July 4, 2013

Soul Kingdom - the highlight of the day, at least for me

This was a great day of gigs, but it didn't go perfectly.  It started off with phone call asking if I was playing our regular gig on the boat....  I didn't remember having the conversation with her!  Apparently, I did mention it to the Kingdom Dixie bandleader, and he said that I told him we were waiting for her call but never received it.  It still sucked.

 

NCAVB on the float

FIRST GIG was with the Newport City Area Volunteer Band (NCAVB), riding the float through the parade.  I played euphonium, and as usual each time we played the three pieces I got better but my lip didn't hold up too well.  Sounded pretty good though, I think.  It's fun to play for this appreciative audience.  At the end we have always turned right and looped back to our cars.  This time, we couldn't get through so had to wait until the very end, meaning we sat there for about 1-1/2 hours.  Glad I brought water!

The Session Guys - Alex

2nd GIG was with The Session Guys (Chandler (set/vox), Alex (gtr/vox). I was subbing for Eli (bass/vox) because he had to work.  I had learned all of their songs, which are all originals, the day before, and we had no rehearsals.  I wanted to be there a little earlier, but the parade held us up.  Kyle and Chris arrived with the sound equipment shortly after we did, so we were able to help set up the PA, and I was able to use Chris' bass amp.  It took a while to set up, but I was told the sound was great.  I used my earplugs the whole time, because the bass amp was very loud.  Chris changed the stage volume after a bit, though, so it got more comfortable. My effects board really didn't change much when I used the overdrive, but it may have been the earplugs.  I didn't dare use the flanger.  The octaver sounded great on an introduction.  I wish I knew the songs a little better, so I could have relaxed.  It's ALWAYS fun to play a gig with Chandler!!

The Session Guys -Chandler

3rd GIG was Soul Kingdom.  This was the highlight of my day, for sure.  I got there at about 4:40, knowing things would be a bit behind, but the 4:00 band was on their FIRST song.  The rapper who went before them had gone on too long, and had to get kicked off the stage!  So we waited until they were done, set up quickly, and got started.  It felt great to play the music I've actually been rehearsing.  My stage sound was weird though.  Way more bass was out front than from the amp, and I felt like I wanted more - but on the plus side, my ears weren't bleeding by the end.  Using Chris' amp made things much easier for me, but gave me far less control.  I didn't bother using my effects board.  The songs were played very well except for two little things I need to watch out for - first was that Brett played a triplet fill that threw me off for a second.  It shouldn't have surprised me; I should have just solidly hit the one as usual.  There was only a slight hesitation on my part, but I noticed it.  Also, we had a problem on the intro to Black is Black - I started in D, someone else started in E, and then I saw Kyle going back and forth, as in the verses.  Now I'm doubting myself - who's right?  I'll have to check.  The rest of the song was great.

NCAVB at Irasburg

4th GIG was with the NCAVB again, in Irasburg this time.  We played in the town square, beside the small but tall gazebo.  Since Chandler wasn't there, I played bass drum.  The audience was appreciative and we had a good time.






The Session Guys (all originals):

I was 16
Maggie Rae
27
5 Years Gone By
Send me to AZ
Bleach Blonde Hair
Call It Quits
Confined
Ballad of Ms. Jones
Over and Out
Wannabe
Brand New
One Way

Soul Kingdom:

Soul Finger
The Letter

In the Midnight Hour
Higher and Higher
Black is Black
I Got You
The Chicken
Midnight Confessions
Knock on Wood
Got to Get You Into My Life
Vehicle
Hold On
I Wish

Newport City Area Volunteer Band at Irasburg:

STAR SPANGLED BANNER (only)

THE LIBERTY BELL March (Red book “Marches of Fame”)

Highlights from THE MUSIC MAN

SING FOR AMERICA

OUR DIRECTOR March (red book)

SHENANDOAH

GASLIGHT GAIETIES

SALUTE TO THE DUKE

SYNCOPATED CLOCK

THE ENTERTAINER

BEACH BOYS ON STAGE

12^TH STREET RAG

STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER

Kingdom Dixie on the water

Kingdom Dixie - July 4, 2012

For the past two years, on July 4, the Kingdom Dixie band has played on the Memphremagog Belle, while boating around the lake.  A smallish audience is on the boat with us, and there were hors d'oevres.  Fun, outdoor gig.  People along the shores love it.  in 2011 I played trombone, and in 2012 I played bass.  We don't have in lined up for this year yet, but hopefully we'll do it sometime this summer.

