
I Want Candy
The name is Greg. Gregor Mortis.
John L. from Dutchess County, asks “You and I are the same age. I feel like I know a lot about your literary influences and interests, but not as much about your musical musings. I, too, was 13 in 1983, albeit with a very different upbringing (an hour north of NYC). I was drawn to Motley Crue, Black Sabbath, and hard rock. Did music play a major part in your life at that time? If so, what kinds? Do you have any musical ability?”
John, thanks very much for your questions.
Raising a glass to all the compadres over my last 40 years or so who turned me on to the good shit. I neglected to mention old pals like Pat Healy, who fed me assorted jewels like Booker T & the MG’s and early Ray Charles (get his “One Mint Julep” immediately, drop the needle and commence shaking it), and Paul Adelstein, who immeasurably introduced me to WEEN. Garno brought me to The Gourds. Joy & Seth for Nina Simone. Primeaux for Bowie? All of us for Dead Can Dance. I found The Meters myself because they’re name-checked in a Red Hot Chili Peppers song. The many friends who joined me in celebrating CornMo (“It’s a Lollipop Time With You”), then smiled and danced a jig with me to his music. Last but hardly least, the undeniably gorgeous Pat Roberts, who fueled my madness by marinating me in Pink Floyd and Nick Cave’s later ripping good, brimstone-soaked effort, Grinderman. That’s how ignorant my musical youth was, p.s.: I discovered Pink Floyd in like 1997.



When you find the music that makes your heart beat in time with your local watershed, these casual cultural influences can turn out to change one’s life substantially. And so, I’ll leave you with just such a confection from my sweet friend Matt the Electrician:
Love,
Muleteers, this button is what you hit to sign up for a partial load (free) or a full load, fully blown (“4 a few dollars more”). Leave a question in the comments and I’ll endeavor to get ‘em all, although it’s an organic process, so there’s no accounting for my notional nature. But rest assured I’m powerfully grateful for every question you leave me. And be sure to tell me where you’re writing from, please and thank you.
I Want Candy
Hello!
I find so much peace and goodwill in your posts. Thank you. This isn’t a question but a comment. You provided us a tremendous selection from Matt the Electrician … a fellow musician … I am from the twin cities - Minneapolis to be specific - and friends stream a show called the Back Catalog Listening Party every single Friday afternoon at 4pm. They started at the beginning of our continuing pandemic and we have formed quite a community there. It’s a brilliant idea .. they invite artists on to come talk about an older album they’ve released and play artist-chosen songs and then we all ask questions and the artists tell us backstory about those songs and the artwork and the cover art and their headspace. It has been and continues to be an absolute JOY in my life … I mention it because Matt the Electrician came on not too long ago:
https://youtu.be/Cc6Wht2_9h4
And, if you go to Back Catalog Listening Party on YouTube and skim through the hundreds of episodes … you are SURE to find brilliant artists you know, some new, all giving so generously to everyone with insights and reflections on their older work. It is a family over there. And the artists really enjoy it as well - many haven’t listened to these albums since they were made and we talk about all the geeky music stuff around the specifics of instrumentation, recording spaces, people we have in common. One of the finest gems of the Internet. So, just a suggestion that you check it out … I am sure you’ll see people you know and discover some amazing new artists and their work, as well. I think you’ll really enjoy it. I think YOUR FOLLOWERS/READERS would love it as well. Yesterday they had on ‘The Lowest Pair’ - a singing/songwriting/banjo playing duo. The album they discussed was magical.
I hope you have a moment to check it out and maybe join us Live some Friday afternoon at 4pm CST.
Thanks for all you do!
joanie ☮️
OK..... you= woodworking and guitar... this fella= coffee beans and guitar. Okay, maybe you are not interested, but perhaps I peaked your curisoity.... this is not Spam either... although I haven't had breakfast so Spam and eggs on an English muffin just made me drool. https://fb.watch/gbOCmLwHn2/