The drummer had found the groove of the song and was experiencing something that only comes with a real performance, where it's just you and the song and your reasons for performing have nothing to do with ego or money, but the sheer joy of being able to perform.
You're not going to witness that in the self-conscious world of karaoke, or from most of today's pop automatons. That's something that's only seen when the people are playing for the sheer love of the music. As the opportunities for these musicians and bands are slowly evaporating it will become a sight less often seen outside of obvious centres for music.
In the mid-1970s my father-in-law was on the road. His circuit was North Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. He was paid enough that he was able to hire the musicians he played with, own the equipment for their gigs, and buy himself a house up in North Eastern Ontario. But it's a hard life and takes its toll, so he moved back to Kingston, got a job and started a second family.
When I first met him in 1996 he was still playing in and around Kingston, just him, his lead player, and eventually my wife joined them to sing harmonies and play percussion. The only places that he could get gigs by then were the Canadian Legions, since they were still hiring bands for each night of the weekend and Sunday afternoons.
With the number of Legions in our vicinity and the fact that he is a great performer, he was usually guaranteed work every other weekend. But times have changed even there and live bands are no longer in demand when you can hire a karaoke machine for half the price. People have become so wrapped up in themselves that they don't realize that they are in danger of losing a precious commodity.
My father-in-law grew up in a family that played music, so even before he was playing he was absorbing all the old songs. Those were the songs he first learned, and he's never forgotten them, and he and his banjo-playing brother can still sit down and play them all at the drop of a hat (and the raising of a beer or two). He's been learning new material with each passing decade, including some of his own. But he can play everything from Hank Williams to Santana without missing a beat.
Article comments
1 - Barry Stoller
'The recent interest in Johnny Cash and movies like O Brother, Where Art Thou? has rekindled people's appreciation for the sound of fingers on strings.'
Let's remember the OTHER type of strings, too. The big bands and the orchestras got zapped by the rock outfits you're eulogizing. Replacing 20-piece orchestras comprised of literate musicians with 5-piece bands comprised of untrained teens was another cost-cutter for bars and record companies alike. Unfortunately for art, all labor-saving technologies set in eventually.
2 - Bennett
Well written! Thanks for speaking to this fading bit of our culture.
Yo Barry, when's the last time a 20-piece orchestra (comprised of literate musicians) EVER played in a roadhouse, punk bar, or Haight Street dive?
I remember Santana, Credence, and The Who when they were "bands comprised of untrained teens".
Rock on!
3 - Barry Stoller
Many places now associated with Santana, CCR, Who, etc. were former ballrooms - featuring ballroom orchestras. My point is that cultures move with technologies. (I could care less about your particular set of fave bands, as I'm sure you could care less about mine.)
4 - Joanie
The bands are out there, Richard. You just have to know where to look and you have to be willing to go out to see them.
I'm wonderfully blessed to have many MANY locations around me where I can listen to quality music for a small fee, or sometimes even free.
5 - Greg
That is a great article, and funny enough, it reminds me of my own band which is primarily original, but on a really good night (only a great night), we sometimes launch in to Credence's Born on the Bayou, and our Drummer sings it with absolute heart and soul, riding the wave of life to its fullest....
6 - Greg
www.buzzuniverse.com
7 - Scott Butki
I go every Thursday and Friday nite to Port City Java, a local coffeehouse, where they have open mike nite on Thursday and a performer on Friday.
Invariably some will sing country, some rock, some both.
Its not unusual to hear acoustic covers of everything from Skynard, Cash and Oasis in the same set.
I know it's not a bar but it is free and, to me at least, thrilling and fun.
Keep hope alive.
8 - John
I am trying to find out what ever happened to an awesome bar band that came to Edmonton, AB in the mid to late 80's. They were called "Sweet Lucy" and their album was titled "Taste It" I actually wore the cassette out and have never been able to replace it. The lead singer was awesome! he sounded like a cross between Robert Plant and David Coverdale.
Signed
HELP!
9 - Lori
In reply to John,
I remember Sweet Lucy! I have a couple pictures of and with them. Unfortunately I don't have their tape. If you're on facebook, we have a group "Memories of Rock Central Station and Cheers at the Beverly Crest". I've put up pictures of Sweet Lucy, Electric (which later became the Age of Electric), Smask LA, Slick Toxik, Black Diamond, Big House etc.....
Lori Lynn