“That’s Super Stuff!” “Make Stuff” “I Love Free Stuff” “The Good Stuff” “My Stuff” “Stuff in My Life” “Stuff That Works”
“The Right Stuff”
“How’s Your Stuff?”
There are so many variations on the use of the word stuff. This last May we attended the last “Ken and Mary’s Blues Project” house concert in Porter, Texas. Before the music started, Kenneth Harris told the story of how the Project came about from his listening to Sunday blues on Houston’s KPFT. One Sunday he was listening to Nuri Nuri’s Blues Brunch.
“. . . he [Nuri] was interviewing this guy, and they played some of his stuff, and I called Nuri on the phone, and I said Nuri do you know anybody in the Houston area that can do that type of stuff, and he told me you meet me at Billy Blue’s like next Saturday night.”
Long story short, Kenneth found that stuff in the form of the Moe Hansum Band.
As I listen to Kenneth’s story I couldn’t help but think of Guy Clark’s “Stuff that Works.”
Stuff that works, stuff that holds up The kind of stuff you don’ hang on the wall Stuff that’ real, stuff you feel The kind of stuff you reach for when you fall
Continuing on this theme of “Stuff,” in the 1970’s there was a jazz-funk band called “Stuff.” The members were Gordon Edwards (bass), Richard Tee (keyboards), Eric Gale (guitar), Cornell Dupree (guitar), Chris Parker (drums), and later Steve Gadd (drums).
There is good stuff and not so good stuff, because of what we do with our stuff. We have too much stuff. Earth’s beauty is being scarred by the stuff we throw away daily. As someone who spends a lot of time outdoors admiring nature’s beauty, I see stuff on our trails, hanging in trees, blowing in the wind, in our lakes and streams.
In December of 2007, a short documentary was released. The documentary was critical of excessive consumerism and promotes sustainability, which has gone from a movie to a movement over the last ten years — a Community of more than a million changemakers worldwide, working to build a more healthy and just planet. This land is our land! You can join the movement.
Guy Clark is a Texas-born singer-songwriter who turned 70 at the end of last year. Another Texas singer-songwriter, Lyle Lovett recorded Clark’s first song, which was never recorded by Clark — “Step Inside This House.” I love this song, its lyrics and what they mean to me. Take a few minutes to listen to this song in the video below and enjoy the feelings you experience. Maybe the poetic words will mean something to you.
kenne
“Step Inside This House”
(Guy Clark) That picture hangin’ on the wall Was painted by a friend He gave it to me all down and out When he owed me ten Now it doesn’t look like much I guess But it’s all that’s left of him And it sure is nice from right over here When the light’s a little dim
Step inside my house Babe I’ll sing for you a song I’ll tell you ’bout where I’ve been It shouldn’t take too long I’ll show you all the things I own My treasures you might say Couldn’t be more’n ten dollars worth But they brighten up my day
Here’s a book of poems I got From a girl I used to know I guess I read it front to back Fifty times or so It’s all about the good life And stayin’ at ease with the world It’s funny how I love that book And I never loved that girl
Hold this piece of glass Up to the light comin’ through the door It’s a prism glass I found on the road Can you see that little rainbow Well it’s not really a prism I guess It just broke in a funny way I found it on my way from Texas Headed for L.A.
This guitar was given me By old man Thomas Gray It’s not too much to look at But I pick it every day It’s been across the country Four or five times I guess Between me and old man Tom It never got much rest
Well that’s about all I own And all I care to I guess Except this pair of boots And that funny yellow vest And that leather jacket and leather bag And hat hangin’ on the wall Just so it’s not too much to carry Could I see you again next Fall
In my book, it’s hard not to like guy — his philosophy, his music, his basic attitude toward life. Guy Clark was born on this day in 1941 — a great year to be born.
As I write this blog entry Guy’s latest CD, “Songs and Stories” is playing in the background — it’s recommended highly! If you like some of the best music anywhere, listen to Guy Clark. I mean, how can you not like lyrics like:
He’s one of those who knows that life Is just a leap of faith Spread your arms and hold you breath Always trust your cape
If I can just get off of this LA freeway Without getting killed or caught I’d be down that road in a cloud of smoke For some land that I ain’t bought bought bought
. . . here preformed by Guy, Live from Austin, Texas
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GUY! HERE’S TO YOU, AN AMERICAN LITERARY GREAT!
Kenneth Harris (May 20, 2017) — Image by kenne
Hoodoos Alone Catalina Highway — Image by kenne
