Friday, June 6, 2008

My Musical Sundae...

So I am bit nervous about playing for the Red Deer Church this Sabbath. Even though I’ve performed in countless venues and in front of large groups of people, (24,000 in the summer of 1994) I am still not comfortable with solo work. What most people don’t realize is that I have to play a song through over 100 times or at least till I’m sick of it (ironically) before I am truly comfortable with playing it in front of an audience.

The scenario changes when I’m with a group of musicians, especially those who are used to playing as a group. By “used to playing as group” I am speaking of the unspoken communication that occurs when each member is aware of the other’s playing style and can often predict where his/her partners are going to go. Of course outright communication is equally valuable. A glance, a drop of a hand, or a change in pace on the trap-set can carry so much meaning. In this environment, even if you are carrying the solo, you are not playing alone.

What would make my ideal praise team? Well, I’ve limited the group to people I actually know and have had the chance to throw down with. And if I really could assemble all these people, I think I’d permanently retire afterwards because there would be no reason to play anymore.



Now mind you some of these people would play throughout the set and form the foundation of the sound kind of like vanilla ice cream. Others would be brought out as the show progresses to flesh out the sound and add some soul to the mix kind of like Nestlé’s chocolate syrup on your vanilla ice cream. Others would simply play for one song and just wow everyone with their musical talent kind of like the cherry on the syrup on the ice cream. Naturally then, I am going to use these labels.

GUITAR
Vanilla
Vilma: She comes from a truly musical family and she knows how to hold the rhythm down when things start to travel too far off course. She is the quiet consistent center.
Gabriel: Although he is a soloist in his own right, his improvisational notes add that right amount of color which make you wonder how sound existed without him

Chocolate Syrup
Addison: The master of praise worship leading. He is the energy that drives a song and is the hub of the group.
Jason: This cat can rock out and is the master of the wah wah pedal. I think if we left Gabriel and Jason in a room with their instruments they’d never leave.

Cherry
Dennis: If there was a Filipino representation of Eric Clapton it would be this dude. Many people own a Fender Stratocaster. Very few can make it sing.
Kent: If Dennis is Eric Clapton then Kent is Jimmy Hendrix. Pure musical genius on the axe with the personality to match.


KEYS
Vanilla
Lily: This girl embraces any musical challenge and can read on sight. This puts her in a very special category of musician.

Chocolate Syrup
Colville: This man is blessed with equal footing in the classical and gospel worlds. The consummate musician with a heart of gold. It shows in his playing.

Cherry
Glenn: This cat is music defined. There is nothing compared to a Saliba groove especially when it is him who produces the whole sound. Nuff respect!

BASS
Vanilla
Zola: This dude personifies the classic bass player. He be chillin’ while he lays down the soulful foundation that you can depend on to carry you through.

Chocolate Syrup
Majoire: Who knew this boy could play? And yet he can and of all the people I have listed, he defines the joy of playing live and a true example of stage presence.

Cherry
Joey: The foo man chu of bass playing. This guy is a guitar soloist in his own right but he knows how to lay groove down with perfect technique.

PERCUSSION AND DRUMS
Vanilla
Christian: He is your nuts and bolts. Keeps the beat and brings you home safe and sound.
Fred: Is the jack of all trades. He can sing, dance, and play guitar. If there is a person who loves to play no matter what, he is your go to guy.

Chocolate Syrup
Brad: Impeccable technique. As far as foundations go, he is the rock.

Cherry
Al: He is the beat. This cat lives and breaths rhythm and feels it where others only hear silence.

Stay tuned for the latter part of the list…
And be sure to check out http://www.soundofworship.ca/


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