Now Playing at Central Park

The first few times of the season we’re second guessing ourselves a little bit. It’s pretty darn cold. Clifton is just smacking at his strings because he can’t really feel his fingers. Our intonation is sliding around like a game of chutes and ladders. The guitar is part metal and part wood. The metal is expanding and the wood is contracting. Its a crapshoot. Our horns change pitch on every chorus depending if we’ve just finished blowing or not. Every time we happen to take more than two minutes of rest in between playing, we have to warm up the instruments each time. The bass is having all kinds of humidity issues.

But then the sun breaks and finally its warm and people start to show up and its not so bad. We do all right for a day and even if its the same money as we’ve been making in the trains this winter at least we’re outside. There are less crazy people and the vibe is so much more conducive to making good music.

We were leaving the gig and we passed the Petrossian Restaurant on 7th Ave. It looked so elegant and refined inside. It’s the spot for caviar and other delights. The building itself is so interesting and beautiful. Clifton was ready to eat. He’s always down for the good food. Looking at the menu and the prices would have wiped out most of our earnings for the day so Rob was the voice of wisdom… “When we have our first really great day, we’ll come back here and celebrate.” Agreed.

Didn’t take long. Sadly, Stefan was still in Baltimore doing the Mumbo show, but only two days later there we were at the Petrossian, smiling and slap-happy after our first big day of the year. A week ago today… Feasting on toast points, Fois Gras, Herring Samplers, Sturgeon Burgers, and great coffee. In the photo above we see Clifton verifying the authenticity of the silver.

We’re back and loving it.