Ahh…it’s an impossible request Mojo has made. “Would I be willing to pull together my Top Ten shows all time?” I mean, I narrowed it down to 25 fairly easily, but after that it’s push’n’pull, a tug of war. Seriously , how can I leave one out at this point…there are 25 there for a reason. This is gonna be way harder than I thought.

E<em>ditors Note: While I was compiling a Top 3 list for 2010 I thought to myself - who better to ask for a "Top" list than the guy who's been there more than any of us have. So, without further ado,  Happy Holidays and enjoy the read.</em>

And what constitutes a best show for me is the sum of the parts, perhaps not just the music from the stage, but the experience as a whole.  Better labeled Top Ten Memorable Shows. I think I’ll make it the Dirty Dozen. And while there are a lot of personal moments, those stay personal…

What you will find below are some comments of mine, but mostly pieces of my write-ups, culled from the archive. I am so honored and flattered that Linda, Jan, Mallory and Joester took the time to painstakingly go back, post by post, and copy all my old write ups to be transferred over to the new website, feeling that they were a necessary and vital part of the bands’ history. Thank you so very much!

<strong>#12 - May 9, 2007 
The Troubadour -Los Angeles, CA </strong>

This was the official “This is Somewhere” release gig, the first time at the Troubadour, for both the band and myself, as well as the premiere of “Paris”

Okay, I checked it out...36 hours door to door..5210 miles with American Airlines… a 7:40 Am flight Wednesday. 7:15 AM flight home Thursday. And I’m a witness to a big night in GPN history.

I won’t bore you with details of my day (because I just spent an hour writing it all up, but there is some special key stroke combination on EZboard that magically ERASES the whole friggin thing..beware!) Suffice it to say that I checked out Marina Del Ray, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Rodeo Drive (not one, but two Bentley Coupes) Laurel Canyon and Mulholland Drives , Encino, Tarzana, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Old Topanga Canyon Dr, and surfers at Malibu. WHEW!

The Troubadour is about 100 yards outside the city limits of Beverly Hills. I plan to kinda blend in, slip in, and pop up at the edge of the stage. Santa Monica Blvd in front of the club is three lanes, a planted center island and two more lanes. I cross the first two and BUSTED.. I see Jen jumping up and down on the sidewalk and she darts out through three lanes, stopping traffic, to give me a big hug right in the middle of the road. That is what I call a welcome to L.A.!

On the sidewalk with Jen I get a chance to say hello to manager Justin, web czar Nate, and booking agent Hank. Ive met Justin and Hank before in Boston at The Paradise. Jen and Justin get back to the business at hand, managing the lists, and I wander off to see if there is a place for a quick bite, to no avail.

Returning, the box office is open and I buy a ticket and head into this storied venue which sits directly on the sidewalk.. Inside the doors there is a small vestibule area, and a doorway on the left that leads to a small bar area, perhaps 4-6 tables and 6-8 bar stools. Picture windows to the street, and behind the bar into the back room. Walking into the back room, the stage is on the right side of a narrow room. Across the room is a rectangular bar recessed back under a small 4 row balcony that sits above it. Also under the balcony, is a small grill area, where I mercifully grab a sandwich and coke Getting off a bar stool and walking across to the stage, it is a mere 6 paces- perhaps 20 feet deep- and no more then 50 feet wide. Obviously, not a bad spot in the house. I see producer Mike Daly, and say hello. He remembers me from an earlier visit and is very friendly To the right of the stage, a staircase goes up to a narrow perch, where maybe 15 people watch the show. Behind this perch is a room that held many early arrivals on the guest list. I think this show is almost like a private party for the industry types and friends, with some tickets sold. My plebian mind assumes everyone in this room is eating lobster and sipping champagne. I could be wrong

The room is all wood…nice, dry, dark combustible wood. Place seems almost like a chalet. And they say the fire danger is huge right now in LA. Nearby, firefighters have contained an 800 acre fire in the 4200 acre Griffith Park, This park was a Christmas Day gift in 1896 to the city of LA from a gold speculator named Griffith Jenkins Griffith. I wonder if his homies called him Griff-Griff. Saved from the flames was the hilltop observatory, as well as the vintage Merry Go Round. Looking around the club, if flames ever reached this place I think it wouldn’t burn, it would just explode. Los Angelinos better have a healthy fear of fire. The normal fire season starts in October, but it is 5 months early this year. LAFD is talking about just stationing fire trucks out in the hills. Pre-deployment they call it. I would be VERY nervous living in one of the beautiful canyons or up a hill…. And Catalina Island, 26 miles across the sea, is on fire as I write this. I digress I hope you appreciate a little local flavor

The other side of the stage has a staircase that goes straight up to the green room. Scheduled for 8:30, the crowd files down and fills the floor about 8:50. I have been at stage edge for about 30+ minutes, since a familiar looking, pretty blonde and her husband grab center stage. No dummy me, I take my place next to FLPB at the corner of the B-3.
The band takes the stage. Grace is wearing boots, tight jeans, and a backless (and semi-frontless) printed, semi-shear, V to the waist, gotta have that J Lo tape, top. Ladies, you know what I mean. Gents, your loss.. The guys are wearing, well, jeans and a t shirt.

