In honor of Jerry Garcia’s birthday (8/1/42), Poolside released their cover of “Shakedown Street.”  The song’s meaning has been notoriously vague, stumping Deadheads. Some speculate the famed, 1978 tune is about Club Front, the Grateful Dead’s, San Rafael recording studio and all the drama that ensued there. Others attribute the lyrics, as perhaps, focusing on the decay of inner-cities. Of course, as any fan knows, the title came to refer to the parking lot scene before and after shows. Poolside’s accompanying music video spotlights the setting well, sparking fond memories.

The Drive-In style set up at the ranch was in the same fashion as going to the movies, except this movie theatre had a real PA system. Cars were parked in rows and the social distance tailgating was highly successful. There were limited VIP tables set up in front of the stage for a bit more intimate viewing. Robert Randolph started the show with some of the members and introduced Devon and Duane a few songs in. At that point, the musicians on stage were from five different bands.

Do you dance when you stream a show? I can’t do it. But I’ll admit, as the stage lights came up, replacing Billy Strings’ concert poster, I could feel the gooseflesh on my arms perking up. What is a full concert experience right now? Interactive? Maybe. Original? Definitely. Happening now; unfolding with, or in spite, of me. The energy on stage must be manifested in a different way. So, what is the place of the viewer? We no longer are wrapped up in the vibe we are helping to create.

Al Stewart has been a notable singer/songwriter for more than fifty years. On his first four albums, which were not originally released in the United States, he was accompanied by such notable musicians as Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Richard Thompson, and Rick Wakeman.

It is easy to understand that musicians whose lifeblood is not only playing for a crowd but feeding off their audience’s liveliness would feel an unfillable void during these unusual times. From a fan’s perspective, they couldn’t think of anywhere better to be than with their favorite band, with that crowd, in that sacred space of connectivity. It’s hard to imagine the artists wouldn’t have that similar longing as playing for a packed music hall isn’t safe for the foreseeable future.

Tuesday, November 3, 2020, is Election Day. You should know this unless you’ve buried your head in the sand which is somewhat understandable considering this crazy climate. (By the way, it’s a myth ostriches do this. From a distance, it may look like it has buried its very small head in the sand.

“Oh my god, ok, it’s happening.” – Michael Scott

With a Billy Strings show upcoming (I almost thought I’d never say that again), is it weird that the only thing on my mind is what to wear for my first concert in four months?

What is that ingredient that every kitchen needs? Is it butter? Salt? Every kitchen needs good clean running water.  The water of life runs through the hearth of every good kitchen. The stove, the water, and a whole lotta love are staples for every warm memory of the family time in the kitchen.  It gets hot in the kitchen, that’s for sure. Laughter galore and crying tears of sweat and perfection as the loaf comes out of the oven.

I love it! The Ghost of Paul Revere absolutely nailed it with their new single and accompanying music video, “Love At Your Convenience.” The vocals are powerful while the instrumentals are heavy and deeply rooted in a soulful mixture of folk, bluegrass, rock and a touch of alternativeness. They refer to their style as ‘holler folk.’ It seems to me it is an adaptation of the field holler genre which was sung by Black slaves.

I was climbing into bed when I heard the sound of my pipes screaming. The rush of water deafening the late night quiet. This time I knew exactly what it was. The woman in the silver BMW, minus plates was using my driveway faucet to shower again. The first time she did this I ran about my house trying to figure out if I had left the water on or if a pipe burst. When I finally realized it was coming from the shared driveway, I thought my neighbor was using the spigot after a mid-day surf. It wasn’t my neighbor.