Cape Cod Acoustics
  • Home
  • Your Lessons
  • Performance services offered
  • About Gene
  • Contact
  • Guitars, Ukes & Accessories
  • Acoustic Guitar Blog
  • Tips for guitarists
  • Guitar Gallery
  • More...

December stuff

12/9/2013

0 Comments

 
Sorry for not checking in for a while, just back from a brief vacation on beautiful St. Martin. Here are some random thoughts and observations about various music subjects, both personal and general.

We didn’t hear a lot of music while in St. Martin but did catch a fun act at a restaurant in Maho Bay. They are a group of five guys (locals) called “Sweet Chocolate” and they’ve been something of an institution at the place for many years. They consist of basically one guy on keyboards and various recorded/computer tracks, plus four singers. They are a total “act” with costume changes and plenty of energy and humor. Although they sang plenty of Motown and reggae tunes, a highlight for me was when they did some authentic calypso tunes. If you are unfamiliar with this uniquely Caribbean music, it has a long history and there are even competitions in the form on some of the islands. It consists of basic major key chord changes with an infectious beat and the idea is that the singer comes ups with improvised verses. In the past it was quite political at times and going way back, was a way for slaves to express their frustrations with their lot. These days it’s usually much more humorous and often a bit risqué – the singer will pick out audience members to target.

The singer was very, very talented and fun. He must have come up with about 40 verses, some of which were obviously rehearsed but many were created on the spot. He had particular fun with a large party of locals who were having a pre-wedding dinner. By the end of the song my face hurt from laughing so much! It was a really cool experience and just another example of why we love going to the Caribbean so much. If you ever get a chance to experience real calypso music, take it – my sense is that it is something of a dying musical form and uniquely part of the wonderful melting pot of Caribbean culture.

On another note, I was recently turned on to a GREAT young singer/songwriter named Sarah Jarosz. Her recent album is terrific and the title song “Build Me Up From Bones” has been nominated for a Grammy as best contemporary folk song. Her alto voice and delivery are sublime and she is a fine player of mandolin, guitar and her primary instrument, a tenor mandolin. It is truly refreshing to hear such a wonderful and talented younger writer. I predict she will be around for a long, long time. Also check out (on You Tube) her cover of the great Paul Simon’s “Kathy’s Song.” Just amazing. She reminds me a bit of Gillian Welsh (not my favorite, but I like some of her songs) but with a more honest style and all round vibe.

On a personal level, I’ve been doing my regular Saturday morning gig at the Daily Brew café in Cataumet and have been enjoying doing the Christmas tunes I’ve worked out. Obviously, I only get to play them at this time of year and although some of them are quite simple it’s always a challenge – a good one for me! – because they are so familiar and any mistakes are pretty obvious (!). In any case, the folks seem to enjoy them and I do too. I have been at the Brew for about three years now and even though it’s the “smallest” gig I have every played in terms of the venue I continue to love playing there more than any place I’ve ever performed, including concerts in front of many thousands of people. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and the coffee and food is damn good too! If you’re ever in the area, stop by!

Peace & good music,
Gene

 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Gene Bourque

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed