Sitting At The Kitchen Table

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jeanie
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 02:44 PM

Hello Wendy (billybob) and everyone. I would very much like to come to your house concert, Wendy, if you are opening it up to newcomers. It sounds like a great idea. I know you must live somewhere not far from me, as you were going to come to see the "Candleford" play I was involved in in Sudbury a couple of weeks ago. Did you manage to get to see it ? Hope you enjoyed it.

I missed your African music thread, Jerry. Will go and have a look.

As far as Springtime weather is concerned, Wendy - in our neck of the woods, at least, after all the gorgeous weather we've been having in East Anglia, they are now issuing a serious snow warning for Sunday !

- jeanie

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 08:18 AM

Jerry, I heard some great guitar music on NPR the other day. A group of guitarists from all over Africa, especially Kenya, all influenced by Cuban and Latin American rhythms. Just as interesting as all heck, and FINE playing.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 12:38 AM

I know what you mean about getting people together to rehearse. Everyone's life is so busy theses days that nobody has time to get much of anything done anymore.

All I can tell you is that when you DO get everyone together and DO get things rehearsed right, it usually makes all of the aggrivation worth while. We live for those moments when it WORKS.

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 10:31 AM

Hi Jerry and everyone, I've not been able to get to the table for days, have been looking after baby grand daughter as her mummy caught a horrid flu bug that seems to be attacking the UK with a vengence.All are well now thank goodness.The sun is shining and spring is here, whoopee! ( not that we have had a winter really)

Billy and I were involved in running a folk festival here for 17 years. Unfortunatly it folded 2 years ago, leaving a big empty space in our lives.We have decided to hold a house concert in June,I have booked an old friend"The Amazing Mr Smith" he is a great musician and also very, very funny. We thought we would put up the marquee in the garden and have a bar b q supper, then go into the house for the concert and back outside after for drinks and talking! I will ask for donations to cover the cost of the performer. So far old festival friends have shown a good reaction, we should be able to get about 30 people. I know you have house concerts over in the USA, any ideas or advice would be very welcome!If it goes well we may do 3 or 4 a year.
thanks Wendy

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 08:51 PM

Finished the first of what will be two CDs of African music... mostly South African. For no particular reason, I don't sit around late at night listening to music with no distractions. But tonight, I did. This is the second time that I've just sat in a recliner and listened to the African tape. Let it wash over me. There is something very spiritual, primal and hopeful about much of African music. I find it very healing when I've been nibbled to death by stupid trivia all day. Kinda like jazz, for me..

I was a little surprised that, when I started a thread on South African music I only got a response from one Catter. I guess this site is more Euro-centric than I realized...

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 09:08 PM

Well, it's true that tenors can write their own tickets--and sometimes take advantage of that fact. I sing tenor myself if necessary--but I ain't no tenor really. For me it's just falsetto--for ever. I'd much rather be, as Jan says, "a big bad bass". And officially I'm a baritone. If there are 2 bass parts (often in classical)--the baritone often gets whatever melodic line there is for basses.

As for "lead"--that sounds like bluegrass or barbershop. Those types of music are so structured--somehow it sounds more restrictive than classical.

Actually, I'd like to do some barbershop--I love the tags--and the sound. The choreography--well that's not my cup of tea.

Jan says barbershop should be be high on my list--my hair is not up to her standards--after all it's not quite spring yet--so it's not time yet for me to get a haircut. But she disagrees--vehemently.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 09:04 PM

I'm a baritone Patty, and I work cheap... :-)

Our big turnover HAS been tenors...

Jerritone

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 08:17 PM

Them's fightin' words for baritones! It's LEADS that are a dime a dozen! I'll take all the baritones you got! And keep your tenors to yourself, one goes a long way.

Well, I'm glad the bass life expectancies are good elsewhere, I guess we just had a fluke.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 07:59 PM

I dunno: My problem is always tenors. Not that any of the ones I've had in my group died. I'll swap you a couple a basses for a tenor, and throw in as many baritones as you want. They're a dime a dozen..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 06:05 PM

I think in our case (Choral Arts Society of Washington) it's just that the basses, in general, are in fact older than the tenors. Similarly, the altos are definitely older than the sopranos. So there's far greater turnover in the sopranos, as they get transferred, drop out to have children, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 08:24 PM

What is it with basses? We had two die last year. It's not fair. Maybe it seemed unfairer because they were both very zestful and very much THERE, and then they weren't.   Seemed unreal at first and then just unfair. Yet we are all headed in that direction eventually.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 03:16 PM

Hi Jerry and everybody--

So sorry to hear about Joe Evans--and his wife Corrie.

