Patty, Penchants and Poetry

Patty Griffin is one of those songwriters whose songs simply arrest: they command attention. I was first exposed to Patty’s music while living in Pittsburgh via WYEP (http://www.wyep.org/) – a very cool indie radio station. The first song I recall hearing was Rain and I had to get that song . . . so I immediately went out and purchased 1000 Kisses. Ahhh.

As I delved into the history of Patty and her music, I discovered a number of commonalities we share. Among them is our penchant towards melancholy and our Arcadian French Catholic heritage: her folks settled in Maine as I recall; mine settled in Louisiana. Perhaps the heritage explains the inclination. Perhaps.

Well, I won’t go on and on with some deep introspection on melancholic dispositions. I will encourage you to go out and get yourself some Patty Griffin music, though! You won’t be disappointed!
With that I enclose the following poem, These Songs. Patty here’s to you – stay beautiful, keep creating, and – yes! Of course I’ll sing a duet with you anytime!

Peace, Love and Groove
Joey K


These Songs: Addiction

Melancholy
  Sickly
  Sweet
  Songs of the Soul
  A Friend? A Desired Companion?
  I Don’t Know
  Sometimes I Just Don’t Know

Still
  The Siren Sings
  Beckoning me onward with a Simple Lyric
  And a Rhyme of Complexity.
  Dark and Lovely
  Softly Spoken
  Words
  Into the Chambers of My
  Leaning, Listening Ear.

These Contemplations,
  Am I all the more a Fool to Pursue?
  Will it Lead to my Demise?
  (I Hope Not!)
  Are They Fleeting Vanities
  Or
  Are They Substantiated Necessities
  (These Ponderings of the Heart)?

Chaos in the Midst of Calm Express Am I
  And these Songs
  Pour
  Constantly
  Endlessly
  Resoundingly -
  Resonances of the Heart.

Deconstruction, Being and Funk Metal

Wow - It’s been a while since I’ve written anything here. I’ve been pondering a lot of deep things these days. Basically, I’m pondering the thing of being and becoming. In my life I’ve been so focused on doing, doing, doing that I’ve missed the mark in being. Thus, my identity has become what I do and not who I am. Things begin to fall apart when what you do is stripped away. You’re left with the question: well, who am I . . . really?

It’s cool to be in this mode of living. In this process I’m discovering things about myself that I LOVE and things that really stink . . . and I don’t want to be a stinker!

If I could label this process I would call it deconstruction. It is essentially an examination of all I believe and purport to be true and seeking to live within the parameters of those discoveries. The thing of living within these discoveries I call being. So that’s where I’m at these days – on the apex of being. On that threshold there is both immense freedom and a certain weight of responsibility – it’s GREAT!

May you be graced to be all you are meant to be; I pray that you will embark on a path of discovery that will profoundly astound you!

Peace, Love, and Groove,
Joey K


PS Okay, I have to write something about music!

Have you heard of the Funk Metal group Kings X (http://www.kingsxrocks.com/)? They are awesome and are a significant influence in my music. In line with thoughts just shared, I’d encourage you to check out the tunes We Are Finding Who We Are and A Box. And I’ve enclosed a couple of photos for ya!

Keep rockin’!

JKM

Bob Dylan, Etcetera

Bob Dylan is one of those creative forces whose influence so permeates the musical world that it often goes without notice. Like the wind, you can’t quite tell where it’s coming from – but you know it’s there! As I’ve read articles and bios of songwriters, a common theme often emerges: Dylan’s music had a significant impact on them. Cool!

I got into Dylan because of one of my influences, Jimi Hendrix (whose music I got into because of his influence on guitarists I was really into: Stevie Ray Vaughn, Billy Gibbons, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Hedges . . . the list goes on). One of my favorite songs of Dylan’s is All Along the Watchtower, which I often – if not always – perform during my sets. If you haven’t checked out any of his music, do yourself a favor and gogetchoselfsum!!! You can also listen to my version of Watchtower on myspace: www.myspace.com/joeymcgee

This past week has been a blur! I played my first gig at Veritas Wine & Bistro (www.veritaswineandbistro.com) and that was cool! Veritas is a sweet venue and the music usually played there is jazzy. But they gave me a chance to do my thing (which is more folk rock groove) and the crowd was pretty into it. Sweetness!

I also joined Kristy Petty again at Art 979 Gallery / Village Café (www.art979.com) for this year’s Art Step (held in lieu of First Friday this month). Playing at 979 Gallery is always a blast, but it was especially cool this time: my bud Tim Elliott (aka Dr. E) joined me for a few songs and played a mean – and I mean mean - blues harp on the set. Also, my friend Greta Watkins (The Frame Gallery) had a chance to show her works as a featured artist this month. She even painted a picture of me. While I was playing I was beside myself!Yes, pun is intended – if you look at the pictures below you’ll see there’s a painted portrait of me behind the wall – what a riot!

