The Sound of a Silent Film

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I don't EVER post full versions of my performances, and this is no exception. But I recorded my accompaniment to Harold Lloyd's "Safety Last" at the Granada Theater yesterday (Jan 19, 2014). There were a thousand people in attendance!

Every audience is an organism, and this one was no exception. And what an orgasmic organism they were. They latched onto Harold Lloyd's funny bone and didn't let go.

So what I decided to do was, instead of the expected thing (get rid of audience noise) I edited out any moment in the performance that DIDN'T have an audience reaction. The result is the linked MP3 below. About 25 continuous minutes of reaction only. You can hear the piano in the background but that's not the point. The point is what this laughter breathing organism call the Granada Audience had as it's collective personality. The musical score jumps here and there and is NOT meant to represent the score or the film except as a background to the audience reaction to the film.

Quick note: The guy you hear laughing close to the microphone (which was in the back of the house) is the sound technician. Anyone who has worked in theater knows the hardest audience you have are the techies. Well, I think Harold nailed him as well. Anyway, take half an hour or skip around, but I think within a few minutes you'll be laughing along with these wonderful folks.

Who says silent film is dead! Not a chance.

http://www.midilifecrisis.com/Music_and ... _Piano.mp3

Here's the promo piece to the event:

http://www.independent.com/news/2014/ja ... d-silents/

Enjoy!

[adriano]

Hi MLC,
I enjoyed the "backward concept?" of not getting get rid of audience noise.
Really liked the results also, I've seen Harold Lloyd's movies, many times. I actually closed my eyes and kicked back and it felt as if I was in the audience.

I always enjoy your work and this one made my day.

Thank you for sharing,
Adriano

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Cool! My pleasure. Thanks for your response.

[mikehalloran]

That made my morning.

[FMiguelez]

That's freakin' awesome, Mike!

This audience interaction thing must be so cool from the performer POV.

Didn't Cage write his famous silent piece to explore this same thing?


Let me ask you something:
How much do you react to the audiences' reactions, and how does that reflect on your playing?

Were you fully improvising in that show, or was it something prepared? Please tell me it was the latter...

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Total improv and yes, I feed off the audience to a large degree. Having a 9' Steinway and 1000 people in the audience helps a lot.

[Julia123]

That is so cool! Now I want to know what I'm missing --Thanks for sharing.