keep your dancing slippers on, keep me on your mind a while

I saw Ray LaMontagne last night at the Beacon and it was just fantastic . . . except for the high-quotient of douchebags in the audience. Seriously. These people apparently thought we were at a sporting event. Am I getting old or are there just more assholes hanging around nowadays? Sit the fuck down for an hour or so and just listen. You don't need a beverage. You don't need to pee, kiddo. Also, shut your hole.

Dude came through though. He gives good performance. And he's lovely to look at, to boot.

This video is not from last night but from earlier on his tour this year. I heard him cover Loretta (Townes Van Zandt) live for the second time in two months. Of course, this time he wasn't accompanied by Elvis Costello, John Prine, Lyle Lovett (hey there, name-dropping) but it was still delightful. So, listen:



Oh Loretta, she's a barroom girl
wears them sevens on her sleeve
Dances like a diamond shines
Tell me lies I love to believe
Her age is always 22
Her laughing eyes a hazel hue
Spends my money like water falls
Loves me like I want her to
Oh, Loretta, won't you say to me
Darling, put your guitar on
have a little shot of booze
play a blue and wailing song
My guitar rings a melody
My guitar sings, Loretta's fine
Long and lazy, blond and free
and I can have her any time
Sweetest at the break of day
prettiest in the setting sun
she don't cry when I can't stay
'least not till she's all alone
Loretta, I won't be gone long
keep your dancing slippers on
keep me on your mind a while
I'll be back, babe, to make you smile
—Townes Van Zandt, Loretta

P.S. Also, how friggin' cool is it that he referenced performances (from the Spectacle taping I went to . . . yeah, that's right, I'm big-time) I knew about AND saw for myself? Pretty. Damn. Cool. I should get a badge or something.

P.P.S. Lauren: you were wonderful company. Thank you for helping me pick out a t-shirt. And thanks for, well, for being you.