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BS: Times have changed...
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Subject: Times have changed... From: Mooh Date: 12 May 01 - 10:43 AM ...and so have I. A rhetorical question perhaps, but have you experienced this sort of thing? Last night I once again turned down a golden opportunity to play electric guitar in a "'70's cover band". There was good money in it, and I already know much of the reportoire, but I just couldn't see myself playing smokey dives to unruly drunkards while leaving the family at home. I've even got the ideal gear for the job, but I just don't want to play that stuff anymore. Once upon a time I prayed for these sorts of gigs, and revelled in the vibe once I had them. Lately (10 years or so) I think that the Celtic/old time/bluegrass stuff rocks faster and swings harder than "classic rock", and is more challenging to play. I prefer acoustic guitars, and there are some old rockers which crossover well to acoustic interpretation. Those I'll continue to play. I made a conscious choice for acoustic music (I've got two such groups right now, and solo), the style and glory elements of live rock just don't matter to me anymore. I guess what surprised me most was how easy it was to refuse this job, and I don't feel old! I always thought that this sort of experience, finally deciding not to take another rock job, would make me feel like a dinosaur, but instead I feel rejuvenated about my other projects. Leaving the door wide open for your smart-ass remarks, is this/am I normal? Peace. Mooh.
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Justa Picker Date: 12 May 01 - 10:54 AM Mooh I hear you! Ironically, I too was offered a really good gig about a month and a half ago, by an old guitarist friend I'd played with, years ago. He has a very successful "Legends of Rock 'N Roll" show and the gig paid very decently, and wanted me in the band as there was a vacancy. Roadies, computerized lighting, state-of-the-art sound and individual monitor mixes --the whole 9 yards, and I knew about 90% of the material so rehearsal time would have been minimal. My wife thought that I should take it. Like you, 15 years ago, I would have jumped at the opportunity to be in this band. I mulled it over for a couple of days and decided no...for a few reasons. (a) too much traveling; and (b) it would severely cut into my acoustic practise time and playing. Instead, I may be doing a few non-paying coffee house gigs just to get on stage as an acoustic player. (Never done it before.) I guess it comes down to new challenges, rather than re-exploring old ones. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Gary T Date: 12 May 01 - 12:01 PM Quite normal, Mooh. While it's nice to have constancy in some aspects of ourselves and our lives, it's also beneficial to have change and growth in part of who we are and what we do. Imagine if all of our thoughts and feelings about everything were the same forever. Ugh! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Little Hawk Date: 12 May 01 - 12:12 PM Sounds like an entirely sensible reaction to me. I hate those kind of venues, generally speaking, and can't stand the vibe either. - LH |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: MMario Date: 12 May 01 - 01:14 PM *sigh* I keep getting passed over for various gigs. The same people who tell me how much they enjoy my singing, and that they want to sing with me more keep choosing others to record with; sing with; play with. *whimper* One even said "Oh - I didn't think you'd want to do it, we really aren't up to your level...." and the wierd thing is, it wasn't sarcastic, it was honest; and from a "pro" - when I am an amateur. *sigh again* Sometimes I think I'm too successful at keeping a low profile. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Liz the Squeak Date: 13 May 01 - 04:09 AM Been there done that, I'm getting offers that I would have killed for 15 years ago..... and can't do half of them now for a) other committments and b) just too bloody old and knackered!! Rediscovering greasy biker chick days has been fun though.... : ) LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: kendall Date: 13 May 01 - 08:01 AM Well, I have never had to make that choice, because no one ever offers me a chance to play electric guitar in a rock band! THANK GOD!! Join the adults Mooh, and dont feel odd. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Mooh Date: 13 May 01 - 08:29 AM Kendall sir, so this is what it feels like to be an adult! And it took but 43 years to get here! LOL... Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: GUEST,Phil Cooper Date: 14 May 01 - 01:01 AM I'm getting pickier about side gigs these days. From a spare time aspect. Margaret, Kate, and I did plug in for a special gig a couple years ago for Margaret's 50th birthday. But we played our usual repertoire. I just used a borrowed electric gutiar for a few of the songs. So we did Lucy Wan and Cruel Mother, also Kangaro/Rolling of the Stone plugged. Fun, and the ten people in the audience liked it too. Nothing to do with thread, but know you'd appreciate the fact that I just picked up a new Santa Cruz OM/PW Saturday (Lea Rig and Indian Lass sound good played on it). --Phil |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: GUEST,Midchuck upstairs Date: 14 May 01 - 07:38 AM Join the adults, huh? I got my first acoustic guitar for my 18th birthday. Maybe for my 60th....a Telecaster? With a nice selection of distortion boxes? Got to keep trying new things to mimimize the effects of old age... And it would get a little respect from my playing partners with their damn noisy fiddle and banjo. Peter. