zero Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 I got off work at the restaurant a bit early and managed to zip over by bike (in a fairly decent cover of snow, which I rightly expected would keep folks away). I counted in the second set (which is all I was able to catch) 28 people including bar staff and Harry Manx!The setlist as far as I can gather from the older beardos that see Kevin all the time and the band was.Sisters Euclid, The Orbit Room, 12/22/10I1. Sisters in Orbit2. Frazzed (says Hello to Harry)3. Holiday for Strings 4. Big Top Charlie Box5. Sylvester 6. LucyII 1. Faith Cola2. Frank 'n Earnest (deSouza)(Kevin remarks how in tune he is, which in fact he was)3. Emily Gunfighter4. You're Never Satisfied> You're Running Wild (sung)5. Little John (Taylor)6. Years and Years of Espionage Under His Belt(Mark Lalama read a quick passage from Annie Proulx's Accordion Crimes before this song)What the group is doing right now because they have such a large songbook is they are cycling through their entire repertoire to familiarize Mark with the material. As a result the sets are varied and eclectic. For instance Little John is according to Kevin 'one of the toughest songs in our book', written by drummer Gary Taylor. Also Congregation of Two hasn't been played in ages to my knowledge. Playing a song of Ian's Frank 'n Earnest which was the heaviest or at least funkiest of the night (unsurprisingly) challenged the notion that Kevin writes %99 of the material (except fo the covers). What's most noteworthy are the contributions Mark Lalama is making to the band. I'm happy to admit, like any fan of a band with a consistent lineup over the long term and I'd call 13 years long term, that I am a huge fan of Rob Gusevs and really felt that his fluid B3 playing style was essential to the Sisters sound. I haven't interviewed Mark yet about his background but obviously Kevin isn't going to go with some slouch who can't follow the many directions they are certain to go in. Mark still plays the house Hammond, but sits his Wurlitzer on top and also plays Accordion and Melodica. This is where things get interesting, with his clear skill level and versatility on the accordion as well as the keys he will undoubtedly bring some new and interesting sonics to the fold. He has a couple of guitar pedals that he uses to deploy some sonics such as at the end of Years and Years when Kevin detuned his guitar and was rubbing it along his shirt like signal scrambling, Lalama brought up some similar 'jamming' noises (as in signal jamming).All said considering I was dead sober and it was a really sparse house this new phase the Sisters are going in is really compelling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 Here I sit, informed and [color:green]envious. Nice read, zero. Any Ottawans up for making a run to Guelph on Thursday for Sisters @ eBar?Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 This sounds like a new era of the Sisters. Considering how much Rob Gusevs brought to the party, and knowing that Mark is covering that and more, I'm very interested to hear what is coming out of the Sisters.Has Drage been recording? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted February 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 Has Drage been recording?Wasn't last night but I've got a lead on some high quality digital pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giggles Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 I was there on the first return in December and as most know, I am a very old friend of the bands and in fact 2 of them play or will be playing instruments I have made for them. I was REALLY let down catching that first show so thats why I'm waiting till they work things out with Mark...if they can. The band ROARED but there was just major weakness compared to what I know traditionally of "The Sisters"...he simply does not have the chops that Rob does and they are hurting, IMHO because of it. There is a youtube video from that night where Kevin is on FIRE and Mark is doing some weird washy crap on the B3 that had me sooooo desolee...I honestly thought the guy had never sat in front of a Hammond before cause he looked lost...completely! But, it was his first go, no one knew he was replacing Rob and the addition of his accordion will indeed hopefully add something to the mix... But keeping in mind "The Sisters" don't practice, I think this kid has a LONG way ahead of him...or the sound may indeed become something new and we'll have to see what happens then... HOWEVER they are still one of the best bands in the world...and my FAVORITE band...no Rob just snuck up on me... $.002 Gawpo Giggles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 and as most know, I am a very old friend of the bands :clapclap: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted February 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 I totally value that input and likely would have echoed it but bear in mind this is a songbook of intensely charted songs that sound like improvisations and there is a strong improvisational element but it's a tough tough book to learn. I think he has merit as a player he's no B3 wizard like Gusevs but I think he's finding his niche. It was interesting seeing all the charts he had on his Wurlitzer and Kevin coaching him through things and picking songs based on what he has or hasn't played. I have no doubt the Rivoli show will kill. He's going to find his place.And as far as hand clappy things I wouldn't be busting out too many of those Mr. Bouche. We can't all sit around in Wakefield with the missus drinking wine with Mr. Breit or finagle him to play our, f'ing, weddings Megafawn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giggles Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 Exactly...it's a huge songbook and I'm going to wait to see how it works out...for me, it just wasn't "The Sister's" I've know for years and at present I'm just not into seeing Kev coach someone through some charts... Bouche :surprise: yourself Gawpo Giggles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giggles Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 And as far as hand clappy things I wouldn't be busting out too many of those Mr. Bouche. We can't all sit around in Wakefield with the missus drinking wine with Mr. Breit or finagle him to play our, f'ing, weddings Megafawn.EXACTLY :clapclap: :clapclap: :clapclap: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 Bouche :surprise: yourself Gawpo Giggles :surrender: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gentlemonkey Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 This thread really highlights the uselfulness of the new smilies.. I'm loving the technology! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Funk Dawg Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 :drinks: :drinks: :drinks: Hope you all can make it out on Thursday, March 4th!Kevin & Ian have promised to put together a special show! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted February 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 AND High Plains Drifter have agreed to both play ultra short and sweet sets leaving the Sisters copious amounts of time to fry our minds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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