Peter J’s WoodBlog
Peter J runs sound for Mark Wood of Trans-Siberian Orchestra
In words, photos, and video clips
This two day event is presented in chronological order
February 2, 2007
Mark’s Viper and Pete’s laptop prepare for the rehearsal
9:30 AM
I am now sitting behind Mark Wood of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and about 160 kids with various stringed instruments at Cario Middle School in Mt Pleasant, SC. Mark and I have spent the last hour and a half setting and re-setting sound. Mark is now priming the kids to be what he has just called the first rock orchestra in South Carolina. One can cut the excitement with a knife. Already at this moment they are *all* jamming on “Sunshine of Your Love.”
Mark goes over parts with the orchestra
11:00 AM
We just finished a short break and Mark and I got to talking. I put on some tunes for the break starting with “Squonk” by Genesis. Mark loved it and began telling me of a time TSO was in the studio and Genesis was in the room next to them. Chester Thompson got Mark into that room and he was able to sit in on an hour of Genesis live in the studio. He said it was astounding.
Now Mark and the kids are starting an arrangement of “Purple Haze.” This is gonna be an interesting show. :~)
The view from Pete’s board, day one
Mark is now teaching the kids to undo the 17th century approach and get rockin’. No vibrato kids… it’s dirt under the fingernails, yunno?
Mark works with the orchestra
The kids are well prepared. They obviously have been practicing the show; the deal now is just to get everyone together and rockin’. Now Mark is playing a violin lead with a wah pedal… far out!
12:00 PM
We’re coming back from lunch break and I just put Vertical Alignment’s “Feel the Light” on for mood music. I had it on before we started and Mark loved it, in fact he started jamming with the tune! :~D
Mark jams
When Mark realized that I am a progger, he immediately requested that I put together a mix of prog tunes to play before the show. Do you think I’m up to that challenge? ;~D
Coming up next: Mark just announced “Live and Let Die” and “Stairway to Heaven.” Everyone hold up yer Bic lighters! ;~) Hey, I forgot how proggish “Live and Let Die” can be… a bold bombastic tune.
Quicktime clip: Mark does Jimmy Page
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1:30 PM
Jim Braunreuther joined us a little while ago. I introduced him to Mark as the VA lead singer and also (by the way) the Creative Arts director for Charleston County SC schools. On the break that shortly followed I played “Dress Rehearsal” and noted Mark’s ears perk up. When he got a break he asked, “Who is this?” I told him it was my band. He asked who was singing and I pointed to Jim. Mark got an astounded look on his face and said he loved it! He remarked several times how good the tune was and how much he enjoyed Jim’s vocals.
Now they are working on “Eleanor Rigby,” a natural for a string group (needless to say.) The kids are sounding good.
The second Viper
Mark is playing his Viper violin which he manufactures and sells. His is a fretted seven string instrument with his patented Chest Support System. (They come in both standard fretless and fretted with a varying number of strings starting at the traditional four.) It has dual peizo pickups and his is fitted with a wireless transmitter. Using a support and a strap which wraps around the player, the instrument stays in place with no hands. You don’t hold it, you *wear* it. The man is a visionary.
Mark in a pensive moment with his Viper
2:30 PM
Rehearsal was over at 2:00 and the kids swarmed Mark for autographs. Some brought sheet music, some brought instruments and 2 guys carried a Fender amp which Mark signed on the grille cloth. His standard line for those who brought gear to sign was, “If I see this on E-Bay tonight for $1000.00, I’m coming after you!” LOL
After things settled down, Jim and I got to talk with him for a few minutes. It was then I presented him with the specially prepared Vertical Alignment “Signposts” promo pak. He wanted me and Jim to sign the cover which we did. I then told him, “If I see that on E-Bay tonight for $1000.00, I’m coming after you!” ;~)
Mark and Pete
February 3, 2007
9:30 AM
Mark is up and rocking with the 6th graders. They are working an arrangement of “We Will Rock You.” Hey, I can name that tune in 2 foot stomps. The song works amazingly well with strings. Mark does such a great job of getting the kids excited and involved… this song is great for this age group.
I think that Mark redefines the image of a rock star. He is a man with a mission and he is one hard working dude. He does events like these all over the country two or sometimes three times a week. That means running on school schedules which means getting up at 5:30 AM. Add jet lag to that mix and you come to understand his commitment.
Quicktime clip: Mark previews his solo for the kids
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At one point he made a great statement: “Rock stars don’t do drugs.” Right on.
10:30 AM
Mark just strapped a Viper violin onto a young fellow named Rutherford in preparation for his solo in “Sunshine of Your Love.” Just seeing the beaming smile from that young guy is worth the price of admission.
Rutherford and his Viper
He is now refreshing their memory on the D minor pentatonic scale with added blue note. The kids are learning to improv, yunno?
Mark and Rutherford with Vipers
11:30 AM
Back from a break and the kids just flew into “Live and Let Die” with a vengeance. I hear some Mark Wood style note slurring from many of them. Rock and Roll orchestra indeed!
