Notes_Norton

Silly Boy Blue - David Bowie

Back in the day, if two gorgeous, mini-skirted chics were dancing, I never would have noticed a handbag.

Come to think of it, I wouldn't notice the bag today either.

Silver Threads and Golden Needles - Linda Ronstadt

Sunk from a new low to unmentionables

A Pirate Looks At 40 - Jimmy Buffett

Lyrics:
Mother Mother Ocean, I have heard your call

Diving even deeper Craig

OK, I restrained myself and didn't do the obvious...

No Woman No Cry - Bob Marley and the Wailers

It's not exactly a cartoon but it fits both lame and music categories.

Damn That Traffic Jam - James Taylor

Ah! I remember the days when it was a tenor in one hand, an alto in the other, and a flute tucked under my arm. One trip in, set them up, and I'm ready to gig.

But times have changed, bands have been downsized, and we have to do more than one thing on stage.

Now for Mrs. Notes and myself (The Sophisticats):

• 1 Tenor sax
• 2 wind MIDI controllers (including a spare)
• 1 Pedal for the wind contrllers
• 1 Buchla Thunder tactile MIDI controller
• 1 Korg pad Kontrol
• 2 guitars
• 2 Amp sim/fx pedals for the guitar
• 1 flute
• 1 rack with 4 synth modules, a 12 channel mixer, an FX unit and various interfaces
• 4 laptop computers (including the spare)
• 2 'hot spot' style monitors
• 2 powered speakers with 15" woofers
• 2 mics
• 7 stands for speakers mics etc
• 1 A-Frame stand
• Enough cables to make a suspension bridge
• A suitcase full of spare parts/cables just in case (the show must go on)

I tell our clients that we play for free, and charge them to move the gear.

But for 37 years we've been gigging steadily (except for the COVID interruption) and never wanted for work. I also tell our clients, the only band that has lasted longer than us is The Rolling Stones. As soon as that settles, I add, and we still have all the original members.

If the timing and audience is right, it gets a chuckle and last week it got a standing ovation.

Insights and incites by Notes ♫

On 4/9/2022 at 9:20 AM, Grem said:

Listening to this great album by Dion. He has a different  all-star cast on each song. 

Joe Bonamassa, Eric  Clapton, Peter Frampton, Bruce Springsteen, G.E. Smith.

Stand out tunes for me are the ones with G.E. Smith (killer little ditty!) and Peter Frampton playing some great blues. 

But really, almost every song is worth at least a listen.

I'm gigging today, but I'll listen later. I've liked his work since "Bronx In Blue"

Here's To Life - Shirley Horn

She can sing a song slower than anyone I know and still keep it interesting. She is also an accomplished pianist.

1) There are more lame ones than good ones

2) The criteria is whenever anyone feels like it, it's time.

Pretty much the same criteria for any post in The Coffee House

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley & The Wailers

Lyrics:
Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte - Patti Page

All Right Now - Free

Free Man In Paris - Joni Mitchell

(with Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Michael Brecker, Lyle Mays, & Don Alias in the band)

Before the band with a B3 we had a Farfisa Combo Compact or something like that. An Italian competitor for the Vox Continental. We were on the road playing the college circuit back then. It was bright red with a black stripe on it.

It had similar sounds to the Vox, not nearly as rich as the tone wheel Hammond organs, though.

We used to switch instruments a lot in that band. I played the organ on "Psychotic Reaction" by Count 5. I don't remember what the keyboard player switched to or if he got on the mic for singing lead. We did a lot of showy schtick back then.

At the end there is a 2-beat section that was supposed to be psychedelic I suppose, but in actually was just a lot of noise. One day I kicked my boot off and played glisses on the Farfisa. The girls went wild!!! "That guy is so good he could play with his foot!" was a typical comment.

Playing college towns and having the girls go wild is always a good thing for a young boy on the road. :D :D :D

We kept that up, and it seemed to always work, no matter what town we were in.

A couple of bands later, I never played the B3, just help "lug and tote" it.

Ah, fun memories. I'm living a charmed life.

Notes ♫

Legend Of A Mind - Moody Blues