Happy New year everyone !
Long time no... erm... write and see...
Anyway, I have a lot of stuff to talk about since I haven't posted for a while so let's start with 'end of semester' Beatles gigs.
The day after the last post was the day of the much anticipated (and long awaited) Beatles gig. It was a very long day as we were asked to be at the college for 10.00 for a sound-check. After my band sound-checked we found out that we were the second last band to play that day, at half past 7... *sigh*. However this is an example of good patience which is an essential skill for the session musician. So we eagerly waited for our band's slot. We passed the time by getting changed; practicing our instruments; having a last-minute run through; watching the other bands; Video recording the other bands; getting some food and finally tuning up and getting ready before the gig. I was sporting a rather fashionable 'John Lennon-esque' costume, complete with 'People for Peace' arm-band. Sometimes, as a session musician, you are required to dress appropriately for the performance, so that's what I did. As far as I felt the performance went on my behalf, I felt that I played well and professionally, keeping it as close to The Beatles' style as I could. I also feel that the majority of the group also performed well and acted professionally, apart from one person who didn't dress appropriately or tune their instrument properly. That I felt was the only thing that really went wrong with our performance, the rest I think was to a good standard.
The day before I had an audition to be cast in an honors student's musical production of the hit motion picture, Rocky. Initially I walking into the audition room only looking for a small acting part in the musical. So I went in and read out my lines with a whole lot of passion in-front of the two honors students and a video camera, I was told that I had done really well. Then they said this:
"It's time for your singing audition."
I replied:
"Erm, What did you say?"
As to my surprise I was confronted with something that was not initially in my comfort zone. But after a little bit of coaxing and a bit of thinking on my feet (like a session musician...) I sang a little bit of their chosen piece, Eye of the Tiger. Apparently I was OK, as two days later my name appeared up on the notice board next to the part of Paulie in the musical (I haven't seen Rocky yet, but I'm told that that's Rocky's best friend). I was quite happily surprised about this new avenue that had opened up to me. Plus Mum was proud (Ha Ha).
For Christmas I got Gin :)
During the Holidays, there was an amount of 'political' issues that occurred in my band, The Xylophone Race. We had decided after a long period of time that we had to say goodbye to the long serving Bass player due to 'professionalism and ability'. It was hard to let him go (because I got made to do the talking) cause he is a good mate, but he did have a good run. The Boy took it well, I have to admit. Sometimes as a session musician you have to deal with tough social situations and working with difficult people. I mean he wasn't bad to work with but I have to make this relevant. So we gave him a good send off with his final gig in Mad Hatters in Inverness a few days later. The next day we auditioned a new Bass player for the group with a lengthy Jam session. He was pretty good. As a session musician, you often have to improvise and Jam along with the people you work with, like that situation.
And finally I did make it back to college yesterday, despite the harsh conditions up north, various train delays and a £126 bus pass, to find that after the first class that the college was shut for the rest of the week. Whatever. I did find out what group and genre I will be doing for the next 9 weeks for band-work. I'm not going to lie, it's not the best style or the strongest set of players, but I'm determined to motivate the others and make the group work. The style for the band is: Number One's from a chosen year. We got together and decided that the year with the most number one's that suited our tastes was 1979. For next week we are learning Dr Hook's classic When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman and Blondie's smash hit Sunday Girl.
That was a pretty hefty post I imagine.
Thanks for all reading.
Daryl
