The Bass Geek

The new IMN Podcast is up - download it here or listen at the site or WFYI.

The Eli “Paperboy” Reed show last night at Birdy’s was a revelation - despite being a little punchy due to a long trip from Austin, the band managed some high-energy soul music that rivals fellow revivalists Sharon Jones and Betty Lavette.  Except that this isn’t Reed’s second bite at the apple or return to grace - he’s a youngin’ following a tradition that grew and matured long before he was born.  However, since I’ve yet to hear any Marsalis-esque trashing of music once it moved past 1964 or so, it’s reasonable to assume that they’re playing this music not to right an errant ship, but instead because it’s good music and it needs to be played.  And therein lies the difference between the jazz “revival” of the Eighties and the soul rejuvenation of today.  But that’s for another day or post.  Last night’s show was good enough to stand on its own.

My wife had already proved to be a spectacular and stunning woman in many ways before the day I brought a new amp home.  She took a look at it and saw not a huge, bulky box to steal more space from our shared office in our cramped apartment.  Instead, she recognized it as the same model Ampeg that they used in the Stax and Motown studios and welcomed it without reservation.

That is affection, patience and understanding far beyond my comprehension.  I love you quite a bit, there, Jennifer.