Lunch with Men

What shall one do with one’s time during a lunch hour, or perhaps a coffee and/or union break down in Pioneer Square on a Thursday?  Oh, where can someone find respite from the harsh Seattle environment? Please do seek out and find the Alex Guilbert Trio (Jeff Norwood, moi) at the New Orleans, from 12 noon til 1:30 PM, for the month of October.

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Keep On Keepin’ On

New video for Keep On Keepin’ On, off of Kristin Chambers’ new album.  Like what you see/hear?  Check her out!

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Good Bye, Nigel!

There once was a man from Nantucket/ who played on his bass, not a bucket. When asked of the “why” for his big, good bye fly/ he said to my face, “you know, f*ck it.”

Good Bye, Nigel!  Speaking on behalf of We, We wish you the best back home.  Here’s to much gigging and lots of time with your daughter.  We’ll miss your calm, intelligent demeanor and pleasant company.

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Thank You, Roslyn!

I like small towns.  I like the clarity in people’s eyes and the direct kindness in their conversation.  I like the sense of community that an outsider can perceive.  I like the slower pace, more suited to enjoying life.  I like the fact that small towns allow the chance for my cliché-ridden self to shine.

Just played the Brick with Judd Wasserman and company (Jason Gray, Colt Valenti).  This band is still in the process of finding what exactly it is, but that process is good.  We’re kicking more and more ass every time we play out.  If I manage to get a hold of the footage (hi, Jenna!) I’ll post video of Judd coming out from backstage during my solo with a sheet over his head, looking like a ghost.  My solo quickly became an accompaniment.

Also, do try and make it to Sullivan’s (7th and Union) some Wednesday.  The Mack Grout Trio plays there from 5-10 every week, and we’re starting to dial in the sound, playing more and more original compositions.

Thanks for listening,

B

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An Eternal Playlist

Recently, I spent a few days at a Buddhist meditation retreat.  This is a regular occurrence for me.  During zazen, as well as throughout the day, thoughts, images, sounds, etc, come to one.  These are fleeting apparitions.  Sometimes they have meaning to one’s life, such as when an emotion is triggered by a particular thought.  Sometimes, as I said, they are merely apparitions.  Scenery that shouldn’t be given too much attention.

It’s not usual for me to keep a journal during these times, as one tries to focus on the present as much as possible, not getting too caught up in the mental processing of events, however I thought it would be a nice, brief pastime to notate the songs that came to mind while in retreat.  All but one of these songs came as an actual song and not a thought of the structure—I heard them, noted, and then turned off.  (Thank god I’ve acquired the ability to turn these things off, not letting them loop endlessly.)  Here they are, in order of appearance (I will try and update this post in the next couple of days with samples):

September Song
Sunshower (Kenny Barron)
Everything Happens To Me (ver: Chet Baker)
No Such Thing (John Mayer)
Mood Indigo (ver: Mingus / Ellington & Armstrong - this was thought of first)
Lost Magic (Gilfema)

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