"Most people are prisoners, thinking only about the future or living in the past. They are not in the present, and the present is where everything begins."
Carlos Santana
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Saturday, August 17, 2019
David Bowie
I read a biography on David Bowie a couple of books ago.
Spectacular. The book and the man.
I had a lifelong respect for David Bowie because he experimented with life. His life.
He tried shit out. Tried shit on. Turns out he started doing this as a kid, a teenager. I did not know this.
At some point he decided that he wanted to make a living as an entertainer but was not sure exactly what kind of entertainer. So he started soaking up knowledge and experiences with music, theatre, dance, even mime. As he was doing that he was trying out different ways of dressing, including wearing dresses, makeup etc, changing hairstyles.
The consistent thing that came through in the book from old friends and family members was that Bowie was fearless. He did not give a shit what people thought about what he was doing and how he looked. And trust me, he took a lot of shit for the way he looked.
He caught my attention at first with his music. Hunky Dory came out in 1971 and had the song "Changes" on it. I LOVED that song. Still do. I felt like he was talking about my generation, people who were misunderstood, people who others did not even try to understand. I think critically the song is understood to be more about Bowie's attitude about change; changing himself and avoiding getting sucked into the rock 'n roll soul sucking machine.
When he came out with "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars" in 1972, THAT was when I said "Holy Shit - who is this guy?" Check out pictures of him at that time and you will know what I mean.
From that point on I was awed by the way he would periodically radically re-invent himself. His look and his music. Which is dangerous for a performer because the audience wants you to always stay the same. They are comfortable with their first impression of you.
He did not care. He would show up for a concert with a different look, a different attitude, different music and people would say "What the fuck is going on? I want to hear Changes?"
Honestly I did not collect the man's music. I have a Ziggy CD, the "Low"CD (1977) and the Earthing" CD (1997). Not because I don't like his music; more because I am easily distracted.
I will eventually get his last two albums, albums he recorded when he knew he was dying. They are mind blowing. I pulled into the parking lot of the Peterborough liquor store to report to work on the morning of January 10, 2016 and just before I turned the radio off they announced that Bowie had died.
I was blown away. Had no idea he was sick. Not many people did. He kept it close and personal. I was blown away by how blown away I was. That's when I realized what an impact he had on my life.
The man was universally celebrated in the biography as being incredibly intelligent - he read and studied anything and everything. He was talented, fearless, creative, curious.
I got a kick out of the fact that most everybody described him as a gentleman. Treating people politely on a one on one basis. The personification of the English stereotype.
Interestingly enough, the author saved many of the negative comments for the very end of the book, placing them chronologically after Bowie died. All of a sudden I was reading comments talking about how he was not a gentleman, that he was selfish, that he used and did not care about others etc. They were like punches to the face. Kind of weird, but a good thing - nobody is ever a God in life except for me.
David Bowie laid out a blueprint for how to really live a life. Most people will not follow it. Most of us become oxen at some point in our life, wearing the yoke until we break down and disappear.
That is why the story of his life is so fascinating.
Great book. Great man.
Spectacular. The book and the man.
I had a lifelong respect for David Bowie because he experimented with life. His life.
He tried shit out. Tried shit on. Turns out he started doing this as a kid, a teenager. I did not know this.
At some point he decided that he wanted to make a living as an entertainer but was not sure exactly what kind of entertainer. So he started soaking up knowledge and experiences with music, theatre, dance, even mime. As he was doing that he was trying out different ways of dressing, including wearing dresses, makeup etc, changing hairstyles.
The consistent thing that came through in the book from old friends and family members was that Bowie was fearless. He did not give a shit what people thought about what he was doing and how he looked. And trust me, he took a lot of shit for the way he looked.
He caught my attention at first with his music. Hunky Dory came out in 1971 and had the song "Changes" on it. I LOVED that song. Still do. I felt like he was talking about my generation, people who were misunderstood, people who others did not even try to understand. I think critically the song is understood to be more about Bowie's attitude about change; changing himself and avoiding getting sucked into the rock 'n roll soul sucking machine.
When he came out with "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars" in 1972, THAT was when I said "Holy Shit - who is this guy?" Check out pictures of him at that time and you will know what I mean.
From that point on I was awed by the way he would periodically radically re-invent himself. His look and his music. Which is dangerous for a performer because the audience wants you to always stay the same. They are comfortable with their first impression of you.
He did not care. He would show up for a concert with a different look, a different attitude, different music and people would say "What the fuck is going on? I want to hear Changes?"
