Help: a Skiffler's dilemma

Subject: Help: a Skiffler's dilemma
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 03:39 AM

Dear Dr Mudcat,
        This is a sort of musical thread (even though it refers to me, so may fail the Trades Description Act test) so I've not put it in BS.
        It's more of an ethical question.
        On Tuesday evening at the blues club I was chatting to everyone's favourite blues drummer, Sam Kelly (he's worked with everyone as well as having several bands under his own name). He was asking me about my birthday bash (he used to be with Sonny Black) and we were joking about my own appearance with the Sonny Black band. Then he said that if I had the bottle to bring my washboard along next time he was in the club, he'd let me do a number with his band, whether it was Primo Blu (as on Tuesday with a little belter called Roberta replacing the lovely Lwretta) or Station House fronted by Roots Jackson and both with Sam on drums and TJ Johnson on guitar and vocals (personally I prefer TJ to Roots and wished he sang more). We shook on it, though I did warn him of my limitations.
        I'll miss Station House's next gig in a fortnight, so I've got some time to mull this over before his next appearance in the Spring programme.
        Here's the dilemma, which those of you unfortunate enough to have heard me "perform" might like to advise on:
        Should I go for shameful self-indulgence and hold him to it? Remember, with Sonny I was at least paying the piper and in front of friends (most of whom reckoned once every 60 years was enough!). With Sam I'd be in front of a paying audience who will have come to enjoy a meal and his band. Should I risk damaging the reputation of a second band? Sam, of course, hasn't heard me.
        Thank you Doctor Mudcat, I await your prescription with interest.

RtS
(aka Worried Blue Eyes of Ascot)

Subject: RE: Help: a Skiffler's dilemma
From: RichM
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 03:56 AM

Your friend invited you to play, he made the decision.

That indicates he considers you competent to perform with the band....so go ahead and do it....

Subject: RE: Help: a Skiffler's dilemma
From: GUEST,KB
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 04:07 AM

He said "a number" - so even if you were as bad as your worst nightmares (which you won't be) then you wouldn't be in danger of ruining the evening. And it would be churlish to refuse to do it. I'm sure the audience will enjoy it - and definitely shameless self-indulgence is a good thing!
Have a great time & let us know how it went.

Subject: RE: Help: a Skiffler's dilemma
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 05:13 AM

Brazen it out, Roger -- make them think it's supposed to sound like that! They'll think you're some unknown avant-guard performer, or an undiscovered "primitive" artiste, and you'll go down a storm. If no-one knows how they are expected to react, they may wait for someone else to give them guidance, so rely on Sam to make you famous (or better still, prime him so he knows what to do!)

We're gonna make you a sta-a-a-ar!

Steve

Subject: RE: Help: a Skiffler's dilemma
From: Leadfingers
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 06:24 AM

Too right Rog- As they say "Go for it mate". If you only do one number and cock it up it wont hurt the band if they play well for the rest of the gig,and if it goes well and they suggest you do another , then GREAT.Shame i have tuesday commitments or I might come alomg and play some whistle with you.

Subject: RE: Help: a Skiffler's dilemma
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 07:06 AM

Remember the Black Dyke Mills Band's Floral Dance? Or Terry Wogan's? Helen Shapiro's Walking Back To Hppiness? The Stones' Little Red Rooster? All recorded as a joke, and all became B-I-G hits! Shall we be able to say "I knew that Roger before he got all those Brit awards"?

Subject: RE: Help: a Skiffler's dilemma
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 10:58 PM

IT IS his gig ...

Therefore, it is HIS call.....

Play the singleton....feel privialged, honored.....don't let the hubris over-flow you....decline his gracious offer for more.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Unfortunately, this falls into the "Kat-Laughing-Mindset" so often found in this newsgroup....THE....Uugh....Ohgh....uuuuh, uhhhhh, hummmmmmm....aka "how can I "politely" broadcast my current fortune/misfortune"....it is lonely here and I to have someone scratch, tickle, caress me.....because there is no-one at my home that will....and I'm feeling...blue, anxious, happy, lonley.

Subject: RE: Help: a Skiffler's dilemma
From: GUEST,reggie miles
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 11:57 PM

I was asked to sit in the other night. When I got there I was apprehensive because of the caliber of the performances that preceded my appearance. There was some pretty high-powered electric blues happening. My friend asked me to just bring and play my musical saw. Saw is not the instrument I would have chose to sit in with at this particular gig. There wasn't anyone playing bottleneck so far that evening and I had also brought my homemade resonator guitar with me. The show thus far wasn't exactly the kind event where I would have expected to have seen or heard a saw played. The venue didn't strike me as one where someone playing a saw could have made an impact. The place had a disgustingly seedy feel to it. Harleys were strewn across the front curb and there was plenty of black leather jackets, chaps, and tattoos inside. The banner across the back of the stage read, "thanks for voting us second place as the best dive bar", and what a dive it was. So I guess my friend was looking for something freakish or different to mix into the blend driving dance rhythms. I was expecting the worst and shook my head no when he announced from stage that he would be featuring the saw player on the next set. I was hoping to slip out quietly unnoticed. I really thought I could have made a much bigger impact with my guitar but I wasn't going to force my guitar where it wasn't wanted. I chose the first song. It was one that he and I had performed many times before. The assembled leather clad congregation went wild. They loved it! We proceeded to do another with saw as the primary solo instrument. Then he asked me to sing a couple as the band backed. It wasn't something I was used to doing. I normally lead the songs I sing while playing guitar. When I pick my guitar it gives my hands something to do. That way they won't be trying to pick my nose or scratching in the wrong places while in public. (You've got to plan ahead. You know what they say. Idle hands are the devil's playthings.) Well, despite my hands feeling a little left out, I continued. I found myself playing with the mic, gooseneck and mic stand. I tried to steer clear of being too pornographic. After a couple of songs I felt like I was just getting warmed up and catching a stride, when, my portion of the show ended. My brief moment of limelight had ended and it was back to the previously scheduled escapades. In short, all of my concerns about the invitation to play, as justified as I thought they were, proved to be unnecessary and a waste of my energy.

Try to focus on having as much fun as you can and hang the rest.

Subject: RE: Help: a Skiffler's dilemma
From: fat B****rd
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 04:06 AM

If you don't do it Rog, me old luv, you'll regret it. Anyway on the odd occasions I've been witness to truly dreadful Karaoke "singers" I've not noticed any bloodshed. I do realise, of course, that the musical genres we move in here are far more worthy than "Unchained Melody" or "I Will Survive"
Go do it, RTS. All the best from your fB.

Subject: RE: Help: a Skiffler's dilemma
From: mooman
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 04:34 AM

Go for it Roger!

I've been asked by notables to sit in a few times on different instruments despite my musical limitations and it has always been a great gas!

Enjoy the moment and their confidence in you!

Peace,

moo

Subject: RE: Help: a Skiffler's dilemma
From: Dead Horse
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 01:51 PM

Practise. Become absolutely fabulous. Form own band.
Ask Sam Kelly to make a guest appearance with you.
Problem solved.