SHARING THE SHOWS
So some of you know I recently got a book deal for a title called How to be a Happy Bachelor, which I might want to change to How to be a Happy Single Dude, just to be more user-friendly. And if you didn’t, now you do. I worked my tail off on it Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, but took Friday off to do some adulting (i.e., shoe shopping, cleaning, haircut), which cleansed my soul. At around 5, Johnny and Maggie both came over, and we were off to Elevation 27 for what would be Last Fair Deal’s last fair show for the foreseeable future due to the upcoming lung transplant surgery for Patrick, the rhythm guitar player. I send you and your family prayers.
Friday traffic was your standard grind through Settlers Landing Road, Emancipation Road, and the HRBT, but 90 minutes after our departure, we arrived at Elevation 27. I was hoping to use my cheat meal for some corned beef and pastrami at their restaurant, the Jewish Mother, but alas, we learned we had to make a reservation prior, so we jaunted across a four-lane highway to get to Five Guys for burgers and fries (apparently, French Fries in mayonnaise is a German thing; I dipped a few of mine in Maggie’s mayo, combined with ketchup, and it was almost like Thousand Island dressing. We headed back to the club and met up with Drew and Mark. Darian also showed up, as did Keith, and we met a cool dude named Terry. I was hoping the “Play Drums and Space!” shirt I designed and bought off Funnyshirts.org to entertain myself would also entertain others. Mark, Drew, and Maggie were entertained, and a couple of people stared at it, but no laughter otherwise. Hey, my close ones and I thought it was funny, so that’s what counts. John Kadlecik, formerly of Furthur, Dark Star Orchestra, and Melvin Seals & JGB, along with a bunch of other bands (including the John Kadlecik Band), performed an acoustic set to open the show. He did a little spacey jam to start, during which Drew commented, “He started off with Space.” He also played JGB’s “Run for the Roses,” along the Dead’s “Lazy River Road” and “Doin’ that Rag.” He also did a jam with what sounded like a syncopated drumbeat on his iPad (Drums?). Mark commented, “He’s playing Drums.” He also mentioned having written a couple of songs with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, which he played. One was “Midnight Day” and another appeared to have a title of “Going Down to Eugene to see the Grateful Dead” (please correct me if you know the actual title). I also did my requisite “Special Guest!” yell toward John, to which Mark responded by saying “SG,” which is like “OG.” After what appeared to be the quickest transition between bands in history, the band opened with “Might as Well” before going into “Cassidy,” “Ramble on Rose,” “Beat it Down the Line,” “It Hurts Me Too,” and “Loser,” from which Last Fair Deal’s name derives (“Last Fair Deal in the country”). “Lost Sailor” and “Saint of Circumstance” came next, which I find spiritual. I’ve been meditating lately on my life’s purpose and whether this book is meant to lead me to a different place than where I thought I was going to go (“Sure don’t know what I’m going for/But I’m going to go for it for sure”). It fits, but I have to remember to “keep my day job till my night job pays.” And my “day job” is inspiring to be sure and filled with cool anecdotes, like the time one of my students asked me if the Grateful Dead is the band with the one-armed drummer. A rain medley (“Looks like Rain” and “Box Like Rain”) led into a tune I didn’t know but fell in love, which closed the set. During what felt like the quickest set break in history, Maggie said “I hope they play St. Stephen!” to which I followed with “I hope they play drums and space!” The following dialogue ensued between Mark and myself: Mark: I hope they play Hit Single, Side A. Me: I hope they play Song. (Yeah, I know, that was a lame one. I’m much wittier behind a keyboard.) Mark: I hope they play Encore. Me: I hope they play Encore 2. (Ho-hum). Mark: I hope they play Second Set opener. Me: I hope they play Second Set closer. (Better). Set 2 opened with “Foolish Heart” and then “I Need a Miracle.” “Crazy Fingers,” Good Morning Little Schoolgirl,” “Playing in the Band” and “New Potato Caboose” before the band saw my shirt and heeded my request to “Play Drums and Space.” “The Wheel” led back into “Playing in the Band” and “So Many Roads” made me tingle. “Good Loving” closed the second set, while “Attics of My Life” and “Touch of Grey.” Getting out of the parking lot was like driving around those cones in one of those old-school driver’s ed courses. My tire light had come on, so we stopped by a Wawa to get free air (good call, Maggie, on the tidbit). The tires were all full, so diagnosis: the sensor’s fucked up. It was good to know. So now I have to do more adulting next week and take the car in. Oh well, such is life. Johnny hooked me up with a Coke Zero and some Peanut Butter M&Ms for driving, which I used to keep myself awake on 64, which was traffic-free for once (2 a.m. is the right time to go across). My head pretty much hit the pillow after Johnny and Maggie took off. I don’t do late nights like this much anymore, but when I do, I do it right. Great time, stellar music, awesome friends.
3 Comments
JOHNNY-MAC
8/10/2019 06:09:38 pm
This was a Special Night
Reply
Patrick Higgins
8/11/2019 02:01:58 pm
Wow. Thank you so much for your review and the follow up comment. I don't know if these are from the same person or 2 different folks but you really have touched my heart deeply. From our perspective in the band, we had the time of our lives and are looking forward to more on the other side of my surgery. (on the bright side, I have literally no other health issues and the transplant team is confident of a successful outcome) I think your friend Maggie was %100 correct, St. Stephen would have been the one to play. Looking back I guess this wasn't really much of 'play the big hits' kind of list. Glad you enjoyed it. Perhaps......one could make the case that St. Stephen should make it onto the setlist for the return show in 2020???? Thank you and everyone who was there in person or spirit. With Love, Patrick
Reply
8/11/2019 02:25:08 pm
Pat - this show was super special for many reasons - the Looks Like Rain that you and Janieda sang together was unforgettable - Kyle's nerves playing next to John were classic and so appropriate for those of us who have known him and heard him play effortlessly for years, Sherry's smile and voice, Rob's wonderful back beat, and Dave and James just crushing it together - I didn't catch the author's name but I was on the rail near him and his friends for most of the show - thanks for a great recap to a great great show Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
April 2024
Categories |