My good friend Joe V. sent me the second installment of I Saw the Music, his recollection of his adventure traveling from Baltimore MD up to NYC with a buddy to catch Jimmy Buffet’s show at The Garden last Thursday night. Good stuff Joe, great to see you and one hell of a fun night for sure.

Words and pix by Joe V.

12 Hours in NYC…..

So it all started when we decided that Nissan Pavilion sucked for the main reasons that its impossible to get to, traffic sucks, leaving sucks worse (3-hours in a parking lot), its expensive, it’s a cop magnet, in short, the 6 hours to and from in no way is made up for by the quality of the show…. Bottom line, it sucks.

SO! We decided that if we were ever going to see Jimmy Buffett again, it would have to be an out-of-town show. That’s where Madison Square Garden comes in. Jeff heard about that show having tickets go on-sale and decided to check it out. Needless to say, he found us some seats and the trip was planned.

As we are both very busy, we decided on a 1-day round-trip vs. overnight stay. We booked the 1:30pm train up and the 3:00am train back so as to be home in time for me to watch my son. Well, we missed the 1:30…. Oops but made the 2:35pm train up. One thing that surprised me was the fact that I had a reservation but the system couldn’t find it or adjust for the missed first leg. It couldn’t even find the trip back. Very strange considering all airlines find that stuff. The other item I found interesting was the continued lack of security on trains. Despite all the articles recently regarding Amtrak’s stepped up security, hardly a thing changed. The new addition was a Police Search team with dogs who board in downtown Baltimore and search all cars/bag/people before DC but other than that, I carried on a gallon of Gatorade and such and no one looked twice.

So we board, find 2 seats together and of course facing backwards… I HATE THAT! It didn’t take long before Jeff heads to the Bar car and I finish bottle one of Gatorade. Trying to recover from a wicked case of Heat Exhaustion and finally getting re-hydrated. Big mistake with that is the volume of trips to the toilet on the train… I can honestly say that the ‘handi-crapper’ was far stinkier albeit more roomy than the regular one. You would think that all things being equal, the smaller room would stink far worse… anyway I do miss the old days when you could see the ground woosh by when you flushed. I understand how bad that must have been to those near the tracks but it sure made the bathrooms nicer to visit.

On to the trip, I was in contact with my man-about-town Hooch. He’s been there so long, knows so much and so many that our trip was sure to be memorable. We arrived around 5:30 and immediately bolted for the door. We saw the taxi line and decided a little walking wouldn’t hurt. The weather was PERFECT, clear, sunny, warm with the ever-present NYC building breeze. We headed down 7^th toward Hooch’s joint, got an iced coffee and discussed Jeff’s theory on the volume of attractive people in NYC.

His question was two-fold;

1. Are there just more attractive people in NYC because of the increased population? Meaning, if 2 in 10 are super attractive nation-wide on average, are there more in NYC because there are that many more people on the streets OR
2. Are there just more attractive people than average in NYC as a whole

We would vacillate between the theories as we walked and then FINALLY got a cab. We got to Crif’s Dogs on St. Mark’s Place off Avenue A and proceeded to get in touch with Hooch. He guided us to his ‘honey hole’ there we enjoyed some of the best libations ever. I had a Rhubarb Margarita complete with all fresh fruit, Jeff had some sort of Vodka drink and Hooch got a Bacon infused Bourbon Manhattan which came complete with Hand Crushed/broke ice. The 2 cubes were about 3” square.. Like a commercial…..sweeet!

After some discussions on Jeff’s theory, the history of the establishment and some Hot Dogs with ingredients straight from the King of Molecular Gastronomy Wylie Dufresne we were ready to go see Jimmy.

There was a very different vibe around MSG than normal NYC as more and more folks in Hawaiian shirts, leis’, and the like migrating toward the Garden like moths to a light. We headed in and found out seats to be nearly behind the stage, about even with the back right corner of the stage if you were facing the stage. We were SO far back that the big screen that would normally be to the right of stage was showing images backwards. Funny…

We got a few beers, (Beer quantities, price and variety were amazing for an arena, big thumbs up MSG!) and headed to our seats. Once there I noticed everyone taking pictures, I moved down a bit to use the stair rail as a tripod and the security lady asked me if I wanted to head closer to the stage for ‘better pictures’. I was shocked and jumped at the chance. After about 10 minutes of taking pictures in Row 2, Jeff arrived with our beers, and introduced himself to the ladies in front of us. They informed us that we were RIGHT where the stage exits and you could even see the playlist!!! WOW!

