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Donna

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Blog Entries posted by Donna

  1. Graduates!

    By Donna ,

    - the edit by john was originally posted roughly April 8, 2008



    Donna contacted me and asked me to add this blog entry. I can't add a new one and the best I can do is edit Donna's last blog entry (John) so...

    SUBJECT: Safe place

    BODY: The children and I are in a safe place. We are OK physically - and doing as well as can be expected. One evening last week, I phoned the police to come to my home. Shortly after, we came to safety. I hope for a new day to dawn for us. There are people who support us.

    Donna

    PS: the axe is safe, too
    _________________________________________________________



    -The entry "Graduates!" originally posted January 18, 2009

    Wow!

    Dylan has graduated from high school - today! I'd enrolled him in Kayla's school district soon after he fled our home, latter part of September. This is an alternative school (thank goodness they have them for situations like ours). We were told by D. Kildruff upon intake that per D's transcripts, because D's old school had such strict standards, not only was the child not behind, but that he could graduate early.

    Whoa, we said.

    Well, so today's it; the boy handed in 60 pages of poetry (nice cover I thought), plus a memoir of his summmer illness (64 pages) thus gaining a whole buncha extra credit. I have just read 55 of those memoir pages. Little D. is here (at Kayla's) and we must go soon and pick up the 4 girls from school.

    Kayla also graduated today! Her story I do not know in detail, but she's persevered to get those credits done - she's in regular school. Or was, rather. It is amazing that she is done early! That either of them are - that any of them are.

    It was a wonderful meeting at D's school today, w/ his stalwart social workers (cause of the bipolar) S. and Sh. I was so happy on the way to the meeting because so much lovliness has come to pass and I knew we'd all be rejoicing exceedingly for Dylan. We did and they were all hugging on little Damien, and M. Eversol the advisor took poloroids of big D. in cap and gown, and D. Kildruff showed me the paperwork to sign off for D. having aceived his credit - and M. Eversol said, "a pleasure working w/ Dylan!" Which is really cool because he "are" a handful (tho a pleasure as well)

    The child is well enough to work now, too. Soon he goes into full time. And he is moving again...back much closer to our part of the Twin Cities. Kayla's moving, too.

    They each have graduation ceremonies in June...

    And parties, we must have those!

    Thank you for your prayers...or well-wishes, I really think all are the same and have acheived some beauty and relief. (Emoticon sisterly kiss)

    And now I need the Otis Redding Prescription: Cigarettes and Coffee (a very wonderful song!)

    -in haste, from Kayla's, Jan 18, 2008
  2. Edit March 23 - Kayla's companion video to her book Mommy's Music

    + + +



    Whoa!

    whoa whoa whoa

    Things are moving quite fast. I am happy! So MANY new experiences that seem to fit like a glove.


    --- Another Kayla photography assignment, a bound book (of me). I thought it was
    just going to her teacher! It's a 68 page pictorial w/ about a 5 page bio. Kayla is
    also moving soon, we will miss her terribly! This 3rd year for her has been incredibly
    demanding, she constantly shoots and edits. Look her up on Facebook - Kayla Peterson
    Photography. Book Preview Link

    The basic sections are: little me (toddler to about age 15 - including a shot of a friend jumping off my folks'
    garage); young playing me (couple 8 x 10's age 19-23?); the producing section; Thorny Swale rehearsal;
    Thorny Swale gig; The Latin Mass Choir (in which I was squinting and looking terribly serious...because I
    needed reading glasses, but it took awhile to figure that out; and The Children.


    --- Thorny Swale (the band I'm in) rehearsed our first original (one of mine) and played it live 1st time
    I haven't heard the tapes, but it felt SO GOOD doing it. We are on FB, and as we record or whatever, the
    page'll show all that.

    ---- That's the other thing, I've written 4 songs in less than 3 months and I deem them to be some of the
    best yet (heh - I think). Tonight I began another...

    ---- Only on paper so far, but it looks like I have my first drum students, plural! Cannot express what it means,
    the thought of teaching is...just a total honor and so humbling to be asked.

    ---- OK - I had my 1st experience as a producer - Kayla was w/ me (that month that she followed me around
    like a stalker for her book) so there are 2 pages of photo's of that session in her book.

    ---- I'm hoping to submit one of the new tunes to a MN project called Operation Jamm Fest - they're trying to
    put together a CD compilation of local artists doing songs "which support our troops". It was very...unusual
    to be able to contact them and say, "I actually have something that fits your parameters." A few of my tunes
    have war or soldier reference here and there, but the new one is filled with this.

    ----I'm prepping to record w/ Dan and Scott. Boy...I think a lot has happened, it's hard for me to know cause
    I'm always around myself - but I'm playing standing up now, got the peg attached to the guitar (when the venerable
    repairman got out the drill to install peg for guitar-strap, I said, "this is like watching the baby's circumcision!" And
    I had to leave the room! Didn't leave during my baby's circumcision, btw, but I did for the axe!). I'm able to get thru
    singing/playing songs in my catalogue that were simply unthinkable before. Like the one about my 8th baby.... it
    is complicated w/ various sections. Well, I got a scratch on the 4-track today. I keep finding things...finding little
    ways to put in picking notes. One of the new songs has a whole section of just picking - unheard before, for me.

    The metronome and I have regular dates, aye we keep a lot of company. And tho I'm not always doing the grueling
    hard work of endless practice for recording prep, I find 6 out of 8 times during practice thinking "I'm getting better,
    this (song) is getting better."

    Drums too, little metronome. And it's really hard to stp once I start. Dylan was so cute, the other week he comes into
    the living room: "Mom?! Are you OK?" I shut metronome off. "Yeah, fine -- whatsa matter?" He said, "Mom, you've been
    playing straight for like 90 minutes! I was kind of afraid..." I just started laughing, because I felt so good and calm and
    clear and clean.

    Another time, he comes up: "Aren't you exhausted?!" I look at him. "No!" His eyes get big and he says, "Mom, you've been
    playing non-stop well over an hour...you're not tired?" I look at him. "No! Hmm...wow! No, I'm not tired, not at all!"


    ---- The 4-track is back up! I am WAY over the moon again to be recording regularly. Can you believe it? I's
    thinking about this, it was 2007 since I was recording, but because Dylan was on so ill, then on his death bed
    for all we knew, and recovering for a year, I think it's been almost 3 solid YEARS since I was really recording
    w/ any kind of modicom of sanity and peace. It's like no time has been lost - I seem to know more now than
    before!

    I recorded the band - which in my previous life, never thought I'd the gumption to set it up. Just went for it,
    thinking of Prometheus and his mayonnaise substitute for squeaky foot pedal when the bloke had no oil...
    It was nice for my bandmates, I think, to hear an actual mix -- which I got, my 1st as engineer for others
    (so to speak even tho I was one of the others).

    It's just so delightful and huge for me, to have attempted it - and esp. to get a mix where the instruments are
    separated and there's some kind of clarity - esp. w/ stuff like 3 vocals + drums all sharing one track! We got
    lucky with THAT!

