Lutes and Mount Rushmore

It's been a while since I've stopped by Dominic Miller's website for an update. Best known as Sting's guitarist, he's had a great solo career as well. I've shared some of his funny/humble insights in the past. Here's a collection of my favorite quotes from his latest set of blog posts. I've added in some line breaks to make it easier to read:

Sept 8, 2008

There are no plans to work with Sting in the future. Now I realise giving him that &%$£ing lute was the biggest own goal of my career. I have to laugh sometimes just thinking about it. It put me out of work for a year, and then he did the Police tour to counter the lute project [Songs of the Labyrinth, Sting's recreation of John Dowland's 17th century music.] Another year. Now, apparently, he's back on the lute. Who knows.

But boys and girls, I do have a sense of humour. Just. It's been two years since we worked, and in those two years I have gained more than I have lost. Namely, a family life. Just going away for three days is hard, let alone three weeks or even three MONTHS which seems impossible to contemplate.

I used to not flinch when we went on these long tours and be away from the family months at a time. The shortest world tour I did with Sting was fourteen months. The longest, two years. Touring at that level is a very selfish existence. Yes, you do perform in front of thousands every night and make a lot of money and which is thrilling, but you simply don't have a life. Do I miss it? @£$% yeah, but for different reasons. I miss the camaraderie of being in a band, that's for sure. The money? Absolutely. The notoriety? Maybe. But I don't miss the tedium nor the repetitiveness of it all.

I am a family man now and no touring can ever replace that. I am also a musician, and yes I do go away from time to time, but never for more than two weeks. I lead a simpler, better life and make my sad music which makes me happy.

20 March, 2009

...let me start with a moving experience I had at Rick Wright's memorial service (recently deceased keyboard player from Pink Floyd).

I was asked to play at this private event by his daughter Gala and her husband Guy Pratt. ...His family asked me so obviously I jumped at the opportunity. I arrived at the small venue in the trendy Westbourne Grove area of London (near Notting Hill) and noticed there was some gear set up onstage already. I enquired as to whom I would be sharing the "bill" with and Guy said, "Oh, it's you, Jeff (as in Beck), and the Floyd (as in Pink). I suddenly felt nauseous. Had to go outside for two Marlboros. Then "Jeff" arrives, says Hi, and Gilmore does the same. Two of my of all time heroes. I do my sound-check and they are the audience. I then went outside and smoked three Marlboros. I think this was perhaps the smallest gig the Floyd ever played.

I was in the privileged position being looked after by the band's crew and more importantly of sharing the guitar rack (place for putting guitars) with Jeff and Dave. The sight was like Photoshopping yourself onto Mount Rushmore... Jeff's famous white Strat, Gilmore's legendary black maple neck Fender, and Dominic Miller's (yes, THE Dominic Miller) Yairi electro-acoustic nylon string. Let's play "spot the impostor". Didn't quite look right.

He is coming out with a new album soon: Electrica. I'll have to check it out!