RANGER REPORT- Oct. 13, 2004
"Sometimes Bob (Marley) retreats to his bedroom, picks up his guitar and plays while sitting on his bed. A few times I stop by his room to chat or ask a question or two about the newest album. Once I just have to know who is playing those soul stirring guitar licks on the end of "Want More". Bob looking at me laughs and says,
"Ahh, that's Chinna."
- excerpt from "Get Up! Stand Up!" & by Fikisha Cumbo
Autumn in PennsylvaniaÂ…
"Don't those trees look good just standing there, shootin' up out of the ground"
So here's a quick review of last month's goings-on entitled:
"THE GIG IS UP!"
BeBop Tom Brunner's birthday party was well-attended and I got to jam with Christafari (and sometime- Manatee) bassist Jim Kleinman, and our own web-master Michael Jones. Michael took some photos of the party which can been seen in our web-gallery. http://www.losmanatees.com/modules.php?name=gallery
The following week was Randy Wagner's birthday which we celebrated at The Whitpain Tavern. One of his birthday presents was a big beautiful framed photo collage of all these pictures of the Manatees extended family of musicians, fans, and friends. It was created by our Manatee merchandise maiden, Cherri Frankhouser and a week later she gave me a completely different one of my own for my birthday. A very cool gift which is now prominently displayed here at the Manatee Museum.
Meanwhile, up in British Columbia, Canada, three female Manatee fans (Gina, Donna, and Laurie) called me from a ferry-boat heading towards Vancouver Island. They were looking for a tour guide so I gave them the name of my old friend and former band-mate Bill Macpherson who lives in Victoria. The girls hooked up with Bill and from the photographs they showed me it looks like they all had some fun.
But they made it back in time for my birthday party at The Fitzwater Station on Sunday, Sept. 19th. My dear old mother also flew down from Canada for the occasion (she wanted to see the new house and baby too). Thanks to all of those who made her feel welcome During my mom's visit we debuted at The Blue Horse in Blue Bell, PA (not to be confused with The Blue Dog Saloon in Chalfont, PA, or Bourbon Blue in Manayunk, PA). The show started off smooth and jazzy enough, but by the end of the last set we were rockin' out with DJ Big Daddy who was throwing down some screamin' lead vocals while we kicked over our equipment and smashed some glasses. What a place! We can't wait to go back (Thurs., Oct. 14th).
Five days after my ma flew back to Canada, we set an attendance record at the 6th Annual Asher's Fall Fest in Franconia, PA. People brought their entire families, the weather was perfect, and let's face it folks, it's a chocolate factory-there was joy everywhere.
"See the little children laughing away."
A week later, I was at a recording session in Barto, PA, at keyboardist Karl Frick's Lakestone Recording. We worked on a recent recording Karl did of our show at Pete's Barn. If the tracks are strong enough we'll put together a live CD. We also worked on a song by a local singer/songwriter named Jack Murray who is another client of Lakestone. Karl has been doing some nice production work lately and occasionally has to use his talents as a multi-instrumentalist. When Randy went on vacation last August, Karl sat in on bass for a few shows and it turns out he's just as good on bass as he is on keyboards. Jack Murray wound up sitting in with us at our Wagon Wheel show last week in Quakertown, PA.
At the beginning of October, a reporter from The Morning Call came out to see us play at The Funhouse in Behtlehem, PA. He wrote a positive article about us and there was a nice picture of the band but he spelled my name wrong.
On Sunday, Oct. 24 we will be playing our last outdoor show of the year at Kelly and Julia's Second Annual Octoberfest. If you know someone who knows Kelly or Julia, you're in.
Of course by now I needn't tell you that the annual Manatee Masquerade will be held at The Sandtrap in Limerick, PA (Friday, Oct. 29). There will be free giveaways, and prizes for the best costumes. This show has become a bit of an institution with the group because the very first Manatee show ever played was on HalloweenÂ…
The next night we'll be playing "The Monster Mash" at Bob's Halloween Barn Bash in Lahaska, PA. If you know someone who knows Bob, you're in.
And finally, we would like to take this space to say goodbye to long-time Manatee fan and friend, Laura Sundberg who passed away recently. As Chinna would say,
"She move up."
Don't forget to vote.
