Rochester Music Cafe - Love Songs
I was part of the Rochester Music Cafe - Love Songs night.
The cafe is an idea for a "community" based music group. An eclectic mix of people from solo singer songwriters, solo singers etc. etc.
I was asked to join by my brother-in-law who has been involved as they were weirdly lacking electric guitarists - normally not a problem but they had drummers, bassists, keyboard players and singers galore but no one who can widdle on a 6 string.
The format is a one or two numbers from each singer. I was in the "band section" which was new for this set up they've never had a full blown group play like this. We did BonJovi's I'll Be There For You - we were ok - apart from yours truly hitting the wrong intro chord! Way to go! Also a trio did one of my old numbers - Just Let Me Love You Tonight.
Actually it was good to get out and play with others - it stretches me and makes me listen more.
One funny story I must share was the drummer commenting on my song - "I was trying to find a pattern to lift it up a bit. I mean it's a love song but you have quiet a melancholy voice." I just found that funny but also probably an astute observation.
Some of the singers were really impressive. Shame many used backing tracks. I think my brother-in-law has an evil plan for band domination that we become the "house band" and the singers rotate through with us playing the backing - I'd be up for that, again the different styles that'll demand will be an interesting proposition.
One point though. I'm going to have to change my amp - now the Hughes and Kettner Statesman is a great sounding amp. But at 60w it is a bit too much frankly even in a setting like that I can't push it. Also it is too bloody heavy for my back to cart about! It has forced me to think - I'm considering something like the Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 36 now. Greater flexibility in terms of better for home use with the reducing power soak option and speaker emulated out. 36W I think will be ample for the situations I play in like the Cafe. Also you can program in settings and recall them if you use a midi pedal which sounds really useful if this house band thing comes off rather than fiddling with a load of resetting sounds in between numbers. You can get a 1x12 combo which will be more portable and I might add an additional 1x12 cab for live use maybe... watch this space I'll talk about this more if I do decide to make the purchase.
The cafe is an idea for a "community" based music group. An eclectic mix of people from solo singer songwriters, solo singers etc. etc.
I was asked to join by my brother-in-law who has been involved as they were weirdly lacking electric guitarists - normally not a problem but they had drummers, bassists, keyboard players and singers galore but no one who can widdle on a 6 string.
The format is a one or two numbers from each singer. I was in the "band section" which was new for this set up they've never had a full blown group play like this. We did BonJovi's I'll Be There For You - we were ok - apart from yours truly hitting the wrong intro chord! Way to go! Also a trio did one of my old numbers - Just Let Me Love You Tonight.
Actually it was good to get out and play with others - it stretches me and makes me listen more.
One funny story I must share was the drummer commenting on my song - "I was trying to find a pattern to lift it up a bit. I mean it's a love song but you have quiet a melancholy voice." I just found that funny but also probably an astute observation.
Some of the singers were really impressive. Shame many used backing tracks. I think my brother-in-law has an evil plan for band domination that we become the "house band" and the singers rotate through with us playing the backing - I'd be up for that, again the different styles that'll demand will be an interesting proposition.
One point though. I'm going to have to change my amp - now the Hughes and Kettner Statesman is a great sounding amp. But at 60w it is a bit too much frankly even in a setting like that I can't push it. Also it is too bloody heavy for my back to cart about! It has forced me to think - I'm considering something like the Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 36 now. Greater flexibility in terms of better for home use with the reducing power soak option and speaker emulated out. 36W I think will be ample for the situations I play in like the Cafe. Also you can program in settings and recall them if you use a midi pedal which sounds really useful if this house band thing comes off rather than fiddling with a load of resetting sounds in between numbers. You can get a 1x12 combo which will be more portable and I might add an additional 1x12 cab for live use maybe... watch this space I'll talk about this more if I do decide to make the purchase.
Q: What do you call a guy that hangs around with musicians?
ReplyDeleteA: A drummer.
Boom boom tsh ... Hang on we need a drummer for that
DeleteSo you were able to sing one of your songs? Is that correct? Because I think you should be part of the rotation. If you're asking.
ReplyDeleteCorrect. I could claim but you know it's not that important.
DeleteSounds like a positive development in the making!
ReplyDelete