Wednesday Communal breakfast in the Marquee and then on to some work. First lesson Scheila and Jamie on Advanced Music Theory. I'm one of those people who enjoys listening to people speak on any topic if they are knowledgable and enthusiastic - these guys are both. I had an immense admiration for these musicians as players before coming here, but I really had no idea of the unbelievable depth of knowledge that they have which underlies the technical skill and performance abilities of all of the DZPZ band. A true eye opener for a noodler whose music theory starts to get a bit ragged once venturing beyond the 12th fret of a guitar neck.
Dweezil's masterclass then continued. What he was trying to get to do was, over a 3 day period, have a roomfull of guitarists, and musicians on other instruments -sax, trumpet, flute, bass, keys, all of different levels of musical experience and capability to play one fairly complicated phrase together. And, by the way, to be videoed for 'Guitar Player' magazine. Is this man insane??? Read on to Thursday's instalment, dear reader, to see if he pulls this one off!
Afternoon - group session with Ben and Scheila on singing technique. I can now breath better but my voice still sounds like a hippo f*****g in the fog - sorry Ben, your class was great but I suppose you will never be able to make a silk purse .....
Next up was my chance to sit in with DZ one to one. This was the first lesson I have ever taken and I discovered very quickly some of the things I have been doing fundamentally wrong for 30-odd years. I was back to absolute beginner (and I mean absolute beginner) level within a few minutes as DZ tried to show me how to rectify my technique. Thanks for your patience and knowledge Dweezil, plenty to work on when I get back to Liverpool.
Then on to a session with Flo and Eddie, Mark and Howard. This was a real experience for the die hard fans as they reeled off story after story from 'back in the day'. This session alone would take up a whole blog - and I may just do that!
Up on the hill for a Dweezilla group photo - plagued by mosquitos but the humour remained.
Dinner in the evening in the Marquee together with the awards ceremony and sponsor giveaways by way of a raffle. The prize that got the biggest reaction of the evening was a T shirt won by Poodle.
It was a medium.
He is not.
Nevertheless, he agreed to model the garment there and then in front of the gathered throng. All I can say is, if I'd realised this type of base behaviour was going to take place at camp.....
The evening continued with a full band rehearsal with Flo and Eddie on some of the numbers they were due to perform at Bearsville on Thursday. This was a real treat and something I will remember for a very long time. If only I could say the same thing about Poodle modelling that shirt......
Few beers and of to bed - big day tomorrow.
Grah! Write part trois!! =) Thanks for the tiny bite of awesomeness.
Thanks David, very good report. Sounds like the days are full of stuff to do.
sounds like fun !