As I was ‘fully hydrated’ I began my trips to the bano…. The double-edged sword that is hydration… UGH! On a positive note, I have NEVER been to Buffett and seen such empty bathrooms, no waiting is sweet! Beats taking a leak in a sink!

I came back and met a lovely young lady from Hoboken NJ. She was very funny and super excited for the opportunity to see Jimmy for the 1^st time! I was on the same bano schedule as she was so we walked back together. She was getting drinks bought for her by all kinds of gents. She returned and struck up a conversation with the young man behind me after noticing my wedding ring and they ‘REALLY’ hit it off. I met his mother who went with him and heard an amazing story about their relationship and the significance of her tattoo. She had to give him up for adoption at 17 per her parents but ended up marrying her then boyfriend and having another child many years later only to finally find her long-lost son and begin a relationship with him just four years ago. Well the son was trying to explain his tattoos to Hoboken girl when BAM! She started tonguing him to death, Mom said, ‘Oh Lord!’ and rolled her eyes… it was entertaining…back to the concert already in progress….

Jimmy had Sonny Landreth playing with him helping Sonny pitch his new album on which many fans of Sonny participated in making, Jimmy, Eric Clapton etc..

The show started with Hot, Hot, Hot;

then Homemade Music,

He noticed the flow of drinks and decided that the ‘Tiki bar was open’

then Sonny’s song, USS Zydecoldsmobile

Pencil thin mustache

We’re Still Here

It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere (Mac was Alan Jackson)

Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitudes

He discussed a recent trip around the world to Cambodia and how it reminded him of this song, Cowboy in the Jungle. He had video of the whole thing. It must be awesome to be as famous as him and go to Cambodia and be as anonymous as any other tourist.

He made his way over to ‘our side’ of the stage and checked on us with a point, nod and thumbs up shrug. We were all good. We had tons of room, an amazing view and an awesome location for people watching since the whole stadium was facing us as well!

He talked about the weather and then came Brown-eyed Girl

No weed references as it was amazingly smoke free but he did discuss the enormous food selection that is NYC and went into Cheeseburger in Paradise.

He talked about Montauk and then did One Particular Harbor.

The background girls left as did the horns and he did Come Monday with the basic band and Jake

He also had a young fella from Hawaii playing uekele Jake Shimabukuro Most of the band- took a break while the young Hawaiian played ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ on Ukelele with Robert Greenidge on the pans.

Jimmy took a break but the band kept going with Nadira Shakoor singing Makin’ Music for Money with Sonny and Jimmy snuck back on stage to help end.

The celebrity list grew on Stage side right, Jeremy Shockey (NYG) showed and many of the front row-ers were ‘hollerin’. There were a few ‘Super Models’ in row 1 just off stage, no names off the top of my head but definitely well kept. At one point Mac Macanally came off stage and gave us the thumbs-up, I was surprised to get that pic even though a bit of the old red-eye.

One of the Midshipmen tossed his hat up on-stage and Jimmy gladly wore it off stage. They Flipped the Play List and we got a glimpse of ‘part-two’.

He discussed the crossing of cultures between musical genre’s and everyone around us was yelling ‘He’s gonna do Scarlet Begonias!!!!’ which he did.

He discussed going boating this weekend at ‘home’ and then went into Son of a Son of a Sailor with full video of his visit aboard the U.S.S Harry Truman. It looked like most of the Reefers joined Jimmy on the trip and the Helo ride in was awesome!

Mac introed the City and Jimmy jumped right in, I still love that song. It’s a great way to tie in the locality to the concert and the video supports it.

Volcano was next, followed by School Boy Heart, then he requested the attention of all Pirates and played Pirate Looks at Forty (my favorite!)

He showed more of his recent trip during Far Side of the World then went into Southern Cross.

He acknowledged that after going to the Far Side of the World, then the Southern Cross we must be thirsty, and of course, Margaritaville followed with all the hoopla it always garners.

