Ladies & Gents...
A *Few* Conversations with :
(Musician/ Singer-Songwriter/ Composer/
Producer/Actor /Director/Photographer)
* me *
w / Guest "Inner-viewers" :
Fire
Bernard Wright
Reggie Hudlin
Kenny Farrall
David Hassen
Van Hunt
And, SMARTALECMUSIC's own : "ZSAQUEZ"
Fire : What’s up?
FOLEY : MUSIC & the SUN
.... 
What R U wearing right now?
FOLEY : Socks....Over-alls....Aloe Vera leaf.......
What have U been doing lately besides being funky?
FOLEY : Life.
Music is a given.
Tryin' to figure out things ....That can't be defined
* I guess *
I don't know ....
Does the funk ever hurt?
FOLEY : YES.... it Does !!
when U're onstage with folks that aren't in your "Weight class" ?!?
But, in Hindsight ?
I didn't know how Miles put up with me some nights....
I CAN DO THAT GIG NOW !!!
Do u put bandages on it?
FOLEY : Nah....I just get the off the Stage.
What do u think u were like when u were younger?
FOLEY : The SAME !!!
I'm serious......
*Now, All of this is starting to make sense*
A friend of the family just recently told me that when I was little ( 3-4yrs. old )
With most children....an Adult could walk up on a little kid with high-pitched voices & a cute little demeanor .....
And, he told me that I WASN'T INTO THAT !
He said I would straight look at somebody "Sideways"
Like : "Why is this fool in my face ?"
Or
" Who represents this MF ?"
What do OTHERS think u were like when u were younger……
I need references too, don’t give me all the niceties
FOLEY : Wow. references huh ?
I guess U'd have to ask em' .....if U can Find em
95% of em' are either dead or in Jail
( or smokin' dat "Glass Dick" )
How old were u when u realized music was oxygen?
FOLEY : 5 - 6 yrs. old
I use to sit on top of my grandmothers Huge Trunk ...
And, I'd sit there ALL DAY LONG pounding on that trunk to EVERY song that came on the radio !
I use to think I was sittin' in !
When U're a little kid..... U don't know it's actually a record being broadcasted .....
When did u realize that u were not alone? ( or , who was the first person to be in “cahoots” with u as far as music goes? )
FOLEY : Wow.
I was "All Alone", when it came to music....had to pick it up in the streets...like it was drugs & shit
When did u realize that there were people that wanted to exploit ur music for the sake of a dollar?….and then didn’t even want to give u what they made off of ur love being exploited? …the music business is pornographic….& I don’t mean that in a good way….na’mean?
FOLEY : Yes, Indeed !!
THAT game, was well laid out .....prior to me gettin' in on this craziness
* see Morris Levy & the writer / publishing saga *
I've been workin' since I was 14yrs. old ( Musically )
I was on drums then, playin' in clubs I wasn't supposed to be in .....
Fights breakin' out & shit.....
They knew that $50 to a 14yr. old is heavy. (back in the day)
So, they would give me almost half of what they owed me & then beat me outta the rest of my money
( I didn't know & didn't care ...at the time )
but, once I got hip to shit...I had some older "Cousins" & "Friends" pay a visit....
( needless to say ) It got handled....
R u bitter?
FOLEY : Bitter ?
About what , Sweethart ?
This BUSINESS ! Or do u use that energy to ur advantage like I figure a smartalec like u would do?
I'm actually living the "Life of Riley"
I can play When / What I want ...... I control & own my Likeness ( company etc. )
AND, I CAN STILL DANCE !!!!
*hahaha*
And, I Might "Wear U out" onstage, too ?!?!
This record industry is getting what it deserves : "Karmic" retribution !!!
The Internet alone has settled that debt. ( not to mention Technology settin' things off )
Alot of folks have Died Broke / RICH & Un-Happy.....
Plus, on the other side of the coin:
Trying to maintain the cover of "Rolling Stone" etc. must be an absolute Nightmare !
( If YOU give it that much POWER )
I can't imagine what it Feels like , when the "Applause" sign gets turned off on a Muhfucka .
Again .....if that's ALL you're about !!
First obvious question: what individual had the GREATEST influence on u? …….
Personally? My Mother. ( with "StreetLife" runnin' a close 2nd )
Socially? Miles.....no question
Musically? SLY STONE !! ( early on ) Then....Stevie Wonder & then....Bootsy.
Spiritually? The SUN ....The Mountains....The Ocean
Physically? Bruce Lee ( he wasn't supposed to walk again, after breaking his back )
but, I must say ....it makes me very proud to watch how "Prince" has taken Great care of himself & his throat !
*He's seems age-less*
First big question: what was it like to work with one of the greatest to ever breathe, Miles Davis?
FOLEY : wow.
I don't know if I can do that in a word or three....
But, I'll say this :
He handled himself ...excatly the same..... in EVERY situation !!!
He didn't take shit from ANYBODY.....Yet, he was one the "Kindest people" U would EVER meet ?!?!
And, about as funny as "Richard Pryor" sometimes ...
