"The Paradise is now one of the longer running venues in the country. Plunked down on Commonwealth Avenue, smack dab in the heart of Boston University. In its' 25th year as the Paradise, and as another club for at least a decade before that, it has seen its' share of stars come through. Many on the way up, and sadly, some on the way down as well...

Ascending, and putting in the final two shows of a 2 year exploration of America spreadin' the gospel of Grace, sometimes to only a handful, sometimes to festival throngs, The Nocturnals pay a visit.

Heading out to LA in a week and a half, the band will be hard at work selecting the right mix of songs for the new album. Rumour has it that there are 35 songs in the running (Grace says a plethora of new songs) and let me tell you, I'm already excited about the Higher Ground run to close out 2006, (think we'll hear a few new tunes ?) because 2007 will be huge. You will remember well the night when only 40 people showed....like the night at House Of Blues "Parish" in New Orleans when I was in a "crowd" of about 20 people- MAX.

This 2 night Boston run is part of NEMO "3 nights, 30 venues, 300 bands". I'm seeing one of them, twice. (I guess that musically, I go deep rather then wide!!) With that city wide event, tonight is not sold out, unlike GPN's last Paradise visit.

And it takes a lot of nerve to kick off a show with a brand new song, but nerve they've got, and that's what they did tonight. I need to hear it again a few times to absorb it. and after the first song, Grace sat down at the B-3 and said "That red sign there is the exit sign. If you're not ready to rock, get the #&amp;*$ out"

This was an ultra high energy show, with the special Scott guitar open to Treat me Right. Particulary fun was right in the middle of NBTW, Scott and Grace both drivin', they stopped abruptly and said "did you hear that" &amp; "what was that" while looking to the soundboard in the balcony. Then Grace laughed and said "that's the sound of Mark turning 35" Jen ran out a balloon and 4 2x3 posterboards. Matt held one that said "Mark" and Scott Grace and Bryan stood side by side with signs that said "Happy Birth Day" and Grace led the crowd in a laughing version of Happy Birthday to Mark.

Then they picked up their axes and went back to work finishing NBTW, a memorable moment for sure. It's that spirit and joy that is infectious. Much like bringing Drew and Zoom Zoom to the stage for a send off at their last gig in Waitsfield last Fall that closed out the "Welcome Home" tour.

Grace dedicated "Big white Gate" to her hospitalized Grandmother, concerned that she might not make it out this time..

Opener Peter Prince, personality plus, came out mid set for a rippin version of "Live with Me" and the night ended with Grace deciding to add one more song, POYH, as the rest of the band was starting to split.

Great night at the 'dise. I ended up in my favorite spot along the stage, next to a guy that had driven up from Baltimore. Way to go !!"

THAT GUY WAS CARRJO !!