    ---- I'm very excited about the band potential...really of all the players as individual musicians. Oh, btw, our
    drummer (he did 60%, I 40%, it freed me up to front some), Mike had to quit, so we're 5 piece and I'm singing
    drummer. Anyway: we have 3 lead vocalists - HOW it could get any better, well it couldn't. Everyone plays very
    well. But the writing...I'm now undistracted enough to really hone in, and I want Buce (keys) and Mark (guitar), I
    want all their snippets, motif's and songs. I told Mark that I am particularly keen on the uncovering of HIM, because
    the real him as doing originals is untapped, and I think there's a LOT there.

    3 of the 4 bandmates, they were the first pro band I was in (age 17). So...they got my back! I just LOVE them!
    And Scott, our other bandmate, dude, I'm finding out this guys drums, but above all, as we play out, how com-
    pletely tasteful his playing is. And he likes the funk (or equivalent).

    ----We had a very good experience, this last gig. Place had a good vibe and the audience was SO with us. OK but
    beyond that, 1st set I played almost totally w/ brushes - the BRUSH part, too, not the rubber. That's how quiet we
    began, and maintained reasonable level. I could hear everyone and everything. And concluded the word to use for
    this experience is "beautiful". A beautiful experience.

    I think there's more but really sick of myself now.
  3. Hey All,


    I've graciously been given a vehicle -- this! -- more precise for those vain musical reflections I like to write,
    specifically "drumming conclusions" (as the Giver, John Moxey, has called them).

    Songstuff has been a huge help to me. It's not everywhere where one is welcomed, accepted, helped,
    encouraged to become and develop. From that, I was enabled to develop an introspection.
    Blogging or writing ongoing posts have been a map & guide: to confer with myself so to speak, with you all,
    along this road of music - aye, not luxury but necessity to this musician. And now it seems at this point in the
    study, things learned can be passed along to others.

    I will try to stay on task! Meaning, to focus on percussion.

    This first entry is a long piece, and I don't expect that will be the norm.



    Gig Conclusions
    Latest gig a number of breakthroughs for me. Since I also play guitar/sing a few originals in the cover band I'm
    singing-drummer with, there are multiple layers of attn, triumph, or bum out! It happened that there were
    triumphs in every area.

    The breakthroughs (drumming) came spontaneously. They are significant for me.
    I drummed an entire song w/ left hand (not my dominant hand!). Song's intro & groove so nice, I spied
    my little shaker like a toddler grabbing that candy. Of course by the 8th bar I realized there was no way out
    (actually there was...I could at least throw the shaker down). I didn't want a way out. But I'd never done it before.

    There is video/audio of this moment (not publishable) and I was delighted by solid time, tasty fills, and that
    my left hand had a cool mind of its own.

    The second breakthrough -- due to crowd soaking up the sound and me unmiced, at some point I ditched
    most of the kick drum stuffing, also some of the drum gel mufflers. Ooh it sounded so nice and FAT - of course
    the heads were then way easier to play. So in the midst of a tune I yelled out (in time) "let me solo".

    I am not a soloist, I have never been so publicly per se -- my friends may have different memories in my
    younger drumming years, but for a long time I'd zero interest in it and the main memories are the few times
    I'd been compelled to "have" to solo. But this last gig I wanted to solo and did so.

    I enjoyed it so much that I am working on a solo. But giving myself lots of room, minimal pressure to get it done.
    And I am approaching it as a song, in phrases, and notes or melodic sounds from the drums themselves. When
    I was little, my 1st attempts at songwriting were on the drums. I tuned my toms to a chord (I think) - not knowing
    what a chord was. It made sense to me, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed those melodic notes and making
    musical motifs. I was about 9 years old at the time.


    Teaching & Practicing Conclusions

    I began teaching drums this year. It's beautiful. Simultaneously I've been teaching myself drums, which certainly
    hasn't been a norm for me in recent years due to the singer/songwriting thing, time constraints of having a family
    but also because I'd been able to glide along w/ a respectable drumming vocabulary.

    I turned to drums again this year because the repetition of "drills" calmed my mind and heart and gave me exercise.
    My beloved mainstay, triplets with two hands ending in kick drum is incredibly calming and invigorating at the same time.
    Well, my eldest began commenting ("Mom! Aren't you tired? You've been playing for over an hour straight!" He wasn't
    complaining, btw). These sessions became increasingly regular - re: which this same child pointed out to me that I do nothing
    but solo.

    Heh. Two results became clear: A) The lightbulb went on that I love drumming and want to keep exploring. It took quite awhile
    for this to manifest because the singer/songwriting thing (and recording/engineering/physical music notation plus now connecting
    w/ producer/studio/real life musicians and so on) was all encompassing. I was improving.

    Becoming aware of how I practice and figuring out ways to learn whatever skill I want has enabled me to better achieve personal
    drumming results and also to teach my students (while the main framework has been decades in the making). I take a rounded
    approach w/ the students - for example, early on I began talking to one while he played, giving direction ("line 6!") at the end of
    the phrase, or in playing with him (clapping, shaker, cowbell). So that we don't stay only focused on our little selves.

    On the other hand (there are always two), self-awareness is exactly what I want to teach.

    The 10 yr old student, last lesson he went through the short exercises in a row. But when it came to the long "piece" at page's
    end, I directed him thus: I want you to reflect here and look through this music to figure out which tempo you can maintain at the
    same speed, all the way through -- can you hear what's written by just looking at it? OK, now when you get to this phrase that trips
    you up, consider that: you set the tempo in a thoughtful way, judge your own abilities.

    The youngster brought tears to my eyes. He did it. And wow, what a difference. It was day 3 of quite a heat wave, it was the end of
    the day, it's the very boring part of summer vacation, and this child's home has been through many days of upheaval because of a
    flood. He pulled off a centered and authoritative piece. He was recollected and there was a grace. I couldn't praise him enough and
    ended the lesson by letting him choose whatever he wanted to do.

    The other student (his father), same thing! We work on drumset, not easy to begin w/ all those limbs (even though he did have
    some knowledge of the kit prior to instruction and could play certain beats). It's easier to be alive to this in teaching whether hands/
    rudiments or drumkit because I am facing the same challenges, just at a different level.

    One thing lacking in my own formal instruction IF I'm recalling correctly: is that I was not taught to practice around something,
    or to break it down in specifically being aware of what exactly the problem was. Because in my experience, it is usually something
    small or minute. (I'm talking once past the completely beginning stage). There's no sense in focusing on whole phrases when the
    real obstacle is three 16th notes in the center of that phrase. The goal then becomes familiarity w/ those three notes, to play them in
    loop, then to work on transitioning both into, and out of, those three notes. Doing this can seem overly involved, a tangent, especially
    with drums, because limbs will need to be dropped out, practiced separately, and so on.

    Teaching myself has convinced me that practicing around something (as I refer to it) is effective. The drumkit student is responding
    very well to this instruction, and went away last lesson sounding almost bedrocked in something that 1/2 hour before had him
    paralyzed. That's what it is, when we really struggle or are obstical-ized, it's a paralysis. The mind cannot think beyond, it
    cannot hear, the limbs stutter or are frozen.

    And that's a sad, unnecessary way to leave things, my friends.

