ok, i'm ready now to get this ball rollin'.
for starters, the whole thing last night was wonderful. i had a lovely dinner with 2 of my dearest friends, spoke of future and connections and putin (of all) and even of my 'fanaticisms'. i split a little after 10, and did something quite unique and weird for myself--i went ahead on my own to the venue--which is practically a bar and a large room--and just hung out on my own for a little while-listening to this girl on the stage. she was allright you know, nohting too brilliant, a bit too establishment-defined-alternative for my taste. she did actually seem like a nice person though, for what it's worth.
it's wonderful to listen to live music--almost unrelated to what you are in fact listening to. i just stood there, tapping the floor slowly with my foot, enjoying the whole thing.
then two of my lovely friends came over. now being my london companions, i do feel like we share a higher bond when it comes to music (higher than with anyone else, at least). anyways--soon the girl took her leave and the bizarre wonderful james walsh waltzed in.
there's nothing like a regularly not regular looking musician. he came in wearing an ordinary shirt, you know, doing ordinary things. but there's this air to these kinda people, this difference in attitude even when they put one foot in front of the other. not to mention when he opens up that mouth of his the most aching sound just comes out. there's something extremely troubling in the tone of his voice--something slightly dark and dreary, something misarable, something choosing to stay distant. and he has this little hooked nose that makes you wonder how the hell such a sound strong voice can come out of him. it just adds up to his mystery, his air of magic. and he kinda weirdly has an air of magic. not a warm sweet flowing bright colored magic--more of a poetic nature. he opened the show with a wonderful performance of tell me it's not over--luckily too, it was one of the three songs i knew prior to my sudden decision to go see the man.
it was already good enough when he decidede to throw in a little lennon--oh how i shouldda wished for something else, you know--it just turned me on for the night. he does a great cover, hands down. like i said, lennnon is not an easy one to cover, but walsh does him justice. i think he has that trouble-arrogant-misery mixture slightly similar to lennon. especially that slightly dark, slightly miserable, slightly stubborn feel that jealous guy has to it, walsh was more than brilliant in delivering it.
then i went crazy and snatched the setlist from the floor of the stage--i hereby declare setlists to be the most wonderful souvenier of a live show--then even more strangely i began to crave for a autograph. anwyho we waited a little outside and james walked out, we had him sign stuff (including my setlist--with an eye pencil too, since i had no pen). it was kinda funny too, to think about it. but there is that atmosphere of a live show that makes you do strange things. i checked out the venue right before we stepped out--the lights were on and people were picking up cables and crap, james was doing last minute rounds of signing stuff and i thought to myself (upon being asked by a great friend that evening 'what do you want to do?') that that was what i wanted to do. yeap, dear old crazy me. 4 years of heavy ass politics and i look with envy at the boy who carries in the mics.
he didn't play hurts too much but i was too pleasantly joyful to be bummed out about that. besides he has this smile that makes you think that a man who smiles like that can not be dangerous to anyone--i mean i'm sure he has broken a few hearts and has does a few hurtful things, but you don't expect them (the beautifully smiling) kind to be downright mean and vicious and cruel. i'm not saying that in a cheesy 'oh he is so sweet' kinda way. i just, you know-- something's are much simpler and exist on their own. a smile is one of those things.
anywhoo-these are the stuff that comes to my mind first when i think of last night. overall the whole thing was a thing of beauty. good music, a wonderful strange voice, good company, that 'bright midnight' feel of a live show. i'm glad i didn't miss it. i'm thankful for those who tagged along, and genuinely sorry for those who passed.
cheers!
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