Marian wrote about magic happening, the zone...etc. I think this is what every musician strives for...those transcendent moments where the playing & singing become effortless...They seem to come when they will...you can't make them happen...I remember one of my most powerful times when that happened was performing with my neice (one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard..her harmonies are on several of my recorded songs) & I physically felt like I was sliding upon a silvery ribbon...that is the best way I can find words to describe the experience.
Another time it came upon my when I was playing in the round (solo) with two other songwriters (one was Caroline Aiken)... maybe it was the level of talent in the room that night that pulled me into the zone (I had only moments earlier almost fallen off my stool, onto the guitar, & off the stage, when I got my stoooopid clog heal caught in the rung...it would have been really embarrassing & probably quite painful...something caught me cuz I should have fallen...anyway the rest of my set was similarly visited with divine intervention...a very rare otherworldly gift). I love that music is mediative for you Marian! I have always felt the same way about writing & playing. I have especially been reinspired by George Harrison's music being very powerful in this way. A lot of Joni's songs are that way for me too. Crying- I spent a lot of time in some reeeeeeeally intense music workshops that focused on the emotional side of the songwriting process. I can't tell you how many people broke into tears when first delivering their songs to other people. I believe this is a very common thing when you are first exposing your words (especially) to others. That was the beauty of the workshops...that people could do this in a safe & supportive setting (much like a jmdl get together). For me, crying in front of others is worse than public speaking or death so my insecurities came out in shaking hands, legs, voice....but it truly gets better as you get comfortable playing your songs for others. I still revert back to this kind of fright when I am playing a new song for the first time to other people. It is like it is being birthed for the first time & it is soooooo intense for me! There is no practiced professionalism that might happen with other songs that I am used to playing...each new song takes me back to that 100% vulnerable place again. Its maddening (but good I think)! I just cannot wait to hear you play Marian!!!!!!!!!!!! I have always loved hearing Paz play Joni songs...Paz you nail every little detail & it is amazing to hear how you are able to do that. Her stuff is NOT easy to do straight up imho, it is easier to interpret your own way. She has her own inner rhythm that is really hard to nail down. ******************************************** Kate Bennett www.katebennett.com sponsored by Polysonics Discover the Indies at Taylor Guitars: http://www.taylorguitars.com/artists/awp/indies/bennett.html ********************************************