    To see this student calmed and happy where before a confusion had reigned, I'm left feeling grateful to have witnessed this, to
    have a hand in helping it come about.


    Final Conclusion
    Trust thyself.

  4. It's Over

    By Donna ,

    We settled via mediation yesterday, 6 days before trial. I am stunned. Exhausted. Am now permanently
    a homeowner and single custodial parent. Cannot express graditude enough. May be laying low for
    awhile here, don't worry if I'm not around or am silent.

    This was a merciful outcome, a just outcome.

    Gratefully,

    Donna... Dahl (my name now legal) + (((Seven Dwarves)))



    PS: edit

  5. Respite

    By Donna ,

    -I wanted to show this entry, but in doing so such entries are posted as being the most recent.

    'Respite' was originally written Jan 4, 2008 - chronologically it goes on page 4, right before the entry "Graduates!" which recounts Dylan and Kayla finishing high school early, after the New year of 2008; "Graduates!" begins with an...intervention (John calls it an edit) that I had requested John to do, on or around April 8, 2008, in order to communicate that I was in hiding with the children.
    ______________________________________________________________

    Hi....

    Truly, where does one start?

    (Merry Christmas, Happy Nude er ah NEW Year, dear friends.)

    So much has happened...continuing to live between great darkness and great light; have stalwart support, particularly several friends who do not let me go...am living in my oldest daughters' room since November...presently personna non grata w/ certain family members...am trying to stay close to each child...they're less fearful since Nov.

    Have been providing a lot (God is doing that dear multiplying thing again), plus working my patootie major big time to keep this place in shape and these children are not into discipline... some OT book speaks of discipline initially being Chains around thee at first, you cannot stand its yoke, but here we are - to glean someday its lovely fruit.

    Not only providing for these 6 here, but able to get food/misc money for Dylan; shopping big time as in searching, esp 2nd hand but also not, yea searching and finding exceptional deal/value - for this house and these girls(+ Damien). I'm talking lamps and canopy and fun hampers; cofee table, organizational things (ones not cheap and icky looking), fuzzy socks (hey man over 25.00 worth - SEVEN of us now have 3 pair each), truffle holders, good candles, Martha kitchen linens, steady supply of 65% choclate (wiff them crunchy beans in it), clothes for me, clothes for each child (Big D. included) a great little wardrobe 2nd hand (blonde wood and some carving), fix the stupid car tire, keep up on some bills, and buy real heavy whipping cream for the little bunnies. Plus a lot more. It's cause I began working an extra shift-and-a-half at a different shop.

    I had the best time, my own Christmas shopping this year (he controls all the rest of the money), and Mass stipend, too. I got fired Dec. 21 from the 2nd job (at shift's end of course). This was an evening gig and all I could think was Wow Lord, you want me off nights - NOW. Finally I am off weekends and eves. Very exciting, they have (for example) a free children's building clinic on Saturdays and maybe even gilie girl Genevieve will build. Little D, M (9) and m (7) are way psyched. I'm taking m snow tubing alone in a couple weeks, she's the only one who I think won't be scared to.
    ......................................................

    MIDNIGHT MASS

    Can't 'member last time I sang. Showed up, Dr. K's belt was madly askew...shoes off, hands a-flailin' in directing us. Male scola (swoon), they chanted the propers of the Mass...and this schola leader looked like a little accountant, at first I thought the guy had a microphone! He projected so well, and his voice was vibrato-less and smooth and rich.

    Heavenly...

    Double heaven because this newer alto, operatically trained, was absent. No offense, but impossible to blend with. I-i-i-i- began-n-n-n feeling-g-g-g my 'brato-o-o-o was nothingnexttohers! I felt like a jack hammer after that one mass. And then, I had one Jim Mils standing right next to me. Did I ever know Jim was so good? He was freaking me out, he was SO GOOD!!! I think I knew previously, that he sang, but don't recall him being up there (however I am quite new).

    And that nice chant leader, he liked what we did, we spoke briefly after Mass.

    Can't recall, if I ever knew, what Mass we sang that night. I was just very happy. Dylan, Kayla (her 1st Mas), L (11) and m (7) were below, and my voice was just fine, after doing nothing for 8 weeks? 12? I mean nothing sustained, like the hour-plus a high Mass is.

    .................................

    There's so much I wanto say to you all. And music I wanto play to you, so to speak - but it has to be recorded and/or written first! I think all my callouses are gone by now. I guess writing here is a dif. kind of music. I really do sense people supporting me, that helps so much. I need a lot of help right now because it's terrible, for one thing Dylan and ____ have mutually disowned one another, it's active you know, on each others' parts, and people are taking sides or trying to discern what is true and who can be trusted. Sigh.

    Just, whatever may happen or not on this little page, know there's a damn good reason for it. Man your good will is really everything.

    Steve: I miss the boards fearsome...no I haven't been able to read anything until this night, it's that bad. Thank you for reaching out! Marry Christmastide right back to ya.

    -written from a friend's place, Jan 4, 2008

  6. Come Holy Ghost

    By Donna ,

    I stumbled into the choir loft in the midst of the Vidi Aquam; a bright teenage girl let me look on her music.

    It'd been too long since last sang w/ em. Dr. K. was wearing black and directed us, sang and played organ all at once, mightily recovering from a few blunders.

    I'd forgotten what a feat it is to keep track of all the music; today there were 5 books; you just keep up and flip around best you can. Introit propers for Pentecost - Bam! Kyrie from St. John Bapists Mass - Bam! Gradual ("recto tonal on the last verse!" Dr. K shouts without making any sounds) - Bam! Credo #4 - Bam! Juilatio something-or-other (uh, dunno this one yet) - Bam! Veni Spiritus sequence in chant... on it goes for about 90 minutes. By minute 80 I was feeling thoroughly warmed up.

    The Gloria from the little M. of S. John Bapt. is fast...it's wonderful, you'd like it. Dr. K for a moment looked like the Lunatic Dreyfus, cause the organ "solos" are so very wide....deep deep notes, big big chords, wiff that rumbling bass (you hip hopsters' loud-bass-in-yo-cars IT'S BEEN DONE BEFORE, OK?) They can do it acoustically, too - old plump Norweigan's, they kill it

    I love Dr. K
    ........................................

    I left and the 1st thing outta my mouth to an acquaintence was sadness over our oldest moving out. He understood completely. Saw someone flinging thee cutest bald baby on the way back and began crying cause my boy's leaving home.

    I don't think I'm gonna be good at all with the empty nest thing.
  7. Thorny Swale played our first gig in 2 months, tonight. I began the last set by telling the crowd we were going to
    do 2 original songs, dedicating one to Dylan who was in attendance, and whose cool dream I based the lyric upon.
    The crowd was listening to what I said, and immediately began dancing once we started. The songs went by pretty
    fast, but I noticed in addition to the dancers, bar patrons paying attention. I have never had that experience before
    with originals - and maybe not with covers, either.

