The Musical Journey Continues……

Published under Inspiring,Music.

The Musical Journey

The last set of new songs I have written has been over 8 years ago.  In 2002, I had my first online experience of “releasing” a set of songs for my CD “Into the Moment”.  It was songs I had written during a turbulent time in my life between getting out of the service in 99’ and struggling with my past.  The songs were remarkable in my eyes (I am biased).  They were written and recorded on my laptop.  It was quite a feat for me.  Over the years, life got busy and I just slowly lost the desire to play.  Then my oldest son Connor became very interested in music and set out to become somewhat of a young genius for his song writing ability and the very special gift he has for “hearing” a song and reproducing the sound like it was that actual artist playing himself.  I quickly realized that he had far outpaced me in the talent genes and I started to become intimidated by his playing.  I felt that retirement from the process was what I needed to do and focus on supplying him with the needed support instead of working on my progress.

That lasted about 3 years.  I recently had a reunion of the old band I played in “Brotherhood of the Griffin”.   It was a celebration of the bands friendship and history.  After doing some intense practicing, I realized that when I have time and focused energy on the music, it all started to come back.  So now that I have the music bug again, I am now actively working on new material.  I have lyrics for (4) four songs and I’m working on the music.  The best part is, I have Connor serving as my “producer”.  I am very excited to work with him on this.

I don’t have a complete concept yet for this CD, but I do have a sort of an idea for the art work.  The picture in this post is what I have in mind for the overall tone of the music.

I will use this blog for my “journey” thru the process of this CD and my hopes is to produce something that has enough quality that I would try to market it via online in various ways and see what happens.  I am not ready to “Tour” and support the CD, but I am thinking too far.  I want to create something that will be of value and something when I listen to it with others, I am not making excuses.  (Which I have always done in the past).

I am looking forward to work and grow with my son on this project and I am excited to share in the process.

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I’m Back……….

Published under Life in General.

I need to use this site again for my rants….. Not sure what difference it will have, but feel the need to put things out there for my satisfaction.

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The End……. Sort of…

Published under Life in General.

The endHey there.  I am closing down this blog in a few days, but it is not the end of my Rants online.  I am going to be co-hosting a new blog.  My best friend and I have been planning on having a blog we can both collaborate on.  If you want to check us out in a few weeks, check in at www.rageNcage.com

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Them Crooked Vultures- Oct 12, 2009

Published under Music.
Last night I saw “Them Crooked Vultures”.  Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones and Josh Homme are the members of this band.
We got there 2 hours before the show was going to start and we got right up near the stage.  The opening band was “The Mini-Mansions”.  They are a Beatlesque type of band.  In a different venue with a less hostile crowd like Philly, they would be unique and interesting.  Unfortunately, in Philly, we like to ROCK.  So we did everything but boo them off the stage.  I am surprised they were the opening act.  It was like having The Jonas Brothers open for Metallica.  Just did not seem right.
When TCV got on the stage, they got right to business.  I don’t know any of their songs so it was different for me to go to a concert where I am not familiar with their songs.  Each song had a very classic rock feel to them, with the modern rock edge.  To me, this band is like the stars lining up. Each one has a separate space and use their own infliences to create something magical.  I don’t say that lightly. It is like they knew their own roles so well. No matter how famous they are, they allowed each one to just “do their thang”.  Dave Grohl was unbelievable.  He looked like “Animal” from “the Muppet Show”.  He played with such intensity.  I read a review about him in Chicago, that he had adopted the Jason Bonham sound and role.  the legend of John Bonham is something that can’t be tarnished.  All I can say, Dave Grohl plays with intensity and style, that is very rare.  He seemed like he was in pain and loving it.  He would do these very long fills that would last 1-3 minutes and it would not let up.  Then get right into the next song.  By song two he was a mop of sweat.  One of the cool things that I felt I enjoyed living through him was watching how he just started at John Paul Jones.  He has the legitimacy to stand on his own with John Paul Jones in my eyes, but he had a look like he was just repeating, “OMFG, I am playing with John Paul Jones”….
Speaking of legends, John Paul Jones was really cool.  He was so relaxed and was enjoying himself.  Did not break a sweat.  He has so many cool toys to play with.  The funny thing was when he switched between his 12 string basses and slide bass, he would break out the ol’ four stringer and you felt bored…. Just for strings?  But then he was jamming on this one song and he was going up and down the frett board, then he sat down on the keyboards and did this interlude of a composition that was really cool.  He played like 6 different styles and progressions and melted each one together like it was nothing.  Then he got his Keytar and started playing this sampler of a song that had a psyhcodelic sound, yet it reminded me of island music while Josh Homme sang these very laid back up and down the scale vocals.  Very cool stuff.
Josh Homme.  Admittedly I have very little info on him except he is the lead singer and guitarist of Queens of the Stone Age.  He has a very onnovative way to playing the guitar.  He is known for his very low register of C when playing guitar.  He was amazing how sang very detailed vocals up and down the register, as he played very intricate guitar parts.  This might be a bad comparison, but Simon LeBon of Duran Duran has a unique way to sing a melody.  Bouncing from minor to Major notes and back again very talently.  Josh has the same type of haunting vocals that just fit.  It is like it’s his very own instrument.
I have a new respect for his playing.  He is quite good and I am now seeing why Connor loves his music so much.
Yes, my son Connor.  This is not his first concert.  He has seen Duran Duran with Amy and I in 2004, and U2 in 2005.  He does not like to admit that now as a Teen, but last night was his very own first concert.  His idol is Dave Grohl.  He was so excited all weekend and last night.  He was rocking though the songs.  It is a really cool thing to see.  I never got this opportunity as a kid to see concerts as close to the stage as he has.  I love the fact I can be there to share in that thought, as much as he does not want me there.
There is only one complaint I had about the band overall. They are not coming back soon enough!

