Danny Boy-Tenderness Revealed...

John Watt

Member
Mr. Corno Dolce! I must have my musical jam thickening around me today,
because this is the first time I have to disagree with you, even if it's just a culture clash.
What did I see? Keith Jarrett, who I've heard since the 60's, alone on a concert stage,
playing a meditative "Danny Boy" in front of a concert audience.
He did rise up off the bench, broadcasting a slightly faster movement to some high notes,
mildly shaking his head back and forth, hunching over afterwards, but that was my only drama.

The longest dues I ever paid in a full time band, a year and a half,
the only band, and I mean band, that I played with for more than eight months,
was backing up "Smoky", "Smokey Davidson", or Ben Hewitt, his real name, now that he's gone.
He had issues with American income tax and international royalties.
In bars, legion halls, community centers and by special request, some northern weekend weddings,
he would sing "Danny Boy".
The crowd would quiet, cheers would die down, and people would start standing,
crying, hands over hearts.
When I was onstage with him at first, moments like this made me look up from my guitar,
the feeling was so intense.
Smoky was a Mohawk playing an original '58 Les Paul through a same year Fender amp,
and he had the original case, strap, receipt, and towards the end,
made one phone call and sold his guitar to Slash of Guns'n'Roses.
Even though he hunted me down and offered me the guitar first,
like he promised he would, and it was a great, great visit,
I couldn't afford it, and he knew it, and I wouldn't chop it up to be left-handed.

I'm still catching some string teary thinking about him, and that song.
He did "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" by Willie Nelson, just the same.
Now these tears are falling.

as always, John Watt

And I'd like to keep posting, but I don't like seeing them all move up together,
forming a top list of John Watt replies, but that's how forums work.
Time to hit my own domain!
 

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Hey John Watt,

So, my choice of 'Danny Boy' didn't quite cut the mustard, eh? Oh well, there's always room for improvement...:grin::grin::grin:

Cheers,

CD
 
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