    I felt pretty detached - was paying attention to business: playing guitar, lead singing and cueing the band.
    Any wonder I felt was in my head, but my heart just loved the songs, esp Dylan's. I love playing that acoustic
    out front and singing what is mine. I love it that even when asked, I didn't tell the guys at all what to play when
    first introducing the songs to them. Said, "I could, but what for? You'll know what to do..." I love their parts and
    what they're making the songs become. I love it that Scott can play drums and it's full sound.

    +

    We want Jeff F to stay with us. He's come the past 2 gigs, videoing in addition to tenor and singing.

    +

    Kayla, Dylan and their friend Sarah came out. That was so cool!! Kayla shot dozens of pictures, there were
    many very good shots. We had our best gig ever. We needed a night like tonight, it seems like due paying
    has been extreme.

    +

    I actually asked for a drum solo tonight, during a song, and the guys could not make out what I was saying,
    so I said it through the mic: Let Me Solo. I have never soloed with the band now, or the former version, never
    asked to, never wanted to. I'm going to have a drum solo from now on.

    +

    This was the 2nd gig playing acoustic on originals, full band. Hooked...HOOKED HOOKED HOOKED

    +

  8. The Swampkings!

    By Donna ,

    This'll be hot, going to see Cajun Swamp Blues music!

    I knew Tom Harkness when he was a 10 yr old v. nice, shy trumpet player.
    Yegads, the guy's become this venerable blues master! We ran into each other
    on FB. No, I am not getting tired of old school and post-school friends now
    accomplished and/or gained noteriety. I am so darned happy for them,
    happy to know and behold how growed up fab they've become.

    Swampkings Music

    (Fav song right now is Joie De Vivre)


    And so, please join me at The Schooner Tavern in Mpls, August 14.
    Gig Info (no cover)


    I've already invited 9 friends and may post on my FB. I hope scads
    of pals can come to celebrate everything, including my birthday

    Fantastic band The Swampkings!
  10. -originally posted May-something or other '09 doh Mother's Day


    Go down to the end for the newest youtube if ya don't wanto read all this first


    OK, this Mother's Day is so far v. nice...here's a secret tho that every
    Mother's Day the mom usually has extra mom's duties. Normally I have
    some crisis, children sick and so on. An extra edge to get thyself in M's Day
    finery w/ all the drudge going on. So some yelling in the morn! (When I
    must yell, or call to the children, I use it as a vocal exercize...don't know
    how to explain this...but in my experience, there is a way to yell or call out
    which can actually be a vocal warm-up or workout).


    Anyway, the 1st communicants were at Mass and somehow I really settled
    and relaxed, Genevieve was in my lap long time, holding that child listening to
    her breathe, listening to the girls' choir, listening to me breathe deeply...

    Gen is 7 and had made me a stack of waffles (fork stuck straight up in the middle
    of 'em), place set perfectly w/ napkin, a drink, and a card, with its dandelion atop...

    After Mass, Dylan, Kayla and K's mom Liz came back here for a bit.

    We will go on, all of the children save L. who's sick to G'ma and G'pa's restaurant
    dinner, and a grand welcoming home. I've a gorgeous, huge basket of flowers for
    mom (and I bought her two cards, cause I liked them both so much).

    Last year we were on the run in exile...and that was blessed, too.

    But this...John Joseph's memorial
    garden is THE most gorgeous tulip tribute, it's just what I wanted. And the gifts the
    children made!! Hey, I've had children in school now about 15 years, and the last
    few, these teachers are being renewed in the gifts they have the children make. Mary
    made me a tile...decorated w/ me as a little red cat-creature, her in flight in a purple
    dress, banishing this bad guy (a fat rock) who was trying to hurt me. Gen said the
    rock was "Trying to crush me".

    Mary's a great superhero. Like Melanie, her pictures jump off the page.

    Dylan's presents are now grown up...cool stick-like scent vase-thing, fine (dark!) chocolates...



    Jeff F's Youtube Mother's Day present to me

    Jeff F. left a message bright and early this morn...he'd put up Angel From Montgomery,
    from the O'Gara's gig. I cared more about hearing that than my own tune, and Angel was lost,
    no one seemed to have the audio much less footage.

    Take it for what it is...sound's not so hot. First time I saw it (I got the 1st view on youtube yay!)
    I thought it was disjointed. 2nd time I went, "Oh dear Lord, this is GREAT!"

    Another spontaneous deal, and you need to sometimes view or listen more than once
    to catch the bits. We'd just done a song where Mischke went into the audience, singing
    and dancing. He comes back up to the stage (after threatening Joey Beier w/ the axe)
    and says, "boy guys, am I tied...I gotta get in shape.." So the intro has him out of breath
    and the little conversation which followed.

    I am very happy at Loo's and mine harmonies being dead on...and most of my ad libs.
    This was another tune barely rehearsed. One of the best moments was near the end
    while Mischke and I were each totally lost in the moment, me echoing his vocal lines,
    and this woman appears on stage, dancing come-hither, and Mischke I don't think even
    saw her. I didn't. I remember that.

    And she had wings on, too, this woman! Little angel's wings...



    Anyway....Donna's Angel From Montgomery

  11. Studio!

    By Donna ,

    Scott's studio I took to immediately. It's a room within a room...it felt right in there.Todd's electronic kit was among the (very nice) gear. I have a hunch I will be playing that kit again.

    Dan of course was there.

    We began w/ me playing the Seagull to the click (after we set the tempo). Then we turned
    off the lights when I did vocals, til I got comfortable. Jeff F. I'd asked to be there, I thought
    a video document of things would be nice. He did the O'Gara's footage.

    Soon we had all three vocal lines - first time listening to me in 3-pt harmony via really good gear,
    on something I'd written. I'd heard in it in my head long time, but never on a good recording
    (unless I'm not remembering something Loo and I did previously). I LOVE Three Dog Night
    and all I can say is I'm not disappointed at all and that 3-pt is worth the wait.

    In about 2 1/2 hours we had this nice scratch (which Dan says is more than a scratch). I'm
    shocked it's all me. Those guys were so nice, 3 really experienced good guitarists and I'm
    the one doing the guitar! Jeff F. was fiddling w/ the acoustic and man did he sound good. The
    cat from time to time plays his saxaphone about midnight, out on the golf course.

    Dan seemed even more horrified than last time about not getting in the song's way. And he
    cautioned me from doing the same. I need time and distance to know what I think of the recording
    thus far.

    But I'm seriously thinking about posting it, as we go along, just for whoever might want to follow it.

    Maybe that would be a good way for me to follow it, just enough of a remove, being thru computer
    speakers from a music server site.

    I show up expecting to drum - I haven't played guitar in weeks. I thought they'd be playing it.
    Ulp. Then Dan and Jeff said my style of playing reminded them kinda Neil Young. (My style? I
    didn't know I had one). I said Dan what about you playing on it (today) he said you've got the feel
    of it, Donna, you are the one to play this thing.

    OK what am I learning time after time, in these music situations esp the past year, from
    rehearsal w/ Mischke, recording w/ Jared, O'Gara's, the Latin Mass Choir, solo cameo and today?
    That it'll be OK. I never feel prepared, even when I have time to prepare. I gotta let that
    go.

    The other thing I learned [today] was all the time I've spent recording w/ my 4-track,
    and before that with two casette players just in the air, has been THE best education and
    preparation. For everything. Doing just that has helped for every type of situation as listed
    above. So I'm really glad I follow my intuition and tangents.


