The SHOW OF SHOWS???

October 11, 2007

This was one of those special shows. A show where I arrived at about 10:25 and Glenn was ON FIRE, ripping through some blues jam. Fluid, searing, climbing, taking chances and succeeding on ALL of them. After that song, Sam approached me and said:

"Face melt #2."

Apparently I was a bit late tonight.

A few simple tunes followed that jam, and then GS unloaded on 'the female.' "Always doing the opposite, like a praying mantis, waiting to take our lives," etc.... The young girl sitting on the bowling machine ( that's 2 weeks in a row that a female sat on the bowling machine following (to my knowledge) 8 years of NO females EVER sitting on the bowling machine) quickly excused herself from the scene when GS referred to her as a "temptress" and hid his face from her.

Set break. Dom headed out to smoke. I had a beer and had a long discussion with Paul (the drummer) about music and drumming. He's a GREAT guy. Very intuitive and wise. God Bless Him.. Dom returned and asked GS if he remembered playing "Wayfaring Stranger" a few weeks back...GS acknowledged its performance and agreed that it was a "very strange song...nobody knows who wrote it..."

The set got going, but then took a detour when a stripper-like 20-something tattooed dyed blonde chick made some inane crack and GS snapped back at her. Dom, sensing that something BIG was at hand, walked 4 feet over to the girl, looked her in the eye and explained to her that if she left the area and went to the back of the bar, "GLENN MIGHT ACTUALLY PLAY." I thought she would counter Dom's request with some stupid crack, but apparently the spirit was at work, and she scooted far away. I was SHOCKED and PLEASED at this development. Something was brewing...

A little "Mountain Top" followed. And GS said "Mozeltov" at one point (I think) which opened up a whole new meaning to me regarding this song. A NICE version. Then GS pulled out the slide and the band began a little bluesy shuffle. It sounded familiar, but I was completely BLOWN AWAY when "Old Man Daniel" (all saved freak band) was revealed to my ears. SWEET JESUS MARY & JOSEPH!!! I hadn't heard OMD in YEARS (probably 1999 or so....). Laz could verify it's performance, but I do remember it making a rather big impact on LAZ when it all went down many years ago. Needless to say, I was completely SHOCKED by this song choice. It was a sweet little version. Missing a few verses, but still the POINT of the song ( learn to pray ) was loud and clear. WOW

After that, we got some preaching and a short version of "Nobody's Fault buy Mine" and then, after I'd been thinking about it for MONTHS, and silently singing it to myself all night:

"Stepping Into the Sunlight"

What a treat!! One of my top 3 all time GS songs. So simple, sweet and direct. Once you go there, you won't ever be the same again...

So there I was, corner of the bar, Dom in front of me, my other friends decided no to show up, and GS has just busted out TWO OF MY FAVORITE (and rare) PIECES. So I figure, this was a great show, I should probably be heading out.. it's getting close to midnight...WHAT DO I KNOW...


Following "Stepping Into the Sunlight," Dom asks for his "favorite song...Promises Promises"

GS was feeling generous. He then delivered a heartfelt, and HEAVY 'Promises Promises.' Shredding through the instrumental breaks and then doing minimalist, almost a capella verses. It was a TRIFECTA. BUT IT WASN'T OVER YET.

Upon the heels of promises was a high speed version of "FEAR AND DOOM."

Not only was it super fast, but the end of the song was incredibly expressionistic, loud, beautiful and HEAVY DUTY. The trio was laying into some big chords and everybody was on board and savoring every moment. A vortex of this nature had not been unleashed in Hooples since the near the turn of the century. I am NOT being hyperbolic here. This was MASSIVE. What a great closing song. Paul went to the bathroom and Gene went to a table in back to have a drink. I then went to the head and was getting ready to leave. However......

GS was back at the mic and Paul was back at the drums. He was doing some mild preaching and then asked what songs they had left. Paul said "Proud Man." I said "My Poor Generation." Glenn of course said:

"We've got some songs left...Proud Man, My Poor Generation...We always save the best for last.."

I then requested the "pretty song in D..."set me as a seal." Unfortunately GS couldn't play it because his E strings on both guitars were broken. It all worked out for the best.



Then it began.

I hadn't seen a legitimate (with lyrics) version since 2001............

WATER STREET.

Sweet lord!! I couldn't believe it! What a coincidence, I was just in Kent yesterday ON water street. It was beautiful to hear. They grooved it hard, GS did most of the lyrics. WOW!!

To close it all down, GS did eventually play "Wayfaring Stranger" for Dom. It was the 1st time I'd ever heard it, and it was a beautiful, slow, sad piece. At the very end of the song, GS said "I'm done man," and that was the end of the show.

GOD BLESS GLENNY GLENN.

Other notable quotes from GS this night:


"Listen to young Glenn play!"

"March 20th, 1940 !!!" (GS apparently referring to the day he was born - he also referred to Gene's birthday (a day in 1940))


Those of you that couldn't make it ( LAZ ) , I feel for you. It was one of those magic nights that might occur once every few years. A setlist like this hasn't occurred (to my knowledge) since 1999. It was something to behold.

One of the old bartenders ( a young guy with a small moustache & goatee ) was present at the show and GS was VERY happy to see this guy. He was a good bartender and apparently GS liked him as well. They spoke a bit at setbreak and GS jammed right in front of him during the 2nd set. Perhaps he (and the lack of girls up front) were catalysts for the SET OF SETS.

May the Glennaissance continue on.