The same night that Maria and I took a break to see the Alvin Brothers (here's a link to a good Terry Gross interview Fresh Air with Phil and Dave Alvin -at least until the link is removed), we also went to see our friend Ben play a gig at the Mason Social House, downtown. We got there a little early, just early enough to wander back outside to encounter an enthusiastic street man tell Maria that she is still very pretty. He crooned to her and I said he could sing with Smokey Robinson, he acted as if I had slandered and denigrated him for decades. "Smokey aint got nothing on me!! was the nicest thing he yelled as we walked away. Oooh baby baby.
Ben, with his sardonic comments, notable man hugs and guitar playing that adds to the living room settings we are used to visiting the Cohens in was back on stage with friends and family. He seemed to have a good time and the band sounded really good. A good live performance provides a sustaining energy; how a band interacts with each other, how the musicians interact with the audience. It's nice to see Anne singing too. Decades ago my memories of her exploring her voice possibilities had an occasionally eerie effect as I was scooping ice cream. Digging into the freezers had a type of sound proof quality and backing out, you might be surrounded by the swirling sounds of O'Leary . Here's a nice write up of Ben's recent record, Digging The Past To Mine The Future , this was a successful Kickstarter venture.
I could play Nothin' Gonna Turn Me Around as a daily anthem and also especially enjoy the sound and feel of St.Francis and Milkalove. It is a fine album, something someone could feel very proud of completing and sharing.
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