Recently, I decided to branch out into acoustic music. Although my classic rock trio, Roger Zee and The Zygotes, works steadily at a number of clubs, I noticed that many of my peers have added duo and solo gigs to fill out their schedule.
And just as the idea popped into my head, I got an email from Bob and Norm with their July 2005 calendar of dates. Sure enough, they would appear that evening at Opus 465 in Armonk, NY. Never one to waste time, I hopped into my car a few hours later and caught their last two sets.
Opus 465 provides an intimate but casual bar and dining setting complete with backyard patio. The band stand, located in the front window on one side of the bar, contains two large hanging flat panel TV screens on either side. That night, the Yankees filled the airwaves.
In general, acoustic groups take one of two routes. While most create a set list on the fly in response to their particular audience, some sit down with a music stand and a large fake book while others work from memory. Bob and Norm follow the latter path. No simple three chord romps for these guys. They pick difficult songs with complex complex vocal and instrumental arrangements. Working seven nights a week allows them to polish these tunes until they glow like pearls in the spotlight. Talk about workaholics, after their last set at Opus 465, they hurriedly stowed their gear and zipped out for another appearance at The Back Fence in Greenwich Village, NY!
Bob and Norm's jigsaw puzzle approach reminds me of the Beatles. Everything locks together in perfect harmony. Bob sings and plays melodic, McCartneyesque bass. He plugs a four string, acoustic guitar bass with nylon strings direct through the PA. A little known fact -- Bob grew up best friends with one of my favorite guitarists, Gil Parris! Norm sings and takes the George Harrison guitar approach. He crafts tight, melodic solos on an acoustic guitar also plugged direct into the PA. Surprisingly, he uses a lot of bends. I wondered where he got the strength to move those heavy acoustic strings. Between sets, he revealed his secret -- extra light strings (10 on the high E).
None of the tunes they played during the two sets contain simple progressions.
A few days later, I told a bassist from another duo how much Bob and Norm impressed me. His reply -- "They represent the gold standard of acoustic duos." By the way, Bob and Norm also perform with a drummer as "Powderfinger!"
©2005 Roger Zee