Classic Albums: Paul Simon’s Graceland
I’ve been watching the Classic Albums series on Netflix, and the documentary I’ve enjoyed the most is Paul Simon’s Graceland.
I feel so inspired about the story of how Graceland was recorded, how Paul and the producer just recorded jams and then took those ideas and wrote songs from them.
I also am inspired about how the story of the creation of Graceland emphasizes how “failure” can allow freedom (and time) for creativity! Paul Simon describes how the commercial failure of Hearts and Bones allowed him to go off on a journey, since no one was really paying attention to him, and just create something new.
There are some powerful quotes from musicians in the movie that I’ve want to type out to remember them:
- “The beast in the human is to tell yourself something is wrong when it’s right and something is right when it’s wrong.”
- “Art shouldn’t instruct, it should invoke…”
Hope everyone is having a nice week.
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be playing at Midwest Fest in September! My appearance at the week festival is Tuesday, Sept. 25 at KAYA Coffeehouse (more info).
The festival has put together a free download sampler of all the bands playing this year. Download, share, and love some great music, many from Michigan!
Setlist from Rudyard Kipling 4/26/2012
April 26, 2012 – Rudyard Kipling
Louisville, KY
- Intelligent Fool
- I Just Want to Be Your Last
- Drift Away*
- Love & Be Proud
- Empty Cup
- Ohio**
- > One Way Road
- Damn Fine Day
- 500 Miles***
- Made a Mess
- Mahogany
* Dobie Gray cover
** Neil Young cover
*** Proclaimers cover
> Medley transition
Alabama Brown headlining our show at Rudyard Kipling.
April 25, 2012 – Performing Writer Showcase at the Fillin’ Station
Kingston Springs, TN
- Damn Fine Day
- One Way Road
- I Just Want to Be Your Last
Photo Credits: David Gordon & Cathy Kent Productions from PerformingWriter.com