Miles used to call me all the time during a tour saying: "Bring the (Boom) Box" !!
I remember once he woke me up at like....4 - 5 in the mornin'
And said : "I got some HALF BITCHES up here !!"
I was like : " What?"
then he said : "Yea....Half of these Bitches can stay ..... And, Half of these Bitches gotta go !! "
Miles knew I could handle myself in ANY situation !
And, I've ALWAYS been sort of a "Ladies Man" ( of which, U don't necessarily have to be "FINE" to be )
*snicker*
So, kats in the band & crew used to "Try" to have jokes about it.
"Man there's this gorgeous chick backstage lookin' for you, sayin' : " Where's Foley ? "
And, it had gotten to the point of where Miles had drawn a sketch about it !?!?!
Miles had drawn all of these Beautiful "Nude" women asking : "WHERE'S FOLEY ?"
Shit....in retrospect ?
I was Immortalized for being a Playa ?!?
WHAT ????
What did u learn & how much did u learn during the years around him professionally & personally?
FOLEY : " SPACE "
When & When NOT to ....Which was something I was able to carry over to my life , as well as the "Stage"
The exact SAME principle applies : When & when NOT to "Speak" etc.
I find ALOT of people "Over-React" to shit .....And, I've been guilty of this as well.
I've found that the best response one could have.... is to : NOT~ SAY~ SHIT !!!
( cause , then..... U won't let muthafuckas in yo head, that way )
But , If you're ALWAYS wearin' ya' heart on yo' sleeve ....And, U don't have "Poker-Face" ?!?!
You ain't got a chance... up in this Bitch !
For those that don’t know, name drip drop…..who else have u worked with?
FOLEY : I have to think about that....Really !
Greatest guitarist ever?
FOLEY : No such thing .
it's what's flowing thru a person that's GREAT / DIVINE ....
( NOT THEM )
It's sorta like Loggin' on [ your computer ]
When U don't have the right pin # ? YOU DON'T GET ONLINE !!!!
Well....some people know how to "Log on" but, that doesn't make THEM great , per se....
They just have the ability to connect to "IT" ( regardless of their personal shit !!)
Hence : "Dude's amazing , but he's such an Asshole"
People like Bruce Lee , Stevie Wonder , Picasso, Dominque Dawes , ' Trane .....
their pin #'s are/were in the "Single digits" !!
So, it's alot easier for folks like that, to get "online" if U will
But, a Regular-ass MF ( like ME ) 10 digits or Higher ?
The trick is to get that Pin # .....Way Down !!
so , that *Loggin' on* is ALOT Faster & Easier ?
But, as far as Guitar goes ?
I do have MANY Favorites....
Wes Montgomery
Hendrix
Eddie Hazel
John Scofield
Steve Morse
George Benson
Joe Rubino ( Coke Escovedo )
*the Late* Allan Murphy ( from the group GO WEST )
Steve Lukather
Brad Gillis
Mike Hampton
Charles "Icarus" Johnson ( George Duke )
Albert Collins
Prince ( his rhythm shit, is MASSIVE )
Jeff Watson
Mike Stern
Omar Mesa ( Mandrill )
Dez Dickerson
Brian May ( U can even hear his english accent ?!? )
Gary Shider
Jef Lee Johnson
B.B. King
Mike Sembello ( he sings his ass off, too )
Victor Johnson ( the Busboys )
Eddie Van Halen
Steve Vai
"Blackbird" McKnight
Santana
Danny & Drac ( from "Slave" )
Jeff Beck.....I could go on & on & on & on & on & on
Favorite solo artist?
FOLEY :
Stevie Wonder
Sly Stone
Rance Allen
"Bird"
James Brown
Miles Davis
Joni Mitchell
Prince
Bjork
Todd Rundgren
Walter "Junie " Morrison
Shuggie Otis
Bootsy Collins
too many to name.....
Band ?
FOLEY :
Sly & the Family Stone
The Isley bros.
P-Funk
Earth, Wind & Fire ( '72-'80 )
Led Zepp
The Dixie Dregs
Ohio Players
Weather Report
George Duke Band ( '77 - 80 )
Brick
Fishbone ( '85-'93 )
YES
The Tony's
Mint Condition
Jungle Bros.
ATCQ
PE
&
Any ONE of My Bands ...
Who do u REALLY listen to?…Not that I like them but really listen to?
( And leave joni out of this, I already know about her? )
FOLEY : *Damn*
EVERYBODY & EVERYTHING !!
Lots of "Carl Stallings" & "Ray Scott"
And, "The Emotions"
Who do u want to work with?
FOLEY : SLY ? ( which is REALLY being presumptuous )
SLY STONE Don't need to WORK WITH ANYBODY !!!
How can ONE PERSON influence : STEVIE ....MILES.....HENDRIX......GEORGE ......PRINCE etc. ?!?!?!?!
Yeah , right .....I wanna work with Sly ?!?!
( shit, I Need to WATCH SLY WORK !!! )
*I'm STILL salty 'bout that JesseJohnson shit*
Show me what ur working with!?
FOLEY : Look out the window.... And then , LOOK UP !!!