TCV

Last night I saw “Them Crooked Vultures”.  Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones and Josh Homme are the members of this band.

We got there 2 hours before the show was going to start and we got right up near the stage.  The opening band was “The Mini-Mansions”.  They are a Beatlesque type of band.  In a different venue with a less hostile crowd like Philly, they would be unique and interesting.  Unfortunately, in Philly, we like to ROCK.  So we did everything but boo them off the stage.  I am surprised they were the opening act.  It was like having The Jonas Brothers open for Metallica.  Just did not seem right.

When TCV got on the stage, they got right to business.  I don’t know any of their songs so it was different for me to go to a concert where I am not familiar with their songs.  Each song had a very classic rock feel to them, with the modern rock edge.  To me, this band is like the stars lining up. Each one has a separate space and use their own influences to create something magical.  I don’t say that lightly. It is like they knew their own roles so well. No matter how famous they are, they allowed each one to just “do their thang”.  Dave Grohl was unbelievable.  He looked like “Animal” from “the Muppet Show”.  He played with such intensity.  I read a review about him in Chicago, that he had adopted the Jason Bonham sound and role.  the legend of John Bonham is something that can’t be tarnished.  All I can say, Dave Grohl plays with intensity and style, that is very rare.  He seemed like he was in pain and loving it.  He would do these very long fills that would last 1-3 minutes and it would not let up.  Then get right into the next song.  By song two he was a mop of sweat.  One of the cool things that I felt I enjoyed living through him was watching how he just started at John Paul Jones.  He has the legitimacy to stand on his own with John Paul Jones in my eyes, but he had a look like he was just repeating, “OMFG, I am playing with John Paul Jones”….

Speaking of legends, John Paul Jones was really cool.  He was so relaxed and was enjoying himself.  Did not break a sweat.  He has so many cool toys to play with.  The funny thing was when he switched between his 12 string basses and slide bass, he would break out the ol’ four stringer and you felt bored…. Just for strings?  But then he was jamming on this one song and he was going up and down the frett board, then he sat down on the keyboards and did this interlude of a composition that was really cool.  He played like 6 different styles and progressions and melted each one together like it was nothing.  Then he got his Keytar and started playing this sampler of a song that had a psychodelic sound, yet it reminded me of island music while Josh Homme sang these very laid back up and down the scale vocals.  Very cool stuff.

Josh Homme.  Admittedly I have very little info on him except he is the lead singer and guitarist of Queens of the Stone Age.  He has a very innovative way to playing the guitar.  He is known for his very low register of C when playing guitar.  He was amazing how sang very detailed vocals up and down the register, as he played very intricate guitar parts.  This might be a bad comparison, but Simon LeBon of Duran Duran has a unique way to sing a melody.  Bouncing from minor to Major notes and back again much very talent.  Josh has the same type of haunting vocals that just fit.  It is like it’s his very own instrument.

I have a new respect for his playing.  He is quite good and I am now seeing why Connor loves his music so much.

Yes, my son Connor.  This is not his first concert.  He has seen Duran Duran with Amy and I in 2004, and U2 in 2005.  He does not like to admit that now as a Teen, but last night was his very own first concert.  His idol is Dave Grohl.  He was so excited all weekend and last night.  He was rocking though the songs.  It is a really cool thing to see.  I never got this opportunity as a kid to see concerts as close to the stage as he has.  I love the fact I can be there to share in that thought, as much as he does not want me there.

There is only one complaint I had about the band overall. They are not coming back soon enough!

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Life Can Deal A Cruel Hand To The Innocent

Published under Rants.

So I took Amy to get 14 shots in her neck today for the continuing pain and suffering she has endured since last year’s car accident.  I was quite upset this morning because of the fact I have to take her to the doctors and see how much this is affecting her.  I am angry and I am upset because the person that did this to Amy probably got a new car and a few hundred more a year in her payments for insurance for the accident.  I was so upset watching her in pain going home, I was so enraged I was wanting to hit something.  I feel so helpless.  I can fix a leaky pipe, I can take the trash out, I can do just about anything she wants, but I can’t fix the pain and it is so wrong.  I have not felt this way in a long time.  It is just cruel.

