Author Topic: Taking a Chance  (Read 277 times)

lbpesq

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Taking a Chance
« on: February 16, 2012, 12:42:40 PM »
So I'm doing something tonight I've never done before.  I'm playing a gig with a group I've never even met before.  I answered an ad in craigslist yesterday morning as I am always on the lookout for a side project to get some of my Grateful Dead yayas out.  The ad was looking for a second guitar for a band that covered the Dead, Dylan, the Band, Allman Brothers, etc.  Right up my alley.  Talked to the guy yesterday and it turns out their second guitarist just left the band without warning and they have a gig TONIGHT!  He emailed me a songlist and I'm meeting them for the first time at the gig!  Am I crazy or what?  
 
Bill, tgo

adriaan

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2012, 01:13:34 PM »
I-V, I-V ... oops, you play one with the skinny strings, right?

pauldo

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2012, 01:18:22 PM »
Bill-
Have fun - it's nothing you can't handle.
Can't wait for the report.
 
Paul TDO

speicky

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2012, 01:26:40 PM »
I can only second Paul (appointed TSO recently, btw)  
From what I have experienced at the Chicago gathering three years ago, there's nothing to worry about, Bill. Have fun ! I am with you in spirit, but would also love to read the report.
 
Christian

David Houck

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2012, 02:49:32 PM »
Love it!  I too await a full report.

jazzyvee

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2012, 04:39:38 PM »
Which guitar will you be taking with you?
Jazzyvee
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rustyg61

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2012, 05:32:13 PM »
Don't forget to take pictures, you know how we love pictures here!
Rusty
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edwin

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2012, 09:15:02 PM »
I can't even count the number of times I've done this. It's big fun! Let us know how it went!

afrobeat_fool

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2012, 10:29:01 PM »
You da man, Bill. i know your tearing it up RIGHT NOW!

jacko

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2012, 04:24:13 AM »
So how did the gig go Bill?  And to echo jazzy, 'what guitar did you take'?
 
Graeme

lbpesq

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2012, 12:47:17 PM »
I took my Ferlembic  as I had played my Further with my own band the night before.  I should have taken the Further as it was a dark dive bar and the LEDs would have come in handy (I'll have to get around to getting FretFX lights for the Ferlembic one of these days).
 
I was very apprehensive since about four hours before the gig I got an email that their drummer probably couldn't make it and maybe we'll just play acoustic.  I called my band's drummer and another I know and they both got back to me that they could do it.  Then I heard from the band that their drummer (who had only played with them once before) was going to make it after all.  As  this was all unfolding, I just kept thinking more proof that musicians are often flakes.  
 
But, after all the craziness and last minute stuff, it actually turned out quite nicely.  We did some fun tunes:  Franklin's Tower, Fire on the Mountain, Eyes of the World, You Ain't Goin' Nowhere, I Shall Be Released, Whippin' Post, Mighty Quinn, Who Do You Love, Up on Cripple Creek, The Weight, Friend of the Devil, Peggy O, and a couple of others.  LOTS of jamming.  Our first set went from 8:30-10:15!  Then we took a  break and played from about 10:40 to just before midnight.  I taped it and some of the space jams remind me of the Dead circa 1968.  
 
All in all a fun time and I'd likely do it again if asked, though a few rehearsals might be nice.  The songs that worked, worked fairly well, but a couple of others were pretty rough.  One thing that was a little difficult was following the bass player who sang most of the lead vocals.  He sang some songs he really didn't know but went ahead and made up new words and melodies anyway, and not always in the right key!
 
Bill, tgo
 
(Message edited by lbpesq on February 18, 2012)
 
(Message edited by lbpesq on February 18, 2012)

sonicus

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2012, 12:55:04 PM »
Bill , sounds like an adventure for sure.  What was the name of the local venue?  Where ?
 
 Wolf ___

lbpesq

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2012, 01:14:47 PM »
The Parkway Lounge in Oakland.  It's on Park Blvd. where it ends near Lake Merrit, right next door to the old Parkway Theater that used to sell pizza and beer and had couches in the movie theater before they went out of business years ago.
 
Bill, tgo

rustyg61

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2012, 03:41:49 PM »
Sounds like a fun gig! I can relate to the playing in the dark without LED's, I'm spoiled with my SCSD so when I switch to my Jazz Bass for some drop D tunes, I'm lost looking for the LED's!
 
Rusty
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sonicus

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Taking a Chance
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2012, 06:45:25 PM »
Bill ,  Cool ____
I remember that place . Were there very many patrons in the place for the music . How was the crowd ?  
 
 Wolf