Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Karaoke vs. Piano Man
Joke: What do you call a pallbearer in Oklahoma?
Answer: A Karaoke
Today was a last-day-of-the-cruise, and with that came the passenger talent show, staged at 3PM in the Main Showroom. It’s usually pretty well-attended, by the curious and the bored, and especially those giving moral support to performing friends.
As a rule, the singing performances are Karaoke-accompanied. Anybody needing help from a real musician has to specially request it. And so I’m occasionally asked to help out, usually with people who have gotten used to my accompaniment in the piano bar.
There are certain Karaoke nights on the ship, up on Deck 12 in a disco-like room called the Crow’s Nest. I’ve frequently lost a portion of my audience to these Karaoke events, perhaps a microcosm of what happens on land. Some people like both styles, they sing with me and then go participate in the Karaoke upstairs.
Experienced Karaoke singers settle into certain predictable songs -- they know what the key and arrangement will be for, say, “New York New York” or “Crazy” or “Living on a Prayer” or whatever, and they have probably shaped their performance by first singing along with the original recording.
However, Karaoke is very unforgiving to the inexperienced. There have been many who have done fine with me, only to fall on their face in Karaoke. This of course is because I can make instant adjustments of key and tempo and other idiosyncrasies of the singer. Most recently a fellow named Philippe knocked ‘em dead in the piano bar with his version of “16 Tons”, and then had a miserable time of it in the Crow’s Nest.
I’ve always been prejudiced against Karaoke, and especially the “Karaoke-meisters” who run the show, in bars and lounges, bumping real musicians out of a gig. It’s a very old complaint after all this time, along with the similar complaint against DJs. So Lord Give Me Patience to Accept the Things I Can’t Change. And if the truth be known, a Karaoke track can crank out more effective rock or country accompaniment then a guy at a piano.
In today’s show was a an 81-year-old lady with a marvelous voice, and a very engaging stage manner, walking around from table to table as she performed “Cabaret”. She’s done it a few times in the piano bar over the past few weeks, and it brings down the house. She was the last scheduled singer in today’s show.
The tune requires much change of tempo, stops and starts, and a freely sung section which required that an accompanist LISTEN and respond moment by moment. No Karaoke machine will do that. This lady got a huge applause, as she has all through the cruise. In recent years she had retreated from live performance. She’s been in her glory the past two weeks, which never would have happened if her only option was Karaoke. It’s been a satisfying situation for this pianoman, one more reason to love the job and the life.
Answer: A Karaoke
Today was a last-day-of-the-cruise, and with that came the passenger talent show, staged at 3PM in the Main Showroom. It’s usually pretty well-attended, by the curious and the bored, and especially those giving moral support to performing friends.
As a rule, the singing performances are Karaoke-accompanied. Anybody needing help from a real musician has to specially request it. And so I’m occasionally asked to help out, usually with people who have gotten used to my accompaniment in the piano bar.
There are certain Karaoke nights on the ship, up on Deck 12 in a disco-like room called the Crow’s Nest. I’ve frequently lost a portion of my audience to these Karaoke events, perhaps a microcosm of what happens on land. Some people like both styles, they sing with me and then go participate in the Karaoke upstairs.
Experienced Karaoke singers settle into certain predictable songs -- they know what the key and arrangement will be for, say, “New York New York” or “Crazy” or “Living on a Prayer” or whatever, and they have probably shaped their performance by first singing along with the original recording.
However, Karaoke is very unforgiving to the inexperienced. There have been many who have done fine with me, only to fall on their face in Karaoke. This of course is because I can make instant adjustments of key and tempo and other idiosyncrasies of the singer. Most recently a fellow named Philippe knocked ‘em dead in the piano bar with his version of “16 Tons”, and then had a miserable time of it in the Crow’s Nest.
I’ve always been prejudiced against Karaoke, and especially the “Karaoke-meisters” who run the show, in bars and lounges, bumping real musicians out of a gig. It’s a very old complaint after all this time, along with the similar complaint against DJs. So Lord Give Me Patience to Accept the Things I Can’t Change. And if the truth be known, a Karaoke track can crank out more effective rock or country accompaniment then a guy at a piano.
