Guitar Circle Sundays #6, 2-20-11

Tonight will be the first performance in the Guitar Circle Sundays series with less than the optimum number of circlers, as Dev is out of town and on tour with Lindsay Mac. One of the main ideas behind GCS is the commitment to put on a performance every week for a defined period of time, whether there are six players or two - the quality of intention brought to the undertaking changes what is possible for those undertaking it, and in this sense Dev is not far in tow.

Previously during the week, a 'Girls Rock' seminar was held at Spontaneous Celebrations (catering to such fast-rising genres as 'country-punk' and 'awesome'), and there is some head-scratching as to how to cope with missing equipment (actually relocated by the girls). Thus the GCNE is running a little late.

The show goes on, however, eventually, to a house of twelve. There is a lot of energy and a peculiar sense of adventure in the improvisation of this circle of six. Squeaking, bending, 'outside' playing and guitar-box percussion all find application throughout the night. There is a stretch of tonal fabric over/under which soloists emerge and recede. It isn't all underground gardens, though, as selections of Cat Stevens and Jeff Beck recall a distant world of pop music.

For the second time during this series, the Circle is called back for an encore. The group offers 'Thrak' as a return, and opts for Bach's No. 1 from the Well-Tempered Clavier. It happens that Andrew Alexander, a professional Boston-area singer, is in the audience, and on the spur of the moment Victor asks him if he can accompany the group's Bach circulation with Gounod's famous Ave Maria vocal melody. Andrew obliges, does one 'false take', then delivers a captivating reading of the piece with the Circle, deftly navigating around the missing bar.

The audience is lively after the performance. Once they have departed, there is some talk in the group about a website revamp, future guest circlers, and possible filming. As it is late, there is once again no after-show rehearsal.