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#456864 - 08/25/18 02:11 PM
PA4X with a band . . .
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Senior Member
Registered: 06/25/99
Posts: 16735
Loc: Benton, LA, USA
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Last week, a 50's/60's tribute band called Flashback, called and asked me to play with them at a music festival in downtown Shreveport. This is a really good band with all very experienced players and three lady singers, two of whom used to work with Percy Sledge.
I told them I would help them out and they said just bring a keyboard, so that's all I took. It was on a large covered bandstand at the Festival Plaza.
The sound man at the venue took my two leads from the Korg into a direct box and had great house mix and monitor mix.
I used only Piano, Organ, and Strings. They had no idea what kind of keyboard I was using, other than it said Korg. They were very pleased with the sound and I was as well.
I knew all the songs, At The Hop, Blue Suede Shoes, The Wanderer, Boppin' the Blues, Rockin' Robin, Runaway, The Wayward Wind, Teenager in Love, a few more... then Pretty Woman/Mean Woman Blues/Crying Roy Orbison medley to close the show. I had a list of the keys they did them in.
My vocals were not needed as they had six singers already.
Fantastic sound and performance. Everyone was close to my age!
I really enjoyed just sitting there playing keyboard. No chords, no singing... They were very well rehearsed and they just treated me like I was too. When it was time for a ride, the leader just nodded and assumed I knew how to do the appropriate thing. I did!
The hardest part was the organ/synth solo in Runaway, but I pulled it off to their satisfaction.
I used the transpose button once, because they did a song in B and I didn't want to think that hard, so I played it in C.
The point is, besides relaying what a great time I had, was that the arranger works perfectly well in a band situation. In fact none of them knew what an arranger even is.
They asked if I wanted to play with them "full time" which is about once a week or so. I had to decline since I already have the best music job in town, but I told them I'd work with them if it didn't conflict with my regular "gig". They only play big shows, concerts, festivals, etc., so it may be that I do it again.
I borrowed Korg PA4X from my friend DickieT, so I didn't have to move any of my gear.
Now for a nap and then the regular job.
_________________________
DonM
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#456868 - 08/25/18 02:49 PM
Re: PA4X with a band . . .
[Re: DonM]
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Senior Member
Registered: 05/26/99
Posts: 9673
Loc: Levittown, Pa, USA
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Don, that sounds like a great experience.. I think as long as we are comfortable .. both with our abilities and the instrument we play.. it will always be fun.. I always enjoyed working the large venues, with a sound system worth more than my house  , and sound guys that know what they are doing.. Sharing the stage with many of my longtime recording groups .. was always a high for me. There have been so many stage experiences for me with "Just in Time" (my old band).. and the venues I played gave me the opportunity to meet and share the stage with stars.. Some highlights were Brenda Lee, Brooklyn Bridge, Evelyn Champaign King, Danny and the Juniors, and dozens of others.. Don I didn't mean to babble on your post, but your post reminded me of yesteryear 
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#456870 - 08/25/18 03:10 PM
Re: PA4X with a band . . .
[Re: DonM]
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Member
Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 669
Loc: Ontario Canada
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Last week, a 50's/60's tribute band called Flashback, called and asked me to play with them at a music festival in downtown Shreveport. This is a really good band with all very experienced players and three lady singers, two of whom used to work with Percy Sledge.
I told them I would help them out and they said just bring a keyboard, so that's all I took. It was on a large covered bandstand at the Festival Plaza.
The sound man at the venue took my two leads from the Korg into a direct box and had great house mix and monitor mix.
I used only Piano, Organ, and Strings. They had no idea what kind of keyboard I was using, other than it said Korg. They were very pleased with the sound and I was as well.
I knew all the songs, At The Hop, Blue Suede Shoes, The Wanderer, Boppin' the Blues, Rockin' Robin, Runaway, The Wayward Wind, Teenager in Love, a few more... then Pretty Woman/Mean Woman Blues/Crying Roy Orbison medley to close the show. I had a list of the keys they did them in.
My vocals were not needed as they had six singers already.
Fantastic sound and performance. Everyone was close to my age!
I really enjoyed just sitting there playing keyboard. No chords, no singing... They were very well rehearsed and they just treated me like I was too. When it was time for a ride, the leader just nodded and assumed I knew how to do the appropriate thing. I did!
The hardest part was the organ/synth solo in Runaway, but I pulled it off to their satisfaction.
I used the transpose button once, because they did a song in B and I didn't want to think that hard, so I played it in C.
The point is, besides relaying what a great time I had, was that the arranger works perfectly well in a band situation. In fact none of them knew what an arranger even is.
They asked if I wanted to play with them "full time" which is about once a week or so. I had to decline since I already have the best music job in town, but I told them I'd work with them if it didn't conflict with my regular "gig". They only play big shows, concerts, festivals, etc., so it may be that I do it again.
I borrowed Korg PA4X from my friend DickieT, so I didn't have to move any of my gear.
Now for a nap and then the regular job. I wish that I could have been there !!!!
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mixing it up Yea!
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