Don Harrington
Musician
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Arizona Sounds of Christmas - Dec. 13, 2009
Announcing
Arizona Sounds of
Christmas
A musical event
brought to you by
Ron Cordova
With performances by
Rocky Road, Judy Schwiebert, Bob
& Debbie Jones, Joan Paladian,
Don Harrington &
Janis Wood, Harryzona, the Mixed Nuts and Entourage
Sunday, December 13,
2009 from 6:30 P.M.
to about 8:15 P.M.
At the Continental Villas West Clubhouse –
2 Blocks south of Maryland and 18th
Ave.
1750 W Stella Lane,
Phx.
It’s an evening of
all Christmas poetry and singin’. Western, Contemporary and audience participation.
Admission is a
friend or 2 and a dozen cookies.
We’ll supply some punch and coffee to wash ‘em
down.
If you need more
information you can call
602-277-0739
or e-mail at 1horsemumbler@cox.net
Crunch Time in December
Finishing up a crazy week, with performances in the PC Jazz Orchestra, Rock Combo, Folk Band, and Birdland Combo - AND a show with Entourage - AND December 5th big Choir Concert at St. Gregory's, 7:30!
Coming up, the Arizona Sounds of Christmas Show on Dec. 13.
Coming up, the Arizona Sounds of Christmas Show on Dec. 13.
Taiko Drumming (Performance Practice 2 of ?)
I just went to the Matsuri festival and spent some time listening to the Taiko drummers and watching traditional Japanese dance.
I also watched the crowd, always a fascinating exercise. Pop culture has become a staple, including people dressed in anime and manga tributes alongside straight youth culture with spiked hair and trendy clothes. I probably saw more caucasians in kimonos than any other group, go figure.
Taiko drumming is fun and there are a lot of groups in Phoenix and Tucson that study it. It's more than just rhythm, there is an element of choreographed theater in it, with banks of drummers performing synchronized movements as they carry their part of the piece. The groups I watched usually went with some kind of uniform dress with individual variances in color and pattern.
And the drums themselves are great props, from little spuds up to big monsters that the drummers strike with exaggerated movements.
So what can I use to improve my performances? Once again, staging, costume and props are a part of the story. Drums have a limited emotional palette but within that range, they are very powerful. I've always liked having some exotic percussion when I play, so I will continue exploring that, too.
I also watched the crowd, always a fascinating exercise. Pop culture has become a staple, including people dressed in anime and manga tributes alongside straight youth culture with spiked hair and trendy clothes. I probably saw more caucasians in kimonos than any other group, go figure.
Taiko drumming is fun and there are a lot of groups in Phoenix and Tucson that study it. It's more than just rhythm, there is an element of choreographed theater in it, with banks of drummers performing synchronized movements as they carry their part of the piece. The groups I watched usually went with some kind of uniform dress with individual variances in color and pattern.
And the drums themselves are great props, from little spuds up to big monsters that the drummers strike with exaggerated movements.
So what can I use to improve my performances? Once again, staging, costume and props are a part of the story. Drums have a limited emotional palette but within that range, they are very powerful. I've always liked having some exotic percussion when I play, so I will continue exploring that, too.
Dr. John (Performance Practice 1 of ?)
What do I need to do to get my message across? It's more than just being a competent musician, there's the whole performance element.
Dr. John has a good schtick, his voodoo jazz thing. I saw him at Celebrity Theater on February 1 along with the Neville Brothers (more on them later). A skull on the piano, feathers, gris-gris bags, fetishes - in a word, props. They help get across the feeling that the music has power, a kind of intimate power that verges on black magic.
Dr. John's a good musician who has an encyclopedic grasp of New Orleans jazz and blues styles and all the world influences that have found their way there. Some tunes sounded like Calypso, some were standards like St. James Infirmary, and he included his regular hits.
He uses a lean backup band, just guitar & bass & drums. He's got the B3 organ and a fold-up baby grand - and a gritty voice that is such pure noise that I have trouble understanding him even when he's just speaking. But that just adds to the mystery somehow.
The schtick and the music fit well together and I think it enhances the performance. If he were to dress and play like a classical musician, neat and restrained, it would rob the music of much of its power.
Dr. John has a good schtick, his voodoo jazz thing. I saw him at Celebrity Theater on February 1 along with the Neville Brothers (more on them later). A skull on the piano, feathers, gris-gris bags, fetishes - in a word, props. They help get across the feeling that the music has power, a kind of intimate power that verges on black magic.
