Our Hell from New Zealand arrived right on time in L.A. yesterday looking
surprisingly rosy-cheeked and alert after a 14 hour flight. She came
bearing several absolutely beautiful gifts from home (you Jonifesters are in
for some treasured items from her). After some time in the pool and a nap
she was ready to go out on the town last night. I drove her up Laurel
Canyon where we had dinner and a look at the old Jim Morrison house (now
sold and partially remodeled with 20 ft. totem pole removed and taken by the
seller). Then we went to a place I've heard raves about the past year but
never got around to going - The Joint. It is truly a little dive joint
smaller than my apartment but ohhhhh my what surprises lurk within! Every
Monday night there is a free jam with some of the most legendary musicians
around. Jack Tempchin - writer of most of the Eagles best songs; Terry
Reid - one of Graham Nash's oldest friends and an incredible vocalist from
the U.K. who opened for the Stones, Cream, Clapton and more back in the day;
Waddy Wachtel - guitar phenom who has played with everyone, especially
Stevie Nicks for years; Bernard Fowler, longtime vocalist with the Stones;
Phil Jones - drummer for Tom Petty; and a guy who simply goes by the name of
"Rick the Bass Player" who has played with Joe Walsh and Neil Young over the
years. Holy Shite!! They knocked us out!! Played songs from the Beatles,
Yardbirds, Stones, Eagles, Neil Young, Jimmy Clift and more. They were
unfreakingbelievable. The audience was mostly locals who are regulars and
know they got quite a deal going in the neighborhood. They were very
friendly to Hell and I and expect to see us back every Monday from now on
;-) Surprise guests show up all the time to sit in - Johnny Rivers twice in
the past month (oh I've GOT to see him!); and George Thorogood and Michelle
Phillips a few weeks ago. They said Nash shows up sometimes, too. No
cover, no valet charge and $4 drinks - these are people most certainly doing
it for the love of it. I put this on my must see list for the SoCal folks
and visitors. Jack has a little web page of some of their past performances
at http://jackland.com/
I've promised to make sure Hell now gets some good rest so that she is in
shape for her tour of D.C. with Lori and then on to JoniFest!!
Kakki