    Squeal!!! Gotta little recording done too-day..........

    PS: here's a link to something Jeff F. sent me. It's beautiful music and I was amazed at how calming. The
    very colorful art Jeff does via digital something or other:


  12. 185 (3 Pics)

    By Donna ,

    Sometimes good news sinks in more than once and over time.

    Last week my rosy cheeked, good humored 18yr old boy asked, "Hey Ma, guess how much I weigh?"

    When I found out the answer >BAM< I really took it in....


    The following pictures of this beloved firstborn, Dylan, were taken on 7/7/07. He was intubated,
    on paralytic drugs, fighting for his life in the ICU at Children's Hospital, St. Paul. Dylan "lost" 8
    days of his young life during this time, at age 17.

    The third and last picture shows Dylan on his way toward 185 - the weight that he is presently.
    Those 30-40 pounds were hard earned!

    Yes - this is the boy you all prayed for and well wished and sent cards and letters to.

    miraclemiraclemiraclemiraclemiraclemiracleiloveyousonthankyouGodmiracle185





    L to R: FF1 (who helped me care for Dylan between United/Children's hospitalizations, "185", Kayla
  13. Mischke is playing live for his CD release party - and he left me a message saying, "I'm calling to ask ya to join a band."

    With Mike Loonan! OMG...so Dorothy re-fell in love w/ all her ppl after the Oz dream. I know what she feels like.


    History
    Mike used to be the younger kid looking in the bsmt windows when I was with Krystal - the older-teenaged-guys-band who performed the whole 2112 album; there were spots for me and Patty - I drummed easier stuff, maybe Badfinger, some of the Yes. Patty sang very well Heart and all that. I learned a bit to sing back up. We were totally into Yes.

    I was 14 at the time, and soon to be thrown into playing speed punk, Bowie and funk at school, and avant garde jazz w/ thee most heavy players/theorists I've (still) ever met.

    At one of these parties is Loonan, and I'm going wow has HE grown up! Grew up to top all of us writing, multi instrumentalist, producing, sings everything. And still admires each of us in Krystal, how cool.

    I remember meeting (re-meeting??) Tommy - he, Loo and I in Loo's living room (8-track days), recording Tommy's first collection A Better Man (I think right before he landed his talk show this happened).

    Then a local guitarist Dee Rocker died. I asked Tommy if I could sing his Walking Songs at her tribute. That was the first time as an adult I sang lead on a big stage, as myself, doing an original (knowing the writer personally was close enough to it being an "original" for me). "as myself" - that is, no new wave or whatever persona, but me unaffected. Tommy was there, Loonan video'd it, and I recall all three of us being very happy how it turned out.

    Loo and I before and after Better Man recorded, and I became very spolied...I'd lay down a vocal and come back the next day...there'd be this orchestrated, nuanced beauty he'd done. He played everything man, engineered, arranged, produced. Mike put out CD's and gigged extensively, very prolific writer.

    And we lost track of each other as I was in baby exile, then he went into it, and I missed Mike badly. Tommy then put out Whistlestop - actually asked me to sing on it during an on-air conversation when I called him out of the blue one day...just like when I turned on the radio summer of '07 and he and Loo were on Garrison Keilor's show! It just happens, just get in touch w/ each other at the right time.


    Back To Kansas
    The coolest part is that I'll be playing with Loonan - he'll be bassist...in a trio w/Mischke. A trio! Singing-drummer time, back to where I starteed once the artistry began gelling. A trio is the most challenging. And with my good music buddies, I am one very grateful person for this opportunity.

    Hey - the last time I played out w/ Tommy (forgot to mention that gig above), Michael Bland was the drummer! This is a happening town...


    Will keep posting on this +++


    -listening to Always On My Mind (Moxey re-mix) in OPLH (our peaceful little home)

  14. You Are Good, Padre

    By Donna ,

    DAILY
    There is a man's man of a padre around here restoring a church. This isn't tax money or something which has beautified the churches but common folk sacrificing. The love chile's of the 60's and 70's tore down altars, threw out the gold, tho this one was spared her altar.

    Such people hate art, color, and the feminine of a really good church which is warm w/ candlelight, rich tapestry, everything finest in nature: gold, marble, stone, stained glass.

    If thugs came into your home, flinging the 8-track, PC, amp and mics out the window, offering the acoustic J harp and tin-can phone in return, what would you do? And then if they sold your stuff or just smashed it?

    So the good padre is bringing in the marble and so on. Limping around the sanctuary recovering from his motorcycle accident. And a scholar to boot, no fluffy discourse. He is soon going to offer daily Latin Mass: no sermon, no music, blessed silence.

    No b.s. "Indult" can-I-have-some-permission-to-breathe.

    I'm so very happy, that I practiced guitar twice today


    PRACTICE
    Longed to read music in the morn. Thumbed thru the Music Theory Book, there are always examples (chose Bach). String quartet exerpt and something else.

    Then I thought of triads backwards while playing them. Soon it'll be easier to think that way.

    Picked out To Be Over by Yes. So calming to learn something right there from memory. The melody is on high E string, sometimes at about the 17th fret. It's on the Relayer album.

    PS: Computer access in my near future will be limited.
  15. Dear Friends and Family,

    We appreciate your understanding of not being able to reply much, esp. by phone right now. We remain very grateful for your support and prayers. After this update, our expectation is that updates will be less frequent...in a word, yes, he's getting a little better generally each day. Yet it is slow.

    Moving foward by the favor of your kindness,

    Donna and ____
    .........................


    SATURDAY JULY 7
    ~8:30 am~

    Dylan "woke up" for the first time. He was coughing (yay!) and fighting [ ] the breathing tube. Eyes remained closed the entire time, yet he could respond by shaking or nodding head to Nurse Laura. It'd been a long 3 days of no response whatsoever (tho that was the goal and plan).

    I told him I was there... and praised him for his very hard work, his great fighting; how loved he is, how proud of him we all are, that everyone is rooting for him.

    Then the morphine was immediately bumped up and he mercifully fell back asleep. The goal of that day, to keep him sleeping so more rest for his poor lungs while simultaneously adjusting the oxygen mode so that he's doing more breathing on his own. Dylan has been on 3 "modes" of oxygen reception now, this 3rd is the best yet, set to respond to his very own breaths. The last 3 shifts of nurses have all said he's a strong, healthy boy as regards fighting this.

    He woke some on his own that day, fighting the tube once. He was able to respond to (nurse) Laura's simple commands and opened his eyes for the first time.


    ~evening~

    There was a first tonight: it was easy to recognize almost at once when he became restful. So peaceful that I ditched the thought of any further music, reading to him or speaking to him, even to say goodnight. I simply withdrew my hand and tiptoed out as to not "wake" him. Having never seen anyone for prolonged period under these conditions, couldn't help but note that for some reason I was discerning a natural kind of sleep - tho of course I'd seen nothing but sleep for over 3 days.

    For the first time since surgery I felt serene and sure in leaving him at night - on his schedule, not because it was time for me to get my own rest.