Dr. John's a good musician who has an encyclopedic grasp of New Orleans jazz and blues styles and all the world influences that have found their way there. Some tunes sounded like Calypso, some were standards like St. James Infirmary, and he included his regular hits.
He uses a lean backup band, just guitar & bass & drums. He's got the B3 organ and a fold-up baby grand - and a gritty voice that is such pure noise that I have trouble understanding him even when he's just speaking. But that just adds to the mystery somehow.
The schtick and the music fit well together and I think it enhances the performance. If he were to dress and play like a classical musician, neat and restrained, it would rob the music of much of its power.
Building a creative network
Just finished Entourage's annual Christmas Show, which had a fairly good turnout of 80-100 people. I didn't send a mailing about this show to my regular list, though. My regular list consists of my friends who said they would be interested in my shows and a handful of others, about 20 people. In the last 2 years, I've mailed this list prior to every show - and almost nobody on it has shown up unless they were also part of the show.
So I figure it's time to purge the list and consider how to build a new one. I also figure it's time to build my network with people who are interested in music and art like I am. I'm reemphasizing these things in my life, so my social circle ought to reflect that.
I've also been thinking that to be successful as a musician, I can't do it just by myself. I need partnerships with other creative people to put together a package.
How to get there, I have no real ideas but I'm open to anybody's suggestions.
So I figure it's time to purge the list and consider how to build a new one. I also figure it's time to build my network with people who are interested in music and art like I am. I'm reemphasizing these things in my life, so my social circle ought to reflect that.
I've also been thinking that to be successful as a musician, I can't do it just by myself. I need partnerships with other creative people to put together a package.
How to get there, I have no real ideas but I'm open to anybody's suggestions.
Arizona Sounds of Christmas 2008
I'm
playing with Entourage at a great event:
ARIZONA SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS
Join us
for an evening of music featuring
Saturday,
August 9, 2008
6:30 to
8:30 p.m.
Continental
Villas West
1745 W.
Stella Lane
(via
18th Avenue off of Maryland Avenue)
Gordon Lightfoot show - good concert
Jan and I went to the Gordon Lightfoot show at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix last night (10-24-08). I'd never seen Gordon performing live before, but I had fond memories of listening to his albums [mumble] years ago, when I was young. Sitting around Dick's house, drinking beer, playing guitar, listening to Gordon Lightfoot and Kris Kristofferson albums. Those were good times.
Sadly, Lightfoot has been ill and had to cancel a number of concerts earlier this decade. I thought the illness showed in his voice which was not as rich and vibrant as it had been. His guitar playing was still good and his stage presence was just fine - and the songs, well, that's the whole point, isn't it? The songs were just as pretty, quirky, catchy and interesting as they've always been. It's easy to forget that Lightfoot's songs have been picked up by a lot of people, including Elvis.
He didn't introduce his backup band and I would have liked to know more about them. Their playing was subdued, the focus was on Lightfoot - but the guitar player was quietly tasteful and I really liked his work. It was the first time I'd heard a synth player using a harmonica patch, though. It was oddly both familiar and jarring.
And what is it about men with deep voices shouting from the audience that they love the (male) performer? This happened at Ringo's show, too. Lightfoot made a joke that it would be even better if it was a woman's voice - and several woman promptly cried out that they loved him, too.
New songs come along and old songs step aside for them - but there's gold in Lightfoot's catalog of tunes that can be mined for a long time.
Don H.
Sadly, Lightfoot has been ill and had to cancel a number of concerts earlier this decade. I thought the illness showed in his voice which was not as rich and vibrant as it had been. His guitar playing was still good and his stage presence was just fine - and the songs, well, that's the whole point, isn't it? The songs were just as pretty, quirky, catchy and interesting as they've always been. It's easy to forget that Lightfoot's songs have been picked up by a lot of people, including Elvis.
He didn't introduce his backup band and I would have liked to know more about them. Their playing was subdued, the focus was on Lightfoot - but the guitar player was quietly tasteful and I really liked his work. It was the first time I'd heard a synth player using a harmonica patch, though. It was oddly both familiar and jarring.
And what is it about men with deep voices shouting from the audience that they love the (male) performer? This happened at Ringo's show, too. Lightfoot made a joke that it would be even better if it was a woman's voice - and several woman promptly cried out that they loved him, too.
New songs come along and old songs step aside for them - but there's gold in Lightfoot's catalog of tunes that can be mined for a long time.
Don H.
