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O.T ..Regional music
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Spderyak
298 posts
Oct 11, 2019
2:26 PM
We often play music from the 1920's and and 30's
When we are at home down in the "states".
Mostly for folks a few years older than us.
So we play some swing tunes and what not that people recognize easily.

We do much the same when we travel here to Quebec.
We translate some of the songs or just learn them in French esp if they are French folk songs.

The other day it seemed like they didn't reconize some of the older songs that we thought everybody would know. We have played there before and folks enjoy the music .So this time we asked if they knew songs like Chattanooga Choo Choo,and things like that.
and no they didn't know them at all.

I've pondered for a few days now. It occurred to me that electricity didn't come to this region to the 1950's...perhaps a bit earlier.

So the folks like hearing them kind for the first time
but basically that was a window of time that simply did not exist for them .

I would be curious if others have wandered into similar situations.
Kind of when you say "here's a tune everybody knows"
But actually nobody does...?
jbone
3024 posts
Oct 11, 2019
2:57 PM
Since we don't know French-and had a terrible border experience with some Quebec cops- we won't go there ever. But props to you for what you're doing.

We talk about the song and artist before we play it, not always but at least here and there. Engage the audience and things seem to go easier! We do a lot of old school in the duo and to me it seems that whether or not the song is totally recognized, people respond to the music and lyrics. I think the chords played are powerful and guitar coupled with harmonica gives off a very relatable vibe.
We've played across the US in recent years and so far at least some people in a place or at a farmers market do dig what we do. How do we know? Response during and after songs, people come by when we take a break, we sell a CD here and there, and the guitar case sports some $ that was not there when we started. We've actually been hired for another gig a couple of times by someone who has heard us.

So I think it matters more to be genuine and in the moment, and address your audience like you're all in the living room after supper.
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Music and travel destroy prejudice.

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Spderyak
299 posts
Oct 12, 2019
1:17 PM
All childhood trips were always to Quebec for us.Those days it was to the dairy region mostly to the English relatives. These past 20 or so years have been to the coastal french part. We were slow to learn the language. I'm sure our accent is noticible to them..but charming eh?

We believe much the same..music destroys prejudice..
So we enjoy learning new songs, then we check with our local friends to see if we are pronouncing things correctly etc.

Been pretty conscious recently of a 'window of time"
we all live in.
I know in the states I grew up in the "Sing along with Mitch" era and a lot of seniors know songs from follow the bouncing ball on black and white TV.

I'm pretty sure in either country if you invoke the words...Willie Nelson..Johnny Cash..or Charlie McCoy...you're bound to get a positive reaction.

We go for highly recognizable songs. I'm not much for lyrics..I got good response with The "Pink Panther"
and Charlie McCoy's "Orange Blossom Special"

Pretty sure most people we play for have never really heard anyone play amplified harp, so a lot of interest there which is nice.
nacoran
10178 posts
Oct 13, 2019
10:17 AM
I always love learning about how culture is shaped. I don't travel a lot but that's a really interesting cultural time warp you've run into.

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dmitrysbor
155 posts
Oct 15, 2019
2:11 AM
I think the most simpyliest reason is true: people just became dumbier in time more quickly than before. You know it just because you play it. \
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Spderyak
300 posts
Oct 15, 2019
3:42 AM
Guess I just don't understand that last post...??


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