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....
But, if I think about it ...Me & Keith Staten [ childhood friend ]
had the first 2pc. band in existance ....
( since it was only the both of us )
I was on drums ...Keith Staten was on guitar !
To this Day.... I'd have to say that "Staten" is my Favorite Guitarist.
He Can PLAY !!
He killed his solo on "Black Dog" from my Motown release in '92
I'ts Funny......I guess I'm goin' back to my roots w/ the 2pc. ?!?
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.....
