Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I’m still fuming about all the flipping mindless comment spam I’m getting over at my site. However, now that I’ve got Akismet, things are looking up.

Anyway, I liked the post, Brad. Sorry it took me so long to get over here to read it.

I agree…but only to a point. It’s true that writing a good song isn’t just some mechanistic process. And speed machines like Malmsteen and others don’t do anything for me either. Like Fairlane said, “Yawn.”

However, there’s something to be said for utilizing a formula for success. I believe that combining the best of your heart, soul, and mind, then applying the recipes of songwriting or business (you name it) optimizes that success. Sure Vai, Satch and Johnson are fast, but they also ooze with feel. I think they combine the best of all worlds to create a diversity of tasty riffs, sounds, and music which engage me on multiple levels. Let’s face it; all heart and no technique sucks and all technique and no heart sucks. But a balance of heart/soul applying good technique/execution is moving and inspiring.

Fairlane’s comment about the JavaMen dude reminds me of some schooled players Brad and I had the pleasure of jamming with in the distant past. Remember those guys Brad? We’re sitting there fleshing out parts for ‘em and this guy’s face is all contorted, furled brow, beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead. We’d say, “Just groove like this, man.” And the guy would be like, “You can’t play in that meter and combine those chords. It’s not “musically” correct.” Then we’d say, “Who gives a rat’s ass if it’s “musically” correct or not? My only concern is that it sounds and feels right and I couldn’t care less if we’re coloring inside the lines.” The guy looked at us like we stepped off Mars. All this was followed by more furled brows and some comments about being “unconventional” and “You can’t do that.” Our response??? (albeit rhetorically) “Well, we just did and the mob gets it; why can’t you?”

Kind of makes you feel proud doesn’t it? Have a good one:)

That dude from Java Men comes to mind. Was dissing Pojo one night, right in front of him and didn’t know.

He “studied” at Barclay (Is that right?) in Boston,and was the most pompous of pricks. Great technically, but after the ten thousandth note, you start getting annoyed.

Like the noodle band we saw that one night when you were home visiting.

RE: the louisville guy
He had brown curly hair, his family owns a music store on frankfort avenue, and he played in a cheesy popular cover band. Know who I mean?

We gravitate toward simplicity. I find myself doing it at times. Repetitive behaviors, mindless behaviors, etc are comfortable.

I would love to know who the Louisville guy, as I’m sure I know him.