I had a typical Gordon Friday; I went to therapy and then a concert; a little normalcy is nice. I was going to say this could have been pre-pandemic but there were a few things different. Yesterday’s Wise Madness, Talking ‘Bout My Generation and Yours Too, took longer to write than I budgeted which through my schedule off. I would have had to race through brunch to make my train, so I decided to make it a phone session. I could not do that pre-pandemic. Nothing has been resolved with my psychiatrist. I asked to change because he isn’t vaccinated and doesn’t plan on getting vaxxed. My therapist put the request into the system and hasn’t heard back. This is not good for someone with anxiety. With the exception of this I love the St. Vincent’s program. It’s the first time I had trouble with them.
My evening plan was to see Alisa Amador at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3. The show wasn’t until 9:00 which gave me time to eat dinner at home. I wanted to get there early but there was a delay on the train and didn’t arrive until 8:55. I wasn’t afraid it would sell out but perhaps I should have. I got a good seat in the second row of tables. It feels odd to not be at my usual table, front row far stage right. When I sat down there was a nice crowd, a little while later I looked around and saw almost every seat was taken. It might have been a sellout, if not it was close. Considering that Alisa made a big splash at NERFA, it was surprising that there wasn’t one person I knew there. Why weren’t you there? I told you to go. Don’t you trust my judgment? Don’t give any of this you live on the other side of the country business; it was worth the trip. The other odd thing for me is that I’m usually the person in the audience that knows the artist best, not last night. She said how happy she was to see the room filled with people she loved. As we’ve only met once I take it that doesn’t mean me. I mean I could be wrong. It could have been love at first sight and she’s just been coy, but somehow, I’m doubtful.
I had built Alisa so much in my mind that I was afraid she’d be a disappointment. She wasn’t! She lived up to my expectations. She kept talking about how nervous she was, this was her first headlining show in the Big Apple, but the nervousness came off as endearing. Her songs of often lyrical and beautiful but saying that can give he wrong impression. Her songs have swing. She called it funk. Whatever it is, it makes your body move. Even when she’s singing in Spanish, and I can’t understand a word I find her songs affect me. I feel like the hobbits listening to the music of the Elves. As an extra bonus she handed out glittery gold surgical masks. I had my KN95 on as I always do in crowds. I need to find an occasion to wear this one. Maybe I’ll do it tonight at the Common Ground Coffeehouse show in Dobb’s Ferry. The Murphy Beds are playing. No! I’ll wear it when I see Christine Lavin on Monday, she’ll appreciate it. I’m going to three shows in four nights. Things really are getting back to normal.
I was going to talk to her after the show, but it was too crowded, and everyone wanted to talk to her. As many were maskless I decided to leave. I love Rockwood but I hate hanging out in the space above Stage 3. At the best of times, it feels crowded and noisy.
I went for a treat after the show, Bel Fries, the new Belgian fries place on Ludlow. This time I had the garlic aioli sauce. It was great but I prefer the Peanut Satay. Once I was there instead of walking back to the Second Avenue station on the F I went to Essex Street-Delancy Street. It’s one stop away but I hardly ever use it. I had good timing waiting for the F, but a long wait for the D at Broadway-Lafayette. I didn’t get home until 11:45. There was a time I’d consider that getting home early. I had been to the show with friends, and we went out afterward it would be early.
I better get ready for tonight’s show. I have to leave in half an hour. I’m leaving for Massachusetts on Tuesday. I have to record Gord’s Gold before then and finish preparing the next show as I’ll be way for five nights. I bet I end up doing most of the work on the bus rides up and back and perhaps while I’m at Emily’s. Maybe I’ll pack my microphone and try recording from there. It can be an on-location edition of Gord’s Gold.
Wise Madness 