• Registered: 2006-05-26
  • Posts: 3

Topic: 10 minute Cafe Lava spot

Heyas all
My first post here, so please bear with me.

I have played guitar for around 24 years (I am nothing special though, just versatile) and I've had a lot of experience being in bands, but I haven't done much with my music in the last 7 years since I last moved towns.

Anyways, I'm getting back into it lately, getting into home recording and I was asked if I could do a spot at a local cafe function.

I can't decide on a set list.  I plan on singing as well as playing and my voice isn't top notch, but I can get around most songs (once I find a comfortable key).  I have a nice Maton semi-acoustic I can play on the night or my Fender California Fat Telecaster, and a Boss Me-30 for effects if I so choose.

Any suggestions for songs that I could perform?  The more the merrier.  I already have a bit of a list in my Cafe Lava songbook here on Chordie but I need more.  Doesn't hurt if they are easy to play as well smile  Oh, as an idea to my voice, I do a fair to good job of Pearl Jam's Betterman, and a nice growly Mustang Sally once I'm running hot.

I'm also thinking I need a 'showcase' piece, something that looks and sounds a bit flashy.  I have a few little instrumental things but nothing that is fairly up tempo.. they are all a bit slow and balladish.  I want to keep the general mood lively and dancish if I can, it's a pretty boisterous fun night when they have them and the Cafe serves alcohol big_smile

  • wlbaye
  • Honoured Member
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  • From: Black Hills So Dak
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,284

Re: 10 minute Cafe Lava spot

Midnight Special   CCR

Long Haired Country Boy  Charlie Daniels

Can't You See     Marshall Tucker

Speed of the Sound of Loneliness  John Prine

Up against the wall Redneck Mother    Jerry Jeff Version

Spanish Pipedream  John Prine

For What Its Worth   Buffalo Springfield

Friend of the Devil    Grateful Dead

These are a few that most people know and enjoy,that have worked good for me.

Later Wayne

Later, Wayne P

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  • Registered: 2007-12-02
  • Posts: 14

Re: 10 minute Cafe Lava spot

bon jovi is always good to play

  • Registered: 2006-05-26
  • Posts: 3

Re: 10 minute Cafe Lava spot

Yep, I'm definitely doing Wanted Dead or Alive (assuming my voice is running okay that night).

wlbaye, thanks for the suggestions smile  Some CCR could go over well, I was debating playing some or not as it ALWAYS gets played by someone else and I'd like to keep my stuff reasonably unique.

I'm trying to think of a good Crowded House number to do.  Better Be Home Soon is a bit to melancholy and Don't Dream It's Over might be a little as well.  I was thinking Weather With You but I've never been able to really get it to kick along upbeat like their version.

I was thinking of Desperado (The Eagles) purely because as a singing song I really nail it, I can really power into it vocally so it could be a good starting song, especially as it might get a few of the crowd singing (most will be in the mid 20's to 40's range).

How do you reckon doing an acoustic version of Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Under the Bridge would go?  Another song I sing pretty well usually.

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
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  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: 10 minute Cafe Lava spot

You should sing what you know other people like hearing you play.  Plus you should play and sing what you enjoy playing and singing, because if it puts a smile on your face it will come through and put a smile on other people's faces too.

Some I like:

Peaceful Easy Feeling

Wreck of the Old 97

Boy Named Sue

Changes in Lattitudes, Changes in Attitudes
(but if you play that, someone will want Margaritaville as surely as night follows day)

Everybody's Talking

Walking Man (I can't play it right, but it's a good song that everyone knows, more or less everyone anyway)


Jim Croce cut his musical teeth in bars and cafe's so his music works real well in that environment.  Some upbeat favorites:

Rapid Roy the Stockcar Boy
Roller Derby Queen
Carwash Blues 
Don't Mess Around With Jim

My $0.02 worth, if even that.

- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: 10 minute Cafe Lava spot

i agree with zurf play what you like to play it will sound sincere and one thing an audience picks up on is if the entertainer loves his music or is content to pickup a paycheck

"Growing old is not for sissies"

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  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: 10 minute Cafe Lava spot

If you are married, a nice list:
- DARLING BE HOME SOON (John Sebastian)
-WHOLE STOP THE RAIN (a reason to stay longer)
- If you play tomorrow yesterday, it is today.
No serious, nice to greet you. I try to give some tips too.
If you play in front of an older audience, BEATLES, STONES, DYLAN, CCR it can't go wrong.
One of my favourite songs is still KNOCKIN'ON HEAVEN'S DOOR. This is a song from my all time FAVOURITE DYLAN ALBUM: PATT GARETT & BILLY THE KID. Bob has a role in that movie too. The way this album is composed is unbelievable. He has a "Title Song", a main theme, and starting from that theme, he wrote songs, SAME CHORDS, similar melody, but yet different.

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

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