I haven't shared with you the details of a turbulent half year. After 8 long months of administrative delays in Czech Republic, I was forced to leave the country for a few months due to some technical roadblocks to renewing my visa. Right now the Czech Republic is reorganizing its foreign police and interior ministry, and some visa renewals and other administrative details are falling through the cracks and getting fouled up in the process, including mine and several thousand trade licensed individuals like myself. It's okay though- I am processing my new paperwork through an immigration attorney, and following all the correct steps to return "home" as I think of it now.
The issue is too byzantine to discuss on this forum. Basically it amounts to an enormous catch 22 in which the Alien Police in CZ sometimes take so long to process renewal requests (even those made in timely fashion) that the relevant paperwork expires and is "dead on the vine," making a legitimate resident and working taxpayer suddenly vulnerable to deportation with very little notice. I was not deported, mind- I was a complete gentleman about the situation, and the interior ministry tried very hard to solve my case without me having the leave the country- but the law, sadly, was the law. I decided to go ahead and leave, so that I could process my new request from the safe harbor of my home, in California.
Many of you will remember my excitement at first becoming a legitimate long-term resident there. So you will understand my deep disappointment in this situation.
So I'm in California for awhile. Which means I'd like to do something I haven't done in 4 years, which is franky very sad. I want to prepare a live acoustic performance that I can shop around when I get home (to CZ). I know lots of local cafe musicians and owners, and I can get a small set ok'd somewhere for sure.
As many know, I am a competent synthesizer player, semi-competent pianist, professional level guitarist (or was at one time), and adequate singer.
I'd like some suggestions on playlist material to work from. Some of you know my particular tastes. I like quirky, simple, catchy, and meaningful. For instance, I would probably never play "Country Roads," by Bob Denver, but I would very likely play "Untouchable Face" by Ani Defranco, or "Tea for the Tillerman" by Kat Stevens (Yussef Islam). I would not play "let it be," but might play "Norwegian Wood."
But who knows? I like doing stripped down and refreshed covers to complement my original works. I like to write short songs that have something in common with the cover I'm doing.
Some idea of what I have been thinking of playing, at some future date, when I get home, in a small cafe set on a sunday afternoon (which is the only time of day I'm likely to book with my own connections)- maybe 8 covers in total.
[LIST]1. Tea For the Tillerman (piano)
2. El Cancion Del Mariachi (guitar
3 Kyle Quit the Band (Guitar)
4. Gracias a la Vida- Mercedes Sosa (guitar)
5. Either Gagging Order or Black Swan by Radiohead/Yorke (Piano
6. Angel From Montgomery (electric organ)
6. Norwegian Wood (guitar)
7. Raglin Road, The Dubliners (guitar)
8. Videotape -Radiohead (piano)
Any other suggestions along these lines? I like cogent and non-repetitive lyrics, mostly. And floating, quiet harmonies. Those who know my music know the kind of ambiance I try to capture.
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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If you can do it right, Regina Spektor's Apre Moi is an amazing song that is only done right as acoustic as possible. Its a piano song that people have done very well on guitar.
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