Travel Day Solana Beach July 30, 2003

We watched two movies on the bus today; “Gangs of New York” and “Adaptation”. I though they were both good in parts. Thought “Gangs of New York” was too much of a bloodbath for my taste, although I liked the period costume aspect of it. By the end of three hours you were numb to all the slicing and dicing and blood everywhere. Good story line though. The history afterwards was good though. I remember hearing about that dreadful riot that went on for days in New York in 1864. I really hope that could never happen again in our country.

“Adaptation” was clever and made me want to read the book “The Orchid Thief” but I hated the ending and thought it was silly. The guy who played the orchid thief was great. I love Tilda Swindon. I want to look like her.

Today I do not feel cool and dangerous, I look like a pale-faced suburban Campbell Soup Mom. This is what happens when I do not wear makeup and wear khakis from the Gap. We had a long drive down here and discovered the joys of In-N-Out Burger, which the driver made a special stop for.

Billy had his girlfriend on the bus for last couple of days. I told Ruby this and she said, “Is she nice?” “Yes, very nice.” I told her. Then Ruby asked “But is she good on tour?” Which of course is the important question. Someone can be nice but not good on tour. She is.

What a great club! What a nice town! I went looking at the antiques shop across the street from the venue and fell in love with a couple of things -- A piece of lace with sequins from the turn of the century. A pitcher with roses and an interesting black grid on it. Some needlepoint magazines from the 1920’s. A cameo. But by the time sound check was over and I returned it was closed.

We saw a beautiful sunset by the ocean. The gig was great, if a bit hot. Actually it was roasting, and all the blood ran up into my face.

I can’t believe we never played here before, it has the feel of one of those clubs like The Iron Horse that has been around forever...

Here is a great synopsis from a person who was there...

“For any who care, who read this, wondering... She was in fine form
last night at Belly Up Tavern. We were all Belly Up, like puppies in
the audience, wriggling & wanting the gentle scratch of her voice, her
poetic sense, her music on our tummies. And yes, one hot, magic-making
band, music magicians all, creating atmospheres around her words that
smoked & steamed like brands into our heart's skin. Even better than
her new CD!

Listening to her older pieces, those old favorites ... It was like
discovering parts of your body again (hope that doesn't make her - or
you - squeamish). But like maybe discovering your toes again after
dieting... or discovering your leg after taking a cast off... that
delicious sense of release, of joy, of reuniting yourself with things
you'd allowed yourself to forget... because you had to... or whatever
rationale you give yourself when you're feeling guilty, afterwards, at
having forgotten something that once meant a lot to you but put away
because you thought something moved you away to more important
things....

Great, great concert. Two encores, & a very very happy & satisfied
audience. You will be, too, when you go...”


[Next: Las Vegas, NV - August 1, 2003]