Van Dyke Parks In Santa Barbara (22nd April 2000)
recollections of a performance with Van Dyke Parks by singer/songerwriter John R. WilliamsonI performed with Van Dyke Parks in Santa Barbara at Lobero Theater, along with T Bone Burnett, Sam Phillips and Gillian Welch.
Van Dyke played a spirited harpsichord.
He is one of the most interesting people I have ever met.
He is a truly kind person, too.
When I first met him, he was very excited that I had a charango. He said that his favorite CD had charango on it and proceeded to invite me and T Bone Burnett into his car where we listened to a CD he had bought called "Samba".
The next day, in Santa Barbara, I met his wife, Sally, who is truly wonderful and charming and we talked about the episcopal church and watercolors. Then I also met his son Richard, who had just had his senior recital that day (which Van had played, too).
Van Dyke played harpsichord and accordion.
I remember his agility with transcription. He was writing the music chords as fast as they were being played in green ink without asking any questions. I told him that I hoped that the lights wouldn't be green.
Ironically, the lights in Santa Barbara were green. but Van still played like a genius, "channeling" the harpsichord.
He is an american treasure.
For more information on John R. Williamson and his CD "Songs From Crescent Vale" visit his website.