Post 2758
- 11 years and 300 days since I started this blog -
 |
| September 25, 2021 |
Sometimes you wait.
Most people don't understand open mics. I feel like I do, but I still don't necessarily see every aspect of them.
First of all, I had to learn what an open mic was in these post-MTV, post-internet live music world. Because, before those times, open mics weren't about music at all. Open mics were for comedy and/or poetry. Only.
The musical versions were called jams. They were popular in clubs and coffee shops and there were some famous ones in NYC when I was coming up: Michael's (Woody Allen was a regular there for decades), Cafe Wha? (Jimi 'James' (Hendrix) hosted one there before forming the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and I played there more than once, and for one song, with him), Cafe Au Go-Go (so many there: The Blues Project was formed there), Gerdes Folk City (Bob Dylan attended that one in the early days).
The one thing they had in common: An audience of non-players, there for the good quality music. So, to a degree, the performers were vetted. You might not get called up the first few times you signed up - unless you made it known that you would fit in with the other musicians (or the music stylings) and could convey confidence in your ability. And, if you did get called, and gave a bad performance, you might not get called up again unless you could show improvement.
Most people don't understand open mics. I feel like I do, but I still don't necessarily see every aspect of them.
First of all, I had to learn what an open mic was in these post-MTV, post-internet live music world. Because, before those times, open mics weren't about music at all. Open mics were for comedy and/or poetry. Only.
The musical versions were called jams. They were popular in clubs and coffee shops and there were some famous ones in NYC when I was coming up: Michael's (Woody Allen was a regular there for decades), Cafe Wha? (Jimi 'James' (Hendrix) hosted one there before forming the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and I played there more than once, and for one song, with him), Cafe Au Go-Go (so many there: The Blues Project was formed there), Gerdes Folk City (Bob Dylan attended that one in the early days).
The one thing they had in common: An audience of non-players, there for the good quality music. So, to a degree, the performers were vetted. You might not get called up the first few times you signed up - unless you made it known that you would fit in with the other musicians (or the music stylings) and could convey confidence in your ability. And, if you did get called, and gave a bad performance, you might not get called up again unless you could show improvement.
In this way, the jams were important links between generations of players.
Now, open mics are ubiquitous, jams are rare, and tend to be invitation-only, with performance-level playing. Musicians who sign up at an open mic play, in general. No vetting. And performers tend to outnumber by an order of magnitude those just non-players hanging out.
At tonight's open mic at Shifty's, where I am a regular and a known quantity, I saw the good and the bad of that evolution. I was outside catching a toke when my friend Frank, a real professional, leave the open mic furious, because his attempt to help violated one of the host's major rules: Nobody touches the equipment without first getting permission.
Frank, apparently, heard feedback and jumped up and changed the EQ on the PA. Steve T. went ballistic and cursed him out. Frank, a professional musician and sound guy (really - he is in the stagehand's union and is often called on to supplement the sound crews) split in a huff.
If I had been there, I would have tried to stop him. Because I've run afoul of Steve's wrath for a less egregious incursion: Adjusting a mic stand. I knew what would happen.
Also, last night, a thirteen-year-old drummer I've worked with did a turn, and an eleven-year old guitarist fronted a set that was pretty spectacular. This is the kind of thing that makes open mics so exciting, and fulfills their generational mandate.
The things I look for at open mics is are mainly the chance to play with different musicians, and the chance to try new material. I got to do both tonight, when a drummer friend and I did a bass-drum duet on a song I've been performing at open mics/jams since the seventies (when it was new). But I'd never done it as a bass and drums duet, and it was awesome!
Also, open mics are just about the only time I get to sing. That goes for the ones I host these days, too.
Also, open mics are just about the only time I get to sing. That goes for the ones I host these days, too.
Tonight, I got to Shifty's open mic about five minutes after it started. By then, the list was already pretty long. I ended up closing the night, waiting three-and-a-half hours to do my four songs.
That's all right. I had a good time, heard some good music, saw some friends.
Sometimes you wait.
I'm grateful for the music scene.
I'm grateful for the music scene.
Previous Weight (10/26/21): 202.8 lbs.
Net Loss/Gain: + 0.0 lbs.
Diet Comment
I was hoping for a loss today. Oh, well, tomorrow, then.
Lunch
Skipped.
Dinner
8:10pm: Keto probiotic snack mix (nuts, seeds, cheese).
Liquid Intake
Food Log
Breakfast
3:05pm: Frittata (eggs, kale, spinach, mixed Italian grated cheeses, mushrooms, peppers, onions, chia and hemp seeds) on riced cauliflower with nutritional yeast.
3:05pm: Frittata (eggs, kale, spinach, mixed Italian grated cheeses, mushrooms, peppers, onions, chia and hemp seeds) on riced cauliflower with nutritional yeast.
Lunch
Skipped.
Dinner
8:10pm: Keto probiotic snack mix (nuts, seeds, cheese).
Liquid Intake
Espressos: 1; Coffee: 24 oz.; Water: 54+ oz.; and two pours of Jameson's Irish whiskey
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