Spain

It's been a while since my last post,  I kept meaning too but I fell ill and did not have a lot of energy.  I just now am starting to feel better and can talk as I lost my voice.  Singing a song is still a ways off, so, as my friend Denise said to me, "Play fiddle tunes" and I will.

That being said, I made it to Barcelona and enjoyed it as much as I could, I did not play my banjo a lot and just tried to recover and get my health back.   I just left the city of Rota Spain and am now heading for the city of Cordoba. It has been a great experience and will continue in the USA as I begin to fix up Big Red and get on the road with my music.

Cheers and see you all soon!

Songwriting

My thoughts on songwriting

I have been asked many times how I construct and write a song. The questions are always the same, do I write lyrics first or the melody?  What inspires me to write a song?  How long does it take to write a song? And many more.  I will address a few of these and try to convey my thought process of songwriting in this post.

I have to say, in order for me to write a song I have to be moved in my heart, to feel the happiness or the pain because it seems to me that is what most songs have in them.
The first thing I would suggest to anyone who wants to write songs, is to write!  Always, and I mean always carry a small note book or pad with you, when you sleep have it next to your bed, when you travel have in your pack or purse always within reach. Buy something special that you like, a leather bound journal perhaps and make it personal.

I make notes all the time about how I feel, a word or phrase that might make a good lyric, something someone might say while having a discussion, or something I might overhear that sparks an interest.  I have files of notes written on napkins, scraps of paper, etc... And I keep everything.  I am always open and looking at whats going on around me, the people I see in the street, my friends lives, my life, a picture I might see, the look in a strangers eyes of hope, happiness or pain.  If you look, it's all around you...

I can't really say I have any specific way or order of writing a song.  What come first, lyrics, verse, chorus, or melody? There are no rules as far as I'm concerned. I do know that many times the first lines I come up with usually end up in the chorus of my song. I tend to, but not always work on the chorus first as I feel it really sets the feeling of what I want to get across to the listener, to move them the way I am moved. I always think that when I finish playing a heartfelt song, look up and see tears in the listeners eyes my message has been received.

As far as the tune goes, I will sit for days sometimes experimenting with chords and structure until it falls into place.  I would not want to put a bunch of major sounding chords into one of my dark or sad songs and vice versa, but there are always exceptions.  Other times, I will just hear a tune in my head in which case it's nice to also have within reach some kind of recorder, your phone usually works good.  My experience with tunes and lyrics is, if I don't write it or record it at the moment I hear it, I will forget it.  A song can take me an afternoon to write or years, I have many partially writen songs in files that I revistit occassionally.

My next post I will go over a song I wrote, where the lyrics came from and what I was feeling at the time.

I do hope you found this interesting and informative.

Thanks so much for supporting The Dan Project

Pierrefiche

Tuesday March 4, 2014 my three good friends Jonathan, Cristal and Simon picked me up at the Mosson tram stop.  Like always, I had my backpack and my banjo.  We managed to fit all of our gear into Cristals cool little red car and with Cristal behind the wheel, Simon in the navigators seat and Jonathan and I squeezed in the back; we set off on a trip to Simons family cottage located in picturesque Pierrefiche.

As we travelled we talked about many subjects, music, language, cultural differences and the area of Loziere.  I was also told of the Beast of Gévaudan, which terrorized this area from 1764 to 1767.  

We had a great week and I was educated on cheese, wine and French customs.  We played music, wrote new songs, hiked in beautiful sunny weather and even went sledding.  On the Friday I was sitting outside playing my banjo when I looked up and my good friends Andy and Camilla came walking down the path.  So unexpected by me and planned by Simon, Cristal and Jonathan. Hugs and kisses!  More food!  More wine more music.  The following morning we said goodbye to Pierrefiche and drove a couple of hours to a bluegrass weekend where I met more fun amazing people and played great bluegrass music with new found friends.  

I have learned, no matter where you go or what language you speak, music bonds people together.  I am so thankful for my friends and my music.   

