Thanks for stopping by my little place in mySpace. It's wonderful to be able to connect with so many good people. I am grateful ;^)
Please take the opportunity to check out some of my friends' spaces. All are quite remarkable in their own way, and whether known or unknown to you, there are incredibly talented folks just a click away.
Don't forget to stop in on my brother Craig whose bass playing is as steady as a rock and as melodic as a mountain stream. He is one of the best musicians I have had the good fortune of encountering in my lifetime. I thank the Great Spirit for landing him right under my nose.
Welcome!
I am a guitarist, singer, songwriter of some thirty plus years now. Phew! Somewhere along the way I convinced myself and a chosen few others -- my mom, my wife, my son is still on the fence -- that I had/have something to say and perhaps a touch of grace with which to say it. Who knew?! Who knows!? All I know is that life is big and wide. Find some peace, some joy, fight the good fight but don't forget to Enjoy! Dance and smell your way. Feel free to visit my website for more info on what's happening with me. All things considered are works in progress albeit ever so s-l-o-w-l-y.
Rite of Way is a musical vehicle, a wordplay on rite of passage, rite of the way, but without the 'the'... An idea behind what I believe is the true potential of music. To transform, transport, transmogrify, transcend... A rite of transformation, transportation. I am living proof of it's power. Watch me pull a rabbit out of me 'at. No set lists, no plans, just trying not to skimp on an old family recipe. My brother Craig and I have been playing together on and off for as long as I can remember. Good therapy for a mad, mad, mad world. ROW's first incarnation included long time friend and drummer par exellance, Dave Sones. After a few years of kicking around the bars Dave departed and the extremely talented Rob Garcia took over on drums for a few gigs until his own work needed tending. This would open the door for drummer extraordinaire Tony Mapp to enter. Tony held the seat magnificently until we all began to fade into more concrete forms of life... the heart beats on... Ever onward.
Current Playlist Above
US was written in 2006 and includes Craig on bass with me rattling around on the rest of what you hear. The catalyst for US was directly related to an examination of the American War in Vietnam and my wondering about American identity and the reflection in the mirror. As the ever-right-on-witty Firesign Theatre asked in their unique way back in 1969, "Who am US, anyway?"
While I Dance, also written in 2006 with Craig on bass, is a virtual verbal confrontation/conversation with a soul on the other side of a particular philosophic abyss. A someone I just can't seem to help but find myself in seemingly eternal disagreement with. It also addresses the need to dance while able... through it all... If you listen real close, the opening 3/4 groove continues thoughout the tune within the 4/4 time the tune is written in, such that for every four bars of 3/4 and every three bars of 4/4 the ONE is in the same place. Elementary, Mr. Watson! Other rhythmic elements were added to disguise this but the basic track of me singing and playing the tune on acoustic against that 3/4 groove nearly drove me insane. Why make things easy! So be forewarned, this exercise could drive you clean out of your head...
Hard Line of Faith An old tune written in 1985 put out on a cassette entitled Pull Up a Chair long ago in the land that time forgot. Regardless of all manner of angst and this big world getting you down, ya gotta get it right at home with the one you love with the understanding that everybody's struggling and there are those out there always fighting the good fight with love in their hearts. Craig is on the bass, the rest is me, guitars, vocals, keys, drum programming.
In Midair Written in 1998 this is a homegrown cut with my guitar orchestra - layered up like six guitars, what can I say - me on bass with some drum programming. A tune of desperation,hope, and prayer with some mood and meter changes. The picture is one of my nephews doing a half gainer off the side of a pool where I caught him, well, as you can see...
Firelit Moonlight is a song written in 1987, music by brother Craig while I supplied the lyrics. It is a festive 5/4 groove with a bridge in 11/4 - yes, "this one goes to eleven!" Its a great jamming vehicle and this version is a fine representation of the band working live.
The ROW lineup at the time:
Tony Mapp/Drums
Craig Privett/Bass, vocals
Mark Privett/Guitar, Vocals
The Search was written in 1986 after a long night that turned into the day. This version is live with the same personnel as Firelit Moonlight and Craig and Tony rock the you know what out of it. The opening contains the last strains of the Grateful Dead's Uncle John's Band with it's 7/4 vamp in d minor. My tune just happens to also be in 7/4 and as it's in D major it was a perfect segue. Both tunes were recorded by my wife Linda who bravely attended and recorded many of our gigs. Brave Heart Linda! Thanks. I've always found 7/4 to be a pretty goovin' time signature for an odd meter. There's a couple of live straighter ROW examples over on Brother Craig's page if you're interested. Whoop there it is...
Given Time started out as a hopeful commentary on my new born son's sleep habits - "The kid's a real sleeper..." which he was not... it ended up being a bit more fancifully autobiographical if I were to admit such a thing which I do not. Written in 1998, the year of my boy, Joshua. I supplied all the noise on this tune.
Mark Privett/Guitar, Bass, Drum Program, Vocals