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Alright, folks. John Train returns to Fergie’s on Friday, January 9th. We’ll be there through end of March (crowd willing etc!).
In the meantime, check our performances page for a couple December gigs. One solo. One with just Slo-Mo and I.
Here’s my top ten for ’08.
1. Bob Dylan in Sault Ste. Marie: Just in case, I had booked a trip up to Canada following the election. Just in case. Followed Bob around for about a week. Best show I saw was in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (11/9/08). I’m not a fan of the Denny Freeman/Stu Kimball incarnation of the Never Ending Tour. But Bob himself seems rejuvenated (again!). He’s standing in front of an old (looking, anyway) microphone at the front of the stage. Singing and playing harp. Sometimes inserting a phrase on the harp at the end of a lyric. There’s always a moment or two where he blows you away. On this night, it was “Trying to Get to Heaven” … before they CLOSE THE DOOR. Right, Bob. I, of course, was trying to get back to my flea-bag motel (the “Bel-Air”) before they closed the roads. Woke up to six inches of snow and headed down to Toronto.
2. The Flatlanders at Hugh’s Room: Bob had a night off, but luckily the Flatlanders were playing in Toronto. It’s always a treat to see Butch, Joe, and Jimmie together. Three giants of American song. Butch has got this new one called “Dangling Diamonds”. Who says guys in their 60s can’t write songs? Butch puts pay to that! There’s a line in this about being born in the middle of the mountain with no bottom or no top. Another Hancock head-scratcher that makes you re-think what you thought you knew. He also dusted off his classic from ’79, “The Wind’s Dominion.” The highlight of the show, however, was Jimmie’s incandescent take on Steve Young’s “Silverlake.” Jimmie prefaced it by talking about Steve’s work for the Obama campaign. “Silverlake” is a hopeful tune. Cautiously hopeful.
3. Juilleret’s, Charlevoix, MI: I went for the whitefish (they no longer serve it!) but was saved by the lemon meringue pie. Fresh lemon juice is the key, they say. Also picked up a loaf of pumpkin bread which sustained me in Canada. Canadians are great but I’m not sure about the food up there.
4. Lafayette Coney Island, Detroit, MI: “Two with everything” is what they shout across this joint. A “Coney Island” is a hot-dog … with chili, mustard, and raw onions. Another healthy choice for Houlon. I nursed a black coffee while sitting at the counter reading “Tree of Smoke.
5. Tree of Smoke by Denis Johnson: Many years ago my pal Kevin Roth laid a copy of Johnson’s “Jesus’ Son” on me as I headed out to a ramp festival in W. Virginia. Blew me away. Johnson’s the best living American writer for my money. “Resuscitation of a Hanged Man” is a personal favorite. It’s about a DJ who is also a PI. Seems like the DJs along the Schuylkill could use a private dick to locate a copy of Mesopotamia Blues. Anyway, “Tree of Smoke” is Johnson’s latest: an epic tale of Vietnam. A couple reviewers talk about Johnson’s humor, but I don’t see it. This is chilling stuff. Johnson manages both a hard-boiled and lyrical tone. Check him out.
6. Lord of the Barnyard by Tristan Egolf: Egolf sang in punk bands around Philly. I just found about him. I’ve only read the introduction to this one but I already hear a compelling and original voice. Unfortunately, Egolf offed himself a couple years ago. But before he did, he and some of his Lancaster pals staged a comical but pointed protest after Abu-Ghraib.
7. Guantanamo video: Have you guys seen this?
http:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC1_ugaUAOs&fmt=1 Comical and pointed too.
8. Casoncelli, Bergamo, Italy: The promoter took us to the old part of town and treated us to casoncelli, the local pasta dish. Not so good for my diabetic condition. But good for my heart. After the show, the same guy took us to a private party: wine, chocolate, and salami. I almost didn’t know how to react. I’m used to quibbling over small change. This one guy told me about his mentally ill son. He pulled out a picture of the two of them with Richard Thompson. His son loves RT. It was moving. Probably had to be there, right?
9. Rachel Getting Married: Jonathan Demme nailed this one. Especially the scene where Debra Winger is trying to shake loose from the wedding party. Uncomfortable but real. Jodi says the film was overwrought. But couldn’t you say the same thing about Robert Johnson.
10. Pre-war blues: I’m finally finding my way into this stuff. A secret world with its own musical and emotional language. I wrote a bunch of songs but discarded them. I’ve got to develop a new vocabulary based on principles from this world. I may be too late to access it, tho. Hmmm. Skip James and Robert Johnson. Those two were the ones. (sounds like a Hancock line, actually).
I am personally trying to be optimistic about the new administration. I am, however, distressed by Obama’s selection of Bush’s Defense Secretary. What the fuck? Getting us out of Iraq was the reason I voted for Obama. 16 months is 16 months. Jeez. Hope I don’t have to write Mesopotamia Blues, Pt. 2. But, then Pt. 2 = Pt. 1 = Vietnam = … you get the point.
Anyway, hugs and kisses and best holiday wishes,
Jon
December 2008
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