SHARING THE SHOWS
This Friday, I decided to debut a new turtleneck I got from Kohl’s. Students in my ENG102 class have a major assignment coming due this Sunday, and I typically give them the Friday before class “off” to work on their projects; of course, they can see me in my office for feedback on drafts if they wish. On those days, I don’t put on a button-down shirt; it’s a sweater or turtleneck day. I accessorized with the necklace I got at Uncle John’s Band in Tampa last year, an enter “hippie instructor.” I decided to go with that ensemble at the show tonight. Maggie picked me up at 6, and we preshowed it at NY Deli in Williamsburg. Maggie and I both got Italian subs; it was good, and those peppers added a nice kick to it. I don’t normally drink soda, but I make an exception for Dr. Brown’s (to be consumed at places at Katz’s Deli, and of course, NY Deli). When we were talking about my upcoming book, I mentioned it would be marketed as a textbook. Maggie said, “Textbooks are expensive.” “I know,” was my reply, followed by me laughing for ten minutes. True story. Once we got into downtown Richmond, we encountered a Kafkaesque nightmare of trying to find a parking space near the venue. All the street spots were taken, and all the garages had only monthly parking. Finally, we settled on the garage near The National, and it was about a 12-minute walk to the venue.
I was overjoyed to find plenty of room in the music hall. Preshow, we ran into Greg, the keyboard player, his wife, Kat, as well as Burt (pictured here, and thanks to his friend Wayne for his mad photography skills). Burt’s fiancé, Eve greeted me with, “Chazz Pop!” I guess my Facebook identity has become my real identity. Chester’s Dad!!! The band tore up the venue in ways I didn’t know a venue could be torn up. They opened up with a ripping “Second That Emotion” and followed with “Mama Tried.” After my requisite “Special Guest” yell, “Jack-a-Roe” came next. As I grooved in this sea of tye-dye, I thought of a line I’ll use when autographing my book for readers: “Stay true to you, and you’ll never be blue.” I then did that thing where I laughed for ten minutes. True story. “Dear Mr. Fantasy/Hey Jude/Wheel,” so often played by the Dead in the 1980s, followed by “Bertha.” “Scarlet Begonias” was next. Maggie called “Fire on the Mountain,” which typically follows “Begonias,” but the band gave us a twist: “Sugaree.” They then closed with “Fire on the Mountain.” During the break, Maggie, Burt, and I shot the shit, and Burt’s friend Wayne came over, whom we recruited to take our 3-shot for this posting. Burt and I talked our commutes on I-64, and he told me about a band called Blue Rooster. As I wrote, I clicked on the hyperlink to their Reverb Nation site, and I dug their version of “Big Railroad Blues.” Before they began the set, Todd busted out the opening to Rush’s “La Villa Strangiato,” which a lot of guitarists cite as the hardest Rush tune to play. There was also a dude in a bandana that looked a lot like Neal Peart. Both of them were great tributes to the Holy Trinity. “Deal” opened the second set; then the band sang Happy Birthday to a woman named Angie. While that was going on, I definitely did not substitute “Little Baby Chester” for “Angie.” I certainly do not do that on a regular basis when I’m with Chester in my home. Ummmmm, yeahhhhhhh… The guys surprised us with “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” The first time I heard the Dead played is was when I listened to their show from 12/13/93 at San Diego Sports Arena. I liked that version better than the Beatles’ recording; in fact, I loved it so much that I had it on repeat for a while. Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar” was next; then the band really jammed out with “The Other One” and “New Speedway Boogie.” I started to fade when the “Morning Dew” hit. At that point, Maggie suggested leaving. As an introvert, my “people-o-Meter” reaches a certain level, and it had been maxed at that point, so I was all about that. We stopped at a Wawa to get munchies, and Maggie pointed out a special on Combos, two packages for $1.50. #dugit On the way home, we discussed covers of songs vs. originals, and covers we liked better. We both agreed that Hendrix’s version of “All Along the Watchtower” trumps Dylan’s. I also dig Sheryl Crow’s “Dyer Maker” over Zeppelin’s. All in all, a great night.
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