time to relax

Big plans tonight. We have decided to... just sit back and relax... maybe watch a movie and read a bit. It should be nice.

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Friends, last night I ran sound for a band, and one comment got under my skin and bugged me the whole night. One of the guys picked up a cabasa and started shaking it like a maraca. I was re-doing the keyboard setup, and heard this man say that all sound is music; it just depends on your interpretation. I guess I could take that kind of pseudo-philosophical drivel better if he was an accomplished musician, but that was not the case. I could not stay silent; I challenged his position and attempted to show him the folly of his argument.

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There is a sense in which a person can listen to leaves rustling in the wind, and consider it music. But when a musician is part of a band, it is important to work together with the rest of the members. Learn the harmony. Hit your notes. Make sure the sounds you make convey the meaning of the words... that's music.

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Doing your own thing is fine for a child playing in his or her house, but not for a mic'd musician on stage. I'll tell you this, if it was up to me to assemble the band, I certainly would not choose someone who thinks like this quirky cabasa guy.

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As you can probably tell, I'm still wound up about this. I could sure use a break.

sing it like you mean it

When the Red-winged Blackbird calls out, he really gives it all he's got! It may not be the prettiest voice in the trees, but I take my hat off for it's intensity.

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There are some male voices in the music industry that come across too soft for my taste. It bothers me most when the vocalist is insipidly rejoicing or weakly proclaiming a message of triumph. (Fellas, we can occasionally be tender and sweet, but you must not always sing that soft. There are times to really belt it out! If you don't occasionally give it a little power, I'm going to call you a little girl.) I'm not saying these singers should scream everything, but a little dynamic range would be nice.

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That's the way I sing at church. If it is a song about the greatness if God, I'm gonna try to sound like I mean it. For me, that's where the rubber meets the road: sing like you mean it. And when the whole congregation pipes in like that, the sound is awe inspiring.

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Good examples of strong male vocals can be found in Steve Perry from Journey. As a group, I like the Eagles and Three Dog Night. And of course, the Red-winged Blackbird!

first string

The music reached a new high at Easter service. Before leaving I wondered what it would be like if that same level was maintained every week.

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It is not practical though, is it? This worship leader put some crazy hours into the preparation for this program. And we simply do not have the time or the resources to operate at the same level on a weekly basis. But imagining that somehow it could be done...

star gazing

Hymns hold a special place in my heart, but I'm not one-sided. I began enjoying Christian (rock) music in the summer of 1986. My favorite band is called Petra. They've won a bunch of Grammys and Dove awards. They're retired now, but their lead singer for 20 years was a man by the name of John Schlitt. I saw him debut his new solo project this weekend and got permission to take pictures. Twice. I wish you could hear his amazing voice! [click on photos to enlarge]

He let me get waaaay up close while he was doing the soundcheck, and I used the flash for that one.

The rest of the time, I went without flash, crawling around and trying to be stealthy like a ninja-tographer.

This was my attempt at getting artsy with the "solarization" feature on the camera.

Other people were taking pictures. Some with cellphones, and some had real cameras. I told you that I was not using flash. By chance, two of us clicked simultaneously, and so I benefit with a remote flash effect.

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Oh! By the way... Sunday, 3/2/2008 in BOLINGBROOK, IL

High Temperature: Actual: 57°F Today's temps are back down to normal.