25. ♫ Swell Season at McCabe’s

 The Swell Season played McCabe’s in Los Angeles on Sunday Feb 12^th 2012

I value, above all other things out of my own control, the joining of hands of friendship with men who are sincere lovers of truth – Spinoza

Glen and Mar at Mc Cabe's 2012

This concert was a long awaited reunion of the band for two good causes: an animal shelter http://www.campcocker.com and a school in Africa  www.batongafoundation.org. Sadly for me the tickets had sold out seemingly in seconds and despite my VERY best efforts I did not get in. So there I was on the pavement on a deserted Pico Boulevard looking sad and longingly for a very long time at that window that separated me from hearing the glorious music that was oh so close and yet so far away.  I felt as empty as the stretch of road behind me.  Strangely I ended up having a really good time since it is always heartwarming when you unexpectedly come across kind, witty, and wonderful strangers.

I needed kindness. My plan had been to wait. When I arrived I decided that as the causes were good I’d give the price of the ticket to the charities. I did and then I waited patiently outside hoping that Marketa would remember or they would let me move that one foot closer to where there was ample room just inside the door where you could hear but not see. So I waited a LONG time knowing I was missing SO much music but determined to remain positive.  I watched people leave but heard that I could not take their place. Then when I was beginning to feel truly low along came relief and comfort in the form of four people who were in the same boat I was. So we pointed that sinking boat home or at least to the back door where the music was somewhat (if you strained) audible.

The poster in the window

Thanks to my witty saviors Dara, Heather, Ash, and David my spirits were lifted fast. Bless their good hearts and great banter. Dara (a singer) has been to almost as many Swell Season concerts as I have. Heather kept letting me take her spot so I could hear better, Ash (guitarist with The Painted Rocks) kept the group connected and David was the gregarious storyteller. So we connected over love of the Swell Season and talk of Celtic ties (The Fir Bolg that led to Lord of the Rings that led to Elvish that led to that Elvish scene in 17 Again).  Fate had sent me some really good company. Along with the Buckyballs there was enough geekiness and magnetism there to make it a very warm and memorable night. Sorry about the poor picture quality but at this time I was sorely in need of relief. Cookies anyone?

David, Heather, Ash and Dara

Strangely that wonderful bond surpassed my desire to hear the music at the other side of the door. The kindness of strangers is a very powerful force. It is what keeps my faith in humanity alive. I must also thank Micky and Michelle(?) who brought us out delicious tea and cookies to make us feel more like friends at a campfire gathering than rejects left out in the cold. Every now and then voices were raised inside or the volume turned up so we could get a taste of the magic inside.

The Swell Season often has guests and this time was no exception. Shane Walsh sang with them. Here he is performing ‘Kissing’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GgcOeOTFug at this event. Hurray,  through this I get to see inside. Aida was there singing too and playing the Daf (the Iranian drum). Thanks to Shane Walsh’s video, here’s a picture from the event:

To see more pictures and another account of the night go to http://concert-overload.blogspot.com/2012/02/concert-626-swell-season-at-mccabes.html

So all the kindness and love I received from strangers brings me to wishes. The first goes out to Howard who was way more than a busy man that night.  I know very well the dangers of stress. So for him I wish peace and a daily dose of Marketa’s relaxing composition Last Fall. Life is short, my friend. Breathe and enjoy the magic around you. You are in the presence of creative energy. Please don’t be too busy to feel its calming power. To Mc Cabe’s I wish for a rethinking of their policy on whether or not they allow people in need to use their restroom.

Overall the night was full of the light of kind deeds shining in a weary world.

♫Teach me how to shine♫

Here then is a very incomplete set list in no particular order. If any of you truly privileged beings who got inside can add to this please let me know.

1. I Have Loved You Wrong
2. Low Rising
3. Lies
4. In These Arms
5. When Your Mind’s Made Up
6. Say it To Me Now
7. Spencer the Rover
8. The Hill
9. Lullaby
10. Dokhtar Goochani (Marketa and Aida – traditional Iranian song)
11. Daf drum solo
12. If You Want Me
13. The Given Note (Poem by Seamus Heaney – my ‘oul English teacher)
14. Bird of Sorrow
15. Storm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWA11HJ6xUY
16. Leave
17. I’m Not Leaving/I’m Hangin’ On (stunning new song)
18. Into The Mystic (Van Morrison cover)
19. All The Way Down
20. Star, Star (with laughter)
21. Kissing (Shane Walsh solo)
22. Fog Town (Michelle Shocked cover)
23. The Banana Man (with laughter)
24. Falling Slowly
25. Drive All Night (Bruce Springsteen cover)
26. The Parting Glass (traditional Irish tune)                                                                   Hurray! You can grab the audio here:
    http://www.gremmie.net/mp3/the-swell-season-at-mccabes-guitar-shop
    

Also: These turned up on Youtube

All the Way Down  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EANN00GR7MM

Fogtown http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=BtgtZXseLrM

Extra News: Glen is on the soundtrack for The Hunger Games. Yahoo! I love when I’m right. Alas Maroon 5 will sing the amazing Glen composition Come Away to The Water  while Glen himself will sing a more heavy metal style Take The Heartland.

‘Night friends. Be good to one another.

***Bonus

Listen to beautiful music from The Painted Rocks here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fkmX2OlAt4&feature=related Ash Sutton, the singer/guitarist performing with The Painted Rocks, is one of the group of four above ☺