It's time for my yearly blog post, I would like to write more often, we will see what happens.

I've been riding the Orange line recently and I am always pleased to hear the buskers Steppers Heaven playing on the Orange line track headed to Oak Grove. Sometimes there are just two musicians Bobby Brown with raspy vocals that hearken back to earlier generations, while playing acoustic guitar, and the beautiful Terrell Brown effortlessly playing pristine fluid guitar lines on a wonderful Music Man guitar. I have seen her answer questions, talk to friends, eat a snack, in between playing these wonderful lead guitar lines that are not overplayed and always seem to be tastefully added. On occasion they are joined by a violin player Austin. The violin adds a wonderful sonic layer to the group, although I find that the subway can sometimes be a bit of an unkind environment for the overtones of the violin. 

 

I am always surprised by the execution and professional quality of the sound that they produce underground. It's really a case study in how to get a good sound in the subway. I find that the music brings people together talking and sharing in this wonderful experience while waiting on the train. They played a couple of original songs, and I would like to hear more original songs in the future. I get the feeling that they have mastered their craft and are honing their skills while looking for the next great song.

They play in a musical style that is reminiscent of times gone by, with the taste and skill of earlier blues and popular music masters. While this style of style of blues singer songwriting is not something that I listen to regularly, I am always happy to hear the Steppers Heaven.


Keep stepping. 

-Scott

https://www.facebook.com/SteppersHeaven

Daniel Lawrence solo guitar at Porter square

Daniel Lawrence is one of my favorite instrumental guitar players busking on the T. This morning I got to hear him playing a classical piece while I impatiently waited on the train. He always seems to have bit of gruffness in his demeanor. Maybe it's the concentration required for playing this wonderful music while the noise and chaos of a subway platform that are always in the background. I find that it creates a bit of an edge to his playing, I can hear a bit of the roughness in his beard and the softness of his sweater in the music. Check it our for yourself here:
http://www.myspace.com/troubadordan


You can read more about him at this blog

http://impromptumusicboston.blogspot.com/2009/04/former-berkeley-student-and-classical.html

Crystal Bright & the Silver Hands

These folks were making wonderful music in Harvard Square this evening. Beautiful songs on the square with Spanish and a wonderful accordion. The best part was the singer's voice it was ethereal and surprisingly clear going through the busker amp, with tango rhythms.

I hung out and listened a great deal, I was hoping that they were local so that my wife and I could go out dancing at some point, but I will likely have to wait as they are from North Carolina. I am unsure why they were here in Cambridge. I wish I would have asked.

http://www.reverbnation.com/crystalbright

Trumpet Player at Porter 04-03-09

04-03-09_0802
Originally uploaded by SonicGrass

So friday I'm on my way to work. I am walking down the escalator and hear a trumpet playing So What by Miles Davis. I admit I felt a bit annoyed hearing a trumpet first thing in the morning. As I walked by I had to stop when I realized that a lady had her baby there and this might be the first time that the child was hearing this music. I stopped, watched and took a picture. This fellow always seems to be passionately enjoying his playing and this was no exception. The baby loved it, wasn't crying and was paying direct attention to So What and I felt a little silly for being annoyed. It is a great tune and he was playing it well and with passion.

The train came and I jumped on without making any further notes, so if you know the musician's name please post. I will update this post as soon as possible.

bryan mcpherson

Originally uploaded by SonicGrass

So I stepped onto the subway platform walked past the young man playing a beautiful worn guitar with vigor. He was strumming a C to G two chord song, all the while holding onto the D and the G on the first and second string giving the song some and underlying tension. The lyrics were stumbling out as if the could not get out fast enough like ideas coming out of subway trains and down the steps. He ran through a litany of troubles that left my mind as I stepped away but the impression remains of Boston stories sieved through poetry and a worn guitar.

You can find out more about him here:

http://bryanmcpherson.com/

The First Sign of Spring

What a beautiful day it was up around 70 degrees today. So I was walking in the park listening to two folks playing bagpipes. Do you call them Bagpipers? Bagpipes are so loud that they had to space themselves a good 100 feet away from each other to keep from bleeding in and causing Bagpipe feedback. Odin only knows what would happen.

Nothing like a hipster playing the bagpipes, to march us into springtime in Boston.

Corner Lounge Paintings missing in Knoxville TN!

The Corner Lounge Paintings taken after 7 pm Sunday, March 10, and before 9 am Monday.

Please send me an email if you have any information regarding these paintings.

sonicgrass@gmail.com

The paintings are wanted back by the previous owners of the Corner Lounge.