a little tour of Germany - may 13, 2004
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Hello folks,
Just back from a nice little tour in Germany. I played clubs in Dresden, Wiesbaden, Munich, Hildesheim and Ingolstadt and a festival in Wendelstein. Thanks to all the folks who made it out to the shows. Also, special thanks to the club owners and concert organizers: Mirko at the Blue Note in Dresden; Gabriele and Gerdt in Wendelstein, Ron Ringwood in Wiesbaden to name a few.
The twisted turn of events in Iraq has sent the world reeling...
It was very interesting to travel around in Europe during this sad and violent period of world history. The twisted turn of events in Iraq has sent the world reeling and it was interesting to get to hear views from people abroad. Obviously, the musicians and fans of blues in Germany are no more representative of wide scale public opinion in Germany than blues fans in the U.S. are of public opinion here. However, by and large the folks there were quite demoralized about the situation and the pacifists far out-numbered the cheerleaders for this war.
Many of the Europeans I have met have a lot of respect and a great interest in American artistic culture as represented by our music, literature and cinema. However, they have real questions about and problems with our current leadership. Often I have heard expressed a shock and awe at the way Bush and his administration have used military power. It seems that many of the folks I meet in Europe feel that Bush doesn't understand or respect other cultures.
Well, back to the blues biz. For an American, a typical blues concert in Germany is a curious thing. Between songs you can hear a pin drop. During songs there is less audience participation or activity. Even in a packed house you don't often hear folks get involved.
a very polite, "listening" crowd.
In the states you might hear someone call out, "I hear you" or "Play it, Man!" or "You Suck", Something. Anything! But not in Germany. Nothing. Just silence while you are playing or singing. And silence again after the initial applause dies down after each number. It is definitely best to keep the show flowing unless you have some good jokes ready, in German. No whoops or whistles. It is a very polite, "listening" crowd that hangs on each note and is polite to a fault. At the end of each song there is appropriate applause. Then, at the end of the show there is a general outpouring of the emotion that has been withheld to that point, and an obligatory encore.
The truth is that we are treated extremely well and the music is greeted with great respect, even reverence. It makes a guy want to be really prepared to give a show that is peppered with musical surprises, nuances and ultimately a big finish. In this way a musician can feel like they rewarded such faithful listening. With all this attention to the details of your show, let's just say you can become kind of spoiled. Upon coming back to the states and getting back in to the saloons here, you kind of have to hold yourself back from yelling at loud club patrons, "Hey you, third row, two tables to the left of the bathroom: would you please shut up?!"
Ah, there is no place like home.
TR
