3/11/08 – 14th Street near University Place – Baby Soda – Patrick (Buttons McPeck) Harrison, Jared Engle, Peter Ford, Aiden ??, David Langlois, Jesse Selengut on Trumpet.
Spring Time it Would Seem
Here to tell you, we were unable to take over the mezzanine again today so we braved the 50 degree weather. It was so worth it.
A pretty competent guitarist and his wash-board buddy were finger-picking and grinning their way through some music that I didn’t recognize. It seemed of our style however. When everyone assembled we figured we had a few options: a) Trade sets with them b) wait it out (one hour) c) play with them and kind of absorb them – they would probably make more money. d) Go elsewhere. I was kind of into playing with them but 2 washboard players would be bad, apparently. David said in his wonderful french accent, “I played with another washboard player once.” “Oh yeah, how did that go?” “It was intolerable.”
So we decided to go upstairs to Washington Square Park maybe. But the spot in front of Forever 21 was open so we decided to just be ballsy and do it there. Plenty of foot traffic on a busy street. It worked out fine.
Peter Ford was demonstrating his tremendously talented, one-string box-bass virtuosity. You must witness this and hear it to believe it. We were up against a big glass store window and he pointed the whole of his box towards the window and the sound everywhere was just huge. Far louder than a regular bass. As always his pitch and time are so boingy, round, fun, and interesting. A real joy. Patrick said we had the A-team players today!! Ha Ha. Glad to be counted in.
The other treasure was Aiden on clarinet first and then Tenor. He had to put the clarinet away because it was still too cold for the wood. The tenor sounded great though. He had a great sound and wonderful thoroughness in his licks. He knew his horn real well. We had a good time making music that’s for sure. It was fun to have a totally new person around to include in what we were doing. It added a great freshness and sharing to the performance.
Good crowds, good money. Mojo has returned for the day.
And now the award for most convoluted crowd address:
Alway remember and never forget that we are for you and we are paid only by the City of New York… and… FYI, you are the city of New York.
Runner up.
That’s right ladies and gentlemen, if you like what you hear, and I believe that you do, you can take us home with you for just $9.99. That’s right, you can take us home in a round, plastic sort of form. You know what I mean. Yes, Yes. Cd’s for just $9.99. Step right up.