I am astonished more and more how the police are more and more pushing these issues to the insurance company.  The person slammed into the back of my wife’s SUV while she was sitting at a light.  No ticket.  No accident investigation into this case.  It is just not right.  What the fuck is wrong with this scenario????  Funny how someone can get a ticket and pay a fine for passing a STOP sign or a Red Light, but RAM the FUCK out of a car and get a new one to boot with no real consequences.  WTF?

I don’t want to get into specifics, but I am just SO angry.  This accident has affected the whole family and it has been a very hurtful journey for Amy and how she has to endure this pain.

I wish I could let this person see the results of what she  did and tell her that while she is back to normal, she should see what her lack of attention did to my wife and my our family.

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Sums Up A Lot In My Life Right Now

Published under Rants.

The No Drama Club

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My “Other Job”

Published under Life in General.

I was watching UFO Files this weekend and I am convinced this is a job for me.  How much fun would it be to investigate UFO sightings or evidence of Aliens on the planet?  Also what about these Ghost Hunters.  I think I could do this!  I went to the Eastern State Penitentiary this weekend and let me tell you, I never saw a ghost, but if there was to be any, it would be in this place.  I would love to be there overnight.  It is a very creepy place.

So I wonder how they are able to make money while researching something that will never come true?  I mean do they have universities paying for this?  Discovery or History Channel?  I just don’t understand the dynamics of how this works.

I would love to try this out for a summer or winter and just see how it all works.  Check that off on the 100 things I want to do before I die.

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I Am Not Insane!

Published under Life in General.

Last weekend our huge Project migrated successfully.  It has been a year since I started this week.  It is a huge relief to get this past me.  I have not been able to do anything else but work.  Home life has suffered as well as the inner world of Rob.  Since 99% of my life for the last 365 days has been making this migration successful, I have had little time to fix the things around the house as well as fix me.

Now that I am sort of on the downswing of this project, I am not feeling like the world is going to cave in on me every morning.  There are still issues and there are going to be late nights, but I am no longer feeling that pressure.  I am NOT insane.

Little things like my memory is not so bad now.  Just to be able to do things around the house finally is a great thing for me.  I mean I fixed the dryer that has been clogged for several months.  I was all proud of myself.  I WANTED to do the work.  That is a nice feeling.

I am going to be continuing to pull away from work and delegate more.  I hope to return to a normal life again.

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President Carter…. Shut the Hell UP!!!

Published under Rants.

Jimmy

Where are the orderlies in the funny farm for the former President Jimmy Carter.  Is he losing his mind?  He needs to retire to his Georgia home and get some oatmeal and fiber with his damn diapers and  SHUT UP.

I just do not understand why he feels the need to speak out on policy anymore.  Go away. You are 90 something.  You had your chance to be president and you did a wonderful job…… ahem.. Yeah.. wonderful.

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Needed Time to Think…

Published under Life in General.

I finally took some time to get away to the ocean this weekend.  It was very revealing for me.  I was able to take in the ocean smell, the mist, and the power it had over me.  I stood on the beach for the longest time and just closed my eyes.  Then I sat down and thought about what is the one thing I was thinking the most.  I am getting older and I am tired.  So very tired.

It really was the theme I had in my head.  I have complained about work and I have complained about the stress.  Those are true, but the root of all of this, is I am not the young 20 year old and more.  Age is knocking on the door and gave me the gift of the following;

- aches and pains in the back and knees

- short term memory loss

- hearing is starting to go

- I am just not as tolerant of things not in my control anymore

- I just want to be left alone many times

- Finally, I am starting to see the age really in my eyes.  Empty and tired.

It is not as depressing as it sounds.  It is more about reality.  I am getting older and I have to adjust for this.  Not accepting it in anyway.  Just need to be smarter.  One of the things I really thing is helping already is the fact that we as a family are having family dinner’s nightly.  I feel bad that I am not able to get home in time to help cook, but that should change after my next two weeks.

Having the family dinner seems to make it something to look forward to.  Even though the boys are teenagers and can’t stand their Dad lately, I do think they secretly enjoy it too.  This has helped me with not eating excessively.  I eat dinner and I feel good after and I am not snacking like crazy.  Typically we all fend for ourselves at night.  Not the right way to do it.  So I am thankful for this and I think it is the best thing we are doing right now.

Me, I have to also start taking care of my body.  I am a mess.  I am not going to start any diets or anything.  I simply need to mend myself.  I have so many issues going on, that I have learned to ignore it.  Well, somethings in my life have just been giving me time to think about this and it is really scaring me how it has effected the way I live.  I won’t go into details, let’s just say, I have to do the little things to help myself and I am beginning to realize, it is not how you do it, it is just getting it done.  Not all are the same and no solution is perfect.  Just move in the right direction.

Anyway… The Ocean once again really helped me out this weekend.  I did not go into details on what happened there.  Better to leave it with me.  The important thing is, closing my eyes and smiling, thinking about how beautiful the moment was…. It was worth it to wait nearly a year since the last visit like this.  I should post about that story too.

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