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Matt_R Date: 14 May 01 - 08:41 AM Tell 'em Peter!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Mooh Date: 14 May 01 - 08:49 AM Phil. I hope you've kept the others (Taylor and Breedlove?). So many guitars, so little time! And when are you coming back this way? Check out the Renbourne, Bensusan, and McManus thread for what's happening here in September. Care to join us? Mike. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Whistle Stop Date: 14 May 01 - 08:55 AM Mooh, I'm with you. I've been playing with an acoustic/electric band for the last seven or eight years (lead guitar, mandolin, vocals), and fortunately we play a wide range of material, our own and other people's. But we don't always see eye to eye about where we should put our emphasis, and a couple of the guys seem like they never really left the 1970's (I'm at the upper end of the age range at 42, but most of the others are close behind me). Often they reason that this music is what the people will come out to hear (we play the bars and the occasional function, nothing approaching the "big time"), and part of me suspects they're right. I can still play that stuff, but it sure isn't where my heart tells me to go. So I look for opportunities to do something original with the tired old material, and I live for the moments when we're playing more of our original, acoustic-oriented stuff. If we were completely devoted to 70's rock and roll (or 60's, or 80's, and don't even talk to me about the next decade or so), I'd be out of there in a heartbeat. I'm also developing an acoustic duo on the side, which is showing promise in its early stages. Life's too short to keep playing stuff that doesn't do it for you. If that means you're growing old, I'd say you should welcome it with open arms. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Jim the Bart Date: 14 May 01 - 10:07 AM Yes, Mooh, it's a tough choice. The devil on one shoulder whispers "Why not? All those years that you put in learning this stuff, all the money spent on equipment - you can finally get a little bit back. What are you giving up? A few hours a week. Think about the people who will be out there dancing and digging it! Isn't this what it's all about?" And for some, there is a whole chorus of other devils chiming in with "It'll be a Party!!" With all that that implies. But you always put more time into it than you planned. And that party gets really old after a while. Unless you need the money, who needs the hastles? Mooh, feel good about being asked, but stay firm in saying "NO". Maybe see if you can be a sub once in a while. Doing that is a lot more fun than committing to a regular gig. All it takes is one drunk knocking into your mic stand or PA column, one morning after trying to get the smell of smoke out of your clothes, or one Monday trying to figure out why the headache, the dull ache in your shoulder (or dull throb if you use a Les Paul), and total exhaustion took two days to hit before you realize that maybe you have outgrown the rock life. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Kim C Date: 14 May 01 - 11:05 AM I used to want to be a rock star. I quit on that a long time ago. While I do not make a living at singing, I am able to do it on my own terms, and to me that's worth a lot. It's paying for our vacation... but I hafta tellya, the gratitude I get from people who like my singing is worth a lot more than the money I get. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Mooh Date: 14 May 01 - 11:37 AM Bart...Actually an ash body Telecaster thinline, even so a tough work-out. Reminds me of an interview of Keith Richards who proclaimed that, unlike Mick, he didn't need to get fit for a tour, given that he slung a Tele for hours every day of his life. As it happens, I'll likely be playing about half as many acoustic gigs, and at twice the satisfaction, I figure I come out flush. And no Marshall stacks! I like the idea of subbing though, but I'll offer my services on mandolin and acoustic guitars for their vaguely country/folk stuff, just for a lark. Now if it was a Jethro Tull tribute band I'd be in there like a dirty shirt. Got a call to do a pit band gig for a Shakespeare play. Cool eh! 12th Night I think. (Beats strip joints.) That one I'll take. Peace. Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Kim C Date: 14 May 01 - 12:21 PM sitting on a park bench........ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: mousethief Date: 14 May 01 - 12:49 PM ........greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Jim the Bart Date: 14 May 01 - 03:39 PM Funny that you should raise this issue today. I was handed an offer that I don't see any reason to refuse. It involves minimal time output for what could be some much needed real income. I won't comment further until it becomes a little more "three dimensional", but suffice to say that it's not rock and roll (that I could refuse). I'll let you know if anything materializes. Let's hope for the best all around! