What’s better than getting off work earlier than expected
partway through the week and being able to catch some live music as a result?
Last night I made it out to the Tuning Fork and caught some delicious bluegrass
by a band called The Guesthouse, a band that invites multiple guests to join
them on stage during their shows. Bill Parks sat in on upright bass for most of
the three-hour set, the first time I’d seen him on that particular instrument.
Other guests joined them throughout the set, at one point leading to a
bluegrass rendition of “Blue Bayou,” and the musicians jammed on it, the two
fiddle players delivering some great stuff. This is what it’s all about for me,
the joy of live music being the joy of life. Picking up on the “Blue Bayou”
theme, the next guest decided to lead the band in a rendition of Roy Orbison’s
“Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream).” The band did bluegrass renditions of some
other non-bluegrass songs, such as “Flowers On The Wall,” “Margaritaville” and
even “All Of Me,” getting good and jazzy on that last one. That song too
featured some fantastic stuff on fiddle. I’m a big Grateful Dead fan, and The
Guesthouse covered several songs that, while not Grateful Dead originals, were
songs the Dead also covered, such as “Sitting On Top Of The World,” “Goin’ Down
The Road Feeling Bad,” “Deep Elem Blues” and “Stealin’.” So I was having a
great time. The band also delivered excellent renditions of “Rocky Top” and “I’ll
Fly Away.” That version of “I’ll Fly Away” was especially joyous, and by my
count there were thirteen people playing on that one. I had a few beers in me
by that time, so perhaps my math can’t be fully trusted, but you get the idea.
Apparently this group plays at the Tuning Fork every
week, so if you live near Studio City, check it out. It’s a cool little venue,
with a relaxed and friendly vibe, perfect for some bluegrass on a Tuesday
evening. I noticed some surprised expressions on the faces of people walking by. Bluegrass in Los Angeles, friends!
Here are a few photos from the show:
The Tuning Fork is located at 12051 Ventura Place in
Studio City, California.
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