White Ripple Community Band March 28th, 2016

Rich was away this week visiting his folks, so it was just little ol' me in charge last night. It'll take him years to undo the damage.

Song 1: Wagon Wheel, covered by just about everybody. Here's Darius Rucker putting in his two cents.

Aside: I love how this song stirs up such passionate feeling. People either love it or hate it. Most musicians hate it because it's been done to death... and yet the same five songs break out in any jam, whether it's Soldier's Joy, June Apple or Sweet Home Chicago. I am puzzled as to why it's so beloved but I don't mind it, that's because I'm saving my hatred for Achy Breaky Heart. God, I hated that song-- they played it every 15 minutes at the restaurant I worked at in college. And then he went and spawned Miley and gave us another decade of misery.


Song 2: Good Time Tonight by Big Bill Broonzy. I was first introduced to this song by the excellent Pickin' Bubs out of Chicago-- Monday's version is closer to the Big Bill version.

As you saw, I had quite a time getting my versions straight! But we got to learn a fun tune while we tried the blues chord progression again, this time in the key of D.

Next week is the closest we'll ever come to mandatory, as it's the last class before our free concert at the Hammond Public Library. Class members, have your song suggestions ready so we can construct a set list! See you Monday.

White Ripple Community Band January 11th, 2016

The weather they threatened us with on Saturday, it finally arrived last night. Thank you to everyone who braved the drifts to make some good music!

First song-- Find Love by the band Clem Snide. I first heard it sung at a party a couple of years ago and I knew I had to learn it for myself, so I pulled out my phone to make a recording. It's got just the right amount of sweet and strange to my liking.

Second song-- By Myself by Big Bill Broonzy and Washboard Sam. Nice blues in A. We practiced doing it straight(ish) and then with The Bo Diddley Beat.

Third song-- Catch the Wind by Donovan Leitch. Heads-up: the one you hear in the clip is in a different key than the one we learned last night. (We did it in C.) Get the tune into your head, but don't stress when you sound different from the recording.


David Bowie left for the mothership on Sunday, and my memories keep going back to December 2014 when I got to see the Museum of Contemporary Art's David Bowie Is exhibit. (Twice. Had to.) Being around that much freewheeling strange can't help but make you happy. I'm sorry that he's gone, but that thing we most connect and respond to, that creative essence, the thing that makes us feel wonderful, that we get to share for always.