    SUNDAY JULY 8
    ~6:00 am~

    He'd been fighting the tube. morphine increased quite a bit. He's strong and wiley a fighter the (2nd) nurse says. Another first, both she and the resp. therapist say his lungs are beg. to sound like they should.


    ~10:30 am~

    Dr. Hahn gives the plan for the day: he wants him sleeping, no weaning down of oxygen today whatsoever. They want to hold steady as is and give him a day's break. The dopamine is reintroduced; the fevers are still going, another chest sucretion has been taken for culture; a 3rd antibiotic is introduced.


    ~afternoon~

    After consulation w/ med staff and family, I bring Anna (12), Melanie ( and Mary (7) to Children's. We have a quiet, specific talk before leaving home about what to expect - beg. w/ the "Child Life" staff who will speak to them before they see their brother.

    It's a long process...we get acclimated to the hospital: seeing the outdoor fountain/gardens as they wish; going to the playroom where they play a good half hour. They meet Stephanie, she speaks to them, she brings in an IV bag and her craft kit so they can make cards or crafts if they wish.

    She thinks it'd be best for M & M to see a pic of Dylan before they go in. She gets a polaroid, talks to them individually. Another volunteer sits w/ the children in the playroom and Stephanie and I first take Anna in, then the younger girls together. Steph also leaves me with each child, alone, to hold them and kind of process the situation.

    They then wanted to make cards for Dylan, which they did. Mel made him a necklace.

    Lastly, they wanted to see the on site apartment I've been spending the nights at; now they know where I am, and why I am there. It was time to do this. Afterward, we went for food at a fantastic Italian deli and restaurant (big thanks to ___________ for turning us on to Cosetta's).

    Donna
    ..............

    PS: I told Dylan today that, incredibly, he was in total charge of what was happening, his body and mind response. That we were following his lead. As soon as he can get the strength to show us on his own that he can breath, out comes the tube. That I'm sorry, it's most unfair...but there it is, son, Godspeed, we'll help you any way we can.

  16. Improvement?

    By Donna ,

    Dylan was the best yet yesterday. But cautious about it, seems to alternate between improvement and the sickness, probably the nature of things. Or, that the good days too much is done and so back into the hole somewhat the day following.

    But I'm so glad for yesterday! We were even getting on each other's nerves. A good sign!

    No doubt the strong antibiotic is taking hold. He's also been being given the Xango juice 1 0z, 3 x's daily. Plus excellent food, electrolytes.

    Gotta wonder, too, the night before his best day, applied liberally a pretty strong herbal rub over entire back. The burning/freezing kind, which was no fun for him, but it had to have helped clear the lungs, at the least. His cough sounds a 100 times better.

    I know you all are sending good thoughts or prayers. It's helping.
  18. Our oldest is moving out of the house this summer. He's not yet 18. I've every reason to believe that this is truly the end of an era, that he will garner his resourcefulness and make it on his own. I end up, like every parent I've heard before me saying, "it goes so fast."

    I will miss him, more than I can say. One reason being, in the past few years he has become an artist. I recall ______ and I, after reading some school essay of his when he was 13 or so, telling him one day the writing bug would bite him and when it did...

    Well, boy did it.

    I remember _____, when Dylan was 14, saying seriously, "He is an artist." Musing how to help him channel that...even tho we didn't know exactly what his medium(s) would be. That's about when D. and I began a new dimension of the mother son relationship.

    The separation I'd spoken of that I began feeling as a young child, that Bob the drum teacher could cure, Dylan began experiencing it as well among his peers (save a special few). Prophecies made when he was about 12 became true...he found the usual teen stuff shallow and intolerable; became greatly disillusioned; began going thru periods where he shunned fellowship to intensely write. Even media was becoming a drag - and still does at times. He wrestles with his craft.

    What the heck happened? Literally the past winter I was one day reading teenage angst, and the next, a concise powerhouse of an essay. The boy was sick to death of imposed sensitivity engineering in school. So, he entered the school wide "Diversity" essay contest. This is the anti-poster boy of enforced "loving". And he won.

    But the thing is, our boy is really fun. Sniff...he turned me onto Angels and Airwaves...) And Prison Break! For awhile there we'd have these feasts....like Chinese or Mexican, platters and beverages and candles and chocolates. Little children kept wanting to come into the room and Dylan would sternly cut them off at the pass. My heart'd just be on end the whole show, and I'd dive into the food. Every once in a while Dylan'd ask, "Mommy, can I have another white truffle?"

    I will miss yelling at him to clean up that cursed grated cheese from the constant burrito's. I will miss going past his room and showing the peace sign, or giving him a curt list of everything he failed to do. I'll miss the constant creativity (he cut his pants longer than knee shorts and calls them "shants"; the spontaneous, hilarious things I'd access to all of the time).

    Our youngest girl (G, who is 5) and Dylan often talk...he is tall, she's about 2 inches, and they've opposite coloring.
    Dylan says, "you look very pretty today, G." She replies, "It's not that hard." One time, after I'd done her hair and he said she looked pretty, G replied (with some heat), "Well I'd better!"

    "G, what a great dress - where'd you get it?"

    "From the closet!"

    When Dylan told all the siblings, here's how it went down. m (7 yrs) immediately began crying and it took a long time to stop. Meanwhile 8 yr old M comforted her (M is very maternal and CAPABLE). Elle was the sage: "there there, m. we'll still see him," and went on philisophically til she stopped and mused, "I wonder what will happen to his room? Maybe it'll be a playroom again like the old days." Little D. (the youngest, and other boy) kept playing w/ soldiers.

    A. began crying after the news sunk in. G stuck her thumb in her mouth and said, "I'm not sad. But I'll miss you."

    Dylan is becoming an accomplished writer. (To me, unschooled in such things) He is a brilliant poet.

    His room will go to me. That means I'll have a music room I can use year round, a great perk. Other present obstacles in playing/recording will also disappear. He's very glad his room will be my little studio.

  19. Mischke Fired

    By Donna ,

    Very odd postscript: the day after the CD release bash at O'Gara's, Tommy was fired by am 1500 KSTP. No-compete clause means no work in radio locally for some time - Merry Christmas!

    The local Mischke cult has been up in arms, yet an Atlantic Monthly writer is also publicly mourning.

    Long time advertisers have pulled their accounts from KSTP am. "Good ol' St. Paul" as Mischke used to daily
    say - but it's true. I saw Tommy last week, after he'd run to RF Moeller Jewler to "drop off a box of CD's."
    That's where they're for sale (so far) - at the jewler's! And the Spectacle Shop. God knows where else.

    You can just tell...the people devoted to Tommy will never buy their jewelry or glasses or mortgages from anyone else other
    than these ex-KSTP businesses. Then they'll make their heirs abide by the same decree.

    It's like a modern day Christmas-spirit story cause these businesses are going to take a hit by pulling their accounts (KSTP will too of course)
    in the economy, right before Christmas. But the accounts were pulled because of the way it went down - no farewell, no nothing. Gads, I ended up being one of the last callers of the last show, creepy in retrospect. I called cause they were discussing O'Gara's which we'd just played some 12 hours previous.

