Back In Bla... No, On Black

Bon Scott and Brian Johnson on Brian's 1st album with AC/DC following Bon's death.

"Forget the hearse 'cause I never die."

Peace.

SOLD - AC/DC 04/06/09

Funk It!

When I was younger, Herbie Hancock's "Rock It" was my introduction to synth-funk. I loved it because of the video and sounds and their innovative connection to Peter Gabriel's "Big Time". Both still give me chills.

Later on, Us3's "Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)" refreshed my interest in jazz, reintroducing me to Herbie Hancock and his work on Blue Note. That led me into the funk of Lou Donaldson and Grant Green and Jimmy Smith among others. Talking about music that makes you move!

Peace.

Herbie Hancock 04/03/09

Getting Lost In The Dance

I was painting Miles Davis earlier today, listening to Prince's new album and realized that I really get lost in the painting, and in the music. The moment, in the moment.

It's no coincidence that what I listen to while painting is music that makes me move. When you're doing something you love, you dance. Don't you?

In your head, down to your toes, you're in the groove.

Peace.

SOLD - Mos Def 04/02/09

In a Silent Way

The Columbia Years of Miles Davis' recording career produced In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew among others that are amazing creations, some of my favorite jazz. Muted trumpet sends me, man.

For me, what's amazing about Miles is what he says by not saying. The space between. His concise powerful blasts and soft lulls have the impact they have largely because he's not always talking.

He's leading.

Peace.

SOLD - Miles Davis 04/02/09

Jazz Appreciation

My dad loves jazz. Hence I do. We got to see Dave Brubeck, one of his favorites, when I was little at Pepperdine University in Malibu. When I learned how to play the piano, "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo a la Turk" were the challenges I took on from a book of Brubeck sheet music. Jazz is hard to play. This month is taken to appreciate it.

Structured improvisation. Jazz is amazing because there is a magical balance between the written music and what the performer contributes. Space is provided. Discussion is expected.

Musicians live in the moment. I paint a portrait and, yes, do lose track of time, but then the painting persists. The moment of creation has left an artifact. Musical performance, even if recorded, doesn't really leave a trace. The vibrating air that carried the creation of the performer to you is still there, but bears no mark of having been involved in the art produced.

Jazz takes this a step further as each performance is created uniquely by design. This connects performer and audience as memory is truly the only record of each concert. In other genres of music, it is the solo which offers the performer the opportunity to express the moment as they connect to it. I love when Stevie Ray Vaughan or Carlos Santana or John Bonham or Gregg Allman spread out and let it rip.

Thus my favorite recordings are those which provide the structure of a written composition with the chance for play.

So when Dan Davis of the local news channel asked me to pick an album to play on camera, what did I grab? My vinyl copy of "Time In". It can be heard in the background of my news interview.

Who do you think strikes that balance best between structure and improvisation?

Peace.

Dave Brubeck 04/01/09