Closing Notes | 3.29.25

What struck a chord with me this week

I had a great response to the first edition of Closing Notes, so I think I’ll keep this going. This is a special weekend for our family as my oldest son is getting married, so I’ll keep this intro short and get back to the celebrations. Here are a few things that stood out to me this week. What were some of your favorite finds?

Bob Reynolds Quartet | Rise And Fall

My son Evan introduced me to Bob Reynolds’ music back when he was in high school. That, in turn, led me to discover Janek Gwizdala, whose bass playing continues to inspire me to this day. As a solo bassist, I’m always looking for players who take a chordal approach to the bass—allowing it to take center stage without relying solely on fast, acrobatic solos. Instead, they let the instrument breathe life into the music and create space within the song.

Some standout players who embody this approach for me include Aaron Gibson, Thundercat, Steve Lawson, and, of course, Janek Gwizdala. His educational videos and books have significantly expanded my musical vocabulary. In this video, Janek performs with Bob Reynolds on the song “Rise and Fall.” He gets a fantastic solo section where the band lets him really vibe for a while. The whole performance is incredible!

Song Exploder Podcast with Theodore Shapiro

I haven’t yet watched Severance, even though many people have told me I should. After listening to this episode of Song Exploder featuring Theodore Shapiro and how he created the show’s theme song, I’m definitely adding it to my list.

If you enjoy geeking out on behind-the-scenes insights into how songs are created, Song Exploder is a must-listen. Have you watched Severance? Let me know your thoughts!

My Happy Space

One of my favorite places of all time has to be the mountains. Whether it’s the Smoky’s of NC or Shenandoah, being in these outdoor spaces always hits the reset button. I’m so glad to be here with my family, celebrating my oldest son and future daughter-in-law on their wedding day! I hope you have a special place that allows you to hit the reset button and connect with not only with the space around you but with yourself on a deeper level.

What’s your favorite place to reset?

What do you think? Any of this resonate with you? Do you like this new addition to The Loop. If you are a subscriber to my substack you can comment and let me know! Let’s have a conversation. As always you can find out what’s going on in my world by visiting www.scottvarney.com. Thanks for tuning in!!