Solo at Bernie's

I showed up early at Bernie's so I could sign up for an early slot. That was also advantageous because I could set my keyboards up ahead of time, while the house band was still setting up. As it was, I was the second to sign up. The house band played a few numbers, and then invited me to play two with them. One was I Know You Rider (Dead); I didn't recognize the other one, but it was a I-vi-IV-V, so I knew what to play anyway. The first act up was an acoustic guitarist who played (and sang) some very difficult sounding old stuff. I think the tunes he was doing were "rags", but I'm not really sure. Very entertaining. When it came my turn to play, I played Hymn 43 (Tull), I Talk to the Wind (King Crimson), Ramble on Rose (Dead), and Just Might Die (Loudon Wainwright III). Went ok, except that I was playing through the house PA and it didn't have the punch I am used to.

Jigg's Corner with full band

It's been awhile since we played our last open mic. Since then we acquired a bass player and a drummer. Rather than rehearse in the studio, we decided to play at Jigg's with the full contingent. We billed ourselves as "Evil Dick and the Congregation". Went on second, although it was on the late side because the house band played too many numbers. Also, this house band drummer had a left-handed kit, so it took a little time to set up. Still, we managed to play four songs. I used my alto recorder for Fallin' even though it's not my current favorite, because I couldn't find my tenor in the five minutes I had between getting home from work and going back out. The alto is a Moeck Rottenburgh made of Rosewood with simulated ivory rings and mouthpiece. I am finally starting to figure out how to get a good sound out of the house keyboard player's Roland B-3 simulator, so I used that a bit in addition to his piano. (I had an extra hand because we had a bass player.) Crowd seemed appreciative.