mapsedge: Me at Stone Bridge Coffee House (Default)
mapsedge ([personal profile] mapsedge) wrote2008-02-08 09:57 am

A small studio and interesting evening

The purpose of rehearsal is not just to perfect the material.  The purpose of rehearsal is also to learn how to recover when you fuck it up.

I don't know who said that, but it was never truer than last night.

I played two songs during the interview last night: "Jamie Raeburn" and "Now Westlin Winds".  "Raeburn" is a song that has never grown stale with me, and I could sing it in my sleep.  Some changes to the arrangement - inspired by Frank's version on "Everygreen" - has even freshened it a bit. 

"Winds" is a new one that I have grown to like more and more as I've learned it and subsequently made it my own, but the lyrics are still a little spotty, even worse when I'm up past my bedtime and twice-doped on cough medicine.

I completely train-wrecked the last verse, brain-locked and had to stop.  There was just nowhere to go.  Damn.

Mark and Valerie are congenial hosts, humble and appreciative and they covered for me, though I'm sorry that they had to.  Though I've never done it before, I'll be taking a songbook with me Saturday with the lyrics printed out big and bold. 

I got to very briefly meet Hazel White and her husband, Bill.  He complimented me on my playing - the radio was on in the green room - saying it was the kind of music he could listen to any evening.  Hazel has an interesting energy about her - according to Bill she has a sense of humor to match - and I'm looking forward to chatting with her some more on Saturday before (and possibly after) the concert. 

[identity profile] jehosefatz.livejournal.com 2008-02-08 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
:)

I think I heard the quote from Tony Rice, but who knows where it originates. I would say that in my own practice, I don't shoot for perfection -- I like challenging, yet attainable goals and perfection for me, much to my chagrin, ain't happening -- I'm currently shooting for comfortable and honest. I want to sound like me, however that turns out. The challenging part is to limit my disappointment in whatever that turns out to be.

IMO, you should shoot for sounding like you. Take it all in stride. You're great; it'll be great. You'll see. The MVFS audiences are incredibly supportive and appreciative.

Just my thoughts, for whatever they're worth.

- Jeho