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1/2/04
Happy New Year...
The new record is here. Just in time, too. I can't tell
you how excited I am about it. I think it turned out even better than I
think I thought it would.
The guys got together yesterday for what I called "The
New Year's Jammy Jam." I don't know if I would call it a proper
rehearsal, but we did work on some new material that we will be working
into the set. Fun stuff. I like the direction that some of the older
material has taken since Dave came on board last year. "The Academy"
has a life of its own. I love the way we are doing "Guinevere." "Julie
Ann" sounds very different from the version that appears on the record.
I've always thought it was cool when a band or artist rearranges an
older song. Maybe this is why I enjoy Bob Dylan's concerts so much. I
suppose this can be annoying for fans who want to hear what's on the
record. I know that in our case, it's more out of nescessity. It's
very hard to reproduce what we record on stage.
I'm really excited about the new year. I think you will
hear more and more from Lately David. The band is growing stronger. I
remarked to Danny earlier today that I remember when learning a new song
was a real chore for us. It seems almost too easy for us. I know this
is because we are better players and we know each other musically. In
our session yesterday, the four of us made the same mistake on "Queen Of
New York." It was really cool/scary. I've always found it awesome when
you can sense musicians breathing together. We are doing it more and
more often.
I hope to write here often, so check back. For now, I
will leave this as my first entry. Hope you've all had a great holiday
and new year. Here's to '04...
 TommyI like Danny's header for this page. He should never change it (hint hint).
Busy stuff going on. Updated all the fine products over at Cafe
Press. Jason Bell has worked very hard to make our record look
great. I'd like to publicly thank him right here. I closed down the
Tommy Burton Adventure the other day. I want to focus all of my
creative energies to this Lately David thing. I'm a little sad about
the site closing, but I really have no idea why. I haven't updated
the damn thing in forever. Perhaps it will reopen when I find some
creativity to pout into it.
I bought a ukulele the other day. I have a peaceful enjoyment
strumming the little darling. I'm hoping to write some songs on it.
It's so easy to carry and so much fun to play. I know why George
Harrison made such a fuss about them. They are truly wonderful.
I read today that Bradley has endorsed Howard Dean. I said a few
months ago that I would support Dean if he won the nomination. I
might be held to those words. I consider myself a Libertarian, but I
never would have thought that Dean would end up with the Democratic
nomination for President. He's too much a of a maverick. He doesn't
play by the "party rules" which is precisely why I like him. I'm so
tired of all the political nonsense. What this nation needs is
leaders. Too many of these guys know where there job is at, so they
play by the rules, because they know that it's their party that gets
them elected. I think the majority of the American people want to see
leaders, too. I may be an idealist, but I really would like to think
that. Dean is certainly ruffling some feathers within the Democratic
Party. He reminds a little of McCain in the 2000 election. It will
be interesting of others in the party will get behind or will they go
with someone more favorable like Clark? I'm still saying that Clark
will be the man by the end of summer, but you never know. Dean might
build up enough steam that the powers that be cannot deny him. It
will be interesting. It always is.
I can always vote for the candidate who wants to ban commercials in
the movie theaters. Is Ralph Nader going to run again?
1/15/04 I'm feeling a bit creative again. There's a few songs knocking around upstairs. I'm sure they will pour out of me in the next few weeks. I wish that I had the discipline to home my craft. Songs come out and I leave them. I usually do not revise. So, basically, what you hear is what I wrote. The process is different for different writers, but I sometimes wish that songs slowly crept out of my soul instead of jumping out all at once. I sometimes think that I might be a better writer if I let everything happen. Don't get me wrong: I never ever force a song. Everytime I try to write on demand, it never works. I can always pop out a melody, but lyrics have to gestate. Perhaps, they revise themselves in my mind. I'd like to think that.
Someone told me today that Dean is a shoe-in. I'm still not sold.
I really don't know if Braun's endorsement really matters. The
"Washington Bullies" are ready to tear him down. And of they can't
do it, then I know that Karl Rove and his gang are chomping at the
bit to get at whoever gets nominated. Politics is evil business,
and I shouldn't even talk about it. I am still drawn to the game
and how it works. Is this country really just a nation of mindless
sheep grazing on whatever the media feeds us? People, let's wake up
and elect some leaders. Take our country back and claim it. If
politicians are crooks and liars, then why the hell do we keep
electing them? Are they a true mirror of our society? How sad...
This past Saturday, I met Roger McGuinn, former Byrd and father of
folk-rock. Nice enough guy, although I was too nervous to engage in
any sort of real conversation with the man. He was nice enough to
sign my copy of Ballad Of Easy Rider LP and pose for a couple of
nice pictures. It's not every day you get to hang out with a rock
and roll hall of famer, kids. After the fact, I thought of a
million things I would have liked to have talked with him about.
Then again, I'm sure he is tired of talking about Gram and Clarence
and Bob and the whole Rolling Thunder thing. All I managed was a
"thank you" and a small discussion on how that Easy Rider record is
like a warm friend. Maybe that was enough. Perhaps I can get a
picture over here soon...
I'm moving this weekend. It hasn't set it fully, but I am excited
to be able to control more of daily goings on. More on that later.
In the meantime, I hope all of you are well.
TB
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