The Book That Changed My Life

THE BOOK THAT CHANGED MY LIFE The book that changed my life was Tropic Of Capricorn by Henry Miller. This novel blows my mind. WOW! Have you ever read a book that confirmed your deepest, darkest fears and or suspicions? What if things are really not what they seem? What if our Parents, Teachers, Preachers and Authorities were wrong? What if they're completely brainwashed, simply miseducated, or even worse, THEY LIED TO YOU? One thing's for sure: Something a'int right, and it doesn't make any sense... That's basically where I was at, when Tropic Of Capricorn came calling. It narrates events leading to Henry Miller's ultimate decision to quit everything, and pursue his ambition as a Writer. Is it possible for someone to suffer so much, that when they finally hit rock bottom, the unexpected occurs? After been tested by life, The Free And Powerful Individual grows wings. Surmounts whatever crisis they're experiencing and evolves. The Soul matures, rising to the next level, a higher vibrational frequency... We were in the kitchen or dining room of his House Party, after work, when my friend John G. just for laughs, picks up a book and starts reading out loud. Everyone laughed, we were shocked and couldn't believe it. What's astonishing is somebody was crazy enough, and not only willing to try. But having boldly pulled off the impossible, somehow managed to get away with it. First published in Paris in 1939, it was banned in America until 1961. John G's quotes were several politically incorrect passages from The Land Of Fuck / Interlude section. Here was the battle cry of a soul that had had enough, the defiant rage of someone condemned and isolated. No matter how hard he tried, he didn't belong anymore, he just couldn't fit in. He was The Eternal Stranger now, forever at odds with the so called civilized world. His soul had died tormented by grave suffering, yet miraculously, it was somehow resurrected. Henceforth he ascended far beyond the sick and tired, and the sick and tired of the sick and tired. He has been born anew. The triumph of the human spirit. A reject, free of the soul crushing system. What made Henry Miller's work so impressive was his comic irreverence, the ability to go from vulgar to sublime. One is conveyed beneath the seedy underbelly of a city in decay, then catapulted to majestic realms by sheer flights of fancy. Swept away downstream upon wild and tumultuous tides, to emerge in exotic lands inhabited by mad artists and pathetic misfits. There's an underlying contempt for conventional standards, amid drug and alcohol fueled orgies, Miller waxed poetic. He wrote the way people actually speak. Non linear, stream of consciousness. "Vitality and richness, the sights, sounds, and odors of life, are all here." With wild and wacky misadventures, illuminating ruminations, weird immoral tales. At the time everyone thought it was hilarious and crazy, but as John kept reading it dawns on me. There is beauty here, something transformative, words have power, it's a kind of magic. And so the more he reads, the more I begin to realize, "This Is What I Want To Do..."

Forgotten Dreams

FORGOTTEN DREAMS Have you ever abandoned a childhood dream? Is there something you used to love to do? A skill or gift that came quite naturally? Have you ever enjoyed doing your thing so much so that you lost all track of time? or it felt just like time stood still? Did it make you feel good? Did you ever take it for granted? At the beginning of 2013 I had a very pivotal dream. In the dream I was sitting on a garden wall or partition, at the center of the lounge or smoking area, inside this massive club or rave event. I get up, casually walk straight over to the far wall, and began painting a huge mural. I observe myself in this manner, applying paint to brick, from low ground to high ceiling, until I wake up... Many years ago when I was seven years old, I discovered I could draw and copy anything, using mostly pencil or pen. Thinking back, odds are the awareness of being an artist, much less, a successful one. That, was impossible. At the time there were no local artists I can recall being consciously aware of. Nada for actual immediate positive or inspiring influences to seize or draw upon. I guess I secretly desired to be a painter, but must have felt so intimidated that I never got around to it. As a teenager, before teaching myself to read music and play the piano, drawing would have been my favourite pastime. But as the years go by, following friends, as time goes by, drifting through life, from experience to experience. I must have buried my dream... At the time I was The Singer Songwriter Who Works As An Actor in TV, Films and Commercials. Being an Artist was not a part of the plan. Yet the message was clear, and there was no doubt. I knew for sure, it was time to paint. At first my mind was going through dem changes, thoughts and feelings vacillated between hope and fear. They ranged from: (1) I always wanted to paint. To: (2) I don't wanna be a Starving Artist. . But as I painted, I would catch myself smiling from time to time. I was becoming so much happier now. Reconnecting, with a forgotten part of me... Follow Your Heart. Follow Your Dreams. Dreams R 4 Real.