My Views On The Banjo

From the first time I heard a friend strum his banjo, back in 1978, I fell in love with it and wanted it to be part of my life.  Since that day, the music has carried me through good times and bad, has brought me life time friends and opened doors I would not have otherwise touched around the world.
At one point in time, when I was broke, I considered selling my banjo, I wasn't playing it that much and needed rent and food.  My brother Tony told me, "Never sell your instrument, because when you are broke it gives you something to do that's fun and you can do it for free." Thanks Bro!

I have had the good fortune of having great influences in my journey.  I don't have one favorite banjo player, I have many!  I suppose like most banjo players Earl Scruggs was one of the greatest!  I would listen to my LP's in awe and work so hard on my rolls, hammer on's and pull offs.
The others include JD Crowe, John Hartford, Jerry Garcia, Bela Fleck, Danny Barnes,
Nick Hornbuckel and many more.

Everyone has a different philosophy on their approach and attack on the banjo, I have read, talked and listened to many players, some I liked and some I don't.  I have always had a hard time with players who always have to play loud and fast.  The banjo is a beautiful instrument and a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands. I would challenge those of you that play to become dynamic, to be smooth and tasteful, to stay out of the way when a singer sings and to sometimes not play at all.  Listen and be aware of all the musicians you happen to be playing with and do no harm.

I have taken lessons in the past and the two most influential instructors I have ever had are
 Nick Hornbuckel and Danny Barnes.  To this day I am thankful for my good fortune.
Both amazing musicians with very different styles.  Both, helped me not only with my playing but also with the way I think about the banjo and unlimited possibilities we have as musicians.  They encouraged me to listen to more than just bluegrass, to explore, to not try to sound like someone else, to develop my own style, to create.

So for now I will leave you with those thoughts and sincerely hope you will continue to endeavor your true passions in life.




 

Arrivederci Italia

As our adventure in Italy comes to an end; I'm watching a lighting storm over Mount Vesuvius and seeing Naples glow in an erie light across the water from our room. I am reflecting on new friends I have met, cultural differences we have encountered and the most amazing food I have ever eaten. I am thankful for all of it!

Since Emma and I arrived we approached each day without a plan, just going out into the world, checking it out and taking what may come.  The driving was always exciting!  This is a country without any rules for driving.  You turn when you want, park where and when you want, pass on corners, tailgate and honk your horn when the feeling strikes you.  Although it may sound like total chaos (and it is) I never witnessed one accident, one incident of road rage or encountered any hostility behind the wheel.  Funny how it works.  In the states you would probably be beaten up or shot for driving this way, or at least given a ticket by the police.  Should you ever visit here and you want a real thrill, take a drive from Sorrento to Salerno along the Amalfi Coast; the most nerve racking and exciting time I have ever had behind the wheel.. Watch out for the buses!!  They don't stop.

The people are all so friendly and so willing to help.  We have been helped when lost and invited into peoples homes to break bread.  Emma and I were in Sorrento having a cafe outside, we were watching this guy on the street, he seemed to know everyone, laughing, shaking hands, hugging babies, waving at passerby's, all the while people were buying something he had in a bag from him.  When the bag was empty he would leave and then come back with more.  He would smile at us and I finally asked about what he was selling.  He spoke no english but  handed a bag to Emma, it was full of fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese.  I asked him how much, he shook his head no, he would not sell to us. He put the bag on a chair next to us and continued to sell, laugh and talk.  We got up to leave and he handed us the bag, we tried to pay, he shook his head no, he smiled at us and waved goodbye.   Here is a picture of him, he did not give us his name.

I will never forget our good friends Enzo, Maria and Elio at Restaorante DA CARLINO in Peschici.  This truly was the highlight of my trip.  The kindness, friendliness and the most amazing food we ate in all of Italy!!  And they loved the banjo!! The next time I visit Italy this will be my first stop.  Should they ever visit America I will take great joy and honor hosting them and showing them my city.

Things I will miss; Rome, the most beautiful city I have ever been in, Siesta everyday from 2 to 4pm, all stores closed, giant fresh lemons and oranges hanging off trees everywhere you look, fresh fruit and vegetable markets, fresh seafood, stuffed barbecue artichokes sold Sundays on every street corner, the cliffs of the Amafi Coast and much, much more.

