Kerry/Edwards Benefit
The Singer Home
Englewood, NJ 10.24.04
Well, this is a few days after the fact (sorry Lefty, I was too tired and cold when I got home to post anything—but ended up going red (Merlot) for warmth after this evening!
Since this was an unusual event for me to attend, it will probably have an unusual "reporting style " to it. So, please bear with me, as I am used to seeing Suzanne play as the main draw of the evening—so I'm going to concentrate more on her contribution, more than the others.
This benefit really was held at someone's home (seemed like a 2nd home; the owners were in California). But unbeknownst to me, it was held in a tent outside of the house and it was freezing cold that night. Most other folks (including the performers) already knew this and were dressed appropriately (coats, scarves, sweaters, anything warm)...not the case for 4 of us.
I guess you could say that the Towies were "left out in the cold," as Dave Hammar (who I had the pleasure of meeting face to face for the first time), his son Christopher, myself, and my partner, Joanne were not dressed for the occasion. (She said with a silk suit on that evening....)
THAT was my first bonus of the evening: meeting Dave. I won't belabor this, but it really is different for us all to "talk" on this site, and then meet the face behind the voice—it somehow solidifies things in a different way—a better way. We sat 4 across in the first row.
In order of appearance were:
Jack Hardy — who I considered a soft spoken, "soft guitar" playing man, whose songs were mainly political in nature. He had a great song called "Sleeping with the Enemy," and as his closing piece, he asked his friend, Suzanne, to come up and sing, while he played "St. Clare." As you all have heard this song before, it was quite different hearing the songwriter (Jack) just play guitar—and Suzanne just do vocals. It was quite touching—because the song itself is beautiful, and the collaboration of their talents, knowing that they are friends made it special.
Next up was
Suzanne Vega — Who said her usual polite "hello" to the audience as she situated herself. Suzanne's opening line was "Thank you all for coming out tonight, these are very scary times out there." She then said: "I don't really have any songs that are political, so, I'll just sing what I have!" And she did—here is the setlist:
1. Marlene on the Wall
2. Caramel
3. Gypsy
4. Song of Sand
5. The Queen and the Soldier
6. When Heroes Go Down
7. Luka
8. Tom's Diner*
In typical Suzanne style, she talked a bit to the audience in between songs, saying that she felt bad because she didn't exactly have any cheerful songs—this drew laughter.
* When she began "Tom's Diner" (done acappella with fingersnaps), Dave, Joanne, and I began the chorus and she stopped and said "Uh, I don't think you want to do that..." Sitting so close, I responded back, "But it's a knee jerk reaction, we're so used to knowing when to come in!" She laughed and said: "Well, you'll be the only ones who do, so let's just see what transpires."
Wouldn't you know it, when the chorus came up again, without thinking we came in on cue—it really was imbedded in us to do so, but this time, the audience slowly started to join in, and as the song went on, the entire tent full of people had learned the chorus to "Tom's Diner." Now aren't you glad that we couldn't stop ourselves, Suzanne?
Most of the attendees were not really familiar with Suzanne's work. I suppose she is used to this sort of thing from doing benefits, but it was so hard not to break into intense clapping as she began each song—as they are so much a part of all of us on the Tow. I had to keep talking to myself and remember that this was a different scenario, so my behavior needed to change along with that, but I will not say that it was easy. Of course, everyone knew "Luka"— and hopefully by the end of the evening, Suzanne will have gotten herself some new admirers.
There was a short intermission, and Suzanne was just steps away from us, putting her guitar into the case, Ruby was there as well and we all exchanged hello's and hugs. I told Suzanne that I wanted her coat (a long black fuzzy thing that made you just want to crawl in); she laughed and showed off her "fake white fur" inside, which felt like a stuffed toy. Her dress code: jeans, black boots, black sweater with a design on it—I was totally jealous standing there in silk and frozen to the bone!
Dave had some things that he wanted her to sign, and while I was asking Ruby about the Lizard status, school, etc., he was talking to Suzanne alone. We all converged again and made small talk, the lights began to dim and we said our good-bye's until later to Suzanne and Ruby.
Garland Jeffreys was up next. Just back from 3 months touring in Italy, he won me over as a fan. Again, he spoke of the "times and events of late not making any sense" but his songs were his songs—and they did not seem political in nature to me. Like Suzanne, he was very diverse in his selections, and had great stage presence; also, he had his guitar player of 30 years with him (on a 12-string) who could play any direction that Garland went (and he went all over the place). A man very laid back, confident, yet not arrogant, and interesting to watch and listen to.
David Bromberg finished the show with a band of 2 guitar players (lead and bass), and a fellow on mandolin. Never hearing his work before, I would describe it as "jazz meets blues, meets something"—obviously, it's indescribable to me. All were superb guitar players whose style was to take turns on solos that led to the next person's part. His message for the evening was reflected in his last song: he did not recognize his own country and what it has turned into anymore—and was not raised this way or to believe in these things that were happening around us.
All of the performers in their own way, drove home that point, and also how important it was to vote, and to try and get someone in office who would turn things around for us. How it was scary living this way, and even scarier knowing that we might be facing 4 more years of Bush in the White House.
After the show we practically ran inside the house for warmth. At a function like this, it feels very fragmented when you try and have a conversation with Suzanne, because she is being pulled in so many directions. You'll begin to talk about something, and someone literally drags her away to meet someone else, take a photo, etc. We actually did manage to do our best, but I always feel like she must think I'm an idiot who cannot complete a thought!
But as always, Suzanne is so gracious with everyone, trying to split herself in so many directions and give everyone a focused piece of time. You know that she genuinely cares for people because she remembers to ask you things that are going on in your life (that you don't even remember)! She signs endless CDs, photos, whatever people stick in front of her, really—and all with the good grace of asking things like: "Would you like it to say Dear (name)?" When she could easily just sign her name and that would be more than enough.
Everyone was getting tired (and we still were frozen, hence the Merlot at home, Lefty), so we each said our good-bye's to Suzanne and Ruby who were going back with Jack Hardy. I must not forget: each of the first 3 performers (I didn't see David Bromberg inside) were quite gracious to everyone, spoke to anyone who wanted to talk to them—which is where I found out what a warm, sweet and kind man Garland is—and was to everyone around him.
It was a very different type of night to see Suzanne perform for sure, but the pride that came in knowing why she was there, on her on time, on her own dime is something that should not be forgotten.
And lest you think I didn't remember, my first words to Suzanne when I saw her were: "I have messages to deliver from some people on the Tow," and recited them for you—so consider yourselves as being heard, and being there in as best a way as you could.
Americans: please think about your choices on Tuesday and do the right thing. Towies: please pray for those of us who do not want to live this way that things will fall in our direction.
PLEASE VOTE! IT DOES COUNT. Thank you, Suzanne—
Love, Catherine
"If we don't change the direction we are headed,
we will end up where we are going."
—Chinese Proverb