A musical evening
One of Mrs. Happy's colleagues recently introduced her to the music of Richard
Shindell, a singer/songwriter in the American folk tradition. I've
grown
to
appreciate
his
music
as
well.
He's from Long Island, but currently lives in Buenos Aires, so he doesn't play
the local New York venues much.
Tonight
we
took
the
opportunity to see him perform in a bar in lower Manhattan. He looked nothing
like what I expected. Instead of a long-haired bohemian, he appeared more like
a carpenter or construction worker. He was very down-to-earth and interacted
with the small (probably around 100 or so) audience. Some of his songs put me
to sleep, but others pack a powerful emotional punch. I'm glad we got to see
him. He even signed his new CD for us.
The
opening act was a pleasant surprise. I usually think of openers as competent
but usually dull and self-important wannabes fit for nothing but to be endured
and to make the main act seem even better by comparison. But the young lady
who opened the evening was a singer/songwriter from Vermont named Anaïs
Mitchell. Her music managed to whet and satisfy my music-listening appetite,
providing a perfect appetizer for the main Shindell course. I even bought her
CD and spoke to her briefly. I never do that.
Anyway, I'm dead tired. This is as much insight as I can muster tonight.
