At least once, sometimes twice a week I try to make time to sit quietly and listen to records. Usually before the needle rises on one of the last albums I’ve got my nose buried in the pages of a book. Time ceases to be of any consequence.
I’ve been listening to a young musician named Leon Bridges a lot lately. In his song “Coming Home” he sings the lyrics, “The world leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.”
In moments when I’m feeling a sense of this, I’ll reach for my Kora and start playing. The Kora has been a gift to me on so many levels. Its ability to fade anxiety and still the heart/mind is nothing short of phenomenal.
Just like spinning my vinyl or reading, the Kora places me in balanced opposition to the chaos that can often be found in life.
It hit me some months ago that I’m always called upon to be the performer, the entertainer when it comes to my storytelling and music. I can’t say that I’ve ever truly shared the simplistic aspects of my art that bring me the most personal joy.
On August 13, 2015 @ 8:00 pm I’m going to do just that… share. I’ll be at one of my favorite haunts, The Last Bookstore in Downtown Los Angeles. No flamboyant robes, extra sound equipment or colorful accouterments. Just me, the sound of the Kora, and whomever chooses to come and sit with me that evening.
The address is 433 South Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013.
If you’ve never been there before, you’ll want to get there early. I can spend hours thumbing through old books or perusing the records section.
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