Livingston, Bob 2008-10-29
Bob Livingston the influence of his older brother Donald on his music, and his interaction and inspiration from Joe Ely. He then switches to discuss the music he wrote in India and the process he went through integrating themes of West and East into his performances. He closes with thoughts on the creative process he follows when writing songs.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Bob Livingston
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: October 29, 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Interviewer: Andy Wilkinson
Length: 02:54:17
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
Video Start up, Influence of older brother, Donald, Donald played guitar, 45 Tapes and Apache, Bo Diddley, Encouraged Bob to sing, Donald playing in The Raiders, Guitar teaching job, teach by learning songs, Playing gigs together as Livingston Brothers, First experiences playing bass, Stopped playing together, disbandment of Livingston Brothers, Donald after Bob goes on solo gigs, Bob playing gigs in Los Angeles, Donald joins, Joey Gallow, booked gigs for Livingston brothers, Donald moves to Hawaii, came back to San Diego, Currently, sit in on each others’ gigs, Donald’s regret/bitterness at not being signed, Influence, Joe Ely, Went to see Ely in Lubbock, Paul Revere, the Raiders, Johnny Hughes handing Bob the Caldwell-Lloyd Demo, Influence of Caldwell-Lloyd Demo on Lost Gonzo Band, Bob plays tape, Brovsky getting Ely signed, Indian cross-cultural influences, Blend of East and West with Eastern musicians, Last sitarist in Pakistan, Bo Diddely and Buddy Holly as icebreaker between musicians, Wild East, integrating Eastern influences back in Texas, Writing songs with Reed Wood, Grant funded by the Arts Commission, 1995, Iris’s original trip to India, reasons for, Cultural acceptance of Livingston family, Process of learning, Spiritualism in Indian Culture, Influence of drone, contrast with classical music, Musical effect on audiences, In India, making real the cowboy, prairie story, Degrees of interest between cultures, Engaging American audience with Indian culture, Common human elements between cultures, Cowboys and Indians, “Original Spirit”, Direction headed, Broadway, Zachary Scott Theater in Austin, General Indian reaction to play, Inspiration for other projects, At a crossroads, plans for the future
Tape 1, Side 2:
Video Start up, Creative process, Andy’s first experience with Bob’s music, Creativity in creation and interpretation, Background with church campfire singing, His own interpretation of songs he learned, Autobiographical roots in current record, Process of writing Cowboys and Indians, Writing notions into songs, Writing “Lets Go Dance Like It’s a Holiday”
Tape 2, Side 1:
Video Start up, Creative process (Continued), Writing “Public Domain”, Experience with visual arts, Technicality in various mediums, Jerry Jeff’s recording process, Performing in studio contrasted to live, Writing “Christmas Night”, Finding language to describe process, “The Well of the Blues”, Gary Nunn, songwriting, Lost Gonzo Band tape
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript: Transcript available on Dspace
https://swco-ir.tdl.org/handle/10605/358786
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