Re: [Harp-L] Initial Results of the Warren Bee Experiment...

"Bob Laughlin" <rlaughlin@xxxxxxxxxxxx> · Mon, 2 Jul 2007 22:23:10 -0700

"We want to be free to do what we want to do without being hassled by the
man! And we want to get loaded!" "YEAH!"

(From "Wild Angels", a bikesploitation film, circa 1966, starring Peter
Fonda (as "Heavenly Blues"), Nancy Sinatra, Bruce Dern, and Diane Ladd.)

"I would rather be a broke harp guy with a dream than to ever
work another day for the man again."

(From "Harp-L", starring Warren Bee, and an assorted cast of scaliwags,
ne'er-do-wells and roustabouts.)

BL
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Warren Bee" <wlb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "'Infante, Mark'" <MInfante@xxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 6:55 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Initial Results of the Warren Bee Experiment...

> About 6 weeks ago I started to put together a solo harp project. My main
> goal was to have a way to do some gigging without depending on other
> musicians as well as to develop my fronting skills in preparation for
> putting together my own band by years end. After a few weeks of
floundering
> around and getting nowhere I decided to put my ass into the fire and to
just
> book a short string of gigs a month out. This way I would be forced to get
> "my act" together and I could test drive some of my ideas. I booked the
gigs
> and as the days marched on one by one many of my ideas had to put on hold
as
> it was obvious I needed more time to work out the material. I really felt
> the pressure as the last week before the shows began. I needed to lean
> heavily on my collection of backing tracks to get me through these gigs.
My
> biggest issues were with the singing and the lyrics. I have done very
little
> singing in public and my ADD inflicted brain seems to really have a
problem
> remembering words! So anyway I did get an "act" of sorts together and was
as
> ready as I was going to be just in time for last Thursdays first show.
That
> gig was the toughest one as it called for me to do 3 sets. I played from
> 7-10 at Bobbiques a barbeque rest./bar here in NY. I can't tell you how
> stressed I was doing that show. I was a mess. First off; all of my
previous
> gigging experience has been just harp. Plug in, grab a brew and blow. Now
I
> was responsible for setting up the entire PA, running the PA and the cd
> player for the backing tracks as well doing all of the vocals. My lack of
> vocal experience was real obvious as I struggled through the sets. Thank
> goodness some good friends showed up and encouraged me in my journey.
While
> my vocals were weak at least my harp playing was acceptable (even that
> seemed to suffer some due to nerves) and I was fairly witty on the mic
> bantering with the crowd. The end result was that I got paid (fairly well
I
> might add) and the owner wants me back!
>
>
>
> The next night I had a gig outside of Providence, RI. That was a sweet
gig.
> No solo stuff at all, I was reuniting with an old gigging partner, Mike
> Kennedy. That gig was not in a club but in a performance room at a local
> music store. Incredible acoustics, full house and the gig went awesome.
It's
> amazing that after 14 years we could get together again and it felt like
it
> was yesterday. I wish they had recorded that show. Some magical moments
for
> sure!
>
>
>
> Saturday night had me in Danielson, CT at the Rain Desert. I opened up
with
> an hour solo set and then sat in with the band for the night. This club is
> very cool and all shows are broadcast live on the internet.  The sound guy
> recorded the entire night and I got freshly burned cd's before I left that
> night. I just found out today that they "You Tubed" a handful of clips.
They
> are posted below. You can see what a hard time I had with the vocals on my
> solo stuff. Besides my lack of vocal experience the lighting on stage made
> it real hard for me to see my lyric cheat sheets! I much preferred the
> sitting in with the band that followed. Two nice long sets of great tunes.
>
>
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFn5sapCbs0
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TMWxtCtovs
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUScSPDY-Bg
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3n6ebxzelY
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96hfPbH5qSM
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sexgbfuc3ac
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8AKxEnvhHQ
>
>
>
> Sunday was the most amazing musical day I have spent in a long time. This
> gig was at my old stomping grounds in Woodstock, CT. The Village lounge is
a
> hole-in-the wall bar that I used to gig at and run open mics in the mid
> 90's. The place was packed with old friends and lots of musicians. I did a
> short opening solo set and then proceeded to host and incredible open mic
> night. Six hours of non-stop craziness! One of the highlights was when
Mark
> "Flat Top" Infante came to the stage and blew some monster harp. I had
never
> met Mark before but he found me because he is a HARP-L lurker! He drove
over
> 2 hours to come check out the gig! What a nice guy and a super performer.
> There were 4 harp players in the room and it was a harp of a good time!
That
> was on top of at least a half dozen guitar players, keys, fiddle, upright
> base, drums and more!
>
>
>
> So that's a wrap up of the initial gigs. Here are my conclusions: 1) no
more
> solo gigs until I get some vocal coaching and a better grip on the lyrics
> game. 2) I much prefer playing with the live musicians than the backing
> tracks (of course!) So I am actively in pursuit of a playing partner(s)
that
> want to be a part of my Harptime vision. This train is not going to stop
or
> be derailed it just needs to fine-tune its path. I vow to survive by my
> harps or die trying. I have positioned myself financially to grind it out
> for a while. I would rather be a broke harp guy with a dream than to ever
> work another day for the man again. I have played that game and I am done.
> News at eleven.
>
>
>
> Warren Bee
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
>
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