Friday-Prince

Friday was a big driving day.

I got up as late as I could and headed out the door to a rehearsal for my Saturday gig. It was down at the International Convention Center (down by the airport). I was down there for a couple of hours in an enormous exhibit hall.

When that was finished, I raced home and finished getting my book of music ready for my sax sub for a gig Saturday night. I had a few charts I needed to write out on the computer. When that was finished, I ran and dropped the book off.

Late Friday night, I got dressed and ran down to Little 5 Points for the Prince Tribute at the Star Bar. I played on Head with Y.O.U., and a New Orleans/Meters version of A Love Bizarre with Edenrage and Chanda Leigh (I'd never met these people before we played! The guy texted me once we both got there and I found him by his decription. They'd asked through a friend if I would join them). Pretty cool stuff. I was glad that A Love Bizarre went with a different feel, so I could avoid playing more or less the same sort of solo I'd played on Head. Mark Bencuya played an awesome synth solo on a tune they played without me. I think it's the best solo I've ever heard him play.

Afterwards, Mark Cobb hipped me to some really cool stuff I'd never heard--a band from the 70s called Cymande and the Headhunters album without Herbie Hancock. Gritty 70s funk. Awesome! We got into a discussion about whether it's better to approach a tribute situation like the Prince tribute by playing exactly like the record, or it's better to do your own thing with the song. I can see it either way, as long as the musical decisions are legit (i.e. don't decide to skip the bridge because you can't remember it).

I got home around 2 AM. Not good--I have to be at my next gig at 7:15 AM!

Thursday night

I've had plenty to blog about, but very little time to do it. Here we go:

Thursday was generally uneventful. I taught a little, ate, and boogied down to Yacht Rock. Nothing new in terms of songs...we're gearing up for next Thursday's official premier of "Reagan Rock" (Yacht Rock as it slipped into the 80s).

Y.O.U., who form the core of Yacht Rock, are releasing a new record July 25 at Smith's Olde Bar. I will be performing that night, and we've recruited trombonist Eric Alexander to help out. It should be a very cool night--the new Y.O.U. stuff sounds AWESOME!!!!

Back to Yacht Rock...it was pretty packed, which is always cool. I heard there was a line out on the sidewalk. Musically, I think we were pretty good. Mark Cobb is sooooooooo good, it makes everybody else sound better.

Something new we'd never talked about: the "Baker Street Phenomenon." Gerry Rafferty released the song Baker Street in 1978, and the popularity of the tune made it necessary for every other band of the time to have a saxophone player and saxophone solos. And thus begat David Freeman!