storm element
driving down the old highway
the car against the road is the low hum of the strings
the cars rushing past are cymbals and tambourines
the winds blowing in my windows are flutes and piccolos
the rattles in the car are the snares and castanets
the cicadas in the trees are the white noise of one million stratocasters
the cars blow their horns
the tyres drum on the bitumen
in my head the music goes round
the busted a.c. is a leslie cabinet
the australian sun is a spotlight
the blue sky a vast curtain
the miles are my songs
the years are my band
the long long years
it is australia any year
summer this is my 57th summer
the bell birds are xylophones and glocks
suddenly my extended metaphor tires me
my golden the falcon sings so smoothly though
my heart a bass drum bump bomp
my cough is reedy and percussive
my pulse is in 4/4 time
four on the flaw
i accelerate through space
i move constantly through time
i groove on my train of thought
some weird station has a weird show on weird music
such and such a composer exploring dissonance
dissonance is that a latinate word for racket?
i’m working on the film score in my head
i start to question my values on music
some pieces on the weird show are a racket
and some of them are actually much more than that
but i can’t understand the appeal of the racket anymore
tho i once told my self i was across a decent racket
maybe i was fooling whoever i dreamed i was
i am nothing fixed
although i drift towards a purer position
with music i mean
simplicity melody
the recombination of a thousand tiny tricks
i follow hunches
i listen to instinct
the very first thing you think of is often the best *
all the time
my lazy easy way of doing things
if you try you’ve already lost
it just has to come easy
easy come and easy go
like life itself
never grasp at it too hard
i made that mistake
i wanted everything at once
it was unobtainable to me at 16
i wanted it all and i tried n i tried
playing the bass was the easiest bit
i was up and running in no time
i mean you don’t have to mozart to go bang bong bong on a bass
so what… i was another contender making a row in a garage
i met some truly gifted players like dave scotland and dave young
young brilliant guitarists who could have gone all the way imhfo
of course peter koppes of whom it is hard to imagine
a time when he was not accomplished on a load of instruments
his understanding of music is that of an absolute master
his playing is filled with restrained power and melodic grace
his sound is vast and distant
sometimes its hard to understand what he is actually doing
to his apollo is martys dionysus
more abrasive more metallic more inflaming
thus they interweave both being ying and yang at anyone time
well that is today for you
the girls and i received some very nice gifts too
and i’m eating a bit of a gift now
but not looking gift horses in their mouths
i am grateful
australia is a nice nice place
i like my car i really do
it seems to purr
i drive on and out of sight
roll credits
* conditions apply
dissonance is that a latinate word for racket? Lol… I get that station doingthat a bit.. Yeah.. Noise..sometimes they evenget grants for noise..stellar bit of prose here Mr Kilbey.
Funny i never imagine you at the wheel. For some strange reason I imagine you with black sunglasses at the backseat of a limo.
Anyway, the car is the best place to listen to music and imagine new melodies.
Look at the rearviewmirror and “look what you´re leaving behiiiiiind”.
there are so many points on an eternal line
one here, another there, others beside
one another, the gaps between are like time
& space
knowledge
experience
success
hurt
renaissance
disappointment
ecstasy
wisdom
even the sublime
see the same line from a distance just to be reminded
that each point is critical to another as we combine
our experiences to help us progress and to shine
like the infinity from where we sprang once upon a time
all life is interconnected even when the rhymes
and rhythms of this mortality fall short of the divine
and leave us in a stupor where we lose our minds
and yearn for that something we can never have this time
our friends and spirits are there to help us survive
and redefine the colosseums of life
The unbearable lightness of been
Great blog today and nice shout to PK. Brought back memories of a simplier time with my Flying V and GK amp in the back seat and my sweet Jen at my side, she passed at the tender age of 27 from the evilest C. She pushed me harder than anyone to and beyond the fullest. I was a headstrong 18 yearold when she took me to see ya for the first time trip Chicago in 84. I was on PK’s side of the stage- u- she adored, I was jealous but didn’t have to be. Richard hung out and chatted with us, my lord we looked older than him. Bless Richard and you all for playing that night. And thanks for the blog of memories today. In 24+ hours, this pain doesn’t subside some, i’ll b in the ER getting a pain block which’ll hurt more than this pain anyways.
