Art Begets Art: Music, Mood, and Words

Around the time Solid Ground was released earlier this year, I penned a series of posts about my writing process and my journey to publication.

The articles were initially published on various book blogs, but with lots of new readers and social media friends, I've decided to re-issue them here. Here's the second installment.

Art Begets Art

The creation of any work of art is almost always influenced by art that came before. Sometimes the origin of the inspiration is obvious, clearly reflected in the substance or style of a newly created piece — a recognizable brushstroke, the sound a particular instrument makes, the repetition of a familiar literary trope or theme. In these instances, the homage is apparent. Other times though, the impact of one work of art on another is subtle, even imperceptible, the only evidence resting in the mood of the influenced artist or in his somehow altered understanding of the world.

The latter, that unnoticeable sway that seeps quietly into an artist’s consciousness, is the way music influences me when I write. Often, as I sit down to work on a chapter or a scene, I select a musician, or even a particular album or song, that will kidnap my consciousness, drive it far away, and then plop it down in the middle of the mood I’m seeking. I visualize the scene in my head and let the music wash over me, through me. As the music moves and inspires me, it feeds my mood, my vision, and my words — and it becomes art reincarnated, reborn on the page. The end result is not a story or scene that looks or sounds like the music that inspired me as I wrote, but words that evoke the same feelings in the heart of the reader that the music inspires in the heart of the listener.

With respect to my novel, Solid Ground, I owe a significant debt of gratitude to several musicians who inadvertently and unknowingly contributed to my work. I’m particularly grateful for the deeply sincere and introspective music of Greg Laswell and Gregory Alan Isakov. Give both of them a listen — particularly, Laswell’s 2013 heartbreaking remake of “Embrace Me” and Isakov’s haunting “Master and a Hound.”  If these songs don’t immediately appeal to you, that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy Solid Ground, but I’d wager that if you appreciate the feelings these songs stir inside you, you’ll connect with my words and my story.

Daily Zen - Thursday, April 25

Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.
                      ~ Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald, the "first lady of song," was born on this day in 1917.

I couldn't take my eyes (or ears) off this video clip of her performance of Summertime (Berlin, 1968). The tiny beads of sweat trickling down her face in the tight camera shots and her three octave voice - it's sublime and a little surreal, and there's not a note out of place.

Daily Zen - December 6 (Dave Brubeck Edition)

Jazz pianist, Dave Brubeck
(Dec 6, 1920 - Dec 5, 2012)

I'm beginning to understand myself. But it would have been great to be able to understand myself when I was 20 rather than when I was 82.

                   ~ Dave Brubeck

Safe travels Dave, and thanks for this...

Hunter Parrish's Stunning Performance of Beautiful City

Actor - Hunter Parrish

Sometimes a teen heartthrob is so much more than just a pretty face.

On my writing retreat in Arcata last month, I had no WiFi or cable TV. After long days of editing and writing, I rested my brain each night by escaping into an assortment of movies and television shows on DVD. There were several I enjoyed, but none more than the Showtime original series Weeds.

Weeds is a half-hour comedy-drama that stars Mary Louise Parker as an unlikely pot-dealing soccer mom, whose shady "business" deals and questionable parenting decisions constantly put her family at risk.

But this post is not about Weeds, or for that matter, about my time in Arcata. This post is about Jesus. Kind of.

Weeds co-stars a young actor named Hunter Parrish. In the series, the twenty-five year-old Parrish plays Silas Botwin, the oldest son of Mary Louis Parker who joins the family marijuana business.

Silas is not a character with great depth, and he's seldom given the best lines of dialogue in the show. His character is not especially bright nor does he possess any particularly interesting talents, with the notable exception of having a pot grower's green thumb. Oh, and a well-built torso that the producers wisely find ways to showcase every few episodes.

I don't mean to imply that Hunter Parrish lacks talent or that he turns in an inadequate acting performance. Weeds is well-written and Parrish makes the most of the material he's given as he brings Silas to life. But truthfully, after watching four seasons of the show, I assumed he was mostly cast as Silas because his blonde hair and buff physique were a good match for a shallow SoCal pot-growing college drop-out.

All of this is to say - I was shocked when I recently discovered through Twitter that Hunter Parrish also played the role of Jesus in the 2011 Broadway revival of Godspell. Based on his portrayal of Silas, I would not have guessed that Parrish was mature enough for Godspell or Broadway, and I certainly had no idea he could sing.

