DJ Jim Q's Playlist: Resilient
The theme this month is Resilient. The strength to comeback after a setback. To recover after a fall. Artists inherently have to be resilient. A tolerance for failure is a prerequisite for developing in any art form. Not letting today’s failures prevent tomorrow’s accomplishments. Otherwise everyone would stop the first time their creation didn’t match the expectations in their mind. It sounds simple, but it’s this perseverance of spirit, drive and resilience that reveals great artists. I sometimes wonder if resilience is even more essential than talent. And the combination of both is where the exceptional happens. For every story of the struggling artist or the unrecognized musician, there’s a resilience pushing them forward to create.
The theme was selected by our Dallas chapter. Our Texas friends have had a devastating year, from the epic floods and damage created by hurricane Laura to the winter storms that left millions without power and water. It was heartbreaking to watch the reports of folks struggling through truly apocalyptic conditions. Texans are known for their resilience and I’m relieved to see our southwestern friends emerge from the crisis. I have included a number of artists from the lone star metropolis. From the psychedelic pioneer Roky Erickson, to Motown songsmith Willie Hutch, to Dr. Dre‘s protege D.O.C., to the disarmingly earnest Polyphonic Spree, Dallas is the birthplace of a diverse set of artists and musical pioneers. And those are just a few of the Dallas artists I included in the playlist, see if you can find the others.
Speaking of Texas and resilience, I would be delinquent in my responsibilities as a music fan and amateur musicologist without mentioning the legendary, tough as leather, grandfather of outlaw country, “Shotgun” Willie Nelson. The man has lived a life. Born in 1933 he is still filling stages with wisdom and tune. Through tragedy, both financial and deeply personal, he has withstood decades of turbulent change while always remaining relevant and renewed. A remarkable memorial to his perseverance and grit hangs around his neck in the form of his Martin N-20 classical guitar affectionately named “Trigger”. This guitar has ridden with Willie since 1969 and has the road-worn scars of an extended tour of duty. His companion through over 10,000 performances, it’s hard not to recognize Trigger as an inanimate incarnation of Willie himself. Wrinkled, withered and worn but still capable of conceiving new beauty, Tigger, like music itself, is a fountain of youth and an instrument of resilience. Texas Monthly has a wonderfully nuanced story illuminating the relationship between the musician and the instrument. I encourage you to read it and enjoy the beautiful photography that accompanies the article.
Bounce-back, recover and revive, the theme this month is resilient. This song list will cheer on your comeback. From AC/DC’s eternal rock anthem “Back in Black”, to the Chiiild and Shungudzo collab “Back to Life”, to DMX’s “Let Me Fly”, this is the soundtrack to your return to form. We’re back baby!
Thanks for listening. If you enjoy these playlists, please follow me on Spotify and give me a holler on Twitter, I would love to hear from you.