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: GUEST,Phil Cooper Date: 14 May 01 - 03:45 PM Mooh, we're working on coming up. I'm booked the weekend of the guitar hero workshop/concerts, but Margaret and I were actually talking about coming to the festival as civilians this August. Gotta confirm that with her...Still keeping the Taylor and the first Santa Cruz (the spruce and koa H model), but I'm putting the Breedlove up on E-bay shortly. Hopefully before the visa bill comes in on the new guitar. Back on the topic, a whistle playing pal here has sometimes set up gigs and asked me along. When I'm actually in the area I've usually been glad to do it. Every now and then he pulls some interesting surprises. Last gig I did with him he told me the line up would be a 17 year old champion Irish fiddler (great player indeed, have played with him before), and a celtic harper. Well, suddenly a suzuki group with three violins and a double bass show up. They spend most of the time sitting behind us (our illustrious leader said they should play along where the spirit moved them, but they were pre-teens and way out of their league). Then there were the guest singers. I usually have a policy of keeping my mouth shut on these gigs (he books them and sometimes manages to squeeze a lot of money out of the venues) since I'm just there as a sideman. I did actually opine this time that I didn't like surprises like this and will think hard about doing other gigs with him. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Mooh Date: 14 May 01 - 03:46 PM Bartholomew...Is it music? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Mooh Date: 14 May 01 - 03:53 PM Phil...We were posting at the same time! We'd be thrilled to see you all again, as would many others, you know you've made friends here. Check out the festival website for the line-up. I'll be at instrument lock-up as usual. Yours, Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: GUEST,Phil Cooper Date: 14 May 01 - 06:16 PM I'm practicing with Margaret and Kate tomorrow night and will pass on the greetings, I'm sure they say hi too. We had a great time at dinner at your house last time we were up. Chance to get fed to death, play a concert, and come back and watch hockey and drink beer. Doesn't get any better than that. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Mooh Date: 14 May 01 - 06:29 PM Phil...The Bride says "Hi" too, and if you come to please stay with us. Mike. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: GUEST,Phil Cooper Date: 14 May 01 - 10:06 PM sounds better all the time. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: GUEST,Caitrin Date: 15 May 01 - 12:01 PM It's interesting to hear all this stuff because it reminds me a lot of where my dad's been going with music over the past few years. He's always listened to and played a wide variety of music, from Steeleye Span and Mike Cross to Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin (though his favorite band has always been Jethro Tull). These days, though, while he still listens to the heavy rock stuff, he's become more inclined toward the acoustic, right on down to making fun of me for my Led Zeppelin and Boston addictions. :) When I've asked, he just replies that "I've listened to that stuff for thirty years--it all starts to sound the same after a while." |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Kim C Date: 15 May 01 - 12:18 PM I wanna go someplace where I can get fed and drink beer and play music! Oh yeah.... some friends are having a guitar pull this Friday. Hafta bring my own beer, though. Haven't quite grown out of the beer thing, don't intend to. Although I drink much more responsibly than I once did, especially since too much drink makes my fiddle playing pretty atrocious. Speaking of changing attitudes, I guess this sort of falls in the same vein... I like to listen to radio stations that play 80s and "classic" rock, since I was a teenager in the bad old 80s... songs I used to like then seem atrocious to me now, while there are songs I didn't like then, that I have a new appreciation for. I notice things I wouldn't have noticed back then, like good songwriting, or production, or arrangements and such. I still believe, however, that Roger Daltrey is the greatest rock singer who ever lived. ;-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Mooh Date: 15 May 01 - 12:52 PM M...m...m...m...my generation...
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: GUEST,Phil Cooper Date: 15 May 01 - 11:18 PM If I'm not in a CD or tape mood driving home From Chicago after rehearsals, I'll tune in on the local country station. Got tired of being screamed at on the rock stations. Yes the songs and be very two dimensional with cookie cutter characters and the political/religious undertone positively spine chilling. But the singers generally sing in tune and the backup musicians know how to play. Still rather play music than listen to it, especially in a good session. On a personal note, Mooh, looks like Margaret and Kate both thought coming up second weekend in August would be lots of fun. If the offer of housing is still open, we'd like to take you up on it. My e-mail is still Coopnel@aol.com I had joined up here a month ago and somehow my cookie got bounced out, otherwise I would have personal messaged you. --Phil |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Mooh Date: 16 May 01 - 08:00 AM Phil...Yer on, bring Kate and Margaret and hang out. We've got enough house keys for everybody. Regards to all. Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Matt_R Date: 16 May 01 - 08:23 AM So easy to want, so hard to give How can you be a man, til you see beyond the life you live? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Mooh Date: 16 May 01 - 08:39 AM Matt laddy, where dat be froom? Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Kim C Date: 16 May 01 - 04:39 PM Cool! Party at Mooh's! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Times have changed... From: Mooh Date: 16 May 01 - 06:18 PM Yahoo! |