Author Topic: Your Super-Inspiring Moment? (Read 882 times)

richbass939 · « **on:** August 14, 2005, 09:46:13 AM »

I saw a moment in which someone close to me witnessed something that was musically very inspiring and seems to have sent his interest into overdrive.
I'm sure we all have had several of those moments (I know I have). What has happened in your life (for example, seeing or hearing a musician or event) that profoundly affected you as a musician?
Rich

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 14, 2005, 09:59:28 AM »

Rich,
I've got two from roughly the same period: the incredible ensemble interplay in the Live/Dead recording; and Jack's playing on After Bathing At Baxters.
A little later, I got to see Return To Forever touring in support of Romantic Warrior.
Jaco!
All of these are still major style point influences to me thirty-something years later.
Mike

(Message edited by dadabass2001 on August 14, 2005)

hollis · « **Reply #2 on:** August 14, 2005, 11:46:59 AM »

I may have already told this story, but for me, it bears repeating.

When I was 11 my folks took me to see Andre Segovia.

He was playing a piece when two women 20 rows back center started talking to each other.....

Mr Segovia stopped playing, crossed his hands on top of his guitar, and just stared at the women who after about three minutes finally realized that the whole audience was staring at them....
They shut up and he started playing once again without missing a beat.

It was a defining moment in my life.

(Message edited by hollis on August 14, 2005)

57basstra · « **Reply #3 on:** August 14, 2005, 12:59:07 PM »

I think I may be about to have one of those special, defining moments tonight. Last night we got word our dear pastor Bro. Morris Lee, 82 years of age, has had a small stroke. He is OK but cannot preach tonight, or perhaps ever again. His pinch hitter at church this morning was a retired pastor who pastored our small country church -- where all of my foks, including my parents are buried -- 30 years ago. The pinch hitting pastor is the father of a good friend of mine, with whom I played high school football, in the early '70s. His son, my friend, died in a car wreck in July 1974, just before I entered my Senior year of high school. Tonight, this retired pastor is bringing his younger son in with his 5-string banjo. The retired pastor is bringing his Martin Acoustic. I am going to haul in my Englehardt Upright out of the blue and accompany them during tonight's service. (I usually don't attend church on Sunday night). Please pray for our ailing pastor, our pinch hitting pastor, and me. God bless you all. (I have a wonderful time reading the intelligent, thoughtful, sincere questions and responses on this site. We are all drawn together here by a remarkable company, their family and employees, and, of course, the Alembic instruments. Even though I will not be playing my Alembics tonight, having them now has brought my playing to a higher, and I hope, deeper, more meaningful level. I am rambling now. Hope everyone has a great rest of the Sunday and a safe, productive, happy week!

bigredbass · « **Reply #4 on:** August 14, 2005, 05:19:35 PM »

When I was a kid, my piano teacher took me to see the legendary Arthur Rubinstein twice, and I shall never be as thunderstruck as those two shows. The guy could call down the thunder and the lightning, played a set list that would have killed a younger man (he was in his 70s at the time), and afterward left with his two drop-dead young female companions to have his martini. And he never practiced in his later years. It was supernatural, and an unmatched example of genius combined with a lifetime of devotion to one's craft.

But the Segovia (I'm sure a similar experience for you) story is just priceless!

J o e y

edwin · « **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2005, 09:26:00 PM »

It wasn't until my late 20s that my mom told me about being in the south of France when she was 17 at the home of some friends of her parents. The other house guest was Pablo Casals. She and one other person got a personal performance of the Bach Cello Suites.

For me, there have been many moments, but perhaps the most inspiring musician I have ever been in the same room with was my grandfather, a concert pianist and post 12 tone composer. Just an amazing musician, he could read anything and his sense of feel and phrasing was out of this world. Everything he wrote was directly related to his experiences writers and artists (mostly philosophy of a humanist nature).

Then, there was getting to play with the likes of Victor Wooten, Darol Anger, Paul McCandless, etc, but those are different stories.

