Dr. Ali Khan, chiropractor and musician and Thriving Artists set up a benefit show for the Ethiopian Orphans of AIDS Foundation on Saturday, August 26th. Guest performers included Robert Perala from Music for Relief, Von von Lindenberg, Richard Adoradio founder of Thriving Artists, Jessica Stein, Jeff Wood, Stephanie Johnson, Larry Rosenthal, Louis Costanso, and myself. The show opened with a talk from J.N. “Seamus” Boylson who talked about the plight of Ethiopians trying to survive AIDS, drought, lack of governmental structure and militants in an area of the world once known for it’s wealth and opulance.
Overall, the night had high points and low points. Jeff Wood’s sax playing was great although a bit loud. The Coffee Society has a really big sound due to it’s high ceilings making it difficult to temper brass. Drums don’t go over very well there either. Richard played guitar sang harmonies and I sang on “Norwegian Wood” and “Listen to the Music” which IMHO sounded awesome. Richard is a delight to play with as his rhythm guitar (a dying art) is superb. Richard later performed “Lalainia”, a song of his and he sounded awesome. Von did some originals, Ali played some originals as well as some covers, and Jessica (9 y.o.) sang songs acapella and with Ali. I’m not sure about hearing a 9y.o. sing about partying and being “here for the money” though; something about that just seems wrong. Robert joked that we’d explain the meaning of the lyrics to her later. Robert also did some originals and played bass for much of the evening.
We were trying out the new Bose LS1/PS1 sound system that we got for our shows. We intend on putting this system in each of the locations that we book and I have to say that this is going to rawk. There were a few things that we learned from using this system that night that will help us dial it in like some of the gain settings that we can set on the system and how to position mics around it. The most incredible thing about this system is the dispersion of sound. There’s such clarity and projected length of sound waves that the musicians when placing the unit 5 feet behind them can act as a monitoring system negating the need for a separate monitor system to hear themselves, and be the speakers for the audience to hear the amplified performance. This is obviously suitable to smaller venues and perfect for the cafes that we play in. I can’t say enough about he great this system is.
I talked with Seamus during the show about doing more benefits for their organisation which helps to send medical supplies to Ethiopia. It’s a great program and he’s a great guy. I’ve been wanting to send my tips somewhere because I’d rather my tips for playing go somewhere that it’s really needed, so I will be making a sign for my tip jar very soon and sending this money onword. I’m so fortunate to live where I do and not have a fraction of the problems that many other people in this world face.
