I hope I didn’t anger the copyright Gods with that title.
2020/9/4 Tom Hamilton Jr. @ Tree of Life Benefit #4, Mt. Kisco, NY
Summer 2020 has been all about making lemonade. No need to waste words explaining that, right? Cool. Even as my heart continues to ache for the live event industry as a whole – and especially all the individuals who are suffering financially without large (or even medium and small) scale concerts, shows, and indoor gatherings – I am beyond grateful for the makeshift events that have been popping up in twos and threes for the last couple of months. Suffice it to say then that these small and safe backyard get-togethers and private parties have been everything; experiences that transcend and check the spiritual box in a wholly different way. I’d even go so far as to say that due to the intimacy herein, multiplied exponentially by the creativity, passion, and resourcefulness required to bring these ideas to fruition, they kind of redefine many aspects of the live music experience.
The latest Tree of Life benefit took place in the backyard of a gorgeous wooded property in Mt. Kisco, NY. Yep, Tree of Life while nestled under a wooded canopy … poetically perfect. Thanks to Ed, our host, and Rob, Stephanie and Sarah for the passionate work behind the scenes that they manage so gracefully in addition to their regular full-time jobs. Even as I met our host for the first time, the small and appreciative crowd was a sea of friends and familiar faces from Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s beautiful and extended RadFam, Tommy’s own HamFam, and beyond, turned out to support singer, songwriter, and guitarist extraordinaire Tom Hamilton Jr.
It’s kind of embarrassing to admit, but right up until the eleventh hour I guess I pictured this show taking place with an electric guitar in Tommy’s hand. When I finally got my shit together and screwed my head on straight, it finally dawned on me that this was going to be Tommy on a stool. What I did not at any point envision was the glorious episode of VH1 Storytellers: Tom Hamilton Jr. that this show would turn out to be. Oh man this guy is a fucking gem. Affable, self-deprecating, and funny as fuck, I bounced back and forth all night between the goosebumps elicited by his music and the belly laughter reaction to his comedy. Authenticity is easy to follow. So real, so good, and soooo cathartic.
Back set with a gorgeous tapestry and the aforementioned woods, Tommy took to the stage bedecked in a black blazer, skinny jeans and his signature newsboy cap. He took his shoes off straight away and played with from the comfort of his Stance™ Misfits band socks. I’ll forgive the lack of a scarf due to the fact that it’s still technically summer. But I digress. Point is, the dude looked great and dressed up to show up. Immediately diving into his next level banter, he warned of our applause, “This is my first show since February 29th and it can go south quick.” Continuing, “I don’t know if you know this or not but prior to JRAD I had a career”, as he lubed up and settled down with a tasty string of original material to get the show going, quickly mastering the format while the lucky few of us in attendance fell under the spell of his easy manner, quick wit, and overwhelming talent.
THamz spoke of an artist’s songwriting progression, “On your first record you write about cliche shit like drugs and heartbreak. And then you have to find new material so you dig and dig and learn some stuff about yourself. And it sucks. It’s a real gut check. I was living on Joe Russo’s couch at the time … It’s not like I’m not Jewel or anything … but that’s when I wrote this next one.”
In a night full of highlights, one of many memorable moments came after a lyrical error on Bruce’s “Thunder Road”. “I was going to use this iPad (for lyrics) but figured I don’t need that. Let’s just start over. It’s a private, it’s all good. Nobody’s streaming.” Nope, but someone was recording. And after a minute or so of brilliant banter, I gave fair warning, “You know I’m going to post this.” Watch for his reaction and stay for five luscious minutes of my very favorite Bruce Springsteen songs. “Just so you know, I didn’t write that.” I’m telling you this guy’s good.
After having been told early on, “I have a list of tunes and I’m going to burn through them and then we’ll do the request thing,” we had now reached that point in the show. A super heady request for Dire Straits’ “Romeo And Juliet” was turned down because “that’s a tough a one and I don’t think I can play it.” I called out for Row Jimmy which was on the mind after having been enchanted by it earlier in the day by Eric D. Johnson on a gorgeous live stream for the Freaks Night In FB group. {It’s all connected :: heart emoji ::} Tommy was agreeable to my suggestion and the result was pure fucking magic, even if “I’ve never played this song without JRAD so let’s see what happens.” {Trying to dig up some vid for that, it needs to be seen.} “And by the way, I didn’t write that either.” “Just kidding, that one’s mine,” as Tommy launched into an impromptu and obviously made up story of how he did, in fact, write the Grateful Dead classic, “Row Jimmy.” “We were driving, you know that huge truck stop on I-80, I think it’s the biggest truck stop in the world. Anyway, Row James, that’s what he’s called but we needed more syllables for the verse …” And on and on. Too. Fucking. Good.
