World Premieres: Rik, Dave, Chaka, and Bo

Hello Brothers and Sisters,
So...how many of you watched and listened to the World Premiere of Rik Emmett and Dave Dunlop at the Rose Theatre on the Internet last night? Lots, by the emails, social networking and phone calls and text messages Falcon and Dove received. What a show!!! Too short, but awesome, just the same. So, let's review:

El Cuento del Gadjo, the only song in the group already released, and this was a modified version of the piece that Rik has performed for the last dozen years. It is a really strong, vibrant, challenging song, and the troubadours performed it smartly with Dave dressed in a Cabernet shirt and black jacket and Rik looking luscious in a black suit with a pure white button down shirt. They immediately went into the already released as a single, "Why, Baby?" that has had strong iTunes sales. I wondered what this was going to sound like as a guitar duet, since the studio recording is a well produced piece with a full band. I have to say, I like the duet better.

A new instrumental, "Red Hot"is just that; South American influenced meets Yes' syncopation in duality between Rik and Dave's guitar licks on steroids. A fierce song that will make the biggest guitar aficionados weep. It's sooooo good!

Unless you were at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia last winter, you never heard this one before, and it has had some final modifications before its final form on the new album Push and Pull, a line from this brand new piece, "A Deeper Kind of Blue" a melancholy lament to opportunities lost when life gets in the way.

One extremely fun piece was the tremendously impressive instrumental, "52 Pick-Up", which according to Mr. Emmett, can refer to the number of notes in the first few bars, or the card drop, or a vintage truck. Anyone with a musical ear and an appreciation for the impossible will be impressed by this force of nature; funky, progressive, and grabs at your heels a bit and makes you wanna dance.

The final song of the evening was a thoughtful piece, "Miracle", which has the trademark Rik and Dave harmonies, strong verse structure and articulate composition. It was introduced as a piece that lyrically transformed in its development, starting with a cynical, disbelieving character who, through the power of love, realizes he is more sacred and deserving of that love than he every imagined.

Rik Emmett has written some of the most inspirational anthems over his four decades of making music; some personal, some intimate, some universal, but all have had something for every listener. It may not be the same something, but it is something that can cause a change in perception if one is paying close attention.

For photos from last night's concert, and more information on the new album release, please go to:
www.myspace.com/rikemmettnetwork
www.rikemmett.com

NOTE: Rose Theatre and Orchard Studios do archive their concerts. Please see this link:
http://webcasts.myrosetheatre.ca/
www.orchardtv.com
Last night's concert is posted!

COMMUNITY PARTNERS CONCERT

For anyone in the Pittsburgh area June 25, 2009 at 8pm, Falcon and Dove are inviting you to a very unique opportunity. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is holding a most special event! With Lawrence Loh at the baton, the PSO will hold a Community Partners concert with R&B sensation, Chaka Khan! Lynn Swann (yes, the Steelers wide receiver from the 1970's Super Bowl years) will help host the evening, and the beneficiaries will be 50 community organizations. ALL proceeds will go to these tremendous organizations that do so much for so many during the year. Need ticket and information on how to support your favorite?

www.pittsburghsymphony.org
412-392-4900 or 800-743-8560

THE FIRST PUPPY
Well, the news and photos were leaked over the weekend, but Falcon and Dove held off on the big announcement until it was made official by the White House yesterday. Yes, the First Puppy has been chosen: a Porchie, that is, a Portuguese Water Dog, gifted by Senator Edward Kennedy (who has a soccer team of them), and his name is Bo. Bo is 3 months old, black curly hair and dark eyes, with a small white goatee, a white chest, and white sock style front paws. Just Google the words The First Puppy, and an article with a picture from the plethora of media that have covered this story will appear. Bo is adorable, dressed in a rainbow lei, and I hope the First Daughters enjoy their new little brother...and the responsibility that comes with him. Porchies need a lot of exercise...hehe.