Dateline Amtrak: I’m writing this on the train to Boston, we just pulled out of Bridgeport. Unlike the bus the Wi-Fi and electric outlet work well. This is so much more pleasant. If the Bolt Bus didn’t raise their prices for Thanksgiving I’d still use them, but as they do, Amtrak is worth the extra money.
I’m sitting next to a lovely woman and behind a woman that regales everyone around with stories about how stupid she is. She’s visiting her son in New London. She bought a ticket to New Haven. She told her son and when he corrected her she asked, “Does it make a difference?” Sure all cites with “New” in them are the same. Her previous visit she got on the train to Washington. When the conductor told her she asked if he could drop her off. Then I got my earbuds in and everything has been great since then. Jean Rohe is far more pleasing to listing to.
Jean is so pleasing that I traveled to moderately shallow Brooklyn to hear her last night. It was the CD release party for her new album, Sisterly Bev asked me if were going and my response was, “The CDs don’t sell themselves. Well they do but they don’t make change.” Sadly Bev was my only friend there. Where were the rest of you? I delayed my trip to Boston, one of the things I look forward to the most, so I could attend.
The show was at Littlefield. I’ve been there many times. I get off the R at Union Street, walk north one block, make a left, and it’s a short way down on the left side of the street. I got off the train, walked a block north, made a left, and walked down Sackett Street and was surprised that it was further down the street than I remembered. Then I hit Third Avenue and knew something was wrong. I looked at Google maps and it said that Littlefield was on the other side of the street. How could I forget that? Oh right, I’m an idiot.
When I got in the band was sound checking. When they were finished Jean ran me through the merch. I suggested moving the merch table into the room with the stage as you couldn’t even see it when you leave where it was set up. I told Jean that’s where I was when I merched for Skye [Steele}. She said, “That wasn’t here. That was across the street. They moved Littlefield. I’m not an idiot! OK, I am but that was not what happened this time. Jean did the same thing and if you call Jean an idiot I’ll have to slug you. Fine, I’m not violent, I’ll just give you the hairy eyeball.
The opener was Bob Lanzetti. He did something you don’t hear often, an instrumental electric guitar set. He was backed by a pedal steel, drums, and bass. He’s a helluva guitarist and joined Jean’s band.
It’s been six years since Jean released a band album, it was worth waiting for. the End of the World Show was the best album of 2012, Sisterly is better, hard to believe but much better. Jean has risen to even higher heights. The songs range from the pseudopop of Live to the epic title track. Sisterly starts as a simple ballad and builds to a Wagnerian finale. You look at jean and you think “Sweet girl” Jean is sweet, but not a girl, a woman, a powerful woman. She might look like Mimi but she’s Brunhild. I was talking to her mother after the show and she pointed out that even though Jean’s songs are often dark, they always lead to a hope. She sees the glimmer of dawn in the darkest night.
Her lyrics are matched by the music, they work in service to each other. She’s not afraid to be dissonant. At times the music can even stray into neuromusic. There are chords meant to disturb the comfortable. She could get by on her beautiful voice, she might be more commercially successful if she were, but she would not be as fulfilling, for the listener, and for herself. She challenges you, she makes you think.
The only members of her band I knew were Liam on piano, keyboard, and accordion, and Chris on bass? Where was James on vibes and synth? I forgot to ask. She had two harmony singers, This was a full band show. I had to go to the bathroom and decided I’d go when she did, Live as I know it so well and heard her do it many times. I couldn’t. As soon as she started I heard that this arrangement would be different. I had to wait to after the show. . It was worth it. I didn’t get home until close to one and I had to get up at 7:00 but there was no way I would have missed this for the world.
I was up at 7:00 as there was no way I would miss my 9:00 train. I gave myself half hour leeway. Part of that time was used up when the D did not run express in the Bronx. It’s supposed to. I also just missed the previous one so I had a 9-minute wait. I still made it with enough time to get breakfast at Dunkin’ Donuts. That was the important thing.
In a few hours I’ll be in Boston, then a short while later in safe and snug at VanMerc Hill, surrounded by friends, kids, who are also friends, dogs, chickens, and bacon. The train is running right by Long Island sound. The view is beautiful, and I just had a great conversation with the woman sitting next to me. There’s a lot to be thankful for. I’m going to give you a Thanksgiving gift, Sisterly on Spotify. Listen to it and then buy it. Streaming is wonderful for the listener but the artist gets bupkis.
Wise Madness 