Peter Johnson Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 Well how do you like that? I move 2,500 miles across the country, I'm lying in bed this morning feeling sorry for myself about the fact that the VV is no longer an hour and a half away, what will I ever do to satiate my jazz jones, and then *BAM* the DJ tells me that the turbanator is playing two shows at Jazz Alley, tonight and tomorrow night! No Poppa Lou--just the Doctor with Peter Bernstein on guitar and Billy Drummond on drums. I'm so there--definitely tonight, maybe tomorrow as well. Any Seattle board members heading to the show(s)? It would be great to catch up in person... Quote
Guest ariceffron Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 why did you move from nyc to seattle? what could have prompted such a decision Quote
Dan Gould Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 Try to pay attention, Aric. Peter moved from Philly to Seattle, and he asked for advice at the time HERE Quote
Soul Stream Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 Well how do you like that? I move 2,500 miles across the country, I'm lying in bed this morning feeling sorry for myself about the fact that the VV is no longer an hour and a half away, what will I ever do to satiate my jazz jones, and then *BAM* the DJ tells me that the turbanator is playing two shows at Jazz Alley, tonight and tomorrow night! No Poppa Lou--just the Doctor with Peter Bernstein on guitar and Billy Drummond on drums. I'm so there--definitely tonight, maybe tomorrow as well. Any Seattle board members heading to the show(s)? It would be great to catch up in person... Damn.... Why do I LIVE IN TEXAS!!!!!!???????!!!! Quote
Guest ariceffron Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 WHAT DO U MEAN COCKSUCKER HE SAID "VV" WHICH EQUALS VILLAGE VANGUARD.- HENCEFORTH, HES IN NEW YORK CITY. JEEZ LOUISE Quote
Guest ariceffron Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 PS-- what kind of law are you involved in and why are legal jobs hard to come by in this area? Quote
sheldonm Posted January 25, 2005 Report Posted January 25, 2005 WHAT DO U MEAN COCKSUCKER HE SAID "VV" WHICH EQUALS VILLAGE VANGUARD.- HENCEFORTH, HES IN NEW YORK CITY. JEEZ LOUISE I think "COCKSUCKER" is a little harsh! Quote
Soul Stream Posted January 26, 2005 Report Posted January 26, 2005 WHAT DO U MEAN COCKSUCKER HE SAID "VV" WHICH EQUALS VILLAGE VANGUARD.- HENCEFORTH, HES IN NEW YORK CITY. JEEZ LOUISE I think "COCKSUCKER" is a little harsh! but he's so cute when he says it. Quote
Ron S Posted January 26, 2005 Report Posted January 26, 2005 1.5 hours... Thanks for map, Peter! NOW I'll know how to get to NYC! Quote
Peter Johnson Posted January 26, 2005 Author Report Posted January 26, 2005 1.5 hours...  Thanks for map, Peter! NOW I'll know how to get to NYC! That north-by-northeast drive can be a b___! Quote
Johnny E Posted January 26, 2005 Report Posted January 26, 2005 1.5 hours...  Thanks for map, Peter! NOW I'll know how to get to NYC! That north-by-northeast drive can be a b___! Yeah, but no one in Philly ever actually goes to New York (unless you’re a gigging musician). Most of the people I knew and grew up with in Philly would froth at the mouth when I would tell them I was going to New York. "Why you wanna go there? We got everything we need right here….Pass me the ketchup for my cheesesteak Vinnie." Strong provincial attitudes prevail there. Quote
Ron S Posted January 26, 2005 Report Posted January 26, 2005 Yeah, but no one in Philly ever actually goes to New York (unless you’re a gigging musician). Most of the people I knew and grew up with in Philly would froth at the mouth when I would tell them I was going to New York. "Why you wanna go there? We got everything we need right here….Pass me the ketchup for my cheesesteak Vinnie." Strong provincial attitudes prevail there. I guess it depends on which crowd in Philly you hang out with. Having also lived in NYC, I know there are many people out in the boroughs who feel the same way about Manhattan and never set foot there, while there are many enlightened Philadelphians who appreciate what NYC has to offer. The problem I have with a lot of Philadelphians is that they don't appreciate what PHILLY has to offer. Quote
Peter Johnson Posted January 26, 2005 Author Report Posted January 26, 2005 Yeah, but no one in Philly ever actually goes to New York (unless you’re a gigging musician). At least once/month for the last four years! I agree re the provincial addytude ( ) though. I knew several people in my office who had never left the state of Pennsylvania. Quote
Peter Johnson Posted January 26, 2005 Author Report Posted January 26, 2005 Well, I just got back from the show. Nice set, overall, but I think the Dr. and the boys were feeling a little jetlagged--the show saw slowwwwww. Not bad, just slow. The crowd couldn't have helped; very subdued. I guess it was a Tuesday, but I've seen Poppa Lou in NYC on a Tuesday and the crowd was as raucous as any other night. Anyway, I caught most of the song titles, with some "blanks". The doctor was in fine amusing form as always and clearly appeared to be having fun in spite of the aforementioned jet lag. Bear with me--anyone who's seen my BFT responses knows song titles ain't my strong suit! First song was "You Don't Love Me Anymore," a slow-burnin' ballad that was a nice mellow way to kick off the night--a perfect accompaniment to my Stoli martini (up with olives) and basket 'o bread which I was enjoying, particularly in light of the fact that I was there by myself and didn't have to make conversation with anyone ("did you hear that?" "Look at the expression on his face!" etc. etc. etc. ad nauseum). I had a great seat on a stool (hard on the back!) looking over all the combovers, directly at eyelevel with the doctor who was kickin' bass like a muthafukka. Great, traditional "fast part" (jazz musicians, what do you call that part of the ballad?) with a lot of creative stop work by the doctor. Guitarist was verrrry boring on the first one; he seemed like he was trying to feel his way around the fretboard. Oh well. Mid tempo, bossa nova version of "They Can't Take That Away from Me" was next. Nice, but just nice; nothing earthshattering other than the drummer's ability to hit a rim shot on the 1-4-7-10-13-15 beats for about twenty minutes. I was nearing the end of my first martini at this point, which made me sad, and think "I need to get some water," as it at this point seemed as though it was going to be a long-ish night. Well, as if in answer to my doldrums, the doctor kicked in a rousing version of "Backtrack," a song "from my new LP. Did I just say LP? Dammmmmmmn, I can't fool y'all with my age, I guess....sheeeeeit....I should put some grecian formula on my beard." Well, he had me then and there--this was an uptempo stop-time (reminiscent of Baby Face, very palpable influence) with a nice bit of 70's funk thrown in for good measure (I'm starting to sound like a Dusty review. Ouch.) This song couldn't have lasted long enough for my taste--the guitarist finally got his shit together, and we were treated to an excellent drum solo--but almost before it started, it was over. I ordered another martini, thinking (it had been an hour at this point) that I better get the order in before they started closing out the tabs. Silver's Serenade was next--beautiful. Just gorgeous. I sat there, closed my eyes, and let the sounds wash over me...the doctor used a nice light stop setting on the organ which was completely captivating. Well done. Next song was (all right! There's my drink!) "It's Too Damn Hot," Cole Porter updated for the early eighties. Seriously--there was a serious 80's vibe to their arrangement. This is apparently on the new record as well; no solos, interestingly. Two songs slid past without recognition. They were both ballads. .5 martini left. And the Willow Weep was next. Sllloooowwwww. Since my internal clock still hasn't adjusted, almost fell asleep during this song, which was followed by an unnamed midtempo nondescript song. Yes! Martini's gone, but a new uptempo song by the doctor himself: "If you see or hear that we're here"! Nice, nice stuff--solos all around, battles, serious bass, creativity--nice stuff. The show closed out with a ballad--no idea what it was. At this point I had really had it with the white man's overbites I was seeing all around me and was really pining for the Vanguard, where people would just sit and listen and not elbow their friends ("isn't this kewl?"), etc. The song ended, polite applause, the house lights and music came up, I grabbed my jacket and strode forth, having paid my bill in advance of the rush, along the monorail tracks slowly into the fifty-degree night back to the 25th floor of my office tower where I, your faithful scribe, pen these words tonight. On balance--I wasn't wowed by the show, but of course I'm delighted I went. I'll go to hear the doctor any chance I get. I wonder if my perception wasn't skewed a bit by the fact that I miss the east (and my internal clock hasn't quite readjusted)? We'll know soon enough. Go see Lonnie Smith while you can. Quote
Soul Stream Posted January 26, 2005 Report Posted January 26, 2005 Hey Peter, Thanks for the great blow by blow. Would have loved to have been there. Almost flew to LA to see him at the Jazz Bakery but couldn't swing it. Might have to wait until he hits w/Lou at Birdland (Birdland twice, no Vanguard...hmmm). Anyway, seeing Lonnie in a trio setting doing HIS thing is always a great experience. Sounds like from your description, Lonnie was in a ballad mood. Noticed in his interview in JazzTimes this month that he said to ALWAYS play the way you feel at the time. If your sad, play sad, ect. Sign of a true artist. Anyway, thanks for making me feel like a was there a little bit. Quote
Guest ariceffron Posted January 26, 2005 Report Posted January 26, 2005 ONCE THERE I SAW DR. LONNIE AND IT WAS ALL SLOW TUNES A LA 'AM I BLUE' (IN FACT THEY EVEN DID IDLE MOMENTS THAT SET) BUT IT WAS SUNDAY AFTERNOON SO IT WORKED- BUT I CAN SEE HOW IT MIGHT BE DISSAPOINTING ON A TUES. NIGHT Quote
Ron S Posted January 26, 2005 Report Posted January 26, 2005 Yeah, but no one in Philly ever actually goes to New York (unless you’re a gigging musician). At least once/month for the last four years! I agree re the provincial addytude ( ) though. I knew several people in my office who had never left the state of Pennsylvania. You mean there are states other than Pennsylvania??? Quote
marcello Posted January 27, 2005 Report Posted January 27, 2005 (edited) The Doctor's conception on ballads is a fine example of playing love songs on the B-3. Soft, emotional and soulful. When he pulls out those stops and he starts whispering... Wow! It's DEEP and geting to be a lost art. Enjoy it while you can. Edited January 27, 2005 by marcello Quote
Soul Stream Posted February 5, 2005 Report Posted February 5, 2005 Lonnie told me once it was a shame that people wanted to see speed, "you have to pull out the fast stuff to keep them happy" was the gist of it. I get the feeling he could play ballads forever and be fully satisfied. Quote
_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.