 CIAO!!  See you in Spain!

3 Days In Peschici

Peschici, Italy

February 14-19, 2014

After a wild ride from Rome to Peschici/Vestie, Emma and I found our way through narrow streets and alleyways to our airbnb in Peschici.  Located high above on the cliffs of the Adriatic Sea, we found ourselves at a beautiful stone house with a spectacular view of the sea and Peschici.

In the mornings we would sit outside and watch the sunrise as fishermen in small boats pulled in their catch for the day.  Truly a beautiful spot on planet earth.

Like always, Emma and I wandered through the village in search of authentic local cuisine.
As we walked we came upon a local outdoor market where vendors had arranged vibrant  displays of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses.  We stopped and bought bags of fruits and vegetables all for only a few euros.

We found our way to, Ristorante DA CARLINO.  We didn't know it at the time, but our lives were about to be changed!  We slowly walked by the ristorante and it seemed empty except for a women sitting at a lone table. She saw us, stood up and walked to the door then waved us inside all while saying, "prego, prego."  She sat us at a table (soon to become our table) and immediately we discovered we did not understand eachother. So, after many tries we came to some understanding she would cook for us whatever she wanted, the fun began and lasted for the next 3 days.

We learned her name was Maria, her husband, Enzo, began by bringing us fresh olives from the region, great red wine and homemade bread.  The courses came slowly and Enzo would say, "paino", take your time.  Every course, from the mussels and clams to the mouth watering pasta dishes were out of this world. Maria would come out and tell us about the dishes and Enzo would help translate.  I played my banjo for them and fun was had by all.

Their son came in and we were introduced to Elia (named after the protector of Peschici).
Over the next 3 days we were invited into Maria's kitchen where Emma learned how to make fresh Limoncello, and we witnessed a great chef at work. We met their daughter, niece and her brand new bambino. We sat and talked for hours everyday, our last day we showed up early around 11am to bring them a plant and thank them all for a wonderful experience.  We sat again, talked, had a cafe, breakfast, another cafe, an amazing sea food lunch of fresh clams, octopus, squid, grilled fish and white wine. At 5pm in the afternoon we were filled with sadness as we left our new friends, Maria, Enzo and Elia, all waving us goodbye as we walked away and turned the corner of the beautiful cobblestoned streets of Peschici.

PASTA, PASTA, PASTA

February 13, 2014
Termoli, Italy

Upon visiting the town of Termoli Italy, my daughter and I enjoyed a beautiful sunny warm Spring day in February.  As it is off season the town was very quiet and most restaurants were closed.
We happened to wonder into a quaint Ristorante-Pizzeria called, LA SA CRESTIA. We were greeted by a lovely young lady who had a wonderful sense of humor, as much as we tried to communicate in English and French she tried to communicate in Italian.  We all laughed and eventually agreed on what to order.

We both ordered Linguine Alla Santa Lucia (fruit of the sea) which was an incredible dish, filled with fresh Linguine, full headed shrimp, mussels, clams, octopus and other sea delights I'm not sure of. Served in a savory butter herb sauce that was out of this world! Accompanied by two fresh red hot peppers on a plate with scissors to add as we pleased.

The main course was so amazing we decided to order dessert. Emma ordered lemon geloto and I ordered coconut geloto.  The lemon geloto arrived in large hollowed out lemon rhine with a delicate piece of chocolate placed in the middle.  Mine came in a hollowed out coconut shell with a dark rich piece of chocolate in the middle. I am a chocolate guy but decided to expand my taste buds. And believe me, I was beginning to expand! They both were amazing, If you're visiting Termoli I strongly recommend this restaurant!

PS.  As we were finishing our dessert a beautiful lady came out of the kitchen with a huge pot of steaming soup, then like scene out of an old black and white movie, the family sat down and with a large ladle, served what I'm sure was a delicious family recipe to all who were present..Hmmm I want some!  

Ciao