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Latest News Print to Fit!


photo | tony carlotto

DR Backs Singer/Songwriter Fred Schane at Infinity Hall


CONNECTICUT'S PREMIER music venue, the Victorian-era Infinity Hall, recently headlined NY State's up and coming singer/songwriter, Fred Schane, whose personal, often quixotic, humorous songs captivated the rapt audience who made their way to Norfolk, CT on a recent, uncharacteristically balmy, December evening. Fred's songs ranged from introspective paeans to love lost, ukelele hip-hop, a weird Bahaman vacation, to a rastafarian who'd lost his ganja.

WHILE MANY OF his songs were delivered in a solo format with just voice and guitar (or uke!), much of Schane's 90-minute program was accompanied by the duo of seasoned veteran musicians that included the songwriter's multi-talented sister, pianist Cathy Schane-Lydon (who also doubled on uke) and David Reed, who backed the songwriter with his pulsing percussion and bass.

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Fang, the office Pirate Kat, says:
"Rrrrrr, did ye know dat ol' slimy sea-slug DR is preparing to unleash anudder record 'pon us? Doon't say I didn't warn ye!"

OCTOBER, 2011: The central office at Tamboura Productions has been a-buzz of late with the wild rumor about a new recording from David Reed. DR stopped by TamPro's remote outpost last week to quell the rabble by stating that indeed he was at work in the Dry Ducks Records studio fooling around on a new, yet to be named, solo project.

"I've been tossing around some songs for awhile now with the intent of creating some more of whatever it is I do. Last month, I got hold of a new digital mic and learned how to mix it up in GarageBand, and now things are beginning to take off," Reed informed The TamPro Journal in early October. Reed claims to be playing all the instruments himself - and there seems to be a lot of 'em - but not all at once.

Reed brought a few (very) rough MP3 samples of what he's been working on and refused to leave the office until we agreed to post a couple of them on the website. It was either that or call the cops, and frankly, they have enough on their plate these days. So, here you go:


"Crystal Clear" - a song written by Max Creek's John Rider was one of the first tunes they played together after forming the band in 1971! Originally a country-flavored tune, DR has given it a Caribe vibe, complete with back-up harmonies by Dr. Easy's Pastafarian Brothers Choir from Lagavulin Parish Community Center & Laundromat. Peace be with you!


"Kingdom Come" - a Coldplay song, not of the sort DR is wont to play - either hot or cold! One of his cigar box guitars is prominently featured, for good or evil...you decide.


"Walkin' with Chet" - a DR-penned tune written as an homage to one of his guitar heros, Chet Atkins. Although it sounds nothing like Chet and more like an inebriated Tijuana-Brass-lost-in-Soweto, DR dared to dust off his trumpet and lay down a few licks. He thinks it's fun. Will you?

Though he has not said anything of the exact release of his new project, DR did indicate that he "wanted to have something in hand" by the time he makes his annual Caribbean tour in late winter. One hopes that the aforementioned something-in-hand will be the new CD and not some, well, nevermind.

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photo:jaime elliot of St. John Tradewinds
Rattlin' de Riddim Wit' Wesley

KOKO & THE SUNSHINE BAND is a popular West Indian quelbe, or "scratch band", group from the island of St. John, USVI. Here they are performing for the 20th Annual Folklife Festival recently held at the Annaberg ruins near Maho Bay. Notice that the percussionist, Wesley (left), is playing a pair of genuine RattleCaps made by David Reed hisself! The man obviously knows what de riddim needs! You, too, can shake it (almost) like Wesley...just go to our Dry Ducks Records General Store page and order a RattleCap or two for your own self!

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David Reed Helps Celebrate Max Creek's 40th

ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S most legendary and beloved jam bands, Max Creek, were still rockin' hard in April, 2011, as they celebrated forty years of stirrin' up the rock 'n roll jam.

As a founding member of the band back in 1971, David Reed was invited to join his old high school pal and first Max Creek drummer, Bob Gosselin, along with original bassist and current MC member, John Rider, for a lively set of musical reminiscences. Among the tunes they selected to play before an enthusiastically adoring crowd of 400 "Creekers" at The Old Well in Simsbury, CT were "July" (a John Stewart-penned chestnut Reed still keeps in his solo set-list), "Crystal Clear" (a Rider original), and "Wreck of the Old '97" (both tunes added to Reed's solo repertoire since the reunion!).