Just before I drifted off to sleep last night, as I lay in bed taking a last gander at Twitter for the day, I stumbled on a few references to Parrish's Broadway work. Those tweets ultimately linked me to a YouTube video of his performance of the song Beautiful City from Godspell.

Hunter's performance was so profoundly moving that I wept as I listened to him sing. I watched the video a second time, and I wept again.

This morning I researched how the song fits into Godspell. After Jesus (Parrish) becomes angry and turns over the tables in the temple, he walks away from his disciples. When he is later reunited with them, Jesus sings Beautiful City to try and restore hope to his followers. I watched the video clip again, and with the added context of the song's meaning, found it even more impacting.

A performance like this is a remarkable unexpected gift from the songwriter and the singer, and I for one, am grateful. I hope you like it too.

Clever Internet GIFS With Sounds

What would happen if someone added a soundtrack to the internet's most popular GIF images? Nothing earth-shattering, but you might chuckle and you probably can't stop watching before the end.

This won't make you smarter, but it's fun.

If you didn't get enough GIFs with sound, here's another. (Hat tip to the Daily Beast and Andrew Sullivan.)

Remembering Andy Williams - Moon River, Love Story, and a Simon & Garfunkel Trio

Crooner Andy Williams, who died today at the age of 84, possessed a remarkable voice that could deliver drama, power, and tenderness all in the same note.

If you're not sure what that sounds like, you need only re-listen to Williams' striking rendition of the Mancini/Mercer classic Moon River or the sweeping ballad Love Story, from the 1970 movie of the same name.

During a career that spanned more than five decades, Williams not only made enormously popular records, he also hosted his own successful variety show in the late 60's and early 70s. On The Andy Williams Show, the singer performed, featured comedy acts, and promoted new musicians like The Carpenters, Bread, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, and of course The Osmonds.

Even those who are too young to remember Williams' hit songs or his variety show have likely enjoyed a bounty of Andy Williams during the Christmas season. Many of the holiday songs he recorded have become the "preferred" versions over the years. Seriously, you can't beat Andy's "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," can you?

Though away from the limelight for years, Williams will be missed. For many of us who are in the 40+ age group, the world becomes a little less innocent and a little more jaded without the shining smile, gentle spirit, and rich silky voice of Andy Williams. RIP, my huckleberry friend.

In light of Williams' passing, you have likely already heard plenty of Moon River and Love Song. I decided to feature this legendary performance that showcases Andy's phenomenal voice in pitch perfect harmony with two other American musical greats. (Thanks to my friend Jon Williams for sharing this with me!)

Turn It Up - Charlie Parker Does Gershwin

"Bird Lives" sculpture 

by Robert Graham 

Influential jazz saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker was born on this day in 1920.

During a short but significant career, Parker established himself as an inventive and gifted saxophone soloist and as one of the great jazz innovators of all time.

He is also credited with heavily influencing the development of bebop.

Parker, who battled an addiction to heroin that began during his teenage years, died at New York's Stanhope Hotel in 1955 at just 34 years of age.

If words were sounds, Parker's version of Gershwin's Summertime would be the dictionary definition of "sublime."

Turn It Up - Singer of Hippie Anthem "San Francisco" Dies

Singer Scott McKenzie died Saturday in Los Angeles at the age of 73. You may not know McKenzie by name, but you will certainly recognize his best-known work, the 1967 counter-culture hit "San Francisco."

If you're going to San Francisco, you're gonna meet some gentle people there. 

Not sure if that's still true these days, but if you visit Haight Street, you'll definitely meet some people with flowers in their hair. RIP Scott.

Turn It Up - Discovering Aussie Country with Shane Nicholson and Kasey Chambers

Shane Nicholson and Kasey Chambers

Chances are you've heard of country superstar Keith Urban, and if you have, you probably know Urban comes fairly uniquely to American country music by way of his native Australia.

What you may not realize is that Australia has its own long tradition of country music, rooted in Irish and Scottish folk ballads and nourished by both Australian bush balladeers and modern American country influences.

Two brilliant musicians who have established themselves in the Australian country music scene are Kasey Chambers and her husband singer-songwriter Shane Nicholson. In the last decade, Chambers and Nicholson have enjoyed critical success for their individual recordings, as well as for the award-winning 2008 album Rattlin' Bones, which they co-wrote and performed together.

On September 7th, the pair will release their second collaborative effort, Wreck & Ruin. The first track from the album, Adam & Eve, has been pre-released and if it's any indicator, we're in for an incredible bluegrass treat that overflows with inventive lyrics, traditional banjo twang, and flawless harmonies.

