If you're looking for "Just the Facts" Ma'am, you've come to the wrong place.....(mostly because my memory sux as I've said
)
The night was FAN-FRICKING-TASTIC
OK...."Que Sera Sera"...Everything happens for a reason. Let me explain
This leg of the journey started when the date for Ticket Sales for Carnegie was announced. I realized that I might be at the airport or on my way home from Chicago, I might not be able to get tickets...I assumed they would fly out the window....sold out before I could get home. Luckily, there were a few Haliens I knew I could trust. Haleyholic was one. I PM'd her and asked for a HUGE favor... I knew she was one of Haley's big Jazz fans, so I knew she was going...we had sort of promised each other way back when that we would. So this favor..."Could you please get me a ticket and I could pay you back when we're in NY?". Thankfully, she trusted me enough to do this for me.
A few days later, I got a PM back from her..."I couldn't help myself...you should see the tickets I got!! If it's more than you wanted no problem, I'll sell you to them discounted, but I couldnt resist" (Paraphrased). After I asked such a big favor, how could I tell her I would pay less than value. I told her I trusted her judgement. I expected them to be 'pricey' but what it cost wasn't bad at all.
So after some consideration, I decided to buy a 'spy camera'. Against my better judgement, and having read the poor reviews, I bought one anyway. For the record...waste of money
.
I arrived in NY at 7 am got shuttled to my hotel, only to find out that they can't check me in until noon...maybe 3 !!!! I had to sit in their lobby for 4 hours +...finally I got a room, and settled in. Found a Starbucks and posted from there. The hotel charges for Wifi. I didn't want to pay another day, today...but my memory sucks, and I wanted to get what I can down before I forget, so I paid for today anyway even though my Shuttle picks me up in 4 hours
I went to Carnegie yesterday to check on my ticket. Haleyholic told me she would give my name to them at will call....they didn't have it!!! and they couldn't confirm the purchase without her here so..... I hurriedly walked back to my hotel to PM her and let her know. She had emailed me and said Carnegie's Will call rules were strict and she couldn't give my name, they would only be released to her ....phew, at least I knew there was a ticket for me. She had to work then take the 1 1/2 hour train ride here, so I gave her my phone number and we would meet, hopefully an hour before the show.
I also noticed Funglaw wanted to meet as he was going to Carnegie as well. We discussed meeting on the Stageit site, but never got together for one reason or other except on the site. We finally got in contact and decided on a meeting place, The Russian Tea restaurant next to Carnegie.
I left for the show early, bought a new jacket...can't look like a bum at Carnegie Hall, and meeting the Reinharts (Another waste of money... I always have a high body heat, so never wore it
) I arrived at our meeting place, called the number he gave me and left a message.... A little embarrassing because I thought Funglaw would be there early for dinner. I guessed he was asian, so I asked if I could check to see if he was in the restaurant. I spotted an Asian couple..."Excuse me, are you Funglaw?" ...they looked up at me with an confused look...
Nope, not Funglaw...
So I decided to sit at the bar (we sort of had a loose agreement about our "Reinhart" toast.) So I checked to see if they had the Scotch required.... Very expensive...the oldest version was $48 for a drink!!! BUT they didn't have the cinnamon for the garnish
Funglaw finally called me...I asked if he had time to pick up some cinnamon, but he was already late for his reservation. I don't drink often, but when I do, I drink Maker's Mark on the rocks, splash of water...and settled in.
Soon enough Funglaw showed up with a beautiful date. I told him I was waiting for Haleyholic and he should go have his dinner and we will toast when she gets here. Soon, Haleyholic called, she got the ticket and is settling in, grabbing a bite, then heading down to meet me. When she got to the bar, we had a quick drink, caught up, then went to join Funglaw and his date.
The toast didn't turn out what we thought...Haleyholic just had a drink and wasn't a fan of Scotch, Funglaw's date said, he had drank enough already, and he agreed, he told me he didn't want to fall asleep during the concert. I ordered the drink...it called for 4 oz of the Scotch...Haleyholic said, wait...that's like 4 drinks!! Good catch... I'll just have one shot then (Thank God she was paying attention) So she had a ginger ale, and Funglaw and his date had glasses of wine and we toasted to Haley. I went to pay for the drinks, but Funglaw said he would cover it, and thanks for the T shirt (I gave him my Tshirt (II) This one has the Haley image over the heart in the front as well as the original design on the back).... So we would adjourn to the show, 20 minutes before it started.
Next up....Why I explained about 'everything happening for a reason' and the pay off.
Part II
So we made our way to our seats...they were amazing. From the diagram, I thought we would be further back but we were 10-15ft from the stage!!
