Steve Ball

Backbend

Evening Work: Backbend (3.8M mp3).

Begins with bass and guitar unison on a 'Jason and the Argonauts-esque' ascending/descending Lydian tetrachord melody, and then slowly bends and twists into a twangy chorus with a bit of a bad attitude.

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Backbeat

Evening Work: Backbeat (8.7M mp3).

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Earlier Evening: Bill Frisell (trio) at Tractor Tavern. More massive inspiration.

Also, yesterday, based upon recommendation from TravisH, saw U2 on SNL (via TiVo.) I Will Follow was incredible -- not sure exactly why, but it literally had me in tears.

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Tightrope

Evening Work: Tightrope (2.3M mp3).

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Crossing some chasms over the past two weeks. Occasionally on a tightrope, with no net.

cha·sm - noun

1. a deep, steep-sided opening in the earth's surface; an abyss or a gorge
2. a sudden interruption of continuity; a gap
3. a pronounced difference of opinion, interests, or loyalty

A few more to cross in the coming weeks. I'll be filling and back-filling these pages gently as I go.

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The Piano Sketches CD is almost complete. A few decisions to still be made. And Guitar Sketches is not far behind. That and the Electric Gauchos box set should make for a fun and productive holiday season.

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Backstep

Late Evening Work: Backstep (6.7M mp3).

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Evening Elsewhere: CGT show at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia. Ten years ago, Paul stayed in my sisters place in NYC (on 14th) while the CGT were in town. Tonight, I hope, she enjoyed the show.

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Earlier today: gift software delivery and coffee with former BTV Artist Relationist, DonM, still working to Vicarize the world while starting a new franchise in a domain he knows well.

Then, completed one more patent write-up for the growing pile -- this one working to address a very real problem that I face every day with increasing annoyance. Completing this one makes eleven total in the pipeline not counting somewhere between three and ten others that will likely come out of recent LCA sponsored mining of a timely side project of the past two years, and not counting the MS Home patent filed in August.

A very creative and productive time, all around, right now. Firing on all cylinders.

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WAPA

Attended fund-raiser this evening for Washington Academy of Performing Arts a new performing arts school in Redmond. Well worth the time, energy and investment. An inspiring show with excellent company before, during, and after. MS matching-funds for non-profits comes in handy (again.)

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Inbox intelligence:

-----Original Message-----
From: Travis Hartnett
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 3:31 PM
To: SB
Subject: Leo Kottke on Things

On making records:

"After that record deal I decided not to make records. I was just going to stop, because it took so much time, and I'd rather be playing. I stopped for over four years, and at the end of that time I realized that there *is* some influence that records have on touring. So I fished out another deal and started recroding again. What I learned from that is you make records for promoters and club owners. If they know you're making records, they take you seriously. If you're not, you really have to hit 'em over the head to keep working. You have to scuffle more, and I didn't want to do that, because I'm a lazy bastard."

On Influences:

"[Opening for Robbie Basho] was one of my first gigs in D.C., and I said, 'I'm going to go up and play tonight, and I'm afraid I'm going to sound an awful lot like you.' He said 'That's OK. We all go through someobody.' Robbie was the first guy I went through, and people go through me, but they're on their way to somewhere else."

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Soundworks

Evening Work: Soundworks (19.9M mp3).

This from June 2004, an improvisation (from session #7) at Premier Soundworks featuring Fernando Kabusacki, Fernando Samalea, Travis Metcalf, Derek DiFilippo, and SB.

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-----Original Message-----
From: Travis Hartnett
Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2004 12:34 AM
To: Steve Ball
Subject: Another FLW quote...

....that you rarely hear: "What are all these damn people doing in MY buildings?"


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What We Miss

Evening Work: What We Miss (6.1M mp3).

What We Miss
Who says it's so easy to save a life? In the middle of an interview for the job you might get you see the cat from the window of the seventeenth floor just as he's crossing the street against traffic, just as you're answering a question about your worst character flaw and lying that you are too careful. What if you keep seeing the cat at every moment you are unable to save him? Failure is more like this than like duels and marathons. Everything can be saved, and bad timing prevents it. Every minute, you are answering the question and looking out the window of the church to see your one great love blinded by the glare, crossing the street, alone.

by Sarah Manguso, from The Captain Lands in Paradise. © Alice James Books.

( Poem forwarded by Pete Wilson. )

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Space

Inbox wisdom on a sad, sad evening:

------------------------------------------------------
From: David LaVallee
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2004 9:55 AM
To: SB
Subject: space

Space is the breath of art

—Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)

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And two more of my favorite FLW quotes:

"Get the habit of analysis -- analysis will in time enable synthesis to become your habit of mind."

"Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral."

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Backdrop

Evening Work: Backdrop (8.6M mp3).

Began with a gentle piano theme this evening, and then abandoned it when a five pattern showed up -- after some listening, I decided it sounded better on guitar. Then, two more quick takes on top of the first five, back-to-back, no editing except fades in and out, and out pops a new sonic 'backdrop' -- designed to drive and accompany a creative foreground activity.

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Striking image and sound that will not leave me: I witnessed a pedestrian being hit by a car last evening. Fortunately, I believe she's okay.

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