2020/6/20 Summerfeet @ A Backyard in Nyack, NY
One hundred days. One-oh-two to be exact. Sigh.
I didn’t count them. I didn’t really think about it. Well, to be fair, the great abyss that is the livemusic part of my brain fired up some new pathways and neural connections that pushed me to become an amateur concert promoter. So there’s that. But that, too, is a silver lining. There’s been so much goodness, in fact, in the 2,448 hours between shows that to focus on what was missing instead of embracing what was good seemed sinful. There’s truly been a lot of good. And anyway, my pre-Covid cup had runneth over. My fun account was full, so to speak, busting at the seams on the heels of the last deposit made by Warren and Derek and Oteil and co. I think we somehow knew it at the time, too, but if ever there were a song that had to last 102 days, Lord help me, that Whipping Post was it.
Not once in these last three months did I feel like I was missing something (well, I guess I am a little bitter about seven missed Pearl Jam shows). Largely, though, I embraced what was rather than cursing what wasn’t. I believe everything happens for a reason and while my spirituality has no place in this review, it also kind of does. Because it colors everything I say, do, think, and feel. The beauty of this night, planned on a moment’s notice and alighting like a phoenix from the vast emptiness from which it came, was the combustible energy that it created. It was real. It was tangible. And we all felt it, not least of all, the band. Because what we’ve been missing these last few months, fans and musicians alike, hasn’t been live music, per se, it hasn’t even been community because we’ve found new ways to let that flourish. It’s been the communal energy that live music both promises and delivers.
Like minded souls, gathering with purpose, even if that purpose was recreational — especially because our purpose was recreational — was what we all needed. So with that first note, one hundred and two days of latent energy was released. But it wasn’t lost to the universe, for matter is neither created nor destroyed. We fed it and fanned its flames with love and togetherness and joy. On this night, even though we were able to collectively let it go, what we actually did was create something far greater than each of us. I think, on this night, the symbiosis of musical notes and good humans with purity of purpose found Eden in Nyack, NY, a little slice of Heaven on the Hudson.
As their name implies (it embarrassingly took me too long to make the connection between their name and their style), Summerfeet delivered the soundtrack to a perfect summer night. The setlist featured favorites from Bruce Springsteen, Led Zeppelin, The Grateful Dead, Van Morrison, Michael Kiwanuka, The Rolling Stones, Don Henley, The Allman Brothers, Nicolette Larson (really Neil Young), John Prine, The Band, Pearl Jam, Tom Petty, Joe Cocker, The Avett Bros, and Phish (actually Son Seals). Dennis Bolger led the way with an acoustic guitar and sultry vocals that would feel at home anywhere from Nashville to Seattle in the 90s. Todd Nocera, smiling all night, played that red Nord like it was plugged into my heart, both funky and delicate in equal turns as the band navigated the setlist’s twists and turns. Joe Colgan’s electric guitar solos were on point, but his acoustic solos were what really worked my heart strings. Delightful. And the addition of a percussionist playing a cajón and a hi hat added a layer of depth and complexity that perfectly completed Summerfeet’s sound. His name was Miles, right? Sign him up. This band has been practicing of late — their work was obvious. But it was the way they interacted and fed off of each other and the lucky twenty-five or so of us in attendance that made this night so special. To a man, the guys on stage will tell you that they felt “it”, too.
Whether it was the Grateful Dead’s “Dire Wolf”, Michael Kiwanuka’s “Cold Little Heart”, or John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery”, the band and the audience engaged like a cat chasing its tail in both directions, riding an emotional roller coaster on a Mobius strip of infinite love and positive energy. The Avett Brother’s “I And Love And You”, Summerfeet’s calling card, if you will, put the cherry on top of our perfect night, no more was necessary. But we’re greedy music fans and the band didn’t really want to be done either, so we demanded an encore and they delivered with a tongue in cheek dedication to the lady of the house and our hostess with the mostest, “Funky Bitch”. Boom!
8,470 Komito™ steps, every one a pure fucking joy. Thanks to the band, our amazing hostess, and the beautiful humans with which this night was shared. I and love and you.