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Next Wednesday, September 5, is the first Texas Music Coffeehouse in the
series held at Schreiner University each year. In honor of Hispanic
Heritage Month, Johnny Rodriguez and Flaco Jimenez have been invited.
We're waiting for a response. Sponsored by Student Activities and the
Texas Heritage Music Foundation, the series features a musician once a
month and includes an open mike for students and community members.
The incoming freshman class has several good musicians. I heard Matt,
Charles and Anthony at the orientation program at MO Ranch. I learned to
appreciate Dave Matthews and Creed from the students! Expect the open mike
at the coffeehouse to introduce some new talent.
The THMF produced a showcase of traditions in Texas music for the
freshmen. Terry Penney and Bobby Delery delivered a set of blues to the
freshmen, and Jim Wilson delivered "cowboy and country." The students
seemed to enjoy these two traditions in Texas music, and some wanted to
educate us about other styles of music. A good musical moment was had by
all. Our local music scene is rich with talent, and the incoming freshmen
are ready for new ideas. A good match.
The Verizon Amphitheatre just keeps rolling, providing thousands of people
a venue for a run of great shows. Friday, August 24, my longtime road
warrior companion, Janice, hit the road with me. We were stunned by the
death of a cowboy we both knew, and the evening with the Gipsy Kings
reminded us that music can express both pleasure and pain. The gypsy
spirit can cry and laugh at the same time; many of the songs combined both
intense feelings.
We moved with the rhythm, both of us choosing "Montana" as our favorite
for the evening. I believe Canut Reyes was the singer, and the music
seemed inspired by Islamic prayer calls. We could really hear the gypsy
heart in this song.
The seven front men playing guitar had plenty of room on the huge stage.
Two drummers filled the middle of the stage, and one song featured two
solos, one performed in wild gypsy abandon on congas and the other on a
set of traditional drums. Just when we thought we couldn't bear anymore,
we felt and heard more. I noticed that every hand on every guitar moved in
sync during a song that featured that rolling Gipsy King rhythm. We heard
flaminco solos amidst the cries of joy and abandon.
As we processed our own grief and shock, we felt the power of this music
to move us. Death is a celebration in many cultures. As I prepare to teach
mythology at Schreiner this semester, I am reminded through my reading
that death and life are part of the same cycle, and often look alike. This
music took me to another culture, even as I listened under a huge
star-filled Texas sky and felt the strong breeze.
True Romany, this group began in the gypsy camps of southern France.
Singing in Gitane, the groups gives us a cry of prayer and a cry of grief,
heard in other cultures around the world as well. The Reyes family and
their cousins from the Baliardo clan grew up dirt poor in Gypsy
communities in Arles and Montpelier, France. In 1997 it was reported that
they still live in trailer camps when not touring. Their debut album in
1988, "Gipsy Kings," was Top 10 in over a dozen counrtries, receiving 15
gold and Platinum records. Hearing them in 2001 was a special tribute to
the strength of world music.
I heard a report that about 15,000 came out for the Willie picnic, more
than that for Tim McGraw, and about 4-5,000 for the Gipsy Kings. Not a
small group, but I know that the 15,000 at the Willie picnic would have
loved this music. After all, the French gypsy, Django Reinhart, was
Willie's biggest influence. Just listen to the jazz notes on Willie's
guitar solos.
Jack and Barbara Fields host another house concert on September 22 with
Lady Jane Grey--a duo. They played at Schreiner last January to a packed
and enthusiastic house. Call Jack at 367-5709 for tickets. Seating
limited. Over in San Antonio, John and Lissa are hosting a house concert
on September 29 featuring Tish Hinojosa. Call 210-738-1291 for tickets.
See www.ifcchouseconcerts.com for more information. Tom Prasado-Rao will
play a special house concert at the Java Pump on September 5.
The YO Social Club is throwing the Texas-sized bash of the year by
featuring Tim McGraw on Saturday, September 15. This party features music,
food and Texas style fun! Still time to get tickets.
Remember, Sept. 8, is the birthday of Jimmie Rodgers, Father of Country
Music. September 12 is the birthday of Leonard Peltier, still locked up
after the evidence disappeared. Free Leonard and down the road.
Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com
www.texasheritagemusic.org
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