Performances
I played Provinces on the 19th
& 20 of this month. I am starting at Cafe de Paris the first weekend
of October. We will play it by ear for the time being. Had a good time playing
the Bellingham Covenant Church block party yesterday. I did a two hour "
concert". It was nice to have everything all set and ready. The wind
tried several times to blow the tent away and at one point Andie, Liz and
her friend Robin all were holding a pole so the wind would not carry the
thing away like a kite. What a team. It was a gorgeous day and good to see
Paul again and the beautiful new church grounds.
Reviews I loved
Freedom's show in Bellingham at Boundary Bay. The music was powerful and
lovely at the same time. Freedom's voice is so unique and emotion packed.
He was a site with the wind whipping through his blond dread locks. Brotherhood
was right on the heart beat with his djimbe. Ammishaddai played around the
melodies with harmonious flute lines. Rob played an Adamas 12 string Ovation
and his playing style is the perfect complement to Freedom's acoustic guitar.
Stephen danced around the lyrics with his trade mark subtle wah wah guitar
lines. He is never intrusive and he sprinkles extra seasoning on the songs.
Rob and Calm sang harmonies on several tunes it was rich. One of my favorite
songs Time Goes By written by Stephen. Another is Today is a Good Day to
Live. People are swept away in that song. That is my son and I love him
a lot.
Studio
Sarah and I worked on one of her tunes this weekend. Her compositions skills
are amazing. I really and enjoying watching her bloom as an artist. It will
be great to complete a few of her songs. There is someone in Japan interested
in performing her music.
I am also working with Bill Spies on a CD project that
I am quite enjoying. He has very lovely melodies and spiritual lyrics and
very positive energy to the music. It is a joy helping to arrange the songs.
Lots of studio
projects are happening and I always love that.
Scott Drexler came by last week and has another session this week.
The week before Jim MacLaughlin stopped by during a session
and threw down some harmonica. It was a real treat. David Jones, Dale Fuentes,
Sarah Maria Murat, Doug Williams, Casey Garland are a few of the many people
who have projects beginning this month. I am also consulting on sound system
and recording purchases this month for several clients.
Andie is working on her piano and we are going to
organize rehearsals for she and Sarah and I so we can perform together.
I would so love that. It is a great combination of voices. Check out Far
Cry From Love on the free downloads. She has a very sweet voice.
|
Fall Fun I
am ready for the autumn and the changing of the colors. I am even ready
for the rain. It is so beautiful in our summers but the fall is one of my
favorite times. We finish getting prepared for the winter ahead and settle
in to our studio projects and our writing. Now is our chance to get in as
many barbecues as possible before the cold sets in. Hope to have more band
news before too long.
New Venue
I
went to a Karaoke store and priced some very small speakers. I will begin
playing at Cafe de Paris in Edmonds for dinner shows on Friday and
Saturday evenings from 7-9 PM. It is a very small venue and very background
music is what they are looking. Firmin, the owner, and I are talking. It
could be a good thing. I enjoy good food and company so it would probably
work well. This is a smoke free environment.
Thank You
Thank you to Jimmy Culler for coming in and playing bass with me
Friday and Saturday night at Provinces. He played great. A special thanks
goes out to Jamie Phalen also. His band Smokin' Gun plays for huge crowds
and he still will come down and set up and play with me at Provinces and
it surely makes me smile. It is great to laugh and both Jimmy and Jamie
are great at making that happen. Jamie is talking about recording some of
my tunes and I hope he follows through with that because I would be honored.
He is a great singer and harmonist. Harmony is something you miss a lot
when you sing alone.
I was very proud of all
the musicians who made up Manolito and thank them for donating their time
and sharing their talents for the Garlic Festival. They were Dale Fuentes
and Roger Bennett from Bahia, and Scott Drexler, Lonnie Mueller, Jimmy Culler
and Mike Daily.
|