Rosy (Anatomy of A Song)

"A funny thing happened on the way to the circus." Everybody's got a system, everyone's got a plan. But, CREATE - ivity is full of surprises. It's a habit. We tend to venture in predetermined patterns and likely directions. We're programmed by rules and beliefs, with teachings like: "In order to reach your destination in a timely manner, effectively and efficiently. You gotta have a plan." I guess it would be like booking your flight in advance, before going to the airport, rather than just showing up and scrambling to get a last minute plane ticket. You kinda want the odds to be in your favour, right? Yes as far as productivity goes, it's probably wise to stick to the script, "never get out of the boat"... But have you ever had a crazy idea, that works? Something that's disrupts your present direction and optimal course of action, but in a good way? Say you've already committed and embarked on adventure, if you're truly a progressive person, eventually you'll arrive at the crossroads. What if you get a bold new idea? a radical plan? right then and there? mid - process? Do you break with tradition and resist the urge to stick with the tried and true? Do you Rebel? Do you Up Your Game? It's called Innovation! the bastard child of Imagination - that's the Wild Card baby. Hmmm... This Story is about how in music, art, or just about anything creative: one must be flexible, ever evolving, open to change. For instance: in order to write and or record a new song, at certain key points final decisions must be made, in order to accomplish anything. At the same time, if and when from out of nowhere a novel idea arrives, the artist eventually learns that in order to grow or progess in any meaningful way, or to simply just not get bored, one must dare to improvise, freestyle, be ready for a change of plans... Ok, let's try this another way... You got some ideas, or while jamming, come up with some cool killer riffs. Captivating rhythmic patterns, catchy hooks or melodic phrases, emotional and stirring harmonic movements. You know? the Main Ingredients. Usually I'll play, record, or sequence keyboard patterns first, or lay down the drum machine patterns on pads. Synch the synthesizer and the drum machine together, and then dump all the data into a computer program, etc... And so in order to get anything accomplished choices must be made, final decisions determined, vision set into stone. Alright Alright Alright! Now we got something that works, the parts compliment and support each other. I'm Hyped. But regardless of all the work you may have done in advance, despite all the planning and pre planning, it's not about you. At this stage of the game, by this phase you should be totally in synch, completely at one with the music. Even though in a real sense you may be unconscious of methods, techniques, or styles, after you have passed a certain point or reached a certain level, it talks to you, the spirit moves you. You're in tune with or connected to the essence of the entity you're creating and or working with, it's a living thing, and so far you've learned to trust this process. From now on, the music tells you what to do. You're in the zone now, you're on a roll, you can do no wrong... The point I'm trying to make is this: In order to be a game changer, one must make allowance for, leave room and make space for those random accidents, the things we can't control, the things that go wrong...

 One day many years ago, I decided to learn the Flash Gordon theme, by Queen, on piano. 

The song is epic, there's a certain majestic power in the music. It's all very dramatic but there was this one part I just had to learn, a small segment I was really feeling. It was during the slow ballad part, when Mercury sings: 

"No one but the pure in heart, can FIND THE GOLDEN GRAIL, Oh Flash, oh oh..."

It's a 4 Bar Pattern = 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4, (repeat & fade), (1) F Major (2), (3) C Major (4), (1) F Major (2) F# Minor 7 Flat 5, (3) G 11 (4). The chords were F Major to C Major with the 3rd (E) in the bass.

(F Major) "No one but the", (E /C major) "pure in heart."  Is a descending, chromatic bass line.

But "Find The Golden Grail", was the part that really grabbed me. It was triumphant, uplifting.

" FIND THE GOLDEN GRAIL" was F Major to F# / A Minor (F# Minor 7, Flat 5), to G / F Major (G 11). 

It's an ascending chromatic bass line, very powerful.

(I'ave recently discovered that the F# Minor 7 Flat 5 chord is actually a D 9 chord without the D root, which only goes to show you don't have to know what you're doing, to Just Do It.  

Anyway, this bluesy / gospel chord progression would serve as my foundation. Play the 4 Bar Pattern, layering a smooth distant strings pad mixed beneath classic electric piano, laying down that soulful sound over a funky beat. From there you embelish, add counterparts, combining groovy vibes until it feels good. You listen to the music over and over, picking the best parts, the most hypnotic riffs, the slickest hooks, the magic moments where holy accidents occur. I was launched, I was on my way, but I had no chorus? Funny thing, after I learned this chord progression, I stopped trying to learn the rest of the Flash Gordon Theme song.

Time would pass, I can't remember, it could be months, it could be years, sometimes it's just a blur...

One day while learning some Guns n Roses, probably from Guitar Player magazine or some other zine that transcribes or lifted guitar parts.  

I found four classic rock chords: G Major to D Major, F Major to C Major. That's all I needed. I was inspired and would figure out the rest. The Hook I composed for the Chorus piano theme has a very strong classical influence / feel, but what's even more important is that it's melodic, it's natural, it sings.

Usually the drums came first, but this time it was created last.

The beat should be the foundation, everything else is always built on top.

/p>

I was in the studio now, putting it down, layering tracks. 

Things was moving, the song would be ready soon.

In the studio, you can add parts forever, and layer unto infinity. 

But one too many parts and the mood is ruined, the song gets muddy and or too heavy.

Space was and is indeed the most crucial factor.

One day the voice in my head said, "turn off the drums and listen." Check to see if everything works ok, if the seperate parts can stand on their own, or compliment each other.

  It was orchestral, like a symphony.

It was something new. Unlike anything I'ave ever done before or since.