Here's a typical playlist, though not necessarily what we played in 2012:

1 Dark Town Strutters Ball
2 Maple Leaf Rag
3 After You’ve Gone
4 When My Sugar Walks Down The Street
5 Basin Street Blues
6 Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans
7 Millenburg Joys
8 I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter
9 Muskrat Ramble
10 Sailing Down the Chesapeake Bay
11 High Society
12 Sugar Foot Stomp
13 Who’s Sorry Now
14 I Can’t Give You Anything but Love
15 Don’t Mean a Thing (if it Don’t have that Swing)
16 Tin Roof Blues

Kingdom Dixie - July 4, 2011

NOMAD at Hellbilly Hideaway

So mid-afternoon on April 27, 2013 I got a FB message from Tom, the drummer for Nomad (and several other groups including the NKIWS) saying they were desperate for a bass player for THAT EVENING.  So I printed out a bunch of stuff, played a few, packed up and headed to the Hellbilly Hideaway.  It was the first time I'd played there, so I was surprised at how small it was.  Not much room on stage, and the dance floor wasn't much bigger.  These guys are real pros - drums and PA were all set up, banners were hanging, cards on the tables, t-shirts & sweatshirts for sale.  The guitarist was really hesitant about having a sub, and didn't think it was going to work.  We went through the list of songs and cancelled some:

Set 1                                      Set 3

1: Hard to Handle                1: Pour Some Sugar on Me       

2. Honky Tonk Woman                2. You Give Love a Bad Name

3. All Summer Long                3. I Love Rock n Roll

4. Long Train Running                 4. Young Lust       

5. Hands to Yourself                5. Summer of 69

6. Save a Horse                    6. Enter Sandman

7. Kryptonite                       7. Seven Nation Army

8. Are You Gonna Go My Way            8. La Grange   

9. Any way you want it                9. Driven to Tears

10. Johnny B Good                   10. Crazy Train

11. Running Down a Dream            11. She hates me

12. Shook Me All Night Long            12. Fight for Your Right, to party

Set 2                                       Set 4

1: TNT                                   1: Teen Spirit

2. Fake It                                 2. You Really Got Me

3. Talk Dirty to Me                3. Have a Drink on Me

4. Sweet Child of Mine          4. Mony Mony

5. Bad Girl Friend                5. Panama

6. Just Like You                      6. Lick it Up

7. Figured You Out                7. American Band

8. My Sharona                         8. White Wedding

9. Play that Funky Music       9. Man in the Box

10. Miss You                            10. Smoke on the Water

11. Twilight Zone                    11. Come Together

Reserve

1: Old Time R n R            13. Rocky Mountain Way       

2. Crazy Bitch                  14. Paranoid

3. Flirtin with Disaster        15. Pride and Joy

4. Tush                           16. Whiskey in the Jar

5. Helter Skelter             17. Don’t want to miss a thing

6. Dirty Deeds                18. Every Rose

7. Highway to Hell          19. Gimmie Three Steps

8. Mustang Sally             20. Roadhouse Blues

9. Rock n Roll           

10. Sweet Emotion

11. Walk this Way

12. Bad Case of Loving You

So we cancelled some and switched some.  This band was definitely heavier than most bands I've played with.   I think the guitarist was happy with the final product, especially since we made $150 each, and if I'd been unavailable they'd have got zero.  I had the most trouble during guitar solos, since I was on my own!  The band brought quite a contingent of family and friends.  The bar must be really happy with them.  The singer was charismatic, often going right out into the audience.  He helped me out quite a bit.  Tom was really good with cues, too.  It was fun, and it marked the beginning of a string of substitute gigs.

Monami at the Gateway (with playlist)

Last night I got to watch my son's band, The Session Guys, play a gig at the Gateway Center in Newport and it reminded me of Monami's gig at the same location.  His band was playing upstairs, and ours was downstairs....

The Session Guys upstairs at the Gateway

Monami downstairs at the Gateway

This was June of 2012 (really hard to believe it was just a year ago!)  I remember the gig being very strange, because we were TOTALLY the center of attention, and people were sitting down enjoying the music.  It freaked me out a little bit, and I think the others too, because we all made some weird little mistakes at first (I remember specifically having a problem on Rhiannon).  It took us quite a while to get in the zone.  The were a lot of people in the audience, and it took me a long time to go around and talk to everyone when we had a break.  During our final set (bands always have to be done by 10:00pm there) I had these killer stomach cramps.  I'm not really sure how I kept playing!  It's the only time I've experienced that.

