Speaking of karaoke, at the peril of maybe (hopefully!) preempting a story from your travels through Melbourne, but I often think of a night out with Richard after a show here around 20 years ago. He had just played an amazing solo show at a club called the Rob Roy and a group of us went out into the city afterwards.
It was late and options were limited, so we ended up at a joint called Charlton's, in the middle of Chinatown, which felt like it could be the scene for a sinister movie involving gangsters and bar brawls.
We all thumbed through the book of laminated pages, choosing songs that we were willing to risk singing in front of our friends and acquaintances - not as easy when they are cool people you hang out with at shows, as opposed to close friends and family that you might more typically end up at a karaoke bar with!
Anyway, when Richard's song came up, we were all obviously curious in anticipation. I wish I could remember the name of the song he chose, but I can't. Whatever it was, it was a million miles away from the cheesy 80's songs that typically get chosen and crucified in a karaoke setting. Instead, it was a song that could have fit in on The Hill - like a proper, beautiful song (if I remember correctly, it had a woman's name in the title... maybe Mary...).
Needless to say, Richard sang it with heartfelt perfection.
You should have seen the faces of the other people in the bar! They didn't know what had hit them. Instead of wincing through an atonal rendition of a song they probably once loved, they were dumbstruck, having their heartstrings pulled by one of the world's best.
I'm lucky to have seen Richard play several times over the years on three continents. Every experience has a memorable story attached.
Love you Buck, and I am so enjoying these Extractions! Keep em' coming!!
I hated that record (except the astounding production) until I was 30. Then one morning, on the road to work, I (figuratively) closed my eyes and drifted away to when everything and nothing mattered.
That Boston record. Man...I listened to that non-stop way back when. Still conjures up “feelings” in me when I hear it. ☺️ Would have loved to be in that room when he hit that note! 💥⚡️
I'm always left totally shaking my head wondering....have these things I'm reading really happened to this guy? I'm seriously in love.
No need to make anything up — the everyday is a traveling art gallery.
I love these stories.
Speaking of karaoke, at the peril of maybe (hopefully!) preempting a story from your travels through Melbourne, but I often think of a night out with Richard after a show here around 20 years ago. He had just played an amazing solo show at a club called the Rob Roy and a group of us went out into the city afterwards.
It was late and options were limited, so we ended up at a joint called Charlton's, in the middle of Chinatown, which felt like it could be the scene for a sinister movie involving gangsters and bar brawls.
We all thumbed through the book of laminated pages, choosing songs that we were willing to risk singing in front of our friends and acquaintances - not as easy when they are cool people you hang out with at shows, as opposed to close friends and family that you might more typically end up at a karaoke bar with!
Anyway, when Richard's song came up, we were all obviously curious in anticipation. I wish I could remember the name of the song he chose, but I can't. Whatever it was, it was a million miles away from the cheesy 80's songs that typically get chosen and crucified in a karaoke setting. Instead, it was a song that could have fit in on The Hill - like a proper, beautiful song (if I remember correctly, it had a woman's name in the title... maybe Mary...).
Needless to say, Richard sang it with heartfelt perfection.
You should have seen the faces of the other people in the bar! They didn't know what had hit them. Instead of wincing through an atonal rendition of a song they probably once loved, they were dumbstruck, having their heartstrings pulled by one of the world's best.
I'm lucky to have seen Richard play several times over the years on three continents. Every experience has a memorable story attached.
Love you Buck, and I am so enjoying these Extractions! Keep em' coming!!
Hi Pete! My go-to karaoke pick is usually Brandy (You’re a fine girl) by Looking Glass. It must’ve been that one.
That was it!
And a fine pick it is!!
I'm surprised my memory served me well enough that I could recall it was a woman's name.
But I remember the song being slower - no doubt a function of the hour and the amount of liquor consumed :-)
Ahhhh, fantastic. Thank you.
I hated that record (except the astounding production) until I was 30. Then one morning, on the road to work, I (figuratively) closed my eyes and drifted away to when everything and nothing mattered.
That Boston record. Man...I listened to that non-stop way back when. Still conjures up “feelings” in me when I hear it. ☺️ Would have loved to be in that room when he hit that note! 💥⚡️