JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Humorous Things to Say Between Songs

I like to call the tip jar my 401K plan....Then I look in it and say, "Well I guess I can't retire just yet". Always gets a laugh.

I don't perform much but most times something comes up whenever I do I see a one liner in, and they often float on to a few more of the same. Is a lota fun.
From a listeners point of view, I notice quite alot of singers who use a good bit of reverb on their miks to sing forget this and when they do the chat the crowd get too close to the mike, well I think that's what causes it, and get so much timbre in their vox, what they say is totally lost.
And yep spontanious is the best I think, but slipping stock stuff in ad lb as the occassion arises is usually fun too.
Worste thing I have ever seen is with touring bands who do the rehersed in band patter thing that is suppesed to appear spontanious, but the fact their lighting bloke knows exactly when to hit what light to fit in is a bit of a give away, so even firstb time heard is a bit of a yawn.
Great litle thread to read. Can't believe I haven't seen it before.
Graham

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Hi Stacey. I have been to as many concerts in the past few years than most people see in ten lifetimes. I've probably been to a hundred in the past five years. And I have never seen any performer talk as much as your consultant said. Never. Not even close. I think he's all wet.

The best I've ever seen with banter is Vince Gill. Not only is the guy an incredible talent, he is witty as hell. It seems spontaneous.

The Righteous Brothers, they had what appeared to me to be very polished "canned" lines. When I see this, I personally think that these lines were written by professional writers. The lines always work. You can tell, I can, anyway, that these are not spontaneous. It's a show, it's an act. But it works. For someone who is not a pro, this could be disaster. The lines have to work.

I saw Bob Dylan last year and he said not one word. And when he sang, I still couldn't understand him. Still didn't matter. He's bob friggin dylan.

Had to chime in here... I always do "the Rap" when I'm performing solo. It performs the triple function of (1) adding dimension to the song, maybe enhancing its humorous qualities; (2) adding space between songs so they don't quite all sound alike; and (3) covering up the fact that I'm not really playhing that many songs.

I do try to keep the Rap short--people are there to hear the music, not me talking--and directly related to the content of the upcoming song. I will, for instance, always use the late Steve Goodman's definition of country music ("It's about Mother, trucks, trains, farms, prison, dead dogs, and Christmas") as the lead-in to "I'm Giving Mom a Dead Dog for Christmas." Before I sing "Jim the Psychic Dog," I'll explain why our county economic development agency thought it was important that I know about Jim and his Website. And so forth.

I've always thought the Rap important because it establishes (my opinion) a closer connection with the audience. I'm not just swooping onto the stage, delivering a performance and splitting; it's more like we're all sittin' around the living room talkin' 'bout stuff.

Accordingly, I will spend quite a bit of time scripting and rehearsing the Rap, so that when the time comes, I can just Act Naturally and speak just like I sing, without a single piece of paper around--just me and my guitar. The audience doesn't have to know that I spent hours in the shower rehearsing that spontaneity...

Joe

"We're gonna slow it down a little for this next number, give ya'all a chance to dance cheek to cheek, or ya could turn around and face each other if you prefer!"

Rob

"This next song I wrote last week after I heard it on the radio"

"Did you hear about the acoustic folk musician who won the lottery? Yeah, he kept doing gigs until the money ran out"

It really depends on the genre and the audience. You're can't and shouldn't do as much banter in a rock band as you can and should in a folky, acoustic, intimate performance. I've seen a few folk/roots shows where the people just go up and play ten songs without any story and they seemed kind of ... empty... even though the songs were good. It's part of the genre. Then again, you don't want to be too "canned" and lose the charm and intimacy.

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"Thank you. We do take request, so just write them down on the back of a tweenty dollar bill and bring it up to the stage."

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George

Erik, terrific post! Been reading and enjoying the nerve you touched for some time and had to add my own thoughts. (As a budding performer)

1) IMHO It's *all* performance, and should be thought out and crafted. Not scripted, but you should have a purpose or a reason for all you say. If it isn't adding to your performance, it's detracting. I am so tired of, and embarassed for, performers who seem to think that their own "stream of self-consciousness" rambling is of any interest.

2) Please, IMHO, do not, ever, say any of the following:

- "Here's an old oriental folk song: 'tuu-ning'

- "Here's a song I didn't write, but I wish I had."

- "Just write your requests on a $20 bill and pass them up."
(But, Alaskan singer/songwriter Kim Acuna used a spin on this effectively. She wanted to write a humorous song about psychotherapy. She promised her audience that if they would write any stereotypical therapy jargon they could think of on bills, and pass them up, she would come back the next week with the song. They did; and she did. And it made for a great future intro to her (very) funny song.)

Finally:
About 20 years ago I went to a Michael Johnson ("Bluer Than Blue")concert. He walked out solo on stage and sat. The silence after the initial applause got a little long. Then a little longer. Johnson gave a self-conscious sigh, and remarked, "Well..., you're probably all nervous wondering what I'm going to think of you."
Brought down the house, and set a great tone.
Thanks for the chance to reflect.
Best,
- Linc

[This message has been edited by Linc (edited 02-14-2004).]