It's remarkable that two people who sound so perfect together on every note should fall in love. I guess the takeaway is - if you meet someone whose singing voice blends perfectly with your own, marry her.

You can hear Kasey and Shane together in the video below for Adam & Eve. 

If you're in the mood for something with less bluegrass foreboding and more singer-songwriter yearning, Designed to Fade from Shane's 2004 album It's a Movie is a great introduction to his solo work. (Kasey sings back up, too!)

Turn It Up - Believing In Frank Ocean

Last week, rising R&B star Frank Ocean poignantly announced to the world that his first love was a man. Since then, Ocean has made huge headlines, prompting the early release of his debut album Channel Orange. 

Critics have positively reviewed the new album, and while I enjoyed it too, an earlier single not from Channel Orange still stands out as Ocean's best work.

Give "We All Try" a listen, and then see what you think of Channel Orange.

Haunted By Gotye (In a Good Way)

If you didn't get enough Gotye when I first raved about his album here, or with SNL's backstage parody, or with Walk Off the Earth's incredible five-band-members-on-one-guitar cover version of "Somebody," or with the Gotye-inspired Mister Rogers remix...

...then this clip is for you. You know you want to watch it. C'mon it's funny. Just give in, and try not to sing along.

(Hat Tip to Andrew Stillman for sharing this on Facebook!)

Young Guitarist Performs With His Hero

Usman Riaz

Usman Riaz is a 21-year old kid who has developed a remarkable mastery of the percussive-style of guitar playing.

He learned to play guitar by watching YouTube videos of Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, and as his talent grew, his video watching expanded to include clips of innovative guitarist Preston Reed.

In the video below Usman and his guitar hero Reed each perform impressive solos using the unique two-handed finger-picking style pioneered by Reed. The two then perform a practiced number together, and they close with a short interview and an unbelievable unrehearsed duet. If you're not up for the entire 16-minute video, at least watch the last 3-4 minutes beginning at the 11:25 mark.

Usman's virtuosity at the age of 21 and the young man's humble and slightly awestruck reaction to performing on stage with his hero are two wonderful things about this video, but there is another reason to watch.

Whether it's the dexterity and focus of a guitar virtuoso, the power and grace of an Olympic gymnast, or the thoughtfully selected words of a favorite writer - excellence in any form is beautiful and inspiring.

(Hat tip to my friend Kyle for sharing this amazing video with me!)

A Musician's Simple Act of Kindness

Sometimes I post things on my blog because they're interesting or cool, and I hope they'll increase traffic to the site. That's not the case today. I'm posting this video because it feels good to share something this fundamentally beautiful.

Jacob, an eight year-old blind autistic boy, "feels the music" of a sidewalk musician with an acoustic guitar. Somehow, their simple interaction becomes a moving act of human kindness and generosity.

You can view a larger version of the video by clicking the title bar at the top of the video, and you can learn more about Tyler Gregory, the guitar man, by visiting his website here.

(Hat tip to my friend Adam Sheridan for finding this video.)

A Parody of a Cover of Pop Sensation Gotye

Walk Off The Earth
Created a popular Gotye cover

Often in contemporary music, an original song gains enough popular recognition to be regularly reinvented and re-recorded by musicians other than the original artist.

Occasionally, an original song becomes so popular and well-known, that it not only gets covered, it gets humorously parodied.

Rarely though, does a song become so deeply anchored in our collective consciousness that even its cover versions are successfully parodied.

Gotye's hit song "Somebody That I Used To Know" has spawned dozens of professional cover versions, not to mention hundreds of YouTube videos of toddlers, teens, choirs, and other groups putting their spin on the tune using everything from wineglasses to saw blades as musical instruments.

No cover of the song is more well-executed and innovative than this one performed by the group Walk Off The Earth, who performed their version with all five band members playing a single guitar. You've probably seen this video, which has been viewed an astonishing 110,000,000 times on YouTube.

Just in case you haven't, it's pretty damn clever.

The musical comedy show, The Key of Awesome, has now parodied the Walk Off The Earth cover version of "Somebody." It's a hilarious tongue-in-cheek effort that's worth a look, and with just under a million views on YouTube, maybe, just maybe, you haven't seen it yet. Enjoy.

Turn Up the Sound - Greg Laswell's Landline

Indy singer-songwriter Greg Laswell

The work of indie singer-songwriter Greg Laswell is my personal favorite musical discovery of the past decade.

Laswell's poignant and personal lyrics, laid down next to haunting piano and acoustic guitar melodies, create the kind of melancholy marriage made in heaven that stirs both my heart and head.