Well, life continues to groove on! I’m still meeting cool people, connecting with other artists, learning the art of recording and mixing, and still trying to shine the light! Last night I went into the studio to learn more recording ropes from Steve Carr . . . who also laid down guitar tracks on a fun blues song I wrote called Tip My Tip Jar, Man. I’ll keep you posted with that!

I hope this note finds you in much peace – SHALOM!
Until Later – Peace, Love & Groove,
Joey K

PS Okay, sorry this is so long but I had to add this. In honor of Bobby D, I pulled out my old harmonica and started playing it live. Man, you gotta love harmonica!!! Okay, that’s all!

Peace!
JKM

Notes From the Underground

Have you ever read Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison? It’s a modern classic written about a man who feels so alienated from society that he decides to live underground – literally (I believe the setting was New York City in the 1940s). Well, I’m not feeling that estranged these days, but I do feel like an invisible man of sorts. I haven’t been on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Blogspot nor email in eons. Ah, the e-connections we have these days . . .

Life is busy but I must say it is has been good – real good! Here’s a snapshot of what I’ve been up to: Do the normal day job thing; run to the recording studio at night (I’m still learning the ins and outs of recording . . . and I am GREEN); play at the local Farmers Market (5:30am start time – yes, that was 5 am); visit Jacob & Anna Kail and the Family in Austin, Texas; have Memorial Day cookout with the family; attend Texas Reds Steak and Grape event in Downtown Bryan; do some more studio stuff; lead a few worship services; back to work again . . . okay, I think you get a bit of the picture I’m painting. It’s been a little busy!

The busy-ness is hectic, but – again – it’s good. While learning to record, I’m also meeting really cool musicians and experiencing the variety of musical flavorings from the area. There are some talented folks out here! Josh Hammons, John Clark, Eugene, Devon, Randy Watkins, and of course Greg Tivis and Kelsey Taylor (who finally finished their project – and it sounds GREAT!). I’ve enclose a few pictures from the various happenings and there are still more events to come! I’ll keep you posted!!!

Until later,
Still Surfing Below the Surface,
Joey K

PS While performing at the Farmers Market, I was informed (just a vibe I caught) that I need to expand my musical repertoire: It seems that I’m in desperate need to include some country in the mix – what a riot! Well, I do like Brad Paisley!

Life is good,
Peace, Love, & Groove,
JKM

The Big Kahuna

I had a chance to be a part of a cool event this past Friday: The annual BBQ Cook-off! I was in charge of music for our team – The Big Kahunas – and we had to compete against other teams based on theme, presentation, spirit and – of course – the Menu! My team – perhaps indicative of our name – opted for Hawaiian BBQ and it was pretty sweet . . . literally . . . with pineapples!

Some of our competitors were: Backyard Babes, Nuestro Pueblito, and Hellraisers & Heartbreakers. Now with names like that, you know the competition’s gonna be hot . . . or scary, one of the two!!!

Overall it was a cool times: I got to sing a couple of songs live, play the role of DJ (broke in the new sound system!), and afterwards cleaned up the mess we made! No lies, it was good times connecting with folks, hookin’ them up with the Hawaiian-styled BBQ, and just having a good time.

The Kahunas didn’t win a THING (I’m thinking there was some partiality . . . ‘cause we were GOOD!!!) . . . but I do think we made an impression with our Hawaiian PUNCH. If there was a PEOPLE’S favorite, I’m sure we would have won it! Oh well - next year! I enclosed some pics from the event.

Peace, Love, & Groove
Representative for The Big Kahuna,
Joey K

PS If you'd like to hear a few songs I've done, check out www.myspace.com/JoeyMcGee

and lemme know what you think

Later!

JKM

Black Boys in America, Part II

After posting Nobody's Darling in The Cult of Cool, I thought that this was an apt follow up. I wrote the following poem around the time of Black Boys in America (see previous posts to view that one). As with that one, this poem is a reflection of my experience growing up as we did.

Black Boys in America, Part II

For Black Boys in America
Fathers are the Stuff of Dreams
Unfathomable Notions
Tearing at the seams.

Mothers are our redemption
Peace in them we find
Brothers are our companions
Walking the Thin Line

Sisters are just whores
As dreadful as that seems
Bewildered is our outcome
Justifying the means.


Peace, Love, & Groove,
I hope this post finds you well and blessed!
Joey K