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[quote=Robh]
That night turned on a light in my mind. It was exactly as you say above, Rob... the audience responds with applause and money if you make it about THEM and their memories. They'll show up and nod approvingly if you can play impressive jazz songs or originals... but turn into a time machine that takes them back to age 18, and you instantly make a room full of friends! B I N G O! Could not have said it any better. Later,
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I will add a small story to yours. A few months back a friend moved away, she was a singer, and guitar player, who had played in a few small time bands, and a bunch of her friends decided to throw a moving away party for her. About 75 to 80 showed up, and in that crowd was some 25 or so that were also musicians of sorts. Most had played live at some point in time.
Well the venue was basically a back yard gathering with food and drink, and a band stand where different musicians could rotate in and out during the afternoon and evening. There were singer/song writer types, jazzy types, old country and rock types. Young folks that played the violin and such. Most tunes, songs and offerings got happy and very polite applause. When i was ask if i wanted to play a tune or two for the crowd, i went up and did three songs, with a band consisting of a drummer, a lead guitarist, and a bass player, myself playing guitar, and lead vocals. The first was an old Eagles stand by "peaceful easy feeling, got warm, but subdued applause, but when i turned to the guys and said you guys remember the old Johnny River's tune "Secret Agent man" which they did. When that signature opening lick hit the speakers, the crowd jumped to their feet and the house was rocking.
Sure that is an old dog, and a typical house band type offering, but some of the crowd now in their late 50s and 60s were transformed back in time to being 19 and having a cool old rumbly mustang, with their first crush riding shotgun in the passengers seat. They were heading to the tastee freeze for a hot dog and some memories.
Last edited by Robh; 12/09/14 12:25 PM.
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I think you're onto something there Rob...
(don't waste that insight... use the force, Luke...)
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eddie1261
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Rob,
Nice to see you, first of all! There is the matter of perspective, with that perspective being pulled from The Tubes. "What Do You Want From Life"? People need to be happy. If playing in a band that does cover music to evoke that response from the crowd is what makes you happy, god bless you and work to be the best cover band you can be. I just got to where if I have to play music I don't like, I'd rather not play. How would it look for a band to be on stage with 4 people smiling and one looking like his appendix just burst because he hates having to play Margaritaville and that stupid Cheeseburger song AGAIN because one drunk at the bar wants to hear it?
If I can't write well enough to make people enjoy my songs, then I need to keep working on my writing until I can. I am not going to play "lowest common denominator" music ever again.
Remember, standard disclaimers apply. This is just what I think and how I feel. I have "that list" on paper in my studio of songs I refuse to play. Ever. That list contains about 75% of every band in town's set list. I went to rehearse with a band about 6 weeks ago. The sound wasn't god awful, but looking down the list...... nope. Their song list literally looked like they went out one weekend and heard 10 bands play and whatever was common to all 10, they put on their list. If I was forced to play covers, they would be THE most difficult material I could find, all DEEPLY based in harmony singing. So right off the bat, I need at least 4 people who can sing. With the general lazy attitude of most of the local players here, nobody sings anymore. I can't tell you the last copy band I saw where anybody but the front guy sang. Usually 2 of the other people have mics, but they are for show. We all remember The Tubes, right? Think about their songs Don't Want To Wait Anymore and Love's A Mystery. If you don't remember them, look them up on youtube. THAT is how singing is supposed to sound, and if I am building a band, that's how the singing will be.
Notice that I am not in a band..... LOL!!!
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Good to see you as well old bud, I certainly get your point. I just think it is so objective. I certainly do not think that what ever creativity one chooses is not lowest denomination.
I sure have heard "original" music that is really bad. Some so poorly written, and or recorded that it was painful.
You said something very powerful, "I would rather tell MY stories than those of some other songwriter. I can't tell "Bob's" story with the proper amount of emotion. I can tell MY story that way though." Others many times can't relate to our thoughts, nor we theirs. Original, and very personal songs unless they really involve the listener have rather small audience potential.
