I'm glad yoga class happened this morning, wasn't sure since the teacher is from Holland and maybe he wanted to take a day off for Christmas, but there he was, with a full house (10 or so is all that can fit in the studio). Great class, and much needed after not enough sleep (again) and some moderate alcohol consumption last night. And why was I drinking, Mr Healthier than Thou.... because I was having a freaking great time playing late night at the CU Corner.
The timing was perfect, I went to Noi's 60th birthday party, had a great meal of ham and pineapple, fried rice, scalloped potatoes, caesar salad, hung out with the folks, played a few songs after dinner for a couple of small groups... fun stuff. The best thing I did at that party was to wrangle everybody together for 5 minutes so that we could focus on Noi, say some words, light the candles and have a 'moment'. The party was outside, her house is on the site of the reastaurant, and it was busy out there with a full house of customers. We could hear a lot of background noise including the sounds from the guy playing music. And we just hadn't gathered. So I took it upon myself to encourage (OK insist) that we adjourn to the inside of the house for a little focus. A couple of folks said 'let's just do it here', but no, that wasn't the spot... too noisy, so I did that thing I do. Take over and push the envelope a bit. It was the right thing to do. A few people spoke, we sang happy birthday.. .had 'the moment'. I don't mind the resistance... it's my job (self appointed)
I got to CU around 10:45 just as Pavel was called to another gig. He's the guy who usually fronts the ensemble, sings and plays great, but when he was called away, Daniel saw me and asked if I would play. Absolutely! and what a great group, Daniel playing his gypsy jazz (with charts so I could accompany), Cristofe on bass, like Daniel, and Frenchman, and an American dude, Drew on bongos and percussion. I sang and played rhythm guitar (with a few leads too). A perfect scene, the music was cooking, I pulled out some of my tunes that these jazz cats could follow and the audience was way into it. Lots of applause, some hollering and merriment. A Ukranian dude was pouring shots of his special Ukranian whiskey that he brought for the occasion and Thaew bought me a Sangsom (rum) and soda, so I was buzzing pretty good, and jamming hard. And we were dynamic, leaving room for each other, getting quiet, getting loud, having a total blast. Thaew had us quit at 12:30 to keep the neighbors from complaining, but tonight is Christmas and anything goes. We're gonna rip it up. First a barbecue which she invited me to, then music all night. among friends and fans, what is better?
As I was lying in bed last night I started thinking about all the stuff we could play that doesn't need rehearsal, and came up with plenty. Feliz Navidad should be fun, also this naughty one I wrote to the Alice's Restaurant progression... it's called 'Who grabbed your ass?'. Also this one called 'American Song' which is written to the Shine on Harvest Moon progression. That's the thing about jazz guys, it the music runs along a familiar pattern, they can just step in after hearing it once, and off we go. This 'American Song' is actually about that very thing. Here's the lyric... can't wait to share it tonight
D7 G7
There's a kind of music that everybody knows
C7 F
Can't say where it started but I sure know where it goes
D7 G7
Right around a circle, come on and get aboard
Bb Bdim F D7 G7 C7 F
Like a freight train line to a simpler time you'll find an American song
Beethoven used this harmony, ain't nothing new under the sun
V1 chord goes to the 11chord, V goes to the 1
And if you play it ragtime all your friends can swing along
That's what I do anytime I'm blue I play an American song
Up a lazy river with Sweet Georgia Brown
Shine on harvest moon, lighting up the whole darn town
Paul McCartney took a crack at it when he wrote Rocky Raccoon
Not bad, Paul, but still and all it's just an American tune
