R. Spoon

R. Spoon has been many forms since 1971. Originally consisting of acoustic guitars, flute, and electric bass and guitar, primarily a vocal trio that performed original songs by D.R. Wagner, L.R. Haber and M.L. Haber, the band played in Sacramento, the Bay Area, and Northern California, before touring the U.S. and England and the Bahamas, and returning to Northern California until 1976. Today, it has evolved into a collection of old friends and talented writers and musicians who have played together in various forms, and currently still participate in special events on occasion. Also affiliated with the Spoon are the Orphans of Love, and KELP. All of these collections have played together or in part for the past 30 odd years in Sacramento. You can hear the Orphans on myspace, and on 45 Records, the original record label for such accomplished artists as Little Charlie and the Nite Cats, and Johnny Knox, on 45rpm records. The Orphans recorded two songs on a 45rpm first in 1978 at Moon Studios. It is still played once in a while by radio DJ's, apparently. Your Money's No Good, and Quick n Slick, received a bit of play back in their day. We are still creative song writers and performers, although as we have survived to our ripe old ages, we perform less and less. Especially if travel is involved. We have a great time when we do play, and have recorded most lately at Chin Music Studios in Auburn, CA. Check it out.

The original Runcible Spoon, was L. Haber and D.R. Wagner, and Lindy Haber. Soon we added an incredible musician, guitarist Purnt Moan Man Minor, and bassist/Ceramicist, Larry Ortiz, who teaches art around the foothill area and sacramento. D.R. teaches at UCD, and CSUS, Lindy is working in San Francisco. The other associates are around the Sacramento/Auburn area. Some are working, some are retired. This project is primarily carried on by Les Haber aka Lex Webber, since he has little else that interests him. The current participants are some of the great rare talents around town, including Charlie Weiss, Kathleen Weiss, Bill Yates, Eva Nicholson from the legendary Loomis Rumor, Steve Holsapple, Michael Madden, (his brother, Gerry, played with Runcible Spoon for a spell). Maggie Smith, Garland Wynn, and the late Dean Agee were part of the Orphans of Love, and the band Blue Horse currently is playing with Larry Ortiz at bass. Their name comes from a song written by D.R. and they do some wonderful material of his as well.

Various members of the bands play live sometimes for art openings, Songwriters' Showcases, and special events when invited. We jump at those chances, and we consider anytime we can a special moment.

The usual suspects, of course, especially The Band, Dylan, Randy Newman, Jon Hendricks, Eddie Jefferson, Billie Holiday. Chet Baker, Nina Simone, Rogers and Hammerstein, Hoagy Charmichael, Fats Waller, Ray Charles, Motown, The Blues, Country Music, oldtime music, traditional and folk music, eclectic music, electric music, pop music, avant garde music, Velvet Underground, early Janis and the Holding Co., The S.F. bands of the 60's. Blondie, Bonnie, Everly Brothers, Dan Hicks, Taj, Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekkar, Bob Marley, Bosa Nova, Weavers, and so on and so on and doobeedoobeedoo.

Lots of acoustic guitars, keyboards, pianos with weighted keys, '65 Fender Super Reverb and a Les Paul DeLuxe gold top from '72.

I have to tip my hat to those musicians, of all ages, who have the wherewithal to commit their lives to that of musical sacrifice, being on the road so much. Not only are there so many incredible, talented people who devote themselves to it, but it is so often a hard, solitary path, taken to the exclusion of comfort and intimacy. I am always blown away by the talented people I continue to run into who have gone unrewarded economically, and unappreciated and undiscovered, inspite of how truly wonderful they are. If I had it my way....