You know all those notions you have about stuffy classical music? Well it's time to throw them right out the window, along with the images of folks wearing formal attire and serious faces. Do it. Right now. Cast those images aside and ready yourselves to meet two of the most wonderful, talented and fun classicial musicians ever. Did I say fun? Why yes I did!
Meet Revel, the band. They celebrate music with every note they play! They'll tell you that classical music was never meant to be stuffy--that the pretentious niche such music has fallen into is a modern-day entrapment and was not the intention of the composers. In live performances, you're likely to hear a Beethoven piece right next to a Led Zeppelin jam--a Piazzolla piece next to a Simon and Garfunkle tune. Huh? Maybe you're thinking, "Can they do that?" Here's the deal with Revel.
No rules. Just great music.
A few weeks ago, Agape Haus got to witness some Revel fun first-hand when two of its members, Joel Becktell and Carla McElhaney stopped by to share a few songs. To be honest, I was a tad bit nervous because our piano has been played. And what I mean by "played" is that our piano has been enjoyed by toddlers with sticky on their hands and children who love to play every thing Forte--which, for those of you not up on your musical verbage, means LOUD! The keys on our piano tend to stick a little and it is slightly out of tune. We began to apologize as we led Carla, a classical pianist, back to our slightly homely little piano, and here's what she said.
"Hey. It's fine! Let's just make some music!"
Then she proceeded to light up that piano like it was a Steinway grand! Joel joined in with his exuberant cello and let me just say that walls at Agape Haus are still talking. And our little piano? Well she has a new attitude--her insecurity has simply vanished! All because a couple of classical musicians decided to come to our house and have fun!
In their own words, here is Revel's invitation to you as you listen to their music!
"Clap between movements if you feel like it. Laugh when the music is funny. Cry when the music is sad. Come as you are. Go barefoot. Hang out with the musicians. Savor every moment. Forget the rules. Revel. Let yourself me moved. Dance. Make up your own story. Feed your soul. Listen with abandon. Revel. "
We know you'll enjoy their Agape Session!
To learn more about all things Revel and to find out where you can catch a live performance, visit them at http://revelmusic.org/. And one more thing. They will be playing a live show for their next CD recording at Blue Rock in Wimberley, Texas on May 26th. What a fun show that will be. You'll need a reservation for that one.
Go here to get it: http://events.bluerocktexas.com/coming-soon/detail/revel/
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
The Texas Fiddle Session.
I dare you to listen to Texas fiddle music and not smile. Dare you. It can't be done.
I tried to figure out what that "thing" is...the happy factor that happens when we listen to the fiddle. Is it the songs? They are certainly jovial enough. Is it the beauty of the instrument? I've never seen a more lovely instrument! It's more than that, though. Here's what I think.
It's the fiddle players themselves. No one has more fun than a fiddle player!
I'm always up for fun, so you can understand why it was a very good day indeed at Agape Haus recently when a few them stopped by to play us some songs. It was early evening, and they had to have been tired being that they had spent the day leading a fiddle clinic. But they were sincerely glad to be there. They just want to play!
They were Wes Westmoreland and Marty Elmore. Their buddy Marty McPherson came along to play some guitar. Fiddlers Wes and Marty are boyhood friends. They have played fiddle together for more years than they care to count. If we wanted to, we could provide you with a laundry list of awards and accomplishments they've racked up. We could give testimony after testimony of students they have mentored. We could give you the name of at least one classically-trained violinist they have helped to turn from her "high-brow" ways to embrace all that is Texas fiddle. We could. But we won't.
Instead, we'll just let you listen and watch as these guys tear it up on a few songs they've likely played hundreds of times. It felt like a debut, though. It was refreshing and invigorating. I felt like they were enjoying it like it was their first jam! That kind of enjoyment from musicians is contagious.
So here it is. Our Texas Fiddle Music Agape Session.
Be happy.
If you'd like to see and hear the very best Texas Fiddlers making music today, plan on heading out to Llano, Texas April 6-8, 2012 for Llano Fiddle Fest. For information and schedule of events please go to http://llanofiddlefest.com/.
I tried to figure out what that "thing" is...the happy factor that happens when we listen to the fiddle. Is it the songs? They are certainly jovial enough. Is it the beauty of the instrument? I've never seen a more lovely instrument! It's more than that, though. Here's what I think.
It's the fiddle players themselves. No one has more fun than a fiddle player!
I'm always up for fun, so you can understand why it was a very good day indeed at Agape Haus recently when a few them stopped by to play us some songs. It was early evening, and they had to have been tired being that they had spent the day leading a fiddle clinic. But they were sincerely glad to be there. They just want to play!
They were Wes Westmoreland and Marty Elmore. Their buddy Marty McPherson came along to play some guitar. Fiddlers Wes and Marty are boyhood friends. They have played fiddle together for more years than they care to count. If we wanted to, we could provide you with a laundry list of awards and accomplishments they've racked up. We could give testimony after testimony of students they have mentored. We could give you the name of at least one classically-trained violinist they have helped to turn from her "high-brow" ways to embrace all that is Texas fiddle. We could. But we won't.