The best songs from his first few records, tunes like "High and Low" and "Marquee," are intense and brutally sad, reportedly coming on the heels of a viciously difficult breakup. On Landline, Laswell's new album which was released on Tuesday, things seem to be looking up a bit for the musician. There are more up-beats, heavier synthesizers, and less blunt force musical trauma.

Landline features several notable offerings, not the least of which is the title track, on which Laswell shares vocal duties with the lovely and talented Ingrid Michaelson. Laswell's voice is filled with yearning and depth, and Michaelson's is...utterly different, but pensive and somber just the same. When they sing alternate verses, their voices are perfect complements to each other, and when they sing together, they produce a harmony that is sweet and comfortable.

In the event that Greg Laswell's music, or my description of it, has left you with the impression that he is an artist who spends most of his days weeping alone in a corner contemplating sharp objects, be sure to check out this witty and entertaining "making of" video clip he made with Michaelson about their recording of Landline.

Music Brings New Life To Man With Alzheimer's

From the documentary film
Alive Inside.

Henry is an elderly man who has been stricken with Alzheimer's.

When he began to have seizures more than ten years ago, Henry's wife and family made the very difficult decision to place him in the full-time care of a nursing home facility.

Over the years, as the disease took its toll on him, Henry became increasingly non-communicative and isolated, reaching a point where he didn't recognize loved ones and could barely answer "yes or no" questions.

And then came an iPod, a set of headphones, and the incredible power of music.

This video clip of Henry is from the documentary film Alive Inside, which chronicles the efforts of Dan Cohen, social worker and executive director of the non-profit organization Music & Memory. Cohen and his organization bring iPods to nursing homes, in the hopes of helping patients like Henry re-connect with the world through music.

Alive Inside opened in New York on April 18 at the Ruben Museum of Art.

Turn Up the Sound - Gotye Reinvents Pop

Photo: Courtesy of Gotye.com

Reinvent (verb): To create anew. To replace with an entirely new version.

**Start the video below now.

Continue reading.**

Gotye, pronounced like Gaultier the French designer, is the professional name of Wally DeBacker, a 31 year-old musician born in Belgium and raised in Australia, whose third album Making Mirrors is dazzling the pop music world and raising the quality bar dramatically.

If you've already heard Gotye's hit single "Somebody That I Used To Know," and chances are you have, you probably initially wondered when Sting reunited with his former bandmates Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers to record a new Police song.

Comparisons between Gotye and The Police are fair and accurate, particularly on tracks like "Somebody" when Gotye sings at the top of his vocal register, but happily, the similarity is just a glimmer on the surface of a deep well of inspired and imaginative pop music.

"Somebody" is firmly entrenched in the 80s, but if you give a listen to Making Mirrors in its entirety, you'll quickly find yourself immersed in a sea of diverse styles and sounds. "State of the Art" blends reggae beats and electronica seamlessly, while at several moments on the track "I Feel Better," the only thing needed to round out the 60's Motown sound is a backup vocal loop from Martha and the Vandellas.

Make no mistake though - Gotye isn't mimicking the past, he is reinventing it.

As you make your way through Making Mirrors, you discover tracks that are simultaneously innovative and familiar, a host of songs rife with recognizable threads sewn together in ways you never imagined. Gotye is like a boy genius who has locked himself in his mother's attic for weeks on end, only to eventually emerge with a stunning original work of art fashioned from boxes of old photos and forgotten family heirlooms.

In a fascinating online documentary short, Gotye described his musical process as stumbling upon the "fortuitous meeting of sounds" that were somehow "meant for each other." Making Mirrors is proof that he has mastered the imagination, instruments, and technology needed to marry those sounds together with awe-inspiring artistry.

With songs that are sometimes reminiscent of so much other music, it might seem that Gotye has stolen something from the music that came before him. If that were true, he didn't steal something - he stole everything. I would make the case, instead, that Gotye has stolen nothing. He has absorbed sounds from the past, allowed them to ricochet and resonate inside his mind, and given them back to us - sometimes as musical cousins of pop music we recognize, and sometimes as something strange and beautiful we've never heard before. Regardless, each track on Making Mirrors is unique and worthwhile.

Don't believe me? Try another.

If you're reading this on Saturday April 14, the day I published this post, you can see more Gotye on television tonight, when he appears as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live.

You can buy Gotye music everywhere, and you can get addicted, as I have, to a wide array of Gotye songs and videos here on his YouTube page.