Well here I am writing my blog overlooking the Hudson River. I’m beginning to feel quite at home here. Had another good night at the Path Cafe which has become my local bar. Really friendly and have made lots of good contacts there. Have been invited to sessions with some of the best musicians in NYC, and believe me there are some good ones here. Will be joining a bluegrass jam session at the National Underground club on Sunday afternoon so I am practicing my fancy guitar licks. Have also been invited to a late night session at the Red Lion, Bleecker Street which is one of the best live music venues in NYC.
Went on the Path Train to Hoboken (home town of Frank Sinatra). A plaque commemorates Sinatra as “Hoboken’s gift to the World”. Crazy!! Some great views of Manhattan from the river.Will go back there with my movie camera. It’s the first place I felt I had something to film. Came back on the ferry and was the only passenger. Beautiful with great views of Liberty and Ellis Island. Had the worst hamburger I’ve ever had in Hoboken. Felt sick for the rest of the day!
Had a night off from playing and went to a CD launch of Ryan Morgan supported by the Sky Captains of Industry playing at Bar 4, Brooklyn. Managed to get there without getting lost. Yippee!! Changed my mind about Brooklyn. Downtown is pretty bad but the old part is great with original brownstone buildings and a downbeat bohemian atmosphere. Very friendly. Both bands were absolutely brilliant. Had a really good time at the after party. Didn’t get to bed til 4 so am a bit knackered now. Got invited to play in Philadelphia. Apparently you can get there on the bus for $10. Am tempted, but it’s on Tuesday and there’s a good session here. Think I might just concentrate on NYC this time. Can come back another time and check out other cities.
Well, Wednesday was a bit lazy. I meant to go to Moma but couldn’t find the right train and ended up at the Lincoln Center. The M train is a hard one to find on 14th Street but I think I’ve cracked it now. Ended up hanging out in the Upper West Side again and had a fabulous plate of noodles. Mmm, yummy!
Night time was more active. Did an early spot at Paddy Reilly’s open mic in Midtown. Went very well and got a job in a cabaret bar playing with a bluegrass guy called Tom. We jammed well and it sounded good. Bar owner gave us loads of drinks afterwards. After that I played at Arctica Bar and again it went well. Shifted quite a few CDs. I think I like NYC. That was three gigs in one night! Will I be able to keep up the pace?
Today I went to the Museum of the Moving Image which had been recommended to me. Very good. Shot quite a bit of film myself while I was there. Will use it when I get back. The Museum was in Queens suburb. It is shocking to realise that virtually all of New York outside of Manhattan resembles Stoke on Trent but unlike Stoke it goes on for what seems like forever. Still, had a great meal in an Irish bar, Shephards Pie and Broccoli Soup all for $10. Makes a change from burgers,pizzas, Chinese and Italian! Met some nice people there and we sampled the myriad whiskies!
Off tonight for a repeat date at the Path Cafe so should have a good night. Rock on!
Had another great day although at the beginning I thought it was Wednesday and not Tuesday. Intended to go to the Museum of Modern Art but it was closed on Tuesdays, so much for the city that never sleeps. Went to the Met and that was brilliant apart from it took me a while to find the things I was interested in. Got bogged down with rooms full of Roman sculptures and furniture ( not Roman). Then I found the second floor and some fantastic Medieval and Renaissance art. And also some amazing El Grecos and Rembrandts etc. Got thrown out before I got to the Modern section so I need to go back there.
Am going to Moma today so that’s something to look forward to.
The hightlight was going to Penny’s open mic at ” Under St. Marks Theatre’” which is on St. Mark’s Place. It was exciting being on St. Mark’s Place because it is mentioned in a Lou Reed song ” Sally Can’t Dance”. This proved what an exciting performance place New York still is. All the acts were brilliant and it lasted from 9.30 til 3 in the morning. I did 2 songs and it went pretty well. They want me back next week. Encountered a New York rat on the way back (no, a real one). It ran out in front of me from a bag of rubbish. It was enormous. There’s some pretty well fed rats in New York. I’ve learned how to ride the L train so can get across town easier now. It’s fun.
Not sure where I’m playing tonight but am looking forward to it. Going to try doing some busking soon! Hope I don’t get arrested or deported, but you’ve got to take risks!
