I'm Done (part two)

Music is my passion. A piece of me is lost without it. I’m not that good in terms of technicalities or to be tagged as a master in this craft, but, I can tell if a person had a high-caliber skill or a beginner with a natural-born-talent. I don’t need to watch him/her play instruments or sing a song, my heart can tell. Maybe it’s just natural for someone to feel that way if he’s/she’s been playing music for more than 15 years. I should have followed my heart when I was planning to enroll in Conservatory of Music instead of listening to my Mom discouraging me to take that course. If only I have spend more time with music and with proper learning process I could have become a better musician than what I am now.

Leaving me no choice, I left my band and focused in my profession. But, I was still hunted by my obsession. I organized a club and named it Musicians Guild. At first I was too excited having gigs, performing on stage, and helping them develop their skills. I was pleased hearing good feedbacks from audiences when being invited to play in some occasions and gatherings. During our 2^nd year I told myself that maybe it is time for them to play without me and to perform on their own. It was a success. They somehow became “famous” inside the campus.

But that was just temporary. Attitude problem came out on other members; they were not following my advice anymore. Others are secretly practicing just to avoid me in criticizing them, but what I’m doing is for their own good. We already have exerted too much effort on this organization and just one simple mistake would lead to humiliation. I don’t want that to happen, but it did.

I tried to revive the reputation of the organization and somehow it worked out well but still some problems occurred on the other members. I thought that they’ve learned their lessons and thinking that they would shift to the next level in music rather than playing songs that are overplayed in FM stations (especially that “C” band from “C” City). Well, I can’t blame them for their choices of songs; we have limited resources here in our town. But, I was expecting that after putting up this organization and seeing me playing Heavy Metal/Jazz/Latin music somebody would approach me asking about chord progression or simple scale application rather than asking me chords of those emo songs (WTF? You can actually identify how-many/what chords they are using just by listening). As I’ve said, I don’t know that much but I’m willing to share. I gave them instructional materials but they ignored them.

I’m tired. I already earned respect from some fine musicians that I’ve met and I don’t want this to reflect in my reputation. After posting this in my blog, I am officially stepping down as the adviser and co-founder of this organization, leaving them to my co-teacher who is also interested to join the organization.

I did my best but maybe my best wasn’t good enough for them.

I’m done…

Musicians Guild (part one)

She's finally mine...

It was last year when I first saw her… she has this aura that makes me want to come closer as though she was calling me. I was a bit hesitant to move towards her because there were already some guys who are flirting with her. I was jealous, I want to grab and move her away from those idiots because I know that, I am far more better than those trying-hard wannabes but, I just keep silent, stare at her and listen to their conversation. Damn, how I’d long to hold her in my arms even just for a minute or just listen to a single note of her Spanish accent. But these morons don’t have plans of leaving her alone. I was totally pissed off and went home, I can’t get her off of my head, day and night I think of her, I was charmed by her beauty.

Few weeks have passed, I went back. Lucky me, she was alone and at this time I did not hesitate to go to her and hold her. We spent almost three hours of talking and holding each other but this is just a passing pleasure and passion, I can’t take this anymore, I must have her, I’ve got to tell "wifey" about this and face the consequence or else somebody will get ahead of me.

Again, I went home and honestly open up with "wifey" about her. At first she cried out and reminded me of everything we’ve planned, but I explained about what I’ve felt and my obsession towards her. Their was silence, she look at me in the eye and nodded, "wifey" finally agreed, I kissed her as though it was our first time. So, we went back together. At last, she’s finally mine. My first cx-40 Yamaha acoustic nylon guitar.

Musicians Guild

Year 2004 when I decided to quit my job as a part time instructor in Forways Computer School Inc. and giving up what I love most, my night job as a musician. In one of the band I was with, my bandmates were inviting me to try our luck as entertainers in other countries. A bandmate from another band (I have 3 gigs/week with 3 different bands) was telling me that he can find a job for both of us as musicians on a cruise ship but my decision was final. I have to look for a stable job with a better salary, so I decided to return to my hometown and apply in PSCA (Polytechnic State College of Antique), where I finished my high school. I got lucky and was hired as a part time instructor, “again”. Well at least the salary was twice bigger than that of my previous employment.

Music was really in my blood even when I was still in elementary. I miss performing in front of the audience, I miss playing my solos in every song, especially performing with my mentor playing Latin-jazz music, I shouldn’t have left the city. But after a few weeks of fine-tuning to my new environment I met this speed talker student (arsenio), a younger brother of my classmate in high school, we talked about new school music and he’s quite impressive with those kinds of genre. He was just one student whom I have talked to who seemed to have a good understanding of music. Sometimes I can even see some students bringing acoustic guitars to school. During one of our conversations, I blurted out the idea of gathering all these students who can play music and put up an organization. And he agreed. So together, we planned everything, wrote letter to the personnel in charge for the approval of putting up an organization, (prof. Sixto Sibugan, the person who supported us from the very beginning).

After submitting all the requirements we were finally ready, but where should we start? What shall we do? Anybody might be interested but are they qualified? We don’t want to have members who were just pretending to be musicians.

So we came up with an idea, a live audition. There were 15 of them and only 9 were qualified. After a few weeks of briefing and a little of workshop “thing” (well, actually it only happened once) we tried to look for a gig, even to the point of helping candidates for student council office, in exchange of a single exposure once they were already in position, but we were duped (I was really naïve to believe that school politics can be clean!), after that, we decided to go independent, stand on our own, organize an event without the help of other organizations, even if some expenses came from our own pockets.

I had to select the fast learners so I can easily prepare them for gigs on big events and some school activities but still, I had to perform with them on stage, these kids still need more experience and guidance in performing in front of the audience, yeah, damn audience it took us 3 years before our efforts were totally appreciated and this time, I enjoyed my part being the host of our event and not being a performer but still, I grabbed some moments to jam with them (thirst quencher)… hehehe.

