[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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