Rocking with Ringo
Had the opportunity to up my Beatles quotient to 50% the other night when I got to see Ringo with his All-Star Band. (I saw George Harrison in Tucson in 1974, what a great memory.)
Ringo's doing good, he started on time and they rocked continuously for over 2 hours. He did his old standards and some of his new stuff, too. Many people say that Ringo's compositions are pretty simple and basic - and I agree. But I'm a simple person with simple tastes. When Ringo sings "choose love", it's profound enough for me. "Choose Love" and "Memphis In Your Mind" were my favorites from the newer material. It's hard to beat "With a Little Help From My Friends" and "Yellow Submarine" sung by the original, though!
The All-Star band was great, with Edgar Winter earning overtime playing keyboards, sax, even drums. The band included Billy Squier, Colin Hay of Men at Work, keyboardist Gary Wright ("Dreamweaver"), bassist Hamish Stuart (Average White Band) and second drummer Greg Bissonette.
They must have had a concession on guitars, because Colin and Billy changed guitars almost every song and "old" guitars were slow to reappear.
An exciting and energizing concert, I'm really glad I got to go.
Ringo's doing good, he started on time and they rocked continuously for over 2 hours. He did his old standards and some of his new stuff, too. Many people say that Ringo's compositions are pretty simple and basic - and I agree. But I'm a simple person with simple tastes. When Ringo sings "choose love", it's profound enough for me. "Choose Love" and "Memphis In Your Mind" were my favorites from the newer material. It's hard to beat "With a Little Help From My Friends" and "Yellow Submarine" sung by the original, though!
The All-Star band was great, with Edgar Winter earning overtime playing keyboards, sax, even drums. The band included Billy Squier, Colin Hay of Men at Work, keyboardist Gary Wright ("Dreamweaver"), bassist Hamish Stuart (Average White Band) and second drummer Greg Bissonette.
They must have had a concession on guitars, because Colin and Billy changed guitars almost every song and "old" guitars were slow to reappear.
An exciting and energizing concert, I'm really glad I got to go.
New performance for Don August 9!!!
I'm playing with Entourage at a great event:
SUMMER
MUSIC FUN
Join us
for an evening of music featuring
We will
entertain you with a variety of music including selections from the Beatles,
folk, cowboy, ballads and Pop songs.
Saturday,
August 9, 2008
7:00 to
9:00 p.m.
Continental
Villas West
1745 W.
Stella Lance
(via 18th Avenue off of Maryland Avenue)
Light and cool refreshments will be served
For more information, you can email Don at donharrington@msn.com,
and
Debbie or Bob at debbob_jones@msn.com
Or visit us online at www.donharrington.net and www.entourageaz.com
The Tilted Kilt ???
The other night, Jan and I were going to a visitation. The daughter of a friend of hers had died young and Jan wanted to pay her respects. With this solemn goal in mind, we took off in Friday rush-hour traffic to the funeral home. We got there in time to get some dinner before the service, so we looked around for a restaurant and finally saw something called the Tilted Kilt. Given that Jan likes pubs and all things Celtic, it sounded like a reasonable choice.
However, the Tilted Kilt is essentially Hooters in tartan. The young and shapely waitresses wear a bikini top and miniskirt made of plaid material. The miniskirt is more of a broad belt. I guess the food was OK, the french fries were good, but my attention was elsewhere.
Jan had a great time pointing out waitresses on the move and watching me try to appear to NOT be staring. She'd deliberately choose waitresses behind me so she could see me try not to swivel my head 180 degrees. I kept my head down when we were being served because otherwise, my eyes were at the level of, well, you know.
On the other hand, it cheered me up greatly from what had looked like it was going to be an unpleasant Friday. Jan and I got into a discussion of why there weren't similar places for gals but we had no easy answers.
Don
However, the Tilted Kilt is essentially Hooters in tartan. The young and shapely waitresses wear a bikini top and miniskirt made of plaid material. The miniskirt is more of a broad belt. I guess the food was OK, the french fries were good, but my attention was elsewhere.
Jan had a great time pointing out waitresses on the move and watching me try to appear to NOT be staring. She'd deliberately choose waitresses behind me so she could see me try not to swivel my head 180 degrees. I kept my head down when we were being served because otherwise, my eyes were at the level of, well, you know.
On the other hand, it cheered me up greatly from what had looked like it was going to be an unpleasant Friday. Jan and I got into a discussion of why there weren't similar places for gals but we had no easy answers.
Don