That'd Be Alright and It Was: Steve Forbert
I walked into the dining room from the kitchen and heard Steve Forbert, who I hadn't yet met, asking Ernie what the name of the little black cat was. I knew it was going to be a good night. Any man who walks into the house and immediately asks about the cats, well, I know already I will like him. Later he insisted we not disturb Rascal who was sleeping on his things, and sang a bit to him during his soundcheck. Rascal was quite taken with Steve too, it seemed to be a match made in heaven, although Annie pushed her way into favored status by the end of the night.
I'll admit I was a bit of a nervous wreck about this show. Would the space be o.k. with so many people? Would the PA, which sometimes gets cranky, work o.k. for Steve? Would he like playing in our cramped little house? This, that, and the other thing, I can convince myself to be nervous about ANY thing and there were plenty of options. But, as I most often say the morning after a show....what an incredible night.
This was a particularly special show. I feel humbled and grateful----to Steve for making the trip and agreeing to play our ramshackle house, to folks that drove for hours from Iowa, Indiana, Michigan and all over in Illinois. Thank you all a million times for making this night happen. The incredible spread of food--you are all brilliant. And thank God there were a few leftover pieces of pizza and some of that apple cake left for me to snack on after everybody left. Could not have been more perfect!
Steve himself, was amazing. I'm not sure I can even articulate it. He sounded great when he started (he managed to get our PA sounding really great) but then a song or two in, as Ernie put it, he just hit his stride and every single thing he did was sublime. I love, love, love the new album and it was great hearing Compromised and A Big Comeuppance and the like. I was utterly delighted though, when he asked if there were any requests and he did The American in Me. Ahhhh....brought me right back to our Chase Street apartment in Chicago. I could just see, in my mind, the album leaning against the stereo cabinet and the shine of those pale hardwood floors we had. Almost made me cry. There were more than a few of those moments---loved hearing That'd Be Alright, thanks to my beloved Mark Gerking for requesting it. He finished of course with Romeo's Tune. The crowd sang along quietly and cheered and cheered when it was over.
A truly unique talent and a very special voice. And Lord but his harmonica was great.
Thank you all so much. Thank you Heather. Thank you Therese. Thank you Sue for taking care of me---and taking pictures. Thank you Linda and co. for standing up so I could crawl past a million times or two. Thank you Bonnie for everything you did. Thank you so much to the new folks that came. Thank you for all the food. Thank you for all the things I'm forgetting. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I feel so honored with all that is given to us at these shows. Thank you.
Most of all....thank you Steve.