Storytellers… I love listening to musicians and writers talk about their lives and the creative process. Last night we watched It Might Get Loud, a documentary about electric guitarists Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White, representing three generations of great music. All different in their approaches yet appreciative of each other’s experiences.
Some of the clips featuring songs from Jimmy Page’s Led Zeppelin brought back memories of listening to the radio as a teen in the 1970s. The Edge’s stories about the strife in Northern Ireland tugged at the heart. And Jack White, the youngest of ten children, is such a quirky, inspiring and intense personality. (Yes, I’m a fan!) I used to read the lyrics from White Stripes album notes to my elderly father, who loves music but vehemently objects to electric guitars. Dad loved the lyrics and said they sounded like they would be great for the messages on the inside of greeting cards.
My patience was rewarded at the end of the movie, when they collaborated to play and sing The Weight by Robbie Robertson.
Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny,
And… and… and… you can put the load right on me.
Watching, I could not help making comparisons to a writer’s forum we went to a few years ago (February 2006) when Kurt Vonnegut was still alive. He was on stage with Joyce Carol Oates and Jennifer Weiner, again three generations, discussing how they go about writing. Following are Tim’s thoughts about that night:
It was interesting that the older the author the less they used technology. Kurt Vonnegut bemoaned not being able to find a typewriter and more, and on the other end of the spectrum Jennifer Weiner has a blog and uses her computer exclusively It was fascinating also the differences in how they viewed the creative process. Kurt said he just did it for the money and that delivering a manuscript to the publisher was like getting rid of a large tumor. Conversely, Joyce said that she feels the words flow out of her and that she has to stop now and then and remind herself that there were other things in life besides writing. Jennifer seemed to have fallen into writing, but was neither pained by it nor obsessed by it.
Very inspirational! I have been consciously seeking out creative people to inspire me, to encourage and support my journey as an artist, because I did not come from that background.
I think the days of the salon where the great thinkers and creatives once met have moved into the tech ages of blogs, computers, etc. So I am thrilled to follow their paths, blogs, twitters, etc.
So I am happy to read this blog and that Barbara you where inspired to share it!
I am Love, Jeff
Thank you, Jeff! It does seem that whenever there are biographies written about creative people, they invariably had a group of others like themselves who they met with often. They needed the encouragement, I’m sure. Would love to have been a fly on the wall in times past, listening in… You’re right, in our times it is much easier for artists to connect and encourage and inspire one another, and we do get to peek in at times! Wishing you much success and joy on your creative journey!
Barbara, it is so interesting to hear other artists talk about the creative process. Do you know Terrill from Gaia? She has a great blog called Creative Potager (http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/) in which she often asks “sprout questions” about our own creative process. She’s been quite inspirational. By the way, Tim’s insights about the differences between writers was so interesting.
No, I don’t know Terrill but I’ll scoot over there and check out her blog. Thanks for the suggestion, Kathy! Tim can always be counted on for a concise summary of things! 🙂
Thank you for the introduction Kathy and Barbara I am so glad you dropped by and we have the opportunity to connect.
I see you like film as well. You might be interested in connecting with Sam one of the writers on Wonders in the Dark http://wondersinthedark.wordpress.com He does a Monday’s Dairy that also has a list of other bloggers he reads. Most fun!
Thanks for visiting, Terrill. Will check out Sam’s blog… Thanks for the suggestion!
Good article.. but I can’t help but throw in that The weight was written by The Band, not dylan, he among thousands of others covered the song. The song appeared on The Band’s first studio album called Music From Big Pink in 1968.
Cheers.
Thank you, Tanner! I stand corrected! I was mistaken to have assumed that because the lyrics of “The Weight” were on Bob Dylan’s website he wrote the song. According to Wikipedia, Robbie Robertson, primary songwriter of The Band, wrote the song.