Frankenstorm Party (Hurricane Sandy) 10/28/12 Brooklyn, New York

New York Subway's closed on Sunday evening at 7 p.m. in anticipation for Hurricane Sandy so I got to Jamie's house before the curfew with some supplies (Vodka and Chocolate too).



My first stop was the local Waldbaum's in my neighborhood and aside from long lines at the register the Bread section was decimated, My patience got the best of me and fast so I decided to get on the train (while I still could) and shop at the market by Jamie's house.



Sunday evening and the city prepares for the worst, meanwhile in the kitchen Jamie prepares some fresh Chicken Cutlet's she got from the Turkish store downstairs replete with an impromptu version of Dirty Water Rice, Mesclun Salad and Shredded Cheddar Cheese over the top. Jamie concocted the "Bowl" version as opposed to my "Plate" version so I stole her idea and followed her lead, mine had Franks Hot Sauce on it as well.

We watched "The Green Mile"



Monday it got blusterier as the day went on and we did some shopping at the corner store (Thank God I got Crunchy Cheez Doodles) by early evening Sandy made landfall and we had Taco's during the Hurricane which was mostly wind and flooding on the coastlines and not so much rain, Jamie lives in walking distance of Sheepshead Bay (which contains water) and the next day we heard flood waters had risen to just down her block, Jamie was in Area "B" but they only had to evacuate Area "A".



Tuesday morning and I awoke in the pre wee dawn hours with not much sleep at all and from the looks of it neither did the two newscasters I was watching who were just there twelve hours ago, These hottie chicks must be on blowski.



The wooden construction fence adjacent to Jamie's apartment entrance was toppled during the storm but not much else seemed radically different on her block.



Tuesday evening and the storm had passed us, at 9:13 p.m. there was lights out in Jamie's apartment, this lasted for nearly three hours and after I had left for home as well. Pictured here is the emergency Floodlighting in her hall.

The Good Yeggs - Private Party 10/27/12 Goshen, New York

Joe rented a van and we took a little road trip up to his sister Terry's house in Goshen, New York to perform at her birthday celebration. The Yeggs played three mini sets and aside from faking our way through "Blue Suede Shoes" we also winged it on "Thats Alright Mama" and "Johnny B. Goode". It was a pleasure to play for the family and they fed us so well too.



Joe's nephew Joe provided us with his drum kit so all I brought was a few stands, Cymbals, Snare Drum and Gig bag.



Joe Yegg tunes the Longhorn.



Thomas running through our brief soundcheck in the great outdoors.



And on Lead Guitar and metal finger Thomas "The Fish" Roberto.



There wuz Frankfurter's, Chili, Nacho's, Deliciously Dense Guacamole, Melted Cheese, Sour Cream and Roast Turkey, Chicken Parmigiana, Spiral Ham and Cheesey Salad in the Patio room as well.



Horsie's



and Hot Dog's

Jennie made us powerful Bourbon drinx as we set up the equipment.

RUSH - Barclays Center 10/22/12 Brooklyn, New York

Rush is not a "Hits" band but an entity in itself and to some like me feel like old friends, What differentiated the set list on this tour from previous tours is that a few "Hits" were saved for the end of the show but the entire first half of the show was comprised of deep cuts (as they say) and album tracks. It was a pleasure to hear songs like "The Manhattan Project", "Force Ten" and "Bravado" performed for the first time in many years.

My first concert ever was Rush on the "Moving Pictures" tour of 1981 at which they performed 6 of the 7 tunes on that record ("Witch Hunt" notwithstanding). Time was allotted during their sets on following tours for the "Hits" and a healthy dose of a track or two off every album from their growing back catalogue that only left room for maybe 4 or 5 songs from the latest release. On the Clockwork Angels tour the setlist is sequenced with 9 songs from their newest album (Only 2 tracks "BU2B" and "Wish Them Well" were left out) which is unprecedented in the most Awesome Way and appreciated since the new record is so strong. Joining the band onstage for this portion was the Clockwork Angels string section, a first.

 

Geddy.



Neil.



Alex.



RUSH AT BARCLAYS CENTER 10/22/12, SETLIST - Subdivisions /The Big Money /Force Ten /Grand Designs /The Body Electric /Territories /The Analog Kid /Bravado /Where's My Thing? /Far Cry /INTERMISSION /Caravan /Clockwork Angels /The Anarchist /Carnies /The Wreckers /Headlong Flight (with drum solo) /Halo Effect /Seven Cities of Gold /The Garden /Manhattan Project /Drum Solo /Red Sector A /YYZ /The Spirit of Radio /ENCORE /Tom Sawyer /2112 Part I: Overture /2112 Part II: The Temples of Syrinx /2112 Part VII: Grand Finale




Last 2 pics by Jamie.



