Without a Net at the Winery - 11.27.2015

Welcome back friends to my blog about the band called Without a Net.

In this post I want do a review of the band's show at the Winery at St George in Mohegan Lake on Friday 11/27/2015.   This particular show was the Friday after Thanksgiving which is a great time of the year to get out and socialize.  Also, Winery is one of the finest venues in Westchester for live music as covered in my prior post The Winery at St George.  In addition, this show had a lot to offer for fans of the Grateful Dead.

Set One started with Shakedown Street which is more often found in set two, but fit perfectly due to the late start time - around 10 PM.   The song has a nice dance funk to it and is a call to action "Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart, just gotta poke around".

Next up was "I need a Miracle" which is also from the Grateful Dead's 1978 album Shakedown Street.  A fellow fan and I observed this was the first time we have every heard the band play this song whose vocals are typically performed by Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead.

After the blues classics 'Cold Rain and Snow' and 'Big Boss Man', the band went onto "I Don't Know You" which is a upbeat tune by the New Riders of the Purple Sage.  It was great to see Francesca Rose back on stage with the band, and this song was the perfect showcase for her vocals.  Francesca brings a softer side to the band and provides some rhythm guitar support to guitarist Jeff Thornton.  Also the chemistry between Francesca and Frank is clear and also shines through on one of my band favorites 'Peggy O' which followed.

After the acoustic-styled 'Friend of the Devil', the band when on to 'China Cat Sunflower' into 'I Know You Rider' which are Grateful Dead classics and resonate strongly with long-time dead fans.  The band also adds its own styling to this song and the lyrics say it all "I know you rider gonna miss me when I'm gone .. Gonna miss your baby from rolling in your arms".

Set one ended with 'Deal' which is a Robert Hunter song about gambling followed by Without a Net's signature tune 'Disco Cowboy'.  This was a perfect way to end set one since Disco Cowboy is Frank's anthem - he is the self-proclaimed Disco Cowboy.

Set Two started with 'Sugar Magnolia' another dead favorite and arguably the only love song every performed by the Dead.   That led into Scarlet Begonias into Fire on the Mountain, another classic one-two punch for dead fans.  Following that was Jack Straw another dead favorite.  Next up was 'Shadows', a band original about what goes through your head in the dark of night - and one of only 2 originals played that evening, the other being 'Disco Cowboy.'

Next up, the band launched into 'The Other One', a deep cut which originally occupied an entire album side on the Dead's 2nd double-live album. Part way through 'The Other One'  Frank started playing a different song on the keyboard - which you would think leads to musical chaos.  But I've seen him do this before - when he leads the band into a different song without a formal start and stop.  After a period of transition, the following song emerged which was the Dead Classic 'Truckin.' 'Truckin' ended up in a jam which returned back to 'The Other One' to bring the song full circle.

Next up, the band lightened the mood through a few songs in the country vein, 'Me and Bobby McGee',  "Mamma Tried' and 'Me and My Uncle'.  Ending that section was another Dead classic 'Brown Eyed Women' from Europe '72 which ends with the enduring lyric "Sound of the thunder with the rain falling down,  And it looks like the old man's getting on."

Set Two wound down with the slow and bluesy 'Morning Dew'.  And the band closed the night with the Grateful Dead's 'US Blues' which is sort of a mockery of life in the USA: "Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.  Summertime done, come and gone, my oh my."

Overall it was a memorable night of music at an amazing venue.

Check out the band's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thebandwithoutanet for their next live appearance.

Band Profile - Jeff Thornton

Welcome back friends to my blog regarding the band called Without a Net.

In this post, we profile guitarist Jeff Thornton. As I have said before, the Without a Net guys are talented in multiple dimensions and Jeff is a great example.

Jeff’s most obvious talents are musical. If you were to draw a parallel between the members of the band and the Grateful Dead (who are a major influence) Jeff would be a mix of Bob Weir and the late Jerry Garcia. And those are no small shoes to fill, but Jeff makes it look easy.

What you may not know about Jeff is that he is an accomplished artist. Jeff paints a variety of subjects, landscapes, portraits and scenes of every day life.  On your left is of my favorites from his series on the Croton River.  You can also get an appreciation for how much work goes into his paintings on his Facebook page Jeff Thornton Artwork where you can see day to day progress some of his work.

