May 5, 2012:      A Sense of Imbalance?

Those of you who have walked around the residential neighborhoods of Montclair have likely noticed that our sidewalks are, ummm, interesting.  That’s a polite way of saying that they’re pretty crappy.   Many of the older houses were built around the turn of the century (that’s 1900 for the young folks) and the fashion at the time was to use large rectangular pieces of slate rock.   

Now fast forward 100 years.   Things happen in 100 years.  Trees grow and extend their roots, snow and ice shift the ground, etc.   So what was once a nice surface of smooth flat stones is more like a roller coaster ride.

This was the state of affairs in front of our house when we moved in 22 years ago.    When we moved in we said to ourselves, yeah it’s a little bumpy and we’ll fix it sooner or later.   And then later, and later, and finally we just adjusted to it.   Then last fall, the Township of Montclair decided to take a piece of slate, throw it totally out of whack, and put it on top of an adjacent piece.   This was  little extreme even for Montclair, so we asked the Township of Montclair to kindly put things back the way the were.   The Township of Montclair got back to us and said, “We’ll pay for this, but you gotta do it yourselves”.   

So we hired a contractor to come out and fix things  – and as long as they were fixing things we shelled out the extra cash and had the entire front walk leveled out and straightened. Super job.

But here comes the whole point of this otherwise long and tedious story of suburban woes.   That evening – I came home from work and admired the nice flat, even alignment of the slate pieces.  But when I started walking up the front walk  I almost fell over.   The sensation of walking on an even surface was disorienting – it was almost like walking on a tight rope. For the next few days I actually had to hold my arms out for extra balance – just to walk up to my front door.

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May 5 Saturday, 8-9:30 PM – Lunatic Fringe,  Glen Ridge Community Center @ The Glen Ridge Train Station, 228 Ridgewood Avenue (corner of Bloomfield Avenue), Glen Ridge, NJ   Reservations: (973) 429-1527
There will be tears in our eyes but laughter in our hearts. 
http://www.lunaticfringeimprov.com
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53938723078&ref=ts

May 10, Thursday, 9:00 PM-12:00AM – The King Arthur Four, Route 46, Little Falls  (973) 256-7742
Actually I think it’s gonna be Five, not Four – but who’s counting.   This is a last minute surprise appearance of Arthur Neilson and his kick ass band – plus auxiliary ass kicker VD King. 
http://www.agreatertown.com/little_falls_nj/great_notch_inn_new_jerseys_rockin_roadhouse_00089580

May 25, Friday, 10:00PM-1:00AM – Better Off Dead at The Great Notch Inn, Route 46, Little Falls  (973) 256-7742
It’s yet another round of the on going party.   Last month the audience wouldn’t let us go and we ended playing until almost 1:30.  I like enthusiastic listeners, but I also like sleeping – so come out cheer us on, then go home happy at 1:00.   OK – ask VD nicely and he’ll do one encore.
http://www.betteroffdead.com/home.htm/
http://www.agreatertown.com/little_falls_nj/great_notch_inn_new_jerseys_rockin_roadhouse_00089580

April 12, 2012:      The Sound of Silence

Last month I posted a little “6 degrees of separation” item and asked for folks to submit the names of famous people they knew – which I would then anonymously list this month.   So what did I get?   JS reminded me that I should have included the legendary jazz bass player Stanley Clarke.   So noted JS.   But otherwise?  Nada.   I guess we’re all a bunch of nobodies out here.   Not that there’s anything wrong with that, I enjoy anonymity.   The last thing I need in my life is a bunch of paparazzi taking my picture as I bring the garbage cans out.

Jerry Lazar – In memory

“[he was] a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy”

Members and fans of Lunatic Fringe were saddened by the sudden death of our fellow co-conspirator and friend Jerry Lazar.   While Jerry never bore me on his back, he certainly could have.   Jerry was one of the funniest, cleverest people I have ever known.   For those of you out there who have never seen a Lunatic Fringe show, my job is mostly to play interlude music in between skits.    Sometimes Jerry would make me laugh so hard that  I would forget where I was.   The skit would be over, the lights would go out, and all of a sudden I would hear a loud stage whisper from our director Deb – “Eric! Eric! Music!”   And then I would realize, oh yeah, I’m here on stage, I better get cracking.

Jerry’s mind was amazing –  his ability to make obscure connections, the puns, the wit – being with him was like being part of a perpetual real time improvisation show without an audience.    But besides all this, Jerry was a warm, caring, gentle bear who always made you feel comfortable.