Honestly I did not collect the man's music. I have a Ziggy CD, the "Low"CD (1977) and the Earthing" CD (1997). Not because I don't like his music; more because I am easily distracted.
I will eventually get his last two albums, albums he recorded when he knew he was dying. They are mind blowing. I pulled into the parking lot of the Peterborough liquor store to report to work on the morning of January 10, 2016 and just before I turned the radio off they announced that Bowie had died.
I was blown away. Had no idea he was sick. Not many people did. He kept it close and personal. I was blown away by how blown away I was. That's when I realized what an impact he had on my life.
The man was universally celebrated in the biography as being incredibly intelligent - he read and studied anything and everything. He was talented, fearless, creative, curious.
I got a kick out of the fact that most everybody described him as a gentleman. Treating people politely on a one on one basis. The personification of the English stereotype.
Interestingly enough, the author saved many of the negative comments for the very end of the book, placing them chronologically after Bowie died. All of a sudden I was reading comments talking about how he was not a gentleman, that he was selfish, that he used and did not care about others etc. They were like punches to the face. Kind of weird, but a good thing - nobody is ever a God in life except for me.
David Bowie laid out a blueprint for how to really live a life. Most people will not follow it. Most of us become oxen at some point in our life, wearing the yoke until we break down and disappear.
That is why the story of his life is so fascinating.
Great book. Great man.
Who Am I?
Currently I am reading a book - a physical book - about Adolph Hitler. I am also reading a book on my tablet about a serial killer.
Perhaps I should seek out more exposure to puppy dogs and sunshine.
Perhaps I should seek out more exposure to puppy dogs and sunshine.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
A Moment of Forever (I stole those words from Kris Kristofferson)
I was subserviently and obediently motoring to work yesterday, and I flicked on Outlaw Country.
First thing I realize is that Steve Earle is the guest DJ. I am tired of explaining my musical tastes to the uninitiated. If you want to know who he is, google him.
What I immediately understood was that this was going to be legit - the music I was about to experience would revive my suffocating soul.
Here are the first five things I heard.
"Me and Bobby McGee" sung by Kris Kristofferson. You probably never heard that version, the original fucking version. He wrote the damn song and all you can think about is Janis Joplin. Earle referred to him as the maestro. Perfect.
Next up "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" by The Band. Great, great song that just covers your entire being with emotion. Even if you are not from the south.
Then "Red Headed Stranger" by Willie Nelson. The album shares the same name and a movie was also made about the story. It was 1975 and Willie was just starting to flex his muscles. Just signed to Columbia records he was given total creative control over his works. Unprecedented.
It is a concept album, which was rare at the time. The story was about a fugitive on the run from the law after killing his wife and her lover. Columbia did not want to release it because it was sparse - mostly guitar, piano and drums. Willie refused to change a thing. It was a blockbuster, going multi-platinum in sales and made Nelson HUGE in the world of country music.
Damn good song.
Then: Townes Van Zandt. I forget what song Earle played but it doesn't matter. I love them all. Townes was a songwriter's songwriter. The highest respect an artist can receive. He was one of those dudes who never made it big, but wrote achingly honest songs.
Next: Guy Clark. I forget the song but it doesn't matter because I love them all. Guy was also a songwriter's songwriter and a good friend of Townes.
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE. Just like that.
Takes me a while to come down off the intense emotional high of a run like that when I arrive at work. Such a menial, superficial job trying to tear me down and make me just like everyone else. Thank God I had the musical high to think back on as I said for the 26,000th time "And the security code?" into the phone.
My musical tastes and knowledge run deep. I don't listen to superficial music, I pay no attention to superficial artists. What I love is meaningful. It has to be. It is my sustenance.
The songs express emotions in a raw and honest way; they tell a story about what it means to be a human being trying to figure out how the hell to survive. How to be happy. The artists have depth and empathy, intelligence, and a soul deep understanding of how hard life is on so many different levels.
I am proud of what I know. I am proud of what I listen to.
It is a massive part of this twisted being identified as Joseph Testa.
Bonus fact: On the ride home I heard "The Week of Living Dangerously" by Steve Earle himself (played by another DJ). Rocked my way home with a motherfucking smile on my face.
First thing I realize is that Steve Earle is the guest DJ. I am tired of explaining my musical tastes to the uninitiated. If you want to know who he is, google him.
What I immediately understood was that this was going to be legit - the music I was about to experience would revive my suffocating soul.
Here are the first five things I heard.
"Me and Bobby McGee" sung by Kris Kristofferson. You probably never heard that version, the original fucking version. He wrote the damn song and all you can think about is Janis Joplin. Earle referred to him as the maestro. Perfect.
