| SUNDAY
August 09, 1998
Blistering Heat And Humidity I got up late this morning around 11:30AM again. I remember my wife muttering something about teaching my youngest boy to ride a bike. Then it was off to the park to teach him how to ride a two-wheeler. We got out there and I started running and pushing him along, trying to get momentum happening. I didn't realize it until it was too late, that it REALLY was hot and extremely humind today! I ended up lying down in the shade of a tall tree. The Palace in Hollywood Nate and I left his place at 4pm for Hollywood. We took my minivan this time. God the humidity was unbearable, especially since I hadn't gotten my airconditioner in the minivan fixed yet! We talked about getting to the next level of musicianship. We talked about our concerns with getting the band even tighter musically, especially since we had some really big gigs coming up. We just talked and analyzed every aspect of the band's performance while we travelled on the way up to Hollywood. Boy, the heat! And no A/C. Across The Street From Capitol Records When we got to The Palace we realized that it was directly across from Capitol Records! The "Walk of Fame" was directly in front of The Palace too. I'd never been to The Palace before so this was all new to me. When we got our instruments to the stage, the Bill Elliot Orchestra was in the middle of their soundcheck and 8 1/2 Souvenirs had finished theirs. We ended up doing ours last and leave our instruments on stage since we were the first band to start. We got to our dressing rooms on the 3rd floor and ate our sandwiches, got ready and warmed up. It's Show Time We just played one long set starting with Lunceford Special and ending with Sing, Sing, Sing. During the set I started to feel like passing out, as I do in some gigs where it's hot and muggy. There was A/C but it didn't really help me, and wearing a suit while drumming gets to me sometimes. All in all, the crowd seemed to love us. I know we got a great response. And the acoustics here.... fantastic sound. I love performing in these old theatres. The acoustics are incredible! At the beginning of Sing, Sing, Sing part of my jacket was caught between the seat of my pants and the drum stool. I tried to get it free but couldn't while I was performing. So I had to do my entire drum solo in an incredibly akward position. On top of that, the riser that I was on started to wobble while I was soloing, and a couple of mike stands were shifted in precarious positions. Well I hope no one noticed that. I was glad when the song was finally over. We got an abundance of applause, I was happy with my solo and it was a short gig tonight, what a relief... The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra Nate and I stayed for Bill Elliott big band, but we just couldn't stay for 8 1/2 Souvenirs. We were rather tired from playing the one set, which was really closer to a hard concert set to me. I would just have to catch 8 1/2 Souvenirs at a later time, perhaps when we're on the same bill again. Boy these guys rule as far a full big band orchestra's concerned. I was really impressed with the tightness of the band and how their punches were right on the money. Their arrangements are more faithful to the old swing orchestras of Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, and Glen Miller. I was extremely impressed with Bill Elliot's four piece vocal group. There harmonies were lush. After listening to about five of their songs, Nate and I took off for San Diego, to take advantage of the fact that we were finished early and had a chance to get home earlier than 4am, the time we usually come home from L.A. gigs. Even though it we finished early we were still beat and just wanted to get home.
CDs Played Today:
John Coltrane - Giant Steps John Coltrane - A Love Supreme Frank Sinatra - September Of My Years Royal Crown Revue - Caught In The Act Keith Jarrett - La Scala
There's Something About Mary
just across from Capitol Records ) |
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