There’s a very large Jerry sized hole in my world

All of which raises an interesting question that Jerry would have enjoyed discussing.   How old does a person have to be before you do NOT say,  “He died before his time”?   What is the right age to die?   Discuss amongst yourselves.

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April 13, Friday, 10:00PM-1:00AM – Better Off Dead at The Great Notch Inn, Route 46, Little Falls  (973) 256-7742
VD King recently wrote a new batch of clever rocking songs and last month we fooled the St. Patrick’s day crowd into thinking we actually knew them.  But this month our audience is going to be wise to our tricks, so we better nail them.   Jes’ kidding.   It looks like we’re gonna have good weather tomorrow so the parking lot at the Great Notch is likely to be biker heaven.   But don’t let that discourage all you aging boomers out there from driving in your hybrid SUVs or Priuses and stopping over.
http://www.betteroffdead.com/home.htm/
http://www.agreatertown.com/little_falls_nj/great_notch_inn_new_jerseys_rockin_roadhouse_00089580

April 14, Saturday, 7:00-9:00ish PM – Rob Signorile, Ruthie’s BBQ, 64 1/2 Chestnut Ave, Montclair  (973) 509-1134
We’re having a second helping of Rob’s soulfu/subtle singing and guitar playing this Saturday Night at Ruthie’s.  Rob’s got a neat think going the way he cuts his singing against the grain of the rhythm.   And speaking of grain, you haven’t lived until you’ve had Ruthie’s pizza.   BYOB.
http://www.ruthiesbbq.com/

April 28, Saturday, 7:00-9:00ish PM – Arne Englund, Ruthie’s BBQ, 64 1/2 Chestnut Ave, Montclair  (973) 509-1134
Arthur Neilson was orginally on the bill for this evening, but he is going to be in Norway playing with Shemekia Copeland.   I hate those Norse, always spoiling everything.  Fortunately, a rescuer has appeared on the horizon.  Arne Englund is a fine guitarist/singer who hails from western Jersey – and he is going to make the long trek over to the suburbs.    Please stop by and make him feel welcome in the land of sidewalks.
http://www.ruthiesbbq.com/
http://www.shufflejumpandmoan.com

March 1, 2012:      Who is “Where is Eric”?

Recently the number of folks receiving these ramblings passed the 100 mark.   If I was paying attention I would have given out some sort of prize – maybe some stock in Ruthie’s BBQ.   If that were available.   But it just sort of snuck up on me. 

And then last weekend I caught a little bit of Kevin Bacon being interviewed on the radio, and of course they had to discuss the whole 6 degrees thing.   So that got me thinking (always a bad sign of things to come).   “Where is Eric” is composed of musicians I play with, friends, family, friends of the family, the family of friends, along with random strangers who may have struck up a conversation with me after a gig and whom I cajoled into getting e-mails from me.

By being on this list, you are no more than 1 degree of separation from the following people:

•    Noam Chomsky
•    Sting
•    Those other 2 guys in The Police
•    David Letterman

Please note that I am preserving the anonymity of the actual folks who are so connected.   Do not ask me to submit a demo tape to Sting or to pass on your blueprint for world peace over to Noam Chomsky.   Any such request will be promptly deleted.

But if you send me the names of famous people you are directly connected to, and if I get sufficient replies, I will submit the enlarged list next time around. 

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March 3, Saturday, 7:00-9:00ish PM – Kevin Kiley, Ruthie’s BBQ, 64 1/2 Chestnut Ave, Montclair  (973) 509-1134
It’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure of performing with Kevin.  Kevin is a masterful singer and interpreter of American music, he’s great at getting inside a song and figuring out what makes it tick.   Bob Mellman says “He sings the song”.   Normally Kevin fronts a full band The Outpatients, this time around it’s just me on piano and Kevin singing and playing harmonica, so we’re venturing out into uncharted territory.   Come watch us as we explore. 
http://www.ruthiesbbq.com/
http://www.kevinkiley.com/

March 10, Saturday, 7:00-9:00ish PM – Al Gold, Ruthie’s BBQ, 64 1/2 Chestnut Ave, Montclair  (973) 509-1134
I think Al might have missed his calling.  With his deep rich baritone he would have made an excellent gospel preacher – or maybe an baritone opera singer performing at the Met.   But lucky for us all, Al has chosen to immerse himself in the blues.   Al also plays a mean guitar.
http://www.ruthiesbbq.com/
http://www.myspace.com/algoldthesuburbanrhythmkings

