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Where does one begin when
sharing their qualifications as a reviewer of music? Ahh...the
beginning of course. I was born in April 1953, which makes me
an Aries. The very first Corvette and myself were born in the
same year, now that has all the makings of an auspicious debut.
A musical background is
probably in order, just so you can be assured that I understand what
is happening within in each disc I listen to, and offer a modicum of
accredited validation for some of my comments. My first musical
instruments? Dad's Ukulele and a homemade drum kit of rubber
and metal trashcans with the lids as cymbals. This didn't last
long though as I began playing the clarinet in grade school,
switching within two weeks to the valve trombone, in the band.
Late night AM radio transmissions would soon change that when I
discovered Motown and then the Beatles. The gravitation to the
sound of the bass guitar had begun and oddly enough was cast in stone
when I heard my first mono vinyl recording of the Bert Kampfert
Orchestra. It was the sound of an upright bass being played in
unison with a Fender Electric Bass Guitar, played with a pick /
plectrum, that cast the final die. I was captivated by the
sound of the bass. That was the sound I wanted to make when I played
music so I dove in and never looked back. Lessons, performing
in local dance bands and eventually playing weekends and performing
all over the state followed. This lead to touring the Midwest,
performing as the opening act for many national acts, and culminated
with two years as the tour bass player for a '60's act that had
received numerous gold records for their string of hits.
Retirement, due to health reasons, and the allure of studio recording
work, which I still do to this day, followed and marked the final
chapter in my live music career.
I also spent several years,
guiding the decisions of audiophiles, in the high end audio equipment
sales market, continuing the gear acquisition syndrome, and began
trading bass guitar gear in the search for the truth in reproduction
of musical nirvana. Alas this was a futile and expensive
effort, although in 2001 we are closer to the perfect source than in
the early '60's, and I have since curtailed my habit of amassing
playback systems that cost more than my house. A vestige of
this remains in the Audiophile's Note, soon to become just "The
Sound", section of my reviews.
Let us segue to a time closer
to the present when I became interested in working at 90FM, our local
University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Radio Station, as a community
volunteer. Initially it was certain that I would become a
substitute for the Classic Album Rock or the Blues specialty shows
the station aired. After meeting all of the other community
volunteers, read elder statesman of the airwave realm, I began
sitting in as a guest host of the Jazz Sides program and was slated
to have a permanent shift as an evening Jazz Jock. Lookout
Night Fly at WJAZ, BEAR is on the air. Sorry Donald, I just
couldn't resist the temptation. Karma kicked the door and it was not
to be. Precedence is given to students and the shift was given
to someone else. At the next monthly staff meeting it was
announced that Jimmy D, the originator and then host of the New Age
Sampler, was leaving the area and wanted someone to continue the
show. The shows time slot, six to nine on Sunday Mornings, and
the presumed, stereotyped, connotation of "New Age Music"
were unappealing to all but yours truly. I sat in on two shows,
discovered that Ambient and Space Music were included in the genre,
did a proper Homer Simpson Doh! Head slap, thunderstruck with my
newly found knowledge of where to look in the music bins for the
styles of music we, the reviewers at Ambient Visions, all love so
dearly, and took on the position as the Host/Producer of the New Age Sampler.
One Hundred and Eighteen
episodes (as of 02.11.01), three Web Site revisions, nine live guest
artist appearances, and over forty interviews, on the show.
Plus twelve freelance reviews, two sets of liner notes, and one New
Age Voice feature article later, here I am. Still hosting and
producing the New Age Sampler and writing reviews for Ambient
Visions. There were also other business ventures and a second
degree in Systems Analysis / Programming somewhere in-between but
those offer little or no insight into the mind or lifestyle of a
reviewer of Ambient, Space and New Age Music... then again...maybe
they do.
I deeply appreciate the
confidence placed in my writing style and abilities by Michael and
the Artists. I shall endeavor to gain your trust as a competent
reviewer and hope to enlighten your search for new and exciting music
through honest and thoughtful insights in my reviews for Ambient
Visions. I have been overwhelmed by the positive responses from
readers and artists alike so far and look forward to hearing from
more of you in the future. Please feel free, I really do mean
this as an open invitation, to exchange dialogue, and contact me with
your comments, any questions, and yes even nits to pick.
Soft Winds to all, Let the
Journey Begin.
BEAR
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