Sorry I kept y’all waiting, girlies! So here goes the novel…
AHHH! I have no words to describe how much I love New York City, so thanks, John, for the excuse to go to the city! I have to say that I really admire John for having the guts to just pack up and move to NYC without knowing a soul and without having a job beforehand. If only I had those kind of cojones, I would move to the city in a heartbeat! It really speaks to my soul. The view of the city as my flight landed was spectacular. The sun shone bright, orange-yellow and cast a glow across that incredible architectural skyline- a beautiful sight that, even though I had no part in its making, really made me proud to be an American. Yet I also felt heartbroken to think about the missing twin towers, their empty space in the skyline, that enormous hole in the ground that they left, and of course, that absolutely gorgeous and sad song of John’s.
When I walked out of the airport door, the heat and humidity slapped me in the face. I did not expect it to be that hot… I thought we had the monopoly on heat in the south. Man, it was hot, the taxi line was a mile long and I was the only person in the line without a crying baby or screaming 5-year-old. I get claustrophobic in crowds and I felt like I was waiting in one of those long and winding queues for a Disney World ride, which my taxi was, in fact! What is with taxi drivers in New York City? As usual, I had to hang my head out the window like a dog, just so I wouldn’t vomit in the taxi. Happens to me every time I get in a taxi in NYC! Finally to my beautiful room at The Rivington, I grabbed a $14 bottled-water (OUCH) and hit the streets! Just walked around that afternoon, soaked in the pace of the city, snapped pics like a tourist, did some sketches, tried to walk to Cosmos Diner but sandals were a bad idea and I got painful blisters on my poor feet. Taxied it back to Rivington for a quick change before Garrison o’clock.
6:30 pm, walk out The Rivington front door in 6-inch heels, get about 5 paces and realize I can’t walk to Rockwood in platform stilettos. Flagged a taxi but I forgot the cross street and my iPhone wasn’t working, so he would take me even though it was only about 3 blocks. This happened about three times, and then I got the very nice doorman at The Rivington to find out the cross street for me. Houston, not pronounced like the city in Texas but “House-ton,” as if the English would. Crazy Yankees! Get to Rockwood and it is completely empty. Afraid it got cancelled, double check with bartender to make sure John is playing. She said, “Yes, in the new room, 2 doors down and great shoes!” “Thanks for noticing!” I say. I walk 2 doors down, and who is standing right at the door but John, and I can’t get the door open. I pull it a couple of times but nothing. Door guy opens it for me. John says, “Thanks for coming again.” I say, “You’re welcome.” He says, “You get a personal greeting.” I laugh and say “Greeting everyone at the door?” The girl at the books asks me if I have a reservation. I say, “Yes, am I early?” and I give her my name. She said, “Not early and oh, yes, you have 4 tickets.” My friends couldn’t come so I look like a looser, as I have to say, “They bailed. I’ll pay for them though.” She says, “You already paid for them.” I say, “Oops, I forgot, it has been months since I reserved them.” She asks for my ID and my hand to give me a stamp and says, “ I can give you 4 stamps if you want.” I say I’m good with just the one.” As I try to walk in the bar, I have trouble opening the second door. I must have wimpy arms or something.
So I sit down at the bar and order a gin and tonic. Nice bartender says, “Of course and great hat!” I love my new, purple fedora from Barney’s! Getting lots of compliments might go to my head! I notice the nice couple from the Boston gig and we chat a little. John walks over to me and says, “Thank you for coming.” My brain goes blank like snow on a TV when the cable goes out. I forget the English language. All that comes out is gibberish. I tried to say, “I’m so glad to be here,” but it came out in a stutter. DOH! He said he had to go warm up so he went to the back. Double DOH! If my body hadn’t been invaded by Mel from Flight of the Conchords,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUSCBnmSWqI I would have said a million things that I have already said a million times on the board and that I’m certain he knows, such as how much I love his music and it means so much to me… Yada, yada, yada! I would have asked him about the new songs, how the EP is going, whether there is a theme or a title yet and what type of sound it will be, and whether or not he will tour with Blunty on a tour for his new album. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to ask him to sign my picture of him with me at the Boston gig. Oh, well, such is life. Maybe next time I won’t be so shy and spastic. Probably not because I must admit he makes me nervous. I have no idea why. Afroshane does to. He was there too but I didn’t say hello to him.
