Happy Easter All-
Well I never even turned my cell phone on yesterday and spent most of
the day in my PJ's along with the family. We mainly pigged out on food left
over from the party and watched movies on TV. All in all it was a very quiet
and pleasant birthday. The night before on the other hand was over the top
and we set a new record for duration.
Guests started streaming in a little before 8pm and before I knew it it
was 9:30 and we hadn't played a lick of live music yet. I don't usually
start things off, but I wanted to make sure that Julian got to sing (he
didn't last year cause it got so late and he was over tired) Anyways, Julian
kicked the show off with a cover of "The Space Between" and did a really
good job except for giggling at his friend who was hanging out in the front
row. The I did a couple including Joni's "You Turn Me On (I'm A Radio)".
Next up was my dear friend Randy Hebert who is playing lead guitar with
the local band "The Nobles". Randy use to be a solo artist on Bourbon Street
and was at the fore front of Midi Guitarists. Ibanez Guitars endorsed him
with one of their MIDI controllers and he modified the design to do all
kinds of things that it wasn't meant to do, but allowed him to control
umpteen synths, drum machines, and effects (for vocals) from his guitar. I
did a gig with Miles Davis at the Saenger one time and after the show was
over I took all the guys in the band out to see Randy play and they were all
blown away by what he was doing at the time. He has a new solo record out
called "Just Me".
Following Randy was Ravi, former lead guitarist from the Kid Rock group
Hansen. Ravi's popularity with that band soon rivaled the Hansen boys even
though he was a side man. Ravi played a couple of his originals and then a
cover of Beatles Down Let Me Down. He is currently living in New Orleans and
playing in a band featuring Joe Krown on organ and Mike Barras on drums.
Fellow lister and Joni lover (who has been working diligently on
learning Willie on Piano) played a few of his originals from his forthcoming
(no REALLY) album.
Making a return engagement from Birthday Bashes gone by was my wicked
step sister Beth Patterson on Bouzouki. She killed the audience with her
evil twisted humor and odd time signatures. Beth played in my band at
Jonifest 2000 and also did a solo version of Ladies of the Canyon.
Representing the list and this years tour de force was Giselle (Cindy's
partner from Birmingham) The crowd just went ape shit over her and would not
let her get off the stage without doing like 10 encores and she was part of
the core jam band throughout the rest of the evening after the solo
performances. Giselle and Cindy are going to Northeast 2002 fest and believe
me Giselle's participation alone will be worth the price of admission.
Rounding out the solo performances (part 1) was my friend Stan Gelpi,
who also works with me as a camera op on JukeBox (coming out of a long
hiatus on April 12 on a cable network near you). He sang an original tune
from his new record called "Green" with his band Willows Passage.
The band was made up of some of the above musicians as well as: Kevin
Aucoin (currently touring with Terrence Simien), Jay Rosenberg an absolute
monster on bass (who accompanied me on Sex Kills and played it brilliantly),
his friend Hank also on bass and my #1 son Mikey who played percussion and
sang as well. By this time it was past midnight and Kurt Coste (photographer
and vidiographer extraordinaire ) played a few and kicked off the rest of
the jams till a new record ladies and gents 5:30am. The police never came
and there were no casualties that I know of. How can explain how much fun I
had (and had my clothes on the whole time)? Mikey made it till about 4:30am
and came and kissed me good night and thanked me for a great time (phew if I
could only have a picture of the look on my face). There were tons of
musicians that showed up and never played including: Dave Rosser who plays
guitar with Joe Stark Band, Mike Napolitano another guitar player and record
producer (see ANY of the Squirrel Nut Zipper records, Blind Melon, Joe
Tullos, +++), Mark Dillon, one of my oldest friends guitar player singer
songwriter Danilo Levi and keyboard player record producer Ron Keller.
This year was alot different in the respect that we also had
celebrity chefs as well as musicians (this was added to take the pressure
off of Freda to do cook for 50+ people). We had some amazing stuff. My
friend Mayra (former Consul General of Honduras) made Redfish Ceviche.
Michelle Dillon (keyboard player Mark Dillon's wife) made chocolate covered
strawberries. Ravi's wife (a real French girl from France as opposed to
Cajun French) made a wonderful Salmon Pie. My pal Rose made a German
Chocolate Cake. Freda made her famous deviled eggs, spicy salsa cheese dip,
and tons of other finger food. Chef Bruce Myers (from Jonifest 2000 fame)
made a Chicken Curry. Diane Hebert (Randy's wife) made a Pasta Salad
Extravaganza. Another pal Gina Levi de Earl, from the old country brought a
shrimp mold. This was a big hit and I think we will expand on this concept
for next year. Of course if the East wing isn't done by then, we will
probably move the party to a hotel grand ballroom or Tipitina's or something
like that.
It was an amazing party and one I won't soon forget. This afternoon
after we played baseball in the yard, the kids and I fried a turkey in the
back yard for our Easter supper (along with deep fried onion rings,
potatoes, and fried rolls (I know I know I am going on weight watchers
Tuesday-there is still HALF a fried turkey left, but I digress). We talked
about the party again and what fun it was. Mikey was really blown away by
Giselle and thinks we ought to have her over more often. We failed at
getting dear old mom up to sing with me, but hey you can't have everything
right??? I do wish more of you guys could have been here, but seeing how I
am still young and facing the BIG 3-0 next year (at last), there is still
plenty of time for that to happen. I am also gonna half to hire a recording
truck as I forgot to stock up on DAT tapes and did not record (which could
be a good thing cause past history has taught me that some performances glow
MUCH brighter in ones memories) and it would be nice to hear some of this
stuff again. We even had quite a few just plain old listeners which is
always a blessing.
Oh shit I almost forgot to tell you about the presents! The kids gave me
a new computer chair, I got a Sting DVD, a great set of Martini glasses,
enough booze for two more parties including no less than four brands of Gin,
many bottles of champagne and wine, several CD's (Roaring Mary-Tradidtional
Irish Music, Randy's new cd, and a bootleg of The Dudes {formally the
subdudes}, and although I haven't gotten it yet, a new computer desk for my
studio. Also several phone calls from some of you special people out there
who wished me well thru CyberVille and Satellite fone communications. How
lucky can anyone be?
Love
Paz
P.S. OK OK I admit it. I do wish Joan would have shown up in a pick vinyl
number and Croz too in a pink bunny outfit!
P.S.S. Sorry this was so long!
