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QUESTION METHOD: MARK GOLDENBERG
 Mark
Goldenberg has played on records for
a myriad of artists, including Bonnie Raitt, Linda
Ronstadt, Eels, Natalie Imbruglia, Chris Isaak,
Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Peter Frampton,
and, yes William Shatner. He has been lead guitarist
for Jackson Browne since 1994. He is also a songwriter
whose works have been recorded by Linda Ronstadt,
Chicago, the Pointer Sisters, Natalie Imbruglia,
Eels, Chris Botti, and, yes Olivia Newton John.
Mark has just finished his first CD of solo finger-style
guitar music. Somewhere between Michael Hedges
and Joe Pass, between Egberto Gismonti and Erik
Satie, Mark’s trying to create music that’s
both evocative and reflective, that will appeal
to both guitarists and non-guitarists alike.
1.
Which was the first record you bought with your
own money?
Ramsey Lewis “Hang on Sloopy.” I meant
to buy the McCoys version.
2.
Which was the last record you bought with your
own money?
Tin Hat Trio’ Book of Silk.
3.
What was the first solo you learned from a record
— and can you still play it?
"Day Tripper" by the Beatles. I think
I can.
4.
Which recording of your own (or as a sideman)
are you most proud of, and why?
My solo CD, because I actually finished it, after
threatening to for so long.
5.
What's the difference between playing live and
playing in a studio?
Playing live is the ultimate musical experience,
because one has an opportunity to connect with
an audience and one's fellow musicians. Playing
in the studio is rewarding in a different way.
If one is lucky to be on a band date, the chance
to make good music as part of an ensemble can
be really uplifting. Plus, studios usually smell
better than gigs.
6.
What's the difference between a good gig and a
bad gig?
Catering.
7.
What's the difference between a good guitar and
a bad guitar?
A. Never buy a guitar with blood on it.
B. There are no bad guitars, just bad guitarists.
C. Guitars don't kill people, guitarists kill
people.
8.
You play electric and acoustic. Do you approach
the two differently?
From a sonic and textural point of view, I look
at them quite differently. But musically, I play
the same three riffs on anything I get my hands
on.
9.
Do you sound more like yourself on acoustic or
electric?
I'm into the archtop these days, and that's a
bit of both worlds.
10.
Do you sound like yourself on other people's guitars?
Yes, unfortunately! In the 1980s I played with
Peter Frampton. On one occasion he let me play
through his rig. The result? I still sounded like
a fat kid from Chicago.
11.
Which living artist (music, or other arts) would
you like to collaborate with?
Mônica Salmaso from Brazil, because I love
her voice. I'd like to score a Wim Wenders movie.
12.
What dead artist (music, or other arts) would
you like to have collaborated with?
Miles Davis, or J.S. Bach. It's a tie!
13.
What's your latest project about?
I'm trying to get my solo guitar CD heard, and
am starting to think about the next one.
Web site: http://www.markgoldenberg.com/
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