Yes. This book by the “legendary music producer,” Rick Rubin: “The Creative Act: A Way of Being,” is a good read. Anyone “being creative,” which includes all of us, will get something from it. It is a bit of a philosophical/spiritual tract, a manifesto, a long-form essay, a unargumentative argument for being a Creative Being & Being Creative & living a Creative Life. Rick makes the case that we are here to manifest ourselves in collaboration with the Universe. When we create anything, a conversation, a building, a novel, a song, whatever, we are dipping into, and bringing forward, ideas from the Source, and manifesting that inspiration forward into the world. I like to say, doing the creative work is “the good work;” a discipline, a process, a mission, that gives our lives meaning & purpose. And by doing the work, we transform our selves, and our lives. Powerful shite. Rubin delves deep into the subject, and shines a light on all its various, angles & contradictions. It’s a pretty definitive discussion of the subject and shows the way that creativity can emerge, be channeled, & ebbs & flows. It’s a bit of a “how-to,” manual, but it’s put forward as a long-form suggestion, “take what you need, and leave the rest.” I took most of it in. Most of the book totally resonates with my own lived experience. For me there were no great surprises, I feel like I have “lived this book,” throughout my very own long-form, creative journey; writing stories, poems, plays, putting on plays, performing, directing, and then, writing songs, organizing bands, rehearsing, performing & recording. It’s a way of Life a way of Being. The best kind. So, yes, for me, this is quite the validating book. Rubin also brings a Zen-like quality to his Life & his writing, he embodies a kind of spiritual practice that shines through every sentence. Yes. And his dedication to meditation, to observing & learning from Nature, hits home too. I too use this two-pronged approach in my creative practice. Anyway, I do recommend the book, I think it will appeal to pretty much anyone. My only little quibble, this kind of all encompassing, grand vision seems a little too neat. I tend to retreat to the shadows. I don’t like to over-think my creative process. My creative process is sort of a mystery to me, and I want to keep it that way. Some how, some way it works for me. Every time a riff, a lyric, comes, it’s a surprise. It’s an organic method, inspiration just emerges. Usually my best work comes from my subconcious pool of being. I am always trying to get out of my head & into another realm, the realm of pure creativity. Rick acknowledges that approach too. The book is quite magnificent in it’s very own unique way. – Jammer
Tag: creativity
r&r diary – “Finding Our Voices in the Maelstrom…” – 03.22.26


Yesterday, the Lovely Carla & I spent late afternoon in packed little Chicago bar singing “our truth,” with whitewolfsonicprincess. It is quite the thing. Write songs, take them out into the world and sing them with all your heart & soul. I, for one, am not saying I am a fabulous singer or anything, but “my voice,” is truly mine, it’s authentically mine, it took me a long time to truly find it, and there is something about letting it fly into the atmosphere with complete confidence, backed by a kick-ass band. It took a long time to get to this place without worry, doubts, or second thoughts. Also, there is the long process of finding out what “works,” & what doesn’t; working thru all the elements, having the right gear, working thru bad sound, broken strings, tuning issues, not being being able to hear your voice or guitar in the center of the hurricane. The audience was appreciative, enthusiastic; our voices were just one element in an 8 piece ensemble. The “magic” comes from losing yourself in the moment. The vibe the band creates is bigger than any one of us. So yeah, our voices in the middle of the maelstrom of sound, just vibes in the ocean of vibes. Whenever you do anything “creative,” you are edging out on the high wire, not knowing if what you are doing is really good, bad, or indifferent. Really, you are just trusting the creative impulse. Giving your all, losing your “self,” dropping your ego, in moments of complete trascendence. Those moments can’t be ordered up, or commanded, they descend upon you, like a cloud, or like a gentle rain. There is nothing better in the world. You bask in the glow of an uncommon, beautiful thing. Just another show, but it is a little glimpse of everything, imperfectly conjured up just right, everything truly in it’s right place, in the right moment to moment. – Jammer