They all left, and came back quickly for Fins which looked exceptional from our perspective! He introduced the band as always, paying special attention to Jake and Sonny.

They played Rainy Day Women (Bob Dylan) which is a current fav of his from what I read.

Toward the end, he strayed from the set list and played Bruce Springsteen fav, ‘Glory Days’ much to everyone’s delight. He joked about how many miles he came to have a concert an hour from his house in Montauk.

Then everyone left again… only to come back one last time for Lovely Cruise. The concert ended quickly after that, no chanting not bs, the lights came up quick, almost before Jimmy left the stage and everyone made their way out. I believe that the strong Subway life that is New York makes the entry/exit process faster than anywhere else. We were out of the building in no time!

I can honestly say that aside from the last minute trip to Tampa for Buffett where he gave me shit for having my feet on the stage, that this was the best concert I have been to of his in all the years and the volume of shows I’ve seen! The atmosphere, the people, the music, sound quality, proximity to the stage, beers, everything was just awesome!!!!! I am 100% IN for any other great opportunity like this at MSG in the future!

Once the show ended, we wound up going across the street to a rooftop bar with the people we were sitting/standing by during the show. The new ‘couple’ went off to ‘neck’ and Hoboken’s friend, the Wingstress, hung by the bar. We were street-side people watching and chatting with Lee Ann the mother of Hoboken’s new man… had a great chat then decided it was time to go explore.

We watched Boston beat the Lakers on the flat-screens on the way out and then we called Hooch and got the skinny on a great little joint on the roof of a building adjacent to the Empire State Building. We missed it as we didn’t look high enough, the signs in Korea-town were all in …. Korean! But mid-way up the building wall was the Hotel sign in English with the logo! Jeff was fading and thought that taking a leak behind the plywood walls of a construction site would be ok, I cringed and pretended as if I didn’t know him… he was successful and then we got the hottest pizza slices on the planet! We enjoyed our pizza while watching a 5 truck caravan of Fire Trucks stopped by one of the skyscrapers whose alarm was sounding. False alarm but something to watch while burning the roof of my mouth off.

We headed to the freaky rooftop bar and man, Diamond in the rough. We settled in against the fencing that surrounded the rooftop and took in the view. Well, I did… Jeff lost the battle.

I guess when you get to be his age, getting up at 6am and going strong til 1:30 has its disadvantages… Meanwhile, the insomniac was raring to go…

I let the old man sleep and I browsed the bar, had a Red Stripe (note-excellent beer selection here as well) and took some more pix. I woke Jeff and we headed on. At this point I figured it would be easier to just go back to Penn Station and let him sleep. I was dying for a coffee but missed the last Dunkin by 5 minutes. Oh well, I got more bottled water and we sat in the Acela waiting area. I walked around Penn Station, that joint was EMPTY at 2:15am, never seen it that empty ever! I woke Jeff around 2:45 in time for us to bolt to the train, get good seats and crash. I finally fell asleep in NJ somewhere and had a decent nap, waking up at the Baltimore station. I got home just in time for my wife to leave for work and my son graciously let me sleep until 11am!!!!

There you have it 12 hours in NYC……………. I’d do it again tomorrow if I could!

We have decided to start a NYC based live music review series called I Saw The Music which will cover live shows that have been seen by those of us based here in NYC.

The first show to be reviewed is:

Derek Trucks – Live at the Hard Rock Cafe free show sponsored by Rolling Stone Magazine, June 10th 2008.

Pix & Content by jroxx

On June 4th, I received an e-mail in my inbox from a member of a NYC based music list I am a member of with the following message: “Just ran into (a friend) who claimes that there is a free Derek Trucks show sponsored by Rolling Stone magazine at the Hard Rock Cafe this coming Tuesday night.” In the message was an e-mail address to r.s.v.p. for the show.

I sent an e-mail to that address and got the following autoreply: “Thank you for your RSVP to Rolling Stone LIVE featuring Derek Trucks Band, with special guests Scrapomatic. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, June 10th. Cheers, Rolling Stone.“

There was a bit of skepticism regarding the validity of the show, the amount of people who were going to show up and the length of the performances. Being the optimist that I am, I got to the Hard Rock Cafe at 6:30 PM on June 10th, ran into my friend Dave who was waiting inside the doors of the Hard Rock Cafe (was sweltering hot out that day). Everyone had brought printouts of the autoreply e-mail we received from Rolling Stone magazine because none of us were sure how the system was going to work. We had heard that the doors were to open at 7:30, Scrapomatic was going on at 8:30 and finally Derek and his band at 9:30 PM.

