Washington Square Park Sunday 4/29

With the nice weather I have been out in the park the last couple of weekends. Last Sunday I went out with just the harmonicas. No one expects you to lead any songs when you don't have a guitar, so there's a lot less pressure.

My harmonica playing is improving, though I'm still just making it up as I go. Sometimes I can't find the note I'm looking for. Other times, something very simple, like a single note or chord at just the right moment will add a lot to a song.

I'm playing regular Hohner diatonic harps (harmonica). I have a few different keys: A, B, C, D, E and G. I am missing F, and don't have any sharps or flats. Most of my harps are "blues harps" though the C is a classic "marine band" (same kind I had when I was 15), and the G is a "Pro Harp".

There were bunch of different people out on Sunday. Pete knows a lot of songs, and did a really nice singing lead on a doo wop with Arthur and Dan. "In the Still of the Night" (?) He's also working on one of my favorite Waylon Jennings songs: Honky Tonk Heroes, and did a few Hank tunes like Jambalaya and Cheating Heart.

A guy named Michael came by with a new old 12-string that he got for $135 online. It sounded pretty good. He does Dylan, Hank and a bunch of old-timey stuff.

Larry did a few of his songs. I like his version of Lovin' Spoonful's "Nashville Cats". He also does "Mr. Bojangles" in E. I had no problem following him. I had to capo up from C, and it was like playing in my sleep--this was one of the first songs I ever learned. Larry told me that he teaches high school Social Studies in Brooklyn.

There was a Puerto Rican guy named Carlos, who strummed along a bit, but didn't lead. I finally convinced him to do "Rancho Grande". I borrowed his guitar a couple of times, did "Early Morning Rain", "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues", Hank Williams' "Move it on Over" (twice). I did CCR's "Don't Look Now" but don't quite have the lyrics down.

Jerry came by. Jerry is a big guy with bright red dyed hair. I think he's done some singing at piano bars. He sings but doesn't play an instrument. He did "Boogey Woogey Bugle Boy of Company B", and sort of half did Mac Davis' "I Believe in Music".

Not much of an audience this time, just a few people coming and going. Sometimes it's fun to play different things with different people, and not worry so much about pleasing the people who are listening. On the other hand, sometimes something clicks, and it's nice to have an appreciative audience to confirm that you did a good job.

Show Cancellled!!! Tim Grimm in Brooklyn, 5/4/07

Singer/songwriter Tim Grimm was scheduled to appear at the Good Coffeehouse in Park Slope, Brooklyn. But the show has been cancelled because of a family illness. Look forward to seeing Tim next season.

Tom Russell at Joe's Pub 4/23/07

Attended Tom Russell concert last Monday 4/23 at Joe's Pub on Lafayette St.

Tom sang and played guitar, accompanied by highly professional Michael Martin on guitar, mando and harmonies. Russell is a terrific songwriter and performer and has a rich voice. A man after my own heart, he opened the set with half a verse from Hank Williams' "Lost Highway", before launching into an original ballad.

He did a tribute to bluegrass renegade Jimmy Martin, and one to Woody Guthrie, which he prefaced with a story he got from Rambling Jack Elliot about his memories of Woody when they were both living in Brooklyn. In introducing the Jimmy Martin song, Russell said he hadn't heard a country song he liked since 1973. I see his point, although Waylon's best albums came out in the late 70's, and Dwight Yoakam is still pretty impressive. (and I'm sure there's plenty of good stuff out there I haven't found yet).

He also did his classic songs "Navajo Rug", "Stealing Electricity", Haley's Comet" (about the dying days of rock legend Bill Haley). Russell is an impressive guy--intelligent, worldly and witty, and a hugely talented songwriter. The guy has been around: living in Southern California, Vancouver, New York City, Texas, Spain, Norway, Nigeria etc. According to Wikipedia he played the Vancouver folk scene in the 70's, then dropped out of the music business. He was driving a cab in New York City when he was "discovered" by Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead, who hired him as an opening act.

Russell's fans love him; the audience at Joe's was 100% enthusiastic and 100% appreciative. He has already achieved greatness, even if he is not a household name.

If you ever get a chance to see Tom Russell in concert, go for it. Joe's Pub is a beautiful intimate venue, though it is pricey and the sets are kind of short.

Sea Chanty Sing 4/14

This is a monthly event at the Seaman's Church institute by the South Street Seaport. People are very friendly there, and Shoko enjoys it too. A large group, some hardcore folkies, some older folks looking for a laugh. I did "I Wish I Was Back Home in Derry", very well-received.

Washington Square Park 4/14/07

Spent a couple of hours there Saturday pm, playing with Pete and Larry. I mostly accompanied on harmonica--a lot of fun. Pete did Love is in the Air, Moon River, Leaving on a Jet Plane. He also sung a bit with a young lady named Ana Marie who has a very nice voice. We did Honky Tonk Blues, St. Louis Blues, Rambling Boy. Larry did Tambourine Man + others. For a while Anina, who I've met a couple of times before played along with us. She sings pretty good harmony.

I also did a couple of songs with Joe: I Used to Love Her, Honky Tonk Blues, Midnight Hour.