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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.
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