Jeff's work is available for sale on his web site Jeff Thornton Fine Art and you can also find his work on display at local businesses and art shows.  So like his Facebook page to show  your support and to keep up on his progress.

Jeff also designed the band's web site at Without a Net and creates the posters and artwork that you see on the Facebook events for the band's shows.


One last thing and on a personal note - Jeff doesn’t have the slightest bit of ego or attitude. In a world where the loudest and most aggressive people often get most of the attention, Jeff doesn’t have the slightest bit of New York attitude and is true to his Midwestern roots. Let’s get to the Q&A.

What is your full name?

“Jeffrey Melvin Chabrunn Philip Thornton”

Where were you born?

“Champaign, Illinois”

Where did you spend most of your time growing up?

“We lived in Champaign, Illinois until I was 4, then we moved to Madison, Wisconsin. Madison was quite a hippie center in those years. When I was 8, we moved to Lincoln, Nebraska.”

What was your first memory?

“Running down the hall at age 2 helping my mom (probably getting something for my younger brother).

What was your first formative experience or memory, particularly when it comes to music?

“Dancing in my bedroom to Three Dog Night at age 7.  My mother plays violin, so I heard a lot of classical music as a kid.

I am the oldest in my family, so I didn’t have an older sibling to influence my musical tastes. I mostly listened to pop music until I became interested in the Rolling Stones in high school. A few friends and I started a Stones tribute band.

Lincoln, Nebraska has a great blues bar, called The Zoo. All of the great blues players came through over the years: Bernard Allison, Luther Allison, Dave Alvin, Billy Bacon and the Forbidden Pigs, Tab Benoit, Tommy Castro, Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Deke Dickerson, Bo Diddley, Chris Duarte, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Tinsley Ellis, Rick Estrin, Anson Funderburgh, Buddy Guy, the Hacienda Brothers, John Hammond, The Belairs, James Harman, Mark Hummel, Candye Kane, Jay McShann, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Charlie Musselwhite, Rod Piazza, Ana Popovic, Otis Rush, Doug Sahm, Curtis Salgado, Gina Sicilia, Magic Slim, Watermelon Slim, Son Seals, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, Kim Wilson, and Link Wray. Eddie Clearwater, Mighty Joe Young, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Carey Bell.”

“As for college, I graduated from Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), in Kansas City Missouri.  At KCAI, I played in a band called ‘The Blues Problem.’  My painting professor played sax with us. A lot of guitar players end up going to art school, so it’s a great place to jam and learn from others. I learned a lot musically there.

I also operated the soundboard at KCAI for bands that came through including ‘Sun Ra and his Arkestra’ and a lot of Kansas City blues and jazz players.”

I also went on to get a graduate degree in painting from Queens College.”

Who are your primary musical inspirations?

“The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Beatles, BB King, Eric Clapton, Grateful Dead.”

“My specific musical inspiration for guitar influences are Mick Taylor, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, BB King, Bob Weir, Jerry Garcia, David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix, Dicky Betts.”

Where do you work now, or what do you do for a living.  What impact if any does it have on your part in the band.

“I work as a graphic designer. Turns out a band needs a lot of graphic design!”

What is your ideal future self, i.e., if money was not an issue what would you do with yourself on a day to day basis?

“I would set up an awesome home studio, play and record music and I would paint In my art studio and hang out with my family.

Any other random inspirations quotes, etc, etc?

“Saw an amazing Dead show back in 1978 at Red Rocks in Colorado. What a beautiful spot and a great concert. I will always remember that day. I once met BB King (RIP) outside the Uptown Theater in Kansas City, MO –where he had just performed - he was a great guy.”

Thanks for taking the time Jeff, you are a true artist.

Also, join Jeff and the rest of the Without a Net band at Tenampa on Saturday September 19, 2015 at 8PM.  I'll see you there.

Castle on the Hudson

Welcome back friends to my blog regarding the band called Without a Net.

Once of the more interesting places that Without a Net is playing this summer is for a private party at Longue Vue farm in Croton on Hudson.   This is a beautiful mountain top location with sweeping river views, and a great place for a party. I can say with some certainty that this properly was the site of some spectacular parties in the past, read on for details.

First and foremost is that the properly was once owned by the first great star of the motion picture industry Gloria Swanson. Swanson was glamorous, colorful and the object of much public attention. Legendary film director Cecil B. De Mille, with whom she had a long association said of Gloria “When you put them all together, and add them up, Gloria Swanson comes out the movie star of all movie stars. She had something none of the rest of them had.”

