backing solo performances

[Michael Tuminello <m1cha3l@earthlink.net>]

Hi -

my original plan was to do something similar (probably midi synth + drum backing only), until I saw a guy @ Sidewalk cafe in NY do this.  He seemed like an accomplished musician - he had arranged string tracks and all kinds of crazy backing for his stuff.  

However, the end result for me was that I felt like he was playing karaoke.  I had the feeling that he wasn't even singing or playing guitar anymore, and that it was all recorded.  (Not true, but that's what it felt like to me.)  At that point I decided that a full band was the way to go.  

Other people may have differing opnions (I'm sure they will), but you should try to check out someone who performs like this before you totally commit to doing it yourself, in my opinion.  I went from no doubt that it would work to completely discarding the idea. 

MT

Greetings:
In the most recent issue of Guitar Player magazine, there is an article on the use of MiniDisc backing tracks for live performances by solo artists. This article is timely for me because I'm currently developing a repertoire of recorded rhythmic and ambient accompaniment to supplement my guitar looping for solo live performances. My desire is to maintain an improvisational element in my performance but also to give the gig some structure with the accompaniment, which I'm committing to CD via my new HP CD recorder. I would like to hear from other members of this list who are doing similar things. I'd be interested in hearing how others use accompaniment (what kind of medium, what desired effects are being achieved, etc..).

Best Regards,
Alan Imberg