Suss, I can almost hear a cool jazzy guitar playing a solo or some phrases with octaves. Too obvious maybe, but other than that and the bass, I don't think that it needs a lot more.
Real nice tune with a very cool vibe, and tasteful drumming!

Hey Guys,

I'm a grand-dad again!

My son-in-love (David) phoned me last Tuesday with the news. Both mother (Angela - my daughter) and child (Gabrielle) are doing well.

David sent me e-pics of the event when the four of them enjoyed their moment in Time.

Four you ask? May we not forget Elijah, who is now only a little more than two years old.









, while forgiving my framing and annotations!

Sweet kids, a happy mom and a happy granddad who is also a drummer!
Not much more to ask from life, is there?

Congrats Suss!

Hi Guys,

My thanks to Pete for putting this up.

Whatever circumstances are exerted these days among us, or whatever music is heard by hyperlinks, we should perform the drums in concert (and agreement) with those who work so hard to achieve a level where we are ALL on the same plane.

Kindly paste the links into your browser without concern for their integrity. I am pupouslyly leaving it along right now to correct what is obviously in error with the links. Just cut and paste with my signature: ending in MP3. The files are on my server.

More importantly... just read me personally and understand that I agree with each and everyone around this globe who have the same altitude:



I never thought that I would have a career, though it is commonly (perhaps societally) thought that we all should have one (1). It is what, where and who we know that makes the difference. To "know" has more meanings than many admit to. Then there is timing also.

I say this because from my view of living experiences, I’ve sought, and still seek, to contribute in whatever manner (discipline) is required of (or from) anyone. I most certainly think this of myself. In my view, this is the essence of the Music: to listen first; and then speak (or perform).

“Multitasking,” as commonly known today in 2009, was necessary for me in the 50’s, well before the term became popular in the 90’s. I overdubbed the following tune from my heart, and that without permission from Eddie Palmeiri. It speaks to the freedom and liberty each of us have in expressing ourselves without the constraints of legalism, nationalism, and international politics. I choose to honor Mr. Palmeiri, while contributing on drums what his group found no room for on the original recording. You will hear my contribution as if I were in the room with them All. Curiously, none of us have enough to meet the needs of another. There’s truth here too!

http://www.johnsussewell.com/MareNostrum(WithoutMoney)-EddiePalmeiriWithSuss-021803A.mp3

Our pursuits ought to be purposed, rather than confused; especially when most walking this Planet have more to share than what seems to be allowed [in this context, I mean that we are truly products of our environment with, or in spite of, global illnesses when we are All unique individuals]. My prayer is that those who hear, Listen to each other and Learn!

These days, it ought to be easier than harder; and I’ve somehow learned this and know better myself. We, all of us, are being prepared for something much greater. Change is possible for everyone; if, and only if, there is a heart (capacity) for it. Nevertheless, many seem to want the status quo without ever changing beyond what they are accustomed. Too many “love” calamity in anonymity; while others don’t know which way to turn because of calamities. Together we are entrenched in holes each keep digging for themselves. So stop digging in pride and break out with Promise! That is what I say!

Calamity: singular noun; Calamities: plural noun 1. An event that brings terrible loss, lasting distress, or severe affliction; a disaster: A hurricane would be a calamity for this low-lying coastal region. See Synonyms at disaster. 2. Dire distress resulting from loss or tragedy. [quoted from the American Heritage Dictionary]

So, do we regress or progress? Will we learn from each other and seek to master whatever craft, gift, talent and tolerance we’ve been Given to share with each other in a coming flowing Language and Cultures? I wonder at this very point, as much as I Wonder (and am amazed) by Him who created me for His Eternity and not my destiny. Our tongues were already confused once by mankind’s ambitions and pride. Why should it be so many millennia later when we find ourselves still “babbling”?

I think that too many live in anonymity without credibility. Others seek visibility - neither having heart nor skill to deliver anything. Then there are those who are simply beaten down with reality to the point where their own hope is lost – to the chagrin (and Conundrum) of us All. And they either like it like that, or succumb to the pressures of everyone being embarrassed - simply because behind whatever veil, there seems to be no dignity among humankind anymore. Herein is the riddle, while we figure out the Signs and Times. By respect and regards to Billy Cobham for having provided this track for my overdub on his tune:

http://www.johnsussewell.com/ConundrumWithBillyCobham&Suss!-2003.mp3

Self dignity is so important: it is the sense of self-worth with a view toward opportunity to contribute. Once this is envisioned and Alive, a person’s activity WILL bring about responsibility and accountability. These are both a simple and complex truth: by the sharing comes accountability; and that without the fear of someone stealing what you have and was first Given! The Gift is based upon recognizing, receiving and responding to (mastering) it so that the Gift leaves no one as losers in the exchange. With All things considered, it is all in the negotiation.