I haven't posted a Monami setlist yet, so here's a typical setlist:

-- SET 1 -- Need You Now Here For the Party Before he Cheats Don’t Misunderstand Me Jet Airliner Paris (Ooh LaLa) Gimme 3 Steps My Kinda Party Don’t Stop Believin’ To Make You Feel My Love Long Train China Grove Carry On Wayward Son -- SET 2 -- Who Knew U Give Love Bad Name That Smell Dream On Sweet Emotion Workin...Weekend Sunshine of Your Love Right Here Waiting

SET 2 (cont.) Relentless Hot Blooded Crossroads Kerosene I Run To You Alright Now -- SET 3 -- White Room Goodbye to You Heartbreaker Down on the Corner Heartache Tonight Sober Everybody Wants You Runnin Down a Dream The Thrill is Gone Black Velvet Wild Thing --  Rhiannon?

An old gig with MONAMI - in the barn

I want to remember these gigs, so before they fade away too far, I want to blog these.  The details won't be as clear, but at least it'll be something.  This gig took place in the early summer/late spring of 2012 (or maybe 2011..?)  It was a closer gig than normal, but I got there early as usual - or I thought I did.  The description I had was that it was at the barn where the elk are located, on Main St in Derby.  Larry (guitar/vox) thought so also, and he and I arrived, talked, and waited.  Turns out it was a street over at the cow barn, where there was a cow viewing before the next day's auction.  Mona (keyb/vox) and Andre (drums/vox) We set up in a corner of the cleanest barn I've ever seen.  We got to eat, and then we played.  Nobody danced until the end, when the owner and his wife did so.  The real downside was the dust that ended up on all the equipment.  They kept reassuring us that they were enjoying the music though, and that the cows loved it!

ETA Gig at Orleans Country Club

Last night (June 23, 2013) I got to sub with ETA (Evansville Transit Authority) made up of Kyle, guitar/vox & Travis, drums/vox (both of whom I've been playing with in Soul Kingdom) and Adam, rhythm guitar/bg vox.  I saw them play a set the night before in Newport, and it made me a little nervous.  They're good, and very confident.  Sitting in worked great, though, and as soon as we started playing my nerves were gone.  They play more country than any band i've played in:

Cotton Fields    Traditional    A
Green River    CCR    E
Tulsa Time    Don Williams    D
Brown Eyed Girl    Van Morrison    G
Workin Man Blues    Merle Haggard    A
Good Hearted Woman    Waylon Jennings    D--->E
Johnny B Goode/Let It Roll    Chuck Berry/Mel Daniels    A
Up On Cripple Creek    The Band    A
Wild Night    Van Morrison    Em
Long Cool Woman    The Hollies    E
I've Just Seen A Face    The Beatles    A
Fast As You    Dwight Yoakam    E
Dumas Walker    Kentucky Headhunters    E
Stuck in the Middle    Stealer's Wheel    D
Proud Mary    CCR    D
Runaround Sue    Dion & the Belmonts    C
I'm Tore Down    Eric Clapton    A
Oh, Lonesome Me    Don Gibson    D
Little Sister/Get Back    Elvis Presley/The Beatles    E
Oh! Sweet Nuthin    The Velvet Underground    G
To Love Somebody    The Bee Gees    G
       
Keep Your Hands to Yourself    Georgia Satellites    A
Honky Tonk Women    The Rolling Stones    A
Hurt So Good    John Mellencamp    A
Some Kind of Wonderful    Grand Funk Railroad    D
Gimme Three Steps    Lynyrd Skynyrd    D
Can't Get Enough    Bad Company    C
You May Be Right    Billy Joel    A
I Just Dropped In    The First Edition    Dm
Amie    Pure Prairie League    D
Spooky    Atlanta Rhythm Section    Em
Folsom/Cocaine Blues    Johnny Cash    E
Long Train Running    Doobie Brothers    Em
Wagon Wheel    Old Crow Medicine Show    A
Already Gone    Eagles    G
For What It's Worth    Buffalo Springfield    E
Feelin Alright/You Can't Always Get What You Want/Season of the Witch    Traffic/Stones/Donovan    C
       
       
Cocaine    Eric Clapton    E
Jenny (867-5309)    Tommy Tutone    F#m
Roadhouse Blues    The Doors    E
Miss You    The Rolling Stones    Am
Bad Case of Loving You    Robert Palmer    E
After Midnight    Eric Clapton    A
Hush/Hard to Handle    Deep Purple/Black Crowes    B
Why Don't We Do It In The Road    The Beatles    E
Pretty Woman    Roy Orbison    A
Mystery Train    Elvis Presley    E
Eleanor Rigby    The Beatles    Em
The Break-Up Song    Greg Kihn Band    Am
Possum    Phish    E
I Saw Her Standing There    The Beatles    D
Two Ticket to Paradise    Eddie Money    A

 The crowd was older, with lots of relatives, and really willing to dance.  Lots of fun.  I wish I didn't have to look at the music so much.  A drummer sat in for a while and made me really appreciate Travis' playing. The most notable parts to me were playing Runaround Sue (guest singer Harry Blake - ETA's backgrounds were awesome) and For What It's Worth (more rockin' than the original - made me wonder if someone has re-done it).  They threw an extra chord into Gimme Three Steps that I'd never played- I'll have to re-listen to it.  Jenny, Hush, You May be Right, Wagon Wheel were all really good too.  Good night overall!

