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The Whistler
An exclusive column by Ed Sharlet
June 20, 2005 |
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Homegrown Hoedown For
Relay For Life
June 17
at the Domino Room
This
concert was a benefit for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life,
held at the
Domino Room June
17. Andy Coman opened for the
Moon Mountain Ramblers,
and even after driving all day back from his hometown of Santa Cruz,
Andy showed how much the Mississippi Delta Blues got into his soul.
The
Ramblers were in real, real fine form. They played two sets, bringing
some great new songs to both. The first set was played "unplugged,"
arranging themselves around a single studio-style mic, which gave a
warm and vibrant sound on all aspects of their performance: vocal
harmonies, instrumental and vocal solos (do-si-doing around each other
as they took turns at the mic), and the rich ensemble sound. Jenny
Harada on fiddle, performed her first vocal solo, which turned out
great: a high sound but strong - reminiscent of Margaret MacDonald's
singing with her dulcimer.
The second set brought out the band this time arrayed across the
stage with their individual mics and their instruments "plugged in."
The band was really strong, bringing fresh energy to their established
material, and really delivering on the new songs by Matt Hyman.
To top it
all off, Stephanie Jones joined the Ramblers to put both her power and
soul into some great covers. I especially liked the right touch she
and the band brought to Led Zeppelin's, What Is and What Should
Never Be.
The Moon
Mountain Ramblers were selected to compete in the band contest at The
String Summit, June 24 at Hornings Hideout. I'd be going to see them
and other great pickin' and singin' if I wasn't already booked here
with Allan Byer Sat June 25 at the Relay for Life Cancer benefit at
Summit HS. So go over to the String Summit, but if you can't make it
the trip, I hope to see you here in Bend.
Ed the
Whistler
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Moon Mountain Ramblers with Stephanie Jones
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