..from cello, to guitar, and beyond...!
A music filled month for the WAGS members and audiences--in addition to the usual round-robin exchange of songs, we've had two featured performers, and there will be a another featured performer coming up this week.
Tonight's meeting of the eclectic ensemble of gregarious guitarists began, as so many do, with a bit of jamming and a few individual songs.
After a little while, the featured performer, Andrew Emlen, inherited the limelight and took us on a musical journey back to his early experiences with musical instruments and how he was introduced to guitar.
To those who know Andrew, you probably won't be surprised to learn that the cello was his first serious foray into playing a musical instrument. Guitar came later, at a point where working on a boat in Alaska, he figured that a cello wasn't too practical there, but he felt the need to play something. It turned out that his skipper had a guitar, knew a few chords, and had a small book of folk songs.
By the time he got off the boat, he knew a dozen or so chords and a little bit of finger-picking. Borrowing his brother's guitar, he started picking up new songs, particularly a few by Bob Dylan.
He drew inspiration from his Spanish teacher, learning quite a number of songs in Spanish, playing a few songs from Mexico on his classical guitar that he assiduously bartered for in Guadalajara (during his time as a student at the University of Guadalajara). His finger-picking style for these songs also prompted a bit of discussion, as his authentic renditions of song, tone, and style were inspiring. Complete with a bit of the background of the songs, and the culture they came from, kept the audience enchanted.
Afterward, he set out to learn most any song, especially songs that were popular and often requested, and in doing so discovered a real affinity for the songs people liked to sing and the instruments they played them on.
In an effort to expand his repertoire of picking patterns and licks, Andrew's early musical influences also incorporated the stylings of James Taylor, and bringing us further into the story he played "You've got a friend" (with the rest of us quietly joining in...).
A brief review of some of Andrew's own songwriting started him playing and singing a song written (in the best tradition of songwriters everywhere) for an early love that was departing...(but a love that was not to be...).
Then with a bit of background as to how the song came about, he played a song he later wrote for his "love that was to be" (Audrey), once again capturing his audience's attention and emotions alike.
Amidst the appreciative and repeated bouts of applause (and much to our collective chagrin) Andrew retired from center stage, at which point numerous inquiries about fingering and picking styles were dexterously fielded. (p.s. You can hear some of Andrew's playing with the Willapa Hills group on their CD -- contact Andrew or The Inn at Lucky Mud to get the CD).
One of our newest members, Randy Williams, will be our next featured performer, and based on various scheduling factors (and Randy's willingness), this will be occurring next Wednesday (Jan 3rd). We've all enjoyed his playing and singing in these past couple meetings, thus having Randy in the spotlight will be a another evening not to miss!
Recent Comments