Worst, the author, Kessler, exhibits that annoying “missed the teenage boat” mind set, where once past his twenties he considers all young women to be sexy, even the ugly ones. Kessler clearly identifies with Marine guards chasing Soviet women who, to me, look like they were raised hitched to a plow back at the sugar beet collective.Further analysis of the rehearsal y’day confirms Jag as the only real choice on rhythm. After a single hour, we successfully played six pieces to a better standard than any, repeat any, of the so-called experienced guitarists that have paraded through my music room in the past six years. There are surely other reasons for their poor showing, but it corroborates my contention that there is something seriously wrong with musicianship on this coast. At the other extreme, Jag responded rapidly to descriptions of what was needed, and just went ahead and played it without a fuss.
I often give newcomers a demo of my “they said it couldn’t be done” style, where I play stage-ready versions with the entire guitar part missing. Many find this objectionable for obvious reasons, Jag took it in stride as proof of concept; that I don’t need a guitarist, rather a good rhythmist. Shortly and without further instruction, he was able to adapt his accompaniment to the correct volume and technique. Impressive.
If this momentum is sustained, we are looking at some sort of performance within a couple weeks, likely meaning Jimbos at first. It is my vocals that will be a bottleneck by next practice if I don’t get motorvated. Jag has a particularly reserved manner. So did I until I got some real stage time. His gear, even the instrument case, is in perfect condition, which I told him was not going to last like that once we start playing out
. From his point of view, I can tell he’s never met a bass soloist before. Neither have you. I’ll define bass solo in a moment. Jag underestimated the role and thus didn’t think his rhythm parts would be enough. He now is convinced less is more. He was astonished by the sound we created, enough to make him a believer and should snap up all the remaining tunes with enthusiasm. Try that downtown. (These arrangements worked so well they are still used in my advertising and demos of what is possible. I emphasize these are simple arrangements, not eleborate productions.
A bass soloist is not one of those slapping, popping, bending wannabes who riff off on the higher bass frets now and again. Those are the infantile hallmarks of guitarists who only think they can play bass. It works out of novelty, then quickly goes stale. In fact, such juvenile techniques are the resort of the mediocre guitarist who seriously can’t think of any other way to sound original. I’m suggesting if you handed a retarded guitarist a bass, those “techniques” are the first crap he’d come up with.
By bass soloist, I am referring to someone who, playing just a bass, can carry a four hour gig by himself, week after consecutive week without being laughed off the stage. Say, doesn’t that ring familiar?
The library on Federal was almost treated to a cat fight this afternoon. Blog rules I report this, so here are the facts as I saw them, you decide. A patron and the librarian got into an argument. While the patron was probably wrong (from what I heard), the librarian was the one picking the fight. The patron said essentially, if you are going to threaten me, don’t do it from behind that desk, step outside if you dare. Of course, the librarian instantly claimed that was a threat instead of a response to a threat, and said she was calling the police.
Not so fast, muttering started up around the computer section to the effect, lady, we have to pay for the police, fight your own battles, you started it. So the librarian hung up the phone and called security over saying the patron was causing trouble, which was not true, she clearly only wanted something she was used to getting and the librarian was denying it to her.
The librarian was acting with the smugness only found in civil servants, but still, the patron was escorted out the door, another waste of public money—the security guard is not paid to take sides nor to prevent anyone from demanding anything they are due. If it is due, give it to them first, and file a complaint later, on your own time.
At this point onward, I am not neutral. While the librarian had repeatedly refused to tell the patron her name during the confrontation, as soon as the patron’s back was turned, the librarian attempted to use the computer script to identify the patron, failing only because the librarian was too dumb and, pointedly, nobody in the room would help her either. That was clearly misuse of information, using it for a purpose for which it was never given. My stand is clear, if you can keep files on people, you can also inform the people when their file is looked at, by whom, and for what purpose. So they can sue you if you intrude on privacy.
I was pleased that so many bystanders were against involving the police. The patron several times said to the effect, “You are a librarian, you have no authority outside of your job, how dare you tell me what to do! Who do you think you are?” The crowd supported the patron and that is how I cast my vote. Anyone who tries to snoop by pulling out a dossier is the loser in my books— if they can’t argue their point without getting personal, they probably don’t have a case.
