Jen and I had a date night. We get a lot of date nights now that the children are older, but our favorite thing to do is travel either to Pensacola or Mobile, or in this case, Destin to see James McMurtry. I was hoping he'd play outside but no such luck. He was going to play inside, downstairs, behind a mask of overflowing olfactory sensitive seafood guts, oyster shells, and scallop shells. It can be nauseating to some, but I think it's part of living on the Gulf.
I had the utter joy of seeing McMurtry in 2013 when he played at the same venue. It was March 2013, and I think they were looking for the terrorists that blew up the Boston Marathon finish line. It was raining, and chilly, and the venue got moved downstairs. I'd been able to have the joy of seeing Jason Isbell play TWICE with his band there a few years ago. Those days are long gone, but they were both incredible shows, so Harbor Docks has a piece of my music-loving-seafood-loving heart.
The show in 2013 with McMurtry wasn't great. The sound was AWFUL, and the band seemed tired. They'd been touring for a LONG time and needed a break. I was able to get my neighbor Joe out of the house for a show that night too back in 13, but, as usual, I think he was disappointed. This was the second time I let him down at a show. As enjoyable as the songs were, they seemed to be playing without much enthusiasm. The first bust was a sold out DBT show at Vinyl Music Hall, which made me swear I'd never see em again. (I've since changed my tune about them as I saw them last month and it was possible the best I've ever seen them play. I've seen them at least 10 times and have left bummed at dropping cash for the shows.) They needed a break like I did from them at the time, I guess.
The times changed.
McMurtry was re-energized from taking time off to record what I think is the album of the year--Complicated Game. Yep I said it. It's better than Something More than Free from Isbell. Lyrical Genius. Every song is a beautifully written prose of magic, that touches (at least my) heart. It's exceptionally well written and plays like listening to a good book. I started listening to it one rainy Saturday in June as we were doing chores--eh, ok. Decent stuff. Good background music.
I then found out he was coming to play again. Do i go see him? Do I want to spend $100 for dinner for the two of us with a concert after? Of course.
So I started delving into his older albums-again-beauty and poetry in motion. I played more songs on Complicated Game, listened a little more intently, at work, through headphones. Songs that talk to me, about places I live, about forgotten Coasts of FL, the places I relish and camp. NOW I'm playing it on a daily basis, and not just once, but up to 4x a day. I can't stop. It's Southeastern listening all over again with a new line and new thinking on every listen. I tear up during Carlisle's Haul--a song that fisherman would only understand.Sandbars and lights-federal regulations, bad fish hauls, living in a different time, a better one. "A string of Croaker for the Sunday meal; a String of Croaker makes a meal"--best line on the damn CD, but that'll change, I'm sure. Listening to "You got to Me" and instantly wanting to share that song with my wife. Almost lost her a long time ago by making bad decisions and hanging with wrong folk early in the relation. SO glad I stuck it out. Wifey sings "Long Island Sound" in her head every morning--Every song is just damn. It's just damn amazing.
Jen and I were able to sneak in a wall spot near the bar before the show-glad we did as the place got pretty packed. Got us a Lagunitas--the show started not long after. The sound was impeccable--SO much improved over last time. The band was rocking. I always sing along, whether it be lipping a long or actually singing. I sometimes like to look around to see who really KNOWS this icon. Are they there for the music, or are they there because there was nothing else to do on a friday night in Destin for $16.
A lot of them didn't sing. Jen and I did. Then we noticed a couple dancing in the front. To about every song. I tried to get pics without flash, but the dancers didn't come out. I was able to take one good one though.
I wanted to dance so bad to Choctaw Bingo, but I was a little taken back by the amount of absolute drunks this evening. Thought one dude was going to knock all the mics over and fall into the amps and stuff. Luckily he didn't. There were others too. Older men talking Alabama football, (which I SO don't talk about at a music venue) to my wife as I am at the bar grabbing another Lagunitas IPA. I was there to listen. It was a magical time. Especially the solo songs. Yes James, sometimes you can just flat ROCK AND ROLL. A lot of the times, you Rock. It was an absolute privilege seeing you. Thanks for coming back. Although, I'd much rather see you at Callaghan's in Mobile with a crowd that respects the artist more.
As badly as I wanted to get a selfie with him, after seeing him put up with drunks and selfies, and even funny British women with accents failing to get him to smile post show, I decided I just wanted to commit this show to memory, along with the dancing couple that night and 'having us a time'.
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