NEVAH Original - I LEAN LEFT YOU LEAN RIGHT

Fans of NEVAH … as promised I wanted to get another video up from our Cabin Fevah Relivah 2 show held at the Next Generation Theatre in Brewer Maine … this past January.

Therefore I've chosen to post my original song, I Lean Left You Lean Right  - the guys in NEVAH do a terrific job with this tune especially since I've included a key change, a "round" and an a-capella section.

So enjoy …

And as always you can click on this text to go directly to the youtube link. 

And please visit our facebook page too - just search for nevah - we like friends.

Hal

The NEVAH BANJO GUY

Another NEVAH Original Song - Phil Pitula's "THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED"

As promised … here is another NEVAH original by our own Phil Pitula … It's called, "THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED" - © 2011.

I love the heavy syncopated beat. A real "drivin" prograssabilly song. No pun intended and probably none inferred.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it …

As always … you can visit our facebook page - nevah … or click on these words to go to our youtube site and listen to it there.

So many choices … what to do, what to do …

Have a terrific weekend …

Hal
The NEVAH banjo guy

NEVAH Performs Ed Russell's "SLOW DOWN SUPERMAN"

Ahhhhh … I hit the video editing suite a running this evening … 

Here we are, NEVAH, performing Ed Russells original song: Slow Down Superman © 2011 … at our Cabin Fevah Relievah 2 Concert at the Next Generation Theatre in Brewer Maine …

Prograssabilly music the way we like it … prograssib

and again … you can also watch it at our you tube site by clicking here … right here, or here!

I'll try to post two more songs from the concert tomorrow … can anyone guess what songs they might be?

In the meantime enjoy Ed's "Slow Down Superman"

Hal
The NEVAH Banjo Guy

NEVAH Main'e Prograssabilly band sings Paul Simon's - "Gone At Last"

I've got a lot of NEVAH stuff to post tonight - a couple of videos, some photos of our "edit session" + more … So please scroll through the site.

In the meantime here's another number from our Cabin Fevah Relievah 2 held at the Next Generation Theatre in Brewer Maine. 
"Gone At Last" by Paul Simon.

Again you can watch it here …

if you prefer, please visit our nevah facebook or click here to go to our you tube pages.

More stuff coming up …

Hal
The NEVAH Banjo Guy

Back to the Studio - NEVAH Mixin'

We are all quite excited to head back into the Main Street Music Studios to start the mix down and editing of our first CD.  As you can imagine with 8 people in the band ideas abound as to how this should sound, especially when considering the diverse musical genres we love and which vary greatly from one member to the next.  The two things we all agree on is that the vocals need to be out front and when someone is playing a solo there needs to be volume separation from the rest of the instruments, after that it truly becomes a matter of personal taste.

Phil, Andy and Ed at the "board" in Main Street Music Studios Bangor Maine

Here is where it gets really interesting as you have Ed, a big band lover, think Duke Ellington, Richard, a contra dance aficionado, Hal, a folk/Broadway Musical devotee, Larry, a gypsy/swing admirer, Dick, a rock ala Rolling Stones fan, Jack, a country rock/western swing proponent, Dr. Eric, a Grateful Dead jam band follower, and lastly Phil, a Do-Wop/R&B enthusiast, hence the possible dilemma becomes apparent, yet as NEVAH always does "we can work it out." or is it as the song continues
"gotta see it my way?"

Richard, Phil and Andy at Main Street Music Studios Bangor Maine

However it ends up you know we will put our heart and soul into it, have a good time, and not take ourselves too seriously.  So until next time "Stayed Tuned"

Ed and Andy watching the board

Not  "Hal the Banjo Guy" but "Phil the Bass Guy"

Hal Filming the NEVAH Edit at Main Street Music Studios - Bangor Maine

A NEVAH Band Fan sings "LAST BUS to Bangor"

Maine's Prograssabilly Band - NEVAH has some terrific fans and we just received this video from John and Jenna … a huge thank you!

If you are having any trouble viewing this video here, please visit our: NEVAH You Tube site by clicking on these Words.

NEVAH Maine's Prograssabilly Band Performs - LAST BUS to BANGOR

As promised, a NEVAH Original written by our own Lawrence LeBlanc … LAST BUS TO BANGOR – © 2011 - as performed by NEVAH January 26th, 2013 at their "Cabin Fevah Relievah 2" at the Next Generation Theatre in Brewer Maine.

