I had to write this as a special addendum. The time after the Church concert was truly special. It took some time to clean up and all and after that was finished the street was filled with festers all waiting for "clearance" from the big mahi mahi (if you know what I mean) to go from the church (all was cleaned up) to Asharas, We all piled into our respective vehicles some with garbage and some without. I was fortunate to have Bob Muller ride with me so we got to discuss the incredible day and evening of music. Atty Maes was still to happen tomorrow but there was this get together yet to happen at Asharas house that night. After such an incredible day you really dont want to let go. Its one of the magical things about the fests. You simply want to be with everyone and for the music to continue. The hits keep happening the momentum keeps building. So off we all went. Bob and I had a great rap about the various people and in fact he helped me remember all that had transpired so I could write the last part of this series on the church concert. Anyway we took the wrong turn off and at night the road system designed by the leprechans is particularly devious and so at some point we stopped in the middle of nowhere and its midnight plus 30 or something and having no idea where to go next we just stopped. A minute later this caravan of cars comes upon us and each filled with people we look at each other and go "Who else could this be" so without really knowing we followed this caravan and sure enough we go straight to Asaharas. people pile out and theres still much work top be done transporting all the concert left overs and equipment etc into the house. After a few minutes we all settled into the various rooms to continue the merriment. Believe it or not Ashara is prepared to dish out a chocolate mousse or something to the entire party and after which John van Tiel and I rinsed the dishes while we talked about Holland. In one room there is acoustic music going on and in the kitchen theres conversation, on the back porch theres a group feeding the mosquitos with their blood and in the front room is this stand up piano. This is where what I consider to be a truly remarkable thing happens which really makes these fests what they are. Unabashed unabashedness. One of the real treats of the fests is that there are lurking major tallents. They dont play at the events but they sit in the shadows with all their ability. Earlier last year I got to ride to Davis (2 hour drive) with Russel Bowden for Mary Graces Taylor Ham Sponsored Mini-fest and I could just tell there was spomething special there. Russel comes frrom a major tallented musical family from back east actually and he has sung in the San Francisco gay mens Chorus one of the very best vocal choirs in the country. I chided him because he will NOT play electric piano, only acoustic. What a howler. OK Russ here it is I demanded he take off the mask and finally I get to hear him. Hes an authority on opera and other fine music as well. Anyway oh my God what an immense player. Elton John, Cole Porter, you name it. We're talking Bobby Short or Elton Himself. I was in heaven. I sang Daniel with him and it was played just like Elton had enetered his body. On second thought he might like that (rimshot) ....ahem.....Russel you are the BOMB. Good grief this guy has got to be given a spot at the next fest or the virgin goes into the volcanoe. Seriously folks this isnt a marginal deal. Clark Kent has got to be led to the phone boothe. Are you listening Coyote Rick at Casa Allegre ?? Do I hear M-E-C-C-A 2002 ??? I spent the rest of the time just listening and trying to get some time sharing conversation with various people for some time after that floating amongst the rooms. Fests are famous for little parties going on in each room and you are always welcome at any or all. At some point I felt this exhaustion coming on and I tried to leave but Mike Paz hunted me down in the hall and forced me at bazooka point back into the house to play some more. We went to the back room and everyone was sitting in quiet mode as different people played. Victor did one of his songs, Gregg did an amazing song that he wrote I think, Yael did a song. Its all blurry. I do remember seeing Hell on the couch and someone handed me a guitar. Michael and I did Long Time Gone I did a Stephen Stills song 4&20 for her and its always nice to keep a promise. Hells a huuuuge CSNY fan and I told her if she ever came to a fest I would do a Stills song for her. Somehow I managed to escape the magnetic field tracktor beam that surrounded the house and I floated back home at the end of this perfect day. There was still tomorrow.
