Bringing it home
Another bounce coming up, I have to drop something off in Novato this afternoon, no big deal but it’s a secret. So I will be heading North. Just got a friend’s email who said
She would be at the big concert in Ukiah’s Park this evening. A concert that I have anticipated and aimed for though not with certainty, a reunion of the Ford Brothers.
who grew up in Ukiah. A picture of Robben Ford on stage with George Harrison hangs on the wall of the Music Recyclers in Ukiah.
Of course If I am there then I can’t be there, a real good there would be Peri’s tonight in Fairfax with ‘La Mandanga’ band. Gypsy rock with members from Beso Negro. I had a great time with them last month at their show.
The crazy trails of America. Me and you and everyone else let’s go there no let’s go there, no let’s go there… ‘hop in the car and ride’ another line from a Joe Jackson tune.
Maybe I won’t make up my mind till the absolute last minute.. let’s see north to Mendocino, possibly selling ‘the VDubya’ for over a grand. Finding a place to live if just for six months would be great. ‘Got to put your flat feet back on the ground!’ ‘All you want to do is ride around Sally!’ Let me tell you that is one song that a thousand cover versions is just fine with me… from Wilson Pickett, the Swampers at Muscle Shoals to the great Chuck Day, to Jimi James no not that Jimi James El Cerrito’s Jimi. Playing with me next Sunday night at Peri’s. I don’t even want the Substitutes to be hailed as a great little Rock band cause I want a name like.. like .. something else.
Please start saving your files… library computer warns me.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Mendocino, Mendocino...
Signs point me there. Mendo. I'm back in Marin finished up a pretty hard farmer's market gig again this one solo over in Ross. The deadest farmer's market in the county, but still good people and my opportunity to make a musical statement. Argggggh! Sheesh.
I actually thought I was making some headway today, but people aren't impressed. Still putting it together. There is no way to learn but to do.
I was very tired after having a restless nights sleep under a tree somewhere. I have my air mattress and sleeping bag and all in all pretty safe but. … So finished with this weird season. Burning through money over the past months, can't seem to ask people very easily for a place to stay. I do have one tonight and tomorrow probably back up to my high ground. I think I have an apartment for me I filled out the application before I left. It may not be perfect but it just might be… perfect.
If you followed my breathless report from a couple of days ago on Facebook it's from August 12… anyways later that same day. My friendly tavern up there The Shanachie was providing me with more interesting conversations and good people. Someone tells me about some apartment we agree to check it out only he is not going to go home early and I am weary and not into whiskey shots from some Honky Tonk woman… (Forgive me boys) (She had to throw me right across her shoulder, now I just cant seem to drink you off my mind. You know the tune don't you?) I get directions on my own find this rental unit in an area he referred to as 'the ghetto' or maybe a ghetto so at Midnight after a drive through dark trees out of town I come to this zone of cheap looking units by the road, duplexes etc nothing very exciting, but there are people up and about, looks like the Dead Head scene.. I see the For Rent sign and pull up immediately people are asking me about the car. For Sale?
So there it is right there at this one bedroom duplex vacant is the young guy who wants to pay me a pretty decent amount of money for the vehicle and I would be able to solve the problem of how do I sell the car if I don't have a place to put my stuff and there it could be. A cheesy little kitchen, a bedroom, I could have a place to even put up my stereo and listen to music again.. sigh this has been a long time waiting. The sweet people wide awake in the adjacent unit happily partying n say no problem
they can be quiet in case some old fart like me moved in. I'm skeptical very skeptical, it sits right on the road, not under trees next to the duplex there's more duplex's. The rent doesn't seem that great but Pot money is corrupting everything up here.. or maybe making a lot possible.. think positive Guy!
They even have a 'Resort' Hotel as part of the scene about 150 feet down the road there is a club where they get Top of the Line entertainment for weekends and the area is packed. Oh joy I say thinking unjoyful thoughts as I see that the greatest Hip Hop artists of the Bay area regularly play right here IY Yi Yi.. maybe not Guy, maybe you should keep on looking. On the other hand maybe I could talk them into booking a weird not quite Psychedelic band like the Substitutes.
