Inside My Head 2.11.08

Miami Hamilton Downtown provided a great venue for “Inside My Head” this past Monday evening despite the threat of the “Great White Death” by the weatherman. The program consisted of original music by Bekka Eaton, Assistant Professor of theatre at Miami Hamilton. Bekka is a professional actress who knows how to use her incredible voice much like a well played musical instrument. She spent years as a performance artist which is obvious as you watch her transform into the character telling their story through song. Each song becomes a one act play and you find yourself interacting with that character as opposed to passively watching a musical performance. You feel something.

Bekka is part of the band, R~U~Us, along with Chuck Wiggins who played brilliantly, I must say, and I’m not just saying that because we’re married. I am also proud and amazed by the arranging he did of these pieces and his creation of musical charts for other instruments such as the cello. This was a new musical stretch for him and it worked. Of course, Big Red, the digital accordion made a couple of appearances to our delight.

Janet Metter, the beautiful cellist player, (a beautiful lady and a beautiful cello player) is such a wonderful addition to Bekka’s music and R~U~Us. I was telling Janet that the cello really connected with the intensity of the song lyrics. It gave voice to the depth of meaning. I don’t think I could hear the songs without the cello now.

Steve Metter, “the Sleeve”, is a really cool guy (and husband of Janet) and he looks even cooler when he’s playing the bass in R~U~Us. Steve is a serious bass player with a great sense of humor - wonderful combination during a tense music practice. Just ask Steve to explain the meaning of the word “coda.”

Yvan Verbesselt, the drummer, has been our friend for years. It has been amazing to watch the process of Yvan stretching himself from playing the zydeco washboard to a full drum kit. He has come a long way and continues to accept each musical challenge as it comes along. Of course, he has the help of his beautiful wife, Martine, whom we are grateful to have a long friendship with as well. You can catch Yvan with the Cajun band, Lagniappe.

I sang back-up vocals on a few songs. I think I hit the right notes somewhere in the 50% range. Next time I’m going for 75%! Not to make excuses but I have had problems with my throat this winter and have recently found relief with a nasal spray and Prilosec. Apparently, I’ve had enough acid reflux to create a mild asthmatic cough which kept my throat constantly irritated. Who knew?

Anyway, it was unfortunate that the weather kept some away but I hope more performances are to come and you get another chance. The combination of these wonderful musicians with a vocalist who has performance running through her veins is not to be missed. In this day and age of pop vocalists achieving celebrity status you have to shake your head and wonder why? Bekka revives my hope that someday we’ll lose the “American Idol” image of instant celebrity and support those who have earned their stripes and have the pipes! You can catch Bekka at the HamSlam at Miami Hamilton Downtown.

You can also catch some of us at Creativa (formerly known as the FreeSlam) at Tanze Performing Arts Studio in Fairfield.