Those damn Yankees... I'm not a Yankees fan, this year is the 100th World Series and the Yankees have already won 26 of them - my Phillies have 1! Enough of the Yankees already... but then that Curse of the Bambino has a mystique about it that would be a shame to lose. Mark and most of Jersey are big Yankees fans and would love to see them win another championship.
One night after receiving the Lifetime Achievement award, Mark has the gig at the Ark cancelled because of the World Series 7th game. He didn't get word about the cancellation until we arrived at the bar and the Yankees are losing 3-0! Discouraged and depressed about losing a paying gig, yet not wanting to disappoint Pattie and I, the guys decide to go play at Beth's house. By the time they get setup and start, it doesn't look good for the Yanks, now down 4-1.
As the Acoustic Airmen start to hit their stride with Jerry looking over their shoulders, the Bambino awakes and the Yankees start their comeback...
Playing to their audience of 4 that included Pattie and I along with Beth and Tracy, they obliged my wishes to hear some of Mark's new material and took our requests as we made up the setlist for our own private show! No amplifiers needed tonight, this was the real deal, just good old fashioned, hand-made, acoustic music. Birdman's washtub laying down a warm bottom, for the sweet interplay between Mark and Tim. I've enjoyed a lot of fine musical moments in my life and this one ranks right up there at the top. It was like going back to the roots of my musical obsession which began with garage bands and fraternity party guitarists. Just a bunch of people trying to create something magical...
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Mark and Tim took the opportunity to work on new and infrequently played material including a song that Mark didn't recognize - 'I'm Here To Get My Baby Out Of Jail' - an oldye timey tune coverd by the acoustic Jerry band. Somewhere in the middle of Tim's 'You'll Be There', as if called by the lyrics, the Curse of the Bambino struck as the Yankees rallied to tie the game in the 8th inning! Playing up the Mark - Bambino influence, we coaxed the band to keep playing and sure enough the Yankees pulled it out in the bottom of the 11th!
You'll Be There Video Clip (1.2 MB)
To top that Yankee's finale, the Acoustic Airmen served up a Deadhead's treat of a sweet Stella Blue and Sugar Magnolia >> Sunshine Daydream during which Mark broke a string - a sign from the Bambino that the show was over? As Mark was packing up, Tim broke into We Bid You Goodnight with Mark & Birdman singing harmony - the perfect ending to a unforgettable night of music. Smiles had replaced their earlier disappointment another sign of the healing power of music!
Thank you Mark, Tim, Birdman for putting on our private show and also another hug to Beth for saving the night by allowing them to play in her living room. I couldn't ask for a better last show before our move... Now somebody contact George Steinbrenner to show him this box score and get these guys scheduled for gigs during the World Series!!!
| Set1 (65 min): | |
| Dear Prudence* | RedSox 4 - Yankees 1 |
| I'm Just Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail* | RedSox 4 - Yankees 2 |
| Samsara** | RedSox 5 - Yankees 2 |
| You'll Be There (Tim Original) | RedSox 5 - Yankees 3 |
| Sherman The Yank*** | RedSox 5 - Yankees 5! |
| Higher Ground | RedSox 5 - Yankees 5 |
| Set2 (60 min): | |
| Angel "snippet" (Hendrix) | RedSox 5 - Yankees 5 |
| Where The Morning Glories Grow "snippet" | RedSox 5 - Yankees 5 |
| Bird Song! | RedSox 5 - Yankees 5 (Top 10th) |
| What A Wonderful World* | RedSox 5 - Yankees 5 (Bottom 10th) |
| El Paso | RedSox 5 - Yankees 5 (Top 11th) |
| High Time "tease" | |
| Stella Blue | Yankees win!!! 6-5 (Bottom 11th) |
| Sugar Magnolia >> SSDD | |
| We Bid You Goodnight |
| * 1st time acoustic with this configuration |
| ** new Mark song (AKA "Backroads" - played once in 1991 at Veggie Works) |
| *** new Mark song (AKA "Barry Street) |
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