Swanson had a long career beginning in the silent film era.  She was best known for her role in the 1950’s film Sunset Boulevard where she played Norma Desmond, a faded silent film star whose attempts to resurrect her career dim when she becomes delusional. She later had a series of TV appearances including appears on the Carol Burnette show, Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and even appeared in an episode of the Beverly Hillbillies. Her final film appearance was in 1975 when she played herself in the film Airport 75.

Swanson had a colorful personal life and was married no fewer than 6 times. Her association with the property was about the time of her 3rd marriage to a French Nobleman named Henri Marquis de la Falaise de la Coudraye whom she met while making a film in France. She was the first American actress to marry French nobility which became an international sensation. Her husband the Marquis, while a grandson of famous Hennessy Cognac family, was not wealthy and had to work for a living. She purchased the properly in 1925 when the main house was built in the French Normandy style.

During that time Swanson’s films were financed by Joseph P Kennedy, father of the late president John F Kennedy. Joe Kennedy was a businessman and investor who later went on to become the first chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and US Ambassador to the UK.

From about 1925 to 1928 Swanson had a not-so-secret affair with Kennedy who built “The Castle”, a guest house which is the building that you can see from the road. During that time the Marquis worked for Kennedy and was given long assignments in France apparently to keep him out of the way.  Kennedy was rumored to be involved in the importation and sale of liquor during Prohibition times. “The Castle” was purported to be a speakeasy, and there is ample evidence since it sports a large garage with a loading dock and a large locking safe.

Swanson had to sell the property in 1927 due to financial difficulties and details of the property since then have been scarce. It is also unclear who named the property Longue Vue Farm, but I suppose it is due to the Marquis since Longue is the French word for long. And the property clearly has long sweeping views to the south and on a clear day you see the Empire State Building and the Manhattan skyline.

As for the party, the band is playing an all Grateful Dead show at the request of the host.  If you
didn’t make the guest list, not to worry. You can join your humble blog author and the rest of the Without a Net fans when the band appears under the tent at Tenampa Mexican Restaurant in Croton on Saturday July 18th, 2015.

See you there.

A Trip to the Clearwater

Welcome back friends to my blog regarding the band called Without a Net.

Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival is a music and environmental festival and an annual tradition in the area. This year's event takes place on June 20 and 21st at scenic Croton Point Park.  The festival also serves as inspiration for Without a Net's original song Clearwater.

Take a listen to the song on Sound Cloud here.  This is an over the air live recording so don't expect studio quality, but it is a good representation of the band sound.

Musically, the song is reminiscent of the Grateful Dead's Eyes of the World and evokes a carefree state of mind.  Jeff Thornton provides both the rhythm as well as copious embedded jams that gives the song a light and jazzy feel.  The lyrics are simple yet profound, check it out:

I took a trip down to the Clearwater
Reflections of my life in front of me
Although I appear to be a living martyr
My soul is peaceful and so free

Chorus:
Sometimes I need to get away
Take a trip down to the Clearwater
Sometimes I need to slip away
Take a trip down to the Clearwater

I see the vengeance and I feel the pain

Things are worse then they seem

And as I stroll along by your side

The river runs on downstream 

(Chorus) 

Take a look into the ocean of your mind

Are you happy baby with what you will find?

Be sure not to drown yourself with your sorrow

Make peace with yourself, make a better tomorrow

This last section is cool since it a musical counterpoint to the first 2 versus.  Fans of musical structure will recognize this as a bridge which provides a contrast to the first few versus and prepares for a return to original theme.  Lyrically this section reflects some introspection, facing internal demons but coming away at peace.  The songs ends with Jeff and Frank trading jams and returning to the original theme.
 

Clearwater is a simple yet powerful song, a good example of band lead Frank Primeggia's song writing prowess and the band's ability to deliver on his vision.  Well done guys.
 

Check out Without a Net at their next public appearance at Tenampa on July 18, 2015 under the tent weather permitting.

Frank on the Keytar

Welcome back friends to my blog about the band called Without a Net.

Fans of the band may have noticed that for the past few shows, Frank has switched from playing his normal sit-down keyboard to the stand-up device you see in this photo.

This device is called a keytar which is an amalgamation of keyboard and guitar.  To explore what this means for the band and its sound, I had the following Q&A with band lead Frank Primeggia.