We have something similar in Choral Arts. I remember being just crushed to learn of the death of one of my closest bass friends--he and I were the "consonant mafia"--the director kept asking for--early-- rolled r's, big t's and others--which of course had to be precisely at the right time. He kept saying "I want the words on a neon sign"--out front--so the audience could easily understand them.   And in a group of 180, it's easy for diction to get mushy. He and I were famous for diction.


And he seemed to be immortal. He was 75--and then 80--, and still playing tennis often--and his voice range and power were amazing. I told him often he was my role model.


We're like a tiny little town--marriages, births, deaths over the years. And of course we're tightly bonded to each other by our passion for music--and our love of making it together. And if anybody does not pass the yearly audition--which sometimes does happen-- it's just horribly traumatic for that person--and others. We are very lucky that as long as the conductor likes the sound of the group, nobody is likely to be cut for the next year. So often the only spaces that open up are through attrition, people moving etc.

And our main rivals in the area have just imploded. Their board fired their conductor--he went on sabbatical and they told him not to come back! Now there's likely to be civil war in the group--half the group have gone with the fired conductor.

Even the choral world can be rough.



You're right, Jerry and Patty--just getting people together to rehearse is more than half the battle. It's hard to get people to make room on their schedules--unless it's a regular commitment they're willing to plan around. So actually a weekly session is far better than what I tried to do--once a year--with my sea chantey group.

Good luck to you both on putting together your groups--and keeping them together. Obviously it's a lot harder with a smaller group--since every voice is crucial.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 11:04 AM

I started a thread. No, it's not an old BeeGees song...

I started a thread on South African Music and got a grand total of one person responding. Doesn't sound like there's much interest in the music, but I thought I'd mention here around the kitchen table in case any one here is.

A couple of nights ago, Ruth and I went to hear Ladysmith Black Mombazo and the next morning I pulled out all of my CDs of music from South Africa. I've been listening to them ever since, writing down tracks that I particularly enjoy, to burn one or two CDs. There is a great body of music coming out of South Africa, from Soweta Juke bands to Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela and countless lesser known musicians. I first became interested in music from South Africa through Skokian by the Bulawayo Sweet Rhtyhms Band and Wemoweh by the Weavers (not particularly authentic admittedly, but I loved it.) Graceland rekindled my interest, although I'd already collected a goodly amount of music before then.

Anyway, it'll take me another week before I've listened to everything, collected a list of favorite tracks and burned a CD or two. If anyone is interested in getting a copy, or copies, PM me, or e-mail me at [e-mail] and I'd be happy to share the music with you.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 11:48 PM

Well, our attendance was up from 4 to 8 plus a loud squirmy child. But the venue and vibe was chaos. Sigh. Still better than not singing but a long way from what we'd like. Well, perhaps we can find a quiet spot for the next one, and perhaps those people who keep saying they're coming but don't will stop feeling the urge to lie.

Let us proceed with the proceedings, being glad we have songs to sing and the will to sing them.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 01:07 PM

Wow, you have SERIOUS stuff to work around. I have a lot of "I forgot" and "i really wanted to, but".    And lately I'M the pooper at the chorus, one leg has a bad foot and the other has a bad ankle. Now they're feeling better, but there is carbon monoxide leaking in at work.

The song session is tonight and several have assured me they're coming, I can't wait to see how it turns out. Singing is just so much fun with other people. Except when they are hell bent on singin' flat!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 11:22 AM

Ah, then you know, Patty:

This is typical:

Joe Evans, our bass singer almost died three weeks ago. His heart had actually stopped. His wife, Corrie was transferred to an Alzheimer's Unit yesterday afternoon, and his sister was taken to the Emergency room yesterday. He had a serious virus infection not long after almost dying and wasm so sick at our last practice that he couldn't sing standing up for fear of passing out. He doesn't think that he'll be able to find the strength to come to practice tonight, even though we'll be practicing right across the street from him.

