JCHRants

A compendium of musings on music and this business we call show

Schedule Change: Charlotte & Atlanta

03.8.2017

Please refer to the gigs page, we’ve had to reschedule the shows in Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA to the second weekend in May. […]

Dance Like No One’s Watching

03.7.2017

Hmmm..., Music Appreciation

Just don’t do it in front of me!

Look, everyone (at least everyone on PBS) espouses that lack of self-consciousness. But they don’t really mean it. Not really. Because we all know that if you actually start doing anything like no one’s watching–and someone’s watching? The men in the white coats are surely on the way.

So for most people, that line is just another phrase like “Speak your mind!” and “Don’t sweat the small stuff!”; nice thoughts that show up on cheap greeting cards, but no one expects (or even desire) people to actually do.

But still. What does one do if your job actually depends on living with that lack of self-consciousness?

As Rog and I were discussing last week, I recently watched ‘You Can’t Take It With You’. For those of you who poor souls who have not had the same benefits of […]

What Do You Do All Day? (Self-Consciousness Part I)

03.2.2017

Culture, Music Appreciation

Self-consciousness. You Can’t Take It With You. Frank Capra. Lawrence Of Arabia. Masturbation (again) vs. Composing.

Roger CortonWe’re once again in that in-between time.

JCHYou mean all those months and years when people wonder what the hell I actually (cough) ‘do’ all day?

RCWhat do you do all day?

JCHYa know that kills me. Because every woman I’ve ever been with who was not married to me wonders exactly the same thing. And I’ve decided that it’s one of those great big lies that people tell in order to get along with one another.

RCWhat great big lies? He said, not really wanting the answer.

JCHA couple come to mind. The first is, like I said, “What do you do all day?” People with ‘normal’ jobs simply don’t ‘get’ how much work this so-called career is. I’m not whining.

RCIt sounds like whining.

JCHIt’s not whining. I’m just saying that it’s one of those deals that […]

I Dreamed Of You Tonight – Snippet The Boats

02.21.2017

Opera, Songs, The Boats

Another snippet from the new opera, The Boats called I Dreamed Of You Tonight. Rock Opera vs. Real Opera. Naked Lunch. Slippermen. Relationships. Inigo Montoya and The Princess Bride. Bohemian Rhapsody. The Elevator Pitch.

Roger CortonA new snippet. This is exceptionally beautiful. I’m starting to hear a theme in the all the snippets you’ve put up.

I Dreamed Of You Tonight (Snippet)

JCHOh, it’s all connected, that’s why it’s taking so damn long. It’s just so personal.

RCBecause it’s your family story?

JCHWell there are also lots of things going on in my ‘real’ life, right now, but yeah, it’s been tough teasing out the story. See the thing I keep trying to get across to fans is that these are ‘for reals opera’, not ‘rock opera’. Progressive Rock fans talk about ‘rock opera’ all the time and I find myself channeling Inigo Montoya

RCFrom ‘The Princess Bride’?

JCHYes. As he […]

Vinyl?

02.15.2017

Albums, Recording

It’s poll-takin’ time. Do we want vinyl versions of JCHMusic? And if so, which albums? Politicians. CD vs. Vinyl. Accurate vs. Pleasant. Hi-Fi vs. Happy-Fi.

Roger CortonYou’re interested in vinyl? YOU? You who has called vinyl, “vintage snake oil”

JCHAs the politicians say, “My position on this issue has evolved, slightly.”

RC(laughs) Well, you’ve got the attitude to be a fine politician. What changed your mind?

JCHYou mean why has my position evolved?

RCYou’re such a hypocrite.

JCHBe that as it may. The will of the people has been made known. And I must follow THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE!

RCYou are joking, right?

JCHWell, I am trying to move more product, dude (laughs). And for whatever reason, vinyl albums don’t seem to be a ‘fad’. They actually seem to sell with my demographic. And I embrace my demographic.

RCAs well you should. But they’re also big with all sorts of music fans.

JCHI […]