Hosted By:
Stu James

When:
Thursday, February 26, 2009

Where:
Shanahan's
2009 Ogden Ave
Downers Grove
60515

Description:
Acoustic Show and Fun

Click Here To View Event

THANK YOU JEFF, from Finneus
The show on Sat. was an opener for Dave and Steve from Finneus. Well, the maestro of the keys for that band is Jeff.  He taped the whole show for them and he was gracious enough to include my set.  I haven't looked at the whole thing yet but he has put together a video of one of the songs. The video itself is great.  The guy playing though, REALLY needs to work on his showmanship. 
How could I look so serious doing something so fun, ie. playing my own music in front of friends and partons. I gots'ta work on that.  I love music and I love playing, I just need to show that I do. 
I know..........practice,practice,practice. 
Dave and Steve were wonderful as always, both on and off stage. As I have said before, You gotta go check them out either as a duo or even better with Jeff and Brian as Finneus.
oh, here is the link to the video ans also to Dave and Steve's.
McReary's Cabin
Dave and Steve 1
Dave and Steve 2

Well, my first "opening gig" is now over and like most firsts, it was a little rough and painful.  It started out well but there were some sound issues and I have to learn to get through those better and not let them get to me and my performance. 

I played two new tunes that have never been brought out to the public so to speak. One of the sound issues happened right in the middle of it. I was very upset.  It is a different style than my other songs and I was really looking forward to really nailing it.

All in all it was a successful set. The comments from people that I knew that would give me an honest opinion said it was "a real improvement" and "it was better than I expected".  This last one comes from one of the most critical people (besides myself) on music and live music.  So I am not going to beat myself up about the things that didn't go as well as I wanted.

I do want to thank those that came out to see me lke the "Hooka Girls", Frank, My Bro and Sister in law, Joel, Chris, Su, Nick.  From the bottom of my heart, Thank you.

One thing that it really did was get my mind back into the right frame for making a concerted effort to go out more.  I want to hit at least 3 open mics this week. Second job be damned. If I am going to take it serious, then I have to take it serious.

I hope I can get some more opening gigs and possibly a show of my own soon. I need to get this ball rolling. 

If you are looking for someone to play, or know of a place to play, drop me a note.

Stu

Hosted By:
Stu James

When:
Saturday, January 24, 2009

Where:
Stillwater Resteraunt 7 wine Bar
5141 Main Street
Downers Grove
60515

Description:
Original Acoustic music Opening for Dave and Steve of finneus

Click Here To View Event

Went out to Molly Malone's after my last post with my friend Nick. For some reason I always sound good there.  It is a relaxed place but not a lot of people on Sundays.

I put myself down on the list at 5 and nobody signed up before me so I was second going .. Jamie, the guitarist from The Get.  you should really check them out.  They just put out a new CD and it is great. You can here 4 tracks up on thier site.  Take a listen.

Any who...... I went up and the first song was a bit shakey but the rest seamed to go well. Since there wasn't anybody after me, Jamie just waved me on to go as long as I wanted.  I stayed up there and played a bunch of originals with a couple of covers.

Ok like any good review, there is good and bad. Now for the Bad. I totally butchered "Wish you were here". The intro went smooth and that is where it ended. I got lost in the chords (always easier to play in the living room) and then couldn't find my voice. It was the first time in a while I feel that I really embarassed myself up on stage. I have vowed to get it together and really kill it. Hopefully it will be by the next time I go there.

I am going to try and make it to Stillwater this week.  Come on out. I would love to see friends and meet new ones from here.

See ya there.

Stu

I finally made it out to play again. After not being out for a while it was a bit rough. I wanted to play "Chicago" live to hee how it would go and it was ok.

I was a bit more nervous than i had been in a while and it showed. I have got to get out more.  I met some new people and saw some great musicians. there were three guys playing Spanish guitar standards that were wonderful to watch. Reminds me that I have to practice more.

I have taken a second job so my going out has been curtailed for a while.  I am thinking of going out tonight to Molly Malone's. I always play well there. I am hoping that I can get some opening up gigs for some people so I can get some exposure and work on the "act" portion a bit more.

All in all though it was a blast and I do miss it when I am not up there. Maybe that is a change for the good.  We'll see.

Stu

 

Better Sound

Well, the old dog is learning new tricks. I was able to get better sounding MP3's of the songs.  I posted ones you can actually hear now.

I also added a the new song Chicago. Let me know what you think.  Jeff now has a version he can use to add a keyboard line to it.  I still haven't been able to get the Bass line in there yet though.

Post comments with what you think.  Really.  I mean it.  I know that I am not going to rocket up the charts with these but I could use the feedback. I would like to know if I am connecting with someone else.

