Extras at the Church
It was music from noon to night in our neck of the woods yesterday – first at the church and then at the erstwhile parsonage. Mrs. Crouch was probably tapping her ghostly toes and singing right along with us. Well… lip-synching at the church along with the Blind Pilot band and, later, full-out harmonizing with the revelers at Kuzzin Kris’s Goodbye Party across the street.
Israel-the-Preacher Man
By noon or a few minutes after, the main room at the church was pretty much full. The all-call for ‘extras’ for a music video taping had generated the desired response and we, “the congregation” were in our places right on time. Then, like almost every theatrical rehearsal or movie filming or even still photography shoot that I’ve ever been to, there was a lot of waiting. We filled out release forms, watched the wrinkles get steamed out of the band uniforms (costumes) and waited patiently – right down to the little kids, which was impressive.`
Finally, the ‘preacher’ arrived! Playing that role was lead singer Israel Nebeker, and his rushed entry into the church was part of the script. There were half a dozen or more takes. “Action” called the director/cameraman and Israel would burst through the door and rush up the aisle toward the dais, all the while being filmed by the fast-stepping backward-moving director and his hand-held camera. Meanwhile, the band fake-played to a sound-track from their recently released third album, “And Then Like Lions.”
Nyel and Sydney and Blind Pilot
When it was our turn, we focused on the band, as instructed. while the camera panned the room from several different perspectives. Finally, while the director/cameraman and Israel went outside to film his ‘late arrival’ to the church, the band posed with anyone who wanted to have their picture taken ‘for posterity.’
Anna and Anwyn
We were home by three, just in time to put the finishing touches on our preparations for the Goodbye to Kris Party. No waiting this time. People began arriving before the appointed hour (five o’clock) and stayed well into the evening. Cate and Starla and Glenn brought music and instruments and, without benefit of rehearsing or extra ‘takes,’ sat down and played while we partiers sang along – “Jamaica Farewell,” “Tom Dooley,” “Sloop John B.” “Michael Row the Boat Ashore, and more. All with the most amazing harmonies.
Starla, Cate, Glenn
And then, by special request, Kris sang a bit of an aria from “Carmen,” Cousins Anna and baby Anwyn arrived, everyone ate and drank and talked and… sang some more! I don’t know about Kuzzin Kris, but I think it was a Perfect Party! All except the ‘goodbye’ part!
This sounds like it was a lot of fun. Our quartet is excited to come to Oysterville next week.