"Impressions"  12/6 & 12/7  2007

Impressions  12/6 & 12/7  2007

Blanco meets me on west 25th at 9:42 pm.  After locking the gate, I realize I left my cell phone inside. I am NOT happy about this!!! We agree that I don’t need it tonite. We drive separately (in convoy) to hoople’s.

Get to the front. Sam tells story of disastrous performance @ beachland on previous Sat. GS cleared the 300+ crowd out via preaching & hymnals. Purposely did NOT give them the "blues."

Weird 1st set. Came on strong for a few seconds of “Mother Harlot” then quickly (and seamlessly)  went into a “Close Friend” style boogie blues. What a tease…The rest of the set includes a stellar version of “Children of the Day” which I hadn’t heard in a LONG time as well as “O Holy Night” and a nice instrumental of “God Rest Ye Merry..”

Back to impressions:

GS & Sis Schwartz have invisible battle. GS, of course, wins out. Moments of  “Scarlet Letter” come to mind. Sad, trapped.

“The praying mantis! The octopus! The black widow!”

SS leaves. Cries in corner of hallway.

More noodling, preaching, hymnalizing, keeping it VERy light.  GS seems lost, searching, evasive, alone.

Set ends w/MONSTROUS Motor City.  Guitar playing from another planet. THE BEST

I feel warm energy run down from top of my head to mid back during solo for about a minute solid. GS has come back to us with a message from GOD.

Setbreak: Blanco gives GS bag of cat food. GS is mildly calmed by this.  We meet Steve from Buffalo. COMMUTES to see GS every week!!! Dedication.

Outside, thru window, GS is going off on SS.  Comes in and appears to lock the door behind himself.  Seems mildly relieved.

Next set. Plays the “pretty song in D” …. Pretty. Sings lyrics from “Children of the Day” over it.

At ending, Brother McFadden (on drums tonite) does NOT let song end,…plays rock beat…the band plays a HUGE jam reminiscent of late 60s  G Dead. HOLY COW!!!! Perhaps the most fantastic jam we’ve ever heard.  THE JOY. THE JOY!!!!!!!!

More “children of the day”   then “Stepping Into the Sunshine”…lyrics all about fasting …”devil gave me sleep” “put food down for 20 days” “thinking clearer, feeling better”..

Set ends.  GS berates Brother McFadden: “You’re hardly any good!! Etc..” GS is all alone again and angry. Mocks a few appreciative fans in front. He’s done.

Pete shows up.. kind lesbians from pittspuke need directions to strip club.

Dirk shows up. Recommends the birdy party @ ultra

Me , pete , blanco do birdy. See the vacancy. Leave in 57minutes

Get home. Write impressions. Feel what’s in my front pocket of shirt. FIND PHONE.