|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By
Bruce Bressack
10/30/2003
Boomers
I've told my sons, "If anything ever happens to me, listen to that song, and you'll understand 'everything'."
I'm a "self-taught" musician with no 'formal training'...and no 'formal education'. Though I can't read or notate music, I've never let that stop me from writing songs.
Music has always been important to me. In each stage and phase of my life, music allowed me to unearth and express the 'emotions of the moment'......for better or worse.
During the Vietnam War, I wrote the song 'Canada' (about my cousin who left the U.S. to avoid the Draft).
While I have no proof, I believe this act haunted him, and may have been one of the 'emotional-daggers' that led to his suicide.
The song 'Family of Mine' was written about broken relationships.
Every time I play this song, people tell me about similar situations within their families. Their stories never surprise me, but they always sadden me.
While I say that I'm a "self-taught" musician, the truth is that I've "absorbed music" from some of the finest people on the planet.
Back in the late '60s - when I lived in NYC - Billy Arnell showed me chords that, to this day, are sprinkled throughout my songs.
More importantly, Billy taught me the importance of being a spontaneous musician.
In the early '70s - when I lived in Boston - I performed and recorded with Jeff McDonald. Jeff is a fantastically talented guitarist, whose instrumental pieces are filled with spirit and "soaring emotion".
And, when we 'played', our guitars and voices intertwined and complemented each other, like no other musician I've known.
More recently, a NH-based singer/songwriter named Joel Cage "humbled" me with his craft. So much so, that I devoted an entire column (and web-audio) to his talents.
Joel is a "working musician"....the highest honor, which he wears modestly and proudly.
Each of us has a song that touches our soul, brings joy to our heart, and tears to our eyes.
Music has embraced and lifted us all. And, we should always sing the song that's within us.....modestly, and proudly.
Bruce Bressack is a singer-songwriter, producer and freelance writer currently living in New England. He’s a 52 year old baby-boomer, ex-Yuppie, ex-New Yorker, guitar-slingin’, piano-slappin’, finally ‘retired’, television tube lover...
Bruce Bressack can be reached at bbressack@hippopress.com