(np) why is it that...

[alice wellintown]

Don't know. My mom does the one-woman-band act; she plays several
instruments and dances about. It's quite a show but, while most are
amused and amazed, there are always some uncomfortable members of the
crowd who look on and about like anxious voyeurs. I've noticed that,
while she enjoys the performance and it doesn't exhaust her, though
she's no spring chicken, the vibe always improves when she strips the
band down to one or two instruments or sits down with just her
squeeze-box or at the piano. Sometimes she'll continue a tune from her
one-woman-band gig and sometimes she'll digress or play a variation on
a theme. She was a huge hit in Ireland; she has a beautiful voice and
knows more songs than most people have heard.  A medical doctor, now
retired, she uses music to treat her old, infirm, and dying friends.
They consider the big-band-lady an amazing talent and will say, "Have
you seen her do the one-man-ha-woman-band?" It's more a circus act
than classical recital seems to go the conversation. That mom can
listen to a tune and play it on almost any instrument is a gift. She
didn't learn to read or write music until quite recently, but she can
play a spoon, knife, and fork, a string, any old bottle or brush.

On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 7:57 AM, Michael Bailey
<michael.lee.bailey at gmail.com> wrote:
> if you can play two instruments at once, like Bob Dylan with his
> harmonica and guitar, people think you're a genius.  But if you make
> the extra effort and strap cymbals to your knees, they'll cross the
> street to avoid you? - Otis Lee Crenshaw
>