Last night I played the Red Guitar with two new configurations. BBC included myself on banjo and Andrew Downing playing cello. Was fun, and funny as we were both aware of how nervous we were. (something neither of us have really felt for a long time)
This gig made me realize that no matter how much I practise, my $100 banjo is not going to play or stay in tune. Having said that, I had a lot of fun and look forward to doing it again someday soon with a new instrument. (anyone want to loan me a good banjo?)
The music was mostly my original tunes (folky, bluegrassy little numbers) as well as Andrew's arrangement of Stompin at the Savoy and we played Scrapple from the Apple.
The second set was 20/40 Vision as the other guitarist Nate Renner is but 20 years old. Ravi Naimpally was playing Tabla (that was a treat!) Ravi's chops (for lack of a better word) inspired me to look toward a new regime of practising for the fall.
Nate played some piano too which I quite enjoyed. Improvised music is so tricky...especially when you have never played together before. I often think that if 50% or more comes of decent or better, I am doing ok. (I think this is one of the reasons I don't play a lot of purely improvised music) Of course those that dedicate their lives to improvised music have higher percentages, which is why we buy their cds and go to their concerts.
Anyways, it was a bit of a celebration of the end of an era for me. It will probably be my last Red Guitar gig and maybe even the last time I go there...who knows. (as the future, regarding the sale of the business etc. is unsure)
Great memories, great music, great people, great fun. Many thanks to my friend Corry Sobol; a special person that created a special place that provided us all with a special year.
tim
