Last night I went to see B at the Bitter End. They were billed as B Betts and I like the sound of B Betts at the Bitter End. Lots of alliteration. B is the stage name of Oliver Esposito. I might find myself saying Ollie because B just is an Ollie.
Ollie is 18, I’ve known them since they were 12 but didn’t see them since then until NERFA. There is a question of whether B counts as a NERFA discovery, three have been a lot of changes since B was 12. They changed genre, gender, and name. Twelve-year-old B, then Bella, was a mandolin prodigy playing the broader musical universe around bluegrass ala Chris Thile. Oliver Esposito still touches on that but concentrates on being a singer/songwriter with deep lyrics, beautiful melodies, and the harmonic complexity you’d expect of a prodigy now at Berklee.
There is a lot of cognitive dissonance from Ollie. As they say, their lyrics are dark and depressing but between the songs Ollie radiates joy. I don’t know what’s going on inside but at least outwardly the changes made Ollie happier. I hope it goes all the way through, Ollie is someone I can’t help but love.
It’s so rare to find such a combination of instrumental virtuosity, songwriting, and singing ability. I always knew the first, but the other two were a revelation. This is the last time I’ll be hearing that voice, Ollie is starting on testosterone which will deepen it. I spent a lot of time thinking of the musical consequences. Ollie’s voice is clarion clear; the perfect vehicle for the songs. Will the new voice work as well? Unless something unfortunate happens it should. While I love the sound of the voice, what’s special is the singing, not same thing at all. Perhaps it will be like going from violin to viola, or even cello. Not sure how big the effect will be. The point is all of them they can make beautiful music. Ollie’s true gift is not the sound of the voice but the expressiveness. Nobody ever thought that Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen have beautiful voices but they are both great singers because their voices appear to give a direct line to their souls. I say appear as from his actions Dylan’s soul is not as pure as what comes out in the songs. Someone doesn’t need to have an unusual voice to have that quality. Emmylou does too and her voice is beautiful. She might be the closest comparison to Ollie even though their voices are not similar, their voices have the same effect.
B surprised me by playing the piano. I didn’t know they did that. Not that I’m surprised that they can play the piano. Musically talented people can learn fast. I think they just do it to annoy people like me that can’t master one instrument.
B is going to be back in the area in May, when they play the Common Ground Coffeehouse in Hastings-on-Hudson. Put that on your calendar now. I was disappointed none of my friends were at the show last night. I called B a revelation, that’s the highest praise I can give. You owe it to yourself to be there.
I was tempted to stalk Ollie and go down to Baltimore tomorrow to see them playing at Awkward Pause House Concerts aka Becca and Billie’s house. Becca has the world’s best musical taste, i.e. just like mine. Not only does that mean three of my favorite people, but think of the alliteration, B Betts, Becca, and Billie. If you live near Baltimore, another B! The be a Romper Room Do Bee and go to the show. Did I just totally lose B, Becca, and Billie by making a Baby Boomer reference? People my age get it.
After the show I gave myself a treat, poutine at Pomme Frites on MacDougal Street. Exactly six year earlier I had my first poutine, also at Pomme Frites, but then they were in the East Village. A world with B and Poutine is a good world.
I had planned on going to Duncan’s birthday party at Mona’s. It was a Celtic Session with cake! But it was at 10 PM and I did not sleep well the night before. I did not have the energy for it. That’s sad. I still need a session fix.
I didn’t sleep that long but I slept very well last night. How well I breathe through the night has a huge effect on my mood during the day. Learning that is making a big difference.
Wow, I’m finishing this before 11. That’s good. Now my brunch won’t be as embarrassingly late. I bought tacos yesterday, I’ll try a breakfast taco. This is new for me. I’ll tell you how it works out.
Wise Madness 