The show is short, but sweet. Stop THE Bus is a nice kickoff before likely single Ah, Mary. And Grace is up to her old tricks. She is pretty young to have old tricks, but tossing in a brand new unrecorded song before the new CD release is exactly what I would expect. I bet more new songs hit the setlist before the current new songs make it to the light of day. If I was From Paris is a bouncy, saucy number with a chorus of I would go Ooh La La The band looked like they were having a lot of fun playing it.

During the show, Bryan pulled a camera out his pocket. {If Mae West were alive today-Hey is that a zoom lens in your pocket , or are you just glad to see me) While Bryan takes a few pics of the crowd, Grace says “Smile, you know you love it. That’s why you fuckers live out here”  

Apologies receives an extended ovation tonight, as do Big White Gate (announced as written as her Grandmother was ill, and knowing that someday it would close the next CD) If I Was from Paris, and closer NBTW.

Encore 

After the show, a woman approaches me due to the Vermont T shirt I am wearing. She went to college with Graces parents, and her son went to high school with Scott. And the two girls with her are recent grads of Boston’s Emerson College. They were dancin’ away in front of the B-3 during the show. A man approaches us and asks if we know who the two little girls were. {Sidebar. Justin’s kids get a HEAVY dose of GPN for sure. Aged maybe 4 and 6, they stood at the side of the stage and sang every word of every song except for the new one. There is a LOT of dancin’ around the Goldberg house to GPN, I am certain} When I suggest to the gentleman that they are Justin Greenbergs kids, he corrects me to Goldberg. When I mistakenly try to restate Greenberg he says, “Nope, its Goldberg- and I should know, I’m the head of the label”

I extend my hand hand and introduce myself! I tell him I have flown out from Boston for the show and he says remember Bob.Cavhalo@disney.com and send me your stuff. I have no idea what he means but I take it as some kind of compliment!!
I’m beat. My plan was to hang, and then head to the airport and then decide if I was going to sleep in the front or the back seat. But I need a bed, and an AM hot shower so I speak briefly with each of the band and head to find Grace. Walking right by her as she chats with the Emerson girls, she grabs me for a big hug. I can’t tell who is more pleased to see who. She lets me go when I tell her Ill be at The Iron Horse next week.

And I walk out of The Troubadour with a smile on my face, like a million other music fans over the last 50 years.


<strong>#11 - February 18, 2006
The Paradise, Boston, Ma</strong>

This show was one of those nights when you know the band has turned a corner, taken another step. After many visits to The Paradise, opening for other bands, tonight is the first time they top the bill….and sell it out to boot!

The venerable Paradise on Commonwealth Ave in Boston was SOLD OUT last night for Grace and the boys first headline gig there. The sell out happened about 15 minutes after doors opened, and as I entered I heard two different groups, disappointed, saying they had driven from Falmouth (on Cape Cod) and New Hampshire.

It caught me off guard, because I was without ticket myself. I had bought 20 tickets to spread the word, and one son and his girlfriend were LATE (1 PM SAT) responders, and so instead of having one extra, I was short one. (Good news, 18 of the 20 were virgins-word spreading mission accomplished).

As I waited inside near the empty merch table for people to show up, a woman looked at me and said "anybody need an extra?" and I accepted and she gave it to me and started to walk away. I grabbed her shoulder and asked her "Don't you want any money?" No, it's cool, she said and started to walk away again. I grabbed her shoulder again and said " thanks, you gotta hear this. I bought 20 tickets and gave most of them away, and I didn't even have one for myself. This is KARMA!!. MY NAME IS EARL !!" She had a good laugh and wandered into the club.

I missed most of the opener, but caught the last three songs by Will Dailey and the rivals. His final song? Nothing other then John Lennon's "Instant KARMA" !!   I'm getting’ goosebumps...

Grace took the stage close to 10:30 to deliver an ambitious set that ran WELL over two hours. There were several songs that she introduced as new. Some of them are new in the sense of not on a CD, and some of them were new in the sense of one day old. "Skinny Woman" was brand new, played on a guitar I hadn't seen before with the "fuzzy strap I just love" said Grace, and played with a glass slide- first time she said she had ever performed slide as well. Four songs were first timers for me. One of the things I love about them, always seem to be new material mixed in and different versions or opens, witness Bryan's standup solo to open up "Toothbrush"

Scott is indeed clean shaven ( Jen likes the beard better) and was rippin’ it up all night. Matt cranked enough that after the show he had his left hand wrapped with some ice- from hittin’ the cymbal so hard with his open hand. And Bryan took some more good-natured ribbing from Grace about drinking and the ladies. (He 'lost time") and responded with rock solid work taking care of the bottom line, actually mounting one of the speakers before leaping back on to the stage. He needed a spotlight!!

