Guest Book

Rick T. Right on. You nailed it on your last post regarding “jamming” and the ABB. I’m not fond of the term jamming either, because it’s too broad a brush to paint with in describing lengthy instrumental sections of songs. I too, sort of equate the term jamming with noodling. Noodling is something most musicians probably do privately or in rehearsal when trying to figure something out, find a way from point a to point b, or just trying to find something that works. It’s like driving slowly, when you’re not sure where you’re going, looking for a landmark, a road sign or something familiar to get back on track. Once you see what you’re looking for, you get back on the gas and drive with confidence and a purpose, knowing where you’re headed. Many so called jam bands, to me, are driving along without a purpose and going no where. The noodling flits and flounders, and leaves you hanging like a movie with a weak ending, or no ending at all. I think a good song, or good music, is like story telling or taking a journey with a destination in mind. A good story concludes with either an ending that tidies things up nicely, or sends you on your way with notions to ponder. It makes you think. A good journey gets you to your destination safely and soundly, but a great journey takes the scenic route without an arrival time to strictly adhere to. You’ll get there eventually, but you’ll enjoy the scenery and smell a few roses along the way. The Brothers are master storytellers, and being veterans of the road, know a thing or two about taking the road less traveled, exploring the back roads and finding new and creative ways to bring you home. ABB’s music has a purpose, but it’s not afraid to paint outside the lines. How many metaphors can I jam into one post? Too many probably. But you get the idea. Improvisational soloing is really what occurs in these musical explorations. The term jamming just cheapens what they are trying to achieve on an ongoing basis, because it lumps them in with noodlers that prefer to fumble with their voices in front of an audience. I think high caliber musicians do that sort of thing in private to find for them selves, things that do and do not work. They remember the things that work, and when the opportunity provides itself within the context of a song, they can draw upon that to enhance a solo. These songs and solos are stories. They transport you somewhere, the same way a good story teller does. They trigger thoughts and emotions with their craft and transport you somewhere via their muse. All the members of the band, in one interview or another, have spoken of their shows as a way to let people forget about their worries and troubles for a few hours, at a minimum, and take them somewhere. And they always do. They may take you to the outer limits of the universe, through strange and mystical galaxies and stars, but they always bring you back home safely, and touch down softly, leaving a smile on your face and joy in your heart.