tonight sees the second installment of our havana lounge shows
we learned a few things from numero uno featuring robert scott
for one - test technical stuff well in advance - done - no problems
lucy in the food department fine-tuning also to reduce the prep time
though still a night and full day spent preparing prior to the main show
some feedback from the last show suggesting a friday night more suitable
ok - we'll do that - mistake - too many people with too many options
and most significantly those pushing for friday shows not there anyway
also the pool hall busy so a bit of argy-bargy in food preparation/delivery
them's the negatives - the positives - way more - what a brilliant night
the food - stunning - everyone well fed, well contented and well..happy
we removed the first row of seats for the slightly less than full house
giving the band a bit more breathing room and a more casual air
a few people choosing then to sit on the floor or exposed ledge
a very smooth transition from youtube clips on the large screen
moving to lights down and the beautiful colours of the backing film
title - small town loving - distorted scenes of a town at sunset
the town - ashburton - as advised by film-maker kim pieters
crikey - what a coincidence - home-town - an added dimension
eye then get underway in their usual start-by-stealth approach
jonny chapman pulling some gentle feedback-y clicks and sounds
he as usual sitting/kneeling on the floor crouched over his instrument
this a large square box with a tangle of cables, knobs, switches exposed
left of stage peter porteous at work with his guitar straddled on it's amp
barely touching the strings but still producing a strong compatible sound
peter stapleton crouched behind his drum kit and adding percussion
he then taking up position at his kit and some serious playing begins
and concerns about the sound in this room dispelled - loud and clear
eye are improvisers - before show talk confirming they play to the room
i.e. they adapt to the ambience of the occasion - tonight could be gentle
nah - they are firing - building and building the intensity of their music
me - engrossed down front - a sideways glance revealing more of that
not a word to be used loosely but - transcendence - we have liftoff
the components all clicking - the sound, the visual, the space, the audience
eye hit a peak and then drop away to near silence in a transfixed room
peter porteous then caressing his tibetan bell and the sound carries
a signal of another build imminent with him then strapping on his guitar
his bandmates then also digging in to provide their own unique sounds
in the meantime the visual treat just keeps rolling - there's lots to see
50 minutes of sensory pleasure - the second peak falls back nicely
peter stapleton finishing off the set with some chant-like vocals
the film credits flash up as they wind down - perfect coincidence
we the audience then in long and enthusiastic applause and whistles
confirming for me that we have witnessed a very special performance
and talking with the band afterwards - they too seem well satisfied
time for coconut-lemongrass cake and appropriate refreshments
people lingering and chatting - not wanting the night to end
but of course it has to - load up, drive home, collapse
...we'll put that down as another successful show...
them's the negatives - the positives - way more - what a brilliant night
the food - stunning - everyone well fed, well contented and well..happy
we removed the first row of seats for the slightly less than full house
giving the band a bit more breathing room and a more casual air
a few people choosing then to sit on the floor or exposed ledge
a very smooth transition from youtube clips on the large screen
moving to lights down and the beautiful colours of the backing film
title - small town loving - distorted scenes of a town at sunset
the town - ashburton - as advised by film-maker kim pieters
crikey - what a coincidence - home-town - an added dimension
eye then get underway in their usual start-by-stealth approach
jonny chapman pulling some gentle feedback-y clicks and sounds
he as usual sitting/kneeling on the floor crouched over his instrument
this a large square box with a tangle of cables, knobs, switches exposed
left of stage peter porteous at work with his guitar straddled on it's amp
barely touching the strings but still producing a strong compatible sound
peter stapleton crouched behind his drum kit and adding percussion
he then taking up position at his kit and some serious playing begins
and concerns about the sound in this room dispelled - loud and clear
eye are improvisers - before show talk confirming they play to the room
i.e. they adapt to the ambience of the occasion - tonight could be gentle
nah - they are firing - building and building the intensity of their music
me - engrossed down front - a sideways glance revealing more of that
not a word to be used loosely but - transcendence - we have liftoff
the components all clicking - the sound, the visual, the space, the audience
eye hit a peak and then drop away to near silence in a transfixed room
peter porteous then caressing his tibetan bell and the sound carries
a signal of another build imminent with him then strapping on his guitar
his bandmates then also digging in to provide their own unique sounds
in the meantime the visual treat just keeps rolling - there's lots to see
50 minutes of sensory pleasure - the second peak falls back nicely
peter stapleton finishing off the set with some chant-like vocals
the film credits flash up as they wind down - perfect coincidence
we the audience then in long and enthusiastic applause and whistles
confirming for me that we have witnessed a very special performance
and talking with the band afterwards - they too seem well satisfied
time for coconut-lemongrass cake and appropriate refreshments
people lingering and chatting - not wanting the night to end
but of course it has to - load up, drive home, collapse
...we'll put that down as another successful show...
