River of the West [Archive] - Mandolin Cafe Forum

Mike Bromley

May-23-2009, 11:57am

WooHoo! I'm going to my first-ever mando-camp!

After years of self-instruction, jamming, and gigging, time to go and see what I can learn from the masters at River of the West Mandolin Camp (http://www.mandoberlin.com/)near Portland, OR, June 12-14.

I am so excited I kinda surprised at myself!

Anybody else attending from CafeLand?

:mandosmiley:

Bruce Clausen

May-25-2009, 12:51pm

I asked the same question a couple a weeks back and got no answer. So I guess it's just you and me, Mike! It's a first for me too. Should be great fun. No one else out there going?

BC

Mike Bromley

May-25-2009, 1:16pm

I asked the same question a couple a weeks back and got no answer. So I guess it's just you and me, Mike! It's a first for me too. Should be great fun. No one else out there going?

BC

Maybe there's an aversion to hangin' with a couple of 'Nuks.....

He He

AZStu

Jun-10-2009, 5:58pm

I just signed up. Better late than never!

See you there.

Stu

Laird

Jun-10-2009, 10:29pm

Man, I wish! I tried to figure out how to extend my family visit in Oregon (which ended yesterday) into Oregon Country Fair (a little more than three weeks from now), which would have allowed me to attend. It wasn't meant to be, though. A lonely dog, a suddenly weedy garden, and a partner who's less of a mando-fanatic all drew me back to Vermont. Oh well...

If you haven't been up around the Menucha Center at the west end of the Columbia Gorge, you're in for a sensory treat!

Mike Bromley

Jun-12-2009, 11:06pm

Well, it's under way....I'm sitting listening to four guys playing "honeysuckle rose"

Very cool.

Laird

Jun-15-2009, 9:45pm

Mike Bromley

Jun-15-2009, 11:45pm

Mike, I'd love to hear more about what the rest of us missed (if you get a chance). I've never been to a workshop/camp, and this one was especially intriguing as it was affordable and just a few miles from my childhood home. How was it?

Yeeeeee-haw!

Notice the abject lack of enthusiasm......There was every skill level present, and instruction ably provided by Brian Oberlin & Don Stiernberg, with a guest appearance by Jim D'Ville.

I got entwined with the Jazz Element...Bruce Clausen, Kerry Williams and a fellow from Washington State whose name escapes me, as well as Don S. & Brian O. Some great jamming ensued....:popcorn::mandosmiley:

mrmando

Jun-16-2009, 12:12am

That's Austin Clark next to Brian, ain't it? And who's the dude with the mandocello?

Mike Bromley

Jun-16-2009, 1:19am

That's Austin Clark next to Brian, ain't it? And who's the dude with the mandocello?

That would be Austin. He brought some samples of his wares as well. A gorgeous A-model, as well as a guitar-shaped OM. Very fine fit and finish. The teens Gibby mandocello is in the hands of one Stuart Celarier.

Here is the first of a series of Youtubes, with Bruce Clausen, Kerry Williams & Yours Truly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oEx9mZRp5U)playing in the end-of-camp performance.

I'll post as many as I can over the next few days. Everyone put out their best.

Mike Bromley

Jun-16-2009, 1:56am

Here's Don Stiernberg & Brian Oberlin perfoming "Little Red Wagon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9jbMMXb3ss)" in the context of Circle of Fifths.

And, a bunch of us playing a swing tune in B-Flat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrApG901rB8), my memory escapes me as to the name of it. I'm sure Someone will pipe up with the name......

austin

Jun-16-2009, 7:10am

For any of those who missed the camp, this is a MUST attend event.

Brian and his wife Liz were fantastic hosts and clearly put a whole lot of work and thought into making it a great camp.

Don, what can I say but WOW......!!!

Don and Brian are also great teachers. They are both totally approachable and have an ability to make difficult concepts seem simple and easy to understand. I am sure everyone at every level of playing came away with lots of new tips and tricks. I feel like it gave my playing a solid bump in the right direction and can't wait to bring the things I learned to the table when I play with my regular group.

I also want to give props to the Bruce, Kerry, Mike, John and all the others who treated us to some fantastic jazz and swing jams!

