Unfortunately, Fred Cox called and asked me to work Warren Haynes Band
merch for the 24th and the 25th here in Denver. Absolutely killer shows but it
was hard for me to completely enjoy the show as i was focused on a dear friend
whose a bit ill right now (as many of you know him email him will ya!!) and also
because I was working. I know many folks ask "how hard can it be to sell a
t-shirt?" and trust me it isn't that hard (uh, depending onthe customer, I do
get a few seriously drunk and high and very rude people) but its the load in,
counting in, setting up, tearing down, loading out, counting money, settling
with the house and getting all the paperwork in that will really get ya!! So
while I managed to work my way to front row several times and I could hear the
tunes, and I had a great assistant their was always a nagging tug telling me I
needed to keep my "responsible working hat on" and
so I never really did get let go, and I'll admit it...I was worried sick
about my friend as well. Warren was ever so sweet as was Farmer. Warren actually
took the time after the show to talk to me and tease me a bit..."so they got you
working for me now, do they?" he said with a wink and a smile. He was sweet and
gracious and he told me he'd put my friend (who is sick and who doesn't really
need my help to get on a guest list) on the guest list (Euro tour) as I had
asked. I wanted to talk more but I couldn't. Who doesn't want to sit around and
talk with Warren and Brian too?! because Brian was just as wonderful to me, gave
me a hug, the whole crew really. But the fact is that I was hired to work and
even if it is Warren I've got to stay focused and I needed to finish my job. The
house manager loves Warren but that doesn't mean he wants to stay around til
4:00 in the morning waiting for a crew to be finished with load out...so, I got
back to earth. And put my thinking cap on...so it goes.
We flew into Aspen...such a relief not having to do that 5 hour drive, it
isn't a mean drive...rather lovely, but working a show means no sleep. Oh I know
you think going to a show means sleep deprivation but working it just tack on
another 12 hours to that lack of sleep and picking up 35 to 50 pound boxes,
doing all the paperwork, you'd be feeling my weariness...landed in lovely Aspen
and it was just that Beautiful...and Surreal. How is it that life is so
heartbreakingly hard and agonizing and yet so stunningly generous and
amazing. It makes my heart break and smash open into a million different flower
petals! I needed that short plane ride after the Denver run...so amazing to hear
Warren in this new incarnation. Everyone sounds so vibrant and connected in this
band and it has a way of taking off like a soaring bird or butterfly...I like
the openess to it. I am proud that Warren is trying different stuff and I love
the new stuff. I love his new lyrics "is there anything I can do to be a friend
to you..." yep, I'm all about it...I love Warren's perspective. I find it
hopeful and respectful and engaging. Another sweet soul just living life, trying
to experience and feel what life is really all about...a lovely song of a body
of work is he...Warren and Company all of us on his ride...all of us lucky to
want to share it...
Walked around Aspen (ah the Dior, the Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Ralph Lauren
and Hippie Chick shop windows...a girls dream!!) in the glorious sun with no
sleep in our eyes and green bud in our systems and bought fancy schmancy
bathsoap and hair stuff for our fancy schmancy bathroom (talk about heaven and
our hotel room had the biggest loveliest terrace in the trees with a huge
mountain in our faces!!!!) bought some coooollll "Moose Drool" would commonly
refer to as Brown Ale. Went to our local dispensary and couldn't resist the
"Woody Kush" I mean "say what the hell, hang fire" and we did!! got Ben and
Jerry's "Cherry Garcia" and potato chips or what one ...then settled down easy
to get ready for the show...hour showers...cool Colorado Breeze Drying my
hair!
Guest Listed and tickets I guess I'm just spoiled and we got our front
row...and Warren Acoustic Solo just nailed it...I'm sure some of you heard how
he threw out 7 picks and those 7 people got to ask him any question...are best
buddy Neil yelled out "was Sundance the only Mule song never performed live" an
excellent question indeed and so Warren answered 'true, we never did play it and
the reason is that Chris Squire (for those who don't know Chris Squire was the
bassist for the band YES, okay guy friends cut my girl friends some slack, hear
me?!!) wrote the bass part for that song and no one since has had the balls or
the ability to play it. Except for Jorgen that is and so maybe we will play it'
and then he proceeded to play a bit of it for us...wow!!!! take the house down.
Many of the other questions were boring and typical...would you play "Into The
Mystic" "Everyday Will Be Like Holiday" "Warren Take Off Your Pants" (my friend
Scott responded to this request with a "We don't need to see Warren in no
speedo!!" Even Warren busted a chuckle to that one! "Warren You Are The Man"
"Warren We Love You" excellent requests/shouts/badgers but I wish folks wouldn't
have been so predictable and actually come out with good questions like Neil
did.
I could go on. Rave as usual but the deal is after a while you sorta begin
to feel like a parody..."he's so wonderful, the best, love him, can't get
enough, bought the disc, yep got the hoody" the conversations in "fan-dom" often
gets predictable and I am no different my words are the same...it was lovely and
beautiful and I'm grateful for the nice time...but then isn't Aspen always a
lovely time? I suppose. Flew home, an hour maybe not even and it equates to a
nap, off the plane, shuttled home, Chinese food, watched the movie "Tangled" and
voila sitting here the next morning writing to all of you...this was a short
run...WHB...short and sweet. I wish Brother Joel could have heard some of this
new stuff. I suppose he has and he's loving it...he and Woody are loving it and
smiling!!! So kids, if you are so inclined take the time remember "Still Life is
Overrated, Burn Out Factor is Part of the Game, Life Should Be An
Adventure, Anything Else is Just a Crying Shame..."
patch
ramblinrose
cebelina...any of these names will do
just don't be calling me late for the show!
When you are drifting about in outer space and on the precipice of a worm
hole, the best thing to do is to take the ride and go for it! Frank Zappa