Grace's mom Peggy was testifyin’ on my right, right down front and uber-fan Kelly (down from Burlington, VT) was spotted just behind her.

Grace encored with a WILD version of Gumbo Moon which she opened with the first several lines of The Animals 1965 "House of the Rising Sun" Like I said, great example of why I love this girl. Some of my friends would have been delighted by the complete version of this, but then they never would have heard Grace Gumbo-size a song and ask "Can you take me little higher?” !!!!!

Final song, with a story as she got tuned up and connected, lamented the need to travel in vehicles without a bathroom, and how natures call sometimes get answered with a can, and well, you know bumpy it can get on the road...the aptly titled ummm, errr, lets see, ahem, "Piss on Your Hand" Hey, I just report the news!

Great night, a long night indeed, no break like the set list contemplated. I hung around for a bit after, and my sons and girlfriends got a chance to meet all but Matt, and Grace was really enjoying the back stage scene. She said to me, "Van, this is like my first VIP scene" because all the peeps that were squished into the Paradise tiny back stage hallway and lounge. It was 1:45 in the morning when we stepped out into the cold Boston night, warmed by Grace Potter and The Nocturnals...



<strong>#10 - October 20, 2005
Landmark College, Putney VT.  </strong>

This show was one of seven in the “Ben & Jerry’s Bringing It All Back Home” tour to celebrate the bands return after a cross country tour in the van. 

From jambase:

<blockquote>{Seven venues were hand-selected by the band to celebrate their return to Vermont. The tour inaugurates with a two-night stand in Burlington and finishes, almost literally, at the band’s front door in Waitsfield. The tour takes them from rowdy ballroom to intimate recital hall, from performing arts center to a 150 year old converted church, from one corner of the state to the other.

“We love Vermont and we love the support its communities have given us. We wouldn’t be here today without that. We wanted to design a tour that covered the state geographically, but more importantly, made stops in some of our favorite towns. We’re looking forward to this series of hometown shows, each of which will be uniquely different and host some fun surprises, before we head back out on the road again,” says 21 year old Potter.}</blockquote>

It was my third show, and I wanted my friend Lance to experience. We got in the car headed NorthWest.  Lost for a bit on a dirt road, accompanied by deer, we finally found the venue. While not late, we were in the last row for the show. Landmark is a college for students with AD/HD and other learning issues, is small, and so is the auditorium. Sold out, and a great show, highlighted by my first time with “Falling or Flying”.  The audience was silent, giving room for Grace to let this song soar.

After the show, the crowd thinned and we approached the merch table, where I was greeted with a big “Hi Van!” from merch girl  Zoom-Zoom. “I’ve got your shirt for you” I had spoken with her at the 2 prior shows, and loved the warm greeting. (Zoom has since graduated from law school!...)  Lance and I both loaded up with shirts and CD’s (one of them was a hand-made copy of NBTW). There was no one left in the lobby but us three and Jen when Matt came out. He came right to us to say hello. And as we were standing there talking, he looked down and noticed our merch laden arms and while looking at them, just said “Hey, thanks a lot!”
We wandered into the hall to try and find Grace to sign. I will never forget what we saw. The stage had been completely cleared of all gear,  and we walked down to the edge of the stage.  Grace was sitting on the stage cross-legged, talking at length with two Landmark students. When she finished with them, she turned to Lance and I with that brilliant smile,  explaining she was on voice rest, barely whispering. I think we all whispered our conversation for several minutes. This moment. I recognize, was the very moment that she lassoed my musical heart.

<strong>#9  July 27, 2007 - WBOS Summer Series
Copley Place Boston.</strong>

This was a 5 PM show in the park bordered by Trinity Church, Copley Plaza Hotel and the Boston Public Library. My friend Larry joined me for this show, seated on the ground in front of the stage. It was hot and sticky humid. The final 6 songs of this 9 song free show were just absolutely scorchin’. Starting with a screamin’ version of “Over Again” and ending with “that song not named in polite company” with only a slight pause to catch your breath with BWG, I honest-to-God, cross my heart and hope to die, seriously was worried that one or all of the band would suffer from spontaneous combustion. It felt like that moment in “Back To The Future” when Michael J Fox as Marty McFly is rippin’ Johnny B. Goode and gets into a guitar solo that has the whole dance floor stopped, slack-jawed, wondering who the hell this alien is. It felt exactly like that to me at that moment. 

