What a performance!

How  often do you get to hear live music which brings you to tears?   If you lucky it happens a few times in your life.    And usually in a very unlikely setting.

Yesterday I went to my brother Terry's DDSO residence for their Christmas party.   For those of you unacquainted with my family, Terry is 55, blind and retarded since being an incubator baby back in the 50's.   He is also a unique musical talent, as is his fellow resident, Billy Roberts.    Both play keyboards, and Terry sings.  (Terry can play keys too, but it usually takes a few beers to get him in the mood to play - kinda like some of my other music buddies)   Billy plays, and doesn't just pound the keys.   Neither has ever seen a sheet of music or what a piano looks like.  

Here is a picture of us - Terry front left and Billy front right.

Anyway, after the festivities in the main room, Billy went into his room and begain playing his keyboard.    Christmas music, but not a single finger tapping a melody - no a very tasty melody line with unusual syncopation, and accompained by left hand bass and some pretty neat chords in between.   His piano rocked.  

We could see Terry wanted to join in so we walked him into Billys room and he began to sing a few carols.    He's got a heck of a voice and pushes out a strong baritone melody.   (BTW - if you asked him to sing a harmony part he would fall right into it!)

He sang and Billy accompanied a version of "Santa Claus is coming to Town"  with verses I'd never heard!   I sang along when I could, but let me tell you, those boys could hold there own with the best.   Swept us all away.   It brought tears to my eyes, not to mention most of the rest of the people in the room.    A few more Christmas delights and the boys got tired and gave it a rest.   Here was a concert I wish I had recorded to share with you, but was so caught in the moment my Iphone stayed in my pocket.

The staff at the DDSO home had never heard the two of them go at it like this, and frankly neither had I.   Terry and I have played and sung together many times over the years, and I always enjoy our music sessions on his visits.   But it was truly a pleasure to hear him sing with his long time housemate and friend Billy, and also for me to really hear Billy play.   There are not a lot of keyboard players in Utica Rome in his class!!!!

What a great start to the Christmas season......

The Best Music of 2011 - huh???

This morning the Sunday OD did not get delivered, as usual, so I ate my cereal this morning reading Time Magazine.  (I always have to read something at breakfast - a habit I picked up from my dad, when we would have our breakfast and share the Utica Daily Press).    This month they had a feature on the best of 2011, so I went right to the best of 2011 for Music.    Wondered if they would have Emy Lou Harris's new CD on there - pretty close to one of her best ever, or perhaps another of may favorites.   How about Lucinda Williams Blessed - her best stuff ever.   ( I love the kitchen table CD they included in the package which has her with just her guitar playing the songs)

No, it was all Tripe.    Homogenized Pop Crap.   I did not recognize too many names on the list, and none of the songs.   Perhaps I'm being too harsh, but I'm not a fan of Kayne West and Jay-Z, or even have a clue who Adele is.   The Beastie Boys?  Thought they had OD'd years ago.   The Black Keys - OK I do recall them producing some listenable music at the Super Bowl back in 2005.   Baron Hollow - is that more of the Nashville Pop that really isn't country music?   

It's pretty clear to me that Time did not do a deep dive into to the Music world.  There is so much goin on out there that does not get noticed by big media!!   Sally Rose?  Great Rock.   The Avett Brothers?   Not much better if you like country.   And overlooking Emy Lou for Caitlin Rose?  Give me a break.....   

No, it appears Time has decided to pander to the pop machine instead of providing a real look at what's going on the in world of music!!

Maybe later I'll digest all that I've listened to in 2011, but I have to give my #1 song to the band Dawes and the song "A little bit of Everything"   Bernie Taupin has written a few songs in his day, and on his "American Roots Radio" show on Sirius he said he wished he had written that song.   High praise indeed, but well deserved.   Where were you for this one Time Magazine.  

Here is a live stripped down version from Youtube that I love - enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcaJsUNA_ww

A life of their own?

I'm convinced that acoustic instruments are alive.   I own a few instruments and each has its own personality beyond just appearance, sound, and playablity.  Some are very warm and welcoming, some cold and unapproachable at times, some just like an old friend you haven't seen in a long time - you are instantly connected whenever you get together.   For those of you who play a lot this may make sense.

It's funny how I can pick up one of my instruments and it feels great just to hold. plays like butter, and sounds great.   Then a few days later something between us just isn't right - it seems to be fighting me - not wanting to be played and not sounding the way it's supposed to.   

My main mandloin is a nice old Gibson - and it is also the most fickle of all of them.   Right now we have a great relationship going - every time I pick it up it plays and sounds great, and is just so easy to get along with.   The response is there for most anything I want to do, and the sound - wow!!! 

Just a few months ago I had to stop playing it for a while.   It was damn frustrating every time I picked it up.   The fretboard was uncomfortable, strings kept getting in the way of my fingers, and the sound was full of muted sting noise, clicks, and buzzes.  I don't believe I was doing anything different - must be the mandolin.    Anyway I didn't touch it for about two months, and when I tried playing it again, I first gave it a nice cleaning and a fresh set of heavier strings.   What changed I really don't know, but now I can put it down..........  

I have to say mandolins are the most fickle - my black Gibson also acts the same way - I went a long time playing it with no problems then it seemed like every time I touched it the sound was awful, and it was not fun to play.   I wish the two would be in sync so when one was mis-behaving the other would be good, but that's usually not the case.  It's almost like they are a couple of sisters - when one is mad at me the other is two.  

It's a darn good thing my main guitar doesn't act that way  - it's always ready, reliable, most playable, and always responsive.