Wednesday, October 8, 2003

Atlanta Question The Laptop - This is indeed a new instrument which can lend new dimensions to every performance. I applaud your desire to embrace its possibilities. I'm afraid, though, that no matter how talented the DJ, the live performance value is diminished when the only visible action occurring is the click of a mouse. At the risk of sounding too sci-fi, imagine a time when a musician must merely think of their part (or entire ensemble sounds) and these are taken directly from the brain to the speakers. What, then, becomes a concert? A communal experience where we all go watch a guy seemingly asleep in a recliner? Hmm. Will people pay to experience this? Your thoughts? The same argument was put forward when synthesizers came on the scene during the Eighties. You hold down a couple of keys and that replaces a whole string section. Yes, I imagine sometime during our lifetime I will see musicians with electrodes attached to their skull thinking music. I imagine it will become an art just as playing a cello is an art. What will count is not just imagination, but also the strength of the person's associations and of course whether s/he can concentrate well enough, because I imagine if the wo/man in the third row distracts a cellist's thoughts he can still go through the motions, but if you are thinking your parts you have to be able to tune that out altogether. You see, and I can't underline this strong enough, the average non-musician just cannot have the musical thoughts of a musician therefore s/he might be able to create some sounds and even simple melodies but could never think up truly beautiful and complex sounds and counterpoint. I think it would be truly interesting and fascinating and could be unbelievably beautiful. A last thought regarding the laptop. Miles Davis usually turned his back on the audience, was his trumpet playing any less captivating because of that? What about the keyboard player - you can rarely see his hands unless mirrors are placed above. 1:55:55 PM    comment []; Tue 7 Oct: Atlanta GA - The Roxy Like Dallas, Atlanta is a little bit of a mystery. We have great fans who come to see us wherever we perform, who are very enthusiastic and supportive...but we haven't really found a home here. The Roxy really isn't bad for a club, but also wouldn't be my first choice. Near the club is a place called Madeleine - French Pastry Cafe and I have breakfast and dinner there - I love French Onion soup. Lunch was at Rock Sushi , which wasn't great, but I hadn't had Sushi in such a long time that I enjoyed it very much. 1:55:39 PM    comment []; Mon 6 Oct: Jacksonville FL - The Florida Theater The Florida Theater is beautiful and it is nice to be back here. The audience is also wonderful, the kind of audience where after I make a mistake I get right back up and start reaching again. It is also very satisfying that our Jacksonville audience grows a little bit every time. Word of mouth is slow, but in my opinion the most powerful advertisement. Ah, and the sound of the Florida Theater is very nice also. After the show we load the 18-wheeler for the last time. From here we continue with a trailer pulled by one of the busses, while the truck takes most of the speakers and lights back to Delicate in California....For now we say good-bye to Leon, the world's greatest truck driver and his wife Glenda - both lovely people. 1:54:54 PM    comment [];

© Copyright 2003 Ottmar Liebert. Last update: 11/1/03; 9:39:13 AM.