Musicians playing on the train

[haolerider]

I am all for having music on the trains. Karaoke contests could be done in the the lower lounge car and then moved up to the dinning car when it closes. Maybe pipe it through the entire train until 10:00 or later on weekends.

No no no no no no no no no no no no NO!

Musicians with some sort of talent is one thing, Karaoke is another. Wailing halfwits who think they can sing, but can't, but are encouraged to, is the sort of thing that makes me curse the day I was born with ears.

As for piping it through the train??? Madness. Utter madness!

You could put it on TV ... "Amtrak's got talent" :lol:

As a general comment, Amtrak has had music on the Crescent and the City of New Orleans in the past several years - generally in conjunction with Mardi Gras or some other music-oriented event in NOL. For the most part the passengers loved the entertainment and the LSA enjoyed it more, since beer and food sales increased and therefore tips increased. Karaoke is definitely not something that would go over well and the key to this kind of entertainment is getting professional musicians, not someone trying to start a career!

 

[VentureForth]

If you want to play music on the train, why not ask Amtrak if you could make it a regular gig? They do that on the Texas Eagle every now and then, and I guess then Crescent and CONO, too. The biggest benefit would be that you could play during daylight hours to a crowd that would be expecting it.

If you play on your own, downstairs in the lounge car after the cafe closes, and only for less than an hour. Don't monopolize a mood or environment. Never amp up or play loud.

I have a friend who is a very gifted musician. So is my brother in law. But sometimes they play because they want to listen to themselves without any regard to what people around them are doing. Out of a fear of confrontation, most will let you continue to play rather than express discontent and possibly sparking up a debate (you seem very amenable to constructive discussion, but many musicians I know hate to be confronted and can get quite ugly if they are ever told no about anything). This is more of a tolerance on the part of those around rather than an acceptance.

So, keeping that in mind, have a go at it. DOWNSTAIRS and quiet enough that it won't flow up into the lounge. Many folks ride for the PEACE and comfort. You'll probably attract a small crowd, maybe even some crew. Don't put out the hat, though. Amtrak may get a little bit more than uptight about that.

 

[spot1181]

It would sound best in the baggage car.

 

[rail_rider]

I too have heard musicians playing in the lounge car and have enjoyed it. I would keep in on the upper level as not to disturb those trying to eat a quiet lunch or getting some work done. Start out in the corner at the end of the car and only play loud enough to be heard to the middle of the car. If people seem to be into it then crank the volumn up or move more toward the middle of the car.

 

[GG-1]

Aloha

Easy solution, When you enter the lounge ask those there if the mind.

 

[Long Train Runnin']

I am all for having music on the trains. Karaoke contests could be done in the the lower lounge car and then moved up to the dinning car when it closes. Maybe pipe it through the entire train until 10:00 or later on weekends.

No no no no no no no no no no no no NO!

Musicians with some sort of talent is one thing, Karaoke is another. Wailing halfwits who think they can sing, but can't, but are encouraged to, is the sort of thing that makes me curse the day I was born with ears.

As for piping it through the train??? Madness. Utter madness!

Agreed! I don't want anything piped into my room, I close the door and just want to hear myself! Plus after 10 PM the crwe stops all using the PA that should open it up to others.

Not all of us tune into American Idol every night. In fact I've stopped watching TV all together!

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

On the subject of music piped into the train, whatever became of the in-room music channels? Were they scuppered because of mechanical problems or licensing agreements?

 

[GG-1]

Not all of us tune into American Idol every night. In fact I've stopped watching TV all together!

Aloha

While I agree about American Idol, No Television, no wonder it is slow in my work. :lol:

 

[Neil_M]

I am all for having music on the trains. Karaoke contests could be done in the the lower lounge car and then moved up to the dinning car when it closes. Maybe pipe it through the entire train until 10:00 or later on weekends.

No no no no no no no no no no no no NO!