Over Again
Meantime
Stop the Bus
Big white Gate
Every Mile- Delta

<strong>#8 - September 8, 2007
Pearl Street  Northampton, Ma.</strong>

Close to my heart, I got a nod from Grace on the intro and outro to Big White Gate. 

<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dPMXMCmdOvo" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Here are a few pieces of what I wrote that night:

Turned loose from the shackles of the current, constrained, six song set list opening for Gov't Mule, GPN turned out, turned on, and turned up, for a memorable two hour powerhouse of a set last night in the old barn, the Pearl St ballroom.

Like a balloon on a long string- cut- the sky was the limit in a night that featured a new song, new wrinkles, new twists, and new fans. Pearl St is the step up, capacity wise, in NoHo from The Iron Horse. I love that place, but the band is a bigger sound for a bigger room, and bigger crowds- tonight about 350 fans paid $12.50, getting big bang for the bucks.

But first, a word about Scott. Speechless. There. That's the word. I am running out of superlatives. The new Tele he introduced last night is one lucky guitar. This guitar will go around the world, thrilling celebrities, royalty, and you and me. Imagine the poor Telecaster that still hangs on the wall of that store today. A void on the wall next to it, where Scott's new buddy used to hang. Lonely. It might go home with some hacker that rarely picks it up.

Ain't No Time: Grace nailed lyric "Purple mountains majesty's turned all black and blue". We spoke later at The Basement, a tiny club where opener Amity Front went to play . I said to her, "wow, the lyrics PMMTABB were, like" and at the same time we both just reached our hands up to the sky to demonstrate where she took this line. We're on the same wavelength. She said, "yea, I realized that I just wasn't giving that the emotion that it needed" Grace, (like I have said here before), that is the megaton lyric of the album

Falling or Flying: what can I say, a special song, I felt the love.

You Don't Know: Grace movin/groovin. At the end, just when you thought it was over, Matt with a "one more time" or, if I could paraphrase.."This song ain't over till I say its over!" And he kept it going, with that great grin, for another 20-30 seconds

NBTW: Grace had her guitar, put down the tambourine, and gave an electric intro (NBTW I). Definite first...The looks on the Nocs faces were great- "Whoa! Let’s see where THIS goes!"

<strong>#7 - December 13th, 2009
The Fillmore  San Francisco.</strong>

GPN’s first headline, and my first visit, to this legendary venue.

This is the first show to get a real, pro style video shot, multiple cameras, and, well, find a copy of this DVD to get the live show vibe!

And not too long after 9 PM The Nocs strolled out and started into Ride before being joined by Grace on tambourine. This scorcher served notice to the SF crowd what they were in for this evening. Grace was in her element, playing for the vid, and letting’ it rip. As did they all. Great lighting, with even some green laser.

Highlights Tonight (is the whole set): Great sound mix, Cat prominent, Benny not as much. I found myself having to listen hard to pick him up

Ride: On from jump street
Joey: Only the hardcore would notice the word “Oh”, added softly by Grace. Scott monstrous.
Oasis: Such beautiful combined guitar work, but Cat just might own this song.
2:22 Grace squeals, Scott nails
 Low Road: before the song, a crew dedication.. Last night of the tour, and she brings Justin Jr out for some love, which he accepts by putting his head on her shoulder. Ben comes out for a hug. At the end of the song, Grace has her head down, and while not tearing up, seems quite emotional.
Paris: Flying V fails, “I don’t need this thing, I hardly know how to play it.”
Watching You:  Smoky open, smoky middle. Where there’s smoke there’s fire.
White Rabbit: From one Grace to another..on her homefield
NBTW: At end, Grace motioned for band to take one more lap, so she could come off the B3 to the mic and deliver the line with force.  And Matt closed with a 15 beat!

I had a chance to do a little exploring  post show, and the posters were amazing. Felt, truly, that I had completed a pilgrimage to a very special place in American musical history, a hall that counts only a handful among its’ peers, such as The Troubador, Whisky a Go Go, The Bottom Line, CBGB, Max’s Kansas City, with a shout out to my homefield, The Paradise.

<strong>#6 - June 27, 2008
Skowhegan, Maine.</strong>

It seems to me to be in the middle of nowhere. An auditorium on the second floor of the Town Hall, with  Police station below. Newly refinished wood floors, and white-washed walls. And about 90 degrees. This show was broadcast live on Maine Public Radio. And at the end of the show, EVERYBODY noted that it was the best sound of any show we had been to. Peeps that listened to it real time on the web said the same thing. And luckily, we have an official release of the show. Just this very morning, a friend approached me and asked me about getting some live music burned for him. I will give him a copy of “Live at Skowhegan” That will have to do until the next record….

Congrats to Mark for delivering the cleanest sound that I can recall. Standing right at the oak bannister in front of the Rhodes, every note, every drum beat, everything was crystal clear. Not too loud, no ear plugs required, I frequently closed my eyes with a smile on my face as music just ran smoothly all around my head. Just the best sound! 