March 17, Friday, 10:00PM-1:00AM – Better Off Dead at The Great Notch Inn, Route 46, Little Falls  (973) 256-7742
It’s St Paddy’s Day and ‘Da Notch” will be hopping!   Come on down and party.  Or if you’re shy (and I relate to that) you can hang around the edges and watch the other folks party – there’s nothing wrong with that.   BTW – I have gotten some quibbles from the Manhattanites out there as I am rarely playing in NYC these days.   The Great Notch is very easy to get to by car from Manhattan – just take the Lincoln Tunnel to Route 3 West and go 12 miles until the junction with Route 46.   It’s about 1/4 mile further on the right.
http://www.betteroffdead.com/home.htm/
http://www.agreatertown.com/little_falls_nj/great_notch_inn_new_jerseys_rockin_roadhouse_00089580

March 24, Saturday, 7-9ish PM – Eric Heilner,  Raffle/Fund Raiser for Playhouse, Van Vleck Estate, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair, NJ 07042 (973) 744-4752  
Many moons ago my kids went to Playhouse Nursery School.  In one of those coincidences of life, my wife Lisa is now a director at said same school.   This is their annual fund raiser.  There will be raffles, silent auctions for various goodies, food, and entertainment by yours truly.  For those of you who have never been there, the Van Vleck Estate is worth the trip all on it’s own.   I will be playing piano from roughly 7 to 9 or so.
http://www.vanvleck.org

March 31, Saturday, 7:00-9:00ish PM – VD King (with Mike Kenny), Ruthie’s BBQ, 64 1/2 Chestnut Ave, Montclair  (973) 509-1134
It’s a double dose of VD this month – this time with 1/2 Dead.   Last time around we had people dancing between the tables (quite a feat if you’ve seen the tight quarters at Ruthie’s).
http://www.ruthiesbbq.com/
http://www.betteroffdead.com/home.htm/

February 15, 2012:      Eric Knox – In memory

All things must pass
None of life’s strings can last.    
             G. Harrison

The local blues community recently lost one of it’s own, Eric Knox – manager of  Robin’s Nest Rhythm and Blues in Linden, NJ.  

Having tried my hand at being a working musician, and having known club owners through the years, I can state with confidence that making a living as a club owner is much tougher than being a working musician.   You’ve got to pay rent/mortgage/upkeep on your building, you’ve gotta pay salaries to your staff, you gotta drum up publicity, you’ve gotta deal with wacko musicians… well, you get the picture.    Sometimes it can seem like club owners and musicians are locked in a mortal combat which no one can win.

So when I first met Eric nearly two years back, I thought to myself, “Dang, this guy is crazy.  He actually thinks he can make a go of it with this little club tucked away in the corner of NJ”.   But after I got to know him, it was clear that Eric was a genuine good guy who loved the music and the people who make the music.   He understood the other side of the equation and always treated the musicians and staff with respect.   Together with his partner and club owner Robin Bacote, these two people with passion took their idea and made it work.    Robin’s Nest is a little safe haven where you can go and enjoy an evening of great music and fellowship. 

Eric Knox will be missed, but much goodness will flow out of the deeds he did in the last few years of his life.

Meanwhile
  Giants 21, Patriots 17.    Yes!

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Feb 17, Friday, 10:00PM-1:00AM – Better Off Dead at The Great Notch Inn, Route 46, Little Falls  (973) 256-7742
Once again, VD King brings his special brand of rock & roll into the area.   I hope to see some of you local Montclair folks out on the dance floor.   Yes, VD will perform Girl With a Job!
http://www.betteroffdead.com/home.htm/
http://www.agreatertown.com/little_falls_nj/great_notch_inn_new_jerseys_rockin_roadhouse_00089580

March 10, Saturday, 7:00-9:00ish PM – Al Gold & Eric Heilner, Ruthie’s BBQ, 64 1/2 Chestnut Ave, Montclair  (973) 509-1134
Last month’s guitar/piano series was so successful that we’re doing an encore series starting with Al Gold.    Al Gold has this rich deep baritone which reverberates in your gut.   Incidentally, that reverberation can also help you digest some of the best food in Montclair.
http://www.ruthiesbbq.com/
http://www.myspace.com/algoldthesuburbanrhythmkings

January 5, 2012:      “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

In the western movie The Magnificent Seven (which is a take off on the even better Seven Samurai) the following dialogue takes place between the bad guy Calvera – played by Eli Wallach, good guy Chris – played by Yul Brynner, and good guy Vin – played by Steve McQueen.