Musicians with some sort of talent is one thing, Karaoke is another. Wailing halfwits who think they can sing, but can't, but are encouraged to, is the sort of thing that makes me curse the day I was born with ears.

As for piping it through the train??? Madness. Utter madness!

You could put it on TV ... "Amtrak's got talent" :lol:

More like "Nobody has any Talent at all,ever...."

 

[acelafan]

I'll be the negative one.
I very much do not like amateur musicians in the lounge car, imposing their choices in music on a captive audience, who might have very different tastes. I don't make you listen to my industrial metal. Please don't make me listen to your bluegrass.

Ya, I hate to be a party pooper but if I want to listen to music I put on my headphones. Many times I just want to enjoy looking out the window and listening to the rhythmic motion of the train cutting across the landscape.

I think the only thing worse than bad music is having a seatmate who yaps constantly...especially on their cell phone. Another reason to get a roomette!

 

[AAARGH!]

Last time I took the Acela in first class, som guy sitting behind me pulled out his guitar and was playing to his daughter.

However, he was Terrence Howard, the actor (Iron Man, Ray, August Rush, and Bikey Boyz amongst others) AND musician. I didn't mind one bit.

 

[Ryan]

On the subject of music piped into the train, whatever became of the in-room music channels? Were they scuppered because of mechanical problems or licensing agreements?

They still had this on the Auto Train last winter.

 

[RailFanLNK]

Ok, I said I was a "music" fan but that doesn't mean karoake. I think karoake has killed the live music market with substandard crap. When folks say, "were going to go sing karoake" I decline. I DO NOT want ANY kind of music piped into the rest of the train either. If I want music and there's a spontaneous jam going on in the lounge car....cool! But nowhere else on the train please.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

Every time I step into the Diner, I keep hoping to hear "Fashion Show" which was playing in the 20th Century Limited Diner on North By Northwest. I do recall on my first Superliner trip back in the 80s there was music in the Dining Car, although the tape machine kept hanging up and dragging.

 

[jmbgeg]

I am wondering how some of you might feel about folks playing instruments in the cafe car. I have traveled alone with a guitar, and once met another guy with one and we had some good times and some other passengers seemed to enjoy it (particularly last Nov. on the CZ eastbound, on election night! There was quite a party going on anyway - )
My son and I will be on the CZ westbound in Nov, with a guitar and a mandolin. Who likes or dislikes the idea of us playing now and then in the cafe car?

David

First, I would assume that permission (or not) is the conductor's prerogative.

As for me, the answer depends upon my mood and plans. If I wanted to sit there and read or have a conversation with someone the music would be an unwanted disruption. Otherwise, it depends on the type and quality of the music.

 

[AAARGH!]

If its bluegrass...well...kinda reminds me of "Deliverance". :blink:

If somebody is playing the Banjo tune from Deliverance, I'm running like he||!

 

[Bob Dylan]

This summer there were a couple of musicians on the EB from SEA-CHI that played after Glacier in the lounge and they were first rate, dont know if Amtrak hired them but they were announced and usually the lounge sort of empties out after the park but it was jammed until they started taking diner reservations!

After dinner they played another hour in the lounge while we enjoyed a few adult beverages but quit about 9PM leaving the crowd wanting more!

I can see not playing on business cars, or in coaches or sleepers but as others have said, if they are good, and the pax want to hear them, let them play!

I rode the Acela one time to NYP and Bruce Springstein was on board but he DIDNT play! I have a musician friend that travels the country, hes a blues guitar player, and he sometimes uses Amtrak when he can, but saves the playing for his paid gigs, it is, after all, called show-biz! <_<

 

[Donctor]

If people don't want to listen to it, they can go elsewhere.

But why would the desires of two people take precedence over the collective will?

Besides, it's the musicians who are doing something unusual and possibly annoying. The other passengers are not. Why should the others have to move. That does not sound reasonable to me.

As a fellow musician, I understand the desire to play. But imposing your music upon others is just obnoxious.