During the show, Grace warmly thanked the Town for the wonderful gift basket left for them, and for the Police Officers to flirt with. She also noted how warm it was, and that "We're all sweaty it and kinda brings it together. we all got body odor tonight, so just let it go" to laughter from the crowd. 

<strong>#5 -March 28, 2006
The Parish @ House of Blues  New Orleans  </strong>

Gumbo Moon only gets played for the first time in New Orleans once. That was my reason to go. But I decided I wanted to head over next day to Waveland & Bay St Louis in Mississippi to witness Katrina’s after effects. 

25 people in the crowd for this show…

There are moments and then there are MOMENTS..

Some MOMENTS happen by chance.  

Some MOMENTS are thrust upon us.

And some MOMENTS can be forecast. Like the first time Grace sings "Gumbo Moon" in New Orleans. I decided that was a MOMENT I wanted to see, along with about 24 others...

I told friends I wanted to see 2 powerhouses.. Grace and Katrina. Grace was great; Katrina was evil and kicked ass.

I decided to head first to the Fairground, where JazzFest is held. I was there in 2004 to see Susan Tedeschi and Joss Stone. The area was hard hit, trash filled the sidewalks and gutters, and water lines 3-4 feet high surrounded every home.
Blue tarps on roofs a common sight.

As I headed south towards the French Quarter, there were no stores open, and none of the traffic signals worked. Stop signs, placed on little easels about 3 feet high, were the sole traffic controls in place.

I walk the 10 blocks down to HOB for the 7 PM doors and discover it is 8 PM with a 10:15 time for GPTN, so I walk back to my room to chill for while and then return later, have dinner next door, and then enter the Parish while the opener performs for a crowd of about 10. Jen freaks out when I appear at the merch table and we catch up on the Colorado swing.

I was sitting in a plush chair at the back of the club when the band came out. Heading forward, I joined 24 others as Grace opened with "Nothing But The Water" Oddly, the crowd did not press to the edge of the stage but hung about 10 feet back. Highlights of the evening included "Treat Me Right", Lovers Lost and Found", and "Ticket to The Show" with Bryan featured. Also a highlight was Grace's between songs comments. Particularly poignant was her intro to closer "Gumbo Moon" She said she had written it when she was 16 years old, dreaming about it during cold winter nights in The Mad River Valley, and what an honor and thrill it was to finally perform in New Orleans. Now that was a MOMENT.

The small crowd coaxed 'em back out for an encore, and Grace wondered if they should do the "potty song", delivering "Piss on You Hand" to great delight.

After the show, breaking down, the band had a chance to speak with several in the crowd. Grace came out and after a few minutes yelled ""Hey, is that Van the Man?" and came and gave me a big hug. While talking a woman approached and wanted grace to sign her....ummm, er....ahem.... boob. Grace laughed, agreed, and I ran to get my camera. The whole band signed "Princess Bodani's" breasts and I got a great pic of them all with what shall henceforth, and forevermore, be known as a mammograph, and shall one day come to be listed in Websters thusly:

mammograph: mamm.o.graf noun
a breast with an autograph, entered usage 2006

Not everyday I get to make up a new word!!

(Insert your own joke here. I suspect it will have something to do with a penograph......)

 Encouraged to consider heading over to Jacksonville for their opener for Robert Cray, I was up after about 5 hours and found a library with web access in The Garden District. Adding it all up, the cost of a one way car and one way flight etc, etc, it was gonna be $500+ which I decided would be best put to use for future exploits and MOMENTS.

I decided to stick with my original plan, which was to head to Gulfport/Biloxi area for the day try to grasp Katrina's wrath.

But not until after a few Bourbon street bars were closed down….


<strong>#4 The Solo Shows. 
October 4th, 2008  Tamarack Grille, Burke Mountain VT
July 10, 2009  Bennington College, Bennington VT.
</strong>

The only solo shows Grace has done in the last 7 years, Matt has accompanied her on drums

Here’s my Tamarack comments:

I love a Fall day like this. Get in the car, transfer some wealth to the Middle East, head through and to beautiful country. Burke Mt is a straight shot up RT 93 from the Boston area, and I hit the road at 3 PM for the 195 mile trip north.

I have forgotten how beautiful the drive is through Franconia Notch. Cannon Mountain appears on the left, a shear rock face, with eons worth of rockslides spreading out below it. The ski slopes fall right down to the base, as, above, the aerial tram whisks sightseers to the summit. Echo Lake at its feet completes this fantastic scene. I wonder if this is the only place in the US where the Interstate is permanently reduced to one lane each way for over a mile?  

