Dangerous Time In Los Angeles.....

Today Crystal Symphony arrives in Los Angeles and Robin will be making the long journey home.
He has enjoyed the trip, his concerts have both gone very well, and he has caught up with a few friends.
Mark Merchant I have already mentioned, but the pianist Naki Ataman, has also been on board.
He's an interesting chap, he started playing at the age of 4, and made his stage debut at 8!
Naki is the son of the concert violinist and conductor, Zeki Ataman, who used to conduct many Turkish orchestras.
Naki had an interesting story, and one that may appeal to any conductors out there. At the time, occupations in Turkey were given an unofficial ranking, with musicians pretty high up on the list, and conductors in particular, being held in very high esteem, with a ranking the equivalent of a General!

However I have other things on my mind today.
As I have said, Robin will be leaving Crystal Symphony in Los Angeles.
I do have a concern.
In Los Angeles is one of Robin's favourite shops, and you guessed it, they sell guitars.
Not just any old guitars, but concert guitars.
I also know that he will have time to visit, before he goes to the airport.
We have dealt with this place many times in the past, and he assures me he's only going so he can meet them face to face.

I did send him an email outlining my concerns. You can probably judge the tone of my message, when I tell you his response:

"It will take more than a knife wielding psychopath with an Oedipus complex, or a serial killer with a chainsaw to deter me..."

Oh, well, I suppose it's OK to look.

Concert Comments and George Bush's Eyebrow

The final concert went very well and Robin has had some very nice comments.
He was delighted to meet a member of the audience afterwards that is an eminent jazz guitarist. I shan't identify him, as he is after all there on holiday, but he enjoyed the concert very much and they spent some time 'talking music'.
To receive compliments on your performance from a distinguished musician in his own right, is very nice indeed.

This chap is a friend of the legendary jazz guitarist, Lee Ritenour, who has many recordings to his name and has done session work with some of the best around. Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan, Dizzy Gillespie and Pink Floyd to name just a few.
So they had plenty to talk about.

Another lady said that Robin, "Played with so much soul that she could see it rising out of his body."
Whilst one couple announced, "We enjoy your playing very much, we're in the next room."
However, they added that both their children play guitar, so they were used to hearing it, and that they had been to both concerts and thoroughly enjoyed them.
I hope they enjoyed the scales and arpeggios as much...

Also a chance meeting with an American gentleman proved amusing.
Robin had just convinced himself that no one would notice him doing some laundry. He found the laundry room and was just loading up the machine, a sight I would dearly loved to have seen, when this man came in and said incredulously, "A guitarist like you has to do his own washing!"....Yes, please don't discourage this new found skill...

Last night it was Mark Merchant's turn.
Robin was just about to go out to watch Mark's show, when 10 minutes before it was due to start, there was a knock at the door.
There he stood, clutching George Bush, minus his right eyebrow.
Knowing that this particular guitarist never travels without superglue, in case of any nail damage, Mark was hopeful for some emergency repairs.
It worked.
George Bush now has perfectly symmetrical eyebrows once more, and went on to give an excellent show, with the help of Mark of course.
Life's never dull on board Crystal Symphony!

Jose Feliciano and the Ventriloquist

Crystal Symphony has spent a couple of days out at sea, so communication has been limited.
The last time Robin was on dry land, he ventured into Puntarenus, Costa Rica.
He proceeded with caution after the bus driver told him a few facts about the area.
Costa Rica has 36 types of poisonous snakes, they have anti venom for 35 of them, so advised not getting bitten by a sea snake....

Not to be deterred Robin continued into town where he found an interesting shop.
His ability to spot guitars at more than 100 paces is legendary.
From a great distance he saw a very old shop, with some dusty guitars hanging in the window.
His heart leapt.
Could there be a priceless guitar hiding in the back of this place? Maybe even one of Barrios's very own...
But he was to be disappointed.
The shop was full of guitars, all very old and tired, and all without strings. (For the non guitarists amongst you, guitars should never be left stringless.)
I breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, back out at sea, life on board Crystal Symphony continues.
Robin has been enjoying the company of a friend he made some time ago, and occasionally their trips coincide. His name is Mark Merchant and he is a comedian and ventriloquist.
He's a very funny man, I know because I've watched his DVD, 'Naked in a Full Length Mirror'.
They have also enjoyed attending each others very different performances.
Not only that, but they have managed a couple of games of paddle tennis, and eaten out together a few times.
He, like Robin, has travelled extensively and worked with many interesting people.
On one occasion Mark spent a few weeks opening for Jose Feliciano in Los Angeles.
Jose Feliciano is a guitarist, born in Purto Rico, who has managed a successful career despite being blind from birth.

After the first week, Mark and Jose still hadn't met.
But as Mark walked past Jose's dressing room, his voice called out, "Is that you Mark?"
He went inside.
Jose continued, "Hey, good to meet you man, you are a great ventriloquist - I haven't seen your lips move once."
Nice.

Anyway, Crystal Symphony will be arriving in Acapulco later today. I'm not sure if Robin will go ashore this time as his second, and final, concert is tonight. But it's only a couple of weeks since he was there anyway.
Mind you, I seem to recall that he liked it very much, so maybe he will allow himself a short excursion.
We'll see.