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Two Guitars Poem by Gloria Maxson

The Living

As if in that Pentecostal day,
Guitars were also filled with holy fire that gave the gift of tongues,
You also may speak in whatever language you desire.

Is it not strange that woods so various as yours have moods as various as mine;
That you can range from a gregarious flamenco shout
Or shrill electric whine that rocks the town,
And then in full eclipse,
Begin a kind of lullabying croon that, with the tenderest of fingertips,
Can rock the cradle of the Newborn moon.

So speak in all your tongues, for all are true, -
And all are loved – for all of them are you.

The Dead

How sad we sing no more in harmony – my old guitar;
But both in silence lie!
My fingers, stiffened with infirmity; no more evoke your strings to sweet reply;
And my infirmity becomes your own in that shared sympathy that lovers know –

My broken voice has cracked the very tone of yours;
That ranged so richly high and low,
And the untimely bending of my form has set a subtle warping to your frame,
As if you shared in every way the storm that came upon me, and that overcame.

So close were we in love, in joy, and art –

I tomb your silent body in my heart.


PS. I wrote this down more about 30 years ago and have been carrying it in my guitar case all that time; I still have the original copy which has yellowed with age, but this has been part of my life’s musical inspiration philosophy ever since. I am just now saving it on my computer, as I cannot find an original copy of this on the Internet, although I did find some other references to Gloria Maxson’s poetry.

About a year ago I forwarded a copy to Kevin Eubanks of the Tonight Show; said he really liked it.

Randy Smith
aka
RCSBlues

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RCSBlues

lovely! thanks for posting it!

I would like to dedicate this poem to Gary Smith - my younger brother - who passed away Oct 1, 2007 after a long fight against cancer; he was a great guitarist, well known in Des Moines Iowa; references to tributes to him by Iowa Blues society:

http://bluesman2001.blogspot.com/2007/1 ... peace.html

http://bluesman2001.blogspot.com/2007/1 ... woman.html

Thanks,
Randy Smith
aka RCSBlues

_________________
RCSBlues

Hats off to Gary, who it seems to me did what we all try to do- play some good licks when we can. Thanks for the memorial.

It always touches me to hear about musicians, even if I never knew them, because I suppose we are all brothers and sisters who play.

Appreciated;

There are some old pics of him playing his 335 on the Collections page.

RCSBlues

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RCSBlues

I am very sorry for your loss. Words and music never capture all the feelings but we try. It looks like he added much joy to those around him.

RCS, I can't tell you how sorry I am for your loss. He will always live on through the lives of those he knew and loved, and I believe there will be a time when you will be with him again. May he rest in peace, and may God bless you, your family, and all of his friends.

Mate, I thank you for the poems! I'm sure they'll help you through this time - take care, brother

John

Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated!

Thanks,
Randy Smith
RCSBlues

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RCSBlues

Amarillo KACV FM / PBS TV Channel 3 Simulcast –
Kinetic Energy in April 1979 on Jackson Street Live –
Audio Tracks –
Click on any song to play or download -
http://www.reverbnation.com/rcsblues
These are the full versions of these songs and they can be downloaded;

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed – 10:48; Allman Brothers song - that’s me playing the lead part at the beginning of the song, and then sharing lead guitar throughout with my brother Gary.
Dreams I’ll Never See – 8.03.
Molly Hatchet’s remake of the Allman Brothers song;
Brother Gary singing lead; I am playing lead guitar at the beginning, then Gary plays lead, then we both share lead guitar parts at the end.
Trudy – 5:10. a Charlie Daniels song - I am singing with my brother Gary harmonizing.
Gimme Three Steps – 5:03 - our tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd.
These live recordings are from the first time that my brother Gary and I, or Kinetic Energy for that matter, had performed together – anywhere – and we played on a live TV show – 2 complete sets (10 songs) - which resulted in 1.1 hours of filmed and recorded music.
Also added two songs with brother Gary Smith playing lead for RH Blues Factor on the Iowa Blues Showcase in the early 90’s – they were pretty good.

One With The Blues, Seemed Like A Good Idea at the Time – and –

I Need Your Love So Bad and Gary Smith Radio Interview with Tom Gary –

I finally found another sight that let me Upload some of our music from 1979:

Only 2 songs - but 2 of the best that evening;
Kinetic Energy 1979 Jackson Street Live Audio Tracks;

These songs are from the X340 pics on the Electra Collections tab;

I used my Electra X340 on both of these tracks;
I used the MPC Flanger on Dreams I'll Never See;

http://bandmix.com/rcsblues/
Click on either song to play on the top right;
These are the full versions of these songs;
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed – 10:48;
Dreams I’ll Never See – 8.03.

Thanks,
Randy Smith
aka RCSBlues

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RCSBlues

Sorry about your loss. You sure they were recorded in '79? Sound like they could have been done recently.

Don't hear anyone play "Dreams I'll Never See" anymore. Both were great.

Yes - they were recorded in 1979 - I was there!

The recording came out as clear as it did because the audio / video was run directly through the board at KACV TV channel 3 here in Amarillo and recorded on a reel to reel during the live TV performance; this tape was professionally mixed and transferred to CD just last year. The VHS tape has also been transferred to DVD.

Thanks!

RCSBlues

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RCSBlues

I wasn't doubting you on when they were recorded, just making a comment on how good they sounded...lol

Oh - I knew you weren't doubting;

I appreciate the compliment;

I was amazed that the CD clarity sounded this good after it was rerecorded last year from the original reel to reel tape.

Thanks again,
RCSBlues

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RCSBlues