Musical Genius

Bill Engvall once quipped that he was 45 degrees off cool. I find I'm very much the same way. By the time I learn about a new musical group or new artist they seem to have become mainstream. I only seem to watch TV shows after they have gone off the air. I'm always a step or two behind.

But I thought I was good with my new discovery, until I talked to my sister.

"So I've found a new musician who is just amazing."

"Who is it?"

"Andrew Bird"

"Oh yeah he's great, lots of whistling".

So apparently my sister and half of Des Moines knows about Andrew Bird. I had very recently missed his concert at Hoyt Sherman (a beautiful and tiny venue that would have been perfect to see him perform). But I guess he had performed this past year at our new music festival in Des Moines. I'm so behind on the times. The internet is flooded with videos, interviews, and fan sites. Not a newcomer by any stretch.

But it's with good reason that he is getting recognized. The man is a musical genius. Andrew Bird is a classically trained violinist, who has branched out from classical into a more alternative musical style. He stands on the stage, with a single drummer behind him, and plays the violin, the guitar, a glockenspiel, whistles, and sings. Using a loop track he can create music that would require multiple musicians normally. Here is a video of him performing Imitosis where you can watch all the transitions.

Andrew's lyrics tend to be verbose, using more three dollar words than some textbooks. Each song of his has an incredibly different sound and it is said that he hates to repeat. That can even include choruses which he uses pretty sparingly. His lyrics are interesting and create more of a mood than tell a story. He is more interested in combining rhymes than sometimes making sense. But you listen to him for the music. His violin playing is beautiful and sometimes offbeat. He likes to pluck the violin to produce unusual sounds. His guitar playing is excellent but it's been his whistling that most people mention. He has been described as a virtuoso whistler. I can whistle about three notes, his can run the scales. It is haunting and beautiful. The gorgeous video of Spare-Ohs showcases it nicely.

I've read quite a few interviews with Andrew discussing his play style. I guess he starts by just playing with sounds. He lives out on his family's farm in Illinois and uses the barn to just mess around with different sounds, melodies, and styles. His pieces performed lives sound very different from his recorded works but they are both good. He has been listed as an artist that is just as good live as recorded (a rare thing).

So I missed seeing him in concert last month but I won't make that same mistake again. It's not often that a musical genius comes around. I plan to see him the next chance I get.

Bernie

As a state employee I get tomorrow off. I'm looking forward to hopefully sleeping in, getting some things done around the house, and maybe some reading. When I first started working for the state I thought I would get all those wonderful bank holidays as well. You know, the ones like Columbus Day or President's Day. Instead I get Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Veteran's day only. Not that I'm complaining. Most people don't get that. 

So Veteran's Day is tomorrow and I should be thinking of all the soldiers overseas who are serving our country. While I am a Pacifist, I still support our troops. I may not like why they are there but I can certainly show my appreciation. 

But Veteran's Day always makes me think of Bernie. The year I was born my father decided that he wanted to take up the guitar. He signed up for a continuing Ed course and it was there he met Bernie. Bernie was in his mid fifties and my dad was in his mid thirties but they struck up something of a friendship. After the class was over Bernie would come over once a week to play guitar with my dad. I grew up around this man. It was so regular to see him each week that in the summer when he was up at his cabin was strange. There are certain songs, like Greensleeves and Edelweiss, that I can't hear without thinking of my dad and Bernie. 

Now Bernie is a veteran. He gave his leg and most of the movement in his right hand to World War II. He was doing artillery for the Army when they were hit by a randomly aimed shell. Three of the guys in his group died. He was happy to have just lost a leg. He would tell us stories of being lost at sea on a disabled destroyer. He told us of his time in France. But mostly I learned about attitude from him. 

Bernie could have come back as shattered as his leg. Instead he remembers just being happy to be alive. He worked for years at the Veteran's Administration, working his way up the chain. But it was when he retired that Bernie really started to work. He started a band, called the Old Timer's Band, that plays in retirement homes and community centers for free. You would think that would be easy. A great volunteer gig. But Bernie takes it seriously. The band did 363 gigs last year. There were days when he would do two gigs, traveling miles between locations. Sometimes they come in the summer when the weather is nice, sometimes in the snows of winter. Bernie says he loves it. He can't imagine doing anything else. And for a man of 88, with only one good leg, he certainly gets around well. 

His attitude is what makes me so impressed with him. Bernie will tell you he's doing what he loves. He lost his wife two years ago, and he could be feeling sorry for himself, but he is constantly thinking of others. He knows the older people love to hear the music so he goes. He loves to play so he never misses a gig. So tomorrow, even as I look forward to it as a day off, I'll be thinking of Bernie. Even though we're expecting snow he'll be out driving to his gig. I just hope I have his energy when I get older. And his attitude.