Capo Confusion
Ever had one of those moments where you suddenly forgot how to do something that you’ve done a thousand times? Me too!
We got out to play the Bean’s open mic show last night and decided to try Stay and Leave the Pieces. Upon arriving, we were reminded that the sound system is more for solo or small acts. Not a three part harmony group like us. We adapted and agreed to do Angel in place of Leave the Pieces. Good thinkin’, right?
Upon taking the stage, I proceeded to completely forget what key we play it in. Usually I just ask Dave to play the first note and we’re off. Not this time. He was stricken with the disease as well. After fumbling around for a few moments, Lisa calmly suggested “why don’t we do Hiding My Heart“. Whew.
Had a few friends show up again. Kelly, Jim and his daughter Elise (sp?) were there. Amazes me how every time we play, we have friends who come to see us. Thanks!
See you soon!
John
Arlington Station
I’m With the B…
Although Dave was out of town this weekend, Lisa and I soldiered on and played at one of our favorite events tonight, the monthly Baseline Folk Society open mic show.
And, once again, we keep running into familiar faces wherever we go. Kenny (forgive me, I can’t remember the last name), a great performer we met at East River a month ago, held down the hosting duties this month. Kenny mentioned how he saw us recently at the East River show and was hoping we could play I’m With the Band as part of our set tonight. We explained that we would probably pass as we were without Dave. That’s when he suggested that we sing “I’m With the B…”
This month’s featured performer was another familiar face, Darwin (again, the last name escapes me). He did a great double set at the end. We had seen/heard him at Baseline before, but, most recently, at the Solid Grounds show.
I addition to THOSE familiar faces, we, again, had many friends with us at this show. Al and Deb, Steve and Michelle, Tim and Karen (who took lots of photos which we hope to see!), Cathy, Jen, Rachel, Mary, Lindsay and Andrea were there to support us. Again, it’s hard for us to say in words how much we appreciate our friends coming out to be part of a great night like this! We hope our efforts at entertaining will be some small form of repayment for your kindness!
Jen and Rach had a great night performing as well. After doing two songs, they were asked to do a third and, for the first time, did their cover of John Prine’s Long Monday. It’s getting hard to overestimate the coolness of these two!
It sure wasn’t the same without Dave’s bottom end tonight (perhaps I should rephrase that), but we had a blast just the same. We started out with Orphan Girl. Then I really went out on a limb and attempted to cover Crash Test Dummies’ Superman’s Song. That was a lot of fun! Lisa’s backing vocals really make that a special song. Speaking of Lisa, she took us home with Song for a Winter’s Night. Baseline founder, Mike Mullen, and I talked about that tune a bit after the show. I explained that we felt like we were somewhere in between the Gordon Lightfoot version and the Sarah McLachlan version. He suggested I check out a version by Quartet. Which I will! Thanks Mike!
Anyhoo… it’s late, but I really enjoy taking a few moments after each show to write a bit while the memories are still vivid. We had a great evening and look forward to being the featured performers at the April Baseline Folk Society show. Hope to see you then, if not before!
Oh, and have a safe trip, Dave!
Night,
John
Pick Me! Pick Me!
Back in the day, a bunch of us used to line the backstop at the local ballfield every day to get up a game. We were then subjected to every youngsters worst fear… getting picked last. We’d all stand up a little straighter and do all we could to market ourselves to the self appointed captains of the day. But, in the end, there were always two kids picked last. One on each team. I remember being picked last from time to time, but it is the game that I remember most.
Tonight in Ann Arbor, Arlington Station was NOT picked last. But it was close! We got to The Ark at doors-thirty and found a place near the sound board to set up shop. Michael, our host, began reading off the names of the first eight acts who would be allowed to play this night. Alas, no Arlington Station. We remained hopeful.
One of the “highlights” of the first half was a group called Train Wreck. They did a song called “Lets Party Naked Tonight”. Brought the house down. When I think of all the amazing acts that have graced that stage, I’m sure not one of them have ever played that song!
After a few more acts, Michael came forward to draw the remaining names for the evening. Lisa, Dave and I were very anxious to hear our name. Ninth, tenth, eleventh… no AST. Twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth… STILL no AST.
Finally, “playing fifteenth will be Arlington Station”. Yesssssss! Our groupies (Jen, Rachel Anne and Gerst) went wild.
Once on stage, we tried to settle down. We assumed our normal performance positions. Me – stage left, Lisa – center stage, Dave – stage right. After fumbling about with cables a bit and realizing I would be sitting down for this performance (only two tall mics!) we took a deep breath and got ready to do our thing. For a moment, the significance of the stage we were playing on hit me. But then the music started. First up was Stay. Lisa did a great job starting us off on a great note (or two). And, of course, I’m With the Band finished our two song set.