Ken Mewes, one of our new members, has been suffering from bronchitis and has missed the last two practices. He's also setting his a capella doo wop group aside, as they are putting together a full band and expanding to include soul music, the Temptations, and who knows what else. How much attention he will give to the Messengers remains to be seen. He couldn't sing at the Sentinels practice last week, but this week he managed to squeeze some notes out. But, their tenor, Larry, has a virus now, and their baritone is in Florida for the winter. On top of that, Ken is working his way through some major adjustments as a result of his divorce and the custody of his son.

Larry, of the Sentinels (who has the virus) has stepped out of the Messengers, because he has been asked to join yet another "oldies" band.

It's a nightmare trying to schedule practices, because half the time, someone can't make it and it's hard to work out harmonies when everyone isn't there.

The Men's Chorus that Joe, Frankie and I sing in often has less than half the men there for practice.. especially the Saturday morning practice. That means that we accomplish very little, and half the guys who sing the following Sunday who weren't there for practice show up to sing, and sing loudly. Just not the right harmony.

And that's "normal." Sometimes, it's much worse... like having quartet practice with only two people. Or me singing solo as a quartet (the harmonies are REALLY difficult to get right when that happens.)

I'm sure Ron, or anyone who sings with other people know what we're talking about.

And yet we "proceed with the proceedings," as my father used to say.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 07:14 PM

Parallel with your comment, Jerry, the toughest thing IS getting everybody in a room at one time!

Been spending hours on the paperwork and logistics and audio for a chorus preparing for competition. Been emailing and phoning to get the next trad song session off the ground with hopefully more than 4 of us this time....so much time lost to that kind of stuff, rather be singing or finding new songs. But the little details are what makes things happen, they gotta be done.

Trying to be grateful for what is going right, and not getting so cranky about the rest. 'snot easy with the way people DRIVE around here!!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 08:22 PM

Figured it was time to check in and see what folks are up to these days. I got involved with the thread on harmonies that I started and really enjoyed it.

You know it's funny. Knowledge has a way of sneaking up on you. You get so used to thinking that you don't know much about a particular subject that it surprises you when you realize that you've actually learned something, over the years. My general motto is "If I can do it, it's no big deal." The things that really impress me are things that I can't do. Once I learn to do them, the mystery is gone, and it's hard to see that I really know anything.

I notice that Foolestroupe kept posting the same comment endlessly on the thread about harmonies: that folkies should receive formal musical training, rather than discovering things by trial and error.
Apparently, musical training worked for him (or her.) That's great.
Whatever works. For me, I don't think that they could evercapture the music I love on paper, or analyze it in a way that would be helpful to me. I guess that's why I'm a folk musician.

These days, I'm working out arrangements within my own limitations, for my gospel quintet, and having a great time of it. Actually, the hardest arrangements to work out are not musical. They're trying to get five people together at the same time for practice.

So, what's going on with you folks?

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 10:26 PM

You're right, Jerry. It's amazing what thin skins people can have regarding their ancestors--especially when they insist on the "purity" of the line. And the world has had a lot of problems because of that obsession.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 09:01 PM

Thanks, Ebbie: It's always nice to see you in here.

You know Ron, we may be making a breakthrough with the Messengers. We're the first Danish/Italian/African-American, half white black gospel quartet.

A few years ago, when we were just starting out and I was very self-conscious about being a white guy leading an otherwise black gospel quartet, we sang at a United Nations Day celebration. When I got up to introduce us, I said that it might seem odd for me to be leading the group, but if you trace our family tree back far enough, we all go back to Africa. I said that my ancestors were African, but it was too hot there, and they couldn't deal with the Lions, so they moved to Denmark. When I told the Italian contingent that they were really Italian/African Americans I got a very icy stare in response.
I thought it was kind of humorous.

Nobody else did...

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 03:17 PM

Hey, Ron: I went with a woman several years ago who sang in a choir who performed the Faure Requeim in New York City at a beautiful concert hall. It was quite an experience.

I'll certainly record our 10th Anniversary concert. Whether the quality will be worth releasing as a CD remains to be seen. If nothing else, if it sounds reasonably good, I'll burn a master CD of it, and be happy just to make copies for friends...

