by Modern Songbook Records | Apr 24, 2012 | Charlie's Blog, Events, News
Chaise Lounge just came off two wonderful gigs. A concert at Black Rock Performing Arts Center. And then this Saturday at The Hamilton. The Hamilton was amazing. To use a sports analogy : we left it all on the field. It is an amazing feeling to know, and to know deeply, that you gave the crowd everything you had: every bit of skill, every bit of emotion, and the sum total of all the arranging, re-arranging and rehearsal that, over years, add up to a good song and a good performance. People say it all the time, but that makes it no less true, that what you get back from the audience, if you are tuned in, is more than you have given. We played for nearly 400 attentive ( meaning sometimes screaming and sometimes lost in a wash of emotion) fans. It feels funny to say “fans”. I just think of them as lots of folks I know,… even when I don’t know them at all. That’s the way it feels. There are only six of us in the band. We were hopelessly out-numbered. We put out only six people’s worth of music, but we got 400 peoples vibes coming back at us. The wave of musical joy and satisfaction that swept back over us after each song was palpable. Every gig is different. But I hope we can get somewhere close to this feeling every time.
by Modern Songbook Records | Apr 6, 2012 | Charlie's Blog, Events, Home Page, News
Yesterday I had a Skype session with the Clemson University orchestra, courtesy of Dr. Andrew Levin. They are playing “The Blue Chevrolet”
What totally surprising questions! One question that a cellist asked: “What are your thoughts on translating memory into music?” He was not referring to songwriting or anything with lyrical content, He was talking about the completely abstract orchestral piece that they are playing. A far more difficult question. Yes, “The Blue Chevrolet” is unabashedly autobiographical. But I have never been so confronted by the clear evidence of this process, and my nearly complete lack of understanding of how I do this. There is probably a very good doctoral thesis in just that one question. Maybe abstract painters have a better handle on this? I wish I could have come up with a slick answer to this. As it is, I will be thinking about this for the next three years. I will get back to you on this.
I wish I could be there to hear the performance. Good luck to the orchestra and thank you again to Maestro Levin for playing this.
by Modern Songbook Records | Mar 16, 2012 | Charlie's Blog, Events, News
Sleep is Overrated
At least that that is the theme for Chaise Lounge’s CD release party, on April 21st, for their 4th album, aptly named, “Insomnia”. This hot jazz band, with just enough “lounge” to fill up a nice big martini, will be hosting an “Insomnia” themed cocktail party and concert for their fans at DC’s hottest new supper club, The Hamilton.
Artisan cocktails will be available and each guest will get their own bit of Chaise Lounge swag to remember this speakeasy kind of evening right here in 2012. There may even be a chance for a photo with the band or autographed CD.
A full concert will follow, featuring Chaise lounge’s unique blend of clever lyrics and artfully arranged musical numbers, reminiscent of Capitol Records circa 1962. You might call it “Early Stereo”, or perhaps Lounge with a capital “L,” or maybe just plain enjoyable.
Who:
CHAISE LOUNGE
www.chaiseloungenation.com
What:
Style: (Lounge/Swing/Pop/Singer-Songwriter)
Why:
Embrace “Insomnia” Chaise Lounge style at this fan appreciation party and concert at DC’s hottest
new supper club and musical venue, The Hamilton DC.
Where:
The Hamilton
600 14th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
near Metro Center
202-787-1000
When: Saturday 4/21,
Cocktail Party: 7pm
Dinner Seating to follow
Show Start: 8:30
Dress: “Mad Men”
Tickets:
25.00
http://www.thehamiltondc.com/live/calendar
Recent Highlights:
NPR’s Liane Hansen interviews Charlie and Marilyn on Weekend Edition
Performances with the Capitol City Symphony & Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra
NPR’s Car Talk features “Coolest Car”
by Modern Songbook Records | Feb 20, 2012 | Charlie's Blog, Events, News
Getting ready for our trip to Wisconsin to play with the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. rehearsing the orchestra arrangements this evening.
I am just astonished by all the hospitality they have already extended to us. It seems that a good deal of that hospitality involves fried cheese curd and Point Beer.
And that is ok with me.
by Modern Songbook Records | Feb 7, 2012 | Events, News
February 26, 2012
http://www.cwso.org/
Close the doors on winter chills and join the CWSO as they welcome Chaise Lounge for a stop on their TUNDRA TOUR! The band will be blowing in on February 25th and 26th and have promised a hot night in the Theater @1800 with their cool jazz standards backed by the CWSO. These six band members comprise some of the best of the east coast musicians around today. We’ll start the program off with Bernstein and Gershwin and then slide back into time to a “blend of music that sounds like it was recorded at Capitol Recording Studios in 1962 and somehow found its way to today’s pop charts.”
Symphony Lounge
by Modern Songbook Records | Feb 6, 2012 | Events
The Fablers will begin their “Internal Bleeding” tour this Valentine’s night, at Germano’s Trattoria, by sharing their humorous and always poignant musical stories of Love, Lust, Adultery & Cars.
The Fablers are comprised of the ever clever and multi-talented Charlie Barnett, and the beautiful Marilyn Older, whose sultry voice is outshown only by her fiery wit.
Whether you’re madly in love, completely brokenhearted, or somewhere in between, come join us for a not-so-sappy show this Valentine’s. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, but mostly you’ll be glad that you are no longer 19.
