Gig @ Bill's Blues in Evanston, IL 12/27

[Marshall]

I've been asked to join Dean Milano, Albie Powers, Jeff Meyer, and Gary Badik for a "Bluebird" style guitar-pull at Bill's Blues in Evanston on Thursday 12/27. I've heard 3 of the 4 guys play and they are stellar writers and performers. I'm excited to be included.

I think I want to set up a video camera. I've got a run-of-the-mill camera. But it might be nice to get a Youtube clip or two from the show.

[Chicago Sandy]

That's FANTASTIC! (And well-earned). I'll be there (and may try to learn to use my camcorder).

[uncle dizzy 60]

:lol::evilgrin::up::hmm::guitar:Wouldn't ya know it, the sound maven has a Canon. Unfortunately, cannot take an audio feed off board---must use internal mic in camera. (BOO HISS) I'll have mine there plus 2 tripods! Give me a shout via my normal non AGF email. (If ya have $250.00 laying around doing nothing at Christmas time and want to rent a great Pro camera with audio feed, let me know. Helix has 'em!)

Norm

[Frank Roberts]

Double post. Sorry

[Frank Roberts]

Alright Marshall! I'm looking forward to hearing and seeing a youtube clip. I love blues! Some video cameras get a pretty good audio recording too. With you, Chicago Sandy and Uncle Dizzy all doing video the chances of getting a good recording are tripled (or more if Dizzy brings three!) If I didn't live closer to the left coast than Evanston I'd come. Enjoy.

Frank

P. S. If someone records the proceedings with an Zoom H4, Edirol, or Sony PCM D50 or D1, the audio can be synched with the digital video using the software that comes with the recorders.

[Chicago Sandy]

Hey, Norm, can we get a separate stereo feed with your or my freestanding multitracker and mics, and maybe see if there's a SMPTE code option for the video? I think my cheapo JVC camcorder has A/V outs to the board or to a multitracker--not just for playback but recording too, to bypass the internal mic.

[Taioki]

Oh wow, I get to meet other forumites! I will be there for support.

[Marshall]

Sounds cool. I haven't visited this thread in a while.

I was going to try to bring the camera last weekend and practise photo journalizing with Dizzy Norm, (who was the featured guy at Bill's last Sunday evening). But the battery was dead and the wall wart wasn't at home. (The weather wasn't great either, and I generally felt like crap.)

But I got my little JVC charged now. I may practise getting clips this weekend (like I got nothing else to do before Christmas !) and see how well it works. I can't take any feeds off the board with my little unit. But i've got a nice tri-pod that could be usefull. If anyone else wants to bring a camera that would be great. I'll try to get there early so we can play with setup.

And any AGFer who shows up, . . . , I'll buy you a beer. (Remember there's probably a cover charge. You're on your own for that.)

The other guys playing are very good. It'd be nice to have a couple cameras so no one will be at a bad angle. Now, I don't expect this to be a video extravaganza. I just thought it'd be good for each performer to have a clip or two they can use for Youtube or for whatever.

Maybe we can get all the AGFers to walk in front of a camera and say, "Hi" That's got to be worth something ! ? !

[Chicago Sandy]

So what time--7pm? (the usual folk start time)

[Chicago Sandy]

Great job, Marshall! You showed us what a versatile and nuanced writer (as well as fine singer and guitarist) you are. I heard some amazing songwriting from all involved--the bar has truly been raised. Bravo!

Watch this area of the AGF for an announcement of a Chicago Songwriters' Collective Showcase at Bill's next Thursday, Jan. 3!

[Frank Roberts]

Boy, I wish I coulda been there. I've been hoping someone will post a video or recording of some or all of it! Sandy? Norm?

[Marshall]

Had a nice time at the gig last night. Great to see Sandy there. We had a beer afterwards. And Sandy helped operate my little vid recorder.

Norm, our beloved sound guy, was a little late. His car got towed. So we started a little late. But we got in a monster hour-and-a-half set. With 5 performers, that meant 4 songs a piece. Very interesting format. The people there seemed to appreciate the format. There wasn't much of a crowd. But it's the holidays too.

One thing I found a little disconcerting. I'm sitting on stage throughout everybody else's songs. And paying attention. So, when it comes time to play my next song, there's no way to stand off stage and run through the chord changes before you walk up and start. You're just there. And you have to make a clean start having not played anything for 20 minutes.

But it went well. I brought a little video recorder and (with Sandy's help) have the whole thing taped. It may just turn out to be a personal instructional video about what not to do on stage. But the idea is I'll split out each tune and give them to the performers, and everybody can decide for themselves if they want to Youtube them or not.

So, what's up on Thursday, Sandy ? (Thursdays are usually bad for me. I had to get special dispensation to do this one. But, what the heck.)

[Chicago Sandy]

Nancy wants to have the Chicago Songwriters' Collective do a showcase as a Bluebird night next Thurs. Jan. 3--VERY short notice, and so far I have only three takers among the membership (including me). More may come out of the woodwork. Hope the club's board's okay and that the short was not permanent. As soon as the lineup is set, I'll start a new thread.

That's the challenge of writers' rounds--you need to be prepared with a wide repertoire way in advance and expect to be able to turn on a dime--especially if it's a moderated round and the leader or host sets a theme for each go-round (I once threw the CSC for a loop by asking each participant to play a song by their primary influence. Everyone there was able to do it, but some who refuse on principle to play covers cannot. I won't ask anyone to do that next Thurs., but it is not unusual in Nashville rounds to play an obscure cover by someone the performer believes deserves wider exposure, as you saw last night with that Buddy Miller cover--Miller is hardly obscure but the song is not one of his more well-known).

[Marshall]

Cool, Sandy. I'll see if I can make it Thursday.

I took a brief few minute look at the video just through the little camera viewer and the mini-speaker on the camera. The sound quality is probably not going to be up to posting. It hisses between notes or words. Maybe When i load it into Movieplayer, I'll be able to do more. But I'm not optimistic that it's going to be Youtube worthy. Maybe. But not quickly. The video itself is not bad. And it is kinda nice to see what you look/sound like. But the audio quality may not be broadcastable.

Maybe Norm got something better. He had a camera going too.

But I think this is really a good way to go. Maybe i should invest in a better camera; something that can take a mic or and audio feed. Afterall, I'm going to be a grandfather next summer. I can probably argue it's to record the progress of the blessed new little bugger. ;)