All Divinity , Girl !
ALL OF IT !!!
What r u like on the daily?
FOLEY : A Mess.
What makes u angry?
FOLEY : " Ignorance....w/ Cheese "
What makes u un-angry?
FOLEY : Music....
What makes u happy besides music?
FOLEY : SEX ( FFM )
Favorite city?
FOLEY : Guadeloupe !!
and, Stockholm in the summer.
"NYC" in the summer , as well.
We peeped u playing the keys for Res..which instrument do u prefer, the axe or the board? Is this a rhetorical question?
FOLEY : No , not at all ....
Neither.
I prefer to play Bass .... or Drums
That's where my initial ( Musical ) reaction will come from .
I love the look on Kats faces, when they hear me play drums !!
( It's Classic Shit )
"Damn , man ....I didn't know U could Rock drums like dat nigga"
What “young” cats do u dig?
FOLEY :
Chris Dave : *Drummer*
Jason "JT" Thomas ( That "OTHER" bad ass drummer....ask "Chris Dave" about HIM )
D'angelo
Andre 3000 & Big Boi ( from day one )
Lisa Lopez ( R.I.P. )
Cee Lo
Nellie Hooper
" L-Boogie " ( even w/ the tears )
J-Swift
Keith Crouch
Eric Sermon
Easy Mo'Bee
Jay Dilla ( R.I.P. )
Do I influence u?
FOLEY : OF COURSE !!!!!
I still believe YOU to be one of THE greatest comedic minds of the 20 / 21st century !!!
*Fire ....U KNOW how I feel about U*
Well u’re a genius on the guitar, but how well do u think u do on keys?
FOLEY : You're Too Kind. and, I'm NOT .... btw
But, "Lead Bass" is MINE , tho !!
But, yeah .....I suck on Piano ( technically )
Tho....ALOT of REAL piano players, love my chords & concepts.
* so, I guess I don't suck all that bad ?!?! *
I played piano for 6 years and haven’t touched one in about 10, how sad is that? Will u teach me how to play again?
FOLEY : Of Course , "Fire"
U're supposed to help those U Luv .......Remember ?
The Shit I'll show U ...will NEVER get U on Radio , tho !!
BERNARD WRIGHT : Man.... shit.....Ha ha hahahaha !!
FOLEY : Well, Damn .
Ha ha ha ha ha !!!
I'm bout to ask YOU : the "SMARTALECMUSIC" Burning Question
"Award Shows"
Report Cards or Propaganda ?
FOLEY :
Propaganda.
cause , Nobody REALLY gives a fuck about cha !
*Really*
unless..... it's "profitable" for em !
Othawise .....
Why do folks ALL OF A SUDDEN , THINK THAT THEY NEED TO BY A "NORA JONES" cd ?
UNLESS..... SHE'S NOMINATED ?!?!
Or goin' to see a film, for that matter.
Just cause "So & So" is up for Director.
All of a sudden the Film's IMPORTANT ?!?!?!
But, then again..... I'm High.
So, maybe I'm just Talkin' shit again
Haha ha Cool
FOLEY : WHAT ?!?!
Okay I 'm ready to do dem "EITHER OR' s !"
FOLEY : Aiiiight .
Okay ....
Louis or Miles ?
FOLEY : He he he , U fuckin' wit me ...Right ?
Ha ahahahahah !!
FOLEY : Miles.
cause , most times it ain't about "WHO's on FIRST"
But...Who's on "THE HARDEST"
I know .
*it's been the Story of my Life*
Think about this :
American's are responsible for the Automobile...
but, most would rather have a JAPANESE or GERMAN model car ?!?
"Larry Graham" is credited for Slapbass technique...
*which is primarly a New Orleans & Bluegrass thing on an Upright Bass*
but, kats like Louis Johnson & Marcus Miller have taken it to another level.
( Even Larry Graham [ HIMSELF ] likes the way I play as well ....so.... )
So , U can be "Credited" for something & have someone else, take it Much further !
* see Stanley Clarke's piccolo bass vs. My "LEAD BASS" *
OR :
Arnold Palmer vs. "Tiger Woods"
"Take 6" vs. Manhattan Transfer
one "Nicholas Bro." vs. Fred Astair
That's why "PRINCE" is kickin' muthfuckas' heads in , right now ....
They Forgot ?!?!?!
C'mon now.....
He's gonna sell-out everywhere he goes ( 4-5 x's )
cause , there's gonna be the "DIE HARD FANS"
And , the "Gotta go & see what all of the Hype's about " people
Then..... there's the "DAMN , WE FORGOT !!" people
And, there's a sect... who've ALWAYS known it [ the Stage ] belongs to him !
What was *Really* classic about his "Rock & Roll ~hall of fame" performance......
was the looks on Tom Petty & everybody's face !
The "OH, Der HE go" look !!!
MOST PEOPLE ARE "NOT " FUCKIN' WITH HIM ONSTAGE !!!
( And.....Prince can STILL play, too )
Aiiiiiiiiiiiight ?!?!?!?
Damn.....