- William Clive Hodgson
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And now, here is your Song-Of-The-Month:
ME AND FIONA & key of F
Paddlewheel river boat whistle blows
At a about a dozen full-grown mosquitoes
The Mississippi River goes rolling by
Reflecting the sunlight from her sky
She's got hair of black, she's got eyes of brown
She sure can wake me up and run me down
Down by the riverside this side of twelve
Have her little tea party all by ourselves
Me and Fiona & rock her to and fro
Me and Fiona & there's gold at the end of her rainbow
Her brother, and her brother and her ma and pa
Carryin' on like it was Mardi Gras
Louisiana moon shining through the trees
Laughter in the streets of New Orleans
Me and Fiona & singing soft and low
Me and Fiona & there's gold at the end of her rainbow
Baby alligators playing in the mud
You better move to higher ground or get caught in the flood
They say that the lovin's gonna overflow
So don't be slow when it's time to go
Me and Fiona & rocking to and fro
Me and Fiona & down where the rushes grow
Me and Fiona & big fun on the bayou
Me and Fiona & and there's gold at the end of our rainbow
Talking 'bout me and Fiona
Ole
-words and music by W. Hodgson
Copyright 2004 Hungadunga Music Pub.
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Thu. Oct. 14 - The Blue Horse - Trio - 9:00-12:00
Fri. Oct. 15 - Dutch Cottage Tavern - Electrio - 10:00-2:00
Sat. Oct. 16 - Wedding - Congratulations Bob and Sara!
Wed. Oct. 20 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 8:30-12:30
Thu. Oct. 21 - The Bell House - Trio - 9:00-1:00
Fri. Oct. 22 - Colmar Inn - Trio - 9:30-1:30
Sat. Oct. 23 - Tex-Mex Connection - Electrio - 9:00-1:00
Sun. Oct. 24 - Octoberfest Party
Tue. Oct. 26 - The Wagon Wheel - Quartet - 11:00-3:00
Wed. Oct. 27 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 8:30-12:30
Thu. Oct. 28 - Salford Pub - Trio - 8:30-12:30
Fri. Oct. 29 - Annual Manatee Masquerade - Quartet - 9:00-1:00 - @ Sandtrap in Limerick!
Sat. Oct. 30 - Lahaska Halloween Barn Party - Quartet - 9:00-1:00
Tue. Nov. 02 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 8:30-12:30
Wed. Nov. 03 - The Bell House - Trio - 9:00-1:00
Thu. Nov. 04 - Draught Horse - Trio - 4:30-7:30
Thu. Nov. 04 - Crazy Carl's - Quartet - 10:00-2:00 - w/ Desoto Rust upstairs
Fri. Nov. 05 - The Funhouse - Quartet - 10:00-2:00
Wed. Nov. 10 - Whitpain Tavern - Electrio - 9:00-1:00
Thu. Nov. 11 - Bourbon Blue - Duo - 9:00-1:00
Fri. Nov. 12 - Dutch Cottage Tavern - Electrio - 10:00-2:00
Sat. Nov. 13 - Bridgeport Rib House - Quartet - 10:00-2:00
Wed. Nov. 17 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 8:30-12:30
Thu. Nov. 18 - The Bell House - Trio - 9:00-1:00
Fri. Nov. 19 - Colmar Inn - Trio - 9:30-1:30
Sat. Nov. 20 - P. T. Saloon - Electrio - 10:00-2:00
Sun. Nov. 21 - TBA
Wed. Nov. 24 - Pete Rock's 24th Annual Thanksgiving Eve Party - Quartet - 10:00-2:00
Sat. Nov. 27 - Blue Dog Saloon - Quartet - 10:00-2:00
Wed. Dec. 01 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 8:30-12:30
Thu. Dec. 02 - The Bell House - Trio - 9:00-1:00
Fri. Dec. 03 - Crazy Carl's - Quartet - 10:00-2:00
Sat. Dec. 04 - The Funhouse - Quartet - 10:00-2:00
Wed. Dec. 08 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 8:30-12:30
Thu. Dec. 09 - Salford Pub - Trio - 8:30-12:30
Fri. Dec. 10 - Finn McCool Tavern - Electrio - 10:00-1:45
Sat. Dec. 11 - P. T. Saloon - Electrio - 10:00-2:00
Wed. Dec. 15 - Whitpain Tavern - Electrio - 9:00-1:00
Thu. Dec. 16 - The Bell House - Trio - 9:00-1:00
Fri. Dec. 17 - Dutch Cottage Tavern - Electrio - 10:00-2:00
Sat. Dec. 18 - TBA
Wed. Dec. 22 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 8:30-12:30
Thu. Dec. 23 - The Drafting Room - Duo - 9:00-1:00
Wed. Dec. 29 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 9:00-1:00
Thu. Dec. 30 - The Bell House - Trio - 9:00-1:00
Fri. Dec. 31 - Crazy Carl's - Quartet - 10:00-2:00 - New Years Eve! w/ Townhall
Thank You, 