The Flatbroke Stringband (or is it String Band?), my favorite defunct Brooklyn/Queens-based old time quartet, played its first gig in three years just the other night.
Fiddle player Sarah Alden, banjoist James Ruchala, bassist Nate & guitar player Dave were in fine spirits and played marvelously. The rumour is that they actually rehearsed beforehand. I didn’t know that kind of behavior was allowed with old time musicians, but that shows you how much I know.
Before I snapped this photo I said, “Hey James — do something ‘Old Time!'” This was the look they gave me:
Marcy & Jurgen engaged in conversation with someone out of frame. Jurgen, you can see, is just a moment away from making a strong counter arguement. Later that night Marcy came up with a new catch phrase for herself. As I continually ribbed Jurgen (who was nowhere within earshot to defend himself) Marcy boldly piped up and giggled, “I take offense to that!!” I didn’t want to tell her at the time, but it may have been the most adoreable thing I’ve ever seen her do, and was the real reason I continued to say such borderline-obnoxious things.
John Schmit, too, looks like he is about to make a strong case for something.
Two recent emigrees from the sovereign nation of Rozmania. Sweethearts.
I just realized how much James looks like Jeff Lynne. If he got a big pair of shades and an afro, added a few more fiddle players and a drummer, he could really be on to something.
As with all his gigs, I saw there was a TV set playing just over the band’s heads. Willing to bet the subject matter wasn’t much different from what was on the TV the night of your birthday party at O’Hanlon’s back in 2001 — where Kerry got really hammered and started square dancing, which scared a lot of people, including me.
Jeebus, my head looks as big as the planet Saturn.
Oh, and the show was awesome. Except for the fact that the bar is soon to be loading dock for plastic cups for the new arena.