Posts Tagged ‘Music’
R. Richards Onstage
23/03/2010Richards to Play at CoffeeHouse
16/02/2010Randy Richards, founder of the Sunapee Community CoffeeHouse returns on February 19th
Sunapee, NH, USA
R. Richards
Singer songwriter Randy Richards returns to the Sunapee Community CoffeeHouse on February 19th at 7PM. Richards will play two different sets, one on guitar and the second on piano. Piano is his first instrument, which he learned as a child, and started playing professionally at age twenty-one in Austria. However, says Richards of his guitar playing, “I had advice when working in France, from the lead singer of The Rascals – to write music on something other than my first instrument.” He adds, “After years of playing guitar, (since college) I finally feel as comfortable on the guitar as on the piano”. He will also be playing a bit of Native American flute and a Zampona from Peru. (more…)
Why We Need Live Music #4
21/01/2010Another Study Proves It – Live Music: Definitely good for the soul.
By Randall Richards
Images: Mike Heffernan
Fat Hands, creating good vibes, L to R: Walt Kutylowski, Gerry Putnam, Dana Flewelling, and Nic Kutylowski
OK . It wasn’t an official *scientific study, but ask anyone who was there, at Gerry Putnam’s CedarHouse Sound & Mastering recording studio when he hosted his annual music get-together, and they’ll tell you – Their souls felt better after having been there – both musicians and listeners alike. This year, I had the good fortune of being a listener. We had missed most of the day’s party which had started mid-morning, but we certainly weren’t short-changed for music.
The party has been the brainchild of Gerry and recording artist Kathy Lowe as a vehicle to showcase Gerry’s studio for potential recording artists, and to thank past artists who had already done an album (or two, or three) at this heavenly studio, complete with a concert grand Steinway piano, and Gerry’s masterful abilities to engineer top quality albums.
As the night wore on, and most of the day’s musicians had headed home, brothers Walt and Nick Kutylowski, also known as “Fat Hands” sat down and started to do a few numbers unplugged. (The day is usually fully “plugged in”). Then, Putnam pulled up a chair and started picking his classical guitar. Gerry not only recorded and mastered Fat Hands’ two albums at Cedarhouse, but ended up playing lead guitar on them as well. Enter drummer extraordinaire Dana Flewelling, (from Night Kitchen) who usually has a whole “trap set” in front of him. He sat down with a djembe and a set of brushes.
Small but appreciative audience
My wife Amanda and I, Walt Kutylowski’s partner Christy, Mike Heffernan and Kathy Lowe were all that remained of the audience. The rest of the party-goers had all headed home in the cold night air.
The music and energy that happened was nothing short of way cool. They must have played for an hour or more, and we, the privileged few, just sat there taking it in.
Fathands has a few upcoming **gigs but we’re threatening to kidnap them and take them to New Zealand the next time we head down under, and from the sound of it, they might be willing go. Meanwhile, we (at Mountain Spirit Institute) will most likely be offering to put on a house concert or local venue concert for these guys if they’re up for it. They deserve to be heard. Check out Fathands, and Gerry Putnam’s Cedarhouse Sound and Mastering through the links above.
* This is a scientific study about the healing power or music, by the BBC.
** Deerfield CoffeeHouse, NH, April 10 2010, with Gerry Putnam & Kent Allyn
Musterfield Farm, New London, NH USA June 19th, 2010
Thanks to Mike Heffernan for getting his camera out to capture the moment.
Nice Place, Vermont
29/10/2009Cody Michaels Seen in Vermont,
I’m not too sure how long I’ll get away with this post. As soon as Cody finds out, he’ll probably make me pull it.
Nevertheless, solo pianist Cody Michaels is a hoot. I’ve known him for over twenty years. We first met ice climbing in North Cornflakes, New Hampshire.
He’s a funny guy, and I’ve always thought he’d be great on either radio or snippets such as this, and wanted to get him on tape doing interviews on various social observations. Give it go, and maybe we can convince him to do a bit more.
Prajna, The Best Knowledge – Great Minds Think Differently
22/11/2008Just another day at the office, living history on election day. Talk about “Being The Change”.
For a look into some really great minds, I like to explore the TED talks, a rich source of inspiration into the areas that make our world go ’round of Technology, Entertainment and Design, recorded every year in sunny, brainy California. Check out this one by Austrian artist, Stefan Sagmeister. Just hearing the name of the country reminds me of a slower, more peaceful, more connected to each other way of life.
And a moving story from brain researcher Jill Bolte – her remarkable account of observing the process of watching her brain shut down while having a stroke, and how the brain works…not for the squeamish!
And one of my favorites, a charismatic delivery about the power of classical music, Benjamin Zander, with other messages thrown in to challenge our perceptions of music’s connection to our humanity.
Snatam Kaur’s Music Transforms
02/11/2008
Snatam Kaur’s Music crossed our paths of by way of Amanda Hamilton. A gift it is. Below is an article on Snatam by Alan di Perna, writer for Yoga Journal, Rolling Stone, and Guitar World. Her music goes right to your soul. The flowering of human consciousness is no doubt in full swing. Just listen to “By Thy Grace” on her website, http://www.snatamkaur.com/,(Track 4), and you decide. Enjoy and be at peace
Chant Enchantress: An Evening with Snatam Kaur.
Concert, chantfest, musical group meditation, a yoga class in melody . . . how best to describe a live performance by Snatam Kaur and her band? (more…)
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