random LA wednesday night

I'm not ashamed to admit it - I love John Mayer. So when I read the following tweet from him, I got pretty excited:

"Gonna hit up Hotel Cafe in Hollywood at 11ish... 21+ I'll trade you new songs for no videoing them? : ) (((bats lashes))) Need guinea pigs."

My friend Josh had been texting me about the show, so we decide to go. Realize: Nikki and I were just about to go to bed. She had to get up early, so we were calling it a night around 10:30. But how could we pass this up?

I call my friend Ryan: "Wake up. I'm coming to get you." Surprisingly, he's fine with that.

So Nikki and I pick him up around 11 and head over to Hotel Cafe on Cahuenga. After we park, as we're walking toward the entrance, we pass a bunch of rabid paparazzi hoping something good will happen. I felt the same way... I would be lying if I didn't say I was skeptical. Here we are, late at night, at a random bar in Hollywood all because of a 140 character message on twitter from a person we think is John Mayer. Could it be for real?

We get to the entrance to the club, and there are a few people in line... not many. We pay the $5 cover, head in, and make our way to the stage. The place is packed, and most people are just facing the stage wondering the same thing as me and the paparazzi. Is he really coming?

As we're waiting, I turn to say something to Ryan when I notice that Andy Dick is standing next to him. "Nice!" A few minutes later, Zach Levi is chatting to Andy Dick and he has his arms around his girlfriend. "Also Nice!" Still no John Mayer, but the presence of a few other celebs makes his arrival seem more of a reality.

A few more minutes roll by, and I turn again to say something to Ryan when I notice a tall guy carrying a guitar, a little hunched over and walking in our direction. "Ryan. Look." It's John, and he walks right past us. "How's it going?" he says as he passes, but I can't do much but stare. Remember, I love this guy.

He's by himself, so he jumps up on stage and starts getting his guitar ready. Once he's all checked in and ready to start he says, "Hold on. I have to tweet."

For the next hour or so, he plays a collection of new and old songs, including "3x5," "Belief," "Half of My Heart," and a few other new ones. It was unreal! And to think, I almost went to bed!

When he finishes, he starts packing up his guitar to leave. A bunch of us head to the stage like 14 year-old girls. All I want to do is shake his hand, but the giddy girls in the front won't leave, so I fail. I go back to where we were standing, hoping that he would walk that way again, and he does. I grab his shoulder and say, "John. Great job." It's all I could think to say. Nikki said he looked at me when I said his name, but I blacked out for a second. Yeah, I'm ridiculous. I admit it. But what can I say? I really like this guy!

We finally get outside, but decide to wait a few more minutes until he leaves. The paparazzi are breathlessly waiting for his exit. When he finally clears the club's doors, the flash bulbs are enough to make anyone start ceasing. It's intense. He jumps in his car, pushes a few paparazzi out of the way, and he's on his way home.

What a night! It's times like these I don't think I ever want to leave LA. On a random Wednesday night, after watching American Idol, we go to a bar in Hollywood to pay $5 to hear John Mayer play songs that no one else has heard. Somehow, my life actually does feel a little more complete.

create

I've been amazed by creative power lately... so amazed, I'm not even sure how to express it. I have been speechless several times over the last few weeks at the creative power of music, especially live music. Think about it: when you go to a live show, you are hearing pure creativity that probably will never be heard again. Sure, the artist is doing a song that he or she recorded years ago and has performed thousands of times. But they always seem to add something to it that's different - some unusual emphasis - some crazy run - maybe even some raw emotion. And all of that is probably something that will never be duplicated in the same way.

And therein lies the beauty of creative power. With music, we humans get to create something that did not exist before we created it and probably will not exist in the same form ever again. In this way, we get to participate in the creative power of God. It's because of this that I feel music (and other forms of art) connect us to God in a unique way.

We understand God as creator. One of God's most potent attributes is God's ability to create out of nothing. Much of creation will never be duplicated in the same way. It's always changing; always adapting. It's how God created it to be.

When we participate in art; in music, we connect to the Creator God in a deep and meaningful way. We display God's creative power for all who hear or see our art. We mirror the image of God in the tunes we hum, in the words we craft, in the art we create.

This was even more real to me at the India Arie concert last week. At one point, she prompted her vocalists to vamp on the concept of how they knew God to be real (based on her song "God is Real" from Voyage to India). She encouraged them to be free in their expression. What happened was so powerful; so spiritual that I couldn't keep my eyes open, and my breath escaped me. The raw emotionality of their responses are hard to describe and impossible to duplicate. It was pure creative power.

And I'm convinced God was pleased.

I love music. That is not a secret to anyone who knows me. But lately, music - ALL music - has helped me love God more.

