Fall Feels (Part Two)

 October has settled in, and with it Fall Allergies.

I feel like Migraine Boy

But it hasn't stopped me from my Fall activities, which include biking new trails.

The Ashuwillticook trail runs from the center of Adams and goes all the way to Pittsfield. That was way farther than I was willing to go at 3PM on a chilly day, but it was still pretty, and a pretty good workout, as I went into the neighboring town of Cheshire and back.

I almost made it to the center of town and the Cheshire resevoir, and could see the part that drains into the Hoosic River.

 The fat tires on my hybrid mountain bike make it fairly slow going on pavement, so I turned back, and set my sights on another day to explore the southern half of the bikepath. But it was a good run on a very nice route that runs beside the river all the way.

Fall Feels (Part One)

 

Another summer has passed by watching the seasons turn while walking these paths. It's incredible to watch how fast corn grows, and then it's all gone! So much of it becomes a barren, muddy field. I watched a pair of kestrels today. Yesterday, a hot air balloon was in the distance near the holyoke range.

There are runoff streams that empty into the farmlands, and also a small kettle pond that empties into a swamp that feeds Bloody Brook. 

The trees in the distance here are the section where the wetlands are, before it flows under the highway and into town.

All of it ultimately reaches the nearby Connecticut River, and the Mill River that ends in Hatfield VIA Whately.

 

  

Nothing's Shocking (until it is)

 

I had tickets to see Janes Addiction in Bridgeport this week. That show did not happen, thanks to Perry's meltdown a few days earlier in Boston. My partner and I were lucky enough to see them two years ago at the Garden and it was a great show, so I had no resevrations about seeing them again, especially since original guitarist Dave Navarro had returned to the lineup after dealing with long COVID and had to sit out the last tour.

We are such big fans of the group that we put together a tribute set of their band a few years ago.

At the show two years ago, it was clear that lead singer Perry Farrel had lost a considerable part of his upper vocal range, but was still managing his way thru the material without going for most of the high notes, but this time around it seemed like he was having a harder time with it and it was taking a toll on his mental state. 

Most shows on the tour went fine, but midway thru, Perry was having trouble remembering lyrics, when to come in, and rambling in between songs while consuming a good deal of red wine. I'm not one to critique a singer for drinking onstage, but if you are having trouble singing, red wine will usually make that problem worse. I would suggest lots of water and maybe a little something on the side to help loosen things up if needed. I'm not that much younger than Perry, and I can tell everyone, it gets harder to sing songs I used to nail in my youth. But I took vocal lessons, until I felt like I had become a trained vocalist, and I was taught how to take care of my voice with warm up routines and various bits of advice. I'm not sure if Perry ever did those things (maybe because the band was young, broke up when they were all young, and he was so natually talented that none of those details were needed). 

Nothing prepared me for the incident that took place in Boston, though. I was under the impression that the tour was going well, but afterward, I started reading rreports about Florida and New York City being a bit off. Now I'm just concerned for Perry and his well-being. Music lives forever, but people don't. 

I wish I could help the poor guy.

Staycations

 

Tried to take the Canalside bike path, but never made it to the canal. It was still a pretty ride though.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was playing over the weekend, so we made it a "Family Night" so to speak.

I had a couple of weekends off for vacation, but didn't travel very far. Allergies have been kicking my ass all over the place, so I'm glad I didn't have to sing, or do much of anything. I feel better now though. We went and saw The Beths at Treehouse, which was a great show.

Bay State Love Songs

(August 2023) Bigger Stars as Aerosmith. Performance 33

My 6th year performing with Amy at the Pines Theater. The first year was with her backing me up as Adam & the Ants. We were just friends at this point, but I could sense a spark (you can see the reaction on my heavily made up face)

. 

The following year was a Woodstock Anniversary show. I chose Johnny Winter, and Amy did a cameo as Edgar. We were total clowns as usual, but the band rocked beyond belief and it was fun seeing the kids in the crowd react. Fast forward a few years to 2022, and we were Janes Addiction with Amy taking the frontman role and crushing it!

This time around, it was Bigger Stars as U2

Amy as Bono, and me as The Edge. Busting out my Explorer and Amy borrowing my fly shades!

Closing acts for the event included Dave Hayes and the Weather Nuts as Stone Temple Pilots.

Our friend Lord Russ wasn't around for this one, so somebody had to chew up the scenery, and I was Scott Weiland. I had to do something. I ended up looking like... something. 

Great musicians all around, and the audiance always enjoys a good rock show.

Just another amazing musical reunion of friends that just keeps on happening every year to raise money and awareness to the needs of the Northampton Arts Center and its community. 

We have a whole lot of fun doing it, and it shows.

I've Got a Bike

 about 25 years ago, I bought a used Hybrid Mountain Bike at a yard sale for $45. It needed new tires and it was starting to rust. I cleaned it up, oiled the chain, bought new tires, a new seat, and grips for the handlebars. I then rode the thing all over Centeral and Western Mass for the next 20 years. During my divorce several years ago, I made the mistake of leaving it out in the rain, and it quickly reverted back to its former state. The tires were mostly worn out as well, so I was going to need a replacment. I recently found a refurbished bike of similar style online for $175 and I was back in the swing of things. I rode around the farm roads near our house, but craved a longer rouute. Turns out there is a 3.7 mile long path that starts on the other side of town. 

On the Deerfield side of the rail trail, I found a small parking area near an active rail yard, and got things started. It didn't take long before things got interesting.

Constructed on a former train bridge built in 1880, I crossed the Connecticut River where it meets the Deerfield River.

After crossing the river I passed a few farms and some mixed residential and Industrial areas, then I was back on the trail on the other side of the hydro electric dam.

 I was now biking along a large pond like basin between the canal and the dam, where I watched a few swans as well as a cormarant and a blue heron.

After a mile, things narrowed into the canal, and the current started picking up. Factory buildings started to appear. Some of them dormant 

slated to be demolished in the near future, which will open up more space for recreation.

And then I reached the end, at the Great Fall s Discovery Center in Turners Falls. Where I turned around and completed my round trip. I look forward to this new routine for as long as the weather conditions allow it.

For The Love of Music

 It is the height of summer, and I'm working three, maybe four shows a week. Staying busy is good, as is making money. I drive 90 minutes or more to most of my shows, which are usually in Connecticut.

Andover Lake

The day before my latest string of shows, we went to see a friend's band play in Northampton, set right next to the Northampton Brewery.

Then, on the final day, I sang an early afternoon show with my Jazz band. I often joke that our band plays "Jazz for People who Don't like Jazz".