The Corn Dog Incident
It took a few days, but I have recovered from a weekend of late nights and a variety of live music. It all started at the Grand Peking Restaurant in Redmond on Friday having dinner and listening to Sister Ray. We came a little early and grabbed a seat in the bar and chose a cozy corner booth and settled down to a good meal.
Sister Ray is primarily Vietnam era rock (late 60's, early 70's) with some blues. I love the song selection. Jethro Tull, Neil Young, & Chamber Brothers "Time". Originals by guitarman Lyle like War Is Not The Answer and Diggin' The Ditch. Sister Ray was formed just over a year ago with all the members working day jobs together as bus drivers. While they are relatively new, they have been growing tighter. I do love hearing bands grow.
Over all the venue sound was fine, but it didn't carry to the back the same as the front, so we moved closer after we finished dinner. We had a great time, the food was good and the staff friendly. They made accomodations for the vegetarians in the group.
Next stop was my friend Sean's recital for his junior year end program for Cornish at Trinity Parish Church in Seattle on Saturday night. He's studying to be a composer, conductor and master cellist, and he's a beautiful vocalist too. The evening began with Sean playing the cello, Suite III by Johann Sebastian Bach. I think Sarabande was my favorite in the movement. Next came the addition of piano to Henry Eccles' Sonata in g minor. I remember Largo from my high school days soloing on French Horn. Not nearly as well done as Sean on cello. Imagine, this used to be the popular music in its day, much like, yet completely unlike the popular music today and not to be confused with pop music today. Girl's swooning and heart's palpitating over music that elevated the soul.
The last half was instrumental and vocal compositions by Hanna Benn and Sean Glenn. Bells tone gracefully, beautiful voices sing and damn, it's the start of a tearful part two. There's something about a chior of magnificant voices that always make me tear up. It's like beholding beauty with the ears. I'll never forget the mystical and moving experience at Salisbury Cathedral in England back in 1999 only a few nights before Christmas. Children's voices filling the ancient church. Breathtaking...And next stop after only four hours of sleep the night before, The Blarney Stone in Seattle for Dano's birthday blast with Nick Vigarino, Larry Dennis, Rob Moitoza, Scotty Harris and Jon Parry. What a great group of musicians! Happy birthday Dano! Hope you got all that chocolate off your lips...
This was my first visit to the Blarney Stone which is located in Belltown just north of the Macy's. The place is a great place to relax in the city with great food. The halibut and chips looked great and the hummas plate was divine. Unfortunately, the corn dogs sounded delicious, but for some reason the cook made a mistake and served two naked dogs on a bed of fries with a side of mustard. Now I thought it was some English joke, as they have a funny sense of humor when naming their food...I just can't figure out how anyone could make a mistake in serving THAT. I mean I wish I'd taken a picture. Two plain, rather ugly looking, hot dogs lying side by side on a bed of fries. What kinda dish is that? Yes I ate it, but it was late and I was hungry, and it was an interesting topic of discussion.
Special mention to Aron a guest guitarman of Dano's who played a couple. Hope to see him around some more!
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