Last edited by Robh; 12/09/14 02:50 PM.
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Eddy,
one of the recurring themes in this whole discussion is the disconnect between the ideal and what we're capable of.
When you get to the point where you realize your beer-grade talent doesn't line up with your champagne grade expectations... what are the options? There are basically three:
1) lower your expectations to achievable levels
2) dramatically ramp up your ability to meet your expectations
3) drop out of the game without changing your expectations
("everything that's possible is beneath me, so I just won't play at all")
each of those 3 possibilities work in a way, and I know people who are happy with life after choosing each of the possibilities. But there are also good and bad levels within each of those choices.
For example, I DON'T hate cover songs! I like them, and I have a total blast playing them! So for me, door number 1 not only meets my needs, it keeps me engaged at the level I am capable of performing at
Option two is the ideal obviously... but only if the person is not deluded. You can waste a lot of time trying to achieve something that is outside the realm of your ability.
Option 3 carries a different brand of self delusion. It frees the person from challenging himself in any direction, and it gives the smugness of a high standard without the requirement of actually having to live up to it.
In my experience MOST of the people who argue in favor of the high standard are disengaged. They aren't pursuing the high standard, they're just criticizing those who pursue happiness at a lower standard.
MY goal is to accurately gauge my ability, then perform the heck out of it. To actualize the theoretical best case, wherever it may fall. Otherwise, we end up giving up EVERY dream just because it isn't the HIGHEST dream.
As far as I can tell, that's the healthiest route to take after you realize you aren't going to be everything you hoped. Cop out? maybe, in terms of ideals. But in terms of using your time on the planet constructively, its the ONLY way to stay engaged at the highest challenge level you're capable of sustaining.
all that was what works for me, I fully understand everyone is driven by different demons. I only say it to point out that people who go a different path aren't losers... they're achievers at the level that is possible for them
At least that's how I see it.
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eddie1261
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Good assessment Pat. I learned some time back that I just don't have it. That 3rd scenario is probably why I don't play anymore. I really have a vision to do it "my" way and I just can't give up to my own dreams.
RIGHT NOW.
I will keep writing and at some point maybe I will be good enough at it to be what I dream of.
Maybe even while living in the nice weather of North Carolina!!! LOL!!
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Pat, I think that you have hit on something. I am 57 years old, and have played guitar since I was 14. You do the math, that is 43 years. What is the chance I will become a great guitarist? Really? I work 40 hours a week, I have 4 children, 5 grandchildren, a wife. I have social and religious activities I am deeply involved in. Music is a wonderful mental vacation from these other goals/responsibilities/endeavors.
I want to be good, or at least pleased by my music. So am I going to be the next Bob Dylan? Not likely!
But I can on most days rock a good party with some great old fashioned rock and roll, or get my truck, dog, girl back with a cheesy country tune. But it what I am capable of. All in all I am pretty good at it.
That is not to say someone in their later decades can't become something special in a life long dream. It is possible. Just not very likely to happen often.
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Good assessment Pat. I learned some time back that I just don't have it. That 3rd scenario is probably why I don't play anymore. I really have a vision to do it "my" way and I just can't give up to my own dreams.
RIGHT NOW.
I will keep writing and at some point maybe I will be good enough at it to be what I dream of.
Maybe even while living in the nice weather of North Carolina!!! LOL!! Eddie, you're a guy who is talented and who has the time and I can see you ramping up to a level that meets your high expectations. I hope I'm living close enough when it happens to shake your hand!
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eddie1261
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Eddie, you're a guy who is talented and who has the time and I can see you ramping up to a level that meets your high expectations. I hope I'm living close enough when it happens to shake your hand! I'll need crew......