And watch out, folks. The summit of Lafayette, across from Cannon, is snow covered…and it’s not even peak foliage yet. But the hills, valleys and mountainsides are well along to the riot of color Autumn brings to New England. And, speaking of New England, go pick some apples, and break out the Cabot’s Cheese to go with it!!  May I suggest the Extra Sharp Cheddar?

Pulling into the parking lot approaching 6:30, John is right behind me. Seems like a lot of cars at this time…The occupants of the car next to me alight. They are the vision of the beauty of youth…perhaps 21, wearing an olive green suit, he offers his arm to her and they stroll towards to the stairs up to the Lodge. She, well, let me say, a bolt of raspberry satin cloth could not find a finer place to rest, and when she looks back on pictures of this day 30 years ago, I’m sure she will say “Damn, I looked good”  Stilletto heels and white shawl covered shoulders complete the look.  I don’t have to look back at any pictures..I just say “Damn, I feel underdressed!”  I did not see formal on the ticket anywhere. I mean, we’re in the sticks 40 miles from freakin’ Canada.. I’m happy to follow at a respectful distance  (ahem) right up the steps to the Lodge where they peel off for a wedding reception.  AHA. I am not underdressed at all.
 
Tables have been removed, and seats are set up, around the stage, in rows. The backdrop for the little 8” high stage is picture windows that during the day look out to the ski slopes. But it’s night and we can’t see them. What we see , instead, is a Steinway baby grand!  That some poor bastard hauled up the stairs! Yikes!!!  And he is sticking around to remove it after the show. Later, the first time Grace sits down to play, she says “One of the biggest honors of the night is they rolled this +$!!!!%%%%$% (HAHA yuku auto editor, she said MOFO)  in for me!”

This venue was either the perfect place or the worst place for Grace’s first “solo” show. The late starting time, coupled with an actual start of 9:47 resulted in a sufficiently liquored-up crowd that devolved into people on one side standing up, beer bottles in hand, and yelling at friends on the other side of the room, who returned the gesture. Laidback, it ain’t. But it also meant the quiet moments weren’t as quiet as perhaps most of us would have liked. Hell, the GA crowd at the Wilbur gave Grace silence to explore Apologies and Pain in My Heart.

But this was her crowd, Vermont, and they were thrilled to see her. Applause and cheers washed over her after opener Ain’t No Time. She seemed genuinely surprised by the adulation.  After the second song, she said “You know, I don’t do solo shows. (ed. Note…you do, now!) This is rare.” She smiled and added “ I feel like I have a front row seat to see how it goes…Got no backin’ band…naked tonight”

Debut tonight, of a new cover, a new verse, and a new guitar, a Gibson 12 string. 

Highlights Tonight:

Go Down Low: Reduced to it’s essence on the Steinway. (ed note I mentally inserted Jens harmony) (I hope) (I wasn't actually singing, was I Jan?)

Golden: Twelve string with pearl inlays, and a “Grace”  nametag on the head, this beauty was premiered on Set 1 highlight My Morning Jacket’s “Golden”. The audios we have of her 2 prior takes on this are just pale projections of a standout, gem of a song.  

Set 2: Matt joins for several songs on a sparse drum kit. He used a floor tom, on its side, taped to a stack of cafeteria trays to get it to the right height for the pedal, a snare, and two cymbals.

Tonight I’m Gonna Stay with you: Second set opens with Dylan’s 1969 Nashville Skyline cut. Talk about a deep cut chestnut!

Paris: No ka-kaw tonight

Delta(!): audience provided claps as a background beat for this unexpected rocker that closed the second set.

And Apologies, at the Steinway closed the night on a breathless note after Neil Young’s “out on The weekend”. Except they decided on one more, a rollickin’ harmonica-less Mystery Train.

Set List

Ain’t No Time    6 string
Meantime              “
Stop The Bus      piano
Ragged                   “
Go Down Low       “
Golden                12 string
Angel>BWG      piano

II

Tonight I’m gonna stay with you   Piano, Matt
Toothbrush          Piano,  Matt
Ah Mary               6 string, Matt
Fallin                         “
Lose Some Time  12 string
Paris                     6 string, Matt
Delta                       “             “
//////////////////////////////////
Out on The weekend  6 string. Matt
Apologies              piano
Mystery Train        6 string

---------------------------

The Bennington show was a benefit that Mojo organized for his kids’ school. A night anyone there will never forget. Nobody stumbled into this place, we were there for a reason.

The word for the day is GORGEOUS.

Gorgeous day.  Gorgeous drive across Southern Vt. on Rt. 9. Gorgeous campus.  Gorgeous venue. Gorgeous Grace. Gorgeous smile on Matty.