Michael made some very gracious comments after our performance. Also, a few folks took the time to come up and talk with us after the show. We really enjoy it when we get to talk with folks after we play. Lisa was engaged in a very serious discussion with one very passionate and well meaning fan regarding stage attire. I’ll leave that for her to explain another time.
Anyhoo… after the show, Jen took us around to the entrance to shoot a few photos. I haven’t looked at the results yet, but am excited to see what she got.
What a night! We played The Ark in Ann Arbor!
And we didn’t even get picked last.
John
A Great Night and a Booking To Boot!
Do you like eating frozen dinners? After you heat them up, I mean…
I remember eating them as a kid. It felt like a treat to me. Maybe that was my mom’s way of getting out of cooking. As I sit here typing away, it’s a rainy night and I’m scarfing a Salisbury Steak frozen dinner after a great show at Solid Grounds Coffee Shop in Northville. This warm food tastes great after being out in a cold and rainy night.
Solid Grounds is a great, hip shop in downtown Northville. As usual, we showed up not knowing what to expect and were pleasantly surprised. There were a few familiar face playing. Folks we’ve heard at other open mic shows recently gave the evening a sense of familiarity.
We went on fourth and did four songs, starting with Jesus and John Lennon. We finally broke out Stay by Sugarland. That was one of the first songs we ever worked on back in October. It took awhile to get comfortable with it, but it went well, we thought. After doing what has become a sort of signature song for us, I’m With the Band, we finished with Hiding My Heart.
After getting through all the performers once, we were all given the opportunity to play again. Two songs this time. Although Lisa was struggling just a bit with a cold/cough thing, we got through Lovin’ Arms (yes, I had the right harmonica tonight) and Leave the Pieces.
Every time we do one of these open mic shows, we leave feeling wonderful about the experience. Tonight was no different. The talent was first rate and the variety of styles was really cool.
This was our fifth show as Arlington Station and we were very grateful to have many friends and family with us again tonight. We are truly a blessed group! Christine and Sam (who is on leave from the US Army… Hoooah!), Barb and Becky, Kelly and Matt, Ryan, Mike, Karen, Gerst, Rachel Anne and Jen were all on hand. Your support means a lot to us. Thank you!
But wait, there’s more!
After the show, the MC for the evening, Steve Kovich, mentioned to us that we may want to talk to the owners of Solid Grounds and talk about booking a weekend show. After finding one of the co-owners, Teresa Berent, and twisting her arm (not too much), we have booked a full Arlington Station show at Solid Grounds for Friday, March 14, 7-9pm. We plan on playing a couple of sets and have spoken to Rachel Anne and Jenni about playing with us that evening.
Gotta run. My Apple Cobbler dessert is gettin’ cold.
We hope to see you soon!
Lisa, John and Dave
Arlington Station
Good Friends, Good Music
Hello!
How was your week? Ours was marked by a performance at a new venue. Monday night we met at the Plymouth Coffee Bean for their weekly open stage show. We had a great time with many friends and family who came out to see us. There is a write up about the show as well as photos on our page… somewhere.
After a great practice Thursday night we sat around and talked far too late into the night. That’s a great thing about this group. We’re musicians and band-mates, but we’re friends first. I’ve been blessed to be able to claim that in a few bands I’ve been in over the years. It’s a challenge, sometimes, to take it seriously enough to make great music and, at the same time, be able to treat it as play. It has to stay fun! So far, so good!
We’ve got a bunch of new songs coming along, including a few more originals. Hopefully we’ll be able to get into a studio in the next year or so and get some songs recorded for a CD. It would be wonderful to find a few additional musicians to sit in with us for some shows and recording. Time will tell. Know any really talented people who play banjo, mandolin, cello or slide guitar? No, I’m serious! Do you?
Next week were going to try another new venue on Tuesday called Solid Grounds Coffee House in Northville. The address and additional info are available on our schedule page.
Our attempt to get on stage at Ann Arbor’s Ark is coming up the week after on February 13th. I say “attempt” because I hear it’s a challenge to get chosen in the random drawing. We’re really looking forward to the chance to play in such a famous and well known venue. That following Saturday, the 16th, Lisa and I will be at the Baseline Folk Society open stage show. Dave will be away, but we’ll do our best to entertain as 2/3 Arlington Station. We’ve got a few treats in store for you. Come on out!
Anyway, that’s about it for now. Thanks again to everyone who has come out to see us so far. And if you’re planning on coming out, great! You’re one of the big reasons we do this. We promise to do our best to keep you entertained and we hope that when you leave an Arlington Station show, you look forward to visiting with us again soon!
Until then,
John
Arlington Station
