The Spirit of KEVIN GILBERT...

Happy Birthday.

Would have been 53 today.

Another incomplete entry this will be I'm sure.

But I think what James Bickers mentioned to me many years ago about "The Spirit of Progressive Music is in..." and he mentioned people like Mr. Bungle, Hal Ketchum and some others.

Well I am going to CONTEND, the SPIRIT of Kevin Gilbert is in maybe most if not all the music I enjoy. At least among the artists that have made music since he died in 1996.

In a sense, the whole progressive vs prog debate, or art rock.

Like being progressive without trying to be "progressive," but just being artsy and emphasis something beyond a cliche or is purely style with no substance (Taylor Swift?).

So the Spirit of Kevin Gilbert is in Vonavi, or in Pepe Deluxe, or in Long Distance Calling.

Kevin's spirit, or the spirit/approach/integrity and interest in doing things for art's sake, is in 100's of artists/bands, thousands of albums, and Hundreds of Thousands of Songs.

Also by the way, I suspect there's a good percentage of the Kevin fans who have NO IDEA what the reference is at 5:34-5:42 on here:




"Marc Bonilla and I used to jam on Monkees tunes just for fun." -Kevin Gilbert (11/20/66-5/18/96)

Song for a Dead Friend

I don't want to pass along a ton of personal details about this, unlike say when I learned of James Bickers death or something.

But to at least add what and how I can, a classmate of mine from High School died recently. He was someone I knew, and hung out with occasionally.

He wasn't my closest friend, but at the same time, I knew him somewhat well, at times. And even just a few years ago I was contacted by him and we hung out 1 night.

Now, just as background, my High School was small, and my actual class/grade only had 49, so for the most part, everyone knew each other to a degree.

He was really the only one I even was in contact with from my class, and that was only back in 2014 when we did get in contact.

The more I think about it and remember things, the more I am feeling weird about someone I know being dead. I suppose he's not the only person I know dying, or even my age (at least 2 of my classmates from Grade School sadly, are also dead).

But I guess I am holding on to my memories of the times him and I spent together at least; many of which are in my memory, but I need more things to be jogged out to find. Probably paging through my yearbooks would do it, and maybe old photos. Unfortunately right now, that stuff is in storage, but probably wouldn't require a ton of time to track down at the storage space soon.

One other thing that I may or may not go through with, feeling today and recently, thinking about High School and the past, just about myself and my passion for music and things and THE CULTURE of friends I have kept, really since HS. It's a possible RANT or at least spilling of my guts, which may or may not be found to written about in here (there's other places for that kind of thing potentially).

But Rest in Peace old friend. Kevin Gilbert's sentiment with that song certainly fits how I'm feeling right now about him.

James Bickers Rest in Peace 9/29/16

9/2/17 10:15PM



Here's 1 (likely the only) photo I took with James and his wife Nancy from Prog Power USA February 23-24, 2001 in Lansing, IL at JJ Kelley's.

If I find the time and place, I may try and make a video talking about James and that experience soon. I dunno, maybe around the anniversary. I'm just kind of taken aback by how much learning about him dying has affected me. I suppose some of it is his age, but a lot of it is just as I posted below, he kind of inspired me to do this and just listen to something as important (even if trivial) as the music I listen to every day.

I guess in a way, more than say Earl Root or something, I sort of see or saw him as a mentor to me.

I suppose the likes of people I know a bit online like the Used Bin Guys, Jeff Wagner or Anil Prasad..or Lorenzo or Neesh I might feel similarly, but for some reason they feel more like contemporaries rather than someone I was directly inspired/influenced by.

Mind you, I only met in person James, that 1 time. These others I know, I only know online, but it would be great to someday meet in person as well (I met Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot at least once..but they aren't exactly as consumed by the same underground progressive rock stuff I am; nor is The Needle Drop or some other known music journalists).


8/29/17 12:38PM



http://wfpl.org/james-bickers-long-time-louisville-public-media-host-died/

http://www.whas11.com/news/local/james-bickers-longtime-wfpl-and-wfpk-host-passes-away-at-45/327803305

Shit.

Okay, this is really weird how I go to look up the quote of his I like and find out James Bickers, a guy I met at the 1st ProgPower USA festival and founder of Sea of Tranquility, the progressive rock/metal magazine from the late 90's/early 2000's passed away. Not yesterday or last week or month, but nearly 1 year ago.

And reading those articles, namely the 1st one, he was not all that much older than me being only 45.

I feel really bad for not hearing about this sooner.

I followed him on Twitter although I don't read the 900 or so accounts I follow religiously.

And so now taking this in, I will try and summarize my experience with him and his work (for now).

I 1st noticed him having a regular column and reviews in Progression magazine in the late 90's I think. He was one of the only people who wrote about progressive metal/metal in general in there, which being that i loved Dream Theater, especially then, and bands like them, he was 1 of the writers I enjoyed most.

Then Sea of Tranquility came out, and it was even more focused. Featuring bands like Pain of Salvation, Enchant, King's X, Fates Warning, and Queensryche.

It was a very well-made, entertaining, and even less-is-more read even compared to Progression. But it didn't last per time and money as I came to learn.