Calvera: What I don’t understand is why a man like you took the job in the first place, hmm? Why, huh?
Chris: I wonder myself.
Calvera: No, come on, come on, tell me why.
Vin: It’s like a fellow I once knew in El Paso. One day, he just took all his clothes off and jumped in a mess of cactus. I asked him that same question, “Why?”
Calvera: And?
Vin: He said, “It seemed to be a good idea at the time.”

In what I can only ascribe to a fit of temporary insanity,  I am playing a month long series of piano-guitar duos over at Ruthie’s – one per week.   Now there’s nothing wrong with that in of itself.   But the act of pulling this together?  Between coordinating the schedules of 5 people (plus Ruthie’s calendar), getting publicity, etc, etc ,etc…?  All this has convinced me that I made an excellent career decision NOT to become a booking agent.   Not that this particular thought had ever crossed my mind before, but the last few weeks have confirmed that this particular lack of thought was good thinking on my part.  But…

“It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

Of course, the actual gigs themselves will be a lot of fun.    I’m playing with some outstanding guitar play/singers.  And there’s no such things as too much of Ruthie’s great food.   

As far as the dates go, I’m departing from my usual format and will refer you to the poster below.  Special thanks to Al Gold for creating this!

In addition…
January 14 Saturday, 8-9:30 PM – Lunatic Fringe,  Piano’s Bar & Grill, 36 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 (973) 743-7208  Reservations: (973) 429-1527
Piano’s is changing management, so there’s no telling what will happen in February.  Yes, folks, this may be your last chance.   Don’t miss it.  Years from now you may regret this lost opportunity.   As far as I know the cover is $12, $10 with a reservation – but suggest you call if in doubt.  So Carl – this may be your final opportunity to see me play a mere three blocks from your house.
http://www.pianosbarandgrill.com
http://www.lunaticfringeimprov.com
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53938723078&ref=ts

December 14, 2011:      Throw Off the Yoke

Here’s a great business idea for someone who has that entrepreneurial urge.    It’s guaranteed to be the next big thing.   But first let me give you some background.

The other month Lisa & I were visiting our daughter Hannah up in Ithaca NY where she’s a senior in college.    For those of you who have never been there, Ithaca is very hilly.    As we were trudging up hill back to Hannah’s house, lugging a bunch of heavy bags, I had a brainstorm on how to lighten our load.

Designer yokes.

Now I know that yokes have somewhat of a negative image (e.g., see the above).   In the Bible, we have this reference:

Genesis: 27: 38-40
 
And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father?  Bless me, even me also, O my father.  And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.  And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven above; and by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck. 

Talk about bummers, man.    

However, I think enough time has passed that we can cast yokes in a more positive light.   Some bright colors, light weight aerospace materials, 21st century ergonomic designs, etc.   

But before any of that, we need a company name.   We had two ideas.  The first was “The Yoke’s on Us”;  I thought this a little too cutesy (plus your average Joe Consumer would not get the pun.)   The other possible company name is “Yokes for Folks”.  But feel free to choose either or come up with a name of your own.   Now all you need is a good clothing designer, a web site, a third world manufacturer, and a distributor, and you’re all set.

I will gladly accept a small percentage of the profits.

Apropos of nothing in particular, VD King has released a new music video which features some of the best canine choreography I’ve ever seen.   Check it out at http://youtu.be/lEIx4KnAtHU

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And speaking of Messr. King……

Dec 16, Friday, 10:00PM-1:00AM – Better Off Dead at The Great Notch Inn, Route 46, Little Falls  (973) 256-7742
This is being billed as the “Holiday Ho Ho Ho-down & Christmas Cowbell Spectacular”.   There will be a whole bunch of special guests and a whole bunch of raucous fun.
http://www.betteroffdead.com/home.htm/
http://www.agreatertown.com/little_falls_nj/great_notch_inn_new_jerseys_rockin_roadhouse_00089580

Dec 29, Thursday, 8:00PM-1:00AM – Nikki Armstrong & Whole Lotta Blues, B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 West 42 St (212) 997-4144 
I will be joining forces with Nikki Armstrong and her amazing band in the heart of Times Square.   Note that there are two rooms at BB King’s, we will be playing in Lucille’s Lounge, which is off to the left as you go down the staircase.   There is no cover charge but there may be some minimum to sit at a table.  The food is excellent but just a little on the pricey side (this is in Time Square after all); however you can also hang out at the bar and stay for the price of a beer or soda.
http://www.bbkingblues.com/index.php
http://www.myspace.com/nikkiarmstrongbands
http://www.nikkiarmstrong.com/