In today’s show was a an 81-year-old lady with a marvelous voice, and a very engaging stage manner, walking around from table to table as she performed “Cabaret”. She’s done it a few times in the piano bar over the past few weeks, and it brings down the house. She was the last scheduled singer in today’s show.
The tune requires much change of tempo, stops and starts, and a freely sung section which required that an accompanist LISTEN and respond moment by moment. No Karaoke machine will do that. This lady got a huge applause, as she has all through the cruise. In recent years she had retreated from live performance. She’s been in her glory the past two weeks, which never would have happened if her only option was Karaoke. It’s been a satisfying situation for this pianoman, one more reason to love the job and the life.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Top 25 Piano Bar Tunes
(Disclaimer -- this list only applies to this ship at this time -- will not work too well on -- for instance -- a Carnival ship, where audiences are younger)
“Leaving on a Jet Plane” -- just be patient, wait out the long verse, then watch them all jump in at “So kiss me and smile for me….”
“Hey Goodlooking” -- jump into to it fast after some other uptempo tune -- you sing the opening two words, everybody comes in with “Watcha got cookin’ “
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” -- feed them the 2nd verse words - “Pardon the way that I stare etc” -- then watch the payoff later on
“Good Night Irene” -- dopey waltz #1
“Personality” -- almost didn’t make the list because it takes a little too long to get to the catchy chorus. But any drunkard can shout out the word “Personality” on cue here, which is a beautiful thing
“Blueberry Hill” -- the piano intro produces instant recognition, and everybody is there for “I found my thrill”
“Runaway” -- the “wah wah wah wah wahn-der” part is out-of-tune, spirited, pretty damn funny, and priceless
“That’s Amore” -- dopey waltz #2
“I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” -- yes folks, life is beautiful, love is beautiful, 3-part harmony is beautiful, and a little alcohol is kinda nice too.
“King of the Road” -- they ain’t got no cigarettes, and they’re proud of it
“Happy Wanderer” -- newest addition to the list -- I should have jumped on that “Valderee ha ha ha” thing a long time ago
“High Hopes” -- some confusion about the ant and the ram and the dam and the plant, but it all works out in the chorus
“You Make Me Feel So Young” -- nice first set tune, grabs their interest, and they just love saying that word “individual” at the end of the first verse. Kudos to Sammy Cahn.
“Jamaica Farewell” -- nautical lyrics work great out here, and this one is the best -- the “sad to say etc” chorus is irresistible
“Que Sera Sera” -- dopey waltz #3, second only to”Delilah”
“Delilah” -- not dopey at all actually, just a wonderfully singable tune with instrumental trumpet parts that are also singable, somehow. Save this tune for the peak of a crazy night
“I Saw Her Standing There” -- has the same kind of high-note wacky moment as “Runaway”
“Bye Bye Love” -- people need some help with the lyric, for instance “happiness” then “loneliness” then “sweet caress” then “emptiness”, and they’ll listen closely, as I do my imitation of a teleprompter. Someone suggested I get an actual digital read-out teleprompter “follow the bouncing ball etc” etc, might be a good idea.
“All I Have to Do is Dream” -- like the other Everly Brothers tune above, people need a little help with the verse lyrics. The “I can make you mine……Gee Whiz” part is the catchiest
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” -- late night alcohol-fueled optimism
“Catch a Falling Star” -- very easily sung ditty, falls softly on the ears, nice first set tune
“Putting on the Ritz” -- hopefully some of them have seen “Young Frankenstein” (thank you Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle)
“All My Loving” -- I gave up trying to do two verses in a row, like on the record. I bet McCartney himself gave up too. People just want to jump in with “All My Loving….”
“My Way” -- a philosophic tune which justifies many dumb decisions in one’s life
“Those Were the Days” -- to be done at the end of a crazy night, a climactic type of thing. Absolutely great if done at the right time, pretty lame if done at the wrong time.
“Leaving on a Jet Plane” -- just be patient, wait out the long verse, then watch them all jump in at “So kiss me and smile for me….”
