentines day. It was a good choice. Trays sliding forward like well behaved measures in 4/4. No candlelight. Just mashed potatoes, lingonberry sauce, […]
words and music
He began with a suspicion that something was wrong with language. Just slippery. Words promised clarity but delivered only negotiations. He would say love and someone heard obligation. He would […]
I would ask are you a treefrog?
Zbignew Tribeca, music critic for the Tribune knew immediately Stanley Kowalski, the bassist, was a genius. The sort of conclusion some critics reach before breakfast and never revisit afterward. It […]