Streets Is Hot rehearsal at Music House with Emily Elliott & Vernon Dacosta

As Streets is Hot has evolved on stage to as much as a 7 piece monster inclusive of cello, saxophone, and a drum section, I think of the guitar melody I hummed for Vernon so long ago that started it. I can still hear some violins in there somewhere, but this beast is about to get out of control. So today I'm stripping it down to the basics in a view to arranging it finally to be recorded. 

The last addition to my overall sound has been the cello and I've been feeling for it for quite some time. However the first few performances with Emi-Cello I felt the plucking getting drowned out  and I don't feel like people been feeling that cello belly how I need. So yeah, basics! This is me listening to Cello and guitar interacting on the song together. I know what the drums and other percussion does - some serious drama. Had a few performances with Kamlah Hamilton on keys and shes the genius that helps  me mix all the other ingredients together and ices that cake. Ahh, so we making music

'Crackers & Jam' 2011

Right now, I'm feeling like some more intimate settings just like this, are needed to really bring you into my world of music - hmm and me out of my shell for that matter. This year was nothing like last years 'Crackers and Jam', far more relaxed. Could still get more comfortable though. I realized long ago that singing some of the favourites that we grew up on and our parents grew up on is a great way to get everyone familiar and involved - shaking my head to flashback of everyone singing John Legends Ordinary People.

I could definitely see a setup like this; living room or garden, hot chocolate and brownies, soup and fruits, chips and dip, pizza and beer, maybe wine, cheese, crackers and 'jam'. You could bring a few friends, play an instrument, read some poetry and enjoy. I'd just make sure record it nice and clean for those that cant make it. I'm actually working on covering some songs with 'Emz' the cellist/hostess with the most-est right now.

I'm talking some John legend and Music Soulchild, Nat King Cole and Bill Withers, Stevie and Michael, some Bob and D Brown, Donny Hathaway and Luther, etc etc ...So yeah send me your requests, tell me you'd come... and if I put that together as a DVD would you want one?

Crackers and Jam revisited

Last weekend I found myself around a piano with a few of my favourite people and some hot chocolate. I'm thinking its been a year since our last 'Crackers and Jam'...

Last year went something like this:

Somewhere between the valley of Kingston and the peaks of The Blue Mountains sits Craig Hill. In a living room where a cloud rolling through your window is normal and cell phone reception isn’t, my friend 'Emz' hosts a final jam session before heading off the island.  

...Cellos, violins, the company of music professors… I was feeling a bit out of my depth. With so much talent in one room it was much more a mini concert than a jam, but after so much more wine than crackers I worked something out with Djenee at the piano, Kamardo on Bass, and Songo on drums. My time now... At one point I made the mistake of saying "play anything lemme sing". When they put together Isley Brothers - Between the sheets I got help fumbling over some lyrics for a while before remixing it into Big Poppa and everyone joined in. Classic!

Was a great night. Biggup to Emz, friends and fam, lets do that again soon.

...And that we did. Images soon...