Later in the set, the original trio was joined by current keyboardist Mark Mercier (who replaced Reed when he left the band in 1976) and guitarist Scott Murawski (who once was a music student of Reed's and can sometimes be found moonlighting with members of the Allman Bros. Band, Phish and Jeff Pevar!) for a rousing version of Paul Simon's "Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes" and Reed's chicken-pickin' barn-burner, "Back Porch Boogie Blues" (a tune covered by Phish...see "A Real Phish Story" in the TamPro December 2008 WebJournal).

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Introducing Dr. Easy's Sonic Boxes

NEW FOR 2011, Tamboura Productions proudly introduces our line of hand-crafted cigar box guitars, diddley-bows, banjos and ukeleles - Doctor Easy's Sonic Boxes!

Thinking-within-the-box as it were, the good doctor can often be found in his tiny shop creating one-of-a-kind musical instruments from unique and colorful cigar boxes and beautiful, select hardwoods, both native and exotic. Using vintage hand and power tools and other odd bits 'n pieces he's squirreled away over the years such as old keys, sundry plumbing parts, polished stones and interesting bottle caps, this crafty ol' codger combines his years of imagination, working with his hands and playing music to make musical instruments that are visually appealing and musically practical.

AS DR. EASY himself often says: "My cigar box guitars are just as happy on your wall as they are in your hands. Now, make me happy and buy one. Or two!"

Here's a little tropical-style ditty the Doctor himself made up so you could hear just a li'l bit of what one of these CBGs can sound like. Please visit the Dry Ducks Records General Store to see some more photos of these unique, recycled pieces of musical art!


Island's Calling


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Did You Know That . . .


SINCE 1989, Tamboura has claimed the enduring reputation for being the one and only folkrockin' reggae/calypso beach party dance band in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts...and way beyond? Little did we know at the time what a journey we'd begun, taking us through time and space to venues throughout the Northeast USA, the Caribbean, Italy, Switzerland, England...even Bulgaria!

IN 2010, Tamboura Productions celebrated twenty-one years of creating ways to accommodate the diverse demands and shifting sands of the musical marketplace by providing distinctive, diverse and high-quality artistic entertainment at affordable rates for music lovers of all ages.

WE INVITE YOU to peruse the pages of our website. Get acquainted with us by listening to Audio & Video Clips from our musical artists, viewing our travels and adventures in the Photo Gallery, visiting our General Store for recordings, hand-made shakers and cigar box instruments. Or, read some of David Reed's (mostly) light-hearted stories and essays in our Journal. Better yet, come on out to a live show! We believe you'll enjoy what you find under our big red umbrella and hope you'll come back for more!

THANK YOU for supporting Tamboura Productions over the past 21 years!

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We hope to see you at a show soon, and that
you'll continue to support LIVE MUSIC in your community!




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Who's That Beneath The Dry Ducks Umbrella?


"GUITARS, BANJOS & HARPS...Oh, My!" Sometimes occasions arise where a full band might be just too, too much. You know, such as at a family Bar-B-Q, house concert, fine restaurant, coffeehouse, rodeo, etc. (Forget the rodeo). You can always turn to the beachy-keen raggy blues, funky tunes and original music of that eclectic songster/guitarslinger/sailor kinda guy, David Reed to add that special musical je ne sais quoi to your event.

THOUGH DR. EASY is fond of reminding him, "Mistah, you jes' a analog man in a digital worl'!", when David and his "Twenty Three Scintillating Strings" appears on the scene, you can be sure your event will be anything but ordinary!

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THEN THERE'S TuTu Much, the hardworkin' li'l electracoustic duo that started it all in 1989 with its great, BIG sound ~ hot as Miss Marie's Belizean pepper sauce, cool as a Nantucket breeze!

FEATURING THE talents of drummer/percussionist Sam Earnshaw and guitarist/singer David Reed, the band has entertained throughout New England, Switzerland, Italy and enjoys touring the US Virgin Islands as it has every winter since 1999, sharing its unique brand of original folkrock spiced up with a bit o' rootsy reggae & jumpin' calypso.

WE FIGURE if West Indians like you and keep asking you to return to their islands, you must be good!

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OF COURSE, there's Tamboura itself, with its myriad permutations visible to the world, happily playing its own blend of sunny, good-time folkrock'n beach party dance music - with just a touch of Caribbean soul!

EXOTIC STEEL pan, groovin' guitars, fantastic flutes and percolating percussion make you want to grab a lime 'n coconut or Red Stripe, let the sunshine in and dance to Tamboura's easy, breezy escapist music!

