12 Comments

A great and well written tale, with a twist, and a happy ending! I can sympathise for sure. It sounds like the stuff dreams are made of! I played in a soul band.. and there's nothing like driving 200 miles or something to a wedding or Summer Ball and worrying that you've left that one vital cable behind that connects your power supply to the keyboard. (yes.. I used to even have a spare power pack in my bag - I mean.. what happens if that plug dies?

People have guitar leads, but Who's going to have a spare Yamaha PSS 800 power pack?).

Which reminds me of my first ever gig as a keyboard player... I had everything written out as chords on small cards .. kind of cheat sheets.. mainly because a lot of the music we were playing I was new to. Imagine my surprise.. when.. part way into my playing the first song... the vibration of my pounding on the keyboard (to compete with the noise the band was making) caused all these cards to end up on the floor. Now there's a kind of piano playing style that involves looking the audience dead in the eye.. while simultaneously banging some chords with your right hand (the ones you can remember) while groping around on the floor with your left hand at arms reach to see if you can pick those cards up. Let me tell you... I was glad when that first song was over.. and I could get on my hands and knees to pick the rest up........

Expand full comment

Did I scream at the Pullman conversation? Yes I did... One of my very top literary idols... and for some reason I'm not surprised he enjoyed your brand of storytelling... Awesome story!

Expand full comment

Amazing story Jake, and your literary skills have come on leaps and bounds since our Bwobblegaroon-writing days :)

Expand full comment

I dunno, I think maybe we peaked at 11!

Expand full comment

Nice one Jake! Your Kieth Jarrett Cologne moment!

Expand full comment

Hardly! But a great reminder to listen to that record again.

Expand full comment

Great story , perfect ending 👌

Perhaps I’ll send you a reminder re. bringing your guitar before the Woodbridge gig 😂😂

Expand full comment

wonderful story - but I find the 3 meter high action to be good for slide

Expand full comment

superbly fabulous writing and fascinating brilliant story. x

Expand full comment

Love this story Jake! X

Expand full comment

Eliz! Long time. Hope all's ok. Good memories of your house concert!

Expand full comment

Wowsers. How did I not know about this one. Hell of a story!

Expand full comment