Hi Frank  -based on the photo it looks like you are playing a Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer.  What motivated you to get one and how long have you been playing it?

"I felt the need to be unencumbered and give the shows a little more flair.  This particular model allows me to go completely wireless as the unit has over 200 sampled sounds. So I can move around (a lot) and play various sounds to add more sonic depth to the songs.  I have been tinkering with various keytars throughout my career but all of them required wires to a “brain” as they were slaves and needed sounds coming from a MIDI source.  This model is like a dream come true for keyboard players who want top notch sound and freedom to rock!!"

Playing a stationary keyboard seems like enough of a challenge for most people, but with the keyboard moving around in 3 dimensions, how much harder is it to play than a regular keyboard?

"You don’t have to use your left hand like you would to maintain the bottom end on a stationary keyboard so from that perspective, it is easier because your focus is on your right hand.  However, the beauty of this instrument is that there is a ribbon controller which lets you pitch bend notes (especially useful when playing guitar sounds) and there is a modulation bar which assists the player in “bending” notes as well as adding Leslie tremolo effects when playing the organ bank."

"There is a particular piano sound that when using the modulation bar gives an ethereal Ray Manzarek late ‘60’s tone.  So while your left hand is not doing traditional movements, you need to train it to play more like a guitar player bending strings.  It takes a little getting used to but it adds a lot of fun to playing."

Aside from the mobility is there anything you can do musically on the keytar that you can’t do on a standard keyboard?

"Technically no but let’s not underestimate the freedom factor.  I love to put on a show and dance around, this allows me to go “all out” and leave nothing on the table when I am performing."

Since you play the keys mostly with your right hand, it seems like musical output is more or less cut by half versus a standard keyboard.  Is that the case and do you think it has an effect on the band’s sound?

"On the contrary, I am able to add more depth to the band because I can dabble with other sounds.  If Francesca Rose is not touring with us due to her college commitment, I can add another guitar to the mix or I can play bass while Dan plays some sax parts.  As the band is migrating to all originals, I think the instrument allows us to be more versatile not less.  Jeff and I even trade guitar solos on our new song Shadows.  In the past, I was only playing organ or the piano as we were building a sound and a mood by starting off as a Dead/Stones cover band.  As you are aware, I was lugging a Fender Rhodes and Hammond XB-3 to all our gigs.  Lugging all that equipment was cool in the beginning because it kind of legitimized what we were trying to do but as we grew and starting writing songs at a crisp pace, we needed a change sonically and visually.  I think we are a better band now with the new set-up."

I’ve noticed in prior gigs, the other guys orient themselves so that they have a line of sight to you so they can pickup on visual cues about when to transition etc.  With you facing forward this would seem to affect the bands chemistry somewhat.   Any thoughts on that topic?

"It is definitely different for them that’s for sure.  I think when I first debuted it at Tenampa, Chris was thrown off as he was used to “seeing” me and he used my head movements as visual cues.  But as time went on, it became less of an issue.  We rehearse religiously and I only rehearse with this set-up as well so the band has been able to re-orient themselves to how I react and interact with them.  At our last show at The Winery at Saint George, there were no issues.  The only issue for me is that I am completely exposed but we aren’t called Without a Net for no reason.  We pride ourselves in taking chances and throwing ourselves in new and different situations musically.  We liken our approach to that of jazzmen over the years; you never know what might be coming next.  The Dead were very big in that department and we have all seen enough shows to appreciate that a group of guys can instinctively follow one another into the abyss and come out the end creating really special music. Without a Net is that band and you will be seeing us take even more chances with our new material in the coming weeks."

Do you plan to play the keytar exclusively going forward or are we going to see the old sit-down Roland keyboard back for future gigs?

"I think what people saw at The Winery show will be the modus operandi going forward.  If the venue has a piano, I will sit down and play piano to certain songs especially when Francesca Rose is playing with us.  She adds a different dimension with her vocals and when she is singing, I want the spotlight to be on her.  Playing the piano gives me a break, lets the audience focus visually on her instead of the lunatic Disco Cowboy and allows the music to breathe a little.  So tell our booking agent to get us some gigs where there’s a piano and I’ll show them some diversity.  Otherwise, get used to the Disco Cowboy being mobile, who knows I might play some songs on a horse!"

Thanks for taking the time to talk.

"My pleasure."

