Love in a Minor Key
10 February 2010
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ROMP performs as part of An Altared Valentine's at Kuumbwa.
Wilson, creator of Altared Christmas, brings his gift of reinterpretation to odes of love, transforming them into new works with the change of a key. “When we put it against this darker, passionate music, sometimes it increases the beauty and sometimes it brings out the lyrics and gets kind of funny.”
The black-and-blue colored affair will star the talents of comedians Richard Stockton and Sven Davis, plus musicians Tammi Brown, Joe Craven, Gary Regina, Celina Gutierrez, David Wallis, Rick Zeek and ROMP — an offbeat band consisting of Wilson, Olaf Schiappacasse, Matt Bohn and Patti Maxine.
“One of the things that I love about the shows I’m producing is that I’m not trying to figure everything out,” Wilson said. “A lot of stuff is in the moment.”
The show has a loose structure, starting off with songs about looking for love and ending with love found. There will also be a wedding during the show, performed by Stockton, who is an ordained minister. Though the legalities will be taken care of at city hall, the ceremony will be real.
“I think some of these holidays have forgotten what they’re supposed to be about,” he said. “They’re more about cards and merchandise, just like Christmas is all about buying….It’s good to remember that it’s more important to think about someone you love and not as much about how much money you need to spend.”
The idea of altering familiar songs first came to the Santa Cruz native in high school where he heard a talented piano player transpose the Gilligan’s Island theme song into a minor key. “It kind of gives it a Russian or Jewish klezmer feel,” said Wilson, whose first name is pronounced “Ron.”
A performance by Santa Cruz ukulele master Rick McKee gave rise to the idea for Wilson’s first recording of “An Altared Christmas,” rearrangements of popular holiday tunes. Five years ago, he took the recording live with a concert at the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz County and an “Altared” tradition was formed.
“It’s like telling the same story with a different setting,” said Wilson, a percussionist who often works with the violinist Thoth.
For example, the Patsy Cline song “Walking After Midnight” becomes “a little sexier, a little darker” when transposed. “This woman, she’s walking after midnight searching for love. It’s a little more innocent in a way, presented in this nice rhythm,” he said. “When you darken it up a bit, you start thinking she’s trolling the streets.”
Though Altared Valentine’shas sold out nine days in advance, there will be other opportunities for lovers of minor-keyed music. Wilson is already planning to do an Altared 4-20 show, focusing on songs from the 1960s.
An Altared Valentine’s. 8 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz. $25. SOLD OUT. (831) 427-2227 for information.
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