Summer's here and the time is right...to go see a show...

[JRL]

Yeah folks, tons of live music around here this summer, grabbing 5 or 6 shows a week , playing with the great, the medium and the ugly, making hay whist I can.

Yep, it's that time of year so get up your computer chair and go out and participate in the celebration. And while there is nothing like busting out with 10,000 of your closest friends, if that opportunity doesn't come your way, go out and see some local or regional guys, prolly playing right now at a bar near you.

If where you are is at all like here there are probably some amazing old pros laboring in obscurity within 100 miles or less. You can be sure if these guys been doing it all there lives in less than ideal conditions they must have a powerful love of the art form.

Every night I see talented seasoned veterans playing like they are in front of the multitude, playing like it's the last time they are going to play music and heaven demands funk, soul and groove.

These guys say they play to feed their families, like it's working at the steel mill, and they work way hard, but everyone knows it's just for the shear joy of making music together, reveling in their hard won skills, and going for soul communion.

Go out and find em, the funky shamans. Ask an old musician about local greats. A large portion of these cats have played with well known people or bumped up against the big time. You give up a lot up there. it's hard and corporate. Lotta the home cats are where they are by choice.

But go out spend a few bucks, zap em with some SPF style attention, take em out in the parking lot. Hangin with the likes of you. if it don't kill em it will make em play.......

See you at the dance!

[TooStonedToType]

"take em out in the parking lot. Hangin with the likes of you. if it don't kill em it will make em play....... "

hahahhaha, I have some stories there, but I better just shut up.

[CJ]

What JRL is describing could be anywhere,but that is the neat thing about the Bay area. Split somthing magical. All kinds of music going on,and you can even drink a beer,or smoke a cigg.(when I was doing that) in the parking lot. Around 2 in the morning, the band might have been there,too..

      That was a lot of fun.

[laughingwillow]

I been thinking on this interesting thread for a few daze, now.....

I've never made much of an effort to meet musicians we catch live. And I don't really know why.

Approaching with tasty treats is bound to get results in most cases, I'm guessing. But I'm usually reluctant to play that card.

It might have something to do with the head-space reached at most shows. There comes a point where words cease to flow. And that's usually when there is communication happening on more subtle levels than the conversationally spoken word.

Chance meetings through happenstance is another story. I'm more than happy to chat up an artist if'n we both happen to be occupying aproximate spaces at the same time. That said............

Jim White had intrigued me to the point where I decided I wanted to meet the guy. We were well-dosed for his set, moving through the groove until some peeps in the back of the joint pissed him off off by being disrespectful/talking during his set. The rest of the show was strange as hell. After the gig, I made my way over to say hello and offer to help him move his gear. But the guy was so short and pissy, while apologizing the whole time, that I just mosied my dosing self out of his way. At that point I decided I could dig the music without letting the personality get in the way. No big deal. Then Jim decided to actually do a rare gig out here on the prairie in Des Moines. TTST came up and we got all electric for the occasion. JW did his set and it was nice. A few sound problems, but sure happy to see him so close to home. After his set, I was making my way toward the stage to retrieve me shoes when Jim and I crossed paths. "Nice set," I said. "Thanks for coming all the way out onto the prairie." Jim looked at me like I'd slapped him and explained that while he had no time right then to talk to me he would be happy to meet me later in the plaza above the venue. Problem was, at that point, I'd said everything to the guy that I wanted to say. He already knew we liked his music. We'd bought a couple copies of a couple-o discs and paid to catch a couple of his shows, driving six hours to Chicago in the process, once. I just smiled, nodded and floated away. But neither interraction I'd had with him was setting well with me at that point. And I didn't have much desire or ability to gush praise for his amazing talent right then. A little later, me better half noticed Mr White lounging by himself in the plaza behind our seats. She couldn't believe I didn't want to take the opportunity to chat him up. I just laughed and passed the dutchie on the left hand side while they set up the stage for Lucinda William's drunken set over on the right......

SOmetimes its tough to know if'n an artist is expecting idol worship by adoring fans. Or maybe dreading it?

Now damn it, JRL... I ain't talking about bass playere here for the most part. But you have to have experienced that ego thang ,working with as many rock star types as you have in your career. hehe

lw

[JRL]

Actually, it hasn't been that much of a problem. 21st century show business is too hard for egos like that.

