I’m doing a tribute to Burt Bacharach on Wednesday night, and Burt’s music may surprise you if you know something about music and songwriting. He was teamed with Hal David as a lyricist for much of his success, and the inventive combinations of notes, words and syncopations they came up are very catchy and at times difficult to play. Burt often came up with melodies and musical phrases that he didn’t realize were changing time signatures and keys until he began to notate them on paper. When I’ve written my own lyrics that were difficult to fit into simple melodies and syncopations it has made me pull my hair out. I have great respect for those who can do it so easily. That said, it is sometimes uncomfortable to listen to music that you can’t really tap your foot to and follow without concentration. Burt somehow was able to make his music complicated without listeners being uneasy with the sophistication he presented. There are some songs that I’m still flummoxed by, but I grew up loving so many of his tunes that I am honored to try my hand at them. Of course, I won’t have his signature trumpet sounds and other recognizable elements, but I can strip the songs down to the essence and try to pull them off. It will be a great workout.
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What have I been up to?
I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they all went really well. Most of them are not requiring masks now. It’s such a pleasure to get to play for these folks.
Tuesday at Gold Dust Saloon was fun playing table-to-table for the diners. I was a little hesitant to interrupt people, but a lot of them were friends and it turned out to be a fine time!
Wednesday was Mardi Gras songs online and it was a lot of fun. There are some great tunes for Mardi Gras, and I think the group really enjoyed it.
Saturday I did a Philmont songs concert online, and I got to see a lot of old friends and do a lot of old favorites and a few surprises. It’s fun to be with this community!
My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and I spent the better part of the day working up songs for these friends. It’s always so good to share these evenings.
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What am I up to this week?
I have 11 senior facilities this week, and it will be so much fun doing some more Mardi Gras songs for them and getting to serve them with music.
Monday lunch I’m doing a private Valentine’s show for a church in Pueblo that I have played for many times. It’s so much fun to put together these special shows for good people.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Burt Bacharach songs as I wrote above. Many of these songs are a real challenge, and although I am a little worried about my delivery, it will be so much fun to get lost in these songs and memories. Come on out!
My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I’d love to have you if you’d like an evening of requests and good times. Send me your requests!
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That’s it for this week. I hope you had a good Valentine’s Day, and I hope you’ll have a little gumbo to celebrate Mardi Gras. We always do at our house!
Best always,
Tom
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Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of Burt Bacharach songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, February 22, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Sunday, February 26, 7-8:45 pm mountain time