The Winery at St George

Welcome back friends to my blog about the band called Without a Net.

One of the most unique venues for live music in the area has to be The Winery at St George in Mohegan Lake.  If you haven't been there, it is a former church converted into an upscale lounge and restaurant.  Its also a great place to see Without a Net play, more on that below.

As for playing rock and roll in a former church, there's more than a little irony here.

This is for every one who has ever sat in a church pew and wondered, what's it all about? Why is Jesus on the cross?  And what if I wanted to rebel against religion (within the bounds of morality of course) would I join a rock and roll band?   And therein lies the irony - the band performs where the altar in the church was drawing up parallels between the priest serving up the Eucharist and the Disco Cowboy serving up his gospel of funk rock.

As for some history, I found the blog Hudson Valley Ruins which tells the story of the church.  What is most interesting is that the church was commissioned by a woman named Aimee Heins in memory of her husband George Lewis Heins who died in 1907.   The church was designed by architectural firm Hewitt & Bottomley and built from 1911-12 across the street from the house of Mrs Heins.  And that helps to explain what is unusual about this place that I could not quite put my finger on up to now.

Most churches are placed in prominent locations near the center of village squares to meet the needs of a local population.  This church is placed at a road side location and with no supporting buildings. And now I know why -  it was not built so much to meet the needs of a local parish - but as an object of art at the request of Mrs Heins and as a memorial to her husband George.

Fast forward to the 1980's when the church was last used for religious services, it was then sold by the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish to raise funds for a new and larger location.  The building sat idle for many years until it was sold to current owner Tom DeChiaro.   After considerable effort to overcome the objections of local authorities and expense to convert the interior, the former church opened for business as The Winery at St George.  And the results are spectacular.

As for places to see Without a Net, there is none better than the Winery.  Most of the places the band plays are bars and restaurants where the acoustics and lighting are less than optimal for photography. The Winery - on the other hand - is a stunning visual location with excellent lighting and acoustics. It's a great place for the band to perform their craft and an unparalleled location to capture photos and video of the performance.

So join us on Saturday May 16th at 10 PM when Without a Net plays The Winery at St George.

Band Profile - Dan Howald

Welcome back friends to my blog regarding the band Without a Net.

One of the great things about Without a Net is that they are a very talented group of individuals and on multiple dimensions.  And perhaps no band member meets that description better than Dan Howald. 

To prepare for this series, I provided each band member with a questionnaire.  Dan provided such a wealth of information in his response that it’s enough to take up an entire blog post.

So below please find Dan’s responses in a question and answer format.

What is your full name?

Daniel Gerald Howald.

Where were you born?

"Abington, Pennsylvania, it's a suburb of Philadelphia."

Where did you spend most of your time growing up?

"I grew up there.  I came to New York for college (Hofstra University) and have been a New Yorker ever since.  But, I strongly identify with my Philly roots, can't help it, it's in the blood I guess.  That includes for better or worse, the sports teams."

What was your first formative experience or memory, particularly when it comes to music?

"I remember we had a toy electric organ in the house.  My mom could play.  I remember listening and being captivated by the sound of a fake pipe organ.   And because it was there, I could mess around with it more or less whenever I wanted. And I did.  Not much competition from my six (yes 6) siblings for that. 

Also when I was very young, my mom's two younger sisters (my aunts) lived with us.  My Aunt Marge listened to Elvis, and sang folk songs to me at night.  My aunt Pat was more into the whole 60s thing.  She listened to a lot of Beatles.  These are the sounds I grew up with.  Then, I remember being exposed to the rock opera Tommy.  It blew me away.  It still does to this day.  One could do worse than hearing folk music, Elvis, Beatles and classic Who growing up.

Then, there were the hippies.  Literally, a group of hippies moved into a home in our neighborhood.  The hippies had a rock band, and they would practice in their garage.  I could hear them from my own backyard.  I could spend hours at a time in the afternoons listening to them.  I don't remember what they were called; they were locally pretty popular, appeared on local TV etc.  They kind of had a Three Dog Night sound, which was popular at the time.

All of this set me off on an ongoing hobby of playing instruments, starting with the organ in my basement, moving on to woodwinds, picking up guitars, learning keyboards, etc. It's just something I've always come back to."

Who are your primary musical inspirations?

