Things Can Walk To You, claims former Mr. Big guitarist Paul Gilbert
As previously reported here at Stargazed Magazine, guitar genius Paul Gilbert (Racer X, Mr. Big, G3) will release his next album “Behold Electric Guitar” (CD, 2LP, Digital) on May 17th through Mascot Label Group/Music Theories Recordings.
Ahead of the release of the album, Paul has unveiled the official music video for another new track, “Things Can Walk To You”.
Paul Gilbert – Things Can Walk To You (Official Music Video)
He states about the song: “‘Things Can Walk to You’ is the closing track on my new album, ‘Behold Electric Guitar’, and although it is performed as an instrumental, the melody is based on my most recent cantankerous lyrics.
“Let me tell you the story. One of my goals in moving to Portland was to live in a neighborhood where I could ‘walk to things.’ I looked forward to getting daily exercise by walking to local restaurants and shops, and getting some fresh outdoor air. I found a website called ‘Walk Score,’ which rated the walkability of any address, and the area where I moved was rated high, and seemed perfect. It turns out that walkability not only attracts exercising musicians, but also attracts homeless people with their shopping carts, brimming with garbage, and leaving a trail of hypodermic needles. “Yes, yes. I know that it’s callous to call anyone a ‘thing.’ (Even when they when steal your license plates, and smash your car window to steal your son’s backpack.) I’m sure everyone has a story. And not everyone has the good fortune to be able to turn their story into a song.
“I certainly appreciate my station in life. So I used the power of music to transform a callous rant into a soulful slide guitar melody, and guitar solo that builds and builds until it earns its place as the closing musical statement on my album. Some of my other cantankerous songs offer not only a problem, but also a solution. Problem: People don’t use their turn signals. Solution: Everybody use your goddamn turn signal. Problem: Auto-Tuned music is annoying to me. Solution: Terraform the moon, so I can move there, and get away from Auto-Tuned music.
“‘Things Can Walk to You’ offers no solution, because I don’t have one. For those who are struggling, I wish I had the answer. If I could help homeless people by showing them how to play patterns with the major and minor blues scales, then I think I could do some good. But I suspect they need help in other areas. So in the meantime, I guess we’ll all keep walking, and breathing the fresh air. And if it’s blues scales you need. I’m here.”
