Guest Book

Morning all Been away a few days-little trip to New York, first time trip. Interesting to say the least. I won't attempt to do a blow by blow on the shows, but just a few impressions. First, the Beacon. Nice venue, but the sound was pretty muddy. Sight lines were good. Was in the fisrt 4 rows of the low balcony for the first three shows. I understand why people want to go there. Second,people. Met some great folks. The folks from Westchester from the first night, Missy and her friend from Knoxville the second night, the fellow from New Hampshire and his musically gifted son that we met in the rest room line at starbucks, and especially Joe and Tom a couple of brothers from Jersey that we met on the subway and were became our tour hosts for Times Square. Thanks to all of ya'll for making our trip to New York lots of fun. If any of you read this hit me with a Private Message, would love to stay in touch. Now for the music. Moments stand out. I'm coming to understand the Beacon is different, not because of the music, but because of the breadth of people who are onstage and the joy of the surprise. When they pulled Just Ain't Easy out of mothballs, I was in heaven and the surprise of the acoustic set and especially These Days...well what can I say. New songs like Egypt and Delta Blue. For me the highlight of the three shows was Hubert Sumlin sitting in with the band. Frankly I felt 44 struggled a little bit, but when he tore into the opening riff to Smokestack Lightning it was worth the price of admission to all three shows to see Oteil throw both hands over his head and cover up like, "Oh my God, I can't believe we're really doing this with HIM" and the obvious joy they took in playing with him. sheeshhhh!!!!! Basing it on Oteil's response, I wonderedif there was some kind of surprise in that, either that he tore into it with such ferocity or was that song off book somehow? Anyone who knows I'd love to hear the story. Anyway, after 5 years of wanting to go I finally went. Even the lovely bride who is not a fan was beginning to ask intelligent questions by the time we left. Oh well, next year in New York