Jeez, it’s late, I better start writing. I’m going out in a few hours. I have a lot to write too. What I didn’t have is a good night’s sleep. I of course have a long day ahead of me. Any day I go into the City is a long day.
I thought I had no plans yesterday other than going with Jane to UPS. She needed help handling all the packages. I love that the customer service center is in the Bronx, but we had to travel to Westchester to get there. That’s what happens when you are separated by a Park from the rest of the world.
There was no rush in leaving for UPS until I read an email from Maura Kennedy. She didn’t remember if I was available to sell the merch at the Bob Dylan tribute at City Winery. She couldn’t remember because we never discussed it. I said I’d love to but that meant working on a tight schedule. Jane dropped me off at the subway station on the way back.
I didn’t arrive at the Winery until after doors but that was no big deal. Doors open two hours before the show. Pete and Maura were out when I arrived, but they had left the merch. I set it up downstairs by the bathroom, the same place I did it last time. That works out well for me. It means I sit in a better seat than I would if I was at the Merch table upstairs and I have lots of room. Best of all everyone going to the bathroom or greenroom walks by and something about the geography induces even total strangers to say hi to me.
The Running order of the performers was:
- The Kennedys
- Dan Bern
- Paula Cole
Intermission - Bluebirds of Paradise (Chrissi Poland and Ari Hest)
- James Maddock
- The Prop Men (Rich Pagano, Jack Petruzzelli, Jim Boggia)
- Grand Finale with everybody including Joe Raiola who organizes the whole shebang.
Let’s see how well you know me. Which two acts do I regularly see? Which two acts played John Platt’s On Your Radar? Whom had I never seen before?
Half the first answer should be easy, The Kennedys. I see them all the time including last weekend. I already told you I was merching for them. The other is Dan Bern who doesn’t play here as often, and I don’t get comped for, so I often can’t afford it, but I’ve been seeing him since his first album came out. I haven’t seen him a hundred times, but I’ve seen him more times than I can count.
The two acts that did On Your Radar are The Kennedys and Bluebirds of Paradise. The act I never saw before was Paula Cole. You get half credit if you said the Prop Men as I’m not sure if I’ve seen them in that configuration. I’ve seen Rich and Jack play together as half the Fab Faux and in other tribute shows. I’ve seen Jim Boggia before. What I’m not sure of is if I’ve seen the three of them together.
I’m not going to give a round by round account the acts just some highlights. I’ve written about the Kennedys countless times, I’ve written about them playing Dylan tributes countless times. I’ve also had my best conversations about Dylan with them.
When Dan started out what everyone talked about was how much he sang and wrote like Dylan. His voice still sounds like Bob’s, but his songwriting is distinct, what they share is being brilliant and bizarre. So, what did he do? He did his entire set at the piano. I have never even seen him play the piano before. This might be because he had a major injury to one of his hands; when I shook his hands, I made sure to count that it still had five fingers. I’d think the piano was tougher on the hands, but I could be wrong. I didn’t get a chance to ask him afterward. He sang differently at the piano than he does when playing guitar. His voice was still nasal like Dylan’s, but his style and phrasing were crooning! You might think that wouldn’t work with Dylan, you would be wrong. The way Dan sang put a new focus on the lyrics. I heard these songs I’ve heard hundreds of times with fresh ears. The highlight of his set, and perhaps the entire evening was when he was joined by his daughter, Lulu Pepper Bern. She sang Blowin’ in the Wind while Dan played piano. When she took a harmonica out and played it during the bridge the crowd lost it. There was spontaneous applause. I’m not sure how old she is, I’m guessing nine or ten, still a kid, not even a tween. You did a good job parenting Dan.
Paula is a jazz singer and her singing had the same effect as Dan’s. I heard the songs in ways I haven’t heard before. She did some of his songs of social conscience. She introduced one of his songs by saying it was Bob’s take on Black Lives Matter, before the phrase was coined. Do you know what song she sang? I knew; It was The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll.
I had a scare at intermission. I was told I could sit in any open seat. There was one at Dan and Phyllis’s table. That was perfect. Gail and Glenn were sitting in the table in front of ours. Regan was the house photographer and set up by the pillar right next to me. I was her photographer’s assistant before the show. That means I held the camera and monopod when she left to get something. Susan was at the table next to Gail’s. That wasn’t everyone I knew at the show, but it was most of them. So, what was the scare? Dan, Phyllis, and myself had to turn our chairs around to face the stage. There was not a lot of room and my bag ended up under the table. At one point near the end I thought I might have left the Kennedys’ bank, where I keep the merch money, sharpies, etc. on the table downstairs. Normally I’d put it in my bag or my pocket, but I couldn’t check my bag. As soon as the set was over I raced downstairs and saw Pete and Maura but not the bank! I raced upstairs to see if it was in my bag. I got the bag out. My cap and some shopping bags were in it, but no bank. I went downstairs to hang my head low and tell Maura. Maura looked in my bag. The bank was there. Whew. I called myself an idiot and beat myself up, but I shouldn’t have. Clearly Nicholas the sprite that lives in the apartment with Jane, Bernie, and me, was up to his usual mischief. He loves to steal things and then return them, so you feel stupid. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
When I raced downstairs thinking I left the money on the table and somebody stole it I passed Shelley. I was so upset that I told her I couldn’t talk and kept racing. I didn’t see her again, so I couldn’t apologize.
The show ended with perhaps Dylan’s two greatest rockers, Hurricane and Like a Rolling Stone. Hurricane was done by the Prop Men who rocked with the best of them. Everyone was energized and stood up when they finished. It was the second song that touched on the injustices that blacks in America suffer.
Everyone played in the Grand Finale. What song was played? This isn’t a trick question, it’s the most obvious choice. You got it, Like a Rolling Stone. I was going to video it but screwed up. That was for the best; I could sing along, loudly. I know every word and sang it will feeling if not in the right key. I will not apologize to those around me. If they didn’t want to hear me they should have sung louder.
There were no CD sales after the show as everyone was leaving but there was still socializing. I had a good talk with Maura and with everyone who stopped by to talk to her. I then got to leave with them through the secret side door of City Winery. I love the non-public spaces of buildings. When we came out we found Don and Jill and talked to them. Maura had two phrases that would make great song titles. It was my job to remember them. I remembered one but not the other. It’s tough not having a brain.
I finally pulled myself away and headed to the subway, so I could make the last bus to City Island. I got there at 12:52 and the bus was at the stop with the door closed. It was scheduled to leave at 12:53. I shouted, WAAAAAAAIT! The bus driver did. She let me in. then she waited the scheduled minute and two other people got on. They must have been on the same train as me. I wish all bus drivers were so considerate.
I wrote more than I planned. I’m under time pressure. My original plans were canceled but I still have to leave in time to met Gen for Dinner before On Your Radar and I want to go shopping first. So now I’ll post this, eat breakfast, shower, and head out. Let’s see if I can do that without opening my computer.
Wise Madness 