I am trying not to gush here, but I just llllllooooovvvveeeeddddd this set of interviews. Thank you @
ynwtf for asking and thank you @
GulfportDoc for answering..I watched every single video on you tube ( yes I know they're all from one interview session ) and I was absolutely fascinated by it all.
Well Doc I feel I know you now. ( btw I won't go into detail but you remind me of someone I knew a number of years ago, Same genteel and articulate way of speaking, and same understated playful manner. He was a handsome devil too ) . So I felt right at home listening to you.
Some highlights of these conversations for me included:
- I liked hearing that what you loved most in playing in Frank's band was when you had the freedom to just solo off the top of your head- going to wherever the Muse led you. I do soundly believe that freedom is the ultimate goal of and( the universe's) gift to an artist - in any medium. Or to paraphrase you- just taking an idea to its end.
- I've known a fair number of musicians in my time and I have to concur that , even at a small potatoes local level, the 'manager' of these talented people always seems to be having a hand in the cookie jar. It's a cliche to be sure, but like a used car salesman, an agent/manager like Herb, despite however skillfully he paved the way for the Mothers, earned his bad rep . And I agree that many people of talent are 'vulnerable' to these predatory businessmen b/c of being focused on the joy of the art.
I' m glad you were ' only in it for the music' though- it's a joy that no amount of money can buy.
-And I love how you always had respect, appreciation and admiration for the ' greats ' you have worked with and/or met- whether it's Beverly Sills ( who you've mentioned in an earlier post ) or the great Duke Ellington. Whew - what a story about Duke, puts chills to your spine. I hope in later years he reaped more of the rewards he so justly deserved.
- And I' m impressed that you've met and played with so many people I've been a fan of - and purchased their music - in particular Lowell George who I didn't even remember being in Frank's band. ( I loved the song Willin' when I first heard it by Little Feat , and I still do)
This is terrific stuff Doc and I wonder, if you don't mind, if you can point us to one or two ' songs' or pieces on YouTube that you're proud of, and we can hear your drum solo., or other percussion. Could be Frank or the Captain. Or for that matter, a link to the Cincinnati orchestra.