5/24/14 Balticon

 (Acoustic 12 String Guitar)
01) Wondrous Stories
02) Guinnevere
03) Butterfly
04) The Hippopotamus
05) Yarn Of The Nancy Bell

 (Electric 12 String Guitar)
06) Mr Tambourine Man
07) Sunshine Superman

 (Acoustic 12 String Guitar)
08) Colorado Rockies

 (Banjo)
09) Hero Of Canton

 Sci-fi conventions can be really great audiences, and Balticon this year
was no exception.   They were totally along for the ride on what turned out
to be a pretty schizophrenic set.  On the one hand, I was really in the
mood to play some of my prettier, more sensitive, and intricate material.
On the other hand, I also was itching to make people laugh.  I was able to
do both, and they helped make it feel seamless.  One highlight for me was
introducing "The Hippopotamus" to an audience that didn't know they were
waiting for me to play it for them.  The other highlight was a more formal
debut of "The Yarn Of The Nancy Bell" with words by W.S. Gilbert (of Gilbert
& Sullivan) that I've set to the tune "Jack's Maggot" from the English
Country Dance repertoire.  I'd been trying it out some at VARF, and I'm
pleased to note that for the right audience it's proving to be a great
addition to the repertoire.  Balticon was definitely a place to find such
an audience.  Anywhere there's an attentive audience that likes a good story 
and dry wit, this song will go over well.  I can't wait to get a little more
polish and finesse into the arrangement.