Twin Cities backsliding. Its a

May 03, 2002

Twin Cities backsliding. Its a snowball effect. I take a day off the journal and sometimes it fuels my laziness. I’m not lazy but sometimes I indulge myself in the decadence. Mostly I just love the word backsliding. When I learned it was a popular term with evangelists (and a certified sin) it made it so much better. If nobody minds I will consider it for the next CD title.
Had some adventures in Minneapolis. There is a great run from downtown over to St. Paul across the Stone Arch Bridge. You can stop to look at these descriptions of the city's history and enjoy the paths along the river. I put my hands in the river each time. You have to don’t you? Its the Mississippi after all. Maybe I’m thinking that my blues chops will instantly improve? Maybe I’m thinking I can never get clean enough? Maybe I just do things and don’t really think too much about them at the time?
Everyone here is so sincere, earnest and friendly. You’ll get stopped on the street and engage in a conversation all the time thinking that soon they will ask about the show. Eventually you realize they have no idea you are involved in any “show” and that a stranger has just decided you look like someone interesting to talk to. It is unerving at first but you quickly embrace this phenomenon. Don’t try this in New York because people will either ignore you or drop change in your hand.
The shows were two of the best. The audience knew exactly when to respond and the troupe picked this up and played the waves perfectly. On the second night we’d all perfected the rhythm of the crowd and, I think...and I’ll say this with some confidence... that it was our best show so far. Last night we went out to see “Spiritualized” at the 1st Avenue. I had great memories of the Odds shows there over the years (once with Warren Zevon, once with Voice of the Beehive and once on our own). I think its one of the best places to see music in America and the booking policy remains hip. “Spiritualized” were hypnotic and everyone really tuned into them. On to Winnipeg. Watching “Road Warrior” on the drive with Mark, Scott, Dave & Bjorn (tour manager). Irony.

Mark says: I ran into Craig in the Au Bon Pain. Tired looking. A little freaked out, a little breathy. Something had happened overnight. A perfect tear was rolling down his gaunt cheek.
...Mark has just noticed that he’s started snorting when he laughs. He wonders if this is a new thing.

Happy anniversary 7777777777