Welcome to a not feeling human until afternoon edition of Wise Madness. I discussed this with my psychiatrist yesterday and it finally got through my sleep dulled head that this might not be depression; that the reason I’m so sleepy is my sleep apnea. Depression and anxiety might exacerbate it, but I bet the main problem is not sleeping well. That’s good as that has a mechanical solution. I just have to get through my anxiety and make an appointment to see the pulmonologist. My Prozac dosage has been increased, that should help.
After my psychiatrist appointment I had to decide if I should come home or go straight into the City for shopping at Trader Joe’s and then John Platt’s On Your Radar. OYR is usually on the second Tuesday of the month but that’s when WFUV had their Holiday Cheer show so OYR was rescheduled to the third Monday. I opted to go home as one of the things I needed to buy was milk and I didn’t want it to be out so long before I could get home and put it in the fridge. I used the hour and quarter I had a home to record an edition of Gord’s Gold, my non-award-winning feature on Folk Music Notebook. I finally got around to recording my piece on Asaran Earth Trio. Then I headed into the City.
As is happening too often the trip took longer than it should. I arrived only five minutes before doors open. Part of my job is making sure the proper tables are reserved. When I arrived, no tables had reserve signs, so I had to put stuff on four tables. I finished as the doors opened. It would not have been such a close call except that I also had to give hugs and greetings to Marion Halliday and Meghan Markle Cary. Marion was playing and Meghan singing backup. I like when my friends play OYR, especially ones that bring me chocolate fudge like Marion did 😊. It’s from Kentucky so it’s laced with bourbon.
The show was almost a sellout which is always nice. They should all be sellouts. The bill was Youth in a Roman Field, Marion, and John John Brown. I was not stuttering, that’s his name. Marion is the only one I knew. John John was in the Emerging Artist Showcase at Falcon Ridge and Youth in a Roman Field played the American Roots Festival at Caramoor. I somehow missed them, but Fred spoke highly of them. Speaking of Fred, he missed the show. The unusual timing threw him off. He hangs out too much with me.
As Fred was absent I sat with Phyllis and a late arriver I didn’t know. Jeff & Carol sat behind me. Dan and Ihor sat with John. Filling out the first row was Richard and Viki. It was Richard’s birthday and we all sang Happy Birthday to him. On Your Radar is not just a concert series but a social club. I’ll now fall down while trying to name people sitting not right near me as I rely on visual memory for this. Joe and Katherine sat behind Jeff & Carol. Jamie was in her usual photographic perch on the opposite side of the room as me Mara was behind me sitting with other friends and it’s killing me that I can’t remember who they were. I hate when my brain fails me.
John John, if that sounds funny think of John John Kennedy, was up first. He’s a no adjective folk singer. For the most part he writes story songs, true ballads. Some are serious. Some are funny. Sometimes all it takes is a singer, a guitar, and songs. The key is the songs.
Marion had her big band with her. Big meaning three other people. The only one I knew was Meghan. It was a self-described “girl’s night out” but the bass player was a man. I totally approve of that usage. I knew most of Marion’s songs, but she had one new one. Here’s where objectivity about art takes a hit. I described the new song as sounding like Prog Rock, in particular Renaissance. It reminded Joe of the Who. While the two bands were contemporary they had little else in common other than both being favorites of mine. So, which is the more apt comparison? Joe listens to even more music than me. That doesn’t mean I cede to his stance; it does mean it comes from a place of understanding. So, the answer is, it depends. It lights up different associations in us. There is no right answer.
Youth in a Roman Field was a revelation. I knew they impressed Fred but that doesn’t mean that I’d love them. Turns out that I do. Not surprisingly Claire Wellin, the leader, has a background in classical music. Her entire family has a background in classical music. Classical musicians that move to folk and Americana are in my sweet spot. They put more emphasis on the music in folk music, and they know what they are doing. I should have listened to their album before writing this, but I was afraid if I did I’d never get around to writing. I don’t have my usual concise description of their music. The best thing I can say about them was that I knew immediately that I would feature them on Gord’s Gold. There is a lot to unpack and it will take me some time to do so. Claire got on my good side by mentioning “Anxiety and depression” during the interview with John. When she said that I gave out an involuntary whoop. My people get their props whether it’s socially appropriate or not.
After the show I hung out with Katherine till we headed out to the subway. Then I was very good and remembered to go to Trader Joe’s, so I’d have food for breakfast. The two things I really needed were eggs and milk or half & half. I picked up other things too. When I made my breakfast this morning I had my coffee black. Why? Because I’m an idiot; I specifically went to the store to buy creamer and forgot to.
At least I’m almost awake now. It’s now too late to do something I needed to do so I’ll do other unpleasant things I need to do to make it easier when I do it next week. I won’t have time until then. The next three days I’ll be at the WFUV member drive. I’ll try to blog from there. If I do they will be short.
Wise Madness 