A Full Day Of Fun
The day began in Brooklyn. Gootz was kind enough to bring back bagels! People say, you can't get a better bagel then in the NYC area. After some quick tech work on her mashed up laptop (yay geek!), we ventured over into SoHo. I was privy to some shopping time before taking the train up to the show. Allman Brothers Band two Saturdays in a row? Of course, that is the best idea in the world.
It was a nasty drive into Manhattan. This place is never free from traffic woes. Luckily, we found an excellent parking spot right on the street! We walked around perusing vendors. The girls bought some funky earrings. We also looked in a few shops, but our time was short. The plan was to eat and met with friends by 5pm. The train ride up and across the island was crowded, but what else can you expect?
At 72nd and Amsterdam, I called the guys to see which bar was designated for dinner. I was so suprised that Gootz couldn't remember the last time she ate at a bar. Eric, Scott, Morgan, and Ben were already at a table at the West Side Brewing Company. We walked in and said hello. Unfortunately, we had to wait for a table away from theirs, but we did sit next to a guy who thought and looked like he was Jerry Garcia. Crazy. I had somesort of Turkey sandwich, but that was not the highlight. The sweet potateo fries with cinnamon and sugar made my mouth water. So Good. After a few stiff drinks, we hauled Gootz over to the Bear Bar - Yogis. This dive smelled like 545 East Wister Street after a good Thursday night party. I kinda miss that smell. There were peanuts all over the bar and broken beer signs on the wall. PBR was two bucks a can. The place should be described - this is what it will be like when you die. Perfect. Poor Gootz was in culture shock. It didn't help we dropped her sweater on the floor not once but twice. We didn't stay long because; the show time was nigh.
Teresa and I were given a present right before entering the Beacon - a temporary tattoo with a Mushroom that said Peachin 05 at the Beacon. Sweet. The walk into the main lobby always gives you chills. It is so olde fashion with exquisite walls. It feels like walking into a time lapse. We waited in line for drinks and met an older man named John. He was happy to announce this was the umpteenth year at the Beacon with his wife. Damn Cool. I still can't explain why I skipped out the past few years. We then walked through door 1 to find out seats in the Orchestra.
The Beacon is so small and inviting, it is hard to have a bad seat. For this week, ours were not that far back with an excellent view. The best part about the Orch is the space between the seats. We had so much more room to dance, and people didn't show up next to us! Perfect. On to the setlist...
Set I
Hot 'Lanta
Done Somebody Wrong
End of the Line
Maydell
Every Hungry Woman
Don't Think Twice (with Susan Tedeschi, vocals and guitar)
Feel So Bad (with Susan Tedeschi and Little Milton, vocals and guitar; no Derek)
Stormy Monday (with Little Milton)
Blues is Alright (with Little Milton)
No One to Run With
Set II
Please Call Home (Gregg on grand piano)
Oncoming Traffic (Gregg on grand piano)
These Days (Gregg and Warren, acoustic)
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (with Ron Holloway, saxophone)>Drums>Bass>Drums (with Kofi Burbridge, flute)>In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Dreams (with Ron Holloway
Rockin' Horse (Yonrico Scott on drums for Jaimoe)
One Way Out (with Yonrico Scott for Jaimoe)
e: Whipping Post
Yes sir, another good night. Lets just say, the only people who out danced us might have been the guy and girl directly in the row in front of us. We did see Bill Walton way up front. He was at least two feet taller then everyone in the venue. "Every Hungry Woman" was very enjoyable. I loved loved Susan Tedeschi performing "Don't Think Twice." I bet her and Dereck's baby was stage side. Little Milton did a number on "Stormy Monday" and "Blues is Alright." One of my favorites, "No One to Run With" closed down an excellent first set.
The set break was spent resting in the chairs. Ben was with us at this point, and we decided to venture out for a bit right at the start of the second set. Its always so crowded so, this seemed to be a good idea. Only bad part? We missed part of Gregg's set on the Grand. "These Days" was nasty then it happened - 45 minutes of pure bliss called "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed." I will not forget this moment for the rest of my life. Everything involved was indescribable. The sax was such a nice touch, and my feet moved like no other. The energy continued strong all the way through "Dreams" "Rockin' Horse" and yes yes yes "One Way Out." At one point, I had to strip down to a t-shirt. I can't say "Whipping Post" is my favorite, but it has grown on me over the years. Great show indeed. It will be one not soon forgotten, and I am already looking forward to the next year!
We all waited for Scott to tear down his rig, and then walked outside to NYC Saturday nightlife. I dialed up Gootz while Scott treated everyone to pretzels. Poor Teresa dropped her's on the ground, and it was gone forever. I don't thinking eating off a sidewalk on Broadway is a safe bet. We said our goodbye's to Eric, Scott, Ben, and Morgan. They had to head toward home, but Teresa and I got on a night train back to SoHo. Gootz had picked her favorite bar for a nightcap.
The crisscross back south was somewhat long and tedious. It was so funny to see this kid fall asleep on the shoulder of two of his friends. I was able to navigate us through the sleeping hippies and night trains to Prince Street. Gootz's place is called Puck Fair. We were instructed to ask for Felipe to enter. I felt like a rockstar because; we didn't even have to ask. When we walked up Lafayette, the bouncer immediately ushered us to the front of the line and inside the bar. We found Gootz and Camille near the center of the establishment. The place was kind of crowded, and the DJ spun house. It was decent, but maybe a bit trendy? It was great to finally met Camille. Gootz speaks so highly of her. We did have a great time till closing. Gootz's bartender (can't remember the name) treated us so well. We took a cab back over to Brooklyn. It was a good thing Gootz was able to guide him to her street. I was asleep in the back.
What a long and wonderful day! I can't think how it could have been better. Every trip to the City is memorable, but this one will standout in the future. I am so thankful that Gootz was kind enough to put me up for the weekend! She also did an excellent job of hosting us in her City. The show was the pinnacle of the day. I also really enjoyed spending time with Teresa, Eric, Ben, Morgan, and Scott. What is the next show for us all?
