Beatles White Album Live by Will Taylor and Strings Attached

Couple observations:

1) the crowd never thinned out

2) when you're having a great time, church pews aren't that uncomfortable

Even through my stopped up ears (I've had this awful head cold for the past few days) the music sounded great and allergy season didn't seem to stop anyone--not even the artists. A couple of performers had colds, allergies or weary chops. Even so, what impressed me was that the show went on with last minute subs and basically without any major hitches. For instance, Shel Murray filled in for her grandpa Jimmie Dale Gilmore and pumped out a soulful version of "Dear Prudence." Strings Attached was determined to present the White Album in its entirety and boy did they do so-- down to the funky interludes. How the heck did they notate the song "Revolution 9," I wonder?

By far the group I was most looking forward to was Schroedinger's Cat represented that night by Jackson Blacklock and John Pointer. They did not disappoint at all with their version of "Obla di Obla da" and meshed well with the other musicians. They looked great and managed to get ample crowd participation as usual. However, the performer that captivated me the most was Abra Moore and her delicate interpretation of "Blackbird" (for the record, that is my favorite song off of the album). Gary Clark Jr. belted out a sultry "While My Guitar Weeps" and boy, can that man make his guitar sing. I'll admit to swooning a little when he was on stage. Of course, Libby Kirkpatrick was in fine bubbly form with her two contributions "Martha my Dear" and "Julia." Other highlights included a zany "The Continuing Story of Buffalo Bill" by the group White Ghost Shivers and a crowd roaring version of "Revolution 1" performed to perfection by the lovely Carolyn Wonderland. People were dancing behind the pews where I sat on the balcony for that one. All in all, fantastic first-rate performers and they all seemed to have as much of a blast as the audience members. - cindy adzuki

The Line-UP:

Back in the USSR - Joe Ely

Dear Prudence - Chelle Murrey

Julia - Libby Kirkpatrick

Honey Pie - Olivier Giraud

Sexie Sadie - Billy Harvey

Birthday - Craig Marshall

Mother Nature's Son - Tucker Livingston

Yer Blues - Seth Walker

Helter Skelter - Brian Keane

Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey - Chopper

Glass Onion - Rodney Connel

Why Don't We Do It in the Road - Seela

Savoy Truffle - Bruce James

Obli-da Obli-di - Schrödinger's Cat

Wild Honey Pie and the Continuing Story of Bungalo Bill - White Ghost Shivers

While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Gary Clark, Jr.

Happiness is a Warm Gun - Tony Scalzo

Martha My Dear - Libby Kirkpatrick

I'm So Tired - Wendy Colona

Black Birds - Abra Moore

Piggies - Bob Livingston

Don't Pass Me By - Eric Hokkanen

Rocky Racoon - Matt the Electrician

I Will - Shane Bartell

Long, Long, Long - David Hess

Revolution 1 - Carolyn Wonderland

Cry, Baby, Cry - Beth Garner

Revolution 9 - Strings Attached

Goodnight - Monica Cravotta + Everyone

- - - - -

Manifesting music for 20+ years

I first heard Will Taylor play his electric blue viola sometime in the eighties. When he first graduated with a music degree in 1988, we discussed how one could pursue art as a business. How to do what you love and eat well too. We ran into each other in a coffee shop three years later, and we discussed my ideal environment for music. It would start before 11PM. The venue would be more like a concert hall than a low-slung hole in the wall. Listening would be the main goal, not liquor sales.

I've watched his career with great interest ever since then. Tonight, I saw the culmination of all these years.

Beautiful high ceilings, with a trippy kaleidoscopic light show. A packed audience sitting in the pews of a large downtown church. A team of 20+ musicians collaborating to play the Beatles White Album, straight through. It was wonderful. Carolyn Wonderland singing You say you want a revolution, right now, you know, we all want to change the world. Yes. We can dream our perfect life into being. Thank you, Will Taylor and Strings Attached, for manifesting the revolution.

- Kate Arrowsmith

Audience Comments:

Comments i've received:

. . . you all put on a very incredible show! I can't wait to see and tell of your other collaborations. Good work.

Cheers

Rebecca, KOOP 91.7

Will,

As long as my back holds out, it will always be a pleasure to help you on these projects.

Hell of a show. Wish I was a singer - or a musician - so I could be part of the show.

My soul was on the stage with y'all. - Mike S.

I'm someone who actually saw the Beatles live. It was at the Astrodome

in

Houston in the mid 1960's. Mainly, I remember I could hardly hear the

music

because of so many screaming girls. Your show was truly special

because I'm

a fan of all the artists who performed. However I'd have to say that

for me

Carolyn Wonderland really brought the house down. The whole show was

something I'll always remember. Thank you. Diana P.

This is one of those quintessential Austin nights, magical! I can't

wait for the

next concert!!!!

