This meant that he hung out at as many places as would offer live music, listening to bands not too many people knew about, like The Presidents of the United States of America, or the Robert Cray Band. He used to bring out his own guitar and sometimes jam with this guy from The Presidents, a guy named Dederer.
What, you've heard of those bands? No kidding.
Now this is the thing: poverty-stricken college student Dave used to see all these bands--The Presidents, Robert Cray, and on and on--live on the income he had as a grocery bagger in a store, sometimes part-time store clerk. How did that happen?
Because he saw them before the rest of the world heard about them. Before they went big-time. Before Seattle became known as a place for music. And you know, these musicians were amazingly good before anyone heard about them, so good that Dave was sure they'd hit it big some day. He has a good ear for that.
Tonight, the Dear Hubby and I went to Mason United Methodist Church in Tacoma, not to hear a sermon or other churchy thing, but to hear the Northwest Repertory Singers, "a premier vocal ensemble whose mission is to enrich and educate the Northwest community through the promotion and development of choral music," as it says on their web site. With them were two choirs from local high schools.
I can just see the snooty lifted noses right now.
Trust me when I say that both the DH and I know about music; I've grown up around music, and the DH plays music himself--has since he was a kid. We've gone to concerts given by top musicians and seen great art in the Big City, and I mean New York as well as Seattle. We know good music and great art when we hear and see it.
So it means something when I say that I did brush away a few tears when I listened to the choirs, and shook my head in amazement at the pure young voices of the soloists, and the nuanced voices of the older singers. The Northwest Repertory Singers sing not only old-style classical, but they sing contemporary music, and tonight they sang music composed and arranged by people you never heard of (well, one--Loreena McKennitt), including one member of our own congregation, who composed a piece that used one of Rilke's poems for lyrics (in, yes, German).
It made me reflect that we've had a lot of talent pass through our little church. One international opera tenor; one baritone who sings for the Seattle Opera; one international, prize-winning Irish fiddler and his band; one composer who is shortly going to present his choral piece to the Pope; and a lot more singers and musicians both amateur and professional that you've never heard of.
And the DH and I--we got to listen to all of them for pocket change. $15 tops, or a donation. Or free.
I was thinking about this, about the Susan Boyle phenomenon, and about how new art and new voices are usually created first on the fringes, not where everyone's swimming in the big pool. And what people don't seem to get is that there is great music, great art, not in the huge arenas in the big cities, but in cramped little bars, tiny churches, out in a town called Ritzville in the middle of hundreds of miles of rolling wheatfields, in primitive tropical islands, and in the back streets where urban youth rap their way through their days and nights.
Music and art are everywhere, but most people seem to think you can only get the best in New York or Hollywood or Motown. But the truth is, it's as close as your neighborhood bar or church, and the funny thing is, you may see the same act playing at both. The last time I'd gone to a NW Repertory Singers concert, the Tacoma jazz band, Kareem Kandi was playing along with the singers, and I just wish there had been enough room for me to get up and dance, because I would have. Certainly, the kids there were up and dancing in the church aisles.
Some months ago, the hubby and I decided to try out a hardly-noticeable Italian restaurant on Auburn Way in Auburn, WA, and not only did we get delicious food but live music--a Hispanic guy who was playing amazing, amazing guitar--no cover charge. He was not advertised, no one announced his name, he just played.
Think about this, people. Sure, you go to New York or Hollywood or other big city, and you see all the great talent. But think, think! Where did they all come from? Were they all born there? No, not by a long shot. The vast majority came from smaller cities or towns, played their music first in churches or small bars that you probably hadn't heard of. Kurt Cobain didn't even come from Seattle--he grew up in Aberdeen, a small town in Washington, born in Hoquiam, an even smaller town.
The opera at the Pantages theater in Tacoma is a fraction of the cost of opera in Seattle, and you get to sit in an amazingly beautiful 19th century historic theater, too. Free parking if you go on the weekend. You can see some great music acts at Jazzbones night club and restaurant in Tacoma for a $10 to $15 cover charge, and the dinner they serve there is great and not very expensive either. Kids can go there before 8 pm and hear some great music as well. The Tacoma art museum--much less expensive than any in Seattle, except the Frye.
Looking at pulling in your belt in these difficult economic times but still want to hear some great live music? Don't bother with the big city--you can't afford it anyway, or at least I can't on any regular basis. Do a search for the closest church, a little bar or restaurant, and I am willing to bet you will hear some marvelous live music for a pittance compared to what you'd have to pay elsewhere. You may discover the next Pavarotti, Nirvana, or B.B. King, and these budding geniuses will be glad for the audience and the financial backing--as much as you can afford--that'll help them make it big, or at least enough to put a roof over their heads and food on the table.
Posts
