APACHE eTap2hw - HEAVY STRINGS

[Spike]

Hi Scott

Nice to hear from you again.
Yep...they were the good old days with Ade and I remember he credited you to be the first person to get close to the Apache sound with your ESE.
It certainly is a great unit and gives a great Binson sound.


Take Care
Spike

[Spike]

For me the acid test for any echo/amp/guitar set up has always been the 'Happy Birthday' tone as found on Cliff's '21 Today' album.

If a set-up can emulate that sound, that'll do me.

Hi Terry

Check your email!

Cheers
Spike

[abstamaria]

Hi Andy When are you guys going to tour the UK (or Europe) ? I'll gladly pay to watch the show (even if the lead guitarist has his leg in a cast ) Dick.

Thanks, Spike. I read somewhere that the theater is the 2nd most superstitious institution in the world. The first is horseracing. I'm not superstitious, buts say "break a leg" anyway.

Thanks, too, Dick. It's great to have a paying audience.

I wish we could bring the show around, but the logistics are overwhelming. To play "Atlantis" live on stage, for instance, we need the basic four in the band, three girls in the chorus, two or three violins, a viola, and a cello. And we have two male singers plus the saxophonist, the keyboardist, and the french horn players. Our bassist Anna sings in the chorus too and does the Jo Ann Cambell numbers, so that cuts down the personnel required. I have been using Charlie's EFTP units and afterward the TVS3, which is very convenient for the stage. It would be impossible with a Meazzi. But the shows are still a lot of work to put together.

We do them to benefit retired session musicians, including the talented guys who played in cruise ships and clubs all over the region. They have no retirement or medical benefits and so have a tough time in their old age. We manage to generate quite a contribution for them.

It is great fun, and the treat for me is being able to play Shadows music with a live chorus, strings, horns. Even the rehearsals are wonderful.

Best regards,

Andy

[Twang46]

Hi Andy

You guys really should make a video of some of your performances.
I'm sure you know somebody with the right equipment to do the recording, you might even raise some funds for the splendid charity you support

All I've seen so far is a handheld video (from a cellphone ?) which gives a tantalising glimpse of what you guys are doing.

Cheers

Dick.

[Bojan]

Andy, reading all this fascinating stuff about you and your show, and how many people you have in the whole production, including strings and horms and choir, and the band itself, plus the fantastic equipment you guys have, and how you play at variouis charities for retired musicians, and so on, I have to ask you, out of pure curiosity -- and please forgive me if my question is indiscreet -- how is such a huge production financed . . . are you amateur or professional musicians ? Is this an Asia thing, because I simply cannot imagine such a huge troupe in Europe making a living by playing this music.

Cheers,
Bojan

[abstamaria]

We’ll try to do that, Dick. The only good video we had was the one of Atlantis, with triangle, strings, and voices.

Income comes from ticket sales, Bojan, but the bulk from corporate sponsorships. We also print a program and sell advertising space there. We even sold madeleine cookies in the lobby! It takes a great deal of pre-show preparation and marketing.

madeleine cookies.jpg

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The company has been a mix of amateurs, like Anna and myself, who have day jobs (Anna is an MD), and professional musicians. The violinists, etc., are drawn from local philharmonic orchestras.

In the past, one show (one night) nets after expenses enough to make a very fine contribution to charity. I am not sure how long that will continue. Expenses include very good income for the professionals in the company, dresses, the cost of rehearsals, the theater, etc. But I have not factored my time and the cost of equipment into that equation!

I am aware that the audience comes to remember the pieces they heard 50 years ago, so feel an obligation to stick to the original style and produce the original sound for them. In a few years, that audience will no longer be there.

Sorry for the diversion, Dave. (On topic, I use 12-52 strings, and Anna uses flatwounds on her PBass!)

Andy

[Bojan]

We’ll try to do that, Dick. The only good video we had was the one of Atlantis, with triangle, strings, and voices.

Income comes from ticket sales, Bojan, but the bulk from corporate sponsorships. We also print a program and sell advertising space there. We even sold madeleine cookies in the lobby! It takes a great deal of pre-show preparation and marketing.

madeleine cookies.jpg

The company has been a mix of amateurs, like Anna and myself, who have day jobs (Anna is an MD), and professional musicians. The violinists, etc., are drawn from local philharmonic orchestras.

In the past, one show (one night) nets after expenses enough to make a very fine contribution to charity. I am not sure how long that will continue. Expenses include very good income for the professionals in the company, dresses, the cost of rehearsals, the theater, etc. But I have not factored my time and the cost of equipment into that equation!

I am aware that the audience comes to remember the pieces they heard 50 years ago, so feel an obligation to stick to the original style and produce the original sound for them. In a few years, that audience will no longer be there.

Sorry for the diversion, Dave. (On topic, I use 12-52 strings, and Anna uses flatwounds on her PBass!)

Andy

Thanks Andy. I really admire your energy and dedication !!

[abstamaria]

Thanks, Bojan. Best of the Season!

Andy

[Bojan]

And to you too Andy !!