The Music
From classical music to jazz, americana to bluegrass, and from pop to metal...if its good (my definition and opinion of course : ), I like it!
What kind of music do I prefer? Truly, depends on the day, the hour, my mood, driving or sitting...you know what I mean.
There is so much good stuff out there...and I'm sure I'm missing gobs of it!
To Rock or Not to Rock
I have a friend, Eric von Radics, whom I played in several bands with (guitar player, singer, and great song writer too) 2 decades ago who speculated... if the music isn't angry, it isn't rock music. This was during a driving discussion / argument (we literally were "driving" from Marin County back home to Alameda) on whether Huey Lewis and The News or Brian Adams were truly rock bands, and he was telling me that since they didn't have the pissed attitude of the Rolling Stones, they weren't rock. I've never agreed with him but it stuck with me and certainly found it a provocative statement, and a subject that I've discussed with other players.
Anger = rock music or rock music = anger. Hmmm. I have actually heard music in almost all genres that seemed angry, either lyrically or in the emotion or tone of the music. Being older, Metallica is one of my favorite metal bands. Not because they sounded angry, and they certainly do, but because they seemed a master of their musical universe. Songs that fit them, that connected with their audience, and I connected with. Toto, great rock band, not very angry folks!, Journey, Foreigner, Styx, Heart, Boston, Cheap Trick, etc...all these bands had great songs, some more pop than others, and some with more "attitude" than others, but great rock songs! Yeah Yeah Yeah...just my opinion, but I'm lost in the 80's and not sad about it!
The Eddie Years
I feel very fortunate to have spent many years playing with Eddie Money. As one of the still touring classic rock artists, Eddie lives up to his song...Wanna Be A Rockin' Roll Star! Touring with Eddie, I've been to all 50 states, Canada, Guam, and Japan. Since I was doing something I loved, playing with a bunch of great players, I understand where some people think that "playing" music is not work. Yes, it certainly was work, crazy flight schedules, no sleep, long bus rides, and just the craziness that goes with the business. Still, does it get better than that? From a "business" point of view, absolutely! As long as you're employed by someone else, you do as your told. Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful for those years and miss them from time to time, but it is nice to be home with my family more vs. less when you live on the road doing 100+ shows per year. By the way 100 shows means you're gone at least 200 days!
When I first joined the band, it was an interesting experience. At the time Glenn Symmonds was the band leader (recently returned to the Eddie band), Tommy Girvin was on guitar (and is still there), Don Cromwell was on bass (remember him from Air Supply?), and I of course was on keys. I loved this band and we were a strong 4 piece rock band, and we made a big sound for four guys! And the hair...well, it was the 80's!
Later on at the suggestion of Randy Jackson, we moved to an "unplugged" band format and John Snider came in on percussion, and Monty Byrom (used to go see him in Billy Satellite and jam with him in the SF Bay Area years earlier) came in on acoustic guitar, later replaced with Aidan Mullen. Then, finally, back to a rock band with Aidan Mullen moving to bass guitar and John moving behind the drums which was the format up until the time I left in 1995. All Good TImes! Thanks Guys! For more pictures, CLICK HEREJazz or elevator music
OK, I'm a long way from a jazz snob and actually prefer some of the pop jazz or smooth jazz artists for normal listening. Now to some jazz purists, I'm not a jazz lover at all! I'll never get this all or nothing mentality with music. So much of all of it is great! I love the Rippingtons, Spyro Gyra, Larry Carlton, Four Play, but also love Oscar Peterson, Michel Camilo, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubek and much more! It's all great! Come on people. Great music is great music!
Although I have very limited experience in this genre of music, had a fun couple of years playing in pop jazz group with talented drummer Mike Spinrad called About Time. Other players who worked with us on this project were Dan Zinn on sax, James Gary on bass (yes, my brother), James Bent on bass, and others that my brain has spaced on in my old age : )