Tag Archives: Karen Kuhl

The People Tree

Yes the days are blurring into each other lately. I’m pretty sure that today is Thor’s Day so we should all raise out hammers towards the sky and thank the son of one eyed Odin for the bounty of words that are in front of your mortal eyes as his goat led chariot flies in the sky.

Glad to have gotten that out of the way.

Last night was a very cool night. Full moon, Pier 13, good bands. The Fave, Karen Kuhl and Lloyd United played. Apparently according to the Lloyd United webpage, Las Vandelays played as well but I missed them.

The Fave are the offspring of Joe Della Fave, a Hoboken mayoral candidate in the 1980’s. They were OK. Next up was Karen Kuhl, formerly of Gutbank and Sexpod, who just keeps getting better and better. Bluesy almost.

Alice Genese played bass and sang back up. Karen was thrilled to see me and gave me a big hug after the show.

I love Karen, she’s one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. So is Alice for that matter. Hard to believe but they’ve been playing together on and off for 20 years.

Lloyd United was a definite surprise. They reminded me of the Pogues somewhat. Irish drinking songs usually do the trick. I think I would see them again if given the chance.

I wonder if God Abramson ever booked them at McSwells. I have my doubts that they did but if anyone could set the record straight, I’d like to know.

I had a few beers. They were $4.00 a pop, not $2.00 which I thought for some reason, plus a buck when they passed the bucket.

I finally introduced myself to Rob La Rosa who was a McSwells regular back in the day. Always saw him, never spoke until last night, even though we have many mutual friends. Turns out he’s a nice guy and gets my jokes, which for me is always a plus.

Jared Nickerson also turned up. I actually ran into him on the bus the day before and he told me about it. He’s still playing bass. He used to be in Human Switchboard and JJ Jumpers as well as a few other bands that I can’t remember. He also went out with Ann Boyles back in the day.

Jared was there to see Karen play and then he split. Rand and Lisa were there as well and stayed to catch Lloyd United.

It was a beautiful night on the river. Tonight they’re having a reggae band, Skyrockers Reggae Band. I have no idea who or what they are, but I might check them out if and when I take a walk. I just hope it’s not the Legend album and only the Legend album.

It’s been an interesting day so far. I walked around Hoboken and sat on a bench by the river and continued to read, The Low Side of the Road, the Tom Waits unauthorized biography by Barney Hoskyns.

But as I sat there, the fact that I didn’t eat lunch started to wear me down so I came home and ate a late lunch/early dinner. I feel better now but it’s amazing how I crash when I skip a meal.

Congratulations to Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotamayor.

And Rest in Peace, Snoop. Pedro’s pal of 14 years.

Getting Away With It

It’s Wednesday I think. I’m at the border where the days start to blend into one another. Last night was alright. Another stroll with Julio, this time I was able to get some words in.

A different route around Hoboken and not as winding as the night before. It was a late start anyway. A good walk with a stop to get Bill some of his vitamin water for which we schlepped to a few stores on Washington Street.

Came home where Bill was falling asleep sitting up again. Despite my suggestion that he should go to bed, he actually stayed up for an hour or so more. We didn’t watch anything in particular as far as I could remember. The news and the Simpsons was about it.

Went to bed earlier than I’ve been lately. I did have the plan to go into the office again today to assist Greg Stevens on some projects. He will pay me out of his pocket and expense it. And I may help Greg’s wife out with her charity, stuffing envelopes for a function down the line.

Good people those Stevens are.

I went in and talked to Viveka for a little while. She seems to be getting fed up with the way things are and with the work she is doing, plus the work that I used to do, she is feeling the strain.

I don’t get dressed up these days when I go into the office. Just shorts, sneakers and the usual shirt. I’m not working officially and I don’t see any reason to conform to a job that doesn’t really exist.

Greg Stevens doesn’t mind and I haven’t heard any complaints, just a few utterances from some people wishing they could dress like I do. Someone said I looked cool with the way I dress and I could only reply, that I am cool.

So I did some work for Greg which took an hour or 2 and then had a nice walk across town to the bus terminal enjoying a cigar and listening to a play list of Elvis Costello & the Attractions on my iPod.

Hot and sticky on the streets of Hoboken again, I walked around for a bit before going to the supermarket.

Nice and cool in the store, but the workers are generally belligerent which makes one want to leave the store as soon as possible. Came home and made some dinner, Bill sitting on the couch after cleaning up a bit.

Tonight the plan is to go see Karen Kuhl perform on Pier 13 in Hoboken. It’s the same spot that I went to last month with Rand & Lisa.

Cheap beers, nice evening to be out, provided it doesn’t rain and it’s been forecast. They do have a tent which could be nice. I just hope it doesn’t rain.

Rand and Lisa will be there and Alice Genese is also playing with Karen. Karen usually puts on a good show so in any event it should be worthwhile.

That’s my to do list for the night. What are you up to?
After you read this, that is.

Has anyone noticed or heard the remake of Ceremony by Joy Division-New Order being used in a television commercial? It’s for Absolut, which I guess makes it OK. But it certainly through me for a loop. I only starting drinking Absolut in 1984 because of Scritti Politti