IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 01:41 PM
I have an interesting gig happening tomorrow. As many of you know, I'm a college professor, and I also act as a faculty advisor for a student economics organization. They decided to hold a members social in an off-campus backyard tomorrow from 4:30 until 6:30 pm. They asked me to be the 'special guest', and I offered to also play a set while there, which they thought was a great idea, hoping that it'll increase the interest in the social, and maybe even boost the membership a bit (students can only get in if they're paid members - but it's only $10).
So, I decided I'm gonna do this about as stripped down as I've ever played: my '62 AVRI Strat straight into my Deluxe Reverb reissue (recently retrofitted with a Mojotone speaker) - no pedals, no reverb unit, nothing else. I'm planning on keeping the amp's volume around 2.5 for the entire time, so a completely clean sound, too. Of course, I'll use the DRRI's on-board reverb, which actually sounds really nice, and on occasion its vibrato, too.
Here's the setlist I picked out:
THE QUIET SURF
KON TIKI
SURF PARTY
FIND ME A GOLDEN STREET
MACARENA
TACO WAGON
EL ARLEQUIN DE TOLEDO
SHADOOGIE
HOT DOGGIN’
JUNGLE DRUMS
RICOCHET
SURF FIDELIS
TANGAROA
TRIBAL FURY
It's all songs that I think will sound OK with just the lead guitar, no backing of any kind. That's probably about 30-45 minutes of music, and if I see the audience losing interest and getting bored, I can knock it on the head at any point.
So, this is going to be interesting! Going about as 'naked' as I ever have, both in terms of my tone, but certainly in terms of the instrumentation! I'm looking forward to the challenge, though! (It'll also be interesting performing in front of my students, rather than strangers!)
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
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EJ
Joined: May 05, 2012
Posts: 351
Virginia Beach
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 01:47 PM
Surfing naked is quite exhilarating !!! Have a GREAT time
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6V6
Joined: Nov 15, 2008
Posts: 284
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 01:54 PM
Hoping somebody will put your set on youtube!! Probably something we can all enjoy as fans and learn from as performers.
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 02:00 PM
I'm sure we'd all like to be there to drink all the beer... no, that's not it. To cheer you on! Have a great time!
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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JONPAUL
Joined: Apr 29, 2010
Posts: 2472
Venice, CA
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 02:00 PM
Wow! Sounds amazing, Ivan! It takes mega cajones to play that stripped down! But, if anyone will sound brilliant, it's you! Could you please make sure to capture the set on video? : )
— Insect Surfers
The Tikiyaki Orchestra
The Scimitars
Lords Of Atlantis
Fiberglass Jungle - Surf Radio
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RobC
Joined: Oct 11, 2010
Posts: 152
Bainbridge Island, Washington
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 02:03 PM
Think of all the times you sat around noodling on your guitar by yourself searching for new melodies. Should be great.
That being said noodle sessions always have the rhythm guitar going in your head. The mellow songs might need something more since there is more air in there.
I would test drive it to a few friends first. A looper is easy to use and could be nice backup just in case for rhythm.
I can see a surfing naked contest coming on. One person with unlimited use of loopers, drum tracks, whatever but no studio jobs and no backing tracks. The best song done as you would do it live- hmmm.....
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heepeejeep
Joined: Feb 28, 2013
Posts: 350
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 02:16 PM
I would very much like to see your act, sounds like a brave challenge. Please post a video!
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6V6
Joined: Nov 15, 2008
Posts: 284
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 02:17 PM
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morphball
Joined: Dec 23, 2008
Posts: 3324
Pittsboro, NC
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 02:23 PM
I used to go to plenty of "guitar clinics" in the 80's and found them really entertaining even without a full band, it's very similar; I think you'll sound great!
— Mike
http://www.youtube.com/morphballio
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 02:39 PM
Thanks, everybody! I'm really looking forward to it, I gotta say!
RobC wrote:
Think of all the times you sat around noodling on your guitar by yourself searching for new melodies. Should be great.
Well, I have no intention of doing any noodling! I'll just be playing the songs straight.
I would test drive it to a few friends first. A looper is easy to use and could be nice backup just in case for rhythm.
This is happening tomorrow - no time for test-driving, and certainly no time for any loopers! Just a man and his guitar - and a handful of good songs!
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
Last edited: Sep 26, 2013 14:48:47
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jdmcduders
Joined: Jan 14, 2013
Posts: 140
Indianapolis, IN
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 02:53 PM
This sounds really interesting. I've seen quite a few solo jazz guitar performances but those individuals are usually playing fingerstyle or hybrid picking and can do more harmonic support or chord melody style. That's a little tougher with surf. Good luck. I hope it goes over well. Maybe you're onto a new thing.
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normj
Joined: Apr 26, 2010
Posts: 882
central Indiana
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 04:46 PM
IvanP wrote:
This is happening tomorrow - no time for test-driving, and certainly no time for any loopers! Just a man and his guitar - and a handful of good songs!
You are going to enjoy doing this. Have fun.
Later,
Norm
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4053
Nashville, TN.
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 05:08 PM
I think this will be great and you're just the guy for it.
I can relate a little bit as I occasionally do demonstration videos of our guitars by myself. It's a bit different for sure as I'm just trying to show the sounds of the guitar but I try to do it in a way that doesn't sound theme-less, but it can be tough.
I'm sure I speak for many here when I say I'd love to hear you play that material solo. I bet it would be inspiring.
If you get a minute anytime soon email me and let me know how that speaker worked out in your DRRI. I don't want to derail the thread.
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
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surferjoemusic
Joined: Jan 01, 2008
Posts: 2107
Livorno
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 05:57 PM
I would LOVE to be there and see this!!!!
Have fun!!!!
— Lorenzo "Surfer Joe" Valdambrini
(www.surfmusic.net)
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Rob_J
Joined: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 500
Sacto, CA
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 06:31 PM
WOW Ivan, I admire your courage but if anyone has the skills to pull this off, it would be you. After the gig, be sure to give us a detailed account of how it went.
I've done a couple of solo gigs playing to backing tracks, but that's FAR different than a single guitar having to carry the load.
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 07:24 PM
I'm sure, between all the students there, there should be enough iPhones video recording Ivan's performance to make a documentary. I hope so, 'cause I sure want to see it.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Sep 26, 2013 19:25:31
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Las_Barracudas
Joined: Apr 24, 2011
Posts: 1087
Surf City, NC
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 07:48 PM
Cool deal! Have fun with it.
That's actually how I got started playing Surf music (solo gigs). There's a local beach venue that booked me for the summer (several years ago) and along with my normal eclectic set-list I started playing a few mostly original Surf songs. The enthusiasm and encouragement I received from the patrons prompted me to start a full-fledged Surf band.
I also think playing Surf songs solo really fostered my song writing skills.
— METEOR IV on reverbnation
Last edited: Sep 26, 2013 19:48:28
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11076
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Sep 26 2013 09:51 PM
Good luck Ivan, wish I could teleport out there and strum along.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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Surfersaurus
Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Posts: 352
Australia
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Posted on Sep 27 2013 07:27 AM
Good luck with the solo gig Ivan, it can be tough to play totally solo..
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19340
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Sep 27 2013 08:14 AM
Good luck and let us know how it went!
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
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