I will take a look at other options and nothing is over or certain yet….. who knows!
I actually thought I was making some headway today, but people aren't impressed. Still putting it together. There is no way to learn but to do.
I was very tired after having a restless nights sleep under a tree somewhere. I have my air mattress and sleeping bag and all in all pretty safe but. … So finished with this weird season. Burning through money over the past months, can't seem to ask people very easily for a place to stay. I do have one tonight and tomorrow probably back up to my high ground. I think I have an apartment for me I filled out the application before I left. It may not be perfect but it just might be… perfect.
If you followed my breathless report from a couple of days ago on Facebook it's from August 12… anyways later that same day. My friendly tavern up there The Shanachie was providing me with more interesting conversations and good people. Someone tells me about some apartment we agree to check it out only he is not going to go home early and I am weary and not into whiskey shots from some Honky Tonk woman… (Forgive me boys) (She had to throw me right across her shoulder, now I just cant seem to drink you off my mind. You know the tune don't you?) I get directions on my own find this rental unit in an area he referred to as 'the ghetto' or maybe a ghetto so at Midnight after a drive through dark trees out of town I come to this zone of cheap looking units by the road, duplexes etc nothing very exciting, but there are people up and about, looks like the Dead Head scene.. I see the For Rent sign and pull up immediately people are asking me about the car. For Sale?
So there it is right there at this one bedroom duplex vacant is the young guy who wants to pay me a pretty decent amount of money for the vehicle and I would be able to solve the problem of how do I sell the car if I don't have a place to put my stuff and there it could be. A cheesy little kitchen, a bedroom, I could have a place to even put up my stereo and listen to music again.. sigh this has been a long time waiting. The sweet people wide awake in the adjacent unit happily partying n say no problem
they can be quiet in case some old fart like me moved in. I'm skeptical very skeptical, it sits right on the road, not under trees next to the duplex there's more duplex's. The rent doesn't seem that great but Pot money is corrupting everything up here.. or maybe making a lot possible.. think positive Guy!
They even have a 'Resort' Hotel as part of the scene about 150 feet down the road there is a club where they get Top of the Line entertainment for weekends and the area is packed. Oh joy I say thinking unjoyful thoughts as I see that the greatest Hip Hop artists of the Bay area regularly play right here IY Yi Yi.. maybe not Guy, maybe you should keep on looking. On the other hand maybe I could talk them into booking a weird not quite Psychedelic band like the Substitutes.
I will take a look at other options and nothing is over or certain yet….. who knows!
Monday, August 11, 2014
... Twice as Good
At the Willits library.
Thinking out loud.
The individual path, the shared world. That sounds right. On the edge... with may I say 'divine' Providence. Probably don't need the adjective. Beautiful world. 'It's a Man's job to find a Cave.' that piece of wisdom from one of my favorite homeless people back in Marin. Yes it is.
Capitalism is not the enemy. Nor Fascism, nor Racism, Terrorism, nor secular Humanism 'the isms'.
Human belief systems are not the enemy. What do we bring, what do we carry, what is the necessary approach, how open is the world to pull itself together, or me The one who counts. As in you the one who counts. Deep Democracy. Me connected to the Earth my feet on the ground. Me with my heart beating it's rhythm, me with my Spirit open and unafraid, as I do my best in daily life, as it unfolds.
Absolutely beautiful evening last night at the Sunday Music in the Park in Ukiah. I coasted up from Marin County with my beautiful Robin's egg Blue '72 Beetle with the for sale signs on it, not skipping a beat. Rising on 101 coming north from Cloverdale rising up into the beauty of California's Coastal Mountains, the golden grass, the heat, the Oak, Madrone and Pines.. the green and gold. The Brown of Rocks. (The fires burning -- further North.)
Got in town, Ukiah (Yuke in Boont, Haiku backwards) to find that the music in the park starts at 6 PM and I am on time. Almost. The John Maddern Band was opening up the show at the beautiful Thomas Park, a very large Park that must take up the equivalent of 2 or 3 City blocks, lots of grass, lovely old trees. Must have been about a thousand people spread out in lawn chairs. Private barbeques, and parties everywhere. The stage was some permanent concrete structure with about a 1000 square feet of space roped off in front for dancers. Nice. John Maddern is a bit of a local hero up here as he is back in Marin. John heads the acclaimd music program at Redwood High School back in Larkspur, Marin County. John lent me his Telecaster back a few months ago at a Phil Hardgrave and the Continentals gig where John used to play regularly. That night was a musical treat. There is something so special about a Tele.