Stu
 

Off the Grid and New Music (Updated)

Well,  It has been a while since I've posted. A bunch of stuff has been happening since I last posted.
Missed the Under the Willow show because I had a sick little boy. Sorry guys, I really wanted to be there.
I played Ballydoyles once. Rick had lost the recordings from the last time I was at the Open mic so I wanted to play again so I could post a live version of "Summer Wind". It sounded very well but, I have not been able to get the recording.  I guess I will have to record it at home.

I have been a bit busy at work, which is why I have not played out or even gone out much. But, the good thing is that it has provided me some stress relief time writing.  I have been able to finish writing one song called "Redemption" or "Chicago" I have not decided which to use yet. I have a pretty good starter recording of it here at home and hopefully (with the help of two good friends, Jeff and Mark) I will have bass and keyboard tracks for it.  Once that is done I want to post it up.

I have also been able to make progress writing and recording two other songs. One is a slow song about a guy called "Strapped to the Chair". The other is a bluegrass tune. There needs to be a mando and furious flatpicking leads on the track (Hint: Joel). They are coming along and I played what I have to a couple of friends and they like what they hear. Which is good since, I am extremely nervous about anything I write. I will post the rough of "Strapped" soon.

If anyone has any good advice about taking my Uncompressed WAV files and ripping them to MP3 please let me know. I seam to always loose volume taking what I have in M-Audio's Session and exporting it.  Once I get some cash, I am going to get ProTools.  I just need a bunch of paying gigs.  If you need an opener or someone to fill out a show.  Please let me know !!!!

I promise I won't wait so long for the next post.

Stu

UPDATE-  I have posted the rough for Strapped to the Chair on my Songs. The final verse and the Guitar solo will be recorded this week and the song will be updated.  Let me know what you think -

O'Brien's Open Mic

I had been told by Under the Willow about an open mic that they go to on Tuesday nights.  Last week I headed over there. Though the place is physically small, the open mic was not.  The people were attentive, collaborative, and it was a great time. It was what I believe music should be, fun and interactive.  Whether it is seaing someone "get it" in the crowd or musicians openly playing together without ego.  It is sort of what I saw at the Folk festival the other month but on a smaller scale. The guy who runs the open mic is in a band called Memphis4Now and is a very talented guitarist. Much better than this author and about 10 years younger. (Damn kids :) ).  There was another musician that also played and I will have to write again once I find out his name again.  His playing and presence was inspiring.
Under the Willow also played and they were accompanied by the guitarist I mentioned earlier and the keyboardist both playing conga type drums.  It really added a piece to the set. They played inspired by the atmosphere and as always put on a good set. They are playing later this month at Ed & Joes, Best of Open Mic show.  Please go check them out, you will not be dissappointed.

Now as for my performance. I played pretty well. The mistakes are getting less and less. I am also starting to get a bit more comfortable singing so that is improving. The atmosphere helped a lot. Don (guitarist / partner) from Under the Willow said that I have improved 100% since they last saw me. I was very flattered. It also means that I am learning.  This is a good thing. I was prepared to play 3 songs and I ended up playing more. I was planning on playing Peaceful Easy Feeling but I didn't.  I still need to work the vocals a bit better.  I want to return to the venue very soon.

O'brien's Set list

You don't mess around with Jim (Croce)
Summer Wind (original)
Thank you (original)
Pirate looks at 40 (Buffett)

I think there was one more but I can't remember.  I really have to start doing this closer to when I play :)

-Stu

Tobias Music Had the Taylor Guitars Road Show at Lincoln Center in Downers this past Wed.  The Taylor guys had a great presentation.  They had some beautiful guitars and also a couple of the Liberty Tree Guitars. I had to cut out early because my contacts were getting nailed by the fans that were on to keep everyone cool.  No ding on Tobias music my eyes are just a bit sensitive with the new contacts. I also wanted to get on the list for the open mic thatg was starting a little later.

BallyDoyle's Open Mic

The performance went well on the whole. The more I get up there the better the shows go. Duh. I played four songs and just a couple of minor mistakes. I played two covers and 2 originals.  One of them I had never played publicly and I had just finished a bridge for it. That was one of the mistakes. I tripped up on the new part. Both originals were well received.

Set list
You don't mess around with Jim
Road (Original)
Summer Wind (Original)
Peaceful Easy Feeling

I am currently in Indy at the MotoGP Race. The race itself is on Sun and if the weather holds out (insert small prayer here) it should be a blast.  See ya when I get back.  If I am back in time on Sunday I am going to try and play the Molly Malone open mic sun evening. Try and make the show if you can.

-Stu