Living Water

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."' Gospel of John 7:38 English Standard Version

Artwork: Kristen Ward

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Will You Still Love Me

Currently my all time favorite Chicago song. Such memories. It represents A time of transition in my life- from Jr. High to teenage years, Star Wars action figures to girl troubles, Reagan to Bush 41, 80's to 90's, Cetera to Scheff. A wonderful arrangement & Jason Scheff's first solo with the band off of Chicago XVIII. Will never forget sitting in my bedroom in Checotah, Oklahoma & hearing it broadcast over the airwaves for the first time. Chicago always stood heads & tails above the crowd imho for their pristine musicianship & masterful arrangements. Even in those days I could always recognize their new material after about half a measure into the song. ;0)

The following is raw & highly rare footage of Jason's solo during Chicago's acoustic set, recorded with the World Trade Centers in the background on July 12, 2001, just under two months before they were no more. Haunting. How different our world has become. Nevertheless, comforting to revisit an old favorite. Glad to know some things remain. Hope you enjoy.

Episode IV: A New Hope

This morning I am pleased to report it's been a strangely exhilarating 72 hours. And despite being home today with two very sick children (oldest & youngest), the flame has never burned brighter...literally...as my wife's Forest Tree candle from Bath & Body Works permeates my office where last night's 4 a.m. diaper blowout did considerable damage.

The children are pacified at the moment. The Mrs. is busy moving mountains while on call. My oldest son is at school, & I just finished a plate of toast & eggs over medium, with a light dusting of sea salt & cracked peppercorns. I am currently (am I boring you?) Sipping Starbuck's Komodo Dragon blend, which is my new found love since idiot Seattle's Best discontinued Henry's Blend for reasons I'll never understand.

You would think it was a typical ho-hum, blahzay panhandle winter morning wooden shoe? Yet momentum has brought fresh wind & fresh fire to all that ails me.

I'm reluctant to share this with you, & it's not that exciting I assure you. I proceed only because this blog is first & foremost for my never ending need to mull, contemplate, categorize, organize, reflect, etc.

Late last night I was playing a song for my youngest. It seemed to momentarily settle him & ease his discomfort. I don't do it often, but I did last night. He sat on the love seat & listened carefully for awhile. He even sang along at times in between various spit bubbles. During that time I was overcome with a kind of joy no words can express. I proceeded to text mail my wife to inquire of my sanity. She promptly replied assuring me my mental stability has always been in question. ;0)

Just joking...sort of....

So that's it. Anticlimactic to say the least eh? That's all I have. Nutin' sexy. Just a renewed hope & vision for my family's future for the first time in a very, very long time. A gift from above to be certain.

Here's to dreams & ordinary people. May God grant each of us the faith needed to reach our destination.

Be Happy with the Lord, & he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4GWT

Snow Day!

Public school system along with Interstate 40 shut down? Check! French Toast & Jimmy Dean Sausage for a late breakfast (with the entire fam mind you)? Check! Hot cup of Starbuck's Komodo Dragon Asian blend brewing using only cold filtered water & freshly ground beans? Check! Samuel & Sarah Ward frolicking about in backyard? Check! Kids at play & the Mrs. comfy & cozy? Check!



To quote the immortal Robert Lamm- "Life is good in my neighborhood."

An Audience Of One

They say bigger isn't necessarily better. I concur, as only better is better. So as this chapter of life continues to unfold, I'm learning more & more to live for an audience of one.

Modest beginnings these past few months have been. And though tonight's endeavor was certainly no exception, it was still a step (be it an inch) in the right direction, amidst the sea of ambitious key signature & rhythm changes. Was also sloppily executed at times, with not so much as a ray of hope to occasionally emerge & inspire.

Sigh..."Where's the meaning in my life? Where's the inspiration?"

A flat major. Eeesh. Doesn't feel nearly as comfortable under the fingers as say F Major, "a" pure or harmonic minor, or even D, Dorian. No worries though. As the great Ellis Marsalis once wisely stated, "There are no key signatures, only the key of music." Good words to live by El.

Voice gave out by song #8 on the set list. Stinks. A lingering cold (compliments of one sir Caleb Ward or so I strongly suspect) compounded with asthma would eventually have its way with me. Alas, attenders left with a smile on their face & a belly full of my crock pot pulled pork shoulder & my daughter's brownies, so all was not lost. Getting much closer to moving this venture beyond the comfy confines of my front doorsteps.

Looking forward to that day.

'Til then, polish, reflect, rework, rethink, regroup, & when necessary...(sigh)... rewrite. :0/

As I continue to stress, art is forever a work in progress. The Chessking is certainly no exception to this notion. Sure, if money were no object & time were completely my own, of course I could move mountains more quickly & efficiently...duh. But where's the challenge in that? Eh? ;0)

Exhausted.

Tomorrow evening there shall be a 100 pin bowling wii tournament for three energetic toe heads, with two pups & an infant bystander I've decided, as my hands will not touch a set of piano keys or guitar strings. I'll have my memories of tonight & adjustments to mull over. 'Til then, may your Toddy's be hot & your nasal passages unconstricted. (cough)

A Morning With The Roses

They work countless hours, often for little to no public recognition. They are all around you, yet you rarely see them. They are anything but household names, yet they greatly enrich our lives providing just the appropriate backdrop to that quiet moment on your morning commute. Or maybe it comes in the form of a burst of energy as your favorite team calls time out while the network transitions to commercial. Perhaps it's a comforting melodic line in a scene from a popular movie, or the opening theme to your favorite prime time drama. One thing is certain, we simply cannot do without them. They are the instrumentalists, background vocalists, sound engineers, composers, arrangers & producers that work tirelessly behind the scenes to make Amy Grant, Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, & Chicago Bulls Pregame music sound so good.

As I have begun work on my next instrumental album, "Room to Move" (available this fall on amazon & itunes & thanks for asking (shameless plug) ), I've been revisiting some of my favorite instrumental compositions through the years.

Several nights ago I came across a tune on an old Windham Hill Sampler entitled "A Morning With The Roses" that was a personal favorite during my college years. Believe me, it goes perfect with your morning coffee. On a whim, I googled the composer's name (an inconceivable notion when purchasing this album in the early 90's I might add). Long story short, so good to finally put a face with a tune. To say Richard Dworsky is a giant in the world of composition, movie scores, & instrumental piano music is a gross understatement.

So today's entry is an open "thank you" to the many years Richard has labored perfecting his extraordinary craft. I know my life is the better for it. Hope you enjoy.

To learn more about Richard Dworsky visit his website at http://www.richarddworsky.com/ You may also purchase his music online at itunes & amazon.

p.s. Would you believe I typed all of this while holding a fussy 9 month old? Talk about hunt & peck! ;0)

Progress

They Grow up fast.