Sunday, April 26, 2015

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.


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