The bass boys
11:50 AM
Mark just strapped the Viper onto a young gal named Callie and I witnessed another face light up in joy. The instrument just exudes coolness. It truly transforms the image of a violin player and the kids love it. If *I* played violin, I’d want one!
Quicktime clip: Callie tosses feathers
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Callie does the solo for a Celtic piece called “Toss the Feathers” and she is able to go note for note with Mark. She is an impressive young Viper player!
12:15 PM
Mark is on the homestretch now as he prepares for “Eleanor Rigby,” the last tune. Another young gal named Anna has the second Viper now. When she picked it up yesterday she was so restrained. Mark loosened her up and she came back today as bright as a 200 watt bulb. This is amazing to watch.
Mark and Anna rock!
1:00 PM
Mark is hosting a question and answer session with the kids before we break for the day. He has shared he is in his early 40’s and has a wife with purple hair! He also has an 11 year old son who is already a formidable musician. His wife does choral stuff in the same fashion as Mark’s string based workshops. Sometimes they work together and Mark said next time he comes back, he would bring her too.
6:00 PM
I have just set up for the evening show and Monty is with me. We have Genesis playing as *mood music,* “Eleventh Earl of Mar” to be precise. People have begun to file in and it looks like we’ll have a full house tonight. That’s good… more bodies, less reverb! ;~)
6:50 PM
I’m working with Mark in final setup when the tune “One King” comes up in my pre-show playlist. “Who’s this?” he says quickly. Mark is *always* listening.
“This is my buddies Glass Hammer,” I replied. “Several of them play on my album.”
“I know them,” Mark said. By that I knew that he’d heard of them and heard some of their music. “Cool name,” he said in reference to the band’s moniker. I nodded and we continued final setup.
6:55 PM
Jim Braunreuther and his girlfriend Dawn just appeared at the sound table. I have heard much about this lady and was genuinely excited to meet her. Truly, she exceeds my expectations. Jim is a great guy and he deserves an elegant lady. Dawn is every bit of that. I got to chat with her for a cuppla minutes while Jim schmoozed with the parents. She seems to have caught the bug that has infested all of Vertical Alignment, namely, the *importance* of music education.
Jim B. and his lady Dawn
For a brief moment in time, 3 members of VA were together at the Mark Wood show.
7:00 PM
Rebecca and Heather with their violins are ready to rock
The kids are in their final tuning and we’re waiting for Mark to appear. The hall is near full and Pam is introducing Mark and here he is! The show has begun.
The sixth graders have just lined up in the front to open with “We Will Rock You.” They are nervous, but they are overcoming. A command performance!
7:25 PM
Mark and the kids just completed a searing rendition of “Purple Haze.” It’s quite amazing what he can get out of that Viper. The kids rocked behind him.
Bass players rock!
7:35 PM
Mark and the kids have just segued nicely from “Live and Let Die” into “Stairway to Heaven.” I predict the house will come down with Mark’s take on the Jimmy Page lead at the end.
Mark plays to a packed house
Yup it did. Mark and the kids just got the first standing ovation of the night!
7:45 PM
Mark just launched into his solo set and it is fantastic! TSO in a Mac PowerBook. :~)
Quicktime clip: Mark’s searing solo
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Mark runs his tracks in Digital Performer on his G4 Mac PowerBook running OS 9. He told me that DP on OS 10 was not good for him. (There seems to be stability issues.) He is so untrusting of his computer based setup that he carries a second PowerBook with him wherever he goes. He runs his sound through a road worn MOTU Traveler. He also runs both Viper instruments into the Traveler and mixes them at his location on the fly. The stereo feed coming into my board is pristine and powerful.
Mark’s Mac and Traveler
Mark’s Viper runs through a small pedal board consisting of a Wah pedal, a flanger, and a small Zoom multi-effects unit. He is able to produce a stunning array of sounds with this rig; everything from a clear classic violin tone to a totally grungy distortion.
8:10 PM
The end of the show is upon us. Mark and the ladies are doing some cool give-aways and then “Eleanor Rigby.” This has been truly memorable and unique.
Anna solos in "Eleanor Rigby"
8:20 PM
The show is over and I put on Mike Florio’s “Bells for 1827.” Amidst the pandemonium Mark looked at me with wonder in his eyes. “Who is this?” I love it when he does that.
I said, “This is Mike Florio… he’s your neighbor, a New Yorker.”
“This is great!” said Mark.
Monty and Mark
And now it’s time to say goodnight. Monty has helped me pack up and load out. Time to go home y’all… g’nite. :~)
PS: Terri and Melody couldn’t be there because Melody got super sick last night. (Terri got it too, just not as severe.) Melody topped out with a temp of 104.1! In the middle of the night, I woke up with a *deep* cough. By the morning I had a low fever but… the show must go on. I praise God that Tego was there to help me tonight; I prolly couldn’t have made it without him… when I got home my temperature was over 102. :~/
-Peter J
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