Will and SA, it was absolutely fabulous. One of the most

energetic and magical shows that I've ever been to. How you managed to

squeeze in all those musicians/singers and have the quality of performance

that you did is a testament to all who contributed! Thanks so much for

a very memorable evening -- what a great way to close out your

season! :) Gale C.

Hey Will,

Just wanted to tell you that you really nailed it

last week. What a night!!! You have much to be proud

of. I pulled out the "real" White Album the other, it

had been too long since I'd listened to it.

See you soon!

Rush

Absolutely loved it! I went to see Gary Clark Jr. but was thrilled to be introduced to many other artist. Seela’s performance was too great to put into words. Thank you so much for the fabulous performance. I will always remember where I was on my 16th Anniversary and that amazing performance. Janeen

Hey Will,

I just wanted to congratulate you on the White album gig!

Great job and what a big sucess! Tom and his brother went and really enjoyed it.

You are doing really great things for the Austin music scene. I know it is a ton of work, but you are a real role model for up and coming musicians.

Keep up the great work.

Musically yours,

Daris H.

BTW, congrats on building a critically and popularly acclaimed musical experience over the last few years. If I ever move back to Austin I hope to make Strings Attached performances a regular part of my musical landscape.

Best,

Jonathan

Will,

Hi... That was truly a memorable concert ! And I've seen lots during

my 55 years.

Even the Beatles never tried to play that album live... What an

amazing feat !

Now, and I know you're tired... what about Sgt. Pepper's ? You'd have

a sell out again

for sure.

Regards, Chuck

Hey Will….

Nancy here.

First of all, I want to tell you how much I enjoyed the White Album performance. As a geezer….I actually saw the Beatles in my youth and have loved them the moment that I heard them.

i thought Gary, Carolyn, Tony, Billy, Joe, Bob, Abra, White Ghosts and

the backup gals were highlights for me. You and the band's arrangements

and flow were unbelievavble. Just a great great night.

Jody D

Will,

The concert was wonderful! An absolute joy! The talent of this community is incredible.

Pure gift!

Thank you. Erin C

Hi Will.

I've received your email notices the last year or two - but this last Friday's performance (early show) of the white album was the first I've attended (also took husband along...).

I'm 52 years old, and this was certainly nostalgic for me, with such a cool twist! Saw several people perform that I wasn't familiar with - and now hope to see again.

Was really a great show! A totally enjoyable evening! Thank you so much for adding this to Austin's musical landscape!

Deborah D

Heard No Strings' White Album concert on the radio last night. I was totally blown away. Congratulations -Mark

The concert was really well done, as usual for Will & SA. It was an enormous undertaking.

Gene, Buzz, and I went to hear Will Taylor and Strings Attached along with about 30 other local musicians (Joe Ely, Abra Moore, Billy Harvey, Olivier Giraud, Tony Scalzo, White Ghost Shivers, Seela, Schrodinger's Cat, Gary Clark, Jr, Wendy Colona, Bob Livingston, Tucker Livingston, Matt the Electrician, Shane Bartell, Seth Walker to name a few) perform the Beatles White Album in it's entirety. Gary Clark, Jr. brought the crowd to their feet with"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and Carolyn Wonderland absolutely brought down the house with "Revolution 1." What a night. I hope that if you were unable to attend, you at least were able to listen to it on KGSR's Lone Star State of Mind. Unfortunately, if that was the case you missed some fantastic visuals as well as killer interpretations of the music! I am fortunately (or unfortunately as it may be) old enough to remember the wonderful light shows that accompanied many concerts in the late sixties and early seventies. We enjoyed one that related to the music perfectly for this concert. Not only were several of my favorite local musicians participating, but I discovered other local talent that I would like to hear more of. The last song of the night was Lennon's "Goodnight" which was performed by all of the artists as they threw white carnations into the audience. A magical evening! - Susan

- - - - - info about Will Taylor - - - - -

Highly skilled as a performer, composer, arranger and producer, Will Taylor’s music challenges, delights and inspires his listeners. Taylor’s featured credits include 11 years with the Austin Lyric Opera orchestra and a brief stint with the Turtle Island String Quartet (TISQ.com) landing him an interview on CBS “Sunday Morning.” He has 3 nationally released viola jazz recordings: “Reel Life” (1993 Amazing), “Simple Gifts” (1995 Igmod), and “Live from Austin” (1996 Cymekob), receiving radio airplay on non-commercial stations throughout the United States, including a soundbyte on the Weekend Edition of NPR’s All Things Considered. Will Taylor has enjoyed composing, arranging and presenting many genre-defying musical explorations with his group Strings Attached, including collaborative efforts with artists such as Shawn Colvin, James McMurtry, Dar Williams, Bob Schneider, Eliza Gilkyson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, John Dee Graham, Kelly Willis, 8 1/2 Souvenirs, Michael Fracasso, Kimmie Rhodes, Podunk, Darden Smith, Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez and more. Taylor is constantly expanding his collaborative roster and is ever interested in breaking new musical boundaries.

- Winner of “Best Strings” Austin Music Awards 2005

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