The Charming Whiskey Charmers

Saturday Night I saw The Whiskey Charmers at Rockwood Music Hall. This was my first time seeing them since the pandemic started. Needless to say, I was excited. Not only are they one of my favorite bands, but Carrie and Lawrence are friends. It’s always better when the musical appreciation comes before the personal, then you know you aren’t falling into the nice people playing nicely trap. I should never hear musicians before I heard them play. I hate liking musicians as people but not being crazy, or perhaps even liking, their music. How much do I love their music? Their most recent album, On The Run was a no doubt entry in my 2022 albums that excite me list. It’s magical. 

I had to leave earlier than I liked to get there as the D train wasn’t running. I got to the 4 train station just as the train was about to enter the elevated station. I bounded up the steps to catch it. If by bounded you including falling flat on your face. That’s right, as I neared the platform my foot slipped and I fell forward. I scrambled to get up and make the train and in my haste I slipped again. A kind stranger held the door for me so I made the train. I wasn’t seriously hurt but I did aggravate my almost healed left shoulder. I cannot remember the last time I fell like that. Now that I’m writing about it, my shoulder and elbow are making themselves kn0wn. No cracks about this happening when you get older. I’m still in my youth. 

I arrived a bit later than I wanted and found them onstage getting read. There were very few tables and chairs but I found one right up front. Then I looked for Ellen who was meeting me there. She did not have a seat. I asked the bartender if she could find her one; she smiled and said of course. There are things I love about Rockwood, the people are a big part of that. 

This was my first time seeing them as more than a duo, Carrie and Lawrence were joined by a standup bass player. When they play at home in Detroit they have a drummer. When they play alone Carrie’s acoustic guitar does the job of the rhythm section. Lawrence plays electric. That’s part of what makes them hard to classify. There is a rock vibe, there’s a country vibe reinforced by Carrie’s cowboy boots, They are still folk enough to play on Gord’s Gold on Folk Music Notebook. You don’t have to take my word for how good they are. Here’s a video I took. 

They performed songs off old albums, the latest one, and not yet on an album. I always find that exciting. I find everything about them exciting. I almost found the audience exciting. They are from Detroit. I spotted one of the area’s most famous cinematic celebrities, this guy. 

He was even wearing the Tiger’s cap. I figured it wasn’t that strange that he’d be a fan of a great Detroit based band. I was wondering if the band knew he was there? Is he a fan? Would he be joining us for dinner after the show? That would be awkward as I’m not a fan of his. He’s intellectually dishonest, a mortal sin in my morality. But still, He is smart and funny and would probably be a great dinner companion and he would boost my ratings. 

Turns out it wasn’t him, it was a friend of Lawrence that now lives in Queens. His name is Michael. In fact I bet it is Michael Moore and Moore is his stage name. Yeah, that’s it. He did not join us for dinner. 

I knew we were going out with other friends of theirs, I didn’t know it would be people that Carrie went to High School with that moved to New York. As there were ten of us we went to the usual place, the Remedy Diner. I like having “a usual place.” I love that my life has returned enough that I go there frequently. Last time I was with Dan. Dan was telling me about his new hobby, Metal Detecting. That’s Carrie’s hobby, so I told her about Dan. They both told me about the reality TV show The Detectorists. I even have a regular topic of conversation at the Diner. I feel like I’m on Seinfeld. 

Carrie, Lawrence and company headed out to a bar afterward but Ellen and I headed to our respective homes. I walked Ellen to her car then continued up to 14th street to catch the 4. I like getting exercise after a concert. 

This morning on the way to school I got an unpleasant surprise, my roommate texted me to tell me she tested positive! Ugh. When I got to school I asked what I should do. The answer was get tested, and if I’m negative stay. I walked to an Urgent Care called Chai. I asked if it was as in the Hebrew word for Life or the tea. It was life. The owners are Jewish. I was the first customer, I got there just as they opened. I was negative. I expected that. I suspect I might have natural immunity. I will continue to test this week. I don’t want to bring COVID to school. This is exams week so I’m not teaching. Speaking of which, I have to pick up my next exam to proctor. Let’s hope that I continue t0 be negative. I’ve been masking all day.