John Lee Hooker is the funkiest man alive
The music speaks for itself!
When we edit the music, I always remember, "It's my band. Save me a place to play."
Drummers - sometimes they play and they listen. And that little listen takes a speck away from the right tempo.
I can't write anything for myself. I can write when I hear like [John] Coltrane play something; I used to write chords and stuff for him to play in one bar. I can write for other people, but I don't never write for myself.
Always listen for what you can leave out.