Evita is off and running!

Hello,

Evita

We're 2ish? weeks into Evita. The show is locking in and is a blast. I'm subbing out of 2 more dates to play Slams. They are: March 29th and April 19th, I've lined up Chris Damman to sub in for me.

Link to a listing of Reviews

Thus far, the show has been a blast.

The bass book is the most challenging that I've played....there are parts of it that I've simplified that I'll be working on for another few weeks. I feel that simple works pretty well in this context. The book is actually a doubling book-the show is scored for a huge orchestra. There are places where the double bass and harp double each other [well-sorta], places where the double bass is with brass. So-with some editing by Ryan Brewster [music director of Evita]-we've made it work with just electric bass. A lot of the times where I'd be functioning as string section, I'm either just rolling a low note or I'm laying out. I feel like it lets the music take on a more intimate sound where it's just piano & voice, when Kevin [drummer] & I come in-the music takes on a very different texture. It has this inherent drive-i dig it.

Gear for Evita

I recently did some work on my StingRay5. Work = refinished the neck and restrung it. If you're reading this, more than likely you're either related to me or a gear junkie...or i work for you. The necks of StingRay & Sterling basses are gunstock oil and wax.

So, to refinish it, I used a scour pad [the back side of a sponge] to get some of the dirt and gunk off. I used a little bit of rubbing alcohol to get more of the gunk out. This DOES dry out the wood a lot. Once i went over the neck and fingerboard with the scour pad + alcohol, I made sure it was dry. I used Birchwood Casey Truoil for the neck finish. I did 4 coats of oil. I waited 30mins between coats #1 & #2, 15mins between #2 & #3, 15mins between #3 & #4. I waited 30mins before applying wax. This is a much shorter wait time than what the package suggests. I put it by a window wrapped in paper towel while i was waiting. I then put several coats of wax on the neck. I used brown paper bags to rub it out after I had applied it. Now? The neck feels good and is much cleaner.

String-I had been playing on the same set of PowerSlinkys for about a year. It was time for some new strings. The store didn't have Power Slinky's in 5 string, so I got Regular Slinkys 5 [45-130]. Holy hell, new strings made a huge difference in sound. I sound like the recordings again.

It's extremely gear wise for Evita. StingRay5 + SWR WorkingMan's 12. I set my EQ once and I leave it. The treble is barely boosted, mids barely boosted, bass up to about 7/8 of full. 99% of the show is just variations on finger style playing [closer to neck vs. bridge, etc]. On one song {Peron's Latest Flame}-I palm mute.

Well, i need to do some homework before Evita tonight.

all the best.

Loonnnnnnnng time no post

So, I need to get back into the posting routine.

It's been over a month. Here's what I am up to.....

Theater

I'm no longer subbing in on the Robber Bridegroom. I did a few weekends of it and then the guy i was subbing for quit his day job. No day job = he doesn't need a sub. I now have Sunday afternoons open for homework & relaxing. Oh yes.

Evita is in tech!! We open tomorrow! Tonight is the preview. This has been a true learning experience. The book has kicked my ass pretty hardcore. Like-UFC with guns level kicked my ass. It's getting better and I will be a much better musician when I have this book to the level that I want it to be.

I am playing my StingRay5 on this gig. It fits the bill. The instrumentation is piano/organ, drums, and bass. Very sparse, but we can get a nice sound going.

The Slam!

We are booked March 15th, March 29th, April 19th, and May 3rd! The March dates will feature Diana Lawrence on piano, the April date the pianist is TBD, and in May Ryan Brewster will return for a one off evening with us while Diana is on tour. The drummer on all of these dates will be the awesome Scott Hirtenstein. He is the perfect cat for this gig. I am working on new tunes to keep up the mix of standards and arrangements.

Well-I need to get going. I have to leave in about 40mins for Evita. The 10min commute is awesome.