2005 GANZA NEWS

TAA Prez Appoints The Curious Tamburas to BRAC Commission

I have recently returned from the “zivi-L-A Tambura” Extravaganza. I had a great time, and I’m confident that other attendees also did. While it has not been my style to pass out compliments (although some observers might pronounce that it has been my style to pass out), I must congratulate the ziviLA Tambura committee, on a job well done in every respect. The scheduling of events from the early bird specials to the survivor’s survivor’s mariachi dinner and everything in between must have taken careful planning and lots of hard work.

Regardless – I have never seen a Ganza go off without a hitch and this Ganza was no exception. There seemed to be several - let me call them - “sound bites” that occurred. This was something that I feel should be of the ultimate concern to the TAA as we true Tambura fans are there to hear music – first – and enjoy the ancillary activities and available amenities on a secondary level. A particularly disturbing and noteworthy malfunction occurred at the Saturday concert. TAA President – Richard Krilich – later referred to fan reaction to it as a “tempest in a T-spot” (the T-spot – the Prez’s shorthand for his nickname for Tambura spot - is what Krilich calls the concert hall). The incident occurred during the performance of the Turbo-folk phenoms - “Junaci”. After what seemed like a minimum 10 minute set up of the 5 piece band, that included numerous direct connections to the sound system, the band started off with a rousing and blazing fast number that featured their string guy on BRAC. Wow, it certainly looked like the young man was playing his heart out. But alas - I do not read fingers. The one acoustic instrument that was playing in front of a microphone was not to be heard.

In response to this disaster in progress, President Krilich, unlike another well-known leader in the free world, did not wait for the mayor of LA or the “Gover-nator” of California to ask for help. President Krilich was not hindered by a fear of violating protocol. As the duly elected TAA “top dog”, he knew that a leader had to take decisive action. The Prez, donned his “Commander in Chief” cap, stepped in and ordered the sound man to immediately find and turn on the brac mic. And although the initial land fall of the so called “brewing storm” had caused considerable damage – the levee did not breach and consequently put the rest of the auditorium “under water” – so to speak. The last 4 measures of the feverish solo came through.

Of course, being a supporter of all the talented tamburasi appearing at the Extravaganza, and a dues paying member of the TAA, I felt compelled to express my concern and I went right to the top. I requested a private meeting with The Prez to discuss the matter. Kum Richie was very accommodating, and although he was on a very tight schedule, and needed to appear at another TAA function at the pool bar, he agreed to meet. He expressed interested in my comments and, in fact, asked if I’d be willing to help.

Being a man of action, President Krilich immediately created what he has named the B.R.A.C. Commission. (Band Re-Amplification and Attenuation Concert Commission). He also named The Curious Tamburas as the 1 st member of this new and important board level commission. In announcing the appointment, the President noted TCT’s years of experience in expressing his opinion and in somewhat of a left-handed compliment, the Prez was quoted as saying “You know – Opinions are like A-holes - a lot of tamburasi have them – (an obvious reference to the soundhole on the A Brac tambura) and I think that Curious has shown us all that he is the biggest one.”

 In the end, The Curious Tamburas pledged to the Prez that he would continue to express his opinion any time that he is so moved and therefore retain his standing as the biggest A-hole in Tamburaland. You, my dear fellow Tamburalanders, have my word on it.