What is it they say, that moving is one of the most stressful activities on the earth. And I am still knee deep in the experience of my trek back to New York. Last night, my truck came and as the men were doing the heavy lifting, one thing and one thing only fell out of a box. It was the receipt for the wedding ceremony to my late husband Robert in Los Angeles in 1987. He just might have been welcoming me home!
Everybody could use a little mercy now…the immortal words of Mary Gauthier here, from a session we did with Mike Farris at the Spring Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s in March, oh yeah, with John Fullbright sitting in. Can you say lightning in a bottle? Here is “Mercy Now.”
I miss Ray Wylie Hubbard now that I am not in Texas anymore. The opportunities to grab some face time are fewer and further between. Ray always has a way of cutting through the white noise of life, to targeting what is important. And then that is conveyed quietly, gently. Or loudly with some pretty intense growling going on. It’s all good. I saw on Facebook that he will be coming up to NYC to do the Letterman show on January 9th . That will be a treat for all of us. A few years ago after the Texas Independence Day concert at Terminal 5, Ray, Rick Richards, Lucas Hubbard and I went down to Chinatown to my favorite restaurant, Wo Hop at 17 Mott Street. Ya gotta go downstairs to get the good stuff. Ray, consider this an open invitation to head down there again if you have time.
The album The Grifter’s Hymnal was released earlier this year, and we asked Ray to come on by during the Spring Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s in March. I love how packed out the room gets when Ray comes to play. You have the chance to see him on Sunday if you can get to the Somervell County 1st Annual Fall Festival at the Texas Amphitheatre in Glen Rose, Texas. Ray and band hit the stage at 9:30pm. Here is the Music Fog recording of one of the songs from the latest album, “Red Badge Of Courage.”
I can’t believe how busy the last few weeks have been. From the sleep deprived Americana Festival, to coming home and packing up my house for the move, to the three day haul from Austin to NYC. I am ready for a nap! Even for someone who has moved as much as I have, the whole thing, the enormity of it, never lessens. When the boxes were being packed, it felt like they would not ever come back together. 126 pieces, between furniture, clothing, knick knacks, books, music, and so on. It is really very confusing. I have no idea how long it will take to unpack when the truck makes its way to the big city. And yet, I yearn for a simple life, a life with less possessions. Minimalist, downsized. Achievable? I don’t know.
I have a couple of guns that have been in the family for a long time. For my last two moves, they have been commented on by the crews who have moved me in and out. I don’t, however, keep them loaded. Brian Wright does, though, well...at least in this song. I saw him briefly during Americana Fest in Nashville a couple of weeks ago. No, he didn’t have a gun with him, at least not that I could see. He performed this song for the Music Fog cameras during out Spring Music Fog Marathon in March at Threadgill’s WHQ in Austin in 2011. Wow, I am not in Austin anymore. That is going to take a minute or two to settle in to my head! And of course Brian had earlier made the move from Waco to LA, a long haul in itself. Once again, thanks to Abbey and Robbyn for making this road trip with me. Thanks to Shilah and Dee and Hag, and the folks who came to the parties to say ‘so long’ for now. I have taken so many road trips lately, that it hasn’t yet crystalized that I am actually in a new place. Thanks and love to all who gave comfort and aid. I will report on this new chapter as it unfolds. Meantime, here is Brian, who is recording a new album and creating another chapter himself!
What is it they say, that moving is one of the most stressful activities on the earth. And I am still knee deep in the experience of my trek back to New York. Last night, my truck came and as the men were doing the heavy lifting, one thing and one thing only fell out of a box. It was the receipt for the wedding ceremony to my late husband Robert in Los Angeles in 1987. He just might have been welcoming me home!
