Tornado Weather

So, I’ve been “road-testing” the song about tornado weather for maybe almost a year. It’s done. I finally got the last verse a month or two ago.

The other night, during the big power outage, I was sitting in the dark with a couple of candles, quietly playing Tornado Weather on my Stratomocaster. I don’t know what possessed me, but I started playing it upbeat. It actually worked (thankfully, the twangy country version did not). I could hear Phil’s freight-train drums driving it along and it kinda rocked. And maybe instead of a high lonesome violin or viola, there’s a pretty Jon or Bob guitar line.

Now, to be fair, this is exactly the kind of stupid thing I’m apt to do. This song, in its slow pretty version, is the thing that got the most applause and hoots at Flood Fest. So now I start messing with it. Duh.

Anyway, at the next few shows I’ll be conducting a which-version-of-this-song-do-y’all-like-better lunchtime poll. Please, vote early and often.

Smokin’ J’s Flood Fest

So, I had the pleasure of playing at another Irene-flood-related benefit show this weekend. What a treat!

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There were some terrific folks there; many of them already pals of mine. It was a treat to share a night and the stage with them. Rocky Roberts (Neil Young’s guitar tech for, like, a hundred years; on his way to London to tour with My Morning Jacket the next morning but he stayed on to do this show) and his band (all pals of mine); The Lonesome Brothers (more pals); Kim and Sharon (ditto); Clayton and Aaron (duh); Dave Wolinsky (I’ve seen him once or twice); and Chip Wilson (never even heard of him).

Let’s talk about this Chip Wilson guy. OMG! The man’s got chops. I mean real Tommy Emmanuel chops. Crazy unbelievable, can’t-even-begin-to-follow-along while staring at his left hand trying to figure out what he’s doing. With a little bit of drool probably coming out of the side of my mouth because I’m so enraptured by the music coming out of this guy and his guitar. Gotta seek out CDs and performances.

Also, he came up special from New Orleans to do this show. He’s originally from Vermont, “played his first paying gig in Manchester, VT forty years ago,” he said. Moved to New Orleans for the music. Got flooded out of New Orleans during Katrina. Moved back and was so impressed about how many New Englander musicians made the trip down to do flood-relief benefits that he had to return the favor. No money, no fame, no nuthin’. Just a good guy doing his thing to help out. How great is that?! Plus, did I mention the guy can play?

It was a treat and honor to be part of the show at Smokin’ J’s. So much fun; they raised some serious money to help the folks at Twice Blessed (who will in turn help the folks of Wilmington); there was a great turnout for a great cause. Anyway, thanks for having me and most of all, thanks for coming out and supporting the good people of Wilmington.

PS. I have very fond memories of Wilmington: it’s the home my favorite childhood ski area. Carinthia, now part of the Mt. Snow conglomerate, was a small, family-owned place with a couple of t-bars when I was a kid. With the best french fries ever. I remember the long car rides up from central Massachusetts, listening to my father sing Gilbert and Sullivan medleys and the day we showed up for opening day and my father was outraged (outraged, I tell you) that a single adult day pass had gone up to $6.00. I understand that skiing has gotten a little more expensive since then. I haven’t been keeping up so much since I ran out of ACLs when I was 18. Anyway…

A Good Old-Fashioned Bar-Raising!

Two pieces in the local paper about Saturday’s benefit show featuring “Evelyn Harris of Sweet Honey in the Rock, Tom Woodbury, and others” (if I do say so myself…) to raise money to help Flat Street get back on its feet. This is a good thing and I’m pleased and proud to be a part of it.

’Bar Raiser’ benefit aids Flat Street Brew Pub and Raising her voice — and a bar.

Apparently, it’s me

So, I had two interesting conversations about my left arm this week. Y’know, the one with the nerve damage and messed-up muscles that hurt when I play the guitar or do the dishes.

First I was talking with my massage therapist and we were wondering about some particular muscles in my left forearm. Without really thinking about it, I showed her the position my left arm and hand are in while I’m playing guitar and a look of horror passed over her face. She saw my thumb position and it all suddenly made sense to her. Those particular forearm muscles are completely engaged in order to put the thumb in that position. So, she kinda said, “Um duh, Tom. You’re doing this to yourself.” And she pointed out that the thumb is the most recent evolutionary part of the human body, so it’s a particularly nasty thing to be using incorrectly.

The next day I walked into my local guitar store with my forearm all wrapped up in tape and Icy/Hot stuff (just like Shaq wears!). My local guitar guru/god asked about the injury and then I asked if I could be pitting the frets of my guitars a little more quickly than expected by maybe squeezing the neck too hard. He looked at me and said, “So you walk in here injured with tired, strained, painful forearm muscles with painful shredded nerves and you think maybe you’re squeezing the guitar neck too hard? Duh! Oh, and your therapist probably said the same thing, didn’t she?” So I’m killing my arm and my guitars.

So, I guess there are two lessons here: 1. Yes, apparently it’s me and 2. Stop strangling the guitar while you’re playing! Less is more. Think of the Alexander Technique tenet about using only the appropriate amount of effort necessary for a particular activity and not more.

Last night I played at Metropolis from 8:00 – 1:30 with a couple of breaks. Tons of fun. I did manage to relax my left hand some of the time. Not all night, but it’s a start. I’ll work on it.

Gallery Walk Pics

Some pics Johanna took with her phone at In The Moment during Gallery Walk. That’s the Taylor Koa T5C2 and me getting to know each other. An A minor chord on Capo 2 makes me think it’s during “You’re The One For Me.”

I really am grateful that so many folks came out on a kinda cold March evening to hang out, buy some vinyl, and listen. There were a lot of fun folks who came by. Someone showed up with a video camera on a tripod, shooting for a “blog” of some sort. And some folks said some astoundingly kind things about my stuff. Gosh! Byron’s already booked me for the end of summer. Gotta bring some new tunes and another goofy cover. Hmm…

On a personal performance note, I nailed the ending of a song that I don’t play very often since the time it freaked out my in-laws so much one night. 🙂 Casey was there; she’ll tell you.

I Kissed a Girl

Really nice turnout tonight. Fun folks. For those of you who missed it, the promised (via Facebook) “cover song I decided to do about ten minutes ago” was “I Kissed a Girl.” Kinda fun. It garnered the appropriate chuckles and raised eyebrows. I chose not to mess with any of the gender stuff, keeping it “pure.”
I really enjoyed playing, what with all the physical therapy and massage and MRIs and such that have been going on lately. So, there’s that, too.

Water Under the Bridge Music Festival

WUTB

Oh, man! It rained all day, but nobody cared. It was a great day of music and food and fun! I had some family and friends who came out to listen and sing along; I got to hear some wonderful music, particularly Heather Maloney, Steve Nelson, and Darlingside; and I met some really nice folks. It was a real treat to be a part of this first annual festival and I’m looking forward to next year. I’m grateful to the folks at PowerTown Music and The Rendezvous for having me.

Worcester Telegram Article

Hold the phone, Dora! Check out the article in the Worcester Telegram today. Now, it’s much more impressive in real life, what with the HUGE picture and all, but…

“a respectable first-time acoustic folk/pop effort with catchy tunes and lyrics that evince flashes of inspiration”

Thanks. I’m grateful.