"Even though I grew up with rock and roll all around me, I became really taken with classical music once I started playing in orchestras and concert bands, where I played clarinet.  The complexity and the ways so many voices were brought together to create moods fascinates me to this day.    My junior high school band director convinced me to take up tenor saxophone because he needed another player for the Jazz band.  That was the beginning of my love affair with jazz both as a player and a listener.  I continued with both jazz and orchestral playing all through high school and college, and where I could, in various groups after that. 

Over the years I’ve collected a menagerie of instruments that I go through phases with playing around with on my own – clarinet, flute, an alto and a tenor sax, a restored 1920’s baby grand, a Yamaha synth-keyboard, an acoustic guitar, electric bass, acoustic bass, a mandolin. I love the way all the instruments are so different yet all the same in that they’re basically built to give a player different ways to play all the notes that make up chords and scales. 

If someone were to tell me I would have to give up all my instruments except for one I’d probably hold onto the piano, even though my keyboard playing is not at the level that I can handle on, say woodwinds. 

So my musical tastes are really broad and depending on what we are playing different influences come into my head.  This is what I love about Without a Net - there's a jazz like aspect to what we do, nothing is really ever the same twice, even when we do covers.  We explore and experiment and try new things.  We listen to each other and adapt on the fly.  When you can sort of climb inside the music that way, that is so completely different than just playing notes, and you can feel it. 

I would also have to say Phil Lesh is a huge influence. He started out as a classically trained trumpet player and picked up electric bass because Jerry needed a bass player.   I sort of fell into bass out of filling a need too, but the similarities end there - Phil is a masterful artist who really redefined how the instrument fits into a rock environment.  So I guess it's more accurate to say I idolize his playing.

I wouldn't dare compare myself to him or say that I play his style, I am nowhere near that level and can only dream about such technical and artistic brilliance.  But I do try to channel that kind of "more than just a low rumble thump-thump-thump" role for the bass."

Where do you work now, or what do you do for a living.  What impact if any does it have on your part in the band?

"In college I majored in journalism.  I always loved the idea of great stories.  I also minored in political science and music.  That mix of study led me into the advertising industry where I have been ever since. 

I am an advertising/marketing guy.  I am part owner of a small agency.  The marketing business, when done effectively, is all about telling a story well, and memorably.  On that level music is no different.  Great songs tell stories not just through the lyrics but of course with sound.  So I would say the reverse is true - my being in a band has more impact on my work than vice versa.  Like music, it takes constant tweaking and fine tuning and trying out different things to make an ad campaign or a marketing program work.  And there is always something different to try.  Not everyone in my business wants to deal with that, because it usually means more work.  But good things rarely come fast and easy and on the first shot. Music, marketing...no different."

What is your ideal future self, IE if money was not an issue what you be doing with yourself on a day to day basis?

"I really would spend more time with music.  I would spend much of my free time looking to play in a variety of musical situations - this band, a chamber orchestra, a jazz ensemble, maybe a swing or big band, a symphony orchestra, a concert band, other styles of cover bands, country, bluegrass etc.   I like the idea of keeping fresh by keeping up with playing a variety to instruments and there is something to love about all different styles of music as a player.

I would also commit to arranging and composing some of the tunes in my head all these years which range from symphonic to rock.   That is the selfish side of what I would spend my time on.  I would also do a lot more personal/hanging out time in general with friends and loved ones than I do now.  There is a lot to be said for the simple an unscripted moments with others - these are the things that become our most compelling memories."

Thanks Dan and very well said. 

Be sure to check check out Dan and the rest of the Without a Net band at their next live appearance.

Band Profile - Frank Primeggia

Welcome back friends to my blog regarding Without a Net band.

This post is the first in a series where we profile each band member in a blog post.   And what better place to start then to profile Frank Primeggia aka the Disco Cowboy.

Frank is hands-down the heart and soul of this band.  Frank has quite a force of personality, and I'll explain what I mean by that below.

Frank was born and bred in Brooklyn, NY and comes from a musical family.  His primary musical inspirations are his cousin who played the organ and his sister who listened to music and exposed Frank to the Grateful Dead and New Riders of the Purple Sage.

By day,  Frank is a control officer for a major British bank.  I found his out when I got an e-mail from Frank at work that ended with a lengthy disclaimer about how his e-mail may or may not constitute an invitation to enter into a derivatives transaction.  By evening and weekends, Frank leads or directs the 4 (and sometimes 5) ring circus that is Without a Net. And where Frank leads, the band follows producing their signature brand of rock and the good times that result.

