Christmas Night, 2008
Joe Walsh, Soy Bomb and other silliness
Every Christmas day we have my wife's family over at 11 am for a luncheon, and then my family at 5pm for a formal Christmas dinner. This year was no exception. The only exceptional occurrence was that between the 2 family gatherings I received a phone call from an "informed individual" that Joe Walsh would be performing at Hoopples that evening with Glenn. This individual claimed that the source of the rumor was none other than Norm Sr. !! (of Hoopples). Needless to say, in the midst of an already joyous Christmas day, I was excited to hear this "news" and put the call out to Blanco, Laz and other heads. We all agreed that it would be lovely if Mr. Walsh did show up. The last time he played with Glenn was either 1999 or 2000. (I, unfortunately missed this performance due to a 102 degree fever, although I'm forever indebted to Laz for calling me at 10pm that evening to let me know).
Following the Christmas dinner, my wife was not too pleased (understandably so) that I was bolting at 8:30 to get a good seat at the bar, but she did understand the potentially historic nature of this show. I arrived at 8:45 and the bar was almost empty. The band was already setting up, Dom & Sam were in house, but that was about it. After some banter, Dom agreed to ask Norm Sr. to confirm or deny the rumor. Upon Dom's return, I learned that Norm NEVER had any such conversation with anyone about Joe Walsh. URRGGGGHH. Oh well, at least we had great seats and an almost empty bar.
At about 9:15 the band began playing. Glenn was playing a swinging chordal blues that ventured very close to the realm of actual jazz comping. I don't recall him playing ANY single notes for at least 5 minutes or so. Just well connected, slinky chords. Flowing, jumping, grooving high. After about 10 minutes the band was really swinging and Glenn began venturing to the land of single notes. Minimally at first, but then the walls fell down and we were fully engulfed in warm, searing tones from the heavens. They all got very high very fast. This was only song #1 !!! WOW!!
As the few of us present just shook our heads and grooved along we were unaware when an older woman with her date stood next to us and proceeded to take a FLASH photograph in mid-jam. IMMEDIATELY Glenn opened his eyes, turned to the band and shut it all down. He then explained (as only Glenn can) that there is to be NO flash photography during the show. He said that he couldn't care less if anyone takes pictures or records, HE JUST DOESN'T WANT TO SEE IT HAPPENING. The woman was very apologetic and she and her date quickly scampered back to the far end of the bar. Glen then said that he doesn't stay angry for long or hold grudges and got back to the business at hand. The rest of the first set was decent, but he never seemed to regain the focus that he had during song #1.
As set 2 began, Hoopples was absoluted packed solid. The Joe Walsh rumor coupled with people looking to get out after the Christmas festivities made for a tight squeeze. Since it was 10pm and Christmas, I decided to do the right thing and return home. The next day I was told that set 2 was aborted due to the fact that a certain fellow (known in some circles as Soy Bomb) decided to smoke something as the set began and eventually exhaled a huge plume of smoke near Glenn. This fellow then darted out the stage door into the street. Glenn immediately stopped the show to run out after the "doper." Fortunately he didn't catch him. From all accounts, this show never was able to grow legs after this point. Alas!
TZ