Monday, April 06, 2009

Doing Grown Up Things

On New Years Eve my resolution was to go out more and be more social, see my friends and not let life keep slipping by while I watch TV and nap, keeping up my pale and anemic complexion and disposition. I think I have done a very good job of it so far, and it's been quite rewarding. As the weather gets better I might sink into a tizzy of sun worship and self involvement, so this flash of excitement might not last.

On Saturday night, we went out with friends for a very grown up evening of fine dining and live music. Dinner at Cola's was excellent in all ways Italian. And then off to the Metropolitan Room to hear chanteuse and pianist Judith Owen. Normally, "folk/jazz" is not what I would listen to, and I don't think I could ever sit down and fully enjoy a CD of her songs, but live and in person, she was marvelous. Her patter was engaging, her voice sheer perfection, and her songs intimate and emotional. She weaves her dreadful personal history in with a good balance of self-deprecating humor. You can imagine that she would be just as funny and narcissistic in your living room as she is on stage, provided she also sang in between depressing stories to lighten the mood.

One of my favorite moments was where she said she loves New Orleans because in a world where guitars rule the musical world, it is the one place where piano is king.

While I was skeptical at first, the one salient point made that convinced me to go to the show was when I read that she sings her own songs plus Smoke on the Water. I figured that it just can't be that bad if she can channel Deep Purple. And it was great fun, even without Ritchie Blackmore.

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