If had to describe Frank in a word I would say he's confident.  Or perhaps a better word is unapologetic or uncompromising.  I once suggested to Frank that the band could appeal to a younger demographic by playing some newer music and he "categorically rejected" my suggestion.  I suppose Frank has had to compromise in other areas of his life such as at work and in playing with other bands. And I suppose he does not feel the need to compromise here since Without a Net is his own baby.

In trying to figure what I meant by force of personality,  take a look at this link.  Perhaps some of it is due to the fact that he grew up in Brooklyn, he has street-smarts and tough exterior which is juxtaposed against the fact that he is basically an artist.  He is tough but sensitive and that makes for an interesting mix.

On a more serious note, Frank was diagnosed with Leukemia which is a cancer of the blood in the late 1990's.  His prospects for survival were not good.  With a bone marrow transplant from his sister, the cancer was treated successfully and has not returned.  This brush with his own mortality has made Frank more determined to realize his musical self and the band is his modus operandi.

Frank puts it best himself in Disco Cowboy:

When the music starts to play
All my cares go away
It's when I feel complete

With the boys in the band
We rock the Hinterland
With our funky blues

Finally,  I want to end with one of Frank's lyrics from a new and promising original called "The Song of Us":

The road is hard and the days are long
The journey is sweet when your life's a song

When you get a chance, check out Frank and the rest of the Without a Net band at their next live appearance.

The Bonnie Lass of Fyvie

Welcome back friends to my blog regarding the band Without a Net.

In this post, let's take a deep dive into the origin of one of my favorite tunes performed by Without a Net (and mentioned in my first post) called "Peggy O".

"Peggy O" is based on a Scottish folk song called the "Bonnie Lass of Fyvie".  Like a lot of folk music, there is no attributed author or date of origin.

We can locate a place however, which is the village of Fyvie located in the county of Aberdeen in the Northeast corner of Scotland.  There's also a historic Fyvie Castle which dates from the 1200's which you can visit for a fee.

Now lets take a brief musical journey through the history of this song to appreciate all the different ways it has been performed and how it morphed into what we hear today.  Then we can touch on what is unique about the Without a Net version.

First up is the Royal Scotts Dragoon Guards.  Its interesting to hear this performed as a march which I never would have guessed, but fits the military theme.  With the drums and bagpipes, this song is sure to swell the hearts of all Scots with national pride.  Heck, it swells my heart with pride and I'm not even Scottish.

For a more authentic and acoustic version check out this version by The Corries.  This one is much closer to the folk original and without all the grandiose extra orchestration.

Fast forward to the 1960's when the song was performed by a number of folk artists including Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.   I don't particularly care for the Bob Dylan version since he turns the song into hoedown which is emotionally distant from the subject matter.  Simon and Garfunkle did a highly harmonized version that was sweeter and more sensitive.   The strongest inspiration for Without a Net would have to be the Grateful Dead's version which is dated 1977 in this audio recording.

Now for the lyrics which may appear to be nonsensical without some context

As we roll out out of fennario (x2)
Our captain fell in love with a lady like a dove
And he called her by name pretty Peggy O.

First there was never a place called Fennario, it was adopted from the phonetically similar Fyvie'O. Also interesting that the lyric "a lady like a dove" was adopted from the original "a very bonnie lass."

I would marry you sweet William-O (x2)
I would marry you but your guineas are too few
And I fear my momma would be angry O.

Our pretty Peggy would indeed marry William, but he is a foreigner and doesn't have the cash and clout to satisfy Peggy's mother.

Come stepping down the stairs pretty Peggy O (x2)
Come stepping down the stairs combing back her yellow hair
In a last farewell to her William O

Finally with his rejection complete, William promises revenge.

If every I return, pretty Peggy O (x2)
If every I return all your cities I will burn
I've destroyed all the ladies in the area O

Without a Net does a marvelous version of this song found on the recent "Disco Cowboy" release.  It is handled as a duet between Frank and Francesca Rose which is unique in all of the versions of this song I have heard.  I highly recommend you check out the version of Peggy O on the Disco Cowboy release, you will surely appreciate it more now that you have the back story.

The Disco Cowboy release is available on CD Baby at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/withoutanet.  It is also available on iTunes and many other services.  You can also get the CD as well as tee shirts and other cool stuff on the band's merchandise store at http://withoutanet.bigcartel.com.

