Mark Hodgson Band - What’s he building in there - House of Blues - Brian Mackie

Notes

#19 &&& (03-19-2003) Mark Hodgson / House of Blues /audio excerpt/ I began working with Mark Hodgson in 1998. I’d heard about him for many years. Dan Walters was playing in his band at the time. I’d worked with Dan on gigs, sessions and the group, WindJammer.

My experience with Mark Hodgson was my first true blues band gig. It took me awhile to get comfortable and settled in with the group’s repertoire. “As I experienced playing Reggae and Caribbean music with WindJammer. It’s not the notes, it’s the feel” Though it may appear easy to play 12/8 and shuffle grooves it’s much deeper than that. Mark Hodgson is truly a Blues Man. As a vocalist he’s even more. He can sing blues, jazz, Ballads, Rock n Roll and anything he attempts. He’s one of the best singers, vocalist I’ve ever heard and been on a bandstand with.

His harmonica playing is brilliant. I’ve asked other musicians how he does what he does. They just shake their heads and say, I don’t know. He can play lines like the best saxophone players in the world. Amazing He also knows the history and language of the harmonica.

Every tradition, from every player, he can replicate all of the greats. Mark has studied blues and all music. He’s a historian of the art. During my tenure with Mark there were multiple combinations of ensembles. Different guitar players and bassist, each group had it’s own special sound. Mark was a veteran of many Daytona Beach Bike Weeks and Biketoberfest.

I played with him on several occasions at the legendary Boot Hill Saloon. Mark held that gig as the house band for many years. Bike Week was a 10-day straight, 2 to 6 and 9 till one AM marathon. When I finished those 10 days my chops were 110 per cent. ‘A great playing experience’ It was an honor to also play with the great saxophonist Noble “Thin-man” Watts on those gigs. I loved and learned hearing and playing on the bandstand with Noble. Look him up on Youtube or Wikipedia. The gig at The House of Blues was late in my band period with Mark. It was more of a one-off than a regular gig or working group. I think Mark had moved to Virginia and was down for a brief visit.

This was still in the Post 9/11 period’ It was a different vibe. There was a short period when Mark and myself played as a duo called “The Garage Set” I loved the concept and sound of that duo. With the 4 piece bands, Mark didn’t play guitar. I love his guitar playing. It’s a combination of Americana, Country and Traditional Blues style.

He also had a great sound with amplified acoustic guitar through an amplifier. I played with Steven Dees in multiple groups with Mark. He’s a great bass player and enjoys locking in with the drums. With Mark playing guitar, we created a unique rhythm section. The House of Blues stage and venue was a fun gig. I always enjoyed it. It was usually 4 or 5 nights steady. They also gave up a free meal at the end of the night.

Cajun Chicken and Jambalaya was my favorite.

It was always easy to be on a bandstand with Mark. Audiences love him and he presents music that is very listener friendly and familiar. Tom Chambers was sitting in with the band for several sets the night of this recording. Tom is very active in the Daytona Beach, Volusia County area. (Soprano Saxophone) I love the attitude of this recording. Mark sets the tone and there’s nothing in his presentation that’s contrived or artificial. Mark, Steven and myself spent so much time on bandstands together that it’s well rehearsed, but also spontaneous.

From the initial downbeat Mark knows what he wants to play and the sound he wants. It’s rare when music is part of your natural emotion in a live performance. He has a special gift and talent that he’s refined for many years. Recorded by Mark Scheidegg

#20 &&& 2002 / Art Gallery / Video excerpt/ the audio and video of this performance is on my web site. I really enjoyed this performance. I was in a good mood to be uninhibited in my solo spoken word act. The event was well attended and the audience was very hip and open to my act. The video was filmed in camera by my friend (rip) Justyn Rowe.

Justyn was an excellent video and film person. We became good friends and he helped me in my early days of learning Final Cut. Justyn also shot The What Thing and some of my ‘is this a drum video? Mario Schambon is the percussionist in this footage. Brian Mackie plays tenor saxophone.

That may have been the first time I played duo with Brian. The Stardust audio recordings with Brian are great. Brian was also playing in The Sam Rivers Orchestra at the time. His approach to free avant-garde is very original. I don’t know who the beautiful girl is in the video. It looks staged that she was a paid model for my little performance.

472### 2002 – Substitute Teaching/ I returned to substitute teaching in Orange County public Schools. I mainly did Middle School. I did High Schools but rarely Elementary Schools.

With my Bachelors Degree it paid $85 a day. They increased it to $100 a day if it was a high needs school. I did a few of those. One was the Orange County Juvenile Detention Center. Not worth the extra $15 thank you Orange County Public Schools. Accepting those gigs you are a substitute. Teaching has zero to do with it. You introduce yourself, announce the lesson plan, take roll and hope for the best. It was an interesting experience. I’ve written about my academic history as a complete underachiever, juvenile delinquent as a student. Quitting school because I hated the teachers and the system at age 16. I could go off on my opinion of the education system. I’ll refrain.