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Hi Neighbor
Julie first knocked at my door a few days ago. She had obviously just rolled out of bed and thrown on some jeans and a T-shirt but she looked completely amazing nonetheless. It was after midnight and she was very irate about the fact that I was playing this new band, Mr. Brown's Talent Show, repeatedly and loudly.
I explained, rather matter of fact, that I was a music writer and was paying my bills by reviewing said record for a music fanzine. I dont know what came over me but I invited her in to eat some just-delivered Chinese food. I don't know what possessed her but she accepted. My simple plan of seduction was this: to have her help me finish the review and then slowly fall in love with my taste in music and thus my irreverent view of society. I figured that it had worked before, why not now? Problem being, I was stuck: "Urban vignettes and melodic irony soaring Pete Townsend guitarsElton John meets Neil Young pianopure, soulful vocalscinematic lyrics Stories of New York interiorswhere people live, languish, love blah blah." I droned on.
As we devoured General Tao's Chicken, we talked about my recent move into the building. Julie said that she was pissed because although the CD playing was keeping her awake, she really liked the songs. Moreover, the fact that she liked the songs got in the way of her hating me, which pissed her off even more.
I tried to disarm the situation by asking her to describe what she heard. "It reminds me of a bunch of things. She explained. The singer's voice is like Lenny Kravitz sometimes. Or like a Paul McCartney/Smokey Robinson lovechild. I think that it's kind of cool that these songs are like little stories. Not folk songs in the poo-faced precious way, but folk songs in the Sweet Jane / Every Picture tells a story kind of way. And I hear a little Wilco or Tom Petty or even Gomez or Sheryl Crow. Horns, violin, piano it's all very catchy, classic stuff."
She talked, I typed.
Julie took a sip of wine, lingered for a moment, and then shot the proverbial arrow through my open heart. "If Ray Davies and The Kinks brought to life their version of '60s London through three-minute pop stories on Waterloo Sunset, then it seems some thirty years later these Mr. Brown guys update the concept, change the setting to New York City, and tell their version. At least that's how it hits me off the top of my head."
I sat speechless. I was both inspired and intimidated.
What followed was one of those nights that defy sleep in order to keep the possibilities and the exploration alive. At about 4:00am we both had revealed a lot about ourselves. First kiss, first boyfriend and girlfriend, her parents divorce, and the fact that my parents should have divorced. I told her about my growing up in Queens and spending many days and nights exploring Times Square as a kid.
When Julie asked me who Mr. Browns Talent Show was I didn't have much of an answer. The only biography that I was sent was a short story about this cliché couple brought together because of
Shut up,she said. They are just trying to be clever.
And then she opened her mouth and kissed me.
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| Musically: A groove that is right in the pocket, Trumpets, Swelling organ, Turntable-scratchin'.Lyrically: Meet Jane, you once knew her when you were younger. Maybe, you heard from an old friend that Jane was not doing so well. That She was not even there anymore...she was gone. |
CD: Mr. Brown's Talent Show
Label: Acre Of Fun
Credits: Mr. Brown |
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| In the early 1980's, Times Square was dirty and decadent. Hookers and drug dealers, porn theaters and hustlers all congregated. It was dirty and dangerous and unlike anywhere else in the world. It was uniquely New York. It was beautiful. |
CD: Mr. Brown's Talent Show
Label: Acre Of Fun
Credits: Mr. Brown |
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| The scene opens with a Charlie Chaplin like piano introduction. We see him sitting in an apartment...seemingly alone. We understand that the morning will bring out a truth between himself and his lover. An Oboe underscores the piano, which gives way to tympani drums which moves along time until first light. He stares at her sleeping body, and desperately wishes that she could remain unaware of his short comings and continue to see him as he wants to be seen.Soon rest comes and with it an orchestra of Violins, and electric guitars. |
CD: Mr. Brown's Talent Show
Label: Acre Of Fun
Credits: Mr. Brown |
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