Immediately thereafter, “You know when Chris Cornell and Neil Young do this and they have like thirty-five guitars and there’s a tech just handing him the exact guitar he wants at the exact minute? Yeah, that’s big league and we’re not that, but it’s so he doesn’t have to do this shit,” as he tuned his :: sad face :: only guitar. And then the story of how he wrote Bob Dylan’s “Tangled Up In Blue” before getting yours truly on his feet for the first time. A few others followed and just like that, we were dancing. Aaaaaaahhhh … that’s what I was waiting for. And next, “a tune that JRAD doesn’t really play so I will. I’ve been obsessing about it since I’m five. … The (Grateful) Dead had so much shit, especially in those early days, that just had so much power. This one is a brilliant example of art and literature.” The first ever solo acoustic “Wharf Rat” of my life followed and it was everything I imagined it would be and more.
For the first time all night, unless I missed it earlier which is always possible, on the very last tune, Tommy did a little looping on an original jam and had a good number of us boogying pretty hard. To my dance partners and brothers and sisters in arms, I feel you! The whole night, all of it, had me thinking about how good this lemonade is. Sure I miss what we had, but I’m going to look back and treasure this, too. It stands up.
To the creators of these innovative gatherings, the musicians who embrace them, and the friends and family who share in the groove, thank you!
To Tom Hamilton Jr., for sharing your heart and bearing your soul, thank you, thank you, and thank you – brilliant in every way, brother!
Also managed 2,116 steps starting with the “Tangled Up In Blue” through the end of the show. Three laps around a track give or take. It’s not nothing.
Friday was also a special day for the #RadFam, as this was the first earnest gathering in over six months, Tom Hamilton the catalyst that brought it all together. There was relief and joy in equal parts. There was also a palpable tinge of sorrow – manifested as celebration – as it was also just about the one year anniversary of the passing of Brian Vanikier. Communally remembered in a group setting for the first time in over half a year, the air was thick with love and remembrance.
The story of “The Apron” …
Every gathering since his passing is an opportunity to remember Brian and celebrate his life. #NFABV. Brian was kind and funny and lived to spread joy and make people laugh. I was fortunate to know BV, if only too briefly, having met last year at Mountain Jam solely because of the ridiculously amazing apron he wore with the sole purpose of eliciting a laugh or a smile… a full graphic of Michelangelo’s David, ceramic cock and all. Damn, did he own it, too! I wanted to tip my hat and give this guy a hug (we did that then, hugged perfect strangers) and we became fast friends who spent much of the rest of the night together. Turns out we had a list of common friends that could fill a scroll and continued to see each other as show buddies, even if we didn’t independently keep in touch. A seriously good dude with a heart of gold, Brian tragically left us too soon. Every show since is an opportunity to remember BV and celebrate his life. Fast forward to Friday night, the first RadFam gathering in over six months, and Brian’s presence was heavily felt. Long story short, I was gifted the very apron (perhaps a replica) that BV wore so proudly. I am humbled and privileged to wear it and I promise to #BeLikeBV and own it while honoring his memory with levity, good cheer and positive vibrations. #payitforward. #RadFam
Audio from Eric McRoberts. Thank you 🙏
Setlist:
01. Running In Place* ->
02. Joeline *
03. Desperate Times*
04. Winter War Games*
05. Invite All Your Friends*
06. Thunder Road (Bruce Springsteen)
07. Simple Gift Of Man^
08. Row Jimmy (Grateful Dead)
09. State Police^
10. Weight Of The World*
11. Goddam*
12. Tangled Up In Blue (Bob Dylan)
13. Atlantic City (Bruce Springsteen)
14. Wharf Rat (Grateful Dead)
15. Best Kept Secret @
* American Babies
^ Brothers Past
@ Ghost Light
Even after getting help from Eric McRoberts, I feel like I still fell short here. Lmk if anything needs fixing.
Lastly, shoutouts to Mike and Ali Voron for having me over before the show; Andrea Grant for hanging around to give me a hug; another for Mike, without whom I would have no scarf game; John Pullekines for bestowing upon me “the apron”; and the rest of you lovely folks who shared in the laughter, the groove, and these words.
