Of Dave Matthewsism and Duplicity

I'm a big fan of Dave Matthews and his band, better known as the Dave Matthews Band. Oh wow. Creative branding aside, they have collectively created some of the best music I've heard in this lifetime. I hope I'll come across them again in the next, if there happens to be a next lifetime for me.

Anyways Dave Matthews music was introduced to me by an old friend of mine, Boon Yew. I was amazed at the composition and fingerwork for "What would you say?" when I first heard Booners play it. I've pretty much embarked on a mission of sorts to convert people to Dave Matthewsism ever since, preaching to fellow musicians who have the bad luck to have to work with me and to the poor ears who has had to sit down and listen to me out of courtesy.

Of course, being Jerral, I'm not only promoting Dave Matthews all this while, but my own brand of music as well. I'm just using Dave Matthews and whoever else anyone wants to hear as a platform to introduce music as per how I think they should be (I don't change Dave Matthew's music though. Quite sacrilegious, if you ask me).

Left - Right: Jerral and Zal performing in the Commonwealth Club a few years back.

People I've tried to convert over the years. They can comment on how successful I've been if you ever get to meet them or if they come across this entry!): Zalila Lee, Fariq "Aminal" Halim, Fiona Jane, Patricia "Ah Pat" Yip, Yineemeenie, Izzy, Ee Von, Intan Bintang, Shelley Belly, Debbie Tang, Ayunami, Davina, "Ah Long" Wei Yein and Puya. Can't remember if Shuks has heard me play or sing, but she should be on that list too. Yes, I have friends with interesting nicknames, and note that Fariq is an AMINAL, not animal.

Feel you should be on the list? Hit me with a comment if you ever see this blog. Gimme a spankin' high comment count so I can compete in some popularity contest or something.

Occassionally (read: once a year, twice if I'm lucky) I get flattered by an unexpected "Hey! I saw you at [insert performance] the other day! Remember me? I was the one who [insert incident]!" to which I would respond with the never changing "Oh yeah! My God! I've not seen you since then! How've you been doing, man?"

If you ever catch me saying that (unless you're a personal friend) then I've probably forgotten you and that incident, but it usually comes back a couple of minutes into the conversation. *Sheepish Grin*

Anyways Dave Matthews himself heard how I've been covering his music and sends his personal support and endorsement below.

Jerral did WHAT to my songs?!

Ayu has complained that I don't mention her whenever I talk about my music. So here it goes - She loves my simplified renditions of miscellaneous Dave Matthews songs and also my version of Jamiroquai's "Black Crow." She's a gorgeous and smart lass and has a great taste in musicians ;) She enjoys a good laugh, is a fan of Russel Peters, has a great sarcastic wit and does not take lightly to being insulted during a game of Literati. Her current whereabouts are to be kept confidential, but several unverified reports have surfaced saying that she has been antagonizing sheep around the region where they shot 'Lord of the Rings' when she's not busy playing Literati. It's best to stay clear from Lamb Chops for a while. :P

Digressing from music, I'm half a chapter away from finishing Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys. Might do a review on it if I feel like it over the weekend. Cheers, all!

Song of the Day 1 : Love Me Butch - Freefall. Yes, I'm feeling nostalgic.

Song of the Day 2 : Mono - Life in Mono.

I should mention at this point that Dave Matthews and his band remain a constant inspiration to the little musician who lives inside me. I apologize for any duplicity caused in his name and for using that picture of his, which kind of makes me wish I had a spankin' cool music video myself.