Instead, we'll just let you listen and watch as these guys tear it up on a few songs they've likely played hundreds of times. It felt like a debut, though. It was refreshing and invigorating. I felt like they were enjoying it like it was their first jam! That kind of enjoyment from musicians is contagious.
So here it is. Our Texas Fiddle Music Agape Session.
Be happy.
If you'd like to see and hear the very best Texas Fiddlers making music today, plan on heading out to Llano, Texas April 6-8, 2012 for Llano Fiddle Fest. For information and schedule of events please go to http://llanofiddlefest.com/.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Buddy Case Session
If you were hard-pressed, you might find someone who enjoys playing music as much as Buddy Case. It's highly unlikely, though, that you would find anyone who enjoys it more. Or does it better.
For 40 years, Buddy has mesmerized audiences with his guitar finger-picking--which he executes with a precision that leaves even his most talented peers grinning and shaking their heads in disbelief! This writer has witnessed the reaction first-hand.
Buddy Case's talent has earned him award after award, and his peers have been known to say the he is the guitar player they all dream of becoming. But there is more.
There is this "thing" that is hard to put your finger on. You just know it when you see it. It isn't something that can be taught. It's something that you either have or you don't. Buddy has it. Whatever "it" is enables Buddy to draw listeners in and completely wrap them up in his music--whether it is an instrumental piece, or a song rich in lyric delivered with Buddy Case-smoothness.
One thing is for certain. If the walls of Agape Haus could talk, they would still be talking about the day Buddy Case stopped by, sat down and held us spellbound while he played us a few songs.
We're so happy to share that afternoon and these songs with you. Enjoy!
Want to hear more from Buddy, find out where you can see him live, and purchase his music? Visit http://buddycase.com/.
Blessings!
For 40 years, Buddy has mesmerized audiences with his guitar finger-picking--which he executes with a precision that leaves even his most talented peers grinning and shaking their heads in disbelief! This writer has witnessed the reaction first-hand.
Buddy Case's talent has earned him award after award, and his peers have been known to say the he is the guitar player they all dream of becoming. But there is more.
There is this "thing" that is hard to put your finger on. You just know it when you see it. It isn't something that can be taught. It's something that you either have or you don't. Buddy has it. Whatever "it" is enables Buddy to draw listeners in and completely wrap them up in his music--whether it is an instrumental piece, or a song rich in lyric delivered with Buddy Case-smoothness.
One thing is for certain. If the walls of Agape Haus could talk, they would still be talking about the day Buddy Case stopped by, sat down and held us spellbound while he played us a few songs.
We're so happy to share that afternoon and these songs with you. Enjoy!
Want to hear more from Buddy, find out where you can see him live, and purchase his music? Visit http://buddycase.com/.
Blessings!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
The Paul Finley Session
Before I was introduced to the music of Paul Finley, I would have told you that lyrics are the most important part of a song. Now I say that lyrics sometimes aren't necessary at all---especially if the person behind the guitar is Paul Finley. Paul can spin a yarn without speaking one single word. He paints the most vivid pictures through each strum...every rhythm...every note. If you close your eyes when you listen, you will be certain you're listening to band of guitars instead of only one. When Paul Finley plays for you, you don't miss words. They simply aren't needed.
A Wisconsin native, Paul made his way south some 14 years ago. Based out of Austin, he has conducted clinics all over the world. He is a former faculty member of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. He has played in venues large and small, with musicians well-known and little-known, but you get the distinct feeling that none of that really matters much to Paul. A more humble human being you'll likely never find. It seems that Paul has this music thing figured out. It really is just about playing us a song.
On a beautiful December afternoon in Llano, Texas, Paul dropped by Agape Haus to do just that. It is our blessing--both yours and mine! So push play, turn up the volume and enjoy!
I know! Great, isn't it? You can purchase Paul's music on iTunes or at http://paulfinleymusic.com/ That's where you'll also find booking information and dates and places where you can catch one of Paul's live shows!
A Wisconsin native, Paul made his way south some 14 years ago. Based out of Austin, he has conducted clinics all over the world. He is a former faculty member of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. He has played in venues large and small, with musicians well-known and little-known, but you get the distinct feeling that none of that really matters much to Paul. A more humble human being you'll likely never find. It seems that Paul has this music thing figured out. It really is just about playing us a song.
On a beautiful December afternoon in Llano, Texas, Paul dropped by Agape Haus to do just that. It is our blessing--both yours and mine! So push play, turn up the volume and enjoy!
I know! Great, isn't it? You can purchase Paul's music on iTunes or at http://paulfinleymusic.com/ That's where you'll also find booking information and dates and places where you can catch one of Paul's live shows!
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