I didn’t finish writing about NERFA but it’s time to move on to John Platt’s On Your Radar.
I usually begin by saying, “It’s the second Tuesday of the month, you know what that means.” But it hasn’t meant John Platt’s On Your Radar since July. Like psychiatrists and teachers, OYR takes August off. In September, there was On Your Radar but without John Platt. It was hosted by Richard Cuccaro and me. John had a stroke at the end of July, he had not recovered enough to do the show. October had not been booked so On Your Radar took off again; it had a doctor’s note. John had recovered enough to take the helm once again and resumed his hosting duties last night. I was never happier to relinquish an honor than returning the Emcee title to him. The artists were Ed Romanoff, the Black Feathers, and Cassandra House.
I like to arrive early and make sure everything is running smoothly When I walked in The Black Feathers were sound checking. I hadn’t seen them since Saturday at NERFA so it was a heartwarming meeting. This was in effect the fifth day of NERFA. Cass and her band were also at NERFA as was everyone in the front from other than John’s wife Sheila, as was much of the second row. There was Richard & Viki, Maggi, Dan & Phyllis, me, Beth & Perry, and Coco. Notice who is missing? Fred; the show was sold out and he was late buying his ticket. This is seven sellouts in a show. When I announce a show on Facebook and Instagram buy your ticket ASAP. This is what I always wanted to happen, OYR sells out independently of who is playing. People trust John’s taste.
I said I make sure everything is running smoothly, it wasn’t. Cass and the Miles to Dayton part of her band, Dave, and Jon, got stuck in traffic. They arrived after doors opened so couldn’t sound check. As this was a six-piece band, there was also Chris Marshak on drums, Jackie forgot her last name on backing vocals, and a killer electric guitar player whose name I never learned. Sorry Jackie and killer electric guitar player who I am terrified is going to comment, “It’s _____ and we’ve known each other for ten years.” That is what it’s like being an idiot with severe anxiety disorder. Despite the no sound check they sounded amazing; kudos to the band and the sound guy, who is no longer Gordon so I can’t remember his name.
Cassandra solo is a different beast than Cassandra with a band. I heard people whispering that after their set. She is clearly one of those people that hears the music in her head with arrangements, the band isn’t there just to sound big. It helped that the band was great and that Cass has the chops to not get lost in ensemble. I have gone from never knowing a Cassandra, to now having two, Cassandra aka Cassie Jenkins is the other. Does that foretell doom that nobody will believe?
John asked me to check out the Black Feathers at last year’s NERFA. I could tell that they are dead center in his sweet spot, beautiful spousal harmonies. They showed a playful side that they hadn’t onstage at NERFA. The best was when they held a very long note and Sian (shahn) outlasted Ray and he handed her a $5 when he had to stop. Their name has black in it. They dress in black, they look somewhat punk, they aren’t. Their music is beautiful and they are lighthearted. You might thing Sian is Irish, John did, so did I, but it’s Welch, the equivalent of Sian. You might think John is English, John did, but he’s Irish. They do live in southwest England.
Ed Romanoff is my Facebook friend. He has been for years. I have no idea where or when we met. It’s been so long I forgot what his music is like. Now I know, it’s good music. There are only two kinds of music, good music and the other kind. Ed too has a killer band but the music’s center is his lyrics. He’s a songwriter. He might have picked something up from his roommate, Josh Ritter. Maybe the influence goes the other way. His name is Romanoff, you might think he was Russian. He always thought he was Russian. He took one of those DNA tests and found out that he’s Irish. The search for his ancestry and his father has informed his music. Genetic detectives recently found his father, he didn’t give further details than that. I have to confess how evil I am. He was telling the heartfelt story of the search for his father and his desire for someone to say, “I’m your father.” My reaction was to whisper to someone, “His father is Darth Vader.” The person I whispered it to laughed so I will not reveal the name. I will take all the blame myself.
After the show I didn’t hang out and socialize. I had business to attend to. I had to go shopping at Trader Joe’s and have dinner. I haven’t been to Trader Joe’s in ages. I used to go all the time. We got out at 9:15 and TJ’s closes at 10 so that came before a late dinner. I went to the Chelsea store, the best TJ’s in the City and one on the F train, the train that goes to Rockwood. I get off at 23rd Street and walk two blocks down to 21st. After 14th street I got ready but next thing I knew I was at 34th street. I couldn’t believe I got so distracted I missed my stop. I crossed over to the downtown track and saw the sign that the train skips 23rd Street. I didn’t see that at Second Ave where I boarded. If I had I’d have gotten off at 14th street and arrived much earlier. The New York subway is always screwing with us.
It was so late after I finished shopping I did what I never do. I ate at MacDonald’s as it was fast and on the way to the 34th Street Station where I catch the D. I was reminded why I don’t eat at MacDonald’s.
More subway travails at 34th street. The arrival board lists the upcoming trains on the platform. The next four trains were F trains. It said there was a 16-minute wait for the next D. The train is supposed to come every 12 minutes. Then it came late, after more than 20 minutes, and a fifth F train arrived before it. If you think that Queens is a neglected borough you haven’t lived in the Bronx. The F goes to Queens.
I have no idea why but I slept till noon. Am I still catching up from NERFA? That’s why I’m writing so late. My dreams were uneasy but I did not awake to find myself transformed into a giant vermin.
Tonight comes more musical socializing; Sharon Goldman’s concert/birthday party. I should have plenty to write about tomorrow. Till then;
Wise Madness 