IT'S ALMOST like being on Mallory's Pier in Key West at sunset!

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photo | rich hommel

Lively-Up With This Rastaman's Vibration!

IN 2006, TamPro welcomed the newest band to its constellation of artists, Ras Moon & Monsoon. Spotlighting the inspirational, evocative and original reggae of Cape Verdean keyboardist and singing sensation Ras Moon, you'll experience all the passion, conscious spirit, pure power and joy of a man who cherishes his Kriolu roots and island culture.

HIS BAND, Monsoon, features the Samster's sinuous drumming, David Reed's phat-bottom bass and monster guitar-meister, Rich Hommel laying down muscular grooves that can find the comfy pocket of a roots/reggae riddim, drift out into the cosmos to ride the wings of angels, or crack yo' backside with Zep-like power riffs that just won't quit! And from time-to-time, Monsoon features guest musicians such as Sir Adrian (percussion) and Mary Knysh (flutes/percussion).

LIVELY-UP YOURSELF with their 2009 10-song CD, "Live Every Day/Vive Tudo Dia" - yah, Mon, you be dancin' fo'sure!

"Jah Command"




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And for those who want to shake 'n quake along with de band...
or just in the privacy of your own home, check out Dr. Easy's hand-made, Rattle-Cap shakers and, new in 2010, his line of Sonic Boxes - cigar box guitars. You'll just love groovin' to life with your very own Rattle-Cap or Sonic Box cigar box instrument. Can you really afford not to have one? Or two? Go on...take a peek on the Dry Ducks Records Booking/General Store page...you know you want to!

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Recordings


Buy the CD

View Tamboura/TuTu Much/David Reed's EPK
View Tamboura/TuTu Much/David Reed's EPK



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TamPro's Latest Stories & News!

The Web Journal

May 31, 2011
You Guys Are Like Catsup!
A Value-Added Approach


April 1, 2011
Mystery of IED Solved
From: The You-Can't-Make-This-Stuff-Up Dept.







Feb-U-Wary 2011
DR & Miss Mary Sing Underwater
We're All Just Comin' Up For Air


October 19, 2010
Dr. Easy's Wallapalooza B'day Bash



March 5, 2010
The Soloist
The Story of A Real McCoy


March On, 2010
Toys
Is It Bigger Than A Breadbox?


February 19, 2010
Automobiliology
A History on (Mostly) Four Wheels


Jan-U-Wary 10, 2010
Dewey or Don't He?
Only This Audience Knows for Sure!


January 6, 2010
Sometimes A Guitar Is Just A Guitar
...Except When It's Not!


June 26, 2009
Remembering Miss Ina



April Fools Day
The Adventure of Samurai Bean Man
An Island Tail


April 1, 2009
Over My Shoulder
Just Ax Al







March 29, 2009
Sow Does Cow
Another Day In the Life of a West Indian Sowboy


February 13, 2009
The Ragtime Millionaire's Wild Ride
Vanity's Not Fair


February 7, 2009
Somet'ings Nah Change
Not Another Fish Story


Ground Hog Day 2009
The Advent of Analog Man
Daring the Digital Divide with DR


December 23, 2008
A Real Phish Story
Famed Jam Band Doin' Da Doctor's Ditty


January 21, 2009
Sunburned Virgins
TuTu Much Embarks on 11th Annual Caribbean Tour


March 1, 2007
Music Murder Story Unfolds in The Berkshires
Berkshire Beagle Breaks the Silence


January 17, 2007
Asleep At the Keel
or


November 15, 2006
He's Gonna Do It Again
Dr. Easy to Record New Disc


July 30, 2006
What's In A Name?
Will A Band By Any Other Name Still Rock So Hard?


Mayday, 2006
TamPro Welcomes Its Newest Band!
Yah, mon, it's Ras Moon & Cornerstone!


February 9, 2006
World-Reknown Publication Portrays David Reed
Acoustic Guitar 'Zine Lets Its Guard Down


December 17, 2005
A Bulgarian Rhapsody (Long-winded Version)
Dr. Easy & The Bansko Tree


June 31, 2005
Television Found Murdered
A Queasy Easy Held Suspect


June 30, 2005
Band in Bulgaria!
Tamboura Not


June 24, 2005
Shakers Discovered in South Berkshire



6/24/05
Sam and the Sand Hills
Birds of a Feather?


June 3, 2005
Bulgaria or Bust
Are There Any Real Gigs Out There?


May 27, 2005
Picker's Pluck Pays Off
The Living Reed Survives a Sports Bar