Master Radio Canaries

This was a Long Island based band, group, gathering that Doug participated in the mid 70's.

Members

Doug Walker- Sax, Flute
Frank Paschke- Percussion

Gigs

Environ, NYC 1976?

Memories of these concerts by RB and Walter and others:

Walter!! I didn't think anyone but me was at that show(although the house was packed that night, that was one show that all the harranguing paid off on and everybody who said they'd come did so). I
am unfortunately almost positive that no tape exists of it, which is too bad by half. And yes, for those interested, the 'Master Radio Canaries' is another band to add to Doug's resume`. Those Environ shows were some of the best 'cause we had the room both physically and creatively to really get comfotable and stretch out. Alas, it was also at the very end of the loft jazz scene...the era of forty five minute sets (then forty, then thirty five..sheesh!!) and seven band bills was just around the corner. Were you able to come to any of the others? We had a percussionist at the time by the name of Frank Paschke (and I do apologize if I've spelled that wrong), part of whose presentation consisted of little percussive wind up toys (think the classic monkey with cymbals, that sort of thing). He had a whole crate of the things, all different. At the Environ gigs he was able to set out a big full size linen sheet on the floor and deploy every last one of these things, along with his various bells and blocks and things, sitting himself in their midst, and throughout the show leaning and flailing and twisting in place like some demented spider selcting this or that and putting it into play. We had a primitive light show in thise days,ably and creatively produced by Dave Olsen, to give him his props. Then there was the show with the five dancers dancing along to our music in four distinct styles...that is to say, each one with his or her own individual style...all at once...one classicly trained ballerina, one sort of modern jazz, two in the mechanistic style that was really current and popular at the time (of which the 'robot' dance
moves of today are reminiscent, just to give you an idea), and one good old fashioned go-go dancer...all at once. The ballet dancer (whose name may have been Patsy Parker, but don't quote me on it) had an infant child at the time and no baby sitter so she brought him(or her) along that night, and, there being no one involved in the presentation of the performance who could be spared for baby sitting duties, she spent much of the performance dancing with the child in her arms. It was beautiful. The mind reels, but I was there! I know it sounds like it couldn't possibly work, but it did...