A SONGWRITING Workshop with PETER MULVEY

Saturday , January 14, 2006
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Location: Elderly Instruments
workshop ($35.00)

Lest we forget, in addition to presenting his popular songwriting workshop at Elderly on Saturday noon, January 14, Peter Mulvey may also be seen in concert at The Ark in Ann Arbor Saturday evening at 8:00 pm.

Titled "Songwriting from the Inside Out," Peter's interactive workshop explores the art of putting original words to music from within the process. Students will review songs he has written over the last ten years, covering the big and small decisions made along the way as writer's frustration gives way to "inspiration, perspiration, and maybe even fruition," to quote the master wordsmith. Thus the class will learn the "secrets" of Peter's songwriting success from working with specific examples.

It is not essential to bring--or to play--a guitar, although Peter advises that players may get more from the workshop, because it will cover alternate tunings as a means to jump-start the writing process and students will discuss their music-theory concerns as they relate to the crafting of songs.

After each tune is dismantled, there will be ample opportunities for question-and-answer. If class size permits (i.e., approximately eight or fewer participants), Peter will offer specific feedback on the students' works. He asks that you bring a tape recorder or a notebook and pencil in order to retain material covered as a result of Q & A, etc.

Peter Mulvey's songwriting background, experience, and talent are considerable. While reviewing material on his success as both songwriter and performing artist, we came across more than two-dozen weighty quotations from respected sources--far too many to print. But to make our own job easier, we'll share a few of our favorites:

"Mulvey matches maturity, sound, sense, and visual-poetic delight..." - No Depression

"A wise, warm and poetic style reminiscent of such precursors as Chris Smither and Greg Brown....tasteful, percussive fingerpicking...." - Guitar World Acoustic

"Mulvey has serious things on his mind but he's not about to spell them out in any obvious way....will please anyone who enjoys thoughtful songwriting." - All Music Guide

"...a gift for lyrical intimacy that immediately connects the listener to his songs....equally at ease with extreme folk-jazz quietude and layered rock atmosphere." - Harp

"A sense of mystery...conjured by the spectral fingers of electric guitar...sharing the poetic visions of his life." - The Boston Phoenix

"...good examples of how an economy of words and music can prove substantive and compelling." - The Hartford Courant

"Peter Mulvey shows, rather than tells, the details of his songs' emotional landscapes.... He favors plain-spokenness over screams and thoroughness over speed..." - The Washington Post

"Peter Mulvey is all substance, which is his style." - The Boston Globe

And a personal favorite: "...in some tunings, Mulvey can shake a woofer like nothing this side of P-Funk." - Paste Magazine

The workshop is Item # MULVEY-2006.

Check out recordings we carry featuring Peter Mulvey