And I was really happy to meet him in person in February 2001 at the 1st ProgPower USA festival, which I was able to have an interview/chat that I later aired on KFAI.

That chat I must not deny, made a very big impact on me and my 25 year old music listening-self.

Among other things, just the fact he mentioned he had a mindset of being open minded with music, and listening to only progressive rock was as limiting as "only listening to Britney Spears albums."

The chat I transcribed I have posted I think more than once online, maybe in my old livejournal even and I would guess on multiple forums. In this blog? maybe once or maybe 1 or 2 other times. The quote about progressive music I know I have frequently.

But IT'S HERE anyway.

But since, I know he was a Renaissance man of sorts, not just with writing and music, but pop-culture and radio, and those links above along with his twitter account add to that.

He had a podcast I guess, which sadly it takes me learn of his passing to now check it out. But so be it, I imagine he would agree better now than never, etc.

Jeez, onl6y 45, and man who may have been far beyond his age's typical amount of wisdom.

I guess he certainly is 1 of the people who largely inspired me to do this and maybe more so, just continue to pursue music listening so passionately.

Also odd how his passing came literally 5 days after My Wedding; and back in 2001 when I was talking to him for those 30-45 mins or whatever, the subject of women came up. Sort of ironic timing.

Rest in Peace James. Sorry to now learn and include some memories of the experience I had meeting you now 16 years ago. The world will certainly miss your work, but myself and hopefully others will help carry on that open-minded approach to consuming and promoting art and entertainment (especially all kinds of music).

2 More RIP (a bit OT in a way)

I can't elaborate in detail about these 2 like Mr. James Bickers. But I wanted to also pass along the sad news of the passing of 2 others in my connections., etc.


The 1st being a gentleman named Cavis on the dredg fans forum who I guess I did meet and hung out with back September 2006 in Santa Cruz, CA.

http://www.bakersfield.com/sports/bakersfield-high-jv-basketball-coach-avis-dies-in-single-car/article_b3cd5ac8-5e46-5ce0-acf8-5a4a8b6c483b.html

Chris Avis (Cavis) was a taper and lover of live music, namely among the kind of stuff that dredg fans enjoyed. And he was the 1 who filmed and/or did audio for those full-album shows in Santa Cruz 11 years ago next month.

I hung out those 3 or so days with a handful of people I would see on the Traversing forum, and he was 1. I would have to see a picture of him maybe to remember better.

But Rest in Peace regardless. A Car accident which sounds senseless. He was a Basketball coach too which also sucks for not only his family and close friends, but the school and kids.


The 2nd being Jason Corsaro, who now learning was to MIX the new Ours album. He had cancer unfortunately, and lost the battle recently. It explains why the album hasn't been released, etc..which sucks, but is very much secondary. I don't know much more about him, but for some reason now I want to.

RIP.

http://www.ours.net/ourspages/news/7309/

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear friend Jason Corsaro. Jason was a caring, passionate, talented, inspiring, and hard working man. We were in constant awe of his work from the past and his continued desire to still find the magic in the recording studio. He was set to mix our upcoming records, but recently became too sick to do so. He fought hard, but unfortunately cancer won. We will miss him and we ask that you hold him in your hearts.
RIP
Jason Corsaro

edit: his credits as an Engineer and Mixer include Duran Duran, Power Station, Peter Gabriel, Madonna, INXS,  Ozzy Osbourne, and A-Ha among others.

http://duranduran.wikia.com/wiki/Jason_Corsaro

Dave Brubeck 1920-2012

http://news.yahoo.com/jazz-great-dave-brubeck-dies-170159725.html


Upon seeing this news on Mike Portnoy's forum, I added this little background about him in the thread:

oh man.
 
I should share a little Dave anecdote personally. About 12 years ago, I went to the inaugural ProgPowerUSA in Lansing, ILL and got to chatting with a journalist of a sort by the name of James Bickers. And we got to chatting about music, prog metal and then other music we thought was relevant. And James stressed to me about how Jazz is a form of music people who love progressive stuff should listen to. And he specifically stated, start out and listen to Dave Brubeck. "He's an older fella, and we don't know how many more years he will be with us. We should cherish him while he's still around. But the spirit of progressive music is in his music."
 
And ever since then, especially given I was trying to get into more Jazz at the time and soon after, I always associated Dave with progressive music and his old age. Kind of sad, as I guess I always kept wondering how much longer he had left. And thankfully, he remained with us for nearly 12 more years after hearing about him in that conversation. I sadly, meant to, but never got to see him live. Although at least his sons are still carrying on his legacy and the tradition of his music.
 
RIP. 

I have always meant to really spend more time with his music, as I only really recall listening to Time Out (and at least knowing of many of his others, 1 being Brubeck Goes to College I recall) But James Bickers was right. Perhaps my Brubeck fandom will go up a lot in the next 2 or at least 12 years.
I wish Dean Magraw had known about this last night, as he may have thought to try and cover something by the man. I imagine it could happen soon anyway.

edit: Check Out James's personal account here, of his experience with Mr. Brubeck. Wow, he sounds like such a wonderful guy, I really wish I had been able to see him live, :(.