Anyhow this morning I was overhearing people still talking about John's band. a Rocking band and he makes songs about local life' I heard someone saying at the Black Oak Coffee Shop.
The band that followed called 'Twice as Good' go into my books as one of the great party bands. I am running out of time on the library computer. 'Twice as Good' from Lake County, Blues and Rhythm band. 49 years and playing, a Father Son team up front. Dressed in matching Gold suits with Straw Fedoras Rick and Paul Stewart. What a dynamite set! Hundreds of young and old people breaking through the Rock Spirit in a happy dance as the Full Moon rose up through the Pines in the balmy heat of the early August night. Hat's off to the band young Paul, great singing, BB King, Robert Cray influence guitar. Tight band. Twice as Good.
Cruised the 20 miles further North to Willits today. From 650 feet elevation cresting the Ridgewood Summit at 1950 feet rolling intoWillits. The clutch not slipping once. ....
Thinking out loud.
The individual path, the shared world. That sounds right. On the edge... with may I say 'divine' Providence. Probably don't need the adjective. Beautiful world. 'It's a Man's job to find a Cave.' that piece of wisdom from one of my favorite homeless people back in Marin. Yes it is.
Capitalism is not the enemy. Nor Fascism, nor Racism, Terrorism, nor secular Humanism 'the isms'.
Human belief systems are not the enemy. What do we bring, what do we carry, what is the necessary approach, how open is the world to pull itself together, or me The one who counts. As in you the one who counts. Deep Democracy. Me connected to the Earth my feet on the ground. Me with my heart beating it's rhythm, me with my Spirit open and unafraid, as I do my best in daily life, as it unfolds.
Absolutely beautiful evening last night at the Sunday Music in the Park in Ukiah. I coasted up from Marin County with my beautiful Robin's egg Blue '72 Beetle with the for sale signs on it, not skipping a beat. Rising on 101 coming north from Cloverdale rising up into the beauty of California's Coastal Mountains, the golden grass, the heat, the Oak, Madrone and Pines.. the green and gold. The Brown of Rocks. (The fires burning -- further North.)
Got in town, Ukiah (Yuke in Boont, Haiku backwards) to find that the music in the park starts at 6 PM and I am on time. Almost. The John Maddern Band was opening up the show at the beautiful Thomas Park, a very large Park that must take up the equivalent of 2 or 3 City blocks, lots of grass, lovely old trees. Must have been about a thousand people spread out in lawn chairs. Private barbeques, and parties everywhere. The stage was some permanent concrete structure with about a 1000 square feet of space roped off in front for dancers. Nice. John Maddern is a bit of a local hero up here as he is back in Marin. John heads the acclaimd music program at Redwood High School back in Larkspur, Marin County. John lent me his Telecaster back a few months ago at a Phil Hardgrave and the Continentals gig where John used to play regularly. That night was a musical treat. There is something so special about a Tele.
Anyhow this morning I was overhearing people still talking about John's band. a Rocking band and he makes songs about local life' I heard someone saying at the Black Oak Coffee Shop.
The band that followed called 'Twice as Good' go into my books as one of the great party bands. I am running out of time on the library computer. 'Twice as Good' from Lake County, Blues and Rhythm band. 49 years and playing, a Father Son team up front. Dressed in matching Gold suits with Straw Fedoras Rick and Paul Stewart. What a dynamite set! Hundreds of young and old people breaking through the Rock Spirit in a happy dance as the Full Moon rose up through the Pines in the balmy heat of the early August night. Hat's off to the band young Paul, great singing, BB King, Robert Cray influence guitar. Tight band. Twice as Good.
Cruised the 20 miles further North to Willits today. From 650 feet elevation cresting the Ridgewood Summit at 1950 feet rolling intoWillits. The clutch not slipping once. ....
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