A night with Gregg Rolie...

Gregg Rolie is responsible for co-founding two phenomenally popular, multi-platinum many times over super groups... SANTANA and JOURNEY.

In 1998, this world class musician, writer, producer was inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall Of Fame as the original voice of the Santana band. In addition to launching. along with Carlos Santana, the now legendary act, Rolie also co-produced their first 4 groundbreaking albums. His singing talents will forever be immortalized by his unforgettable lead vocals on the classic Santana hits "Black Magic Woman" "Evil Ways" and "Oye Como Va".

Some 35 years after Gregg and Carlos fortuitously met in San Francisco, the year 2001 marked the release of Rolie’s third solo album ROOTS, featuring the lead track "Give It To Me". The first-ever release on Bay Area based Tower Records’ new proprietary label 33rd Street, and Rolie’s first CD following a personal hiatus, ROOTS finds Gregg revisiting the incredible brew of sounds he helped conjure up in the late 60s. Recalling those heady days, he remembers "It was an amazing time. We created something that no one could fathom … it was about the rhythms and solos more than the songs. It wasn’t Latin music, rock music, the blues — not any of the above. It was a combination of all of them". Rolie calls ROOTS’ 12 original selections "Latin rock plus … the instrumentation is Latin percussion, with organ, guitar, horns, and lots of great solo work and songwriting", adding that "I really wanted to go all the way back to my Santana roots".

Gregg currently tours with his band, The Gregg Rolie Band. And, hopefully, for a long time to come. Read more…

As we arrived at the SM City car park, me and my wife hurriedly went inside (a part of the car park was closed for the venue of the concert) to look for a vacant seat but there was no seat that were provided for the P300 worth of ticket (tickets were sold for 2500, 2000, 1000 and 300). Lots of people arguing about the set up, as I was looking at the crowd most of them are professionals, age ranging from 30’s to 60’s, only those who bought tickets 1000 and up were provided seats, I checked my celphone for I was expecting a message, it was scrptuz… “pre, nandito na kami ni misis, asan kayo, naka stripes na shirt kaming dalawa, kumakain ako ng hotdog” describing, for that was our first time na mag meet. They were only few feet away from were we are standing, lumapit kami, after introducing each other we chatted about threads and people in highfiber, it was already 9 pm, the concert suppose to be will start at 8 pm, wala ka namang magagawa dun kundi ang maghintay, d ba?

Then the show starts with an invocation and an opening message from the major sponsor (parang graduation)… the silence was transformed into a sound of applause when the band was walking up on stage, they start with their first song “Jingo” everybody was yelling and screaming, I was still hoping that Carlos Santana will appear out of nowhere to perform with his former bandmates (asa ka lang boy). We were surprised when some people from the event telling us to move forward, guards open the gate and the next thing is we were already sitting at the 2000 worth of ticket…hehehe. A couple of songs were played then there was a little bit of silence and I screamed “SAMBA PA TI!!!” I don’t know if they have heard me or it was already in their playlist and the guitarist make his intro for that song…

Adrian Areas(Timbales) do a solo, and also Michael Caballero (Congas), both played with Carlos Santana for 40 yrs. the guitarist plays like John Petrucci of (Dream Theater), the keyboardist also done some melodic tune of Kevin Moore(a former Dream Theater), also a former member of the Santana was Alphonso Johnson (Bass). But I think everybody has set their eyes on Gregg Rollie (Vocals & Electric Organ), as they play their famous song Black Magic Woman and Oye Como Va, his voice hasn’t change, still the same voice when you listen to their 40 yr old album… the show ended, everybody was pleased and satisfied for a one hell of a concert, but I was not bit satisfied for I was still hoping that Carlos Santana would show up…lol. Scrptuz and I part ways after the show.

It was an extraordinary evening, listening to a world class, hall of famer musician…

RUPTURED

I was invited to judge in the annual battle of the bands sponsored by the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity/sorority last Friday night at juan’s resto bar in iloilo city. First they had to undergo a live audition w/c took place last May 12 for them to be qualified for the final round. Supposedly I was one of the judges for the elimination round but due to typhoon caloy the said event was moved to May 20, a date I was not able to accommodate due to my hectic schedule (as if), so a friend of mine took my place...

There were 18 competing bands and only 12 were able to qualify for the final round. Before the event started some of the contestants whom I know approached me and tried to bribe me with “RED HORSE” after the show… good thing I had a dentist appointment the following day so I was able to ignore the offer (sayang). Each band is expected to play three songs, either cover or original composition.

One of the criteria was voice quality (25%) and all I can hear were the shouting and growling of the vocalists. I only heard the first three bands yet I was ready to pack up and go home. The entire time, I was texting my friend cursing him for the bands he chose to qualify for the finals (what lousy choices)… some bands brought their own dancers but sadly audience impact was not part of the criteria. My interest was revived when one of the bands played war pigs by black Sabbath w/c was followed by another band who played sweet child of mine and welcome to the jungle by guns n’ roses. But I was not able to hold back in joining the crowd in singing and head banging when a band played Sad but true, Sanitarium and One by Metallica. Finally I felt relieved to realize that old school metal is not lost…

During those times when we were the ones facing the judges we were more concerned on the technical aspect of the music rather than choosing songs that were more popular but less challenging… some kids now a days think that playing some chords qualifies them to be tagged as musicians and compete on stage without any regards on the talents that they may or may not have, rather they focus on short term fame or the certain “COOLNESS” that comes with being a musician…

This does not only happen in iloilo city since some of our “FAMOUS” local bands depend on their overnight fame and face value and not on the “TALENT” that a true blue musician must have.