Timing is everything, also some like to hang out some don't. Right after a set is a time to give space, a little later you can tell if someone wants to hang out. Best way to approach is by thanking the artists. Tell thwem that they touched you, ask them how they are. If the conversation don't flow, let them go. I was reading something Phil said about backstage. He said everybody wanted face time, but often didn't have a whole lot to say. Don't be that guy.

Having said that, let me say that a part of touring is the people you meet. Sometimes you got no time, just as often you are sitting in limbo, especially for the sidemen. So a toke and some talk might be welcomed. Understand that musicians are a pretty blue collar lot, Garcia said when a bunch of musicians get together it is like a room full of plumbers. Keep it light, don't feel pressure to be cosmic, hip, or witty, just be real. It might be appreciated more than you know.

[laughingwillow]

LOL YOu should write abook for those aspiring to meet/hang with musicians, JRL-bro. But I guess that how-to book just ain't for me. hehe I agree whole heartedly with Phil about face time, btw. "Nice set, thanks for coming to town," is about as deep as I want/need to get with most musician-folk, to be honest.

lw

[laughingwillow]

...... Funny thing is, if'n all goes as hoped at most musical events we attend, I usually lose the ability/desire to communicate verbally. And that's coming from a fellow who canusually proverbial leg off with the best of them.

I ever tell you about the time I tried to get Snoop over to our place? He played a show down the block in April and I started telling folks a few weeks before the event that I was going to work at showing Snoop and company a little Ioway hospitality. It was mostly a joke. I had no plan on catching the gig. Until the day of the show dawned. Snoop and posse showed up at a local record shopnext to where I was working and I ended up chatting with one of his bouys and getting a cell phone number for later. But as it was mid-morel season, that took precedence. I didn't bother calling the guy until later in the evening. My wife started getting nervous when the text messages got rolling and I knew right then there was a slim chance i'd make it through the throng of bodyguards and hangers-on. In the end, it didn't go down, but I've heard from Dax a couple of times since then and who knows what tomorrow might bring. hehe

lw

[TooStonedToType]

I think it be best to see the band before the show -  just to make sure they are riding the same wave as you.

Hey don't worry none about snoop - everyone says we got better dope than him.

[JRL]

LW,hope you make an exception when you come to my little dance.

Did I tell ya?, I had a gig meet with a dude from The Nook and here, and it so happened I was pretty blown out after three enhanced sets, I don't think I was making much sense or being like real friendly, but I think he understood.

[laughingwillow]

LOL No exceptions needed when grooving at a friend's show. That's different than small-talk with strangers, imo.

lw

[JRL]

Y'all missed a doozy tonight, but don't feel bad, they stayed away in droves tonight.

What the 60 or so people that did make it got was us doing a take no prisoners power trio(2nd guitar player called in sick) + D Baba, the best sax player in town+ Stace the funky down home diva, doing three sets. Not a bad show 4 $4

We grooved so hard. When we finally landed after the encore Hey Joe/Voudoo Chile I almost passed out I was rushing so hard.


Other high points: our original instrumental, Get the Funk Out, turning into a 15 minute acid jazz jam.

the snakey sleazy sex groove we layed on Use Me

D Baba's slow blues solo on Dr. Feelgood (Aretha's lol)

My solo on Superstition (JP broke a string)
My solo on Lenny (JP broke a string)

All the drum solos


A good time was had by all

[space]

Hey, JR, got my Ben Lacy disk today--he's agreed to play the drive home gig...I'll letcha know how he does later.  I have a feelin' the man do right...

[JRL]

Yes tell me. I think he will be just fine.

Support your local and other musicians!!!!!!!!

[judih]

oh, Joe, you're inspiring me here, monsieur.

there's a blues player on tap tonight, Dov Hammer - it's said he's great, original stuff. I've never heard of him before. But you're inspiring me. i just might have to catch his show.

& p.s. - fantastic about your gig - the 60 or so lucky souls to have been there are also piping up to inspire me.

judih
(love to yo)

[space]

Yes tell me. I think he will be just fine.

Whoa.

Everything fine, Hey Nineteen a sentimental favorite, but Billie Jean totally blew me away--who knew?  That tune was waiting for Ben to set it free...

Thanks again for the tip.