I was deep in the weeds on a creative project. I couldn’t find my way out.
The vision for the project was strong and clear. It inspired passion, and I was excited about all the possibilities.
It became so torturous that I was about to throw in the towel.
The options for the way out were endless. I couldn’t make sense of any of them.
I was losing faith in weather lives would be changed by the project. I wondered if anyone would find the work meaningful.
I knew there was a gap that this project would fill and I was the one to get it done with my unique spin. In the back of my mind, I entertained thoughts of how I never really enjoyed this style of release, and not many others did either.
It seemed like I was dying a slow death. This old quote about creativity came to mind.
“Writing is easy. You just open a vein and bleed.”
– Unknown
If creativity is so fun and wonderful. Why does the creative process have to be so excruciating?
My predicament was validating the stereotype of the torturous life of the starving artist.
Why couldn’t I land the plane?
The realization came to touch one life. If one heart were moved, then it would be worth it.
In other parts of my creative development, I found it fruitful to seek outside counsel.
With a Rolodex that rolls deep, one name came to the front. My old friend Bob Falcon. I knew he could take care of that business.
Be the one guy to call when you get in a jam. That’s the essence of positioning.
Reach out and get in touch. It’s a good axiom, as long as you don’t cross a line.
Well, we made it out, and it is my pleasure to announce the project.
A Touch From Jerry
The inspiration for the project came from the latest Jerry Garcia Band release, Electric on the Eel. The 6 CD set chronicles three JGB shows in 1987, 1989 and 1991 at the same location, on the banks of the Eel River.
I have found the Electric on the Eel shows to be very enjoyable. What I realized was how this release this releases enhances the Jerry Garcia Band oeuvre.
There is the original set that ignited the flame and countless other moments that kept the juices flowing.
The desire to capture some of these moments in a cohesive mixtape started to burn within. I knew that it 90-minute mixtape with a clear break for at 45 minutes for a tape flip.
The constraints of a mixtape became restrictive, but all great things make limitations seem expansive.
I had reservations about making a mixtape of live recordings. Most of the time I would rather listen to a set in the sequence the artist decided. Live collections can be worse than a Best Of or Greatest Hits release as the sound quality and mix is patchy.
These reservations compounded and I wondered if I should just scrap the project. Nevertheless, the realization came, if one heart is moved, then it would be worth it.
Bob Falcon’s influence was the guiding light that I needed. Not only was he the creative director for my college life, but he was also the one that I enjoyed listening to Jerry Garcia Band recordings with. It was good to continue the collaboration.
Here for the Spotify Playlist so that you can listen to it!
Enjoy!