Virginia Beach last night. My Kay crapped out somewhere between Mississippi and the sound check, so I went with the HarpGear and the Premiere. No complaints:
I just finished Journeyman's Road. For a book that was really a collection of discursive life-writing essays, it was at times incredibly moving. The epilogue on Satan & Adam's reunion was one of those achingly wistful moments...
"Some of the songs grooved, some faltered.... My job, as it had been since the very first day, was to keep up. He was no longer the ocean I could get lost in. At some point in our set I realised the power onstage would have to come from me. He need me to do that, like the father, now older, who needs his son in a new way. So I cranked up my Mouse a notch or two, called out "Thunky Fing," and stepped forward. I laid down a strong groove and he held on, as I used to. We made some good music."
Jon -- Truth is I've not read Mr Satan's Apprentice yet, so perhaps I'm in a poor position to judge. I can say, Journeyman's Road is a different sort of beast than memoir: a collection of columns, life writing and essays. Some vignettes of the New York blues scene, some notes from a road-tour with Mr Satan and his raving-mad woman, essays on blues tradition, advice columns for fellow journeymen, and a kind of epilogue to Mister Satan's Apprentice, all rolled into one.
I'm actually planning a post for a few days from now on one of his essays, "Whose Blues". It should be required reading for anyone who plays, listens to or thinks critically about blues music. Would like to time it for when guys come back from SPAH, as things are a little dead on the forum right now.
Watch this space? p.s. Actually, here's an excerpt from one of the advice columns, "Sitting In".
Adam, congrats on the tour. I wish I could make it. Please post some more footage. Also maybe some pics or video with MBHers who you will be meeting would be most interesting to those of us who are holding down the fort.
One day my numbers will come up on the lottery. I'll quit my job and have the money to fly across the pond and see Satan and Adam, JR and New Blood, take a lesson in person from Chris, go to SPAH, buy a B-Radical...
Until then, thank God we have Youtube! Thanks Adam! sounding good.
elwood that sounds realy good. im gonna have to get me a copy. i realy want the book he wrote "Seems Like Murder Here: Southern Violence and the Blues Tradition".
Just got home - long drive to Philly - All I can say is - Philly show was just freaking amazing. Opening act - Charlie Sayles was super, Mr Satan was right on, drummer laid down a great beat, and Adam -Well - Where the hell do you get the energy to play flat out like that? The jamming with Charlie and Adam was a really good set. My wife did not know what to expect and came away as a fan, and I was amazed at the playing. Folks, you got to hear these guys in person. Thanks for a great show and way more than my money's worth.
yes. i just got home. 1:27am. show was amazing. just like he said. hes not lieing. charlie sayles is awesome. satan and adam are awesome but you all know that allready. but seeing them live was just some thing else. its like all the videos iv seen come to life. it was also like being in the book mr. satans apprentice. so many things happened that reminded me of the book. also got to meet lots of people from the forum which was great. my only complaints are i parked a 40 min. walk away from the show like a dumbass. almost died trying to walk there. and i got a ticket for doing 79 in a 55mph on the way home. other then that one of the greatest nights of my life. ill never forget it. i got some footage an some pics ill post tomorrow.
edit: also as much as i love my custom harps the way adam plays those stock marine bands makes me rethink what to do.
Last Edited by on Aug 13, 2009 10:48 PM
Jon, bummer in the ticket. Very nice to meet you and all the local Gussow groupies. Also, the place was packed and it was clear that he crowd was pumped up and enjoying every song. Flashes going off all over. Nice place. Up way too early today, though. Got my job to do. Talked to Kevin who is like a road manager for Satan and asked how Adam was able to put so much into the show - he said he was playing flat out the night before in Virginia and was up early running the next morning on Virginia beach. I was lucky to make it down the stairs today... Dan M.
I caught last nights show in Philly as well. It's like a 30 mile drive to there from where I work & it took 2 hours, haha. I agree that Charlie was surprisingly good. Said hi to Adam too!!
Sorry about your experience Jon, had I remembered I would have offered to give you a ride to your car :( .
---------- ~Ryan Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
lol thats ok. the walk back was downhill so it wasnt as bad. plus i wasnt in a hurry like i was to get to the show. i stopped an took some pics of the city an what not.
