'Tell me that it's easy'

[Jose Perez]

It's nice and cathartic to see some artists fiddling with self-knowledge and creating these superb songs

[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN0sU5RncQw]

 

by Richie Kotzen

I don't understand it
I just can't understand it
and i feel crazy

I know one way or another
I've got to try to find
a reason to motivate myself

oh I don't know where I lost the way
Oh maybe in time I'll remember what you say

Help me with the path I fall away from
Won't somebody tell me

How long, 'till I get to where I want
Just tell me that it's easy
How long, 'till I get to where I was
Tell me that it's easy

From the lightning and the thunder
There's a spell it that put me under
It change me

I was clear and I was fast
And I was so far from the past
But now I'm falling back again

I get so tired
I wanna be strong again
I need somebody to lift me up
So that I can see

Oh tell me what?
Tell that I got a chance
Tell time gotta go there
I gotta go fast

Oh tell me 
How long, 'till I get to where I want
Just tell me that it's easy
How long, 'till I get to where I was
Tell me that it's easy
How long, 'till we can live with who we are
You know it isn't easy

----solo-----

How long, 'till I get to where I want
Just tell me that it's easy
How long, 'till I get to where I was
Tell me that it's easy
How long, 'till we can live with who we are
You know it isn't easy

 

[SirJamesIII]

Simply one of my favorite artists today. This was probably my favorite song from his new album. He is a master guitarist and a superb vocalist. I was going to see him play at the Iridium, but I had to go to a wedding. 

Here's a great Hall & Oates cover

[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT_BFyNwIWY]

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. A modern take on "selling your soul to the devil." It seems it wasn't his choice. He sure has chops now though. 

[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwfA9ON90TU]

[Jose Perez]

Oh man, glad you like him. I have been familiar with his skills for a long time being a musician myself, but only recently, thanks to his transparency on the net and more introspective albums, have I realised the (liberty) message behind the way he lives his life, etc. You should check out his youtube channel, vlogs, etc.

He seems to have quite a good relationship with his daughter. Also in this

he is open about a conflict with his mother. He seems to be using the net to take revenge at some people in his life for wanting to own him, like his ex-wife, shows footage of his girlfriends, etc. Seems to be trolling them in a way... I'm not saying he is particularly healthy, but definitely healthier than most artists as his independence, honest realtalent and difficulty becoming any sort of main stream artist – which he has obviously sought all his life.

I think his case is one that shows clearly how you can never become really famous if you are not broken and dishonest enough, no matter how much skills you have:

[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhCqEfkKa5s]

[SirJamesIII]

Well he played for Poison in the 90s and then with Mr. Big. He was in the mainstream spotlight for a little bit. He made his money and got out of there. He doesn't even want to be famous. He just wants to make the music he wants to make, and he's a big success story in that regard. He even has a signature Telecaster. It's a pretty big deal to have Fender make a signature guitar for you. 

I think Poison is terrible, but this song is great.

[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3hmgkPYUuk]

[Jose Perez]

Well, he doesn't want to be famous but he does – see the latest trio with Sheehan and Portnoy which is clearly a move to get more fans. I think he has that ambivalence and love/hate relationship with power that is so typical. I met the guy backstage once in a small festival (less than 1000 people) and he was still practicing for 2h. before the show... In order to develop that stuff you have to be enough of an obsessive power seeker and enough of an honest scientist. That's why I said some of his music is philosophical. Do you have an opinion on the OP song? 

[SirJamesIII]

Well it's more like he is sharing Portnoy and Sheehan fans than making his own brand. A lot of virtuoso guys have resorted to this tactic with a lot of sucsess. He just wants to stay honest. Entering the "celebrity scene" also amounts to creative restrictions, and this is dishonest to Kotzen. He'd rather invest and do everything himself. He has the skills and the capital. With the internet, he's been able to continue his career honestly. 

The OP song was probably my favorite from his new album. I endorse the direction he's going in entirely. Personally, I've been on a bit of a Soul/R&B run recently, so I really like what he's doing. But it doesn't seem like he has much experience writing this kind of music. I think his previous album, Peace Sign, is superior, but I think he's on the right track for making a great album soon. I still think, stylistically, Peace Sign is less relevant.