 | eCachecommentary from down jersey |
My sister e-mailed me the following today.
Remember this motto to live by: Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
I am pretty certain that is how Hunter S. Thompson approached it!
Mandy Patinkin
Prince Music Theater, Philadelphia, PA
17 February 2002
My wife is a huge Mandy Patinkin fan. I am not certain why. She really liked the show Chicago Hope and Patinkin was a favorite of hers. Always looking to please Gert, I purchased tickets to see Patinkin for her birthday.
He sings a lot of show tunes and is very theatrical. Not exactly my kind of music, but Gert liked it so it was a wonderful evening.
Just doing a quick scan of the ‘Net for a set list, I came across the show/run released for purchase. How about that?! It looks like I have a purchase to make for my wife.
Jim Brickman
Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, NJ
07 April 2001
?, Rocket, Heartland, Love of My Life, Edgewater, After All These Years*, I Wish I Could*, Your Love*, Freedom, The Love I Found in You, Rememberance, Three Blind Mice, Questions/Commercials*, Destiny*
encore: The Gift*
* - w/ Anne Cochran
Who? Jim Brickman, that’s who. My girlfriend (wife) spoke highly of this guy. I don’t know how she ever heard of him. He plays love songs on the piano.
So, on 17 March 2001, yes, it was St. Patrick’s Day, I took my girlfriend out for dinner. Her birthday is nearby and we were celebrating. We dined at Roberto’s at the Plaza. What a fine dinner we had. I gave Gert her birthday gift: tickets to see Jim Brickman. She was expecting a proposal, methinks.
Afterwards, we took a rolling cart (they are not ricksas, folks) to the Trop for the Comedy Stop. It was in the rolling cart that I fumbled through a proposal. Gert knew what was happening and made up for my shortcomings. The guy pushing us must have wondered what was going on. He was the recipient of a handsome tip. We had a grand time at the show!
Anyhow, a few weeks later we came back to see the concert. Folks over the years told me if you greased the palm of the maitre d’, you could be seated up front, no matter what your tickets said.
We arrived late due to horrible traffic. I think Britney Spears was playing at the Convention Center. Anyhow, we got to the Plaza late. Everyone had been seated and the show was just about to start. I stated we would be happy to be up front as I shook the hand of the maitre d’. A twenty was placed there and we sat at the front table. Amazing how that works.
We enjoyed the show. This guy has written many familiar jingles. He was personable and we had a nice romantic evening out.
Appel Farms Arts & Music Festival: Willy Porter, Martin Sexton, Jonatha Brooke, Richard Thompson, Mary Chapin Carpenter
Appel Farms, Elmer, NJ
3 June 2000
MCC: Whenever You’re Ready; Passionate Kisses; Almost Home; Rhythm of the Blues; The Hard Way; Stones in the Road; I am a Town; The Loving Thing; It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry; I Feel Lucky; Someone Else’s Prayer; Why Walk; Getting There; He Thinks He’ll Keep Her; Down at the ‘Twist & Shout’
We had stopped for strawberries earlier in the day. But, of course, we forgot to bring them in with us so they dripped all over the car. We didn’t really know what this venue was going to be like so we were ill-prepared.
I had an interest in seeing Jonatha Brooke and Richard Thompson. Jonatha was very good. Richard Thompson didn’t quite suit my fancy. The place was packed. I cannot believe for a little place in the country so close to me that a real concert would occur.
We drifted over to the main stage for Mary Chapin Carpenter. She was a name I had heard of, but was totally unfamiliar woth her music. Gert and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Perhaps I am a redneck afterall.
Michelle Shocked & The Mood Swingers
Theatre of the Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
5 May 2000
Lots of new stuff! The only older songs played were Anchorage, Grafitti Limbo, and Come a Long Way. I went with my girlfriend (wife). I am not certain she knew what to make of this. Why had I brought her to this? I am not a dancer and she would have preferred to dance away. The place was only about half full.
It was good seeing Michelle again, but her new stuff was not as interesting to me as her earlier work.