    There are businesses who honor friendship and loyalty above...what, the bottom line? For these advertisers, money is not the bottom line.

    Tommy was at KSTP for some 18 years.

    Yeah, he'll get the CD online, too, or someone else will for him.

    There's a hilarious video he and Moeller put out yesterday - I suggest you check it out before Rules are invoked and it's pulled
    Mark Moeller and Tommy did a lot of radio ads, they'd be yelling at each other and it was funny plus RF Moeller sold a lot of jewelry.




    I think more gigs will be coming because now Mischke's gotta make a (new) living. Guess who else does, too? We shall see.

  20. Peaceful (and Update)

    By Donna ,

    So Peaceful An Evening

    The children are asleep - they are beautiful.

    They are so beautiful
    So beautiful are they
    Jesu Amour

    The night breeze is perfect, the candles aglow; house is in good shape, we enjoy it everyday. The new scheme of things, arrangements, placements. There's never been so much space, yet more comfy and inviting at the same time.

    8 yr old Mary was drawing tonight and I taped up her picture in a prominent spot. 'Sign your name, and the year' I said as I always do. She wanted one of us to pose, but everyone was too comfy to move closer to her and she wanted her pose-er to be near. 'I'm learning shading from the manga' she told me.

    About 10 days ago she was walking around, art book in hand, marveling out loud about the work, how it made her think, what she was learning from studying it. This I'd never seen her do and was ecstatic she'd glommed onto this illustrator's work. Witnessing her as a young artist being inspired made me so happy, and gives me such a lot to think about.


    Update (musical musings)

    If they keep what was put down, I've a couple b/u choruses and what not on Mischke's upcoming CD. The call came out of the blue and I was happy indeed to get it. There was a drum kit set up in Jared's studio this time (doh - Lazz I cannot remember for certain, but I wanto say Bill Evans' drummer's kit at one time). That was the first time in many months I'd played and I sounded like a busy little pseudo jazz drummer. Context being, later listening to the sparse, effective guy Mischke's recording's has. Anyway, Jared said, "I didn't know you were a drummer."

    This is good, I thought. "Tommy still banging?" I asked. J. didn't know.

    It's funny, I told him. The first half of life, no one knows me as a singer, the 2nd half no one knows me as a drummer. I've got best friends who've never heard me play drums.

    Jared is Berkely trained, plays more than one instrument, produces, writes, arranges, engineers - and that's only what I know of him in our few brief sessions. Maybe it's the way of providence that I hook up with monster artists. Truly larger than life people outstanding in more than one field (y'all should hear Mischke on his show o' talk - no one is like him). It serves to inspire but also it has un-intimidated me, which is really cool. I see that they can see (and perform) all the way around - and I freak out, I'm right there in beholding.

    Mischke out of choice didn't play piano on his last recording Whistlestop. But he'll kick it live and how! I'd wanto play instruments on my stuff, in the studio, unless there was a real problem holding the pocket. I've my own personality, something to say on those drums or whatever and tend to think the strength of personality most important. OTOH, much more can be done, faster, the more competent players involved (at least in theory).

    Tommy Mischke I hope will begin playing live - the guy is famous in the Twin Cities for his talk radio show so I'm sure if he wanted to, could have a revolving line up of friend-players, and it wouldn't have to be a big deal. Small venues are fine. He and Loo (this was great) last summer of '07, I's sittin on the patio and turned on the radio which happened to be Keilor's Prarie Home Companion taping live from the MN State Fair. And who's a singing and playing? Mischke and Loonan.

    So I sat there in the backyard listening to my music pals on the radio doing the bigtime. It was really quiet. And really quiet how I found out about it. This is how a mother with 7 dwarves gets catched-up in the loop.


    -listening to Munmun's The World Has Let It's Children Down, in our peaceful little home
  22. -while editing my blog, some entries got posted out of order so I'm re-posting this in the order it should be



    We settled via mediation yesterday, 6 days before trial. I am stunned. Exhausted. Am now permanently
    a homeowner and single custodial parent. Cannot express graditude enough. May be laying low for
    awhile here, don't worry if I'm not around or am silent.

    This was a merciful outcome, a just outcome.

    Gratefully,

    Donna... Dahl (my name now legal) + (((Seven Dwarves)))



    PS:edit
  23. Recently I've learned some of the most important lessons ever in my musical life.


    Music Vacation
    About 7 days ago what began as an impromptu conversation and wish for me maybe laying
    down a drum track for friends' material turned into a plan for one of my songs being recorded.
    I wasn't entirely sure until mid-week beforehand that it would actually go down, but I began the
    prep early in the week anyway. Another big chunk - guitar, drums and vocals.

    This is an account mainly about a successful studio prep for drums.

    The studio I speak of is owned by Phyllis and Stefan Johnson; some time ago in the Dahlnotes
    blog I'd written about Phyllis, a former bandmate, who in the intervening years has become an
    accomplished songwriter (in addition to already having been an accomplished musician and
    vocalist). I may be writing a complete entry on my time with the Johnsons in Dahlnotes.

    Phyllis Johnson Music

    The song we'll call Dylan's Dream - as the lyric was based on a dream my son had. It is so
    new that Thorny Swale (the band I'm in) had only played it a few times. As I've been doing
    rhythm guitar on all my originals in rehearsal & live, I'd not given thought to drums.

    As it happened, my children were away for the week, so I was free for immediate prepping.
    I did not know my own song on drums, did not know what I "really" wanted - the particular
    beat nor fills nor builds.


    Slowing the Tempo for Studio Prep
    The tempo of Dylan's Dream is between metronome settings (I'm not digital folks) so I opted for the
    slower of the settings - and soon realized this was key to all of my drum prep. It coincided so
    beautifully with the bulk of my practicing this summer, as the desire to leave no stone unturned in
    broadening the understanding of how to swing, had me halving my speed on a regular basis.

    Halving (or going down a third of the speed) in my opinion has done wonders. Part of it is purely
    practical: I dislike changing metronome speeds and I have so many children and duties that it's
    calming for anything to stay at the same tempo for a prolonged period. I just...halve the speed,
    do the figures in triplets, double the speed, whatever is possible using the same setting.

    Prepping the song in the slower tempo was agonizing, but I hung in there and did my best. The
    result was that I was nailing (in understanding, then execution) the various song parts.


    How and What I Prepped
    In this order I discovered (and/or "wrote" but not via notation), in roughly two practice sessions:

    Perfect Tempo
    Main Beat
    Basic Outline (swells, builds and overall feel)
    Feel of the fills and figuring out what specifically could get me there (eg double stroke snare rolls, slowed drumset rolls using kick drum)


    The next two practice sessions I concentrated on:


    Creating the Fills
    Executing the Fills
    Transitions from Main Beat to Fills and back out to Main
    Musically Playing Song Sections
    All the Above at Agonizingly Slow Tempo (via metronome mic'd through the amp)


    As many others do, I played in the air - the song was in my head (or it wasn't because the slowed
    tempo invariably placed a Zepplin-like riff in my head I could not get rid of). I was getting anxious
    because firstly I recalled how long it can take to learn a song -- by a good drummer with their
    nuances. But I was writing this song! I needed more time, but didn't have it, as by the 4th practice
    session the road trip to Phyllis and her studio was a for sure thing.

