Them Low Down Ornery Blues.
I read an article in the Huffington Post today titled "Why is the Blues Called the Blues?" and written by Debra Devi. In it, the great Texas blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughn makes one of the most profound statements about the genre I've ever heard. He says,"...the space is as important as the notes. Because if you don't have space, you don't allow time for the listener to feel what has been said." Whether you like the blues or not, if you've ever seen a live blues show, you know what it's about--feeling. Soaking up the bitter tears of life so we recognize the tears of joy when they come. The blues compels its audience into the spaces between notes for the cathartic moments of longing, suffering, grieving, but above all--passion. And with passion comes action.
Now, I've also found the opposite to be true. With action comes passion, at times. Passion cannot be forced, but it can be grown. The one constant component that must be present, though, is action. Persistent, clear, intentional action. If you have a passion that life keeps you from pursuing, it becomes a burden, a disappointment always nagging at the back of the your mind about "what might have been." If you don't know your passion, and you're not looking for it, chances become greater that you'll be just another frustrated cubicle dweller like those guys from the movie "Office Space." You know the ones, wanting to smash all your office equipment out the woods to a Gansta Rap soundtrack? So act. Find your passion. Listen to the spaces in between the notes and find out what's being said. You'll be glad you did.
Recent Comments
1
Great post!