“Hey Goodlooking” -- jump into to it fast after some other uptempo tune -- you sing the opening two words, everybody comes in with “Watcha got cookin’ “
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” -- feed them the 2nd verse words - “Pardon the way that I stare etc” -- then watch the payoff later on
“Good Night Irene” -- dopey waltz #1
“Personality” -- almost didn’t make the list because it takes a little too long to get to the catchy chorus. But any drunkard can shout out the word “Personality” on cue here, which is a beautiful thing
“Blueberry Hill” -- the piano intro produces instant recognition, and everybody is there for “I found my thrill”
“Runaway” -- the “wah wah wah wah wahn-der” part is out-of-tune, spirited, pretty damn funny, and priceless
“That’s Amore” -- dopey waltz #2
“I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” -- yes folks, life is beautiful, love is beautiful, 3-part harmony is beautiful, and a little alcohol is kinda nice too.
“King of the Road” -- they ain’t got no cigarettes, and they’re proud of it
“Happy Wanderer” -- newest addition to the list -- I should have jumped on that “Valderee ha ha ha” thing a long time ago
“High Hopes” -- some confusion about the ant and the ram and the dam and the plant, but it all works out in the chorus
“You Make Me Feel So Young” -- nice first set tune, grabs their interest, and they just love saying that word “individual” at the end of the first verse. Kudos to Sammy Cahn.
“Jamaica Farewell” -- nautical lyrics work great out here, and this one is the best -- the “sad to say etc” chorus is irresistible
“Que Sera Sera” -- dopey waltz #3, second only to”Delilah”
“Delilah” -- not dopey at all actually, just a wonderfully singable tune with instrumental trumpet parts that are also singable, somehow. Save this tune for the peak of a crazy night
“I Saw Her Standing There” -- has the same kind of high-note wacky moment as “Runaway”
“Bye Bye Love” -- people need some help with the lyric, for instance “happiness” then “loneliness” then “sweet caress” then “emptiness”, and they’ll listen closely, as I do my imitation of a teleprompter. Someone suggested I get an actual digital read-out teleprompter “follow the bouncing ball etc” etc, might be a good idea.
“All I Have to Do is Dream” -- like the other Everly Brothers tune above, people need a little help with the verse lyrics. The “I can make you mine……Gee Whiz” part is the catchiest
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” -- late night alcohol-fueled optimism
“Catch a Falling Star” -- very easily sung ditty, falls softly on the ears, nice first set tune
“Putting on the Ritz” -- hopefully some of them have seen “Young Frankenstein” (thank you Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle)
“All My Loving” -- I gave up trying to do two verses in a row, like on the record. I bet McCartney himself gave up too. People just want to jump in with “All My Loving….”
“My Way” -- a philosophic tune which justifies many dumb decisions in one’s life
“Those Were the Days” -- to be done at the end of a crazy night, a climactic type of thing. Absolutely great if done at the right time, pretty lame if done at the wrong time.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Let The Good Times Roll
Tomorrow is a big “turnaround” day -- having reached Rio after (for most passengers) starting in Chile 18 days ago, now the Veendam takes on 1200 new passengers and does the 18 day opposite-direction version of the same voyage. 1200 people off, 1200 on, luggage, luggage, and more luggage, a very busy day for the “hotel” part of the ship.
I pushed myself out of bed this morning and went to the backstage area of the main showroom. There I stood with all the musicians, plus room attendants, bar staff, casino dealers, salon staff, hotel staff, officers, etc etc ….. all set to march out on to the stage to the tune of “Anchors Aweigh”.
The Cruise Director was out at the front of the stage with a microphone, announcing the various crew as they marched in, with hundreds of passengers cheering us on, clapping hand in time to the tune. Finally all 200 of us were on the stage, a rousing farewell display, standing in many rows, covering so much of the stage that you’d the think the stage would collapse under the weight.
The passengers, having just heard a half-hour disembarkation briefing from the Cruise Director, and then this crazy crew parade, was now primed for some well-staged sentiment.
“Love in any language,
Straight from the heart
Pulls us all together, never apart
And once we learn to speak it
All the world will hear
Love in any language
Fluently spoken here”
This the slow, catchy chorus lyric, sung by (supposedly) the whole 200 of us, after an introductory solo verse by one of ship singers. In the final chorus we all do a loping 2-step, left-to-right, right-to-left. This tune, originally by Sandi Patti, is performed in this way on all Holland America ships on the last cruise day, and guarantees warmth and fuzziness.
