Making of the Band

Last night, I went to a local bar to watch the Celtics game. Go Celtics! Fellow UConn Alumni, Walter Ray Allen hit some keys shots. But Rondo definitely stepped it up for Boston after the Truth fouled out. But at the bar was a local band playing.

From a relaxed rock band, you would expect a drummer, guitarist, bassist, and maybe a singer. If they don't have a singer, it's probably the guitarist. The bassist is usually just standing around playing a standard rhythm looking around, seemingly as bored as someone uninterested in the music. The drummer rocking to the beat with his/her bass, snare drum, and cymbols. The guitarist is usually stroked ripping through his/her parts.

For the first time yesterday, I saw the drummer as the singer of the band. It was quite odd, something I never expected. As a result, the drummer wasn't moving up and down with the beat. He was quite controlled with a relaxed and smooth voice. The bassist and guitar were very shy it seemed, standing in the corner of the stage not with very little excitement in their body expressions.

Then, entered a guest to the band, the saxophonist. At first glance, I thought in my head "I know I seen this saxophone player before!". Then I quickly paid attention to the Celtics game. In the background, was the saxophonist playing a solo. With my keen ear (Thanks Cranston Music!), I quickly recalled where I've heard this saxophone player. I heard him play at Woodland Lounge a couple months before. This was all done with the sounds produced by his instrument. It is truly amazing how distinct musicians can be!

Maybe because my sound system isn't very good (I don't have the money to get the system I want, it can turn into an expensive obsession), but listening music live is always an wonderful experience. I don't think a music system will ever reproduce the same experience (I probably should say never), the vibrations from the drums, bass, and other instruments are irreplaceable. The growl from the saxophone was something I haven't heard since being with my high school jazz band. I don't think I have ever heard a pleasant recording of a growl of a saxophone (Again, this may be because of the lack of good music speakers). And seeing the musicians putting their heart and soul into the music is always an exceptional aspect that is missed by audio recordings.

I'm slowly convincing myself to get around to start playing piano and trombone again.