There is a quote from Bob Dylan, in regard to that which is necessary for an artist to remain authentic and “alright”, where he says, “You have to realize that you’re constantly in a state of becoming, you know?”
It’s no secret that Bob Dylan is one of our favorite artists - he has appeared on many Creative Pragmatist Radios of the past, and while his work is not physically featured on our 17th installment of this music franchise, his philosophy is. Interestingly, this quote from Dylan came at a time (2005) when many would have thought that he had become, that he had reached that state of his life. It is this introspection, this honest personal assessment and proclamation of such, that draws many to Dylan and his music.
Realizing that one is constantly in a state of becoming is important when those moments are clearly at present, and even more so when they are not. A realization like this provides an imperatively positive reinforcement that can carry one through any time, any where, any how. The form that this state of becoming ultimately takes is unique to each of us, dependent on our own timelines, our own life paths, and our own experiences. One beautiful gift that we receive from artists is the portrayal of this state in different forms and mediums, be it paint, pencil, or clay. And music, the art form of music, is quite possibly the best articulation of this philosophy as different songs and voices may be representative various points in our lives, with some songs becoming prolific enough to mean something to everyone.
Each CP Radio looks to incorporate an intricate balance of that which we know, and that which we may not, so that when listened to in unison, as a complete work, will continue to progress our attempt to capture each of our individual states of becoming. (I Just) Died In Your Arms, by Cutting Crew, Weird Fishes / Arpeggi, by Radiohead, and The Road by Danny O’Keefe represent the ‘70s, ‘80s, and 2000s. Decades where some of us were in high school, college, at our first jobs, in our prime - decades of becoming. These periods of time and their musical monikers become blurred when mixed with songs of a more recent day like If Nothing Else Comes Along, by Steph Green, Dear Mexico, by Twain, and One More Night, by Michael Kiwanuka. This blur serves as the constant in our state of becoming.
Calling upon the range of experiences on our timeline of becoming to influence our decisions today is all anyone can do for certain, and it is our hope that CP Radio 017 may facilitate the sounds, and consequently the environment, to do just that. For each of us, in our own, distinctive way.