After years as a clinician I should be accustomed to the cognitively impaired and perceptually challenged ..... but I'm still left speechless when asked what kind of music I play. I guess music is like electoral politics: people like to be told in advance whether or not they're going to like something, thus sparing them the onus of critical thought. So, while I sometimes reply,Ê "tempestuous, passionate, and mauve,." for now I'll just cut to the end of the chase and say:
I play good music ......
My work here spans thirty years, and it's never been formulaic. "Black Kangaroo," "Traveller," "Going Home," and "Beyond Help!" ......Ê a multi-generational compendium that includes — but is not limited to — power trios and heavy metal; blues, fingerpicking, and slide guitar; acoustic guitar, bowed bass, and cellos; chamber quartets andÊ tone poems; instrumentals with electric guitars and bass; instrumentals with electric guitars, bouzoukis, and mandolins; compositions for piano, songs with shakuhachis, and social commentary, editorials, and polemics.
I know there's something here you'll enjoy. And your enjoyment will be enhanced by your maturity. Sensitivity helps, sophistication is a plus, and so is a sense of humor.
Drinking helps ...... but it's not necessary.
Here's what i don't play: I don't play puerile, infantile, or regressed ....I don't play songs about chewing gum .... my heart has never gone flipsy-wipsy or topsy-turvy .... I have no songs about dancing the night away .... I've never written lyrics like: baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby oooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby mmmmmmmmmmnnnnaaaaa baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby oh pookie wookie, my l'il lemon juice, my l'il lemon drop, my l'il suckable munchy, I wanna suck on you wivout a stop, you are my slavering socket of delight, I wanna munch on you tonight ......
Although, now that I think about it, that's not bad .....
Well .... as much as I enjoy talking, and talking about my music, you'll do much better by listening to it. Welcome to my world: I think you'll like it a lot.
Peter Kaukonen