Last night I went to see Miwa Gemini at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3. That was easy to write, not so easy to accomplish. The show was at seven and it takes me about fifty minutes to get there so I left a little before six. I would have left more before six if I wasn’t an idiot. First, I made it out the apartment and realized that I was in the one jacket that does not have a mask in its pocket. I had to go back for that. Then I got out of the building and realized that I didn’t have my glasses with me. I had to go back again. Did I mention that I’m an idiot? My mother said, “You’d forget your head if it weren’t attached to your shoulders.” I feel seen. Then I get to the subway and see that the D train is stopping at 34th street? I then had to check if that meant that the F train stopped running there too. I checked online and saw it was only the D, they were doing construction on the Manhattan Bridge. I didn’t think that would affect me much, I’d just switch the F at by 34th street instead of West Fourth Street. That plans sounded great, but it didn’t consider that the construction created delays. Then I had a long wait for the F and then the F ran slow. The upshot was that instead of being early I got there after the show started. I hate that!
I’m not finished with hurdles. Then I found out there was a mix-up, and I wasn’t on the guest list. Good thing that my superpower is inspiring trust in people, and they believed me when I said I was supposed to be. Many days that would be easier as someone working there would know me but there’s been a lot of turnover due to COVID-19. When I entered Miwa had already started. I scouted the room for a place to sit while waiting for the first song to end. The room was crowded but the front row center table was open so that’s where I went. Just what you want, being in the most attention attracting seat when you are late. If it were one of my friends playing it wouldn’t be so bad, they’d make fun of me, and we’d move on. We still aren’t through the hurdles.
I took my seat and as the next song was about to start my phone started playing music loudly! Even worse I couldn’t make it stop. The fingerprint censor said my print didn’t match. The volume key wouldn’t work. I couldn’t turn the phone off without logging on. I didn’t have my glasses on so couldn’t enter my password. The whole show stopped because of me. Good thing I have experience making a fool of myself in public. I went outside and still had trouble with the phone. I was locked out for trying with the wrong fingerprint too many times. The server, Gabby tried to help but couldn’t. I was totally locked out until the timer said I could try again. Even then I couldn’t make it stop. I had to turn the phone off. I then left it off to make sure this didn’t happen again. That’s why I have no pictures or videos of the show. I had planned on taking a video as I want John Platt to get Miwa for John Platt’s On Your Radar. I went back in and of course once again had to walk in front of everyone to the front row center table. Miwa was great about it. She made a joke of it and asked the audience to give me a hand. She does know me, we met once at a porch concert. That’s the difference, a friendly acquaintance was nice to me while I expect a close friend to make fun of me.
I loved Miwa at the porch concert, but this show was even better. I loved everything about it, the songwriting, the harmonies, the arrangements, and the banter. I am fairly sure that this was the same trumpeter/harmony vocalist she had at the porch show. I didn’t remember her name and wasn’t sure and was at such sixes and sevens I didn’t say hello. I now checked and see that her name is Rebekah. Allen Schwartz. Facially she reminds me of Emily Mure which is enough for me to have feelings of affection from the get-go. It’s always good to resemble one of my friends if you want to me to feel warm towards you. I’m now expecting an email or comment from Miwa telling me that it wasn’t Rebekah. Remember, I’m still the idiot from earlier in the story, an idiot with a discerning ear for music. You can trust me on that. They did something with the harmonies that I love, Rebekah didn’t sync exactly with Miwa, she either lagged or was ahead much of the time. That’s not a mistake but a deliberate choice. The great pianists always have one hand ahead of the other. It’s more pleasing to our ears. It’s just difficult to do right.
After the show I said hi to Miwa. I’ll be seeing her again June 24 at Littlefield in Brooklyn. You should come too it’s the much delated album release show. On the way home I stopped for pizza, they had a special, $1.50 a slice. Last time I was there a slice was 99¢. They have a strange idea of a special. There was no rush getting home, but the trip was slow.
I still have not heard back from the super. If you remember the plumber was here on Saturday to fix my shower/bath. He left to get a part and never came back. I have texted he super multiple times and he has ghosted me. Today I made a formal complaint to the City’s housing department. It’s been 48 hours and the super has been on radio silence and not fixed it. I hate having an adversarial relationship with someone I have to deal with frequently. It’s much better to be friendly, to be the guy the other person wants to help. I would gladly go back to that if I could but he’s making it difficult. I was forced to take a sponge bath yesterday.
Tonight, I’m out again, this time to see Michaela Anne. She has a new album out that I need to get a copy of to play on Gord’s Gold. There is so much new music coming out. Next week’s show has eight releases from 2022. I wish I had time to play everything I love more than once. I finished this week’s show, but I might have trouble blogging tomorrow as I have to get my infusion in the morning. I’ll try. Till then farewell wherever you fare until your eyries receive you at your journey’s end. That’s the polite thing to say amongst Eagles.
Wise Madness 