PROMPT RESPONSE

Musical Chairs

It’s all about the music

Music writer Scott-Ryan Abt issued a challenge, Paul Combs jumped in, so I could not resist. Ten musical questions. What’s not to like. So, here we go:

1-What kind of music do you like?

I enjoy a pretty wide range of music. It is easier for me to tell you what I don’t like: Jazz- Annoying, boring, pointless noise. Country- Take your twang back to the ranch pleeease! Rap- There are better lyrics than f*ck this and f*ck that.

2-What kind of music did you grow up on?

I grew up with opera. My grandmother was Italian and she liked to spin La Traviata on the record player. My sister was a recording artist so I grew up listening to her music as well. Curious? Have a peek:

3-What’s your favorite band?

Hard to name just one. From Jethro Tull to Pink Floyd in the early days, to Talkingheads and Spoon later on. I keep finding bands that are easy to like.

4-What is the first show you went to on your own?

Crosby, Stills,Nash and Young at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver in the early 1970s.

5-What’s the first record/CD/tape you bought with your own money? And do you still have it?

The Beatles A Hard Day’s Night, if my memory is correct. After I saw the movie I had to have the album. I don’t have the original, left it at home when I immigrated to Canada.

6-What is the best show you’ve ever seen? What was the worst?

Talking Heads’ 1983 concert “Stop Making Sense” stands well above all others as the most powerful, creative, and ground-breaking performance I’ve seen. That tour was made into a full-length movie, which is worth seeking out if you have not seen it.

Another unforgettable night, worth mentioning: Bob Dylan at a very small venue in Vancouver, with fewer than 600 people in the audience. The boy was on!

I have also seen Bob at his worst — with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was a muddy mess. And that comes from a Bob fan!

7-What is the next show you are going to?

Not sure at this time. Although Bruce Springsteen and the E String band are playing in town on November 3rd. If Paul Combs comes to town maybe we can go together.

8-What is one band that you still haven’t seen that you want to, before it’s all said and done (for them or for you?)

Not a band, but I think Tom Waits would be a fun concert. I’ve yet to see him live. I have watched some video clips from his shows and it looks like a fun and creative combination of music and theater.

9-What is the greatest song ever written, hands down?

I have a soft spot in my heart for To Ramona written by Bob Dylan. But in terms of just pure lyrics the boy takes the cake with Desolation Row. There is no better.

10-What is your greatest regret, musically?

Hmmm. That my dyslexia prevented me from learning to read music. I’ve tried. My brain just does not compute.

That’s all folks!