Edwin

dannobasso · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2005, 10:18:29 PM »

1. Hearing a promotional advance copy on LP of Romantic Warrior. Changed me forever and hooked me on Alembic.
2. The passing of my older brother inspired me to dump loser friends and musicians and never give up on my dream. Went back to school, graduated magna cum laude, got a better job, and kept working on getting a deal. Playing the Roxy on Thursday. He would have loved that.
Danno

88persuader · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2005, 11:12:20 PM »

My 1st concert when i was a kid, Led Zep! And when I was around 17 seeing the original Mahavishnu O. Thoses were the biggies for me, major eye openers. Both shows my jaw was on the ground the whole show ... like seeing god!

57basstra · « **Reply #8 on:** August 15, 2005, 02:50:31 AM »

I did get my chance last night to play my upright with two old time Bluegrass gospel musicians: a guitar picking retired Baptist minister in his 70s and his son, a 5-string banjo player, at our little country church. No better audience, fellow musicians, or reason to play. Some of the best musicians I have ever seen or heard, like this banjo player, who also plays mandolin, piano, fiddle, guitar, are folks who are in your midst.

karl · « **Reply #9 on:** August 15, 2005, 05:20:24 AM »

I saw the great jazz drummer Elvin Jones play at the 100 Club in London a couple of years ago. He was in his 70s at the time and looked so frail: he was hunched over, could hardly walk and needed help just to get up across the stage to his drum stool at the start of the show. We all held our breath. He took out his sticks and seemed almost too weak to lift them. But his playing that night was nothing short of miraculous: with minimal movement, he was all over the kit, rattling out rolls and flams and crashes with a speed and intensity that would have floored a 20 year old. He was a force of nature behind the kit. After a three hour show and a standing ovation, he put up his sticks and hobbled offstage. A truly awe-inspiring performance and an affirmation of the invigorating power of music.

Sadly, Elvin Jones passed away in May 2004. But the sight and sound of him behind the kit will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone who saw him that night, or, indeed, at any of his shows.

David Houck · « **Reply #10 on:** August 15, 2005, 05:35:25 AM »

You played with Victor Wooten, Darol Anger, and Paul McCandless?

!!!!

bracheen · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2005, 05:50:05 AM »

I've been to a lot of live performances that made me want to run home and practice, both big names and very good local acts. There have been some recordings such as Jaco's album that were inspirational.

But the one moment that stopped me dead in my tracks was from a busker in Dublin. My wife and I were strolling up Grafton St looking for creative ways to spend more money when I heard Mozart's 40th wafting in the breeze. Looking around I saw a guy sitting on the curb with an accordian playing one of my favorite symphonies. It was truly amazing the sounds that man was getting out of his accordian. I was frozen in front on him almost mezmerized. That was in 1998 and I can still hear it.

Sam

gare · « **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2005, 09:42:04 AM »

I had the opportunity in 1971 to meet and speak to Arron Copeland..very inspirational.
I also remember a concert in '72..Yes was the warm up act for ELP, Yes had just released Fragile (think that was 72) anyway..3rd row Auditorium Theater in Chicago. I was absolutely mezmerized by those 8 great musicians.
I was also lucky enough to see Terry Kath play live several times.

Gary

jeffrey · « **Reply #13 on:** August 22, 2005, 06:29:23 AM »

If anyone would like to attend an inspiring performance, I would not hesitate to recommend the jazz trio Medeski, Martin and Wood. These 3 play with more concentration and intensity than any other I have ever witnessed. They command your attention and its as if they pull the musical ideas out of thin air on demand.

j_gary · « **Reply #14 on:** August 22, 2005, 07:29:43 AM »

Gentlemen, you guys are killing me with all these monster players that ignited you passion for the musical art form. I'm almost embarrassed to admit that my moment of clarity came via the Ed Sullivan show and a relatively unknown band calling themselves the Beatles. I did not own a single recording nor was I interested at the time. That had a profound effect on me as I have been broke ever since.