So enough of my rambling, eh? On with the gig… Absolutely gorgeous! The new room is nice, very dark and very intimate. I found a perfect, little spot for one in the corner, unobtrusive but good for filming, as I had to fulfill my boardie duties.
Set List:
I Leave On Friday
So Close
Cold Coffee
New Song (no title)
Walking On Broadway
Lonely Souls Of New York
2nd For The 1st Time
“I Leave on Friday” was, as always, the perfect opener. It’s hard not to want to dance on that one. His voice was really on! What a perfectly beautiful voice he has! I love that every time I hear a Garrison song, I hear something new in it. To me, I Leave on Friday is always full of excitement and hope about starting anew, though this time, I felt something more restless and apprehensive in it. What can I say about “So Close?” It is just my song, it cuts through everything and goes straight to the core, my heart read like a book, only by someone I don’t even know and it breaks me every time! It’s so strange, I know, to feel “so close” to a song, but I do! Maybe I’m just a sucker for a sad song. “Cold Coffee” was so beautiful. One cannot help wanting to curl into the fetal position and cry when hearing “Cold Coffee.” My favorite song of the evening was a new song that is still untitled. I can’t wait to hear how this one ends up. A real heartbreaker- it is! My favorite line was “As you left, I screamed ‘Don’t go’ under my breath.” AHH! So sad! I felt particularly touched by “Walking on Broadway” especially because of being in NYC- serious goose bumps! I felt it very special that someone who wasn’t there on 9-11, who is not American and who didn’t loose anyone on 9-11 could write something so lovely and about that horrible day. “Lonely Souls of New York” I absolutely love. It’s about when he moved to NYC and didn’t know anyone, he went to a local bar and the bartender talked to him, but I would say it’s also about all of the people who come to NY alone with hopes and dreams. “2nd For the First Time” is the perfect bookend. I think the chords on it are nothing other than pretty. That song always goes straight to my heart. On my video of this one, I couldn’t help the close-up of his hands just going. He really is an incredible player. Way too short of a gig!!!! I could listen to him play for hours.
Kill The Alarm was nice. I must admit that I wasn’t familiar with them, so it was nice to hear someone new. The boys in the band were all good but the guy on keys was particularly good, I thought. Afterward, John thanked me again for coming- so nice of him to do. Nice evening. Later, I went to Thor, the club at The Rivington. Uber-cool place. Friday, I hit the streets again, made it to The Cosmos this time. Got a pic. Some folks go to Paris to see Morrison’s grave. I go to Garrison’s apartment building in NYC! Friday night, I met my friends at a cool, little, dive, Mexican place in the West side, called Tortillia Flats. If you are ever in NYC, you have to go to this place. The chili con queso will change you life and the margaritas will throw you for a loop! We went to some 20-something bar afterward… Can’t remember the name, something Slim’s, I think. I was the oldest person in the room. They could have called me Granny! Saturday, post-Garrison Blues set in, as I couldn’t go to Chicago after all and had to go home! UGH! I can’t wait for my next Garrison gig! I’m so addicted!
A very, very bad picture of ¾ of me in front of The Cosmos...
A very, very quick Sketch of The Cosmos!
Menu in Cosmos Diner window.
Videos to come... They take forever to load onto YouTube!
P.S. I missed you gals! Maybe one day we’ll all be able to be at the same gig!
SO HAPPY for you, though, that you'll be there!
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One day we shall make it to the same Garrison gig I hope.
