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| From | J&J Giddings <jandjgiddings@mindspring.com> |
| Subject | Jim Boggia and Michael Penn last nite. |
| Date | Wed, 27 Apr 2005 09:03:07 -0400 (EDT) |
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Here's a little story about perserverance:
A few years ago I heard Jim Boggia's music at CDBaby.com and immediatley purchased 3 copies, (one for myself and the others for Christmas gifts). My brother was a recipient of one of them and he too became enamoured with Jim's voice and songs. My brother, Dean, lives in Mass.- which is alot closer to where Jim normally would play:Pennsylvania. I figured Dean would get to see him long before I, but he was never able. Dean even emailed him a number of times to find out how close he'd be to Springfield, but it was always too far away.
Last month I'd read on Jim's site that he was coming to Atlanta. I was very excited. I called Dean and told him I was going to see Jim and that I'd get him something from the show. Well, I looked on the site for the club and they didn't have any mention of Jim playing. I then emailed Jim to clarify. He amazingly replied only an hour later and brought to my attention(to which I'd not been paying) that it was April 26th, not March 26th that he was to play Atlanta...and that he was opening for Michael Penn. Bonus!
Now, I really like Michael, but I would've been just as happy to see Jim with some local acoustic human.
Needless to say, I was pumped to see him on the 26th of April: which, of course, was last night.
I'd read in the paper that he was coming as the actual date approached, but heard no mention of it on the radio, nor any special info in the local music/arts rag. Everything I'd read said "doors open at 7:30 and the show starts at 8:30." I tried to get people to go, but everyone was busy or strapped cash-wise.
So, alone I went to the Red Light Cafe.
I arrived at 7:40 only to find that they were sold out. Nowhere had it been explained that there were tix on sale prior to that night. The Red Light isn't that big, nor do they normally sell tix in advance.
I was pissed.
I'd brought a Star Collector CD to give to Jim and at that point proceeded to pass the 2 copies I'd brought to the other guys standing forlornly by the door. I had quit smoking for the last 3 and a half weeks and immediately asked one of the other sorry unticketed for a smoke. Turns out he worked there as a sound/light guy and was just out for a break. He said he'd pass on the disc to Jim for me.
I was somewhat appeased.
I called Dean to vent and told him that I'd asked the guy if I could pay full price, stay for Jim and leave when M.P. came on. He'd said no. They even shut the freakin' door so we couldn't really hear. However, the door man was outside during the conversation I had on the phone. I hung up despondantly and sighed. The doorman looked at the 3 of us and took pity. "I'll sell you tix for $15", he says, "but you have to stand in the back."
Well, Hallelujah!
We all went in and walked straight back to the bar. I could see perfectly. The soundman knew his stuff, so Jim not only performed well, but he sounded great...just him and an acoustic guitar.
He played some new stuff from an album that hasn't been released, and some stuff from "Fidelity is the enemy" which is a great record. For his last song he asked the crowd if we wanted to hear a rocker from '73, or a ballad from '67. The ballad won. He proceeded to play an arrangement he'd worked on for 4 years of "She's Leaving Home", by the Beatles(in case anyone was wondering) with all the orchestration and counterpoint and especially the harp part at the beginning. ASTOUNDING! I wept. As he started it I think everyone in the place made an audible expression of awe, surprise, and appreciation. (the rocker would've been "Live and let Die" btw.)
The sound/light guy came up to me during the set and gave me back my Star Collector CD
and said, "Hey, now you can give it to him yourself." HA!
I had been emailing Jim, as you know, about the show and had told him I would be bringing some folks.
Since the place was sold out I jokingly took advantage and said, "see, I told you I'd bring people."
We hit it off and started talking about music; life; his experiences on the road; recording with Amiee Mann; working with M. P. on tour; meeting Jon Brion...etc. I mean we talked all through M.P.'s set, had a few drinks and at the end of the night he signed a poster for Dean.
I cannot tell you how great a night it was...but then again...I just did.
later, joe
www.jtgimplosion.com
www.kingfriday.com
www.myspace.com/thejtgimplosion
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