Some catching up to do.
April 08, 2002
Some catching up to do. Hamilton. Strange 70’s, government money, opera house vibe. Architect’s guinea pig project. In those big theatres I keep feeling sorry for anyone who has a seat in the middle of the floor and need to take a piss. There are no aisles. You have to push past at least 30 people on either side to get out. Fun crowd helped the performance. The boys were playing once again. Drove to Detroit that night and checked in at about 4:00 am to the Atheneum Suites Hotel. Once again...in a worse way...and architectural marvel. This building actually makes you feel uncomfortable.
Dave Foley & I visited the Wings dressing room and I rode the zamboni around the Joe Lewis ice thanks to Greg Brady of WDFN and his call to Jenn Hagler at the Red Wings office. Thanks Jenn & Greg. Stevie Y and Brendan Shanahan are going to have a “three bears experience” when they get in tonight. “Who’s been sitting on the stool in front of my stall?”, said the world’s best hockey players. “Who’s been testing the flex of my sticks? Yeah, ...and someone’s been sitting on the player’s bench!”. The iceman and building manager (Al) has been with the team for 31 seasons. He drove the zamboni at the Olympia as well. It was fun picking his brain. He’s the guy who comes out and grabs the octopi after they hit the ice (and swings them in the air to get the crowd going). I felt a little conspicuous strapped to the jump seat of the zamboni with Dave out at the blueline taking pictures but that’s the price you pay for never growing up. Bruce (McCulloch) just smiles and laughs at me and repeats the mantra, “you’re pathetic”.
Detroit is full of mojo enriching field trips. Couldn’t squeeze in another visit to the Motown Museum. Last time I was in Detroit I visited the museum with my Colin James Band compadres. It was my birthday and it was glorious. I lay on the floor in the same spot James Jamerson lay when he played the bass line for “What’s Goin’ On”. I touched the console, guitar, and bass rig that recorded so many of my desert island songs. Detroit definitely does a hoodoo thing to my life. Years ago the Odds held a promotional show right on the studio floor of United Sound Systems (Parliament Funkadelic, Prince, Aretha, on and on). Nothing had changed much in there since the 70’s. That night we drove over to Hittsville USA and stood on the lawn of the Motown HQ and just took it all in. I’ve always found an activity in that town that would add to my collective mojo.
The Greek independence day parade through Greektown was pretty interesting. There were those traditional costumes with the men in the white skirts, vests, white leggings and pompom shoes. Not knowing Greek history too well I wondered if that outfit ever had a utilitarian use. The kilt had an obvious function -- loosen the genital area for faster and more fertile procreation of the Scottish people. In the case of this Greek skirt I am confused. The tights would not allow freedom of movement in such a situation and the fabric looks like it stains easily. Tartan hides the blood of battle and the ...oh never mind.
The show at the State was loose and fun but I had a few technical glitches that tested my professional abilities. These were mistakes you couldn’t predict andt, in the end, I worked through and had some good moments.
Woke up in Boston. Scott (Thompson), Jim (Millan the director) and I walked over the River Charles from Cambridge to the city centre and had something to eat in the market then walked a bit of the “freedom trail” to the Boston Common. I just broke off and walked back and they’re off enjoying more city stuff.