Also join us in Saturday April 11, 2015 when Without a Net appears an Tenampa Mexican restaurant in Croton on Hudson, NY.

Disco Cowboy - A Fan Review

Welcome to my blog regarding the band Without a Net!  What better way to start off then with a review of the Croton-on-Husdon, New York-based band's first commercial CD release, Disco Cowboy.

By way of background, I first heard this band in early 2014 when I walked into Friend's bar and restaurant in Croton and heard the sweets sounds of the band performing "Peggy O". Needless to say, I was instantly hooked.  I have a lot to say about the fan experience when this band plays live, but I'll save that for another blog post.  For now, back to the Disco Cowboy release.

The title track starts with simple blues groove and a lyric every worker can relate to:

I get up every day
Need to slave to earn my pay
Working for the man

Stuck with zombies in a field
Trying to push my way around
To stay alive

But there is a way out ..

When the music starts to play
All my cares go away
It's when I feel complete

The chorus is simple and self-affirming:

'Cause I'm a Disco Cowboy 
Truckin' down the highway 
I'm a Disco Cowboy Gonna do things my way

The lyric stems from a snide comment made by one of lead singer Frank Primeggia's co-workers that his choice of attire made him resemble a "Disco Cowboy".  It was meant as a put-down, but Frank turned it into a badge of honor that became his anthem and title track for the release.

Now the music critic in you say might say this song is lacking in musical sophistication and not likely to win any Grammy awards.  That point is debatable, but what makes the song is that its authentic.  There's not an ounce of pretense, it's just Frank stepping up, putting it out there and living his life to the fullest.  In a way we are all Disco Cowboy's and therein lies the appeal.

In track 2- "Hard to Understand" lead guitarist Jeff Thornton does double duty providing both the main melody and intermediate jams while Frank provides the punctuating vocals and lyrics.

In track 3, the working man Frank is back in "Working Overtime".  A halting 3 note bass riff underlies this tune, with some sweet vocal overlays by Francesca Rose.  Normally on bass guitar, Dan Howald weights in with a wailing saxophone solo.  By the end of track 3 you might think you have this band well characterized as bluesy, funk rock, right?   Wrong and read on.

Track 4 is the previously mentioned Peggy O.  This is far and away my favorite song on the album and where every band member really shines. This is a Scottish folk song about a solider who falls in love with a girl and their failed attempt at romance.  I could do an entire blog post on the origins of this song, but lets focus on the music.

Guitarist Jeff Thornton leads with a acoustic guitar intro, and the rest of the band soon joins with a tight musical wrapper of percussion by, keyboards and bass.  Later on, Jeff launches into a solo jam that dances gracefully around the core melody and captures the emotional nature of the piece. Frank's vocals and keyboards are integral, and he has a separate keyboard verse where he jams his own harmonics of the melody.  Chris Oliver percussion is tight and at times playful.  Francesca's vocals are sweet and inspired singing at the upper end of her vocal range.  All in all, it's an amazing song well presented and emotionally impacting.

Track 5 adds a classic blues angle with "Cold Rain and Snow".  Dan Howald's bass takes lead on this tune with Jeff again doing double duty on both rhythm and lead guitar.  Like "Peggy O", this song has been performed by various artists but has no specific owner and is therefore in the public domain.

Track 6 adds yet another angle to this band with "Disco Cowboy Rap".  This is a hip-hop version of the rap Frank does during Disco Cowboy where he introduces the band members.  This song is a complete music riot and Frank get another chance to tell his story:

Gonna do it my way
Just like Frankie blue eyes
Banging on the white keys
Gonna tell you who I be

(I'm a Disco Cowboy)

I was walking in a daze
Living in a purple haze
But I never lost my gaze
Stepping up to amaze

This song is fun, clever and utterly original.   The final verse is the same as the original song and I think the only thing missing is a trio of background singers echoing "He's a Disco Cowboy" just to turn it into a complete rout.  The final track is an extended version of the opening track Disco Cowboy.

Overall I highly recommend you check out the Disco Cowboy CD on CD Baby at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/withoutanet.  It is also available on iTunes and many other services.  You can also get the CD as well as tee shirts and other cool stuff on the band's merchandise store at http://withoutanet.bigcartel.com.

Also, don't miss a chance to see these guys play live. When this band plays, good times are sure to follow.