Overture/Temples Of Syrinx.

THE VIDEOS



I peeked at the setlist so knew when to roll it for "Clockwork Angels"



I'm watching this thinking "WOW, Grace Under Pressure" then thought FILM IT You EEEDIOT !!!



In the 'Clockwork Angels' novel Owen Hardy witnesses a windup Drummer as one of the sideshows in Chronos Square that mechanically flounders ending its solo prematurely, I was pleased to see Neil playing with a CGI windup drummer behind him bringing this scene from the book to life, Neil did not flounder but the backdrop film did. This clip and the next two were taken by Jamie.



YYZ.



The Spirit Of Radio.



Jamies Pics

Barclays Center/RUSH 12/22/12 Brooklyn, New York

Then there was the case of the 2 extra tickets that I had taken insurance out on only to find that this was "Real" insurance and that I would need proof of cancellation reasons of which I had none. I placed ads on Facebook, Stubhub, Craigslist and various Facebook fan sites (Thanks for reminding me Jamie) to no avail over that weekend. Concerned about possibly eating an four hundred and fifty dollar investment I only got about three hours sleep at Jamie's but found out that morning that my friend Concetta from 25 years ago wanted a ticket. Later that day around 3 p.m. the other ticket was sold on Stubhub. I would have slept but there was a show to get to, actually I did nap a little.



The RUSH concessions stand.



Jamie and Concetta on line at Calexico. I had the Nachos, Jamie had the Quesadilla and Concetta Double Fisted it with 2 Beers.



I enjoyed my Nacho's from my seat under slight duress as Rush do start on time considering this is a 3 hour show with no opening act, They came on maybe 10 minutes late giving me due time to enjoy my Crunchy Goodness.



and this is what was behind me.



And afterwards a reunion of sorts. Kenny and Carrie just happened to by chance get seats right next to Jamie and Charlie who knew I was in the same arena. Kenny called me right before the band went on and during intermission and we planned to meet up, thing is Kenny didn't know I was with Concetta so we had the element of a 25 years in the making surprise. Photo taken by Jamie.

(L to R) - Spike, Concetta, Kenny, Al (Everybody's Pal), Jamie, Carrie.
(second row) Charlie.

Meeting Pete

Posted on Facebook by Jamie.

Although inaudible, a reputable and key witness to this actual exchange, seen here between Francis and Pete, informed me that the meeting went something like this:

Spike: "Do you have Prosciutto balls in England?"

Pete - ?? Just stares

Spike: "Where's your favorite place to buy Prosciutto balls? Mine is Ravioli Fair - but you have to call ahead as it's not on their daily menu.

Pete - ?? Just shakes his head

Spike: Very fast "How about Puff-n-corn?? ..UTZ is my favorite...What's yours? Do you agree that it's a seasonal product???"

Pete - " I don't know what the fuck you're talking about mate"

Spike - "Silver Star Pork Chow Mein!

Pete - "Bugger Off"

Spike -"Oh I see what you mean. You must have had the dinner portion. You know the lunch special is better. They make the Pork Chow Mein different for the dinner menu. Not as tasty. My theory is that it's a different chef.

At this point and at Pete's insistence (off camera), Spike get's ushered away. As Spike is being apprehended by 2 security guards and 15 Pete fans, his last words to Pete uttered are….."Silver Star-they don't make it like that anymore! So old school."

End of conversation

Pete Townshend - Barnes & Noble (Union Square) 10/9/12 New York City

So Far as personal book signings go the Pete Townshend in-store has to be up there in Book Land and near the very top in Rock Music Land as far as these things go so I made sure to get down to the bookstore wisely early (I was shooting for 9 a.m. ETA but made the 2 p.m. arrival).


Hung out on line and chatted with Barry of Blondie.net (see below) and Gary about all things music and finally around 5  O' Clock we were slowly ushered up to the 3rd floor V.I.P. Seating which is where my planned plans were vanquished.

Shake Pete's hand.

Me: So, Did you like the Ray Davies books ?

Pete says something (I Cant Recall)
looks slightly bewildered as in "what books ?"

Me: X-Ray, Im asking cause I know your also a fan.

Pete: Huge Fan (excitedly with vim), how about this one (gesturing towards his book)

Me: I Know I'm going to love it, Thanks Pete.