I have things to write about! I went out last night! I talked to friends! My totally involuntary August hiatus is sort of over. It’s not as my schedule is still light. At least today I don’t have to struggle to find something to write.
Last night I went to Rockwood Music HallStage 3 for a double header, Her Crooked Heart with Alec Spiegelman at 7 followed by Emerald Rae at 9. If I could split myself I would have sent part of me to Stage 1 to see Cricket Tell the Weather. This was a night of great music at Rockwood. Did you notice I was good and linked to all the musicians’ websites? I had grown lazy, I want to get back in the habit, as I want you to follow the links and listen to their music. I’m an evangelist spreading the good word.
I was so good that I left the house early enough to stop at Trader Joe’s in Chelsea first. I was delighted to run into Tim, who works there. I used to see him there often but his hours and mine don’t usually mesh well. I usually go to that store on the way home from an early show at Rockwood. Tim and I had a nice talk about improvisational singing and hooked him up with Pat Wictor who has gotten into that too. I know Tim through the Christopher Street Coffee House and Pat was on the board. It’s a very small world.
I got to Rockwood before doors opened. What a shock? When we were let in I took my seat at my usual table. I’d say my usual seat but if Fred’s with me he sits there. It’s the best spot for photography. The only ones I saw that I knew before the show were Rachel Ries and Alec. Rachel IS Her Crooked Heart; she uses the band name even when playing solo. She wasn’t solo last night, she was joined by Siri Undlin, who I’ve met before, Hillary James, who I met last night, and Adelyn Strei who I somehow didn’t get to talk to.
Alec often works as a sideman, he’s a great musician that can plays keyboards, bass clarinet, and guitar. It blows my mind to be professional quality in three such different instruments. He also leads the band Cuddle Magic. Last night he was a solo singer/songwriter playing guitar. Last summer he was performing all songs he wrote in the six months following the election; they were political. This year he’s writing relationship songs. What they have in common is that they are unlike anyone else’s songs. His songs are guided tours of his mind, at least the parts that he wants people to see. Many, but not all are funny. Last night he did something I’ve not seen before, he sang a series of one and two line songs. He doesn’t tell you that when he starts them. You think it’s going to be a full song, and then he moves the capo and announces the next tone. They are compact ways of saying things akin to haiku. I might have even been able to learn some of them.
I keep in touch with all the women I’ve known/I want to know how their dogs are doing.
I believe that things that rhyme are true/And I believe that I love you.
Sorry if those are inaccurate. They are at least close. He’s recording an album and they will be on it. Then he’ll be featured on Gord’s Gold. The world needs to hear him.
The world needs to hear Rachel aka Her Crooked Heart too. She lives in Minneapolis now and swings through New York maybe once a year. I see her every time she does. The theme for this evening was artists whose minds don’t work like most people’s. You can say that about all artists, as most people can’t make great art, but there are artists that express what most people think, and just do it well. And then there are artists whose minds explore less frequented paths. One path Rachel’s mind, and car went down led to Pleasant Valley Reservoir. You hear the name and you understand why Rachel followed the sign to it. When she got there she found it was a sewage treatment plant. To most people that would be a disappointment and an amusing anecdote. To Rachel it’s a song. Her songs are not funny but Rachel is. She reversed syntax by accident, said “song a sing” and then wanted to reverse syntax on the rest of the sentence because that’s the way she rolls. Her supporting musicians were all great playing flutes, clarinet, cello, drum synthesizer, and I think synthesizer. You know, your standard folk band set up. She describes her music as Pep Talk Rock. The true measure of her greatness is that I find I don’t have to concentrate to listen to her lyrics, it takes an effort not to. There are different listening styles. I have friends, musician friends, who don’t pay any attention to lyrics the first time through a song. I have others that memorize the lyrics on one listen. I can never do the memorization part but I swing both ways. Some musicians I come to the lyrics only in repeat listens. Some, mostly musicians I’m not fond of, I can never listen to the lyrics without my mind wandering, their lyrics can’t hold my interest. With Rachel every word comes through.
Between Alec and Her Crooked Heart’s set I turned around and saw Jean Rohe at the other end of the room. I love being able to see. Rockwood is dark so seeing across the room is not easy. I got up and talked to her. I haven’t seen her since my birthday party at Celebrate Brooklyn. I got to catch up with her. I heard some exciting news that I’ll let her tell you. This was my first full conversation with a friend I was in the same room in since Falcon Ridge. I needed that.
This was another case of small world syndrome. I first saw Alec with his band Cuddle Magic when they opened for Anaïs Mitchell at the Bowery Ballroom. Rachel accompanied Anaïs on piano that show. Jean was in the audience. This is part of the tour of my mind. I have an inconsistent memory, it works wonders when I have connections to make, it works terribly otherwise. I’m great at connections, not so good at random recall.
I was lucky and they didn’t make me go upstairs between shows. Emerald came down while people were still leaving. Her Crooked Heart had a lot to break down so it took time. That worked out doubly well for me a it game me time to talk to Emerald. Sure I just saw her at Falcon Ridge but that was weeks ago.
Emerald always jokes that she comes from the Island Nation of Gloucester, Massachusetts. In my mind it’s the Emerald Isle. As she got her start playing Celtic music that’s extra appropriate. Emerald’s shows are also like nobody else’s. I hate to always say this but this might be the first time you’re reading about her; she sings and simultaneously fiddles better than anyone I’ve ever seen. She wonders why she does it She’s also a great guitarist. But I love the sound of the fiddle and it makes her music unique. She is not held by the bounds of genre. Her background is Celtic but she left because she has more in her. She’s a singer/songwriter. She throws in bluegrass, blues, and fiddle tunes. She writes her own songs but also sings traditional music. Her voice is far more beautiful for anyone that talented instrumentally, has a right to be. Why does Emerald get all the trophies? Why does Emerald get all the socks? Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. Sorry, once that starts I have to finish it. I hope at least one person gets what I was going on about. I better tag Carey to make sure.
I couldn’t stay too long after the show as I wanted to be up by 7:30 this morning to post the WFUV Question of the Day on the Facebook group. I got home at 11:45, and went to sleep an hour later. And then woke up at 5:45. That’s not enough sleep. After posting the QotD I went back to sleep at 7:10 and slept another hour and a half. Good thing I have a clear conscience and can fall asleep quickly at any time.
Today is Friday so I’m off to therapy. I’m not going out tonight and if it’s quiet enough I’ll try to knock off some editions of Gord’s Gold. Emerald was my test run and I have to redo it. It was terrible. I want to record one for Her Crooked Heart ASAP as they are on tour supporting the new album, To Love, To Leave, To Live. I also have to rerecord Jean’s as I did hers before I got the microphone. I have homework. My therapist will love it. My goal is now record two a week.
Wise Madness 