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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
 Posted - 11/13/2015 : 07:05:36 AM
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This week has been a tough one for friends of songwriter Chuck Pyle, known as the Zen Cowboy...but so much more. His truly great lyricism, song poetry, smooth voice and world class, self-invented fingerstyle was respected by great pickers wherever he toured.
At 70, he was still touring around 100 concert dates a year, which of course means being on the road around 200...exhausting at half his age.
No, he wasn't a traditional slack key nut like myself...But definetly a paniolo style, self-taught cowboy player.
but used many tunings: traditional, Dropped D, C wahine, and others...
His fingerstyle was a self-invented "one-man band" with his own back beat built in.
Luckily, he liked having my fiddle touches on cd's and live shows.
Denver Post and Daily Camera have obituaries today, but I would like to add a quick personal perspective.
I played fiddle with Chuck for over 25 years...
We're preparing for the first Memorial tomorrow, in a small arts center in Palmer Lake Colorado...and kinda expect they may need a Cathedral for this one.
More songwriters are expected to be able to attend, and further extend the tributes to this great artist and soulful writer...but at a later date (February in Boulder--our old stomping and picking grounds.)
His songs have been recorded by John Denver, Chris LeDoux, Jerry Jeff Walker, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Suzy Boggus, to name a few...
But his later work, Like "Over the San Luis" which captures the feeling of a glider experience over the Rockies, are more like the work of a Shaman Poet. To see a recent live performance, take a look at MAMA concert with Chuck solo on this...
it ain't country western! It's more like a Piccasso-like musical artist, taking us along on his glider flight.
It's now a featured song at the Air Force Academy chapel near his Palmer Lake where he lived.
He was spending the day fly-fishing, living life on his terms...probably dreaming up another song.
He will be missed beyond belief...
but playing with a great artist made it easy to reconnect with my muse and desire to "dig deep" into musical thought, and float along.
also alot of activity and links on Facebook.
Aloha Oe my friend.
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Edited by - Kapila Kane on 11/13/2015 07:11:18 AM |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2015 : 1:13:46 PM
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Sorry to hear about Chuck's passing.
I guess I was lucky to meet him at that hotel room in Menlo Park years ago when you introduced us. It must be hard on you to lose such a close friend and compatriot. I hope he did not suffer much at the end.
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
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Eynowd
Lokahi
Australia
181 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2015 : 2:58:27 PM
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My condolences on the passing of your friend. It's always hard to lose someone who means a lot to you.
Godpseed, Chuck. |
Geoff - g'day from Canberra, Australia. |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2182 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2015 : 05:56:49 AM
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As our lives progress on the planet, we become ever more aware of loss, holes in our existences where valued friends are absent. The fact that they made an impact and an influence on our lives is their value. May we impact and influence others likewise. Their absence does not diminish their value.
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2015 : 7:43:46 PM
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| Right, Thumbs! Thank god you are around. I've lost 4 of my best friends in the last 10 years. I just feel lucky to be alive. |
keaka |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2015 : 10:22:20 AM
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| Sorry to hear. Thanks for honoring your friend here at the 'patch. |
Andy |
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Loss of friend Chuck Pyle, Colorado songwriter.