Wish me luck and that racket you here was and still fills my life to this very day. Why drive 27mph when I can easily go 127. There are some cohorts who have heard and seen me on ye olds blogee that can announce witness to that.
Safe drivings- hope the Falcon never stops purring.
AsAlways,
Dazza
Mozart, no. Bach maybe. There are lessons for us all not so easily forgotten midnight in the palace of reason. But with Apolo and Dyionisis in your band… What else could a time being ask for?
you’re lucky to work with two of the three best living guitar legends the world has… one and two in no particular order… also: [then] when there is a vintage TexMexStrat… 7/8 time upon impulse as it flares, gently back to 4/4 driving on.
I found this soothing – thanks.
It’s the little things that make you smile ! I arrived at work this morning to find a package on my desk, Isidore had arrived. Then I opened up my computer and read todays words from Steve . I am having a good vibration moment.
yeah, pete’s guitar work on refomation is pretty slick
As I was reading your blog I started thinking about Mozart…… All the things he heard and the craziness of getting the out in the open. Then you mentioned Wolfgang. I think I shall digest some Die Zauberflote tonight.
Best.
Jonathan
I found it soothing too, thanks Steve. Never grasp at it too hard, it has to come easy. That is so peaceful. I can relate. xxx Linda
In a two minute break from a busy day – it was an absolute joy to read such a flowing positive account of such a simple activity, a car trip. Seems like an orchestra of thoughts accompanied you on your journey. I hope their presence aides to help fulfill your work load. If not, I’m sure they were great company regardless. Treats in the glove compartment are always a winner.
There seemed to be a Salvador Dali feel to today’s image,minus the melting clocks.
Quote: I don’t do drugs. I am drugs.
Salvador Dali
Each morning when I awake, I experience again a supreme pleasure- that of being Salvador Dali.
Salvador Dali.
Take care Mr K and Family.
I’m really curious about the soundtrack you’re composing. And the film it’s for. Glad you’re feeling more upbeat. Yeah, Peter is amazing.
Dissonance…racket with only one plosive.
Still, I like it, but then again I like some racket too.
Home from a long trip to find Isidore awaiting. Oh, Mr. K, that patron saint of words is surely beaming somewhere. What a gem.
L.
it brings much other than appreciation si
am trying to make sense
you can help? x
Some Reverse Magic… Oh man, killer songs.. Life Somewhere else is such a deep deep track.. the right kinda morose…
I love when you do this…when you pull something so beautiful out of something most find completely mundane. Wonderful!
And now I want to go for a drive to listen to the music….
“maybe i was fooling whoever i dreamed i was
i am nothing fixed”
Love this…
So true.
Believe.
Nice. It’s like Madmax meets David Neil. Just make sure you keep your eyes on the road.
Just played priest=aura, perfect for a grey olde Sydley Saturday arvo.
It is a masterpiece, no doubt bout that.
Last nite went on a harbour cruise with Kevin Borich, Harry Brus and Paul Wheeler playing.
It was a great nite. So good KB recovered from the dreaded cancer. He was such a gentleman only too willing to have photos with him and happily signed autographs, he truly loves his fans. He looked great and played that guitar amazingly, as did Harry. U and Harry have got to be up there as two of the best bass players, as is Kevin alongside Peter and Marty as a guitar genius. Would be a super group if you all could have a jam. For a different type of gig a Church harbour cruise would sure be another nite/day to remember, give it some thought for something different to do.
Good news about your film score, may it get an award and take u to Hollywood, u never know.
Peace & love
Therese
why the hell do they make differnt xlr sizes? I’m 20 dollars in the hole trying to get this mic working! Is it even a XLR? I know somebody here knows this stuff. help meh!
nm, it’s a “Amphenol”. got it
the guitars on your albums are unreal…….but seeing you guys live, ah, that’s beyond words….
Love always….