PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION

Legend has it that Prince called a bassist at 2:30 in the morning and asked him “What are you doing right now?” The bassist said “I’m sleeping!” Prince replied, “Wrong answer I’m writing songs! Why aren’t you?”

Yes I know the bassist and won’t say his name out of professional respect.

While I will never ever do this to anyone, I definitely get inspired at odd hours of the day. Could happen super early in the morning, maybe during a guitar lesson in the afternoon, or when I do a quiet evening stroll. Could also happen when a friend (another bassist!) says something that jump-starts my brain.

I wrote a song at 6:40 this morning. What did YOU do? 😉

Just when I thought “I am done with song ideas”, the muse will tap on my shoulder and said “Not so fast, Sparky!” And when inspiration is combined with a cup of coffee that has the strength of jet fuel, you act fast!!

I am learning about progress over perfectionism. In the past, a demo had to be note-correct and it would drive me nuts if something was off by a 16th note, or a chord was flubbed. For me, it’s about getting the vibes (and what my friend Laura said but won’t repeat it here as it will be the song title). I had the riffs, played with the arrangement, and had to fire up the Tascam. The timing might not be quite on the money but the attitude is there. I normally want the riffs to move a certain way but this time, I left things as-is. No fancy endings, no twisty licks, just the riffs and “sissy chords” (as the singer in Quiet Zone said to me back in 1991).

As I was recording, this feeling hit me of “You’re finding your mojo after a couple of years.” I was also feeling a new energy, or a re-connected one, and have been for quite some time with the newest song ideas that have been bursting out. I feel like Prince in that regard, always coming up with stuff, and some musicians hate me for that. OH WELL! Learn to keep up, kids!!

I had ideas a couple of years ago but they weren’t fun to listen to. Strange, huh? Not really. A few people have said I do “fun guitar music”, even when it’s heavy. I’ve been more in-tune with my inner soul than trying to impress people (thank you, Living Colour!) Speaking of Colour, this tune definitely has those vibes, as well as Zep/Aerosmith, maybe traces of Jeff Beck and yes, Prince. Bold comparisons but I can back up my words.

Every. Single. Time.