Lo-Fi iPad Sound System

Trying to desperately setup a music system on July 4th, I was able to find some old Acer PC computer speakers which I hooked up to an iPad.  The results were definitely lo-fi.  One of our guests to our Fourth of July party were able to give us some better sound output by bringing along their Jambox.  Yahhh!!!!

Disneyland Main Street Storefront Sign

One of the storefronts lining Disneyland's Main Sreet touts this sign.  The shop is supposedly a seller of musical instruments.  I don't know if Walt Disney himself originated the slogan but a nice sentiment none the less.

Keith Moon Assualting His Drumkit

Keith Moon, the magnificent former drummer of The Who, is seen here during the filming of The Who's "Who Are You?" promotional video.  Love the intensity.

African Bottlecap Rattle

This a short video of an African rattle that is constructed of some wood, wire and flattened bottle caps!  A nice, dry jingle is produced by this simple percussion instrument.  Imagine if you had about twenty of these little beauties rattling away! The gentle sound one of these instruments produces is akin to a small rain stick.  Very soothing, really.

Chapman Stick Orchestra circa: Unknown

I came across this interesting photo in the waiting room of the place where my son takes music lessons.  A Chapman Stick Orchestra!  I would guess this picture was taken in the late '70's/early '80's when the unique instrument was gaining followers.  Very cool. 

San Jose Chamber Orchestra, "A Night In Venice" Fundraiser, January 19, 2014

The San Jose Chamber Orchestra held a fundraiser on January 19, 2014.  The event was themed "A Night In Venice".  Merriment ensued with accordions and a string quartet serenading the attendees.  Dinner and auction followed.

Lou Reed, R.I.P.

Lou Reed, a rock and rock original, just recently passed away.  I have been a long time listener of his material stretching from the Velvet Underground to his sizable solo work. I saw him perform live only once.  It was in the mid-1980's at the Old Waldorf club in San Francisco.  The club was basically a glorified bar with a stage.  Lou performed a very strong set.  The tone wasn't of the live "Rock and Roll Animal" style rock histrionics of hired gun immaculate solos and playing but a stripped down, basic rock band approach.  I think it was one of the best live rock shows I have ever seen. Lou will be missed.  What a remarkable song writer, performer and personality. 

One Night With Janis Joplin

The initial stage set for One Night With Janis Joplin.  The backgrounds changed as the play progressed.  We saw the last performance of the play at the San Jose Rep.  Mostly a concert of Joplin songs by the actress portraying her along with a Big Brother and The Holding Company cover band.  A very well played set of songs.  There is a thin narrative which accompanies the music that fills in Joplin's discovery of blues music, her elation at live performance and her subsequent disillusionment with everything.

Tenor Sax For Middle School Band

My son, Jack, is learning to play tenor sax for his middle school band.  Practice makes perfect.  He is doing well.

Time Lapse Camera Fun

Time lapse sequence of some of my duties at work in a video conferencing TV studio.  A post to EMI only for the sound effects added to the video, I guess.

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts at Mountain Winery in Saratoga, September 7, 2013

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts perform at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA., September 7, 2013.  I forgot what a nice cover version she does of "Crimson and Clover".

The Monkees In Concert at Mountain Winery In Saratoga, CA., 08/14/13

The Monkees, Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz, and Peter Tork, perform "Randy Scouse Git" at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA. on August 14, 2013.  It was a very enjoyable show.  The boys did a lot of alternative takes on their classic songs.  Mickey playing the tympanis center stage for "Git" was a particular highlight.

SMOOTH CRIMINAL DANCE ROUTINE 2013

My son's dance take on Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal.  Nice dancing!  Click the link below to see the dance video:



SMOOTH CRIMINAL DANCE ROUTINE 2013

CMT's The Music Man at the Montgomery Theater, July 2013

The Children's Musical Theater completed a run of, The Music Man, in July 2013.  Here are three views inside the Montgomery Theater where the musical was performed.  The first shot was taken backstage with some of the band props on display.  The second picture is the view of the audience from the theater stage.  The third picture shows the orchestra pit where the music accompanying the performance is created.  This area is located just below the stage.  And by the way, a fine production of The Music Man was staged!

Wireless Mic Mania At CMT!

This is the wireless microphone table at the Montgomery Theater in San Jose.  The Children's Musical Theater (CMT) was taking the stage with performances of "The Music Man" in July 2013.  Performers with lines would come to this table to be outfitted with a wireless microphone.  That's a lot of mics!

Electric Ukulele at July 4th Parade!

One of the floats in our neighborhood's annual Fourth of July parade, showcased a band with a strolling, electric ukulele player!  What will they think of next?

Cheap Trick's Crazy Guitars!

I saw cheap Trick perform at the Mountain Winery venue in Saratoga, CA.  As usual, the band paraded about a number of unusual guitars.  Tom Peterson steadily banged away at his invention, the 12 string bass.  What a devastating tone this thing delivers:  a thick, metallic drone that can pierce through Cheap Trick's instrumental wall of sound or anchor the bottom end of the rhthym section.  Rick Nielsen, the lead guitarist for the group, trotted out this yellow box shaped axe and his monstrosity, the 5 necked guitar.  Lead singer Robin Zander dons an assortment of guitars as well but seems to favor the 12 string guitar format.  It is best to hear Cheap Trick in a small venue at maximum volume levels.

Cremona Automatic Instrument on Display in the Mark Twain Bookstore in Virginia City, Nevada!

My family happened to be visiting Virginia City, Nevada as part of a side trip spent at Lake Tahoe, California.  Virginia City is a well preserved ghost town that offers a lot of old, weathered buildings and storefronts.  We stopped in to the Mark Twain Bookstore and came upon a Cremona automatic instrument.  Call it a player piano if you like.  An effigy of Mark Twain is seated next to this automatic instrument which asks for a quarter to be inserted to get the music machine working.  Located inside the piano structure can be seen a marimba, a bass drum, cymbals and a perforated music sheet roll . I checked the Internet and found this description which would fit the device:
"The Marquette Piano Company, also of Chicago, marketed its line of very high grade American instruments under the "Cremona Automatic Musical Instrument" name.  It was an early entry into the coin piano business and produced from about 1905 thru 1920."
Although it was not working during our visit, I am sure this Cremona automatic instrument made a fine racket in its time!

The Shag - May 10, 2013

The Shag perform May 10, 2013 at Stevie's Bar and Grill.  The Shag are a power trio whose members include Doug Tessier on guitar, Tim Vandenberg on drums and Mark Tutko on bass.  The band performs a varied selection of old and new tunes, all in a very danceable vein.

Marxolin Oddity!

Here are some views of the musical instrument oddity, the Marxolin.  This multi-stringed instrument was meant to be played with a bow, violin-like, which is conspicous in its absence in these pictures.  I didn't get one when I bought this used!  Just as well.  If I had tried to tune the strings, I think they would have broken or otherwise damaged the hardware on this old thing.  Look up the history of this ax yourself to get a better handle on how it was played.  The whole thing perplexed me.