I just heard a performance that was so good, it made me cry — can you believe this from something described as “cross-pollinated Gypsy music”?
If you ever have a chance to see Fishtank Ensemble perform, take it! Maybe they don’t always play that well, and tonight was a miracle — I don’t know, but it sure was miraculous. We got home an hour ago, and I’m still stunned. The vocalist has one of the most amazing voices you’ll ever hear and also plays fiddle and saw (!). The Serbian rockabilly bass player is a flat-out phenomenon, the best stand-up bass player I’ve ever seen in my life. The lead fiddle player is possessed by utter virtuosity. The flamenco guitarist is beyond superb. They all play together seamlessly at lightning speed.
All I could say was, “I felt like I just saw God,” because that’s what it was like. Maybe no one else was affected that way. (I am considerably weird.) But after only a moment, I knew what was happening: there was no interference! You don’t play that way by “trying,” they were tapped into pure spirit. Imagine getting hosed down with that for 90 minutes. It’s such wonderful medicine. They were so good, they stabbed me in the heart. I was so grateful. I didn’t go up afterward and tell them how much I liked them or try to buy a CD, because I didn’t want to break the spell.
I could have, too. This was at a house concert in a fabulous setting. We got to sit sunk way down low in a comfy antique sofa with a cool lady friend of ours and drink tequila. Hot damn. There were piles of great food, but we didn’t have any. I could get used to this way of taking in music, I have to say. What a hoot. There were even belly dancers in the audience who got up and danced.
If that happens in your home town, you are one lucky sonofabitch.
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