If you are having trouble seeing the video here please click on the words in blue which will take you directly to NEVAH's You Tube site at this link

Maine's Prograssabilly Band NEVAH - New Poster

NEVAH Fans, friends, family … o, and band members,

 … last week I created a NEW poster for NEVAH and wanted to get some feed back …

Here is the old poster …

And here is the NEW poster …

Which one do you like best … please email to nevahband@gmail.com

Thanks …

Hal
The NEVAH Banjo Guy

NEVAH performs "MOLE IN THE GROUND"

As promised I am posting longer versions of many of the songs NEVAH performed at their CABIN FEVAH RELIVAH 2 – SOLD OUT – show at the Next Generation Theatre January 26th - 2013.

I hope your enjoy our arrangement of … MOLE in THE GROUND

If for some reason you are not able to view the above video clip click on this direct you tube link

Band Dynamics - The NEVAH Show - Day of Set-up

Well NEVAH Prograssabilly Music Fans … I have two more BAND DYNAMICS in mind after this one … but you'll have to wait a couple of days in between NEVAH LIVE PERFORMANCE VIDEO POSTS of the CABIN FEVAH RELIEVAH SHOW that will be coming at a rapid pace.

I want to quickly go over the day of the show set-up at the Next Generation Theatre in Brewer Maine. The show was to begin at 7:30 PM - we arranged to have all the band members arrive at 4:00 pm. Luckily we'd rehearsed our sound set-up a week earlier, set levels and discussed the most efficient way to get all the equipment in and everything set in place. Three and a half hours may seem like a long time, but it's not when you have to handle instruments and vocals for seven musicians.

NEVAH Setting Up at the Next Generation Theatre

Our Banner was hung near the wall at the rear of the stage as the drums and Steel Guitar were put in place. This was followed with Speakers, Subwoofers and monitors being set out. Cables run, Mic stands positioned, everything plugged in and run to the snake … then personal instruments and amps.

Richard running cable, Jack setting the Steel Guitar

Ahhh … the Black Kavanjo Banjo Head sitting next to Hal's Martin D-42

Jack's Pedal Steel on his raised platform

Phil's Bass and Dick's Drum set up. Ed's Sax, Flute and "extras" are ready to go!

Larry's Guitar, Banjo and Fishman Amp

All cables were run to the snake which went to the board at the back of the room. Josh, our sound man for this gig (and my son) helped set everything up in record time.

Josh helping Richard get the Mic's ready

Left to Right: Jack, Hal, Richard, Ed and Larry getting ready for sound check.

Phil at the board getting things in order.
Phil's Bass and Hal's Banjo both run through Line 6 Wireless Systems.

We ran through a couple of tunes for "balance" and then took a break before the show. Greeting our guests as they arrived.

The complete NEVAH Stage Set-up for the Cabin Fevah Relievah 2

All the pre-show work, rehearsals, discussions, planning paid off in a big way and we were able to have a few minutes to breath before the show. Very cool!

Hal
The Nevah Banjo Guy

NEVAH's Cabin Fevah 2 - A 5 Minute Taste

Hey there Fans of NEVAH … Maine's Progressive Newgrass Band or to be more accurate … Maine's Prograssabilly band. I am so pleased to be able to show all of you, who weren't able to get to the show, a brief five minute video with a taste of the ENTIRE show (sans a couple of pieces that were not videoed by accident).

This was a SOLD OUT performance. I mean packed … we could barely get to the stage to start the show. We had to introduce ourselves and apologize for stepping on feet as we made our way to the front of the room.

And, before you watch the video I want to send out a HUGE thanks to ADRIA who has taped us almost every time we've played the Next Generation Theatre in Brewer Maine …

This will be a simple video taste of the show. In the next couple of days I will continue my band dynamics series with: Day of the show set-up - The Show - Watching The Show Video & Learning from it - Working Towards The Future.

Enjoy the Video …

For those of you having trouble viewing this video please try this youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg8WOZ75fCc&feature=youtu.be

NEVAH - "Expect the Unexpected"

We want to thank Susan Patten for this wonderful photo of NEVAH performing the Persuasion's classic Acapella song "Moonlight & Music"  It was an SRO crowd at the Next Generation Theatre for our "Cabin Fevah Relievah II", or as we put it "Paus Deux" which means "not two"  We hope everyone had as much fun as we did and we look forward to finalizing our first CD in the next few months and then throwing the best CD Release party as only "NEVAH" can.  Once again thanks to everyone that braved the cold to come out and hopefully we "Relieved some of your Fevah!"

