MUMBO JUMBO – DECEMBER 2014
“I lived some dreams,
And I lost some friends,
There’s suspicion that my mission is to roam,
Living well is my best revenge,
Port outbound,
Starboard home.”
This is the chorus from the song “Port Outbound Starboard Home,” penned more than fifteen years ago by Russ Kunkel, Peter Mayer and Roger Guth, which I recorded on my Row Me Home CD. I’m not exactly sure what they were thinking about at the time, but as I write my final newsletter of 2014, these words ring particularly true for me. I’ve been fortunate to have lived many of my dreams, but am at the age where I’m beginning to lose some close friends, which is always trying, mysterious and sad. And, of course, it seems to strike hardest around the holidays.
I know many of you are going through the same thing, and with all the ups and downs that life throws our way, I’m more appreciative than ever to all of you who give up your precious time to come see us perform and your hard-earned money to purchase our music. Thank you, and I hope that 2015 is the best it can possibly be for each and every one of you.
WRITING IN THE WOODSHED
I’m headed west to Livingston, Montana, to hole up in my recently remodeled woodshed for three weeks to work on some new material. This porous and ramshackle wooden shed with a stunning view of the Rockies formerly housed pheasants and firewood. With a little creativity and the skill of a talented Livingston carpenter, the structure has been transformed into a homey little workplace. It makes me think of a sea shanty in the mountains.
The woodshed before …. and after!
I’ve got two new songs in the can so far and hope to leave Montana at the end of the month with at least two more. I try to release a new CD every three years or so, and it’s time to get to work on the next one, which is tentatively entitled Chasing Hemingway’s Ghost.
You may wonder why I would leave a perfectly balmy island to face December in Montana. In my twenty-five years as a songwriter, I have only written about three songs in Key West. The vast majority of my 100 or so tunes have been written in New England, mostly in the winter, when a very social and undisciplined character like myself can set aside a week or two of pure solitude with few distractions. I intend to carve out three or four such sessions in the woodshed in 2015 and have enough material for a new CD by this time next year.
I’m leaning towards producing this next CD with all acoustic instruments. Many of you have asked me about such an album, and this seems like the right time for such a project. Everything could change in the next year, but I’m writing some of these new tunes with acoustic instruments in mind.
DECEMBER 29: BACK TO KEY WEST
I’ve got a pretty busy schedule in the Florida Keys through January and February performing at the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon in Key West and Snappers in Key Largo. Please check my website at Scottkirby.com for all the details. You can also follow me on Facebook.
A NEW BOOK ABOUT KEY WEST MUSICIANS
I recently spent some time with photographer Ralph De Palma, who is working on his second book featuring Key West musicians, songwriters and others closely connected to the music world in Key West. I expect Ralph’s new book will be available in early spring.
Hope to see you in the Florida Keys over the winter. Have a happy holiday!
Copyright Scott Kirby 2014. All rights reserved.
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