    The Final Preparation
    The last two practice sessions:


    Recording via the 4-Track
    Listening to result then repeat recording
    Even if recording solid, do again -- being able to "do it again" is important
    Bpm up to original tempo via 4-Track
    Continue Learning/Remembering Song/Fills


    The drum prep went hand in hand with guitar, though they were separate. The bulk
    of time and focus was drums. The last session was a short one, I took it easy and
    spent most of the day relaxing or sleeping. By this time, and maybe because of
    the focused drum practicing I've been doing all summer which seems to carry
    over favorably to guitar and vox, I realized this was the most complete, focused
    prep I'd probably ever done...and somehow I knew exactly how and what to prep.
    I also realized I'd fallen short of this in the past (eg w/ Dan who I've been working
    with). But mostly I felt grateful for the knowledge of my abilities and the ability to
    create and execute a plan which worked.

    The day of the session I did not play at all, and only sung for about 20 minutes, about 2 hours prior to the recording.


    The Result
    Maybe we got lucky - it was a reunion, after all, of 2 very-like minded musicians, it
    was out in the country (blessed change) and in their good-vibed home, with their
    son and the whole family atmosphere. I played Phyllis' kit and had an issue with
    the kick pedal tension...but after the 2nd take and I wanted to try again, Stefan
    was listening and made a comment, but it was the way he was listening, that made
    me listen to him, and take it to heart. I'm not sure what decided things...I did
    find out then that each part of the kit took up a separate track, and there was a
    question of whether or not the space might be needed...yet then Phyllis listened
    and confirmed. It was not perfect, but "you're a human being!" It should not be
    THAT perfect that something's thrown out if 2 notes are a smidgen off with an
    otherwise great-feeling take.

    The more we listened to it, the more we liked it. Sadly, each fill I wanted was not
    realized - but what I did instead did work, and all the general things were included.

    But what really rammed things home for me was what Phyllis said: that out
    of all the drummers they've worked with, none had done what I had...that when I
    outlined to her the prep I was doing, she was so happy that a drummer would prepare
    via a click. And that a drummer followed through, in the transitions to fills and out again, in
    time, and especially that a drummer played the song. That a drummer would also
    practice a song, because previous drummers were convinced it wasn't necessary
    to learn material beforehand, and would instead listen a few times at the session.

    Phyllis further said that she had had to go back and re-do drums (and she is not a
    drummer) because at least she could play in the pocket (and she can - and did,
    I heard some of the recordings that night). "These are excellent drummers I'm
    talking about - excellent! Great live...but the studio?"

    There was nothing flowery about her praise, it was matter of fact and one peer
    to another. I knew I'd done right in prep, but couldn't have imagined how
    grateful the engineer/fellow musicians would be, the excitement with which
    they would now approach the work, and the trust they now placed in me.

    Conclusion
    Metronome me & Slow me...
  24. Have learned the independence beat. Exciting, ain't used to laying off the kick drum and leading
    w/ left hand. Stage 4 I broke down into 3 sections. You'd never know it's the same person drumming
    when first begun a few days back. I am playing quiet enough to hear the metronome.


    Studio
    This weekend just Scott and I, Jeff F if he can make it.
    Worked on Storm intro, abotu 80% of a whole other guitar line came back to memory.
    Broke everything down into tiny stages and looped practicing w/ the metronome. A little goes
    a long way. If nothing else there'll be "good enough" of a road map for others (?) players to
    follow or replace my lines.

    Then again it may be respectable - or I could end up nailing it!

    I hear the bass parts in my head but my thoughts trot quickly, I can't keep up with the
    measures. I did the bass on a keyboard and made that damn thing respond legato and
    stacato when necessary. I miss my score...if I've any extra time, I will ignite myself, sit
    down and re-score the bass by listening to the song. I'm certain that in doing so audio memory
    of the bass as a whole song will fasten very strongly.

    I may in fact do this...then I'd only have to look at the score to play it!

    Audio and sight reading memory will gel / travel quickly into my fingers. I'll even
    remember how I breathed and moved when I recorded on the 4-track 2 or so
    years ago.

    From there I'd only have to ..."ohmmmmm"....just loop that thing and practice
    getting it in the groove.

    Certain friendships are like this: the ppl don't see each other long time, yet once
    they connect anew it's like no time has gone by - they just pick up exactly where
    they left off and vroom unto richer friendship.

    This is what's happenng to me on a musical level. Re-connecting like no time
    has passed. It did rehearsing w/ Loo and Mischke, and even the absence
    from drumming - I dunno I guess it's been literally cooking in the oven, sitting
    in its own juices - found me BETTER as a player.

    Now it's happening in multiple musical applications! I'm kinda freaking out on it.
    It's very natural, too, it feels natural having knowledge/ability I didn't have before.
    At least I don't THINK I had it before. Could it be possible my ears couldn't hear
    the truth in the past?

    And yet I know it's not my ears past - I know myself! And what I did before, plus what I
    was able to do. This new whatever-it-is must however be some sort of, er
    trackable phenomena. A measurable stage an artist can hit upon. I'd sure like to
    know how such things can come about - someone must've written about it in books.

    Anyway now that it's happening again (esp. w/ how my mind is wrapping itself
    around those bass lines), seems like I'm a lot more accepting of it. During Mischke
    rehearsals and the gig there was something about it which unsettled me. It was over-
    shadowing things for awhile there and I think scaring me.


    No keys this weekend! (strings or organ) - 99% sure that much I've decided. No
    drums I don't think til Dan is there and we have that extra man to mic my kit.
    ____________________


    Had a spiritual awakening while at the dentist.

    ~St. Thomas More, it's your day good father of mine, and I am remembering you ~
  25. Dr. K I have missed! He wore both suspenders (and socks) this eve, sitting close
    by us playing only the piano.

    The 6 youngest dwarves and I went to choir rehearsal...Anna the eldest will be
    a shoo-in as far as interest and ability but we shall see how this plays out.
    We came home w/ two copies of The Mass of the Guardian Angels.

    There was present only one other female adult singer; and since this was the first intro
    to my girls, I sang soprano that they'd be sure to hear the melodies. When I get to D
    above middle C, my (maturing) voice -in this setting- holds such body....I was shocked
    to hear myself filling that whole church. little me!! Even standing on the main loft floor, not
    the "risers" (which is where the alto's go, but also short people else their mouth is level
    and the organ blocks the sound. At least I always thought it did. I would've bet my life
    it did! But it doesn't matter. Wow!)

    This reminds me of an anecdote about Bl. Pio Nono, the 19th century Pope. As he was
    giving the Papal Blessing to a group, a woman was struggling to get the roasry out of
    her pocket amidst her children. Pio Nono waved his hand and said, "never mind, Mother,
    the blessing goes into the pocket, too."

    That's what the voice did!

    The lack of choral singing these past months has taken its toll on the higher register.
    Something's happened where I seem to have choral and pop chops separate. I do not like
    this. I think it's lack of having been in choir. Which I aim to amend, if possible.
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