By the God that I know (and certainly by His Son Christ Jesus), we Americans ought to have known this by now, so that ALL can appreciate what is already within our grasp, rather than what is hoarded among those who claim to be atheists, agnostics AND American politicians. Therein is a conundrum too.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m both thinking and praying that at the moment we find a treasure, we should hide it. Only after discovering the “discovered,” should our treasure be appreciated for its’ value, and then shared. It takes mastery of anything shared, and in any public forum.

Ultimately (in my obvious view of things), share your treasure rather than hide it. This has been my thinking when born in the 20th Century – now we’re in the 21st! Technology is a blessing in my book. It advances humanity to the capacity to hear each other and coordinate with each other. More technological advances have been made within my lifespan, and in the 20th Century, than any century since the beginning of history. Now we’re in the 21st. Hmmm… I wonder why.

So in this morass of seeming misery, I’m no better than anyone. I’m just here with ALL making the best of it with wisdom and understanding. Together, we appear to be both blessed and cursed - this conundrum will take some consideration for us to “Suss” (figure) out.

Actually, I’m Blessed to be here experiencing what our fathers already tried to impart to us. My Heavenly Father has already done this, which is why I share these Truths, as meek and seemingly weak I appear to be. We are All dull with hearing another truth; me with Steve Whitworth – a guy that I met in the studio when called upon to record his nascent project “To Whom, Etc.” The tune is “All.”

http://www.johnsussewell.com/ALL_SteveWhitworth&Suss-ToWhomEtc.mp3-2008.mp3

In the meantime, I thank my personal God that my music tempers aberrant temperaments apart from myself. Thank you, you listeners, as much as I thank you. Music is not my purpose in life – only one (1) of my passions. In the meantime, seek your own. Express yourself… multitask!

May your expressions be artistic and positive - with a view toward assisting someone else… the results are geometric, rather than arithmetic (additive). Better still, I think exponentially (to logarithmic possibilities – off the scale)! Will you?

What a reality, rather than what appears as promises. I adhere to His Promise, with my own responsibility and accountability to Him and each other. Therein will there be The Reconciliation.

By my own feet, hands and “phileo” Love (behind the keyboard & not drums): “To Reconcile” [go figure it out for yourselves without me in mind. I trust you’ll figure it out with others in mind]. Its all about the push and pull; the tension and release. We are the melodic and percussion. We work in concert; i.e. in agreement. What a symphony, while awaiting the Conductor!

http://www.johnsussewell.com/ToReconcile-BySussHands&Feet-2008-into2009.mp3
[The 2nd half of this tune is dubbed “Solaris,” which I recorded on my Mother’s organ back in 1978.]

With All Respect & Dignity to You,

John M. Sussewell
Suss!

How're you uncle Suss!

I know it's been sometime now, either here or myspace, that we've not been connecting. Anyway, I'll always love your take on Conundrum. I particularly appreciate your consistency on the high hats, very notable on Torpedo Flow. There is so much theoratically happening here without doing injustice to the effective 'naturalness' that many a players have exchanged for sterilness of technique. Your playing has always incouraged respectfull and thoughtfull disecting complex pieces of music without hampering it's energetic-groove or life out of it. To me, that's magic (musical maturity) I believe has intrigued me over the years seeing you as a ture craftsman of your instrument. It really started here for me. Thank you again for your valued contributiions!

As always-all hats off to the uncle

My perception,

rac

Hi uncle Suss,

Just want to thank you for your converse via cell yesterday afternoon (my time zone). You're timing was on (whether drum or timing) cause I picked up that call inbetween meetings at a shopping center. But was great hearing and am greatfull for your generosity in sending me a cd of your music.

Again, thank you and please do remember this response..haha

In all due respects,

rac

Aloha!

Conundrum/riddle is quite simple actually. Yet "simple" is relative, depending upon who understands what is being asked.

My preparation is honed in understanding how to apply what is demanded... at least from my creative pulse.

Billy wrote a tremendous tune from his perspective. I simply applied that perspective to my own.