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Sol Grill in Newport Beach, CA

Wednesday, 16 July 2008
 

Here comes "Sol Grill", the 2nd.

From Woodland Hills (green arrow) to Newport Beach (red).

Hello from California!

We are here again and there's a lot to tell about. You might remember the "Sol Grill" from last year. At that time we had visited it because our American guitar-teacher jOHn had recommended it. There we had met Dusty, the organizer of that "Open Microphone".

When he heard that we would come back this summer, he immediately invited us to play there again as "featured artists". Usually musicians only perform two or three songs so that everybody has the chance to have a turn. But Dusty just reserved us a whole hour for our progamm. Along with that he invited all his friends to come.
 

Sol Grill: Great food and music right next to the Newport Beach Pier ...

The Sol Grill is a small but mighty restaurant in Newport Beach, right next to the beach and the pier. The "musican's corner" had only just enough space for an amplifier, two chairs and two mikes. Dusty still is the host of the "Open Mike" where musicians from Newport Beach or thereabouts meet on Wednesdays to play live for the Sol Grill guests.

Our program included 10 pieces - songs of our live concert repertoire which we had rearranged for two voices and two guitars, as we couldn't bring the drum set or keyboard. Despite the school stress at the end of June we made it to learn all our new parts and voices. Mona had played the drums mainly so she had the bigger part to learn. Actually we had also practiced the first two weeks of our holidays to master the songs ready for stage. (Even in the car we had our guitars with us :)

As our last audience at Hennessey's (Laguna Beach) wanted an encore the evening before we had to think of something for the Sol Grill too. We remembered that we could actually play "Knocking on heaven's door" without any problems.  

While driving to the Sol Grill Dad figured out the right notes for a solo, namely all those that go together with all chords in the song. Literally ten minutes before we arrived at the Sol Grill, Lisa had practiced them in the car. And a second voice was found too.

Outside, the sun was setting in the sky. When we started to play our songs more and more people filled the restaurant.

We gave the songs "I will", "Proud Mary", "Michelle", "Samba Pa Ti" and so forth. Other musicians had already arrived too. While we were playing, they sat down at the bar and enjoyed our music.



 

With his harmonica guitarist Bob spontaneously backed us playing "Tambourine Man".

All of a sudden we got assistance from the right side for "Tambourine Man". Bob, one of the musicians, took his harmonica and played with us. We really liked that. Generally we experienced that people here in California do much more together, what from a lot of impulsive but great moments result. Participation is considered as a compliment rather than a nuisance. Obviously Bob thought our music was worth to be backed by him.

And then David and Maurice showed up at the restaurant. Does it dawn on you? Yes, Maurice had sung there last year and David had introduced himself as his producer. When Dusty had told them that we were going to play at Sol Grill again, they extra came to see us. We were really glad to meet and talk to them again after one year.

While we were singing, David and Maurice listened attentively and also the other guests eavesdropped interestedly ... We had a great audience.

In front of the big window there was sitting a young couple. After our first bonus song the man asked us for another song by Crosby, Stills & Nash for his girlfriend. It was her birthday and she wished for another song but we hadn't anymore to play. She asked us: "Don't you have any other songs you've just learned in the car?" Everyone was laughing. We were glad about this compliment because "Knocking on heaven's door" had worked really well. In the end we played "Teach your children well" for her again. And her boyfriend even bought our CD for her as a birthday present. Isn't that sweet?

 

Souvenir picture: f.l.t.r. Mona, host Dusty, Lisa, producer David

After that we joined Dad, Michaela, David and Maurice again and chatted about music and all the world and his wife. Maurice had watched all our 24 YouTube Videos several times!! We were really flabbergasted!

We gave out business cards to all our friends and some guests and took some "souvenir pictures" before it got too dark out front.

After our show was over we listened to the other musicians. Also Dusty played some songs with his great deep voice in his Folk-Blues-style. One of them we liked eminently: "I just don't look good naked anymore". In the verses he sang about different situations in which himself or others became clear that he "just doesn't look good naked anymore".

It got later and later and there were fewer and fewer people in the shop. Dusty was playing at that time and so we asked him if he wanted to do a little Blues session with us. In the end it was more a Blues lesson ;) Dusty showed us many different chords and lines for playing Blues - all very useful things. While clearing away all the equipment together Dusty taught us how to roll up all the wires efficiently. We really enjoyed having him around. He was like a Grandpa to us :). He cared for us in such a moving way - it was an unforgettable evening.

Thank's Dusty!

Ahoi!

Mona & Lisa

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