Harmony Isn’t Just About Notes

This evening, Stan and I went to hear a passle of gifted musicians play at the Old Towne Pickin’ Parlor in Arvada. Jon Chandler hosts a monthly show called America’s Soul Live! that features regular players, and then he seasons the mix with visiting musicians. Tonight was the tenth anniversary of this ongoing event. Dakota Blond was the visiting trio, effortlessly supported by the regulars, who could probably play anything under water, blindfolded and drunk. We were in the first row: I love this, because I can watch everyone’s fingers on their instruments, see wrinkles and imperfections, and bask in the good will and fun that billows right off the stage and into the audience. And I don’t know why, but everyone on stage wears boots. Maybe it grounds them in their groove. Maybe my rhythm would improve if I wore boots all the time.

Bands have a lot in common with polygamous marriages: not talking about sex here. There are many personalities and issues to address, to resolve, and to live with. The more people there are in the band, the more complex the dynamics. I was mightily impressed with the affection,spontaneity, humor and good will of the men in America’s Soul Live. Whatever they have dealt with over the years has been catalyzed in a way that appears to enhance them. All of us humans have issues with ego, whether or not we pay attention to it. It’s so easy to feel better than or worse than someone else. It’s also easy to feel better or worse about ourselves, depending upon mood and circumstances. In this group of musicians, I had a sense of  people who respect each other and honor each other’s contributions. So the music itself was delightful, but even more noticeable for me was the harmonious flow of the human interactions.