guitarsociety

...woulda made a cowpoke proud...

Tonight's meeting of the Wahkiakum Acoustic Guitar Society was not held at its usual location (the Inn at Lucky Mud) due to the Innkeepers being on a well-deserved vacation, but instead was hosted at abode of Andrew and Audrey Emlen.

An unusual and fun evening of melodious mayhem, as WAGS had its first 'theme night' for the music to be performed. Tonight's theme was "Cowboy Songs", with each guitarist challenged to come up with a couple of (at least 2) cowboy songs to play. However, there was a caveat--that no song could be played twice--i.e. if someone else played a cowboy song that you had planned on playing, you had to come up with a different cowboy song to play.

Well, this was more of a challenge for some of us than for others. Some folks knew more than a few cowboy songs (and in multiple languages), whereas others (such as this writer) had to struggle a bit more to learn and play two cowboy songs (and dearly hope that no one else played them first).

With no small amount of musical dexterity, feats of memory, and at least one linguistic stumble (ok, so you try singing "play the drum slowly, and play the fife lowly" repeatedly without messing it up...*grin*) the songs were all received by an appreciative, if somewhat boisterous, audience.

In the comfort of the hospitality of Andrew and Audrey, and the genuine warmth of WAGS members, the evening of the thematic cowboy ballads and sundry tunes was a enjoyable experience and a wonderful time was had by all.

We always encourage guitar players living in Wahkiakum (or just passing through) to join in the WAGS festivities occurring at 7pm on the first and last Wednesday of every month. The focus for the next meeting on February 7th will be focused on "Tip, Tricks, and Licks"--an informal workshop evening where we'll be working to further our understanding of guitar theory and enhance our skills.

..a referral to an guitarist / violinist act

One of our members forwarded an advertisement for a duo that they have seen and enjoyed, saying "Their music, violin and guitar, is all over the map, and very good."

Kim Angelis and Joseph Gault: Violinist and guitarist from Astoria who play gypsy-flavored music, 3 p.m. Jan. 28, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. Donations for the Emergency Support Shelter requested.

...a classy reflection of earlier stylings...

The last of the initial round of the featured performer series started off tonight's meeting of the Wahkiakum Acoustic Guitar Society.

Our latest member, Randy Williams, was the evenings featured performer, packing the house with all of the WAGS members in attendance.

Randy's early influences included the (then) nascent folk protest genre, and the musical strains and social commentary of Bob Dylan and Joan Baez particularily caught his attention and interest. His mellodious renditions of several songs of this era evoked memories from all, and wafting harmonies from Kerry nicely contributed to the reflection and nostalgia.

A bit later in his musical development, Randy's talents were further enhanced by education in classical guitar, and it has had a pervasive effect on his playing style, with each song played with meticulous fingerpicking and a fluency with simultaneously picking out melody lines.

Randy's guitar playing was also influenced by the Beatles, and he elucidated his extensive experiential familiarity by playing a mellisonant medley of Beatles songs, including an instrumental (and particularly sweet) version of Yesterday.

This mellifluous recital was characterized in grazioso strains rather than the expressionism of other styles, flowing gracefully from the neoclassical to the nocturne, using tonal ornaments and partials to elaborate on the melodic line.

For those of us not using an online musical dictionary (like I did for the paragraph above), the range of the material and the wonderfully resonant melodies and fluid delivery of the songs were a marvelous auditory treat.

After the featured performance completed to the resolutely resounding appreciative audience acclaim, every member of WAGS took a turn or two to play or sing (sometimes both) a song. Little bits of free form jamming interspersed with the occasional harmonies, instrumental strains of flamenco wafting from Ricks new (& pretty) guitar, and the genuine warmth of acoustical comraderie strummed the evening to a  close.

The next meeting of WAGs on January 31st will be held at the home of Andrew and Audrey Emlen (starting at 7pm of course). The 'twack' of the musical gauntlet was heard as Andrew requested each of us to bring a couple of "cowboy songs" to sing on the 31st. 

Better bring a few cowboy songs with you, as the rule for this round robin is, each player in the round has to sing a new cowboy song--thus if someone sings a cowboy song that you had planned, you have to come up with a different one...

So c'mon down to Andrew's (on Wednesday the 31st) for a musical cowpoke bonanza--it ought to be quite a hoot!