Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall

Subject: Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall
From: Big Mick
Date: 09 Feb 03 - 04:31 PM

Rick let me know that he was doing a gig in Windsor, Ontario, Canada at MacKenzie Hall and that it was a joint concert with Mose Scarlett. So I jumped in the car and made a quick jaunt over to Windsor..............I am sure glad I did.

First off, anytime you can see Rick in this type of setting, you should. The Windsor Folk folks use this wonderful setting known as MacKenzie Hall. It is just the right size, holds about 150 folks comfortably. They set up a very nice sound system, and run things in a very efficient, but loose way. Makes for a very enjoyable night.

Rick brought along his beloved Resophonic lap steel guitar. One can tell that he and this instrument enjoy each others company. He also brought his 6 string, his snakehead Gibson mando, and a wonderful Vega African banjo. He managed to sneack them all into his set which ran just a little under an hour.

Rick has a way with an audience that I am envious of. He is so comfortable, and that makes the audience comfortable. Rick likes to point out that he just plays what feels right at the time, he is an improvisor, and it just pops out. Another of the hallmarks of his playing is that he says he never plays the song the same way twice. I love these types of things, as they allow me to view his concerts in a different way. Given that he plays what pops in his head, or is on his mind, it allows me to get a picture of where he is at this moment of his ride. It makes it so much more than a "just sit and listen to him play John Denver songs" kind of a thing. It is like you are in his basement with about 120 or so of his friends. Bottom line is that you experience a great player and interpreter of the music in a very intimate way.

At the end of the first set, Rick brought up his old friend, Mose Scarlett, or Mosely as Rick calls him. They did a song together and you got the first hint at what was to come. Mose is a great performer to begin with. He has a very unique and eclectic guitar style, a wonderful deep voice, an interpretive sense that often lets you hear old familiar songs in a different light, and has known Rick for many, many years. The two of them got on stage and as soon as the banter began, you knew that it was a rare event about to happen.

Mose began the second set on his own. His voice is a delight. About a third of the way in, Rick jumped up on stage, and the enjoyment began. Rick backed Mose on all of his instruments. Mose hauled out some great old music from the beginning through the mid twentieth century. The music was great, but the banter between songs was priceless. Oddly enough, one of the best moments came when they were doing "My Blue Heaven". Mose had a lyrics lapse of memory, and Rick was doing what a great sideman would do. He covered to give Mose time to recover. But then he and Mose started to tease back and forth. It is hard to describe, but let me tell you that I roared. Rick was giving hand signals to cue lyrics..........you had to be there.

At the break, the Mudcatters in attendance gathered. There was Devilmaster (Steve), maire-aine (Maryanne), and ddw (David). We had wonderful conversation. David was just as I imagined him, and he felt like an old friend finally met. Steve and Maryanne were wonderful, and I am pleased to make their acquaintance and look forward to seeing them again.

Bottom line on the concert............it was one of those special moments. It wasn't technically perfect, but sessions between friends rarely are. The thing we got musically was to see and hear two of Canada's very best doing what players of this caliber do. They played wonderful music and they played it very well. But that isn't where the treasure was found. That was found by watching two old friends having a good time, enjoying that feeling that made them start playing in the beginning and all those notes ago. As a performer myself, I can tell you that sometimes the music just isn't fun like it used to be. But then comes that moment where it just flows, it happens with someone you have known so long that you automatically know where they are headed, and you know why you still do this. The only thing better at that moment than being the player, is to be in the audience.

Mick

Subject: RE: Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall
From: gnu
Date: 09 Feb 03 - 04:49 PM

I'm jealous.

Subject: RE: Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall
From: Devilmaster
Date: 09 Feb 03 - 05:21 PM

Mick - Good to know that you made it home alright.

And it was great finally putting faces and handshakes to typed comments.

May I just add that this was a great concert. The banter back and forth was a delight to hear, upstaged only by the music. Its one of those concerts that you wish would never end.

For those who would like to know more about Windsor Folk, Check out the website.

Windsor Folk Society

Steve

Subject: RE: Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Feb 03 - 05:28 PM

I'm jealous too. I wish I had a jet car.

I had the opportunity to hear Mose play...MY guitar. Ha! I've heard Rick play blues on it, and it sure liked what Mose was pickin'. I'd hoped he'd play something "into" it. I think he might have. I heard what it could sound like in the hands of a really good finger-picker and I know what the guitar's capable of. Wish I had a chance to see him perform. Hearing him in Rick's basement isn't anything like a concert, and I hear he can be an absolutely hilarious storyteller in addition to being a wonderful musician.

One of these days, I'm going to get to one of Rick's gigs. I've only heard him do the abridged version. Hearing and seeing both Rick and Mose together must have been a real treat. Thanks Mick. I'm still jealous, but thanks!

Subject: RE: Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall
From: maire-aine
Date: 09 Feb 03 - 05:40 PM

All that Mick and Steve said, and more. I'm just sorry that I missed the workshop they did in the afternoon. I heard great reviews on that, too. And meeting the other 'catters was an unexpected treat. Hope to see you all again soon.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall
From: ddw
Date: 09 Feb 03 - 11:27 PM

You nailed it, Mick.

Great evening -- and a great afternoon session before it. I sat and watched two consumate musicians passing on what they know in a way that had everybody rivited -- from some two-month players to some excellent pickers. And everybody was learning something.

Either of these guys is worth a 100-mile trip to hear; together they're would be worth MUCH more of an effort. My condolences to anybody who wasn't there.

cheers,

david

Subject: RE: Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 08:38 AM

ddw,

Rick seems to always surround himself with great talent. He and Mose together would have been a great show. I saw him one night with Grit Laskin and Curly Boy Stubbs. You talk about a glut of talent in one place.

Subject: RE: Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall
From: JedMarum
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 09:52 AM

wish I couldda been there!

Subject: RE: Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall
From: balladeer
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 10:10 AM

I've heard Rick and Mose play often, together and apart, and they're always fun and inspirational. My question about the Windsor concert is: how do mudcatters who have never met recognize one another in a crowded hall?

Subject: RE: Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 10:22 AM

Ahhahhhhh Balladeer.....that's MY job!

I did a lot of introducing.....Big Mick, this is 'lurker',
and 'lurker' this is other "lurker'!

Believe me, a LOT of good folks check in with our little secret society on a regular basis!!

ONe woman told me that it was like checking a regular soap opera. She has her favourite characters.....her current ones are Joe Offer and Bobert!! I asked her why she didn't become a "part" of the soap opera. "Oh no" she said, "too shy for that!"

Thanks so much to those great folks in Windsor. We had a wonderful time. And MICK!! Did you finally meet CLINTON HAMMOND?

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall
From: Big Mick
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 10:53 AM

I sure did, Rick. Even started a thread about it. It is as we suspected. Clinton is a good guy and a very good performer. He invests a lot of himself in his music. It is one thing to perform well with an interested crowd. It is quite another to do that to a crowd that considers you wallpaper. He never lost his edge.

We only had about 30 minutes total of conversation, during a break and at the end of the night. But it was time well spent. Let me know if you are headed to Windsor and we will meet up and go see him.

Well done the other night, my friend.

Mick

Subject: RE: Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall
From: Fortunato
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 09:53 PM

Thanks for the description, B'Mick, it's a joy to hear about, even if I couldn't be there to hear. chance

Subject: RE: Review: Fielding & Scarlett @ MacKenzie Hall
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 10:33 PM

Rick played some of Mose on his show tonight, great stuff. His guest, whose name escapes was a tremdous guitar picker. He sure attracts talent. He's not a bad player himself for someone who claims to be playing at 50% of his peak.