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This is addressed specifically to the large number of mongering musicians and former musicians.

I was in the KL last night, and during my idle moments listened to the band, as I often do. What struck me was the loud bass part, and as I got to thinking, I didn't recall seeing a bass player. Well, I walked around front and there was indeed no bass player at all. I went over behind the keyboard player and what do you know, HE was not playing bass with his left hand either. Nor did he seem to be playing the piano part either.

This is not the first time I have noticed this. I remember hearing an elaborate piano introduction to 'all by myself' and the piano player was not coming anywhere near the appropriate keys. I've also heard a loud bass drum going when the drummer was standing up playing percussion and when his foot was nowhere near the drum pedal.

It's quite obvious that the bands are using sequenced parts on the keyboard. Given the uniformity of song selection, I wonder if they all share sequences. Anyway, one of these nights I'm going to try buy a beer or guaro for one of the musicos and try to find out what they are doing. Any of the other mongering musicians notice this besides me?

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

When I was there they were a little too loud for the area tha they were playing in.

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Now, I am back in the game!

I've never noticed anyone in any of the bands there not playing all their parts live, but then again, I'm usually somewhat distracted by other things...

By far my favorite band I've ever seen there is the one with the two hot female lead singers, one of whom also works behind the counter at the Del Rey. God would I like to get to know her better...

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Check out http://weluvlatinas.com/ for the web's best info on the latin american monger lifestyle...

Calle Ocho is always good. Love the salsa music they play. Gonna take some lessons at this school called Merecumbe next week. I guess they have different music on different nights.

I've been here to years and I can honestly say that the thing I miss most about the States is live music. A half ass High School cover band once a week at Key Largo would draw more than Sap games. Has anyone ever seen the Tortugas at the Jazz Cafe in San Pedro? If they were at Key Largo once a week - Wow!

Taking into consideration the local (downtown San Jose), the venue (Key Largo, a club primarily visited by prostitutes and guys looking for prostitutes) and the cover charge (nothing) I would say the bands are just fine.

There is usually a different band each night and in all that I've seen over 9 trips they serve their purpose (get guys and girls together dancing and provide some jams) quite adequately.

I would rather hear them than some obnoxious DJ.

But that's just my opinion.
Wit

I have heard the Tortugas CD and they are pretty good, though their accents make some songs sound a little funny, they can play their instruments.

In general I think the bands at the KL do a decent enough job, though most of them cheat by standards I used to go by. I realize that they are just background to the real entertainment. My original post was just to try to confirm my observation of the use of pre-programmed music along with the live. If nobody has noticed it so far, I humbly request that the musicians among us take a few moments and ask if they are hearing instruments that aren't being played live, just to confirm my observation, nothing more. I don't like DJs in general but the guys at the KL do a fair enough job, not a lot of bla bla bla, anyway, and no louder than the band, thank god.

Incidentally, while on the subject of music and bars... I really HATE how loud they play the music in the San Jose Monkey bar. I was in there last weekend and left after one beer when the bartendress went over to fill the jukebox up with Reggaton and turn it up to 11. She was bored I suppose, and the music entertained her. But she chased at least one customer out (me) and I wonder if anybody else is annoyed at the volume level there.

By the way, I am an ex rocker and have played as loud as anybody can stand. But we didn't max it out unless the place was jammed.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

Tuesday nights are my favorite at KL. The band will play a lot of Bachata which is my favorite music to listen to(Aventuras, Carlos Vives)

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Why Chicas Come to CostaRica:

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Key largo rocks! I love the whole scene there. The food early in the evening, the hot-ass bartenders , the chica's in dance mode , the bands and the music! They don't need to change a thing.

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"With foxes, we must play the fox." ~ Thomas Fuller

Ahhh.... GR... this is Susanna. She is incredibly sweet and a great singer/dancer. She is also a desk clerk at the DR. BTW... I suspect she is hitched to some rich gringo, but who knows.

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In order to write about life, first you must live it! - E. Hemingway.

Bilko, sadly sequencing is here to stay. It allows a keyboardist to play as though he had six hands, fills out the sound, etc.

Keep in mind that sequencing, if done by the keyboardist himself, isn't really "dishonest."

I like the bands I've heard at KL. Not only do they bring the music, but they also add a great deal of energy to the scene. I prefer live over DJ anytime, and I've played both roles. I just think live bands are more fun, even with the use of MIDI.

BTW, worst example (or at least the most egregious) was when I saw L.A. jazzman Jeff Lorber in concert in Minneapolis. He was using a "probe" type keyboard controller, hung around his neck like an electric guitar. He was playing a favorite tune of mine, rapidly approaching the blistering solo that I loved so much...then turned his back to the audience to play the solo. In fact, he triggered a sequencer with a foot pedal to play back the solo riffs. I felt incredibly cheated.

Long live musica en vivo!

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.