Nevah Band - Secret Rehearsal Video

Okay … I know, I know … tomorrow, Saturday January 26th, is NEVAH's Cabin Fevah Relievah show at the Next Generation Theatre in Brewer Maine.

Last night NEVAH had a secret rehearsal … Kim P - Photog extraordinaire - managed to take 347 pictures … they were all sooooooo good that I couldn't resist putting them into a video …

Hope to see you all tomorrow, in the meantime get a behind the scenes peak at what went on yesterday

Hal
The Nevah Banjo Guy

p.s.

Here's the Next Generation Theatre listing taken directly from their site - Thank you Tracy!

Next Generation Theatre in Brewer Maine posted NEVAH's
Cabin Fevah Relievah 2 Concert 

Band Dynamics- NEVAH on Site Rehearsal

In this "Band Dynamics" discussion … I wanted to point out the importance of actually doing a full out rehearsal. I wish we had more of an opportunity to do this, and hopefully in the near future we will. It's one thing to practice once or twice a week in an enclosed space, but it's totally different when you are in an open space. The sound is different, the equipment set-up and procedure is more complex … only because you need to be heard. And it's a bit tricky, deceptive, since there are no people in the audience, bodies to absorb the sound. Which means the sound bounces off of all the solid surfaces and effects all the settings.

NEVAH, Maine's PROGRASSABILLY band decided to do a FULL stage set-up and as much of a rehearsal as time would permit prior to our upcoming Cabin Fevah Relievah - this Saturday January 26th at the Next Generation Theatre in Brewer, Maine …

NEVAH Maine's Prograssabilly Band
Presents …
The Cabin Fevah Relievah 2

At 11 am we unloaded our vehicles and brought all of the "sound stuff" into the Next Generation theatre. Before we unloaded we quickly surveyed the surroundings to best determine the "main" speaker placement along with the subwoofers we've started using.

Once we determined where the mains would be placed we unpacked and began setting up. Richard has taken it upon himself to be our stage Czar - and when we all coordinate with him the job gets done quickly and efficiently. Again we begin with the subs and the mains, and while that is being done the board is placed in the rear of the theatre. This is followed by the monitors, mike stands and personal amps. Once things are in place we run the power cable on the perimeter making sure it is laid out so that each speaker/monitor/amp is near one of the plugs. Then we begin the task of putting in the power cords followed by the speaker and microphone cables that attach to the boards snake (sitting center stage).

Once everything is in place we add our instruments and "gadgets" to the mix and make sure our amps are also plugged into the snake. Then we start the process of testing each speaker, monitor, mic and instrument making sure the levels to and from the board are "good".

That is … unless there is a "situation" - meaning something doesn't work, the sound isn't coming through, an instrument signal isn't received … etc., etc. Usually we find it's a simple case of checking the cables to make sure they are plugged into the snake correctly, or that the boards "levels" are up. And, yes, there is always something to work out … but in the end, the effort is worth the time.

Here is a little sample video from the set up and a taste of the rehearsal.

Hope to see you all on Saturday!

Hal
The NEVAH Banjo Guy

NEVAH Maine's Prograssabilly Band

Hey NEVAH fans around the globe - I thought we'd bring you something a little different today …

… so I'll let the video speak for itself … this is sort of a Band Dynamic entry with a bit of a twist …

I hope you enjoyed the video. We've got a few more rehearsals prior to our upcoming show at the Next Generation Theatre on January 26th … so we'll see you soon.

Maine's Bluegrass Band NEVAH in Concert January 26th

Fans O' NEVAH 

… Just a quick reminder, we're only 2 weeks away from NEVAH's CABIN FEVAH RELIEVAH 2

Hope to see you there …

Hal
The NEVAH Banjo Guy

Band Dynamics - NEVAH Sticking to the plan - is it working?

Hey there friends and fans of NEVAH, Maine's Bluegrass, Newgrass, Country - ish, PROGRASSABILLY Band … we're getting very close to show time for the "CABIN FEVAH RELIEVAH #2" AT THE NEXT GENERATION THEATRE in Brewer Maine on January 26th, a little more than two weeks away … and, so far everything we've been planning appears to be working.

