“He could hear the star… “
I had a wonderful experience last week. I went to Johnny D’s restaurant & club in Somerville, MA with my daughter, Sarah, who is now 21. She had her “North Star radar” on a few weeks ago and spotted a small ad announcing that Blues legend, John Hammond, www.myspace.com/johnhammondblues, was coming to town. Sarah and I are big fans and we quickly made plans.
The club is small and only seats perhaps 80. It reminds me of a terrific club in Nashville called The Bluebird Cafe. My dear friends, Cherrie Farnette and Jill Norris, took me and my colleague Bill Norris there to hear a few musician jam and tell stories while sitting smack dab in the middle of the room. It was a similar set up at Johnny D’s. John was a few yards away from us as he sang two terrific sets (including a cover of Tom Waits’ Get behind the Mule” which is how I “connected the dots” to JH in the first place. I love the way one star in my constellation leads to another. I imagine that all the stars have always been there, but with reflection and patience, more stars come into focus.)
Perhaps as delicious as his music was his stories spanning his 65 year journey. One particular story had a “North Star” theme. He spoke of being a boy in New York City and waiting until late at night to try tuning in to a station from Nashville. Here is a boy in a city whose own North Star radar was switched on HIGH. Through that little radio came the sounds of Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, and others.
I drew a picture while listening to him. A young boy playing his guitar. I gave it to him after the show when Sarah and I had the good fortune to be able to speak with him. Sarah let him know that it was the stories that she wanted more of. He said he’d love to just rattle on the whole night sharing his stories. Sign us both up for that.
So… listen closely. Tune in. See what your North Star radio might be able to pick up.
