Day #41 – Six String Music

Day #41 – Six String Music

Guitars come in all shapes and sizes, and string combinations as well, but the most common would be a six-string guitar, which Jimmy was referencing in this song. Six strings, tuned to E, A, D, G, B, and E, again, elevating an octave by the top string. It seems simple, but as a human who cannot play the guitar, but has toyed with it, I know it’s not that simple at all.

Yet that is one of the lines in the song, “simple six string music…” I certainly appreciate that Jimmy had the talent and ability to play the guitar and make music, and seemingly understood, based on the song’s lyrics, that music that was simple and true, could be a great gift, both to the player and the audience.

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Original post from 10/12/2023

Day #41 – Six String Music

I had another song picked for today, actually from the same album this one is on, but something steered me here. Maybe it was the rain and the clouds and the cool, refreshing morning, but something softer and more gentle seemed appropriate.

Six String Music was released on the album Fruitcakes in 1994. I have a definite soft spot for this entire album. I know from the first time I heard it, I felt connected to it. I heard this song the day after I knew JB was gone and felt incredibly touched by its simple beauty. I feel like this song probably said as much about him as Margaritaville does; both are anthems to the style and musical path that Jimmy followed.

Jimmy cowrote this song with his friend and incredibly gifted guitarist GE Smith. GE Smith was the lead guitarist for Hall and Oates from 1979 to 1985, and for Bob Dylan from 1988 to 1990. He is probably most well-known for his ten-year stint as band director on Saturday Night Live, from 1985 to 1995. SNL is where I recognize him from, with the long hair in a ponytail, but most of it still falling around his face, usually in button up shirt and tie while still managing to look loose and a bit undone. You could always tell he was incredibly connected to the music he played.

As far as I can find, Jimmy and GE only wrote this song together, and no others, but it’s a lovely collaboration. While the song is melodic and gentle, it also manages to use the phrase “simple stupid” which I have been known to vocalize myself, and I feel explains a lot about life. Most of the time I am sure we all try to make life too hard when we really should just keep it simple stupid instead.

Guitars can be both simple and yet quite complicated, which makes them one of the most special instruments available. They are easily portable, which makes them convenient for entertaining listeners. And the diversity of styles and sound that can be produced, make it an instrument touched by magic.

“Six string music, A song from me to you, Simple six string music, A ballad or the blues”.

Please enjoy Six String Music. It really sums up how wonderful a guitar is in the grand scheme of things. The link is in the comments below. 

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With the release of Equal Strain On All Parts, I have learned quite a few things. One of the things I learned about was revealed by Mac McAnally while discussing the individual songs for the album’s release with Michael Utley. Mac mentioned that for the song Portugal or PEI, Jimmy wanted a certain type of guitar for the recording. It turns out that Portuguese guitar they are talking about is actually a 12-stringed guitar, and Mac said it took a day for him to learn how to tune it. It looks to me like a large mandolin, double stringed like a mandolin, but with 12 strings total with two pairs of 6 strings.

Mac said Jimmy wanted it played on the song, and it seems unspoken that they both knew Mac would play it, which probably indicates how deep their friendship and connection was. Jimmy apparently got the guitar, and Mac played it. And it turned out beautiful. While that guitar has 12 strings, which doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the concept of the 6 strings in Six String Music, I see it as another tie that connects the men who play and gift us with their music.

Stacy

Please enjoy Six String Music. I have included the link below. Enjoy!

The link is from Jimmy’s official YouTube channel, which I have no personal affiliation with.