ArtKore.org Open Mic at the Goldhawk
I walked in while eugene was performing. I would find out later that they recently parted ways with their newest member, drummer Kimberly. The theory is that, although she was a good drummer, she was stepping into a situation that would be intimidating for anyone. Not only was she replacing a member that had been there from the beginning, but she was stepping into a family (literally).Siblings Jaime and Dom and cousin Ed.
With it came all of the dynamics, both good and bad, that come with any family. Not to worry. The band is pushing forward recording their next CD. Apparently Goldhawk owner Fran has a cameo on a few tracks. They will also be the featured act here at the Goldhawk on April 25.
The featured act tonight was Jodelle who I had met a while back. Sitting alone with a keyboard, she is a strong performer. Compelling songs and an impressive command over this drunken bunch. A funny moment was when she tried to get us all to sing along and none of us got it right.
At one point a delightful thing happened. Hillary, wife of host Dave, got up to sing. Last week she blew the room away, especially those of us who never knew her to be a singer, with an acapella version of Moondance. Tonight was just as moving. She claims to need the practice for a wedding she was asked to sing at. I told her that she needed no practice but to please keep coming back to sing for all of us here anyway.
Paul is a guy who last week got up and sang ‘Telephone Call From Istanbul’ by Tom Waits. A group of us sang along especially with my favorite lines, “Never trust a man in a blue trench coat. Never drive a car when you’re dead.” He told me that he could not believe anyone knew the song. That he thought is was some sort of weird reverb or something. But we’re a fairly cultured gang despite our appearances. Tonight he performed a couple of his own tunes which have a very Wilco kinda feel. Very nice.
JD came in the room. I had not seen him since his engagement party back in December. We reminisced about conversations of Jello wrestling lawyers, the freedom of unemployment and the regrettable reality of uptight musicians. As he got up to sing a new experiment of African flavor, the place fell silent. In between songs he had to retune and we all started talking amongst ourselves.
Bill (who I believe is involved with the show Across the Hudson on local cable) was getting very loud. He was joking how it was OK to be loud and obnoxious since JD was still tuning. This was a comic reaction to a speech given earlier in the night about folks gabbing over a performance. I announced to JD that I was not talking because I was basically afraid of him. With his second song again came silence. He is truly a frighteningly talented man. I expressed my jealousy at not being able to play or sing like him.
The night ended after a few cheap beers at the front room bar, more conversations about Tom Waits and chatting with my friend Emeri about possible freelance work. Although I am thrilled to be out of the corporate grind, the money on the freelance side is coming in slower than expected. Hence the $2.00 Yuengling pints.
After explaining to Charles that my partner in music Eric never actually worked for Eastern Airlines he just had a bag that he bought at an estate sale I realized something. Eric must have come up with this elaborate story many years ago as a hoax. The details Charles was relaying to me were quite impressive. I laughed because I never heard them before. I have to confront Eric on this. It’s too funny.
I walked out with John who performed a moving rendition of Crossroads earlier. With us were Dave, another regular, and Mary who I never met before. She told us of the shooting by her apartment that happened a week earlier. It was a drive-by and the alleged target got away unscathed. I think we were more amazed by the fact that thirty four shells were recovered and yet no one was even hit. These kids need to hit a firing range and get some practice in.
It’s no wonder Hoboken is proposing a curfew for kids. Though the town is very safe overall, there has been a rash of crimes in the past few months committed by children. Mostly high school gang bangers looking to earn props. Scary.
It started to rain and it was now well after 2:00. It was time to go home.