I grabbed my favourite axe motivated to flip everything upside down. Instead of piano, rhythm and blues guitar would be the new new. Rearranging this song lead to a major breakthrough, I consider the resuts a masterpiece. It changed my way of thinking. Where I started off going towards, and where I actually ended up are world's apart, yet it works perfectly?

The concept of no drums was the last thing I expected, previously the drums and bass was my comfort zone. By going against the grain I was forced to innovate, creating a new style I hope to further explore...

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Love 69 (Lyrics)

 Love what can it be? Love what can it be? Love what can it be?

Like the clouds are hanging from my wall. Is mine the saddest view?

Either I don't care enough at all, or it's too good to be true.

They say I'ave got the finest taste, best that money can buy.

So why are all the good ones taken, leaving me with tears in my eye.

Love what can it be? Always seems to happen, but it never seems to happen to me.

Love what can it be? Always seems to happen but it never seems to happen to me.

Maybe I try way much too hard? It's written all over my face.

Chasing candy canes in racing cars, meet me at my place.

I'll take you to the boulevard, buy diamonds and precious things.

Close your hand close your eyes baby, I wanna give you my wonder thing.

Love what can it be? Always seems to happen, but it never seems to happen to me.

Love what can it be? Always seems to happen but it never seems to happen to me.

In love oh - ove, oo a oo a oo. In love, a ah a ah ah - ove.

In love oh - ove oh - ove. Oo a oo a oo. In love, a ah a ah ah- ove.

In Love.

Love what can it be?

Still waiting for that special thing, to happen overnight.

Sick an tired of fly and freaky flings, it's time to do it right.

Friends ask when will it be your turn? situations looking ripe.

But smell the rubber tires burn, maybe I'm not the type, to fall in.

In love oh - ove, oo a oo a oo. In love, a ah a ah ah - ove.

In love oh - ove oh - ove. Oo a oo a oo. In love, a ah a ah ah- ove.

In love oh - ove, oo a oo a oo. In love, a ah a ah ah - ove.

In love oh - ove oh - ove. Oo a oo a oo. In love, a ah a ah ah- ove.

In love oh - ove, oo a oo a oo. In love, a ah a ah ah - ove.

In love oh - ove oh - ove. Oo a oo a oo. In love, a ah a ah ah- ove.

In Love.

She loves me? she loves me not? He loves me? he loves me not?

She loves me? she loves me not? He loves me? he loves me not?

She loves me? she loves me not? He loves me? he loves me not?

She loves me? she loves me not? He loves me? he loves me not?

She loves me? she loves me not? He loves me? he loves me not?

She loves me?

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God Is Everywhere (Lyrics)

 Yes my friend, I'm back again. Morning wakes, with me again.

Sun is shining, cool in the trees. Breeze is blowing, birds and the bees.

And I get lifted, and I'm feeling so nice. I'm young and gifted, I won't even think twice.

And on a day like this, it's gorgeous everywhere. And on a day like this, it's gorgeous everywhere.

Yes my friends, no guess again. On the streets, set free again.

Sweaty salty, hot and thirsty. Smelling something, what could it be?

And I get lifted, and I'm feeling so fine. I'm young and gifted, but still need some time.

And on a day like this, it's gorgeous everywhere. And on a day like this, it's gorgeous everywhere.

Yes my friend, I'm back again. Dawning breaks, for me again.

Insense burning, stretching yawning. Cellphone sing in, syncronicity.

And I get lifted, and I'm feeling so nice. I'm young and gifted, I won't even think twice.

Yes I get lifted, and I'm feeling so fine. I'm young and gifted, but I'm drinking some wine.

And on a day like this, it's gorgeous everywhere. And on a day like this, it's gorgeous everywhere.

Another big fat juicy, gorgeous fucking day. Another big fat juicy, gorgeous fucking day.

God Is Everywhere, God Is Everywhere. God Is Everywhere, God Is Everywhere.

God Is...

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Idiot Move

I was standing behind my shopping cart, in the cashier line up at Walmart.

Just waiting my turn, when I suddenly spot a Fifty dollar bill on the ground.

It was almost straight ahead, but on my right side.

No one else seems to have noticed it lying there. 

It was calling me.

So I step forward quickly and casually pick it up.

The customer directly before me is a middle aged woman. 

She has that Guyanese or Trini Caribbean Indian look.

I also notice she's holding some twenty dollar bills, at least two or three, in her right hand.

So like an idiot, I do the right thing, walk up and say: 

"did you drop this?" or something equally stupid like "is this your money?"

Right away she says no, then a second or two later she's like: 

"oh I gave it to my nephew to buy food at McDonald's."

So I give her the fifty but inside I know, she just looked me in the face and lied. 

The black man behind me says "I don't think it's her money. I didn't even notice it."

Less than a minute later as I'm passing McDonald's, I see the woman's nephew and his friend.

How's he paying for food if he or she dropped the money?

What she just told me don't make no sense? 

That money was for me, but I wasn't ready to accept a gift. 

Damn...

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