The Majestics Rhythm Revue
The following blog entry is based on a true story.
Allow me to introduce to you, dad’s local band from back in the day.
The Majestics Rhythm Revue.
Here’s the inside scoop of the band. This is something that I will always remember for the rest of my life. The first time that I saw my dad’s band was when my mom and I went down to Eskimo Joe’s in Stillwater, Oklahoma. That was the first time I went there to see them perform.
This is Stillwater’s Jumpin’ Little Juke Joint. A place where people can get something to eat and watch live music. It’s almost like a dinner and a show together in one. I’ll never forget my first time there, although I just wish I can go there with my dad for dinner. We’ll see about that for sure once we get a chance.
My mom and I really loved their performance as I got all of this on videotape when I recorded the whole show on my video camera. And I gotta tell you right now, it was incredibly awesome. And I really love that place from back in the day. My next wish on that one is maybe check out Eskimo Joe’s once again and have some dinner there. Maybe I can go there with my dad. Did I forget to mention to you that my dad used to wear an Eskimo Joe’s shirt?
Well now you do.
Anyway before that, my mom and I watched the band play at 9 E 8th St. in downtown Lawrence. Good thing the band sang Etta James’s classic ‘Tell Mama’. And before we know it, the drummer broke it down with a drum break, it was cool! That was before the band performed at Eskimo Joe’s. Our friend Jen was really awesome at singing!
The band also played outside Broken Arrow park. In fact, we both got to see the band perform the songs from the album ‘Digga! Digga!’. In fact, I even got the chance to do the count along with them. I stepped into the mic with the band and counted to three. It was a lot of fun when I got to see my friends there too. I was playing at the park there once when I was a kid.
As you may know, The Majestics Rhythm Revue has performed many cover songs and other original songs. I really love the songs “Digga Digga Do”, “Route 66”, “Sweat Like James Brown”, and “General Bob”. I really love the song because it got a good bluesy touch to it in a funky way. I also love the song “Sweat Like James Brown” because it reminds of the Godfather Of Soul and it is soulful in the heart of rock. Kinda like this one time I watched The Vaughan Brothers concert special on the Austin City Limits music series on public television when my family and I were at Aunt Tish and Uncle Jim's house to hang out.
Now on the fifth track, I’ve heard the band play that piece from Charlie Parker’s song ‘My Little Suede Songs’. And you wanna what I think about that song? It was considered jazzy and a lot more funky. That song was also lyrical and catchy too.
The band also did a cover of ‘Summertime’ by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald in this album. It was jazzy too, and so does ‘Well You Needn’t’ By Thelonoius Monk.
On ‘Circle Nine’, there’s ad libs in vocals, bass lines, horns playing, drums rolling, and definitely guitar strumming. The whole truck is part instrumental and vocalizing too. I really like how the song goes in the entire track. If I were to describe it a little bit more on this one, I’d say it’s jamming like Bob Marley.
What I really love about the Majestics Rhythm Revue is their music and the jazzy soulful beats they use to make a really cool funky beat. Plus, it’s been so long since I’ve listened to my dad’s band and I really love how Jen sings and how my dad plays too. So come on baby, watch them play.
So as you may know, I talked to you about planning on making my music video for the song ‘Sweat Like James Brown’ later on. So later also, I'll be making music videos for "Digga Digga Do" and "Route 66".
In my homemade music video for "Digga Digga Do", I'll having plenty of choices to think of.
1. I can use live-action and animation lixed together. For example, I can use my head and cover it in green screen and replace it with a balloon face. That way the animated face will sing the lyrics of the song.
2. Like in the video ‘Pie’, I can use puppet characters and make it into a puppet video.
Or…
3. I can make the music video for the song in complete stop motion animation. To do that, I’m gonna need some action figures to see what I can find at the store.
Now in the music video for the Majestics Rhythm Revue’s version of ‘Route 66’, a couple choices are needed when brainstorming.
1. I can make this video entirely out of sock puppets just like the ones from the Sifl & Olly Show. Make the characters, and use the blue screen for background effects and scenery.
Or…
2. I can make this music video of Route 66 in a funny behind the scenes video in a hilarious sketch just like in comedy shows. Actors also needed.
Now in my next idea for the ‘General Bob’ video, I’m thinking of maybe making it off of imagining it from the 1980s. So I might use my Rarevision VHS or the 8mm app to record the footage on my iPad. In the footage, it’ll be just like a 1960s movie or a funny silent movie. And it’s gonna make people laugh when they watch it. Trust me on this one, I’ll talk to my dad about this.
For more information on the band, check out the Majestics Rhythm Revue on Facebook. Here’s the link to the band’s page.
Anyways, I'll never forget the first time I said hi to Jen while the band was taking a break. She was very very happy to see me. I also wanna thank the members of my dad's band for letting us watch them perform at Stillwater. In fact, I wanna give the band a shout out. Here’s to you guys!
Now if you would like to help me out on my idea for the ‘Sweat Like James Brown’ music video, you’ve gotta help me out on the footage of people I know who can memorize the lyrics. It’s gonna take a while and a lot of time before I can get this done, but there’s always plenty of time to experiment. And remember that this band is well known for their professionalism, versatility and extreme congeniality. Big music, big fun. One thing’s for sure, I will always listen to their songs just like old times. So, now you know!
Okay, I think that’s all for today. If you like my blog entry, let me know in the comments below. This one goes out to Jen Brabec, Tommy Johnson, and my dad Thom Alexander. Even the others too. This is also dedicated to the loving memory of my uncle Steak Steak.
R.I.P.
Rick Yamashiro
We love you and we miss you, Uncle Rick.
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