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“Do you want to do something?” Richard asks me as we walk out of the
cafeteria into the declining day.
“What do you have in mind?”
“Nothing, really. I just don’t want this moment to end.”
“Me either. But, moments always end. The important thing is to find
more moments. That’s one of the most important things I’ve learned.”
To be honest, I don't know a whole lot about what live music is like in other cities... just what I have heard. I know that Nashville is a great city for lovers of live music - of all variety. I know that musicians don't generally make as much (or often very much) money here as they do in other cities. The number of live music events going on every single night is staggering, and there are always difficult/impossible choices to be made. As a music fan, you sometimes have to make really difficult decisions about what shows to see or if you need to make a much needed night off from going out.
All of that to say, I made my way to The 5 Spot last night for the release show of Justin and the Cosmics PERF record. The album was recorded at Ardent Studio in Memphis. It was a wonderful night of weirdness and music and mayhem. So many memorable moments. From the emcee Square Bill "singing" Prince covers to Scott Collins guitars. Guests like Chris Crofton - in from Los Angeles and riffing on "New Nashville", Thayer Sarrano was captivating, Kim Collins did a intense a cappella song that ended with her being carried from the stage, The Smoking Flowers did an old song by Justin Collins, Robyn Hitchcock with a band that included Pat Sansone (Wilco, Autumn Leaves) (who produced PERF - by the way) did a short set that included some Velvet Underground, John Lennon, and a Soft Boys song written by Hitchcock, Ben Burr read some awesome poetry. But the clear stars of the show were Justin Collins and his band The Cosmics who played a long set of songs from the album, classics from their back catalog, and some choice (and rare for them) covers - including "Police on my Back". It was the most fun I've had since the last time I saw Justin and the Cosmics play.
Tonight, I am looking forward to Chuck Prophet at The Basement East.
Meanwhile, the humidity is now falling from the sky in copious amounts, and we have our "Featured Friday" shuffle. Let's go.
