beyond the sea

this passed winter, a dear friend performed as the early opener for a show at the bowery ballroom. he'd finished his set. and we had just finished peddling merchandise. and we were chatting.

and then.

we heard it.

this . . . voice.

and we literally froze in mid-step. turned to the stage. leaned our heads together. and said to each other, "what is THIS? WHO is this?"

the next opener had begun. and. oh. it was outstanding.

without warning. a deep, instinctual, intangible emotion began to rise up within me.
and i felt . . . inspired. raw. happy. heartbroken. blissful. sorrowful. and like nothing i could say could ever capture this complex reaction.

enraptured. enlivened. intoxicated.

awe-struck.

so when i saw the posting that the same act would be doing a show around the corner. at the beloved mercury lounge. i undoubtedly had to go.

but would it be the same? had it faded? lost its meaning from playing in an incessant loop on my ipod?

it had been more than a few months. i was curious. and, admittedly, in complete anticipation.

but . . . wow. i wasn't disappointed. not at all.

the songs were there. and that voice. that voice was there.

stripping me to the bone.

evoking . . .

patsy cline.
roy orbison.
petula clark.
coney island in winter.

i'm in love.

it's for sure.