Across the evening sky, all the birds are leaving Oh but then you know, it was time for them to go
it was a cold, gray October Saturday day...I was burning incense, drinking green tea with ginger and listening to rocknroll all day.."I WENT DOWN TO THE CROSSROADS, FELL DOWN ON MY KNEES" sang Cream.. I turned the stereo way up
I checked my watch and then the calendar...Oct 28 2017...2017!!! AARP, Social Security!! WTF is going on!! where'd the time go??
I head off to see Collins and Stills helplessly hoping they're still alive..they're in their 70s you know....I love the Arlington neighborhood-used to live here with an old girlfriend..wonder if she's still alive..or maybe she's undead
I'm dressed in black like Johnny Cash....I pose in front of the Arlington Theater..I feel cool
I see State Street is hopping with people...you can smell the restaurants cranking out tasty dinners and everyone seems happy....some guy is pacing up and down, asking people for extra tickets...
I see some chicks from Carp and a chick, Kathleen, who was on the city council years ago..man, she sure looks different..dressed to kill in black leather jacket and miniskirt and heels... I guess you never really know a woman till you see her legs!! YOOOWWWW!!
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I wish all city council chicks looked like this! |
the show starts at 8:00pm with a singer named Ben...forgot his last name but he was pretty good...the place is packed
then Stills and Collins hit the stage and start singing and playing with a three-man backup band..."Handle Me With Care" a little tribute to Tom Petty
the very beautiful Judy Collins is supposedly 78 years old but she looks around 48 and sounds like an angel... Stills was in good shape at 72..hit a few blue notes but when they clicked, it was awesome...a really lovely version of "So Begins The Task" from the Manassas album..Judy happily singing harmony and playing rhythm on a beautiful Martin 12-string...Stills played an army of expensive guitars..Fender Strat and a big blonde Gretsch plus some Martins...all worth a fortune
they did a new song, Cohen's 'Everybody Knows' from the new album.. it was thrilling.. just beautiful...
no pictures allowed and they teased and joked with the audience about cell phones ..they told stories about each other and the start of the folk music scene..Judy did solo versions of Leonard Cohen's 'Suzanne' which was stirring to say the least...and Joni Mitchell's 'Both Sides, Now'....I was pretty much in Heaven at that point...her voice is amazing and everyone was oohing and ahhing and the duo got about ten standing ovations thruout the night
some political stuff interspersed from two old folkies hit the spot
Stephen and Judy rocked out with 'For what It's Worth' and 'Bluebird' from the Springfield days..Stills' guitar playing was insane...
they did two encores..'Houses' from Collins and Suite: Judy Blue Eyes..the middle and ending which had everyone on their feet again
then a curtain call with the band and that was it...the concert was a grand affair....the Arlington is a gem ...the songbook from these icons is stellar.... these two are the real deal and their music has given me great joy over the years..and it still does....
man, that was a good night