My Christmas Mix

There are only a few absolutes in my life, and one is absolutely no Christmas music before Thanksgiving (we can talk about absolutes later)... So now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, I thought I would blog about my favorite Christmas songs. So here we go in no particular order:

1. Christmastime is Here - Vince Guaraldi Trio

- Quite possibly one of the most beautiful Christmas songs every written. Imagine yourself on a snowy night sitting by the firelight in silence with people you love.

2. Let it Snow - Ella Fitzgerald

- One of the best renditions of this song I know. Ella is smooth and perfect. And, I love this song... especially living in LA where it never snows. It makes me miss the East Coast.

3. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Dean Martin

- Fun song, and Dean's voice is relaxed and conversational. It's a perfect fit for this song.

4. Cool Yule - Kurt Elling

-Fun song. "You're gonna flip when you see ol' St. Nick play a lick on a peppermint stick."

5. Christmas Song - Nat King Cole

- It's a classic, what can I say. Some other great renditions: India Arie and Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Mel Torme, Vince Guaraldi.

6. Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses

- It's kind of a cult classic. Not one of the nostalgic pieces, but it's a lot of fun to listen to.

7. Christmas is Coming - Vince Guaraldi Trio

- I guess you should listen to this before "Christmas is Here." But I like "Christmas is Here" better...

8. Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt

- Kind of sexy if I'm allowed to say that.

9. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2

- Classic raspy/shouty Bono in a Christmas song. Can you ask for more?

10. O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Steven Curtis Chapman

- One of my favorite Christmas hymns. It has such power and emotion in the melody, and SCC does a great job with this one.

11. O Holy Night - Mariah Carey

- Another favorite Christmas hymn, and Mariah rips is in a freaky way. Is that whistling or singing?

12. Jingle Bells - James Taylor

-Nice twist on a classic. It's funky...

13. Soulful Christmas - James Brown

- How can you not like a Christmas song where the singer thanks his fans for buying his albums and coming to his concerts?

14. Sleigh Ride - Ella Fitzgerald

- All of the above about Ella applies.

15. My Favorite Things - Diana Ross

- I never understood why this is a Christmas song... because it says "mittens" and "packages?" Anyway, Diana's version is classic. It's got attitude and swings real nice.

On a side note, as you listen to Christmas music this season, listen to how many different Christmas songs actually quote Jingle Bells at some point. The most obvious one is Nat King Cole's Christmas Song.

some music I like

It’s not secret. I like music. And lately, I’ve been trying hard to listen to a lot of different stuff, just trying to broaden my horizons musically. Here’s some stuff that I like:

Delirious: Kingdom of Comfort

I’ve never been much of a Delirious fan, but I love this new record. Thematically, it’s right where I am right now. Many of the songs are about social justice, reaching out, dealing with life, etc. It’s a smart and well written record (with the exception of a few rough tracks). Try “God is Smiling,” “Wonder,” “Break the Silence,” and “Kingdom of Comfort”

Gavin DeGraw: Self-titled

It’s been a long time coming, but finally Gavin came out with a new record. It’s pretty good for the most part. Gavin seems to be able to get away with some weird stuff that would not work for anyone else. His melodies are interesting, and some are really catchy, but I think it would be hard for anyone else to translate his songs. There’s some pretty awful tracks, but most are good. Try “Let it Go,” “I’m in Love with a Girl,” “Cop Stop,” and “Relative.”

Jonny Lang: Turn Around

This one’s a few years old, I think, but it’s really great. Jonny’s pretty talented as a writer and his grooves are sick! This albums a great lesson in playing on the back of the beat. Try “The Other Side of the Fence,” “Thankful,” and “Anything’s Possible.”

Alicia Keys, As I Am

I don’t know much about Alicia’s music, but she collaborated with John Mayer, and that’s all I need to know. Ok, not really, but I do like this record. She’s creative and emotional in her writing and singing. Try “No One,” “The Thing About Love,” and “Lesson Learned.”

India Arie, Testimony, Vol. 1 Life and Relationship

This woman is slowly taking my #2 favorite artist spot. She’s a lot like Gavin in the way that she can get away with so much in her writing. She can write so literally and still make it believable. And her voice will change your life, no doubt. If you want something real, soulful, uplifting, and downright spiritual, this is it (and all her other albums). Try “There’s Hope,” “Private Party,” “The Heart of the Matter,” and “Good Mourning.”

Guilty Pleasure – Daughtry: Self-titled

Yeah, he was an American Idol contestant. So what. Does that mean he can’t make good music… ok, maybe the odds are against him. But this is good! Well produced, well written, well performed. It’s good stuff, I promise! Try “It’s Not Over,” “What I Want,” “Breakdown,” and “Feels Like Tonight."

Ok, more later...

more Bill

Best song intro... ever.

A simpler time

Watch this video and try not to say, "uuuhhhh," Barry White style: