Happy Saint Patrick's Day *we celebrated early

 

And I am as hung over as if there were adult beverages involved, although there weren't. I don't see midnight very often, but my pedometer reset on the way home. Left the venue with 10400 some odd steps, got home with 0. However, it was worth every rain-swept, wind-ravaged mile of the round trip ride.

I first experienced the High Kings thanks to Ralph. I was sitting in the dining room on the old computer bitd, avoiding television as I always do. He called me, "You gotta come see this!"

 They were on PBS playing Marie's Wedding.

I was stunned. I spent Lord knows how long standing in front of the dreaded tube enthralled. Before the night was over I bought Marie's Wedding for my playlist on whatever ancient device I was using then, along with a whole bunch of other new favorites (Whiskey in the Jar anyone?).

Their music was soon featured heavily on my personal "Barn List". We took turns blasting the CD player in the barn during the twice daily milking of the cows. The kids had somewhat more rock and country based stuff, but I loved the band from that first night, and whenever they produced an album I added it.

Fast forward a bit. We started going to their concerts whenever they played locally, two or three at The Egg, one in Syracuse, last year at Troy City Music Hall.

Then a couple of months ago the girls cooked up a trip to the Academy of Music in Northampton Massachusetts. Liz would drive. Long night drives are not much fun for us fogeys. Tickets were purchased, in the balcony, but there isn't a bad seat in the house when they are playing.

Yesterday Liz let me know that she had been watching the ticket sales and had found an open seat in the second row so she bought it. She might have taken it herself, but she gave it to me.

What a gift! I don't have words. It was a great show. What an enthusiastic crowd! 

Sometimes when you hear a favorite musician the people mixing the sound don't get it quite right. You can't hear the words, or one band member is muted and you can't hear them right. Last night was perfect. Sitting in front I could feel the music as well as hear it at its finest. I am glad I faithfully pursue my walking goals so I have the stamina to join the fun.

They played old favorites, including Men of Aran, and an as yet unreleased instant hit called 77A. (Yes, go listen, you know you want to...)

I always knew Darren Holden had a magnificent voice, but his rendition of The Town I Loved So Well gave me cold chills last night. If they play near you, grab some tickets (I recommend getting the best you can find) and prepare to be blown away. if you can't go, they are available to stream on most services. I have a ton of their songs on my 3C Walking List on Amazon Music, which helps propel me through my 10000 steps a day routine.

It was the best concert I have ever experienced.

Mad props to Liz for driving in the horrible storm that hit right after we got inside the theater, and heartfelt thanks for that ticket. Thanks to the rest of the family for sitting in the balcony without complaint while I sat all the way up front between prefect strangers...nice fellows, not rude at all, although they did enjoy those adult beverages...

It was a long night and I sure hope the coffee kicks in soon, but I don't regret one second of lost sleep.

***Oh, and there were bagpipes....

...And another talented guy, Zack Telander, opened for them. This song will be going on my list as well....or maybe not. It doesn't appear to be on Amazon.

I woke up this morning with Chasing Rainbows playing on the jukebox in my brain. Just can't stop winning...

I can Barely See.....

Near us in the parking garage

Oh, but it was worth every minute of it. Becky took us to see the High Kings last night at the Egg, and it was one of the best concerts I have ever attended. We have tried, literally for years, to get tickets to see them, but they always played where we couldn't go, or while we were at camp, or they were sold out. 

This was our anniversary present from her.

It was great!

Imagine if you will a theater stuffed with people, all ages and levels of fancy dress, singing along with Goodnight Irene. Hooting, clapping, foot stomping, singing along with lots of other songs too....

An a Capella song that brought cold chills with every note. I need to figure out the title of that and see if it's on one of their albums.

The rowdy Irish music had the whole crowd clapping for hours. I mentioned to Becky that I felt like I was in one of the pubs in Nora Roberts books....The only hard part was listening to that kind of music sitting still....

Some of my favorite songs were played, Whiskey in the Jar, Leaving of Liverpool, Marie's Wedding, which was the first song of theirs I ever heard..... New songs. Songs they wrote, tribute songs, including Gordon Lightfoot's Early Morning Rain. A couple of good, lively sets.

These are wildly talented young men and they worked the crowd like the pros they are. My arms are tired from clapping along with the songs and knees are kinda weak from all that foot tapping. I have a number of their songs on the main playlist on my phone and listen to them while I work all the time. However, hearing and seeing them live was an incredible experience...they are one of those rare groups that are even better live.

I could go on and on, but I am sure you would rather I don't.

So thanks, Beck for taking us and Ralph for driving. (He is not a music man, but he had a great time too.)

We got monumentally lost getting out of Albany, thanks to the b**ch-in-the-box, who has no idea where she is going, and they did not play Boolavogue, which is my favorite song if I had to pick just one, but what a night. Go see them if you get a chance