Missed opportunity…

Back in my radio days when Alden and I were debating the virtues of the Tar Heel state, this guy calls up and says, “The best thing to ever come out of North Carolina was an empty bus.”  It was a good-natured rib but one that stuck with me and returned to mind last Thursday night when we had our disappointing turnout at In Your Ear for Chapel Hill’s Jonathan Byrd.  Jonathan’s a Carolina son in the very best sense…warm and a little shy with a dry wit, a resourceful man of the land and one of the most eloquent observers of the human condition I’ve had the pleasure to spend quality time with.  That we’d been loudly singing his praises in the days and weeks leading up to his JAMinc appearance and that so few took us up on what would be one of our most compelling concerts was frustrating, mostly because of our knowing so many people who would have devoured his two solo sets of stories and snapshots set to music.  There was some compensation to be had during the afternoon in Denise Yagel’s creative writing class for a dozen bright seniors at Maggie Walker Governor’s School.  Jonathan and I had no idea how this whole thing would go…without a word, his first move was performing the dark road song that’s also the title track of his “The Law and the Lonesome” CD.  They hung intently on every well-chosen word and when it was finished, after a generous round of applause, and an appropriately dramatic pause, a spellbound young poet named Gracie enthused, “You…..are…..amazing.”  The doubts lifted and he had them enthralled for the rest of the session. We’ll never know the reasons we had such a light crowd at IYE that night, but no matter…it was beautifully recorded by Carlos and Andrea, and it will surely find some air sometime down the road.  Stay tuned.  And if Jonathan ever heads this way again, maybe he’ll get the audience he deserves.  His new CD Cackalack, recorded straight up during one six-hour studio session late last year, with songs like “I Was An Oak Tree,” “Wild Ponies,” and “Father’s Day,” is a gem.  So is Jonathan’s and wife Mary’s adorable 10-month-old son Rowan.  This bus was a red Chevy sedan and it was full.

 

JAMinc’s next offering is veteran percussionist Kip Williams who’s gathered a who’s who of potent sidemen like Keith Horne, Mike Ess, Mike Hawkins, Steve Kessler and Kevin Simpson for a tasty night of jazz funk at In Your Ear Recording on Thursday, January 13th.  Reservations already up on our website.  Surprises anticipated.

 

Richmond’s resident King of Keys, Daniel Clarke is back in town for a while over the holidays with a spankin’ new pop project called The Vet that he recorded himself out in Oakland while he and his main squeeze Jenna McClintock were out there…richly layered and evocative originals with Daniel playing and singing all the parts except for a couple of guest shots by Jenna on vocals and pal Trey Pollard on guitar.  Most musicians would be content to be holding down three band gigs with k.d. lang, the Dixie Chicks and Court Yard Hounds, but no…Mr. Clarke is just busting at the seams with energy and creativity.  His generous holiday offer is one CD for $10, 2 for $15 and 3 for $20 with free shipping if you order by December 17.  Just shoot him an email:  speedlimit79@yahoo.com or check out his Facebook page.  Daniel’s appetite for making music is voracious.

 

And speaking of the holidays, you may well want to take in some timely tunes courtesy of Augusta County’s own Robin & Linda Williams and Their Fine Group as they return to Ashland Coffee and Tea on Thursday, December 16.  Lots of other fine 12th-month shows on their calendar as well.

In the spirit of the season, I’ll wrap for now with a musical gift from none other than Robert Downey, Jr. who covered Joni Mitchell’s magnificent “River” while he was a cast member of TV’s Ally McBeal for their A Very Ally Christmas album back in 2000.  I don’t think I’d ever heard this haunting tune done by a guy before…but see if you don’t agree that he nails it.  Who knew?

Merry Christmas from the family….TT