Friday, June 20

Post 1210, Day 171 of 2014
- 1,267 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Today, I'm thinking about the Who.

Why? A musician friend from Syracuse, who has lived in California for twenty-five years, is coming to visit his old friends and family, and putting on a show during one of my regular open mics. He's been posting a few songs he'd like to cover, and today he put up I Can See For Miles, my all-time favorite Who song.

So, we'll end up playing it. And I end up remembering seeing the band at their first ever American show - Murray the K's Easter show in 1967. They blew me away - I thought they were the best band in the show (and Cream was also making their first US appearance... not nearly as good).

I thought their songs and their records were terrific. Their show, and they had a great show, began with Daltry swagger and Townshend windmills, and ended with the startling finish of smashing drums, guitar and mic. In between, the performance was exhilerating. 

I've never had the slightest urge to be that kind of performer, to prance around or dance around while playing bass (which Entwhistle didn't do much of when I saw him at various times in the US - but I have seen videos of him doing it in England). And, as much as I admired Entwhistle's amazing chops, he played lead bass, with a trebly tone, and that isn't how I hear bass - or play it.

I loved and admired their bass player, John Entwhistle, the Ox. One of the best rock bass players ever, and totally perfect in the Who. 

But I never wanted to play like him. I've come to realize how selectively I've drawn on influences in my music.

And here's the bottom line: Thinking about this made me realize that I've probably achieved, after all these years, something that I've been (maybe unconsciously) seeking for the 48 years I've been playing bass: A style of my own. Maybe not unique enough to be identified by anyone but me (or maybe other bass players), but nonetheless, a style that identifies me.

Maybe I'm amazed.

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 Food and Diet Section

2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         206.8 lbs

Previous Weight:        209.2 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 2.4 lbs

Diet Comment

Yesterday's beer dinner probably accounts for a bit of water-weight loss. But, you know what? I'll take it. Right back down on the trend-line.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Omelet with parmesan cheese, baby kale, baby spinach and chard with onions. peppers and tomato-garlic oil; bacon.

Lunch
A couple of Quest bars.

Dinner

Pepperoni, cheese and cole slaw

Snack
A couple of Quest bars.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  28 oz.   Water: 96+ oz.

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