I'm hoping that we'll have the Sentinels (the a capella five man doo wop group we now share members with) as our guests for the concert.
It should make a memorable night.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 02:29 PM

Freda--You're right, the Faure Requiem is a wonderful--what can you say,-- heavenly-- piece. Have you had a chance to sing it? If you get one, you won't regret it.   There's something about singing unearthly music-- in a group-- which is just indescribable.

Jerry-- 10th anniversary concert coming up? Sounds just great. You are truly bringing the black and white traditions together. You'll have to keep us posted. Any chance the concert will be recorded--and for sale?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 12:57 PM

Jerry, your posts always make me happy and calm. And I'm happy that your music group(s)is working out so beautifully.

The Gospel Persuasion?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 12:00 PM

Thanks for dropping by, Ron and freda..

Thursday night, we had our first Gospel Messengers practice with our new tenor. After two years of searching, with unrelieved failure, it was great to finally be able to sing as a quartet again. It was also badly needed. Joe's (or bass singer) wife Corrie has Alzheimers and it nearly killed him. Her behavior had gotten so extreme that he'd gone a couple of nights without sleep, and finally collapsed from the stress. He couldn't be revived, and the EMS arrived, cut his clothes off and got his heart started. The family and doctors finally accepted that Joe's wife needed to be placed in a health care center where she's been for the last few days. Ruth and I visited Joe and his wife the day before she finaly broke down completely, and it was a hard scene to observe. Joe was still wobbly from his hospitalization and looked like he was 100 years old.
Corrie was almost completely oblivious of us, and just stared off into space. The next time I saw Joe was at practice on Thursday, and he look twenty years younger. He was so overjoyed that we have a tenor again, and he was just beaming, the whole practice. Even better, our new tenor (another Joe) fit in musically, and as a person, from the moment we started the practice. He learned two songs that we're scheduled to sing this Sunday as part of a program titled A Celebration Of Spirituals, and we were excited when he said he wanted to perform with us. I passed out our new ties, and we're ready and rarin' to go. The leader of the doo wop that Joe T(our new tenor) is in is also joining the Messengers, but was out of state when we practiced. We should be full-strength for practice this coming Thursday, because he's back in Connecticut.

Most of all, the timing couldn't have been more perfect for Joe. He was in desperate need of a lift, and he got it, right on time. Not by accident, I think..

Now, we're starting to practice for our 10th Anniversary concert. I wrote a new song last week, building on my revived interest in doo wop, and we have two new songs of mine that could just as comfortably be done by the Penguins.

The Gospel Penguins?

I don't think so...

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: freda underhill
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 07:31 AM

what's happening in sydney..I am working in Canberra, getting back to sydney on weekends,and getting access to Mudcat on the weekends.

Last week I heard a Polish choir perform Fauré's Requiem at a church in Sydney. I went because two friends were singing in a sydney choir that performed some pieces with them. It was a beautiful afternoon, the music was ethereal.

I always have a peek at this thread when I'm in town, it's good to stop by the table and have a cuppa. Many sydney folkies incl Jennyo and jack Halyard are off at the Cobargo folk festival this weekend. Tonight I was at the Loaded Dog folk club and heard a number of performers including an acapella group called Dog Walking Backwards - talented singers, brilliant harmonies, quirky, original songs. Then the one and only Martin Pearson, an aussie comedic songwriter and font of outrageous laughter.

During the week after work I've got back into my artwork - I'm feeling very happy about that. I've started fantasising about quitting work and living on peanuts in sydney...

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 12:01 AM

Should be "a piece by Amy Beach". Don't think there are many pieces of her left. She's been mouldering for quite a while.

Trying to refrain--(with little success)-- from remarks like "Composers don't die, they de-compose".   That was a really bad one, I'm afraid.

" Come on, take a little piece of my heart, now baby...."

"I hold your hand in mine, dear, I press it to my lips. I take a healthy bite....."

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 11:53 PM

Hi Jerry and everybody,

Well, I don't have much new to report. My choral group is doing a bunch of things--including the Poulenc Stabat Mater and a piece of Amy Beach (Anybody know anything by her?)

I'm not smitten with either piece really--the Beach is rather bombastic for my taste. My bombast threshold is low, I suppose.