The Cruise Director prefaces this tune by saying that over 60 nationalities are represented in the Veendam crew, and we all get along harmoniously, and wouldn’t it be nice if the whole world got along so well? There are about a thousand rebuttals to this simplistic idea, but suffice to say that fighting among crew people results in immediate and permanent dismissal from Holland America’s employ.
So tonight is the last party among the “piano bar gang” that has developed in my little corner of the ship. 18 consecutive days is a lot of time for people to have a lot of fun together in a piano bar. Friendships form, and in some cases they actually continue, with small reunions on future cruises.
Thus far I have yet to see a piano bar patron re-appear on a later ship gig. And so the many many faces and personalities fade in memory, to one extent or another. The people from the longest cruises (for instance the people who got on in San Diego and did 35 days) are the ones you remember the most.
And after this long stretch of fun nights, Pianoman Steve might get a little tinge of sadness that these particular people -- in this happy little time and place -- will soon be gone. You’re happy about the 18-day party, but aware that it will never be repeated. There’s a Portugese word - “saudade” (pronounced sow-DODGE-ay) which describes this odd sad-happy-resigned feeling. Not happy enough for good ol’ nostalgia, not nearly sad enough for grief -- I’ve felt this at the end of some cruises.
Oh well. Onward to the next group, the next unique cross-section of people thrown together by chance and by their love of a good singalong, trying to have the time of their lives.
I pushed myself out of bed this morning and went to the backstage area of the main showroom. There I stood with all the musicians, plus room attendants, bar staff, casino dealers, salon staff, hotel staff, officers, etc etc ….. all set to march out on to the stage to the tune of “Anchors Aweigh”.
The Cruise Director was out at the front of the stage with a microphone, announcing the various crew as they marched in, with hundreds of passengers cheering us on, clapping hand in time to the tune. Finally all 200 of us were on the stage, a rousing farewell display, standing in many rows, covering so much of the stage that you’d the think the stage would collapse under the weight.
The passengers, having just heard a half-hour disembarkation briefing from the Cruise Director, and then this crazy crew parade, was now primed for some well-staged sentiment.
“Love in any language,
Straight from the heart
Pulls us all together, never apart
And once we learn to speak it
All the world will hear
Love in any language
Fluently spoken here”
This the slow, catchy chorus lyric, sung by (supposedly) the whole 200 of us, after an introductory solo verse by one of ship singers. In the final chorus we all do a loping 2-step, left-to-right, right-to-left. This tune, originally by Sandi Patti, is performed in this way on all Holland America ships on the last cruise day, and guarantees warmth and fuzziness.
The Cruise Director prefaces this tune by saying that over 60 nationalities are represented in the Veendam crew, and we all get along harmoniously, and wouldn’t it be nice if the whole world got along so well? There are about a thousand rebuttals to this simplistic idea, but suffice to say that fighting among crew people results in immediate and permanent dismissal from Holland America’s employ.
So tonight is the last party among the “piano bar gang” that has developed in my little corner of the ship. 18 consecutive days is a lot of time for people to have a lot of fun together in a piano bar. Friendships form, and in some cases they actually continue, with small reunions on future cruises.
Thus far I have yet to see a piano bar patron re-appear on a later ship gig. And so the many many faces and personalities fade in memory, to one extent or another. The people from the longest cruises (for instance the people who got on in San Diego and did 35 days) are the ones you remember the most.
And after this long stretch of fun nights, Pianoman Steve might get a little tinge of sadness that these particular people -- in this happy little time and place -- will soon be gone. You’re happy about the 18-day party, but aware that it will never be repeated. There’s a Portugese word - “saudade” (pronounced sow-DODGE-ay) which describes this odd sad-happy-resigned feeling. Not happy enough for good ol’ nostalgia, not nearly sad enough for grief -- I’ve felt this at the end of some cruises.
Oh well. Onward to the next group, the next unique cross-section of people thrown together by chance and by their love of a good singalong, trying to have the time of their lives.
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