January 1, 2007

This year, Gary, Nick and myself spent New Year’s Eve in Manhattan, and had such an amazing, memorable time. We were down the street from Times Square; but were at the Beacon partying down (for the second year in a row. Hop over to Mule-A-Go-Go NYE for last year’s roundup) with Gov’t Mule and friends: Gregg Allman & friends; Devon Allman and his band, Honeytribe, Gordie Johnson; John Popper; Machan; and Toots Hibbert. I spent the better part of the night backstage, reacquainting myself with some amazing folks, while meeting and making new friends, too.

The show was incredible - three stellar sets. The crowd was explosive.

Mule kicked us off with a mellow groovin’ Thorazine Shuffle, and then proceeded to thrill us, shake us, electrify us, groove us, and leave us spellbound with such offerings as: She Said, She Said, Whiter Shade of Pale, Unring the Bell, Reggae Soulshine, A Million Miles From Yesterday, Feel So Bad, and Dreams. Toots Hibbert added a reggae flavor to the night, and Gregg & Friends took the stage with Sweet Feeling and Just Like a Woman. Mule then rejoined the stage with Gregg for a couple more - including Just Like a Woman. John’s harp, and Gordie’s guitar provided additional dimension to an already stellar lineup - making the final show of 2006 one to remember.

The evening was the best New Year’s ever! Midnight toasts of Moet & Chandon White Star and Jack & Coke, balloons dropping from the ceiling, and confetti streaming through the theater, and a uniquely fragrant scent imparting a contact high upon all those capable of breathing. Nick managed to hold out until around 2:30ish in the morning (by which time he was worn out).

We made some new friends, ran into some old friends, and took away memories that we’ll always treasure. (Click on the pictures - you’ll see the guys hugging the stage [left front] - they were up front and personal. Why am I not there, too? I was backstage, away from the limelights.)

Upon walking out of the theater after the show, we discovered it was raining. Gar managed to ‘hijack’ a taxi (not really, seize is more the right word) back to the hotel. The driver was determined he wasn’t picking up any fares, stating “oh no, no, no!” Gar was determined he was - telling us “get in the car.” We won.

Back at the hotel - the Ameritania, across the street from the Ed Sullivan Theater, we were faced with the dilemma of cramming three grown people into a little room. When we say little, we’re not kidding. Don’t get me wrong - the room was very nice, just very small. (See picture at right.)

Gar had a rollaway cot brought up, but had no idea on where we were going to put it - possibly the closet, possibly the bathroom, possibly the hallway. I thought - hey, no problem. If I sleep in the hallway, just make sure I don’t end up on another floor. (That could be kind of a bad thing.)

Gotta say, rollaway beds will never be the same again - we had more fun trying to squeeze that blasted thing to fit in the room. We managed to get it pushed over to a corner and opened about 2/3 of the way, stretching it partially across the room’s bed. (Yes indeed, look at the picture of the room again - it’s small! To fit one bed in there was enough, two - not happening!) I decided screw it, and climbed into it anyways (of course, the alcohol buzz made me king of the mountain). That was a bad idea, as I ended up trapped in it. Problem was, I couldn’t stop laughing, and neither could the guys. We’ve never laughed that much - it was hysterical! Eventually, I managed to roll myself out to the floor. Then, finally, we ended up yanking the mattress off the rollaway frame and throwing it on the floor for a makeshift futon. And there I passed out.

So now, it’s now officially 2007, the hangover has subsided somewhat, and it’s back to work tomorrow. Boy, did the past week fly by!

In the wise words of whomever is the original author, herein is my wish for all as we enter the year 2007 (customary to our Chinese friends, the year of the Pig).

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts.
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!
May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face, and may your tears be that of joy.
May the problems you had forget your home address!
In simple words …

May 2007 be the best year of your life!!!

Happy New Year everyone!

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|  Printable version | Posted in reels and squeals, reflections | Tags: concert, govt mule, music, new years eve, new york city, reels and squeals, reflections, warren_haynes.