Build Me a Heaven of My Own
Can I still write?
I ask this question while spinning a Lightnin' Hopkins Fantasy Records two-fer called
Double Blues. I love this collection of recordings from 1964. The most memorable song is called "I'm Going to Build Me a Heaven of My Own," in which Mr. Hopkins creates a heaven in which only women and himself are allowed. At one point in the narrative, he even has to tell "Mr. J.C." that he isn't allowed in. Why do I love Lightnin' Hopkins? Because of his whiskey and cigarettes Texas drawl, the simple warm sound of his amplified guitar, his cool conk and his ever-present shades. He made a gazillion records for anyone who'd pay him. Sometimes it seems as if he's having a conversation with you as much as singing a song.
I guess that's the spirit of autobiographical storytelling that I'm trying to capture in my 'zines and proposed book. Lately, though, I wonder if I'll ever be able to get a manuscript done. For the past six months or so, I've been showing my work to a group of writers who have been less than impressed with my way of telling the tales. They are good writers whom I respect, but I'm so worried about following all of their varying advices (so to speak) that I've gotten completely lost. I don't have this problems with my 'zines because I only show my drafts to the Psychedelic Eskimo and she sees them fairly late in the going. I got enough praise from my 'zine readership that I figured the next step had to be a book, but now I don't seem to know how to write one.
Well, phooey to all that. I'm just showing first drafts to the group. It's my life, not theirs, and I'll just have to put up with their criticisms as I work out the form and content. I think ol' Lightnin' would agree.
In addition to Double Blues, I've also been spinning Lightnin' Strikes and Low Down Dirty Blues, two cheapo Hopkins collections I bought back in the eighties. Of varying sound quality, but perfect day off records.
Since I'm back to playing alphabetical vinyl, maybe I'll resume the CD's. The question is whether or not I can bear to listen to all my Steve Earles. Love him though I do, I'm pretty burned out on his stuff. I did recently play Guitar Town, Copperhead Road, and Train 'a Comin', so I guess I can bear to plow through those discs.
I'm currently reading "Raise Up off Me," by Hampton Hawes. It's a no-holds barred memoir of the bebop life. It includes a thought-provoking analysis of why so many of the bop pioneers were neurotic hop heads. I wonder if I have any records with Hawes playing the piano?
Finally, I'm pretty smitten with The Fall these days. Pray for me.
I ask this question while spinning a Lightnin' Hopkins Fantasy Records two-fer called
Double Blues. I love this collection of recordings from 1964. The most memorable song is called "I'm Going to Build Me a Heaven of My Own," in which Mr. Hopkins creates a heaven in which only women and himself are allowed. At one point in the narrative, he even has to tell "Mr. J.C." that he isn't allowed in. Why do I love Lightnin' Hopkins? Because of his whiskey and cigarettes Texas drawl, the simple warm sound of his amplified guitar, his cool conk and his ever-present shades. He made a gazillion records for anyone who'd pay him. Sometimes it seems as if he's having a conversation with you as much as singing a song.
I guess that's the spirit of autobiographical storytelling that I'm trying to capture in my 'zines and proposed book. Lately, though, I wonder if I'll ever be able to get a manuscript done. For the past six months or so, I've been showing my work to a group of writers who have been less than impressed with my way of telling the tales. They are good writers whom I respect, but I'm so worried about following all of their varying advices (so to speak) that I've gotten completely lost. I don't have this problems with my 'zines because I only show my drafts to the Psychedelic Eskimo and she sees them fairly late in the going. I got enough praise from my 'zine readership that I figured the next step had to be a book, but now I don't seem to know how to write one.
Well, phooey to all that. I'm just showing first drafts to the group. It's my life, not theirs, and I'll just have to put up with their criticisms as I work out the form and content. I think ol' Lightnin' would agree.
In addition to Double Blues, I've also been spinning Lightnin' Strikes and Low Down Dirty Blues, two cheapo Hopkins collections I bought back in the eighties. Of varying sound quality, but perfect day off records.
Since I'm back to playing alphabetical vinyl, maybe I'll resume the CD's. The question is whether or not I can bear to listen to all my Steve Earles. Love him though I do, I'm pretty burned out on his stuff. I did recently play Guitar Town, Copperhead Road, and Train 'a Comin', so I guess I can bear to plow through those discs.
I'm currently reading "Raise Up off Me," by Hampton Hawes. It's a no-holds barred memoir of the bebop life. It includes a thought-provoking analysis of why so many of the bop pioneers were neurotic hop heads. I wonder if I have any records with Hawes playing the piano?
Finally, I'm pretty smitten with The Fall these days. Pray for me.
posted by ken at 3:16 PM
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