Plague Journal, Greatness
What is required for greatness? Infrequently I ask the question silently, to myself in solitude. I’ve never answered out loud. But I know. Greatness is the achievement of a few lines of prose, a poem or two, a lyric or a tune of such quality that one recognizes “for this I was born.” I believe a few things figure into such outcomes. First is genetic heritage. Without the gift, without raw talent, no amount of “training” of hard work will suffice. After talent, come the years of preparation. Yes, years…. To live is to give one’s life for something. How many years does it take to become a virtuoso pianist, to achieve excellence playing the guitar? How many years of practice, of reading the work of others that one cannot hope to emulate, before one becomes a decent writer? There is no correct answer to that question. A final component of greatness, not to be overlooked is luck. Just the right coincidence of circumstances prompts the spark of creative genius.
Last night this tune came over the radio. We listened to the music on 97.1 The Drive while at the dinner table. No one knew the name of this piece, or the musicians responsible. Our best guess: The Grateful Dead, which was a compliment. It was an Allman Brother’s Band composition. With some internet research here is what I found.
“Jessica” is an instrumental piece by American rock band the Allman Brothers Band, released in December 1973… Written by guitarist Dickey Betts, … Betts wrote the majority of “Jessica” at the band’s farm in Juliette, Georgia. He named it after his daughter, Jessica Betts, who was an infant when it was released. She had bounced along to the song’s rhythm, and Betts attempted to capture her attitude with its melody. A 2006 Wall Street Journal article deemed it “a true national heirloom”. It is widely known as the theme to the British motoring program Top Gear. – Wikipedia
Devon Allman, offered some insight on why songs like this don’t need lyrics. “‘Flor D’Luna’ by Santana, ‘Jessica’ by the Allman Brothers – these songs don’t need words because that lead guitar is doing the talking and the singing. It’s a strong enough melody to stand on its own. Words over that wouldn’t make sense because it’s already doing the speaking.”
I offer Jessica for your Tuesday morning appreciation. It is worth all eight minutes of listening.
4 thoughts on “Plague Journal, Greatness”
To your point, greatness or the creation of an object or piece of music that resonates to a large number of our fellow humans, is a combination of a number of things. These moments occur when there is a confluence of talent, inspiration, timing, serendipity, and the wherewithal to seize the moment and develop that instance into something of substance. For some people these occurrences happen a number of times during their life, while other are struck with genius but once. The proverbial one-hit wonder. At the age of 70 I believe my time to experience this confluence is nearing an end. Of course, I do not have the same background as so many of those who have experienced this epiphany and who were able to utilize their creative talents towards the manifestation of such a moment in time.
Perhaps in my next life (as a buddhist might say). This is called acceptance of one’s path, not sour grapes as much as an understanding of how we make our choices. We are all offered opportunities (some more than others) and it what we make of those opportunities. As a white upper middle class male, I was given more chances to find that moment than most, so there is no-one to blame other than myself for squandering the chances at catching the brass rings that did come my way. C’est la vie.
Blame? It’s unclear whether that term applies. There are many currents that flow into this life, the one life we are sure of possessing. Since the time we have been acquainted, I would say that you have aspired to do “good” work. “Greatness” is out of or hands is it not? I mean the acclaim and affirmation of multitudes of our contemporaries that one has brought something special into being. We carry on, doing our best, with gratitude.
A friend here has a copy of this, in prominent view, I am led to understand, so I think; “why not share it with the rest of the group?
The Tathagata (one who is a Buddha) asked his followers and disciples to repeat ‘The Five Remembrances’ everyday – often I do. When decades of moving ‘Chi’ around my body fails to give me the meditative experience I seek, I turn to prayer. This is a prayer.
‘The Five Remembrances’ :
I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.
I am of the nature to be ill. There is no way to escape being ill.
I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape dying.
All that I hold dear and everyone I know are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.
My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand.
Om shanti, shanti, shanti
I certainly do have a copy displayed on my message board, so that I am able to bring to mind often these unquestioned precepts. the last is exactly to the point: My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand.