From: Valuemetaphysics@aol.com
Date: Thu Jul 01 2004 - 00:35:20 BST
Part. II
As a member of ZZ Top, Dusty Hill was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of
Fame in March. For 35 years, Dusty's shuffles on classics like “La Grange,” “
Tush,” and “Legs” have made millions boogie.
How do you describe the groove?
The groove is philosophical, but if you want to get precise, it's time. (Nice
try from Dusty - but time is a formal static intellectual imposition. What i
feel Dusty wishes to convey is character of tension between patterns of value.
One may equally use a spatial metaphor and say that groove 'inhabits' a
'place' between rigid geometric walls. There may be a visual analogue of the groove
musicians understand?) Once the time is in your head, you can disappear into
it. (A very revealing metaphor - coherence is 'freedom from patterns and
freedom within patterns.' The degree to which this is maintained is degree of
coherence.) You can space out and go anywhere. (Now Dusty is using a spatial
metaphor himself.) It has a lot to do with the drummer—and you can't argue with a
drummer, because even if you win, they'll never admit it. (Interesting again -
here we see a relationship between two coherent patterns themselves in a second
order tension vying for coherence. As groove is a drummers prerogative, pride
dictates that he 'must' impose coherence!) Frank Beard and I have been
together for a long time and I've gotten very used to him. We've played together so
long that we never talk about it; we just do it. (Good friends, no fighting,
coherent relationship.)
How do you cultivate groove?
Even if they can't carry a tune in a bucket, people who don't play
instruments still have the groove. You can see it in how they move their heads. (Note:
There is an implication here that the best gig will be the one with the most
groove sympathetic audience - thus a social dimension is introduced.)
What helps you get into the groove?
Mood is part of the groove. If you're naturally moody you can use that, but
you can't afford to let your mood swing too much when you're playing music
onstage. I love to drive my car and listen to music. (I read this as 'peace of
mind.' If one allows one's coherence to be disrupted by wandering desires then
the groove is lost.)
A native of Jamaica, Phil grew up being schooled by the masters of reggae. He
has recorded with Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, and Jackson Browne,
among others. He recently toured the U.K. with the Doors.
How do you describe groove?
Groove is something intangible; (Quality) it's a feel when you play with
musicians. (A coherent relationship.) Especially with bass and drums—it's a
chemistry. (A coherent relationship.) You don't need to talk, you play—you go on to
another plateau. (Static patterns are dropped and a Dynamic point of view
emerges.) It comes from our inner sanctum, our culture. (Very interesting nod to
social patterns of value.) You can't write it on paper. (Not capable of
notated patterning.) It's always important to find the right drummer who understands
what I'm doing without me saying anything. I love playing with Richard
Bailey; we grew up on the same island. When we play, we don't talk, we just enjoy.
(High Quality experience.) It's like when you meet a girl and you have
something intangible, you don't have to talk. (Biological analogy. Biological
coherence.) It's like James Jamerson and Benny Benjamin from the Funk Brothers. (A
Dynamic relationship between creative elements is a strong feature of many
artistic endeavours - i include social and intellectual endeavour in my description
of art here.)
How do you cultivate groove?
I don't think you cultivate the groove; I think it's something natural within
you that oozes out. It's something that we are born with. Like a typical West
Indian musician—he might play a bit laid back, but that's how he portrays his
lifestyle on the fingerboard. (There is an appeal to innate value here.
However, it may be that Dynamic influences in formative years are more important
than Phil is giving credit for.)
(My emphasis.)
I could include a great deal more here but i think this serves as an
indication of the relationship of groove to coherence. One may consider the manner in
which sportspeople are 'in a groove' when playing particularly well? Do those
engaged in abstract intellectual endeavour feel themselves to be 'in a groove'
when ideas and solutions flow easily?
All the best,
Mark.
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