To All My Friends, Happy New Year and Many Happy Returns! It’s been a bit of a crazy year, but let’s not worry about the tough stuff. It was productive if arduous. I spent a lot of time working on a new album which will be ready soon. A lot of great lessons and students coming and going.
Recently I read a bunch of music biographies, especially the highly recommended one by Woody Woodmansey, the drummer for the Spiders From Mars, David Bowie’s great band in his Ziggy period and just prior to it. Of course, I had to follow that with David Bowie: A Life, which is also a great read although quite a bit less down to Earth. An oral history, it includes many forgettable accounts towards the end but there’s still plenty to recommend it and it’s a must for any Bowie fan. Not definitive but then how can you define David Bowie?
Woody’s (not that Woody, but more on him later…) book also led me to the great Deluxe version of Elton John’s Tumbleweed Connection, an album that I’ve never really listened to other than the hits. Great album! A real gem on the deluxe version is the original version of "Madman Across the Water" with a smoking performance by Mick Ronson on lead guitar.
Some upcoming projects for my blog include a transcription of a Gary Clark, Jr. solo and a transcription of a masterpiece by the great Ron Wood. I’ve got a gig coming up with Mancie at the LIC Bar on January 17th and I’m really looking forward to that. I’m also really looking forward to 2018. I always look at what I want to do in the new year and this one is no exception. I’m hoping to play a lot of music and write more songs. I wish you all the best! -Christian Botta