Sure enough at 7:30, the tables were set up and the Rolling Stone staffers asked us for our names and ID’s and thankfully I was on the list. Being one of the first people inside, I set up camp right in front of the stage, directly in front of where I believed that Derek was going to be standing for his set. The venue at the Hard Rock Cafe is a hidden NYC gem that is rarely used for paying concerts (why???). Not only was the show not fully “packed” but there was also a Miller Lite table offering free beer and a Bratwurst cart offering free Brats with the works all night long. This was a free show with great perks and as I was about to find out was only going to get better!

Before I go into more detail I have to admit that I have seen Derek in all of the stages of his brief but ever growing career. I first saw Derek perform at a small bar in Orlando, Florida called The Junkyard in mid to late 1995. I got an advance copy of his first album from his record label in early 1997. In mid 1997 I saw Derek perform his first show at the House of Blues in Orlando in front of maybe 3 or 4 people total (nobody knew who he was yet…). My last time seeing Derek in Orlando was another House of Blues show that he opened for Gov’t Mule which ended in an EPIC Spanish Moon guitar duel with Warren. I still remember speaking to Derek backstage after the show and making the comment to him “You need to play with more intensity.” to which he responded “All of the intensity I need is in my fingertips.” Those words echo true to this day! Since returning to NYC in late 2001 I have seen Derek perform in City Hall Park (2002), Town Hall (2005) and at least 1 show each year in the Allman’s Beacon Run as well as Warren’s Evil Teen 10th Anniversary show in March of 2007. The growth and maturity I have seen in his guitar playing is mind boggling to say the least.

Advance copy of Joyful Noise signed by Derek & the band.

Ok, back to the Hard Rock show.

The evening started out with a brief set by Scrapomatic, Mike Mattison’s side band (Mike is the vocalist in Derek’s band for those of you that don’t know). Scrapomatic has a good sound and talented players but this was not the band that everyone came to see.

The 3 pictures below are from the Scrapomatic set.

A little after 9:30 PM, Derek and his band took the stage and played a blistering 90 minute set including several appearances by Derek’s wife, Susan Tedeschi.

They played 12 songs including some great covers of:

Get Out of My Life Woman (Written by Paul Butterfield)
Down Don’t Bother Me (Written by Albert King)
Soul Serenade (Written by Curtis Ousley aka King Curtis)
I’d Rather Be Blind, Crippled and Crazy (Written by Deadric Malone, Darryl Carter, Charles Hodges & 1st performed by O.V. Wright)
Key to the Highway (Written by Charlie Segar in 1940, Played by Eric Clapton & countless others)
My Favorite Things (Written by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II in 1959 and made famous by John Coltrane)
Anyday (Written by Eric Clapton and Bobby Whitlock & Performed by Derek & the Dominoes)
The Weight (Written by Robbie Roberston & 1st Performed by The Band)

My friend Dave, who was front and center with me summed up the show the best saying “From the “front row”, tonight’s version of My Favorite Things has to rank as one of my peak musical experiences of all time. Derek started the song out by perfectly interpreting Coltrane’s phrasing on guitar for the first “verse”, then veering off into things that could only be done on guitar, and then only by him. The interplay that followed with Kofi on flute was unreal, as was what came after that – an incredible fusion of Derek’s stinging/searing guitar sound with a Coltrane-esque venture into true jazz of the first order… Things I think I have only seen previously done on piano or sax were coming out of Derek’s guitar in a way that was truly incredible. The whole band appeared to be smiling at each other for pretty much the whole set – except of course for those points when Derek goes off into that “zone” – you know, where his face goes almost blank as all the feeling comes out of his fingers.”

Derek & Kofi – My Favorite Things

Derek in “The Zone”

Here a few pictures of Derek & Susan in guitar harmony and a copy of Derek’s setlist from the evening.

You can find my full set of pictures from the show here.

All in all a truly magical night!