The Poulenc has a lot of jarring chords--it's, after all, about portraying pain--why do we seem to do that sort of piece in late winter, when I would guess many people want friendlier music? It does have "In Paradisum" and some parts are gorgeous.

Then smaller group is doing Missa Criolla--a wonderful piece--folk-flavored
Argentine mass. With all sorts of instruments--(charango--small Andean-type guitar--), pan-pipes--type instrument, percussion, 3 vocal soloists. Our recording of the Missa Criolla (and Missa Luba and Navidad Nuestra) has just won a WAMMY--Washington Area Music award. There are lots of categories in WAMMIES. Our recording wasn't even recorded as well as it should have been---sounds like we're in a cave--unless you crank the volume up.

We just sang the Missa Criolla in a Borders today--and Sunday we'll do it at the Baird Auditorium (Smithsonian).

The piece is absolutely delightful--haunting, and very evocative of- (my picture at least) --of a mass in an Argentine village.

I've just learned today that the Missa Criolla was the first mass written after Vatican II made vernacular masses OK.


And a small group is doing a Bach cantata. I signed up for the auditions, but when the list of chosen singers came out, I wasn't on it. Then I finally realized I hadn't shown up for the audition--got caught up at work and totally forgot. (Usually the conductor just picks people from the list of interested singers). So I won't be doing the Bach. First time I've totally forgotten an audition. I just have to write them from now on on as many calendars as I have--and Jan and I have quite a few, due mainly to supporting environmental groups.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 04:42 PM

Welcome, Pat:

I'll start lifting prayers up from over here, and check out the thread. I've seen the power of prayer enough times to know that it works...

Jerry

And please stop by again..

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Partridge
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 04:34 PM

I've started a thread about my sister who very unwell. She needs lots of positive things, prayers, candles, thoughts and anything else you can think of. I come to this kitchen table to lean on and ask for help. Please help my sister Kate.

thanks

Pat xxxx

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 02:39 AM

Besides, at times a doubled note emphasizes the impact. I'm wit youse guyses.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 11:20 PM

Hey, Jimmy: As you can see from the thread that I started "Hey, You!, Get Off Of My Note!" I'm very relaxed about doubling notes, here and there. I mean, if I was to get all upset about that, then I suppose that I'd have to REALLY get upset when I forget a word, or EVEN WORSE YET, hit the wrong note on my guitar, or get a buzzing string. Why, I could get so upset that I'd have to stop singing and playing altogether. I think having a good time suits my style a lot better.

I used to kid a good friend of mine who was a coffee conniseur by saying to him "Norman, you love coffee so much that you hate every cup you taste, because it isn't up to your standards." "Lower your standards, and enjoy yourself a little, will you?" Sometimes I think it's best not to be too smart. :-) Sometimes I think that it's the less sophisticated people who enjoy life the most.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 09:52 PM

Jerry, of course when you sing occasionally you will souble onh a part. It is the nature of the game. Don't get too caught up in the small stuff! just have fun and make good music!   love jimmyt

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 10:00 PM

Great to hear from you, jimmy!!!!! And to hear good news, to boot.
On the harmony front, Ken, the bass and leader of the doo wop group was quick to comment when he heard the Messengers CD that there are places when two of us are singing the same note. Well, excuuuuuuse me! In doo wop, that is punished by having to listen to Pat Boone sing Tutti Fruity fifty times, strapped into a chrome and vinyl kitchen chair. It's not considered abberant in black gospel. 'Smatter of fact, many of the songs in the hymnal are written with harmonies merging for a note half way through a line, and ending on the same note. In the Men's Chorus that Joe, Frankie and I sing in, the bass and the baritones often share a note, here and there. For the most part, the harmonies are separate, but that's hardly a cardinal rule. Or a Cardinal sin if they aren't for an occasional note.

This is going to be an interesting merger of the two styles, as the message is of primary importance in gospel, and the arrangement supports the message. When the message is tutti fruity aw rootie, it's more important to make sure that the harmonies never share a note, I guess..

I'll have to think for a minute about folk harmonies. I know there are folks on here that sing sea chanties. If two harmony lines merge on a note, are the singers keel-hauled?

