This past weekend No Static had a socially-distanced rehearsal for the first time since March 1. Meanwhile, my other erstwhile group of playing buddies have decided to do something similar by scheduling a performance of sorts as an excuse for an afternoon socially-distanced backyard get-together for us and some of our family. We’ll be spread out in a large back yard and we’ll play some of the stuff we’ve recently recorded remotely, plus some of the other stuff we typically play. Like most musicians all of us are starving for the opportunity to be able to play together again. So we’ll stand far apart, no handshakes or hugs, masks on, and have a blast for a couple of hours. It’s set for Saturday, September 12.

The four of us decided to get together and run through some of our repertoire. Dennis has a big garage, so we left the garage door partially open, opened the back door to allow air to flow, wore masks and kept 10 feet or so way from each. We played for around two hours or so and it was not too shabby, considering we hadn’t played together since March 1. It was good for the heart and soul.

While we’re hacking away at the next couple of remote projects, our drummer Tom DeFiglio was going through some of the recordings we made at our music sessions over the last couple of years, and he found this one of us trying out Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.” I really like my guitar tone and the vibe we had going, so I decided to put it out there. There’s a nice solo from the other guitarist, Jeffrey Kamil. No solo from me – I just play the melody (somewhat loosely and freely) and accompany Jeff, but I thought it was worth putting out there. Hope you enjoy it!

https://alanoehler.com/recordings/artists-in-residence/

Here’s another recording from my pandemic shelter-in-place project #2 with Tom DeFiglio and Pat T. This time it’s “Boogie Stupid” from John Scofield’s 2013 album Überjam Deux. Joe-Bob sez check it out!

https://alanoehler.com/recordings/alan_and_tom/