The entrance to Bennington is spectacular, thru a gate along a road accompanied by a winding gravel footpath. At the first fork in the road, a show poster directs me to the right, away from the main campus. I am stunned by the beauty, it is like a the entrance ot a Southern Gentleman's farm. In fact, at 5:30, there is haying going on in one of the fields, before I see a gorgeous stone home that is now a music building. Continuing on, the Deanne Carrieage House appears on my left. The placement of the barn, the curve in the drive, and the small home on the curve of this drive reminds me of someplace...and it strikes me that it is very similiar in appearance to the Haybarn on Goddard College campus where NBTW was recorded.

There are several Posse lounging on the patio and we catch up, before the doors open for a meet and greet.  a crowd gathers around Grace, before she leads the crowd outside for plenty of pics and laughs.

 Ben and Justin are getting it all set to go. We nail down our seats for the show, and just settle in with anticipation.

And before we know it, Doug is at the mic making a wonderful introduction...talking about the small 40 student school, of which he chairs the board, and of how this benefit came to pass. And doesn't mention it, but was pulled together in just over a month. Nice job, Doug!!

And Grace finally takes the stage tonight, solo, in yellow dress and big smile. And I don't think I can do highlights tonight, the whole night was peak. So here is the setlist

Toothbrush and My Table: Solo on piano

Fooling Myself: Written on the fly at a soundcheck when they were out with the Benvenuto Rosso Duo. One of them asked, "Did you just make that up? You are gonna be FAMOUS"   solo on piano

Ah Mary: solo on guitar

Falling or Flying: New glissando across the words "hittin' gold"  Grace talked about how having the new members in the band caused a revisit to the older songs, and how Benny and Cat keep saying: "This is good, we should play this"   solo on piano

Big White Gate: Great story about writing this for her grandmother and jazzin up her life for this song. She said her grandmother heard it and said. "oh, Grace".  Grace says all her Grandmother really did was play golf and make margaritas....to much laughter.

Outta My Tree: Calling Matt out, out of order, she moves this song up from the planned play in the second set. Rarely heard oldie.

Tonight's The Night: Again, rarely heard

Intermission

NBTW   Part 1, solo

One Short Night: This song was the first prepared for the new album. "But it won't be on the album, it got leaked on the internet somehow (as she looked at Mojo) but Doug had nothing to do with it. So it's a soiled song, tossed out"

Be My Husband

Medicine: On piano with Matt

Colors: This song is a completely different animal!   Solo piano
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Encore
I Shall Be Released: solo piano

<strong>#3  - December 31, 2007  Higher Ground, Burlington VT</strong>
 
This is the first NYE that the band chose a theme for the second set..’70’s night.

But the first set was an absolute smoker.  Would have satisfied anyone as a free standing show in its’ own right. But for this fan, it’s extra special. At end of Auld Lang Syne, Grace reached over the Rhodes to clink glasses with me. Then leans further for a big NYE kiss. And after the show, in a quiet voice,  she tells me “You know,  Van, you’re the only one I kissed tonight…
 
Matt comes center stage wearing a skyblue T-shirt with palm trees, big shades and tight pink hip hugger bell bottoms. For the sake of his dignity, let's call 'em "coral". In a southern accent he wonders if we are ready to party. And if we aren't, once we see Grace we are....she strolls out with big round sunglasses, in a tight knit low cut striped top over tight peachy bell bottoms. Oh, yea, red curly Afro. Little Orphan Annie goes over to the 'tart" side. Yowza. Scott looks oh so seventies in a cannabis T-shirt, and Bryan has polyestersized. And managed to shave off his beard in the 9 minute break, leaving what was described post show as a "70's porn star mustache" or "butch YMCA cop". Double yowza.

Grace leads a countdown, balloons are dropped, she heads to the Rhodes for a version of Auld Lang Syne. And when it’s over, leans over the Rhodes, and picks a fan to plant a big New Years kiss on.   Me. ;)

And joined in by an additional guitarist, and later a sax player who both shall remain nameless, due to my incompetency, launch into a 70's dream set.

Highlight highlight;  During WAR’s “Low Rider” the Fog Fairy parades out holding a sign overhead that says “More Cowbell”  Following him are two comely ladies playing cowbells. The one in the sparkly dress is Grace’s sister Charlotte.

encore NBTW wowed with 4 way drum solo during which Grace called out the Cowbell Chorus for their own encore in support of the drum solo

SET TWO:

Auld Lang Syne
Sweet Emotion    Aerosmith
Right Place, Wrong Time  Dr. John, The Night Tripper
Low Rider    WAR  
Slow Ride    Foghat
Mystery Train
Getting in Tune   The Who
Farmer John     Neil Young
Jet Airliner     Paul Pena, via Steve Miller
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NBTW
Tuesdays Gone     Skynard

<strong>#2 - February 21, 2008
The Allen Room   NYC</strong>

Great venue, great sound, great pre-show meal.
 
