Kathy Geary - Soprano, Composer, Radio Personality

 
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Anything But Square, Odd Time Signatures in Rock: Steve Winwood, King Crimson, Blind Faith, Beatles

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Original air date September 7, 2019 | Time 59:00


Steve Winwood - Nine Lives  Blind Faith  King Crimson - Discipline

Rock n Roll is built on a strong back beat - one TWO three FOUR - starting with the Everly Bros in the 50's and through the British Invasion of the 60's. It's highly unusual when a musician wanders into the unknown territory of ODD Time signatures, for instance five beats per measure instead of four. Middle Eastern rhythms and even Greek are often in seven!

For me, an odd time signature is exciting, it changes the way the melody is phrased and adds an unexpected swing to the beats, to the turn around of the rhythm. Sometimes it's barely noticeable, for instance listen to Nick Drake's "River Man", with the entire song in 5/4, giving a lullaby like rocking feel. Other times it's used to alternate the feeling of the verses and choruses, for instance in Steve Winwood's "Raging Sea" with the verses in 7/4 and the chorus in 4/4. Amazing!! And then there are the extreme treatments that approach chaos and a wild feeling throughout the entire piece in King Crimson's "Discipline" where two lead guitars play together in different time signatures simultaneously and the drummer is in 17/16 (weirdest time signature I've ever seen).

But my favorite example is John Lennon's "Don't Let Me Down". There's one phrase in 5/4 which is the intro line to the verses. "Nobody ever told me that she done" is five beats then the rest of the song in four. When I first heard this song it got my attention big time but I didn't realize why at first. Take a listen and see what you think!

Gone But Not Forgotten - Michael Hedges, Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley

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Original air date August 31, 2019 | Time 59:00


Michael Hedges  Nick Drake  Jeff Buckley - Grace

These three men are all absolute virtuoso guitarists, indelible singers with immediately recognizable voices and melodically inventive composers. Their songs are timeless and universal in their meaning.

Horns! Horns! Horns! - Elizabeth Rose, Steely Dan

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Original air date August 24, 2019 | Time 59:00


Elizabeth Rose - Sleep Naked  Steely Dan - Two Against Nature

The excitement of a horn section in rock music raises the energy and impact of the music, especially in person when people can't help but dance! We listen to Elizabeth Rose's music featuring a strong use of a horn section in a variety of styles, brilliant. Then the signature sound of Steely Dan who feature horns on every song they've ever released. Take a listen.

Read more: Horns! Horns! Horns! - Elizabeth Rose, Steely Dan

Callicoon PorchFest 2019

I'll be singing on Sat August 17 at 1pm at Rafter's. Then I'll join in a jam session at the Western Hotel at 5pm. See you there!

Callicoon PorchFest 2019

Read more: Callicoon PorchFest 2019

Woodstock Perspective - CS&N, Richie Havens, John Sebastian

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Original air date July 27, 2019 | Time 59:00


Richie Havens, Nobody Left to Crown  Graham Nash, This Path Tonight  Woodstock - The Soundtrack

Uncovering the Originals - Robert Johnson, Eric Clapton, Rolling Stones

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Original air date August 3, 2019 | Time 59:00


Robert Johnson  Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed  Cream - Wheels of Fire

Sometimes a song is better known for a cover version instead of the original composer. We listen to the Rolling Stones covers of the American blues musician Robert Johnson (May 8, 1991 - August 16, 1938 at 27 yrs old). Eric Clapton also plays the entire catalog of Robert Johnson's music. These two strong influences in rock have bought the blues into the foundation of rock and roll.

CLOUD COVER - The Songs of Joni Mitchell

Another Evening at Rafters - July 26, 2019 Friday 7 - 9pm

CLOUD COVER Kathy Geary Sings the Songs of Joni Mitchell CLOUD COVER Kathy Geary Sings the Songs of Joni Mitchell

Read more: CLOUD COVER - The Songs of Joni Mitchell

Summer is Sunshine - Kinks, Beatles, Tom Petty, Lou Reed, Nick Drake, David Crosby

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Original air date June 8, 2019 | Time 59:00


Beatles - Abbey Road  James Taylor  Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Into the Great Wide Open 

The Kinks, Sunny Afternoon, Face to Face
The Beatles, Sun King, Abbey Road
James Taylor, Circle Round the Sun, James Taylor
The Beatles, Here Comes the Sun, Abbey Road
The Beatles, Good Day Sunshine, Revolver
Lou Reed, Fly Into the Sun, New Sensations
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Dark of the Sun, Into the Great Wide Open
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Can't Stop the Sun, The Last DJ
George Harrison, Rising Sun, Brainwashed
Cream, Sunshine of your love, Disraeli Gears
Big Bill Broonzy, In the Evening (When the Sun Goes Down), An Introduction to Big Bill Broonzy
Nick Drake, Things Behind the Sun, Pink Moon
David Crosby, Here It's Almost Sunset, Sky Trails

  • Indefinable - Unique Visionaries: Van Dyke Parks, Pat Metheny, Becca Stevens, Joni Mitchell
  • The Beautiful River - Eric Burdon, Billy Joel, Neil Young, Traffic, Paul Simon
  • Songs of Joni Mitchell
  • Music at the laundrette
  • International Women's Day - Barbara Streisand, Yoko Ono, Becca Stevens, Lana Del Rey
  • Native American Influence in Rock: Robbie Robertson, Jimi Hendrix, Walela, Rita Cooledge
  • Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson
  • Stevie Wonder and Prince
  • Road Trip (In Your Mind) - Knopfler, Mitchell, McCartney, Zappa, Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Sheeran, Michael Nesmith
  • Season of Memories - Beatles, Mitchell, Collins, Stevie Nicks, David Crosby, Van Morrison, GOASTT

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