I think there's a preoccupation with the American market to make excuses and justify its past. If it isn't current, it means somebody has to make an excuse for it. If it's 'cult,' it gives it a sense of illegitimate legitimacy. Leon Redbone More Quotes by Leon Redbone More Quotes From Leon Redbone Who told you I was a musician? Leon Redbone musician The blues ain't nothing but a good man feelin' bad. Leon Redbone blues-music good-man men Lonesome. Lonesome. I know what it means. Here all by my lonesome, dreaming empty dreams. Weary. Weary at the close of day, wondering if tomorrow brings me joy or sorrow. Leon Redbone dream joy mean I extract what I consider the best material from different sources. But often the material I perform comes from a very strange location in history, which are minstrel shows. Leon Redbone location strange different The only thing that interests me is history - reviewing the past and making something out of it. Leon Redbone interest past I'm sad and blue, about nobody but you. I told you that I loved you right from the start, you told me the same and now you try to break my little heart. Leon Redbone broken-heart blue trying I think of these things as obstacles rather than opportunities, because if they were opportunities it means I actually took the business of doing them seriously. To take myself too seriously is the gentle kiss of death. Leon Redbone kissing opportunity mean It can even be a single note which defines the entire song. Leon Redbone notes song What I do and what I record only work for the moment. Leon Redbone records moments I've got a very behind-the-scenes personality. I don't know how I became a performer. I like to stay discreet, out of the public eye, very low-key. Leon Redbone eye keys personality The silence between the notes is the good part for me. I find that to be a very important part of music that is often lacking. Leon Redbone notes silence important Home is where you hang your hat. Leon Redbone hat your you home I tend to notice work. Leon Redbone notice tend work If you're not interested in history, if you're living for the day, you need some sort of cliche hook. I certainly don't think of myself as a cult anything. It's a strange thing to even consider pursuing. Leon Redbone day myself you history I'm not interested in stirring anybody up through music. If you're going to stir people up, it has to be a thought process that has nothing to do with music. I see music as having to do with an internal thing. Something that stirs you up is external. Leon Redbone thought you music people I don't think music should be played anywhere near politics. The two don't go together. Leon Redbone think music politics together My views on music, and life in general, are completely out of step with everything that's going on. I've always been out of step. The only thing that interests me is history, reviewing the past and making something out of it. Leon Redbone me music life history If I had mastered the Spanish language to any extent, I might have gone in that direction. Leon Redbone direction any language gone I would like to speak 10 languages. Leon Redbone languages would like speak I don't have a home. I'm on the road, more or less. Leon Redbone less road more home
