Bellefonte Balladeer - jimcolbertmusic - Blog

Holidays and Health

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 09:44:48 -0800

As I type this, I'm sitting in an empty classroom, waiting for one more project to be turned in before I head home for Christmas break. It's been a tumultuous couple weeks health-wise; multiple infections and vasculitis that's left my legs, well, let's just say I won't be doing any pole dancing over break. Prednisone, amoxicillin, no alcohol, it should be an interesting break... but I'm thankful we have 10 days or whatever it is off, for me to rest up and just try to wear shorts, shun socks and take it easy. Cynthia has been an absolute saint in taking care of me. I just want to be better.

I've scheduled a few gigs for February; I'm optimistic about getting healthy again and getting out and doing some shows. Anyway, just wanted to say I hope you all have a safe, happy holiday filled with friends and family.

What is and isn't Folk Music

Sun, 25 Nov 2012 17:38:02 -0800

I always shudder at the discussions of what is and what isn't folk music. In part because I don't think I really care, in part because to some degree, it's all folk to me. But I wanted to share something Scott Sheldon wrote on the topic that I was moved by:

I have one more comment on this thread. In the back-and-forth about whether certain types of music qualify as "folk" or are (as described below) "rock and pop and god-knows what-else other than traditional," there has not been much talk about the value of contemporary singer-songwriter music and the community of singer-songwriters and audiences. Contemporary singer-songwriter music is all about meaningful lyrics, audience rapport, and a sense of community of fans and performers. It is almost always performed in an intimate setting, and its artists almost always make themselves accessible to its listeners (who, very often, are performers themselves). Our festivals (both the big outdoor festivals like Falcon Ridge and the conferences like NERFA) are celebrations of a vibrant community. Labels and biases be damned; this intimate music and the close-knit bond between its performers and its audiences make contemporary singer-songwriter music unique and important. To dismiss it as "acoustic pop" or criticize it because it isn't traditional enough is to miss out on something that we should be thankful for. -Scott Sheldon

Allow me to go one small step further - many of the actual singer songwriters who aren't on the higher rungs of the ladder, are also involved as volunteers or "near-volunteers" at venues, festivals and organizations, putting on house concerts, running soundboards, offering their couches to traveling troubadours, acting as folk djs, etc. Sharing freely of what they have, what they've learned, and of their time. If the idea of "giving back and creating a thriving acoustic music community" isn't folk, I dunno what is. In thinking about this year, my first time at NERFA, this riptide of community flowed so freely that it times it moved me to tears. As Pat Wictor said to me soon after I'd walked into the lobby for the first time, "You're among your people."

Yeah... that's folk music to me, and I'm genuinely thankful to be even a small part of this community. I love you guys.

Recording my thoughts about thoughts on recording

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:01:06 -0800

I'm guessing if recording is an ongoing project, it might be better served as blog entries rather than news. Went over to Frigo Recording last night and worked on the Clemente acapella song. Had a bit of a rasp to my voice; overall though I thought it went pretty well, given that, gender aside, I am never going to be Siobhan Quinn or Christine Collister in the vocal department. I'm really liking working with Marc. He's patient, accommodating and knows what he's doing, which is making for a pleasant experience out of something I've been very intimidated of doing.

A few years back I got to the point in live performing where, hmm, how do I say this? It wasn't that I stopped caring about what other people thought when i played, because I want people to enjoy and be moved by my songs and performance. It was just that I decided I was much more interested in how I felt about the performance, if that makes sense. I used to get very frustrated by going out and doing a show to pretty much the best of my ability, and having some well-meaning soul point out every mistake I made, and "what you ought to do is..." (which invariably leads into them wanting my music to be the music they like, whether it's more funny songs, no talking between songs, learn hammer dulcimer, do all covers, play more "jazzy stuff" - hey, I'm not making this up!)

I found I was overreacting and getting really down by reactions from people who really weren't paying much attention to what my music really is -- relatively simple, lyric-driven folk. i've been much happier since getting past that point. Doesn't mean I'm not receptive to thoughts, comments, requests, just that, to quote that immortal sage Popeye, "I yam what i yam."

But i tell you that to tell you this.

That is just about the point I'm starting at with recording. I don't have many pre-conceived notions about how this whole project will turn out, but I know that it will end up being MY vision, not someone else's. It's definitely a learning experience, and while it's going to be challenging -- it's challenging in a good way. I guess the biggest issue will be working through my limited level of technical proficiency to get a good starting point before I bring in my talented side-folks... but I'm more in the mindset that I'll do the best I can, and I'm not going to get upset over a few rough edges. My music isn't slick and glossy - and I don't mean to use that as an excuse to do something primitive sounding, I just mean, I also want ths project to represent the feel of what I do.

Of course, that all being said, I hope you like the final product!