Next up "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" by The Band. Great, great song that just covers your entire being with emotion. Even if you are not from the south.
Then "Red Headed Stranger" by Willie Nelson. The album shares the same name and a movie was also made about the story. It was 1975 and Willie was just starting to flex his muscles. Just signed to Columbia records he was given total creative control over his works. Unprecedented.
It is a concept album, which was rare at the time. The story was about a fugitive on the run from the law after killing his wife and her lover. Columbia did not want to release it because it was sparse - mostly guitar, piano and drums. Willie refused to change a thing. It was a blockbuster, going multi-platinum in sales and made Nelson HUGE in the world of country music.
Damn good song.
Then: Townes Van Zandt. I forget what song Earle played but it doesn't matter. I love them all. Townes was a songwriter's songwriter. The highest respect an artist can receive. He was one of those dudes who never made it big, but wrote achingly honest songs.
Next: Guy Clark. I forget the song but it doesn't matter because I love them all. Guy was also a songwriter's songwriter and a good friend of Townes.
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE. Just like that.
Takes me a while to come down off the intense emotional high of a run like that when I arrive at work. Such a menial, superficial job trying to tear me down and make me just like everyone else. Thank God I had the musical high to think back on as I said for the 26,000th time "And the security code?" into the phone.
My musical tastes and knowledge run deep. I don't listen to superficial music, I pay no attention to superficial artists. What I love is meaningful. It has to be. It is my sustenance.
The songs express emotions in a raw and honest way; they tell a story about what it means to be a human being trying to figure out how the hell to survive. How to be happy. The artists have depth and empathy, intelligence, and a soul deep understanding of how hard life is on so many different levels.
I am proud of what I know. I am proud of what I listen to.
It is a massive part of this twisted being identified as Joseph Testa.
Bonus fact: On the ride home I heard "The Week of Living Dangerously" by Steve Earle himself (played by another DJ). Rocked my way home with a motherfucking smile on my face.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Holy Shit - Seriously Dark Lyrics (with some humor)
"I used to know a drug dealer His name was Billy Jack.
The Mexican cartel cut his head off, and he ain't comin' back
God knows I sure do miss my buddy; he had some killer pot
This ole stray dog and Jesus are all the friends I got
The pain pill jar is empty, my Wild Irish Rose is gone
But I found a tube of model airplane glue and I'm gettin' my buzz on
Why's everybody judging me when the Good Book says "Judge not"
This ole stray dog and Jesus are all the friends I got"
That's how the song starts off. Kaboom! It goes on from there in the same positive vein.
From "Old Stray Dog and Jesus" by Paul Thorn
The Mexican cartel cut his head off, and he ain't comin' back
God knows I sure do miss my buddy; he had some killer pot
This ole stray dog and Jesus are all the friends I got
The pain pill jar is empty, my Wild Irish Rose is gone
But I found a tube of model airplane glue and I'm gettin' my buzz on
Why's everybody judging me when the Good Book says "Judge not"
This ole stray dog and Jesus are all the friends I got"
That's how the song starts off. Kaboom! It goes on from there in the same positive vein.
From "Old Stray Dog and Jesus" by Paul Thorn
A Trump Primer
Started reading "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" this morning.
Wanna get a solid feel about what to expect from the turd in the White House. I'm only forty pages in (only 1,100 more to go).
It is frightening how similar some of his thought process (if you can call it that) is to Hitler's.
Buckle up, motherfuckers.
Wanna get a solid feel about what to expect from the turd in the White House. I'm only forty pages in (only 1,100 more to go).
It is frightening how similar some of his thought process (if you can call it that) is to Hitler's.
Buckle up, motherfuckers.
What I Have in Common With Adolf Hitler
When Hitler was a teenager his father died, creating a difficult financial situation for his mother.
"Though the ailing widow found it difficult to make ends meet on her meager income, young Adolf declined to help out by getting a job. The idea of earning even his own living by any kind of regular employment was repulsive to him and was to remain so throughout his life."
"Though the ailing widow found it difficult to make ends meet on her meager income, young Adolf declined to help out by getting a job. The idea of earning even his own living by any kind of regular employment was repulsive to him and was to remain so throughout his life."
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Take a Measure of Your Pleasure Wherever You Can Find It
Been listening to Outlaw Country the last coupla days on Sirius XM.
Normally I would avoid a station with an insulting marketing name like that. Implication being you're gonna hear a whole lot of music from the bad boys of country.
Not the case. However the station endeared itself to me because it is intelligent.