I thanked Haleyholic for her great choice of seats...not too close, just right. The gentleman sitting to my left was also in NY for the first time to see Haley. He came from DC. We talked a bit, I told him I brought some stuff to hopefully give to the Reinharts myself (My Lollapalooza DVD's), that Harry said to say Hi. I started to worry (I'm a worry wart...an overthinker)...If they sat in the front, how could I get up from the middle of the row and approach them..what if they were sitting in the balcony? It would be hard not to mention, rude to approach them up there..... The gentleman to my left, started scanning the balconies with me to see if the Reinharts and the Abrams were in the balcony (Harry emailed me saying he didn't know where their seats were, that the Abrams took care of that)...Oh well, the prospects of the meeting didn't look good.
Then the gentleman to my left tugged my shirt, and pointed BEHIND US!!! The Reinharts were sitting RIGHT BEHIND US!!! Harry looked dapper, and Patti and Angie looked AMAZING!! (This is the 'everything happens for a reason' part.) If I hadn't been desperate and contacted Haleyholic to get me the tickets, that she got the ones we got...
We were sitting RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM!!
.
I turned around and stuck out my hand, "Hi, Harry...Tusk!" I said with a grin.... Harry beamed a big smile and leaned over to Patti...."This is Tusk, you know with the T Shirts and the videos" Angie and Patti gave me this big smile "Oh yeah" I told Patti I also sent the calendars ....Patti's smile got bigger and warmer.."Oh I loved those, I use it every day" Angie smiled "Really? cool" Harry told them I knew Himm2 and Babbs and they seemed genuinely happy to meet me (conversation paraphrased...remember? bad memory?)
I gave them 3 DVD's, two for the family and one for Haley...and two more T-shirts(II). "Did you see Haley? She looks gorgeous" said Patti proudly "You should take a picture" I told her they didn't allow it, so I shouldn't. Patti laughed and said "tell them to blame it on me"
. I introduced them to Haleyholic and they shook her hand too. I asked for a picture, they agreed and asked me to take a pic of them with Angie's phone. Her pic was kind of dark, but I told Harry I would send them mine, which was better. We conversed awhile longer, then it was time to for the show, They thanked me for the support, Patti scratched my back in thanks too
.
As I said before, 'spy cam' was worthless, kept on stopping and no way to aim. When Haley and Casey came on, I raised my regular camera to my chest and pressed record without aiming (also a waste, got the tops of peoples heads and some of Casey and Haley performing) I later noticed people recording in the balcony, without fear of getting kicked out, but being so near the front, I didn't want to push my luck...so did what I could knowing that there will be videos from others (I haven't checked them yet)
Haley was resplendant...straight hair in a golden dress...beautiful
. Casey only had one song, "Hit the Road Jack"...probably because he didn't have time to rehearse (I forgot to mention, his parents were there too, to the left of the Reinharts).
Next thing I know, a few people in front started turning to look at something behind me...the gentleman to my left, tugged my shirt again, "Look...Haley"... She Sat RIGHT BEHIND ME. I heard Harry tell Haley who I was, I turned and flashed a smile and a wave, she smiled back. The last thing I wanted to do was go "Fan crazy" and left it at that. Carnegie was special for her too, she didn't need me to go gaga, so I turned to enjoy the show. It was cool listening to the wonderful music in front of me, while hearing the warm raspy voice laugh and cheer behind me.
I don't know much Jazz so I'll relate what I can remember:
Irvin Jr's 'stank' face, looked like he smelled something bad, but you know he was FEELING it... The crowd reacted with laughter and applause. It was his way of telling the crowd "Come on, now that was
goooood!! imploring the crowd to applaud. The man was amazing.
Irvin Jr said next time they come to Carnegie (this was the first time for him), there would be changes....like adding a couple bars, to which the crowd enthusiastically agreed. He is one hell of a showman and a representative for New Orleans culture. He never allowed it to get stuffy and 'high class', there was a humor to everything he did on stage.
There was a sax player, (pardon me for not knowing his name), Harry leaned over and tapped my shoulder, "He's from Chicago too" he said proudly...
Typical musicians, Harry and Patti were clapping and whooping in approval, they were loving the show
Dee Dee was Amazzzzing. She had some kind of pink eyelashes that extended out into feathers...she, like Irvin, injected some humor, making some faces to friends in the crowd...I'm a fan now...Wow did she bring it.
Aaron Neville and Branford Marsalis were amazing..."Ave Maria" was heavenly as was "Summertime".... The members of the NOJO band each had time in the spotlight, and they responded with fantastic music. You could tell they were loving every minute. When someone was soloing, you could see it in their faces...eyes closed feeling each others music.
The capper was the last song which Irvin dedicated to his father who was one of the victims of Katrina, one of the few times, Irvin spoke with a seriousness, when talking about his father. If I didn't know better, I swear he was tearing up. This....This was THE performance...the soul Irvin poured into his horn....sitting where I was, I FELT every note, his pain was put into every note....Wow... Then he shifted into "When the Saints come Marching In"...then the others who performed started entering the stage, waving their NOJO handkerchiefs (Haleyholic and I were never given them
) Haley had left her seat behind me to join the farewell march around the auditorium....this is how they do it in N'Orleans !!! The crowd was up on their feet in jubilation This is how you end a show.
Next...The story is not over....
