Revive, Reject or Reguritate?

[JR Loman]

Hey Don, I just ventured in and it's deep in there. I can appreciate that only as a listener, couldn't touch it other than that. So percussion, that's your gig or do you play some keys also? closeest thing I ever came close to this was more fusion when bass guitar was my gig, trying to emulate stanley clark, return to forever, jean lucponty. Remember those days? Speaking of Jean LucPonty, a local guy played guitar with him for a while, and Gino Vinnelli, genesis and Phil Collins. His name is Daryl Stuermer, He was doing a Genesis Rewired thing not to long ago, he still maybe doing that, his solo thing is him but I hear some hints of Eric Johnson in there to & I Love that. My son took some classes from another local guy, maybe you've heard of Jack Grassel. You were bringing up groups before, I loved in th court of the crimson king, but the disco balls fell hard when when they came out with Larks Tounge In Aspec, that was out there, talk about alternating time signature[. Anyway my listening comfort zone is more in tune with my abilities comfort level. Which is a Pretty Big streach between us. I'm just going to try getting a handel on all this as soon as I can.
Have a Good One, Loman Outquote="howlindog"
]Hi JR,
I like your music. Is it marketable? I don't know; I think it could be. I haven't had the chance to listen to all of it yet, but in the spirit of we all are trying to become better writers and selling some music along the way would be great, here's a few ideas:
- I like "Answers to Why". I love the title; I like the intro; I like the verse; you lost me at the hook. Maybe because of the title I had great expectations for this powerful hook / chorus / payoff and I just didn't feel it.
- I think "Burning Man" has great potential, but to me it sounds like there's a Latin tune in there trying to get out.
- I also think "I Know You're Out There" is a pretty strong tune, but this song sounds like it wants to be a blues tune to me.
All of the songs I listened to seem to have the same general feel and sound (someone said Steely Dan, sounds like King Crimson to me), and I'm pretty sure that's what you were going for. Maybe you could experiment a little with a couple of tunes just to see what happens. Add a little Ricky Martin to "Burning Man" or a little BB King to "I Know You're Out There". You wouldn't have far to go for either tune and it might open up some listings for you to respond to. Just a thought. I certainly understand you write what you know and feel. Anyway, that's my two cents; I hope it helps.

Don[/quote]

[howlindog]

JR,

The name Daryl Stuermer rings a bell. Maybe I saw him play with Ponty. I don't know of Jack Grassel; there are so many great players. I miss those fusion bands like Return to Forever. Maybe it wasn't always the most melodic of compositions, but it was always interesting and a real challenge to play. I remember playing Corea's Space Circus Part II in hotel lounges in the late 70's. We'd always save it for the last set, when only the diehards were left. I had a jazz band in the early 80's with a house band gig where we got paid to play jazz fusion tunes like "Space Circus" & "Spain" as well as more traditional jazz. That was a great gig; there aren't many of those any more.

As for what do I play - not much of anything anymore. Vibraphone is the only instrument that I think I even have a shot at keeping up with the local jazz session players (many of whom I used to play with and even a few I used to teach) these days and the only instrument I will record. I write on piano mostly; work out wind instrument parts on flute and drum beats and grooves on a my old Gretsch kit; and maybe sit in on drums at friends' gigs once in a while. You guys are the players these days - not me.

Good luck with your musical endeavors. I'll keep an eye out for you and help in any way I can. I'll be asking for help as well here shortly. I'm finishing another CD and would like to know what you think of it and what I need to fix befor getting it mastered.

Thanks,
Don