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 08:52 PM

Jerry! Sounds like great news. Musical notes: Brookwoods still playing a bit and doing a bit of rehearsal for upcoming gig for St PAddys. got another gig of "Standards" in a jazz style with Jayne and Bill. GOt some neat new sounds coming. I have sent for a perusal script of a do-wop musical that I may perform in August rather than writing one myself. I am STILL planning a trip up to COnnecticut to audition some basses and order something that will suit me. Enjoying life at tits fulllest. THe practice is going great, i took my entiere staff to NYC a couple months ago and they are still reveling in the memories of the big apple. Have completely recovered from surgery. Have a 22 inch incision from repairing 2 hernias and a midline diastasis tear, and have dropped form the 196 I weighed when you were here to a 163 that is a lot easier to carry around. All my clothes are at the tailors getting recut to fit the new size. Jayne is pretty stable with her mom and sister for the last frw monthes and we are hoping for the best with that situation. Well, I will go sit in the corner and have a cup of coffee and wait on others to repoprt in!   jim

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 08:40 PM

It's been two years in the making, but I finally have a tenor for the Gospel Messengers, and another baritone and a part-time second tenor. There've been a lot of false starts, but we're finally on track, and working on songs for our 10th Anniversary. It's a very interesting time for me, because I'm learning a lot about the differences in harmony between black gospel and doo wop. I don't think that there's enough interest on the cat to start a thread about it, but I'm finding it fascinating. We'll do our 10th Anniversary concert in late April or early May, so we have our work cut out for us.

So what's goin' on with all you folks? I miss hearing about your lives. It's always refreshing to share someone else's thoughts. Nothing is less stimulating than talking to yourself.

I'll put a fresh pot on, and hope that someone drops by..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 09:03 AM

Maybe you'll have to become a vegetawian, Elmer.

Lars Peter Gerald Elmer Henry Hornsbuckle Rasmussen (From the thread, Were You Named After Someone?)

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 01:12 AM

Ah, but hope spwings etewnal!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 03:00 AM

Poor Elmer. Poor Elmer. Shattered dreams and ambitions.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 12:41 AM

It's the twadition, Ebbie ; > )

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 09:35 PM

It would be jimmyt. Just before I posted this the count was 1,602 and if you count two down (Ebbie and jimmyt) the next post would jimmyt.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 09:03 PM

Hmmmmmm. Curiouser and curiouser. Which one of you gotit? (I just HOPE that there is no error and I am the luckless one.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 08:52 PM

Eh, WHat's up Doc???????????

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 08:49 PM

YES!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 01:01 AM

PESKY WABBIT!!!!!!! I GOTCHA! I GOTCHA!!!! HOLD STILL BUGS BUNNY!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 01:00 AM

YOU

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 01:00 AM

This is it

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 11:34 PM

I'll resist the impulse this time, JimmyT! I'm *so* ashamed; it was an impulse I just couldn't resist. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:30 PM

Hey y'all,

There are white flakes falling from the sky around here. They are flower petals falling from the trees that are in bloom all over town. Spring has sprung right on time in February.

The gospel music is fantastic. "How Much Do I Owe Him?" is getting to be an apt sentiment.

I've been copying blues CDs into iTunes today in between doing real work, from Bo Diddley and Magic Sam to Mississippi John Hurt. Great gratitude to the public library for their collection. There's also a terrific DVD called "Hello Blues" with clips of blues musicians from the famous, such as B.B.King, to unknown fife and drum players. I highly recommend it. It's produced by a company called "Shout!"

I notice we're getting close to a marker. I may bag that wabbit yet!

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 08:11 PM

How good to see you at the table, Jimmy!!!!!! You are often on my mind, and especially these days, now that we have three members of the doo wop group, The Sentinels, singing with the Messengers. We're really getting down to the root differences between black and white doo wop and gospel harmonies. Wherever all of this leads, I know that I'll learn a lot.

Be sure to stop by again, buddy.

Hope the equator is healed.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 10:19 PM

Wow, Jerry. You are in for a real treat. Back about 1990, before its lead person was shot and killed (at home in Africa), I saw the group in Anchorage. It was an absolutely thrilling performance and from what I hear they haven't let up.

In fact, I keep a fairly large painting of a turbaned African woman on my wall only because it reminds me of the group. The painting is of just her head and neck but there is such a grace about it that when I came across it in a garage sale years ago I had to have it.