NEVAH Maine Bluegrass Band
L to R: Dick, Hal, Phil, Larry, Richard, Ed

So far we picked the songs we're doing (it's a secret, I'll NEVAH tell), we recorded the NEW Tunes we are adding so we can practice them on our own. At last practice we were all asked, if we wanted, to try and arrange the 20 + songs on our list into two sets.

NEVAH Maine Bluegrass - Secret Songs and Set
(note words are blurred out on purpose - sorry)

Three of the NEVAH gang took the challenge, others either forgot, didn't have the time or the dog chewed up their list (how convenient). What was so surprising was that when we compared the three set lists they were almost identical, off only a couple of songs for each set. We chose the same openers and closers for the first and second sets and the middles were very similar.

NEVAH Maine's Bluegrass Band
Dick on Drums, Hal playin the Banjo (with Kavanjo Head), Phil on the Fender Bass

When we discussed this we realized it's difficult to create a show order, however, it appears the songs chosen (their titles) almost tell a linear story. Ooooooooooh!

Anyway, we went through the sets and I was shocked as to how smooth and fast the rehearsal went (not that we are rushing through the songs - we ain't). We have some more song "polishing" to do on a couple of numbers, for a wicked smooth show, but we are confident all will be ready.

NEVAH's Richard Silver on Mandolin

NEVAH's Larry LeBlanc on Guitar

NEVAH's Ed Russell on Sax

Next week we'll add final touches to each song, tightening, adjusting where needed and then we'll run everything from start to finish at least once during each rehearsal.

NEVAH Maine's Bluegrass Band Practicing for the
CABIN FEVAH RELIEVAH CONCERT
at the Next Generation Theatre in Brewer, ME - January 26th

Next Blog - Final touches for the NEVAH Concert

Band Dynamics PERFORMANCE PREP - NEVAH Crunch Time - Part 8

Okay NEVAH fans and new acquaintances (wow spelled it correctly) - As you know we've got an upcoming gig "Cabin Fevah Relievah 2 at the Next Generation Theatre in Brewer Maine, on January 26th" and we're adding a bunch of new material … and … going back over older material to get it ready for the show in three + weeks. Normally I'd be in panic mode because three weeks is not a lot of time and I want NEVAH to be really good-ish!

NEVAH Maine Bluegrass - rehearsing

However, we have implemented a number of procedures/techniques/organizational routines to increase our rehearsal productivity and efficiency:

Larry and Richard from NEVAH Maine's Bluegrass, Newgrass band

Phil, Larry and Richard from NEVAH a-practicin'

1) We recorded the NEW songs we're adding and everyone in the group has received them so we've been able to practice on our own which helps tremendously.

2) We've doubled up on our rehearsal schedule - practice makes "better" (actually a good coordinated practice makes you better.)

Ed the NEVAH Progressive Newgrass Flutah

3) We've selected our songs for this show from our NEVAH song list of over 44 tunes.

4) We've added all the NEVAH originals to the Show (8 total) - our plan is to eventually have enough original material at our disposal to do an entire evening of NEVAH doing NEVAH - if we want.

Triple D - Dick Da Drummer from NEVAH Maine's Newgrass, Country Band

5) We've already gone over all the preliminary selected tunes at yesterdays two and a half hour rehearsal  - with only a small break. Not too shabby a rehearsal.

6) We've given everyone in the group a copy of the tunes and asked to put them in a "show order" - only to see what the general consensus is.

Richard and the Man in the Mirror from NEVAH Maine's Bluegrass Band

7) We will have the show order fully sorted out/selected at our next rehearsal.

8) We will go over the show from start to finish at each up coming rehearsal at least once - most likely twice. And that's with only a short break in between sets. It's hard to drink a beer without a break.

NEVAH takin' a break during rehearsal for their upcoming gig at the Cabin Fevah Releivah at the NEXT Generation Theatre in Brewer Maine

We've implemented this formula before and it has provided some very nice concerts which appear to flow smoothly from song to song. At least the audience seems to appreciate our efforts. With the addition of digitally recording the songs at rehearsal I think we've made a major leap forward. And since we are adding more an more originals it will hopefully separate us from other bands.

Okay, which instrument am I supposed to play on this song? Hal the NEVAH band Banjo Guy

Next Blog: Band Dynamics - Sticking to the plan as we get closer to show time - is it working?