Why No Captain Penny?

So I've been asked why I've stopped talking about Captain Penny, Franz the Woodsman, Barnaby and that whole lot.

Simple really, somebody paid me to do something else. A publisher I've worked with in the past asked me write and archive a book on Modern Akron (1960 til now), and I took them up on it. Now that doesn't mean I've lost interest in children's show hosts in Northeast Ohio. I have a great interview with Barnaby's daughter, as well as some other really fun interviews, that I will use in the future.

Frankly though the interest I hoped to generate just didn't happen. I was really surprised that so many people were members of these folks facebook pages but showed no interest in talking about them.

I'll get back to it though, why wouldn't I? Captain Penny is still important to me.

Random Thoughts about Nuevo In Akron, W.C. Fields, Vinyl Albums and Archduke Franz Ferdinand

So anyway, the Akron Downtown Public Library shows movies for free quite a bit, this is a good thing that Akronites need to take advantage of. For instance on Thursday night I went down to see W.C. Fields It's A Gift. Now anything for free is good, W.C. Fields for free is great, It's A Gift free is amazing. For many, many years there was some weird copyright thingee and they couldn’t even show it.

Frankly anyone who understands what the hell I'm talking about when I say “Lafong, Carl Lafong” is someone who my estimation of rises. Shallow maybe, but defenseable I think.

And while I'm prattling on about good things about Akron-Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar is the sort of Downtown Restaurant that Akron really could use more of. A really good place to eat that isn't a chain or really boring food. The Sea Bass was out of this world and Eric behind the bar is great. Go there. Eat and drink a lot, it's a great place.

My friend Jeff is moving to Canada so he can live with his wife, who happens to be Canadian. That's a good thing. Jeff leaving is not. A really good party is. Glad to have “The Gang” together for the bash.

Went to a Vinyl Fair in Fairview Park today. Bought a TON of cool stuff. Somewhat obsucre albums my Barry Goldberg, Rick Roberts, Johnny Rivers and Heartsfield.

And a Marx Brother's Box Set of hard to find radio show appearances. That made me happy.

Brewer & Shipley, Jonathan Edwards, Stoner Folk Music, The Kent Stage and 4/20

 

 

I'm like my classic rock, I do, but I usually don't pay to see it as who wants to watch 70 year old guys and gals try to act like rockers.

But I got free tickets to the 4/20 show at The Kent Stage for old stoner balladeers Brewer & Shipley and Jonathan Edwards.

Truthfully I thought Brewer & Shipley had given up recording years ago. I mean who knows one of their songs other than “One Toke Over The Line” from 1970. In fact they kept referring to themselves as the One Toke guys, they know who they are. Amusingly they talked about how getting older meant they no longer smoke weed the day of a show, and had a song about smoking weed legally for the first time. They nailed it for the old stoners in the crowd, they knew all the right jokes. A couple of old pros really.

It seems seems they were actively releasing albums up until 2001 and have sort of part-rime touring schedule going on, who knew?. The Harmonies were tight, their voices blended well together and I had a good time. What was great was Mike Brewer's allergies were really working on him and he couldn't get his voice to hit the One Toke notes so they didn't perform their one and only hit. And all the other old stoners in the audience didnt mind.

Found out they met in Kent in 1964 and Tom Shipley was from Bedford.Nothing the fun and informative.

Jonathan Edwards was great as well. I actually own Edwards' first album, which helped as  four of the songs from his set were from the 1971 debut. I think most people know Shanty and Sunshine, but the other tunes hold up as well. In fact a lot holds up from his first two albums, the following fourteen though? Still, better than my recording career.

The lesson learned today? The Kent Stage always sounds amazing. Old Stoners are kind cool. And don't turned down free tickets, even to a show you never would have considered buying tickets for.

Madeleine Peyroux And the Kent Stage

 

 

Last Monday I had the chance to see jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux perform live for the first time, and a big thanks to my friend Katie for the opportunity. Have you ever been to the Kent Stage? The acoustics are amazing there, perhaps the best in Northeast Ohio. I'm usually very impressed by them anyway, but for a somewhat intimate little jazz show they were incredible.

It's only 642 seats, and that works for most acts I want to see. And I wanted to see Peyroux. I've always been a fan, I mean back from the early days when I was wondering who is that new singer whose phrasing reminds me of Billie Holiday. She still does a little, but she has also clearly developed her own stylings. She did do a Billie song, the somewhat obscure to the masses but pretty well known to her fans This Is Heaven To Me. It was wonderful, reminiscent of Holiday but not simply a copy.

She also did a few Leonard Cohen covers, one of her french tunes and a smattering of other songs from all over. Her Guitarist and Upright Bassist were incredibly tight. The Guitarist, whose name I didnt catch, was damn good. A number of understated but impressive solos.

So if you get a chance to see her, or go to the Kent Stage. Do it.

What Is History

What is History? It's something I've been thinking about lately. Mostly as other people's definition have proved to be a pain in the ass.

It seems for most history means old, it means black & white images. For most it means before they were born. Why is this a problem for me? Well, when you are hired to write a book on Modern Akron finding images of Polskys, Oneils, Lou and Hy's, Mr. Bilbo's and so many places that are sadly gone, but not quite gone long enough to be thought of as history, are hard to come by.

Sure everyone of a certain age will wax nostalgically about the downtown Christmas windows of Polskys and Oneils, and who didn't have a beer at Mr. Bilbo's? But nope, pictures are harder to come by than you think.  So I'm just saying, if you know somebody who has some.......

Thankfully Luigi's, The Civic, Swenson's, Skyway and the Peanut Shoppe are still there and hopefully willing to contribute some photographs.