Good to meet everyone, and I am already looking forward to next year!

Mike Bromley

Jun-16-2009, 10:02am

Good to meet everyone, and I am already looking forward to next year!

Looks like a repeat performance, dunnit.:grin:

Bruce Clausen

Jun-16-2009, 10:16am

It was a great weekend in a very beautiful spot. Great to hear Brian and Don both in jams and in a concert setting, and to get some of their concepts explained in the workshops. Nice too to meet Austin and see his fantastic mandolins (plus a few other fine instruments that were on hand). Lots of different backgrounds, styles, and levels, but I think everyone got a lot out of it.

Playing with Mike, Kerry and John was a thrill for me. I've never been anywhere before where you could sit down with other mando players and kick around tunes like Scrapple from the Apple or I'll Remember April without losing anyone.

That Bb tune is Perdido, Mike. Looks like I left too soon that night.

BC

Mike Bromley

Jun-16-2009, 10:34am

That Bb tune is Perdido, Mike. Looks like I left too soon that night.

BC

You vanished like the north face of Mt. St. Helens...poof! Thanks for the name of the tune.

Mike Bromley

Jun-16-2009, 11:25am

Here is a lovely version of "Ashokan Farewell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si5J0OF3LeM)".

Personnel are:

Andrew Petersen, Charlie Becker & Joe Doyle on Mandolins
Stuart Celarier on Mandocello
Peter Schwimmer on Guitar
Kalen Euling on Bass.

The more I search through the videos, the more gems I find. In this grouping were Charlie's nice Pumpkin A, and Stuart's venerable old H1 Mandocello. Neat stuff.

:mandosmiley:

RemingtonS

Jun-16-2009, 1:28pm

What a weekend! I'm still numb ... the "guy from Washington" was John -- we learned the "potato of fifths" from him during Jim D'Ville's "routine", I mean, er, "session". What a pleasure to hear and learn from all these great players! Even more wonderful was how truly 'nice' they all were... generous of spirit and willing to share. Brian, I'm ready to send my money in as soon as you have a date!

Mike Bromley

Jun-16-2009, 1:31pm

Brian, I'm ready to send my money in as soon as you have a date!

Don't ferget yer stool!

The potato of fifths....exactly!:)):))

RemingtonS

Jun-16-2009, 1:34pm

I remembered the stool... now I just have to remember to "wipe"!

Thanks!

Mike Bromley

Jun-17-2009, 9:40am

Here is "Take Me Back to Tulsa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFk41Wz1hMA)", stretched into a lesson about chord shapes and outright dressing-up of a song traditionally thought of as consisting of chords 1 and 5. (I and V7)..,,

Bruce Clausen

Jun-17-2009, 10:21am

Super! Thanks, Mike, and keep 'em coming.

--Bruce

Mike Bromley

Jun-17-2009, 10:32am

Here's Don & Brian playing "Take the A Train (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUv1yrkQu1M)".

My camera records the odd 'click' when I twiddle the controls.

Laird

Jun-17-2009, 10:57am

Thanks for the video, Mike! I haven't watched all of them yet, but I'm sure enjoying them. Say, what kind of mando is Don playing? It's sure got pretty tone!

Mike Bromley

Jun-17-2009, 11:01am

Bruce Clausen, Kerry Williams (singing), Peter Schwimmer (guitar), Kalen Euling (Bass) & Myself rehearsing "Humming to Myself (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nmmmk6rcuQ)"

I hope I got the rhythm section's names right...they did a wonderful job backing up a number of different 'bands' assembled for the camp performances.

You get a good view of my Canada Customs clearance sticker on my Triggs' headstock....~:>

Also, a view of Liz Oberlin's Super Oatmeal Cookies in their plastic tub.....

Mike Bromley

Jun-17-2009, 11:02am

Thanks for the video, Mike! I haven't watched all of them yet, but I'm sure enjoying them. Say, what kind of mando is Don playing? It's sure got pretty tone!

Don is playing a jazzy-looking two-point Nugget.

I was surprised at the variety of mandos at the camp. Out of 36 mandos, only three Gibsons, one an old pumpkin-top A, another a newer-model F which I only got a glimpse of, and my F9, which stayed in the case the entire time...