Rock warms up Cousin Andy’s
January 23, 1996
The third appearance of Georgy Rock at Cousin Andy’s was a sort of homecoming for the singer who said she loves the simple, warm atmosphere the place offers.
Old sheets were clothespinned to a cord made the backdrop for the stage. The cross hanging in the center of the stage added a religious feel to the show. The candles burning and the smell of coffee brewing gave the place a sense that it was a haven from the more hectic world outside.
She said she felt at home because of the people. And the crowd shared that feeling because of the music she played Friday night.
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Rock, a St. Louis artist, describes her music as faith appropriate. She said this means her music is a positive statement designed to help people to find the full potential God has in store for them.
There are enough people ripping things apart, she said. I think there is a wonderful potential in each of us.
Her music is full of simple, positive messages. She sings songs about families and about her faith in God, whom she said was her travelling companion. Rock’s love of God, family and music comes through in her performance. Her face is one constant smile that brings a feeling of home and a sense of family to the stage.
She said she makes a point to sing in key since so much of today’s music is characterized by distorted vocals and distorted electric instruments. This distortion often leaves a person with a sense of hopelessness and despair, she said. Rock’s music is about purity and clarity. It is about seeing the world through the eyes of a child and looking at people with the same innocence and acceptance of children.
She has a five-octave range that diversifies her work. Her music has a distinct jazz appeal. Songs like Try Love and her version of Elton John’s Circle of Light from The Lion King soundtrack both had elements of jazz. Part of this was the musical genius of Bob Dill, a one-man orchestra who accompanied Rock Friday night. His trumpet, keyboard, flute and e-flat horn brought some of the jazz feel to her music.
Georgy’s music is certainly not limited to jazz. Her rendition of Mr. Bojangles had an earthy appeal that took the audience back in time. The folk nature of her music came through in the tune. It was like sitting at the feet of Joan Baez or any other folk music legend.
Her music defies categorization, but her message is simple:It is a message of love for God, of other people, of self, of family and of life.
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Her music is Georgy music, Dill said.
Georgy read a story about love, Guess How Much I Love You. It was a children’s book about a daddy rabbit and his son trying to outdo each other in how much they love one another. The daddy rabbit wins because he is bigger and can think bigger thoughts. She said the story was significant because it featured a father who could love a child, which is not discussed openly in today’s world. Rock also said the story was significant because she thought it painted a nice picture of how God deals with people.
The evening began with the music of Rick Droit, a local folk artist. He warmed the audience up with some original music that came about from his life experience.
His song, The Starvation Box Blues, was a tune that told the story of a musician trying to make a living playing his music. The fast rhythms and informal lyrics gave the tune a humorous feel, but he said the song came from a very real struggle to survive playing on the streets of Austin, Texas.
Droit’s music was honest and open. When he sang about he how felt playing in Austin, it was believable and not at all pretentious. It was a good beginning for the emotional homecoming that followed.
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