WARNING: This page contains naked song lyrics, raw
poetry, extreme hype, unabashed self-promotion along
with other absurdities, and frequent changes.......
“I got no regret……..I let my heart sing”,
from “Tied to the Microphone” by Kodac Harrison
A year and a half shy of twenty years ago,
I tumbled out of a moving van and found myself facing 1 in 100 odds
for survival and even less for full recovery. After 6 and ½ hours
of brain surgery and five days on life support (see Rubber and
Canvas), I awoke to find no real damage done. That doesn’t mean I
hadn’t gone through a profound life change. It could be said that
trying to be a “rock star” almost killed me. Afterwards, I
reflected on my life and remembered why I wanted to be a musician,
an artist, and it wasn’t because I wanted to be a rock star. It’s
not that I had or have a problem with fame and fortune, but those
were not my motivations. I wanted to live the life of an artist
with a minimum of compromise; I wanted to have the freedom to
improvise. It seemed that I had lost track of my original
motivations. Taking stock of my life, I decided I would rededicate
myself to pursuing my life as an artist. I wanted to try to reach
my artistic potential with as little compromise as possible. With
that in mind, I started Corner Records and released my first CD in
1991.
Dreams and Nightmares
is my 7th studio CD. I have also released a live CD and
a compilation (CD), as well as a double cassette of live material in
1994. These recordings go with the three albums and one EP I
recorded back in the 80s. After surviving my near death experience,
I pretty much took total control of my career in regards to being my
own booking agent, publicist, manager, record company, etc. Sure
I’ve had help along the way, but I’ve been pretty much a one man
organization. With that in mind, I realized there were limitations
in what I could hope to achieve. But as Bruce Hampton says, “it’s
okay to fail if you are reaching for the impossible.” I love that
quote for obvious reasons. Failure is a relative term. I have
learned to survive and in the process I have tried to create optimal
results with limited resources and budgets. I believe if you look
at the totality of my career, and especially my last few recordings,
you would have to say I have put together a series of recordings
that are original, unique, viable, if not trendy. I believe my
output is impressive because I have tried to resist compromise. The
challenge is to be yourself, because that is the most original, best
you can be.
I feel I have been very successful in my
attempt to live the life of an artist. I have made 6 tours of
Europe (see Edith’s Kitchen) and traveled all over the USA (see
Living on the Fault Line). While in Europe in October, 2001, I
started writing We Fly. I have been at this for over 30 years and
that in itself is success. Of course I have thought of quitting at
times and I have to encourage myself to forge ahead. I starting
writing Run Rudy Run in 2002 as an encouragement to a long-time
friend, who died this year, (I dedicated the CD to him) but it was
also an encouragement to myself. I have to believe my quest has
been worth it (see Well Worth the Wait). Maybe I am pursuing the
impossible (see Calling Margo’s Moon) but I am continually receiving
the rewards of the pursuit. Sure there have been prices that I
have paid and lessons that I’ve learned (see Another Song for You).
Some of them are documented on this CD. Since the beginning I’ve
been attracted to music and writing as an outlet for my emotions and
as a way of dealing with my own feelings (see Dear Father). I often
write myself out of depression (see Free Man), but when it comes
down to it we are all seeking love and peace of mind (see Edith’s
Kitchen). My pursuit of the possibly unreachable goal (the Moon) is
the “life in my living.” I appreciate all those who have assisted
me in my quest. I won’t stop now. Kodac Harrison
“I've always defined success as just 'being
able to do what you enjoy
doing.' And I hope to continue to be successful in that way. You
know,
I feel so fortunate that my audience has supported me all these
years
... (but) I've always thought (as an artist) that I don't want
everybody to like me. I think it's more important that you follow
your
own heart, your own inclination, and hope there's someone who wants
to
listen. And even if no one does listen, you can still feel good
about
yourself. If you pretend to be someone else, no telling what
situation
you'll end up in.” Lyle Lovette (I couldn’t have said it
better myself.)
On Monday, November 12th, 2001 at Cafe' Berlage in
Eindhoven, Netherlands, Kodac shared billing with
Chinese virtuoso, Min Xiao-Fen, who is a master of
the ancient Chinese instrument, the "pipa".
Kodac had the opportunity to perform with her as well
as to hear her inspiring performance. The following
is a poem Kodac wrote after the experience:
Her Pipa Sings
Today I heard a Chinese waterfall
The sounds of the countryside
Far away from cars
Where the insects, the frogs
The birds cry
In silence, in storm
A Chinese opera performed on four strings
And thirty frets
An ancient battle for glory
For love, for hate
In darkness, in light
So mystical, so magical
So mesmerizing
With all the drama intact
All the emotions contained
Through all the seasons
She messages music
From those four strings
Her pipa sings
Her pips sings
Her pipa sings
In my soul
I am transported
On the wings of virtuosity
To a far away land
In a far away time
In a different space
In another world
I lose myself
I find myself
I transcend
Her pipa sings
by Kodac Harrison (c) 2001
See "Links" page for more on Ms. Min
The following is a translation of Kodac's first
international review from the daily newspaper of
Goettingen Germany:
Blues-Poet with the Courage
to be Emotional
The
good-natured rogue, Kodac Harrison comes from a rough
raw place. When the American songwriter performs
spoken word or sings in his scratchy baritone, he
bares his soul and exposes the essence of his warm
humanity. He is a man who hides nothing. Kodac
Harrison is a song-poet of a dying breed in the USA.
This lovable rogue, to his credit, has the courage to
show hurt and to exhibit human emotion. The
story-tellers songs and words create a poetic
atmosphere and tell of a world which is often filled
with pain, but his tales always reveal a glimpse of
light, a ray of hope.
He calls his music "Beatnik Blues" and his
soulful blues-voice cuts like a cross between Tom
waits and Howlin' Wolf. Accompanying himself on
guitar, he is melancholy like Leonard Cohen. In the
background often are one or two sweet and
sentimentally beautiful violins or a saxophone squealing like a braking automobile.
Warm and Raw
Kodac Harrison's lyrics are literature, are poetry.
Maybe it's a pity, but sometimes the words are almost
better without music; simply with his warm, raw,
magnificent speaking voice.
Udo Hinz, Goettinger Tageblatt, 10/26/00
READY TO FLY
I saw a big yellow moon
Bust through a dark blue cloud tonight
And I had a sudden certain feeling
That everything was going to be okay
So it's time to put the past to bed
And let tomorrow's dreams carry me
It's almost Independence day
I think I finally found the groove
I think I'm ready to fly
By Kodac Harrison (c) 1999
