Tuesday - Workday
Day 6 of being unbusy at work. Difficult, but I learn things about myself and my role in the company.
Great weekend; Friday night I went with some co-workers to see Umphrey's Magee at the Nokia Theatre. As close to a perfect concert going experience as I believe is possible. Arrived about an hour early, go front row seats, with waitress service. Unobstructed view of the stage. Sound was great. Then band was incredible. If you are not familiar, Umphrey's is a "jam band" that instead of being influenced by the Grateful dead or Phish, they're influenced by King Crimson. All are killer players, the 2 guitarists and drummer especially. They've been playing together so long that they are able to improvise and regroup, stopping on a dime and changing direction. They played for about a half hour before the first vocals were sung. One continuous "jam" with snippets of songs - a chorus here, then more improv, a verse there of a different song, then off again, only to regroup and finish competely together. Great vocals, 4 part harmony, too.
Got home after 2 AM and had to get up at 8 for couples therapy. Good session. Then home to a nap, then out tp MB's to rehearse for the YGT slot at the benefit show that evening. Devise a setlist, settle some arrangement issues and depart for Nyack. Arrive to find a pretty caotic situation, the organizers intentions are noble, but there's an aboundance of unprofessionalism and negative energy. Mark and I begin to soundcheck, arrange direct boxes. KP arrives and the trio soundchecks sucessfully. It's then necessary for us to seperate from the proceedings, so we find an empty classroom and rehearse our set. We aim to bless the space with our set, intentional goodwill sent out.
Our set was OK, considering we haven't really rehearsed as a trio before performing. But we know the material well enough. Ambitious to attempt "Blackjack" but it will never get finished if we shy away from it. Strong connection between the 3 of us throughout the performance. A very generous, if sparse audience. In the end, a positive, necessary experience.
Afterwards, the 3 of us go out for a Mexican dinner. Good food and converstion. Set a date for our next (first) rehearsal.
Sunday was also an early rise, 8:00. Dan and I go to church, then out clothes shopping and food shopping. Relax in front of the TV, football, with my guitar in my hands. I enjoy just playing, clearing my mind and not directing my hands.
Out to a meeting in the evening, then home to an hour of calestenics. Dan and I watch "The Wire". Then to bed.
Great weekend; Friday night I went with some co-workers to see Umphrey's Magee at the Nokia Theatre. As close to a perfect concert going experience as I believe is possible. Arrived about an hour early, go front row seats, with waitress service. Unobstructed view of the stage. Sound was great. Then band was incredible. If you are not familiar, Umphrey's is a "jam band" that instead of being influenced by the Grateful dead or Phish, they're influenced by King Crimson. All are killer players, the 2 guitarists and drummer especially. They've been playing together so long that they are able to improvise and regroup, stopping on a dime and changing direction. They played for about a half hour before the first vocals were sung. One continuous "jam" with snippets of songs - a chorus here, then more improv, a verse there of a different song, then off again, only to regroup and finish competely together. Great vocals, 4 part harmony, too.
Got home after 2 AM and had to get up at 8 for couples therapy. Good session. Then home to a nap, then out tp MB's to rehearse for the YGT slot at the benefit show that evening. Devise a setlist, settle some arrangement issues and depart for Nyack. Arrive to find a pretty caotic situation, the organizers intentions are noble, but there's an aboundance of unprofessionalism and negative energy. Mark and I begin to soundcheck, arrange direct boxes. KP arrives and the trio soundchecks sucessfully. It's then necessary for us to seperate from the proceedings, so we find an empty classroom and rehearse our set. We aim to bless the space with our set, intentional goodwill sent out.
Our set was OK, considering we haven't really rehearsed as a trio before performing. But we know the material well enough. Ambitious to attempt "Blackjack" but it will never get finished if we shy away from it. Strong connection between the 3 of us throughout the performance. A very generous, if sparse audience. In the end, a positive, necessary experience.
Afterwards, the 3 of us go out for a Mexican dinner. Good food and converstion. Set a date for our next (first) rehearsal.
Sunday was also an early rise, 8:00. Dan and I go to church, then out clothes shopping and food shopping. Relax in front of the TV, football, with my guitar in my hands. I enjoy just playing, clearing my mind and not directing my hands.
Out to a meeting in the evening, then home to an hour of calestenics. Dan and I watch "The Wire". Then to bed.
posted by Alan Neidorf at 9:15 AM
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