 

[Donctor]

Be sure and include some train songs and feel good music in your set and you should be able to do it, Id keep it short also, and not to late, most trains have a quiet hour after 10PM but not in the lounge car! Good luck, good playing!

If you do play, make sure it's not just bluegrass. Many people dislike bluegrass, and to the untrained ear all bluegrass tends to sound the same.

 

[Donctor]

I would kinda like it, if as others have said you are good and not too loud. And you kept it to 15 minutes or so at a stretch. Check the audience response!On the Piano question, I vaguely remember a mirrored piano in a heritage lounge car on either the Broadway or Lakeshore Limited in the early 1980's- the train definitely went through Elyria, Ohio. Has memory failed me once again?

The Montrealer's LePub pool had electric keyboards. Sometimes those cars would end up on the Lake Shore, and occasionally on the Broadway.

 

[PRR 60]

If people don't want to listen to it, they can go elsewhere.

But why would the desires of two people take precedence over the collective will?

Besides, it's the musicians who are doing something unusual and possibly annoying. The other passengers are not. Why should the others have to move. That does not sound reasonable to me.

As a fellow musician, I understand the desire to play. But imposing your music upon others is just obnoxious.

I agree. Many people ride to enjoy the relaxing nature of the ride. No matter what style of music is being played, a portion of the passengers will not like it and will find the lounge car undesirable because of it. My idea of travel is not a coffee house (dating myself) on wheels.

I lean toward the Bluto solution for unwanted entertainment in the lounge car.

Toga!

 

[Ryan]

If people don't want to listen to it, they can go elsewhere.

But why would the desires of two people take precedence over the collective will?

Besides, it's the musicians who are doing something unusual and possibly annoying. The other passengers are not. Why should the others have to move. That does not sound reasonable to me.

As a fellow musician, I understand the desire to play. But imposing your music upon others is just obnoxious.

Who says the collective will doesn't want to hear the music? If I were on the train, I'd certainly want to give it a listen. That's why I said the lower level of the lounge sounded great - those that want to listen can, those that aren't interested can go upstairs or back to their seats/rooms and everyone wins.

 

[PetalumaLoco]

If people don't want to listen to it, they can go elsewhere.

But why would the desires of two people take precedence over the collective will?

Besides, it's the musicians who are doing something unusual and possibly annoying. The other passengers are not. Why should the others have to move. That does not sound reasonable to me.

As a fellow musician, I understand the desire to play. But imposing your music upon others is just obnoxious.

I agree. Many people ride to enjoy the relaxing nature of the ride. No matter what style of music is being played, a portion of the passengers will not like it and will find the lounge car undesirable because of it. My idea of travel is not a coffee house (dating myself) on wheels.

I lean toward the Bluto solution for unwanted entertainment in the lounge car.

Toga!

Ha! Great one! I agree!!!

 

[Donctor]

Who says the collective will doesn't want to hear the music? If I were on the train, I'd certainly want to give it a listen. That's why I said the lower level of the lounge sounded great - those that want to listen can, those that aren't interested can go upstairs or back to their seats/rooms and everyone wins.

It is quite unlikely that the majority will want to hear bluegrass for a long period of time. It is also quite unlikely that anybody would say anything, probably in order to keep peace. I'd say that if over 25% of the occupants are forced to move, it is not a win-win situation. If no music is played, everybody in the lounge car is content. If music is played, only certain people are content.

Besides, on certain trains people sit downstairs due to the lack of open seating upstairs. If that's the case, just don't play. I'm sure you can manage a day or two without playing. And if you have a roomette or bedroom, play there. Just make sure not to play past 7 or 8 - kids need to sleep.

 

[DET63]

I believe that there used to be a piano on virtually every long-haul train in Australia. I don't know if that's still the case on the Indian Pacific, Ghan, or other LD trains there.

One thing that annoys me is watching YouTube videos of trains where the poster has decided that instead of the sound of the trains, we should hear heavy-metal music that has nothing to do with trains, and probably everything to do with drugs, sex, and who-knows-what-else.