Heard a song with Waylon and Willie. In it they refer to Jerry Jeff Walker. Next song? By Jerry Jeff Walker. Not that much of a stretch, but if you don't know who Jerry Jeff is you got a little taste of him.
But they went way beyond that.
Next up - "Four Strong Winds", a beautiful and melancholy song written by Ian Tyson and, in this case, performed by Neil Young. They played "Willin", by Little Feat - one of my favorites. They played a song by Delbert McClinton. Delbert is a blues dude, for Christ sake. They played some Tom Petty. Fuckin' a right. In so doing they mentioned the Tom Petty station on Sirius. I set that puppy up.
You get where I am going with this?
They are painting outside the lines. They are going for a feel, not a genre. I fucking hate that word when it is applied to music. Know which genre of music is my favorite? MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reminded me of when I was a mere teenager listening to FM radio, which was fairly new at the time. They could do anything they wanted to do, and they did.
Sometimes they would play one entire side of an album. Sometimes what they played reminded them of something else, say John Coltrane. Next thing you knew you were listening to John Coltrane on a rock 'n roll station. Tremendous education. Excellent exposure.
They would read poetry or literary quotes. Go on political rants. It was wide open. It was a living, breathing thing.
Now regular radio is programmed by robots and aimed at dead people.
But Sirius XM approximates old tymey FM radio. They are pretty wide open. Steven Van Zandt has a station called Little Steven's Underground Garage. That station blows my mind. No boundaries. You never know what they are going to play and it is all good. From the 40's to right now, maybe going back farther than that. Quite tasty.
Only problem with Outlaw Country is the DJ's. Holy shit, the few that I have heard have heavy Southern accents. And I mean almost indecipherable Southern accents. They sound ridiculous. But I want to believe they are genuine. Otherwise they must be executed.
The icing on the cake came last night on my ride home. Listened to a few good country songs. Then "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty came on. I belted that out at maximum volume just like me and Alan used to do in 1989. I felt so damn good.
Felt alive.
Normally I would avoid a station with an insulting marketing name like that. Implication being you're gonna hear a whole lot of music from the bad boys of country.
Not the case. However the station endeared itself to me because it is intelligent.
Heard a song with Waylon and Willie. In it they refer to Jerry Jeff Walker. Next song? By Jerry Jeff Walker. Not that much of a stretch, but if you don't know who Jerry Jeff is you got a little taste of him.
But they went way beyond that.
Next up - "Four Strong Winds", a beautiful and melancholy song written by Ian Tyson and, in this case, performed by Neil Young. They played "Willin", by Little Feat - one of my favorites. They played a song by Delbert McClinton. Delbert is a blues dude, for Christ sake. They played some Tom Petty. Fuckin' a right. In so doing they mentioned the Tom Petty station on Sirius. I set that puppy up.
You get where I am going with this?
They are painting outside the lines. They are going for a feel, not a genre. I fucking hate that word when it is applied to music. Know which genre of music is my favorite? MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reminded me of when I was a mere teenager listening to FM radio, which was fairly new at the time. They could do anything they wanted to do, and they did.
Sometimes they would play one entire side of an album. Sometimes what they played reminded them of something else, say John Coltrane. Next thing you knew you were listening to John Coltrane on a rock 'n roll station. Tremendous education. Excellent exposure.
They would read poetry or literary quotes. Go on political rants. It was wide open. It was a living, breathing thing.
Now regular radio is programmed by robots and aimed at dead people.
But Sirius XM approximates old tymey FM radio. They are pretty wide open. Steven Van Zandt has a station called Little Steven's Underground Garage. That station blows my mind. No boundaries. You never know what they are going to play and it is all good. From the 40's to right now, maybe going back farther than that. Quite tasty.
Only problem with Outlaw Country is the DJ's. Holy shit, the few that I have heard have heavy Southern accents. And I mean almost indecipherable Southern accents. They sound ridiculous. But I want to believe they are genuine. Otherwise they must be executed.
The icing on the cake came last night on my ride home. Listened to a few good country songs. Then "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty came on. I belted that out at maximum volume just like me and Alan used to do in 1989. I felt so damn good.
Felt alive.
.
"Mostly he'd always been a threat to himself and anyone who depended on him."
From The Scarpetta Factor
From The Scarpetta Factor
August 1
A gentle reminder.
I don't panic anymore. We don't do much anyway. It's not like we are out on a cigarette boat every weekend. I am just happy not being cold.
But I thought I would give you a nudge. You may be distracted.
I don't panic anymore. We don't do much anyway. It's not like we are out on a cigarette boat every weekend. I am just happy not being cold.
But I thought I would give you a nudge. You may be distracted.
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