I just made an epic lion yawn. Let’s see if that kicks my brain into action. I was writing this in my head as I was experiencing it last night so this should be easy. Let’s see if it is. I won’t be an optimist or a pessimist but an empiricist. I’ll know soon enough.
Last night I headed from my home in the North Bronx to central Brooklyn to see Lily Henley play an hourlong set at The Owl Music Parlor. Nothing I can write can convey how much I love Lily’s music than the simple act of making the trip to see her. It helps that the Owl is on the short list of best places to see live music. It’s a listening room. People aren’t there to drink and talk. The room wasn’t designed to bring in business to the bar. It exists because Oren (Oran?) the owner wanted to create a space for music. There are usually musicians in the audience too. It creates community.
When I arrived, there was just one other person there. She was super friendly. We started talking immediately. I’m now kicking myself as I forgot her name and we didn’t exchange contact info. She lives in the neighborhood so there’s a good chance I’ll see her again. She goes to the Owl without knowing the artists beforehand. Isn’t it great to do that?
What makes Lily worth the trip? She’s not fungible. When you go to a showcase or simply to enough shows you realize to some degree most musicians are little boxes made of ticky tacky and they all sound just the same. That’s exaggerating but how many musicians do you know that are sensitive men and women strumming guitars and singing songs that sound like each other. Some are better than others and stand out, but they are still making the same kinds of music as many others. You can get the same thing from others. They are commodities. Lily is not a commodity. No two of her songs sound the same. I’ll always think of her as a fiddler first, that already sets her apart. But she’s also an excellent guitarist, her playing is interesting, not just there to accompany the singing. I wish I knew more so I could intelligently talk about her singing. There’s something about it that makes it dramatic. She sings many songs in Ladino, I have no idea what she’s saying, but they still spark emotions in me. There’s always passion. There’s great dynamic and rhythmic range.
There is also an element of scholarship, she sings these ancient Sephardic songs and explains there they come from. You’ll hear about the 86-year-old woman that taught her verses she never heard before of a song. They aren’t all ancient Sephardic songs; she writes originals in English. Their feel is different. There sound is different. Lily is a multitude. She was joined on base by Andrew Ryan. Not Ryan Andrew. I have two last names and he has two first. We are planning on trading names. I’ll be either Gordon Ryan or Andrew Nash. They both sound good
When Lily finished her set, I turned around and was surprised to see Kaia in the audience. I just saw her play on Saturday. She lives some of the year in Brooklyn now, but this is the first time I’ve just run into her socially. This gave us some quality time together.
I considered going home after Lily as it’s a long trip home and there were things I wanted to do; but that seemed silly as Lily and Kaia spoke highly of the next act, Quique Escamilla. As you can tell from his name he’s Canadian. He immigrated there from Mexico. OK EFO fans what song am I thinking of? Right, Tommy the Canexican.. Unsurprisingly he knows Kaia, she’s Canadian; Kaia Kater Canadian Crooner. Too bad she doesn’t really croon. Chanteuse is more accurate and looks like an alliteration, but it isn’t.
I’m glad I stayed Quique was great. Most of his songs are in Spanish so I spent much of the night listening and loving songs in languages I don’t know. Ladino is an offshoot of Spanish. Ladino:Spanish::Yiddish:German. Like Lily I didn’t have to understand the words to understand the songs. It helps that he plays wicked guitar. I’d love to see him with his band when he hadn’t just arrived from the airport after flying in from Vancouver. He’s a trouper. If he can be great under those conditions, imagine what he’s like when he’s rested. Quique come to NERFA! Apply for the Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist Showcase and play the Budgiedome.
Instead of heading straight home I ended up hanging out with everybody. I love those kinds of shows. I often complain about people but there are so many whose company I love. Kaia even got a picture of the two of us together. I never remember to do that. That becomes painfully clear when I have Facebook Anniversaries and there are no pictures of me with my friends.
Now I have to get moving. I should have plenty to talk about tomorrow too. Turns out this was easy to write; I was enthused about Lily and Quique and running into Kaia and Andrew and meeting the woman whose name I forgot. I like to gush over things I love.
Wise Madness 