Here I am , first morning (see earlier blog). I have to admit that I'm a bit anxious over here. It's now less than a week away from THE BAEHR CHALLENGE on April 6th and I have yet to compile a set list. Usually by this time I have completed and reworked a set list multiple times to make sure certain songs are in a particular spot (so I can hit the high notes earlier in the set) aand make sure that depending on the length of my playing time, that the songs are in proper order.
Proper order means a lot to me. Not only is it important to take the listener on the appropriate roller coaster ride between ballads and more up beat tempos, but it's the story line that really means a lot to me.
It doesn't matter if my set is one or two hours, the story line is important. Maybe I'm a little nuts when it comes to this. In my mind, I break the songs into three categories; the rise, the fall and the redemption. Overall, each song should be able to stand alone. But, when looked at in a wider perspective, you see the dream come alive. The emotional and beautiful story of a relationship. I really don't think the people who come to my shows really see this, but I think its a cool bonus if you will. On some level, I hope that afterwards, someone will think to themselves that there seemed to be a rhyme and reason to it all and piece it together.
Just like any relationship having rises and falls, so are the songs in the set list. I try to process the range of emotions from the beginning of a relationship (the rise), the not so good parts (the fall), and the ultimate reunification of two souls who were meant to be (the redemption).
Even with a few ocd's which I may have, even I take this to extremes. Under normal cicumstances I have set lists already prepared depending on length of playing time. My personal favorites were a series of shows I did called "What Dreams May Come" ( two hours), and Destination U (one hour).
I should let you know that I am not the wedding singer or pool party musician you hire for background noise. I do not play a lot of cover material. Most of my sets are comprised of 80% original songs written by yours truly. Most musicians or bands reverse that, devoting much of their time to covers then announcing when they are about to play an original. I do the exact opposite ( I wonder if Dr Feelgood would have something to say about that)?
I know I over think this whole set list thing, and I'm comfortable with that. It's the way I have always been. Perhaps its been my biggest strength, and my deepest weakness ( hello, Dr Feelgood. I need to make an appointment please). It usually goes well after I look at the finalized draft, but wait.... I forgot that I wanted to play a song that I haven't touched in years. But wait.... I forgot to add in the brand new one.
Anyway, at the end of it all, the audience gets a taste of my brand of crazy, grilled to perfection and served in a heaping portion from my brain to theirs. I suppose that's what it's all about, taking risks and exposing myself completely to the mercy of the listener. Its a thrill, or I wouldn't keep doing it. But, its also very scary at the same time. I am like a sponge feeding off the energy or emotion I try to create at an event. When its good, it's like sipping a drink out of a coconut shell on some beach where the sun hits ya just right. On the other hand, when I perform a song that doesn't go over well, its like climbing Everest, struggling to regain my own confidence while bringing the listener back into the zone. (No, no, that won't work. Please tell the doc I need an appointment sooner than that).
At the end, if one person comes up and talks to me, the whole show was worth the worrying beforehand and sweat on the strings. At the end when I am spent physically and emotionally, just one person comes to shake my hand or talk about a particular song, my entire existence feels golden.
(wait, nurse... tell Dr Feelgood I don't need that appointment after all)
www.mickbeaman.com
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