MUSINGS & RAMBLINGS

This is a really neat setting with plenty of shady places to sit, a
fountain, deli's, coffee shops, all sorts of stuff in the heart of
the Historic Downtown.
I had time to kill since I wasn't settling for a whole afternoon of
jazz and the Willowbrook Jam didn't start 'til 7pm.

The original plan was to hit Putnum Plaza for Fredrick, then hit
Willowbrook for Goose's Blues Jam at 7pm, then hit Ace-in-the-hole
for John Allair and a quick stop on the way home at Jasper's for The
Trailer Park Rangers.

I paid the Jazz band, and drove around the old hood with no live
music on the agenda til 7pm.
Drove past the school our kids went to looking in awe at the 25
redwoods our Ecology Club had planted some 10+ years ago.
Drove further west towards the coast and ended up at a regional park
called...get this...Helen Putman Regional Park!
(I'm ashamed to say that I can't give you much history on Helen
Putman but I do know she was the Mayor of Petaluma at one time)

We used to take the kids hiking here at this park when they were
little and I had forgotten all about it.
Finished my sandwich while Luther Allison and Otis Grand were singing
out on them guitars. No...."Crying" out.
What a great song that 'Perfume and Grime'.

I decided...what the hell, I'll walk to the pond we always used to
walk to.
It was an easy hike and I remember it being much more strenuous. Of
course, we were toting around little ones then.
It was so quiet and peaceful with hardly no one out there. The pond
full, I walked around it watching the bullfrogs jump in the water as
I approached.
Birds, frogs, wind, and a few kids tadpole fishing with nets and
jars, were the only sounds to be heard.

That was such an easy walk that I decided to venture further into the
park. I had never been in there that deep before.
It seemed endless with trails everywhere and the views spectacular!
Not planning for a hike, I was wearing soft-soled moccasins and my
feet were hugging every crack and crevice. It was as though there was
nothing between my feet and the earth. It felt good.
The breeze light, rustling thru the trees, I hiked thru savannahs,
oak forests, along ridges with panoramic views that changed as I
walked.
I wanted to lay under a big ol' oak and take a nap.
I zig-zag'd my way out , checked myself for ticks, hopped in the van,
and headed on out to Willowbrook for Goose's Jam.

Got there, walked in and saw no instruments, no amps, not even a mic
stand!
I asked someone if there was any music tonite and they said at 8pm.
(Take note: Goose's Jam starts at 8pm NOT 7pm)
I was walkin' out as musicians were starting to show up and unload.

I fiddled around in the van, sorta redecorating, re-sticking pics to
the dash that have fallen off over time , hanging up my "blue
teardrop" and such, when I decided, What the hell...why not shoot
down to San Rafael to check out Gary King. I had heard great things
about his guitar playing.
I bailed and got there in no time. Walked in and not a hint of any
live music to been seen or heard. Except for an empty stage of course.
I asked and she said Gary hasn't been there for the last couple weeks.
It pays to call ahead but this whole day had been like this so far so
why ruin the momentum.

I left and got back to Willowbrook just in time. They had a jam going
on.
Nice jam and Goose gets everyone up there and really keeps things
flowin'.
Just show up with your gear, sign up and your up.
Goose can really play a nice harp too!
They had a real solid rhythm section (bass & drums) but you could
hardly hear them.
What they do at the Willowbrook is put the band in a room and face
them towards the big entryway. This room makes it seem likeit was
once a house or something.
Drums and bass sittin' way in the back and corner with the rest of
the amps pointed out front & center towards the entryway. It kills
the rhythm section and plus...the PA is sittin outside the room and
that really kills it.
I say if the band HAS to be in that room, bring the rhythm section
out more. And definitely put the bass amp even with the guitar amps,
not behind them.
But hey...what do I know? I'm just a fan not sound guy.
Weird set ups like that need accommodating. I bet it's loud as hell
playing in that room!

Fun jam and if you want to jam, this is the place to be. "Goose" is a
great host and an even better harp player.

I left there and hopped onto Stony Point Road and headed towards
Sebastopol for The Trailer Park Rangers. As I approached hwy 116,
Daniel's "Blues For Mario" came on and that would see me the rest of
the way til I got there. It's a long song but not a waning part in it.
What an awesome song, I tell you what. An instrumental he recorded,
and played, for the first time on his "Live at The Saloon" cd.
It's a song for his brother and the emotions are pure and raw. You
gotta hear it!!

The whole thing is real good and as I was listening to it while
driving around, I was wishing I was headin' to one of his shows.
Sometimes I just have to have that fix.

I pulled into the lot just as Mike Emerson finished up one of his
best solos, ever, on that same song. Fitting, seeming how I was going
to be seeing him play with this band tonight -The Trailer Park
Rangers.

Mike Emerson is a musical genius on them keys and it was amazing to
listen to him in this style of music.
I'm not sure what to call these guys but it ain't the blues. Country,
folk, roots, Australian Bluegrass... I don't know, but there's
something about them I really like.

Dave Carter (the leader) is another musical genius. The songs he
writes as well as the arrangements, lyrics...aaah shoot... the whole
band is most talented.
All the different sounds from each player, the way it came together,
fell apart, then came back together...it was all so chaotic,
unpredictable and just real hard to explain.
Then Dave would break into a ballad or something to tame it down a
bit.
Yep, Michael Emerson fits in there real nice.

That was fun and not a bad crowd for a Sunday night. I really like
Jasper's and the great folks that go there. Vinny is the best!

I left and headed home finishing up listening to Daniel's "Blues For
Mario". It ended and I just had to replay it again. It would see me
all the way home.
I still get Goosebumps, and shed a tear, when I listen to it and
that's no lie.
Shoot, my kid still gives me a hard time for crying before the Grand
Canyon and all her glory ;-)

The last note was played as I pulled into my driveway.
I love it when that happens!!

Later,
Mo