Paul Ille [dot] com

I have to admit I feel good about this post because it’s been a LONG time since I posted anything at all about music. An indication is a folder on my external hard drive called ‘My Music’. Until today’s new folder entry called ’06-07-2009′, the last time I added anything there was in 2006. Yikes!!! Can that be possible???

Anyhow, over the past couple years I bought a new drum machine (Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-670) and a Gibson Les Paul. I also just recently bought a Blue Snowball USB Microphone which is impressive for the price and is great for quickly recording various inspirations that pop up (I recommend it). While the snowball fills a simple need, the rest of it has kinda sat by for lack of time and also the ability to tie them into something I can record with.

So I finally bit the bullet and bought an Alexis MultiMix8 USB 2.0 mixer. It will hopefully allow me to turn out some music by giving me the ability to easily link up all my equipment to my computer. This way I can use Adobe Audition (so far my favorite) to record and mix and such.

I’ll need a few more things as I go forward such as more microphones, a couple of effects pedals and a bass, but that will come in time (hey Santa! ). Anyways, I’ve only had time to do a ‘proof of concept’ equipment-learning type thang as I’m still learning how to use the mixer and drum machine, but I’m happy with the quality so far.

Here’s some pictures of my temp setup:

So here’s what I recorded in the wee hours this morning. “Be This Chance” is something I’ve been kicking around here and there for a while now. All I really have is a chorus though which is the main melody in this recording snippet. I just tossed a few solos around it off the top of my head to have content. I think I may develop this as as instrumental since I just can’t sing as high as the vocal would need to be.

[wpaudio url="http://www.paulille.com/mp3s/paulille/Be this chance proof.mp3" text="Paul Ille - Be This Chance (proof of concept)" dl="0"]

We’re black and white classic
Old as time and evolving new
A lasting collision set on course
Something is always happening

Souls entwined with silver lining
Bent to sculpt and always binding
Wrestle braids so tight inside me
Never let me rest without you

Play the part the world has written
Bobbing in this endless ocean
Drifting towards a coast, then sea
Find comfort in this lasting bond

Test my hand and find it storing
A strength, a power given honest
To round my life in cherished moments
I am me yours, you are you mine

I came across a quote from John Adams and wanted to share it because I think it’s brilliant in so many ways. On the face it’s very simple, but I think the obvious nature of it shouldn’t dilute what shows through behind.

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.
– John Adams

In this quote it’s not only easy to see a wise understanding of the progression of a new country and it’s society from being at war for independance to building a nation of laws to being able to enjoy freedom, prosperity and peace, but it also shows a forward thinking logic about the success of a family and a country’s people without any expectation of skipping steps or instantaneous results.

This quote embodies the idea that sometimes without fighting and sacrifice, there can be no peace or true advancement, that it doesn’t always come easy or quickly. It speaks volumes to anyone who expects to roll the dice, land on the ‘Resort and Spa’ property, buy it at a cost lower than Virginia Avenue and charge a rent higher than Boardwalk.

With any hope, the basic idea of this quote can be easily applied to the many smaller trials we face in our everyday lives. Despite the ever increasing popular expectation of achieving greatness without bumps or bruises or the quick fix mentality that seems to have become the adopted strategy for so many people, it’s temporary nature will not be something future generations can sink their teeth into. The shortcuts everyone seems to be so fond of nowadays rarely carry an individual for any period of time let alone the weight of us all.

In short, let’s not look for the quick fix in our lives, but long-lasting foundational changes that can sustain ourselves, our families and maybe even someone we’ve never met. That’s the way to achieve greatness on all levels.

EDIT: A friend made a point that I hadn’t added. “The quote embodies the correct idea. However, children that were given a chance to learn poetry and such should not forget about war and politics entirely.” This of course is a lesson to appreciate and never forget the core values, traditions and ideas that brought you ‘here’ whether they were a direct result of your Grandfather or John Adams.