Cocktails 4.13.06

This was a 9pm writers round played with Tim Gilger and Mike Dominguez.

The show got started a little late. We were preceded by a round of Nashville songwriters who none of which played instruments. Instead, they played backing tracks off a laptop and sang along. This was initially amusing, but the hard drive soon started shrieking and skipping, and other technical problems ensued. Nightmarish, like karaoke from Hell.

Once Tim, Mike and I got on stage, however, that all seemed to be quickly forgotten. The stage monitors at Cocktails are always a bit dicey, but they seemed in better shape than usual. There was a very good chemistry between the three of us - Tim played lead lines on Mike and my songs, Mike did a lot of percussion work for Tim and I, and all of us jumped in with harmonies throughout - even on songs we hadn't heard before. There was a good pace and feel to everything on stage, and this was definitely one of the best Cocktails (and Nashville) shows I've been a part of.

Some highlights: 1) Mike played a new song that just absolutely kicked ass. At one point during it Tim and I looked at each other with this silent "wow" and we both raved about it later to Mike. Good stuff. 2) The rendition of "N Judah" had exactly the right rhythm and atmosphere - Tim was doing fantastic lead lines on it, the harmonics from my guitar were ringing out clear as bells, and Mike's percussive additions were perfect. 3) This dude from New Jersey was dancing real close to the stage and singing lyrics back at us - he seemed very into the show, which was both cool and a bit unnerving.

Thanks Mike and Tim for a great show, and thanks Cheley Tackett for booking us. Also a big shout out to the Disciples' House crew for coming out en masse and cheering us on.

my set: Easting by the Psalms (fast version), The Man Who Lost the Sea, N Judah

Categories: showsplayed