The room is spectacular, and is hard to do anything but look past the stage at W.59th St as far as the eye can see, along side Central Park. Then leaving the room and returning a few minutes later, the room has been darkened by a floor to ceiling curtain that has been lowered to allow stage lighting to be set during soundcheck. The band breaks with Meantime, and I can sense some concern by the venue over volume. God forbid a few decibles might go hide in a corner so they can jump out and startle  k.d. lang when she shows up in a few days...   Hey, venue-trons!... the room sold out FOR A REASON.

The band works on several songs including their newest. I move right in close to catch it. Finally, Grace casts a covetous glance at the Steinway & Sons grand piano, noting it's battleship sized. She slides behind the keys and eases into "Apologies". Next she does it with Scott's plaintive accompaniment., and finally with Matt and Bryan's muted rythmn. There is uncertainty about just staying with the B-3, or the other options just rehearsed. This one will be a game time decision. (Here's a clue...they made the right decision...)
 
World's Biggest Fishbowl:  which side of the glass is the fish? ..philosophers start debating. 

Startling, enchanting, captivating, entrancing, enthralling, inspiring. Take your pick. Any one of these adjectives works to describe the feeling in the room when the house lights go down. It's the view that's "on stage" until the band enters to command our attention. They take their places, but frequently turn to take a quick glimpse during the show, each time turning back with a smile . It seems that there has been some attention to venue concerns, volume is comfortable, allowing Grace to sing in her sweet spot volume wise, as well. This is room that demands your talent be on display, as the focus- not your energy. And yes, there was a 4 way drum solo, but it's musical talent that impresses this sophisticated crowd.  (ed. note: since I was in this crowd, I am now "sophisticated". So is The Posse. Tipi, Carrjo, you are also now "sophisticated".) 

Highlights tonight:  The absolute clearest and cleanest sound for Scott, ever.

Mastermind: extended Scott strum open. After the song, Grace asks how everyone is."some of you look a little tense" I think this was for venue folks, ha!

Meantime: Grace adds a squeal

Can't see Through: I love this ballad with harmony
 
Apologies:  Solo on the Steinway. Grace looks great with a spot on her. Makes her smile even larger seeing her only from the shoulders up. Clear and strong vocals. This was a NY moment. The bistro tables in the front had candles, it just felt like you were in a nightclub. I was caught up in the moment. I know a sigh escaped, because I felt the person next to me turn and look at me.

Over Again: preceded by solo “Apologies” this is the yin and yan of GPN. Scott nails it, lot of audience smiling, song draws a standing O.

Allen Room is the Urban Red Rocks: thus spake Sparky Potter, and I take his word for it. He has seen the band in both venues. I loved this day. I seriously expect people on the street to break into song and dance. Rhapsody in Blue runs constantly through my head. And the day ends in the lobby bar of the adjacent Mandarin Oriental Hotel....which is on the 35th floor....

I Love New York: I do. I realize it's the Yankees I hate.... 

<strong>#1 - January 9th, 2010
Bearsville, NY The Ramble</strong>

In many ways, a culmination of 7 years work, a journey that started with “The Last Waltz”.  After standing in the bitter cold on the steps to Levon’s home, it felt like entering the Inner Sanctum of music.

This is about Matt.

Make no mistake, there could be 100 lead lines to this night, but…. This is about Matt.

About a man who, when he met Grace, sat her down and made her watch The Last Waltz. “This is the kind of band I want with you. You in?” Grace: “ahh, yeah”. And the first time he met Sparky, sat HIM down and made him watch The Last Waltz.

And day of show “I was so nervous, I was pacing all day. I was pacing in the truck during the ride down.”

And who, finally, sat down at the drum set of his idol, in (with apologies to Fenway Park) the “lyrical little bandbox” that is Levon Helm Studio, and knocked one out of the park, delivering the single most impressive performance of his career. The joy and delight on his face was in no way eclipsed by the mega-watt smiles on the face of each Nocturnal, clearing recognizing the culmination of a dream. You know he didn’t want the set to end. Have you ever had a long held, distant dream come true? I have, more then once, and Grace made it happen. And on the plane out to LA a few weeks ago, I sat next to the guitarist for a group that was going to be playing in his hometown of Detroit, in “the theater i always dreamed of playing, with my family there.” And on the ride home, I think of his dream, and my dream, and Matt’s dream coming true, and tears roll down my cheeks. My ride home is like that. 200+ miles, no radio, no CD…. why dilute the absorption of the night I just experienced? I need to reflect. And reflection bring emotions, and emotions bring tears. Happy. Grateful. Awed.
 
Grace told the crowd “It is the thrill of a lifetime to be here” 

Amen, sister, Amen
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So there you have it. I am tempted to deliver to you, someday, Moments 13-25.

Rereading all these posts has brought me to the verge several times as I realize how much time, money and emotion I have invested over the years in this band. And it has been worth every penny…

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Twitter= Tedheadone