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i consider symphonies playing works by the accepted classical masters to be cover bands
every song now being covered was once an original never before heard song every artist\band now being covered an unknown artist\band
there's room for us all
how about creative covers
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how about creative covers
Absolutely!! Most of my gigging guitar work is "creative covers" of original works by bands/singers/composers using BB2015 to create unique arrangements of them. Problem is - I can show none of them on our Showcase as the copyright in the melody still exists. But it is a great Adventure, nonetheless. Ian
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how about creative covers
Absolutely!! Most of my gigging guitar work is "creative covers" of original works by bands/singers/composers using BB2015 to create unique arrangements of them. Problem is - I can show none of them on our Showcase as the copyright in the melody still exists. But it is a great Adventure, nonetheless. Ian Ditto Ian. Later,
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How about butchered covers - do they count? 
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Butchered covers sounds like a great name for a one man band!
When you butcher a cover is there bacon?
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I was curious about parodies. My son, Don Junior, does a fabulous John Fogarty (CCR). What is your position on parodies?
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I was curious about parodies. My son, Don Junior, does a fabulous John Fogarty (CCR). What is your position on parodies? "Weird" Al Yankovic has had a successful career with parodies. I've read some artists are so flattered that they've even allowed use of the original backing tracks. I think a person has to have great skill and insight to create a great parody.
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How did any of us learn to play in the first place?
I am pretty sure not one of us learned the scales, the theory, and then sat down and wrote a song of their own.
I know I played music written and performed by others, you have to to really get to learn how to play in the first place, even if you do the other stuff of scales and theory as well.
If you can then have the talent to write new stuff, by all means do so. However if wanting to make something out of that you have to write music and lyrics that people want to listen to. You might just be telling your story, your life, but if you do it in a boring fashion, then no one will want to listen. Might be better to invent a story if you need to, then put a bit of passion into it and make it lively and interesting, get the audiences attention.
Another approach which works well for some, is write stuff with a comedy punch line to each verse, or in general just make the story a funny one. Though that takes both musical and comic talent.
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To get back to tribute bands, a friend of mine has a Journey tribute band. He's the lead singer and he nails Steve Perry. I mean really nails it, incredible range in his voice. People go nuts over Journey. He only gets about a dozen full tribute band gigs a year but those few are booked for around 2-5 grand or so. Otherwise he works in local restaurants as a single with everything sequenced in his Roland G70. He's also a very schooled player, he plays keys, guitar and trumpet and quite well. My avatar pic is taken from a casino gig with him two years ago. I'm actually smiling for a change so I cropped him out, I usually look like Schroeder at the piano...
I saw him a few months ago at a very high end place in the marina in Long Beach. I arrived during his second set. Near the end of the set he started his Journey stuff and it was amazing, the small dance floor was absolutely packed, all the women were waving their arms in the air just like what you see at a Journey concert. This is your typical wealthy upper middle aged yacht club crowd. He closed that set with two of their tunes and then opened the third set with another one. His gig isn't strictly a Journey tribute but he told me he'll do 8-10 of their tunes a night but he has all of them in his keyboard.
He's a really good entertainer who does a variety of stuff. Right in the middle of a pop set with some MJ or Eagles he'll decide to throw in a killer version of In The Mood and he'll go onto the dance floor and play trumpet. They love it.
Bob
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I think a person has to have great skill and insight to create a great parody. The genius behind Don Jr's parodies is the "Twisted Tunes" creator, Seattle DJ, Bob Rivers. In my humble opinion, Bob's parodies are absolutely the best I've ever heard. Jr does Fogarty so convincingly that he was selected from hundreds to replace Fogarty in Credence Clearwater Revisited Tribute Tour until Fogarty sued the other original CCR band members so the tour was stillborn. Here are a few of my favorites including one that I suggested to Bob Rivers. I think you'll agree, Don owns John Fogarty. http://www.bobrivers.com/#v8649Burned On The BBQ (Born On The Bayou) http://www.bobrivers.com/#v8710Read It In The Tabloids (Heard It Through The Grapevine) http://www.bobrivers.com/#v8470Bathroom On The Right (Bad Moon On The Rize)
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