Playing bass with a sit-in drummer and Travis on vocals.

Next gig is July 4 at Gardner Park with Soul Kingdom.  I can focus on that music now!

Glover gig with Rick & Rob

This is the first post regarding my bass gigs. I would like to keep track of them, because each one is unique and something can be learned from them.  Hopefully I'll post my past gigs at some point, too.

6/15/2013

Played with "Rick & Rob". The group is two guitarist/singers. Since this was a private party where people would be dancing they wanted to add a bassist, and that was me. They gave me plenty of time to learn the songs, but May and June crazy times at school. Having a rehearsal with them made a huge difference though, and we were able to sort out most of my problems.  At the gig itself we didn't end up playing all of the songs, so I was over-prepared, which is good.  They don't use set lists, they just see how they feel and what's good for the audience and take turns picking from the master list (we played the bold ones):

2 Tickets to Paradise - Eddie Money - A

500 Miles - Proclaimers - E

6th Avenue Heartache - Wallflowers - F

867-5309 / Jenny - F#m

A Hard Day’s Night - G

A Little Less Talk (and a lot more action) - A

Addicted To Love - Rbt Palmer - A

All for You - Sister Hazel - A

Already Gone - Eagles - G

Apartment Song - Top Petty - A

Authority Song - John Melencamp - A

Bad Case of Lovin' You - Rbt Palmer - E

Ballad of John & Yoko - E

Birthday - Beatles - A

Breakup Song - Greg Kihn - Am

Brown Sugar - Stones - C

Brown-Eyed Girl - G

Cry Love - John Heit - C

Day Tripper - E

Doctor My Eyes - Janckson Brown - E

Domino - Van Morrison - A

Feel a Whole Lot Better - Tom Petty - A

Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac - F

Green River - Credence - E

Honky Tonk Woman - A

How Sweet It Is To Be Love by U - James Taylor - G

Hurt So Good - John Melencamp - A

I Love a Rainy Night - Eddie Rabbit - C

I Saw Her Standing There - E

Into The Mystic - Van Morrison - D

It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere - D

Jumpin' Jack Flash - B

Just What I Needed - Cars - E

Kryptonite - 3 doors Down - Bm

Let Her Cry - Hootie - G

Long Train Runnin' - Em

Long, Cool Woman - Hollies - E

Margaritaville - D

Mary Jane's Last Dance - Tom Petty - Am

Mexico _ James taylor - A

Money for Nothing - Dire Straights - G

Mustang Sally - E

Oh Lonesome Me - E

Play That Funky Music - E

Rock This Town - D

Run To You - Bryan Adams - Em

Santaria - E

Saturday Night - Elton John - G

Smoke on the Water - G

Smooth - Santana - A

Stuck In the Middle with You - C

Summer Of '69 - Bryan Adams - D

Take It Easy - Eagles - G

Tequila Sunrise - Eagles - G

That's How Country Boys Roll - D

The Boys of Summer - Eagles

To Love Somebody - Bee Gees - G

Twist - C

Under The Boardwalk - E

Want You Bad (&that aint good) A

Way - Fastball - F#m

Wild Thing / Hang On Sloopy - E

Wonderful Tonight - Clapton - G

Won't Back Down - Tom Petty - G

You May Be Right - A

You Might Think I'm Crazy - Cars - D

plus

Somebody's Baby - Jackson Brown - Key of D

Fire Escape - Fastball - orig key is C# - we're doing it in D

This was a graduation party in the middle of backwoods of Glover.  We set up in the front of the garage/barn-type building.  It got cold by the time we were done, but it was a lot of fun.  One really neat thing that happened was when someone near the bonfire sent a Chinese Lantern up.  There was good food and good dancing, too!

While getting ready for this gig I decided I needed to create a master binder of all songs that I play.  That way it'll be easier to sub for bands.  In fact, earlier in the day I was asked to sub with ETA a week later.  Many songs overlap, but many don't....