Last night I went to see Youth in a Roman Field at Pete’s Candy Store. I’m making an effort to not bury the lede. No time to do my usual self-flagellation for not posting until it was late. It’s too late for that, so now let’s dive into the epic tale. It was a late show, 9:30 but I spun my wheels long enough that a train delay made me late. Normally if I get to a show at Pete’s three minutes late it hasn’t started. This one did. Not only that but I couldn’t get into the room. I was listening from the hallway. After the first song I decided that I’d be bold and take a seat on the floor so I can see and hear. Turns out there were a few stools not being used so I took one of them. Then I could settle down and enjoy the show.
I first heard of Youth in a Roman Field when they played Caramoor. Unfortunately, I missed most of the show, I went to one of the other stages to catch someone I knew and loved. Turns out that was a poor choice as I missed someone that I didn’t now but would love. Fred told me they were good. I was intrigued but they weren’t a priority. Then they played John Platt’s On Your Radar and I loved them. I became an instant fan. When I saw they were playing an APAP show at Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg I traveled there from City Island. That’s a long trip. A long wasted trip as I got there a day late! I’m an idiot, have I mentioned that? That put a big delay in my plan to put them on my favorites list. Then life happened, and then COVID-19 happened, and I didn’t see them. I have played them on Gord’s Gold. I now see that I haven’t played them enough. They announced they were working on a new album and doing the show at Pete’s, so I was there. That was a great decision. If anything, they were beyond my expectations. I’d characterize them as progressive folk. If Renaissance switched to folk from rock, they would be kin. The instrumentation and culture are folk but there is no twang, it is not your father’s folk. One song would have worked perfectly in an early to mid-60s movie.
I have no gone totally off the mark. I’m comparing them to Renaissance and though unnamed, Henry Mancini. The reality is that one of the best things about them is that there is nobody like them. That’s how they are progressive. I just looked at the About section of their website. They describe themselves as surrealist folk. Maybe it wasn’t Mancini I was hearing but Hello Dali. I like this part, “Incorporating sounds of “Appalachia, cayenne pepper, and ghosts,” they use their collective training in classical, jazz, and folk traditions to create an original, progressive sound … “See I told you they were progressive.
I just went back to look at what I wrote when I saw them at John Platt’s On Your Radar. It was in December 2019, only three months before we entered the age of pandemic. No wonder I have not seen them since. I missed the one chance I had. This is what I wrote then.
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 are very much in my sweet spot. On stage Claire seems smart, sweet, and charming. After the show I discovered that she’s evil. What did she do? I of course went to talk to her. We had written but saw each other only once and that was in the before times. I had zero expectations that she’s know me though she would probably remember that we corresponded. Instead, she smiled when she saw me and said, “It’s so good to see you. I’m so glad you came.” Can you believe it that’s she is one of those creatures in human skins that can remember someone they met only once two years later? You know they do that just to make the rest of us feel inadequate. Sure, she said nice things and has a smile that lights up a room, but I won’t let that fool me.
I have a new ambition, to be able to find Pete’s Candy Store without looking at Google Maps first. How did I not remember that you take the L train to Lorimer then go north past the BQE? There are no turns if you get out the eastern end of the station. I knew from Google maps that’s what I wanted to do. I hope I’m not setting my ambitions too high. Somebody play Pete’s so I can go there without consulting Google.
I gave myself two treats on the way home. I got a buttered bagel right in front of the subway station in Brooklyn and when i got back to my neighborhood I got a YooHoo at the bodega. I can’t remember the last time i had a YooHoo. Now that’s comfort food.
Today’s excitement is a new phone but that’s tomorrow’s story. I have a busy run coming up, Lunasa tomorrow and the Prodigals on Thursday, unless I decide that I’m not up to braving Connally’s on St. Paddy’s Day. I’m going to leave My Gentle Readers the way I’m planning on leaving my Gentle Listeners starting this week. Say goodnight, Lead Belly.
Wise Madness 