Brad's Blog
Brad Webb - when he's not sitting behind the drums providing crazy jazz rhythms for Jamie on tour he's quietly taking note of everything going on behind the scenes and telling it to you here. These are Brad's tour tales...Good evening from Illinois.
Good evening from Illinois.
By this point, I should be describing North America in nauseating metaphors. I'm keen not to, mainly because it's predictable. And you would soil yourself with frustration and boredom. But there is a temptation to get poetic about this amazing place. Perhaps it's the best way to fathom it. The ever-changing locations, ample time spent wittering at each other, sporadic bursts of music and tonnes of food have combined to make my memory of the last week a rather brilliant
blur.
So, where the hell have we been this week? After scrabbling around and consulting my itinerary, it seems we've been to Toronto (from D.C.), Atlanta (via Cincinnati), Nashville, St. Louis... and now we're in Chicago. I think Danny (tour manager/sound man/luggage lover) and others in charge may have plotted our route by grinding some pepper onto the map and joining the flecks with a Sharpie. We have now crossed the US/Canadian border several times. This is an odd experience with this group of reprobates, especially when, at 3am, a torch-bearing border patrol officer sweeps aside a bunk curtain to reveal a squinting, Neolithic man. The horror was mutual.
Crossing into Canada, one of our party requested an urgent toilet stop. In order to reach the nearest facilities, Tom (incomparable bus driver/straight-talking Illinois native) had to drive the bus back into America. Ten minutes later, we traversed the border into Canada once more, being told hospitably not to "€#%\ this up again" and incurring an additional crossing fee. This has become known as 'The $13 Toilet Stop'. Whilst we've been knocked out by the cities we've played in, not all the locations we have stopped in en route have been quite as phenomenal. A vast mall car park in Ohio was so faceless** that I found myself in Borders buying a book called 'A Short History of The World', in order to find out where it'd all gone wrong.
But, aside from that momentary blip, we are being reminded daily why
North America is the place to be. The awe-inspiring vastness and unswervingly friendly people are making this a total pleasure. Thank you to the people of Nashville for your very unique version of Happy Birthday.
Bx
*Apologies to those Canadians who may have been offended by me referring to this as a tour of America last week. Congratulations on the ice hockey ;)
** I am sure the rest of Ohio is delightful in every conceivable way.
Comments
Thanks for taking the time to
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Thanks Brad!
Submitted by tomduban on March 24, 2010 - 00:04I enjoy your writing along the tour! Thanks for keeping us posted on your adventure in the states!
Seattle - Moore Theatre Show
Submitted by sammyh on March 22, 2010 - 20:52Hey Brad!
I just saw you guys in Seattle yesterday, and I just want you to know that although I am a humble 17-year old high school student whose opinion probably doesn't matter much, I thought that the show was possibly the best I've seen. We were all singing the words to every song and you guys grooved really hard. It was so much fun to be in the audience.
I'm also that kid who came to see you all after the show (I'm the piano player). My drummer friend Jarred really appreciated the sticks, and maybe you can pass the message along to Tom that I'm really grateful for the record! That was so cool!!!
I hope to see you guys play again; you're coming back to Seattle in June, right?
Wonderful show.... It was just brilliant!
Sam
Caribbean Tour? (HA!)
Submitted by akafrancie on March 21, 2010 - 17:14"Short history of the World" is greatness...
I live in the Caribbean but travel to the US and Europe a lot, unfortunately exactly on the dates you guys are NOT playing. Wtf?
But if you're ever considering a Caribbean tour, you'll have at least one happy person there :)
Thanks from Park West, Chicago
Submitted by ejazz1 on March 21, 2010 - 00:53Jamie came to town! I normally don't get to concerts, but this was one I'd been waiting for. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and all the brilliant expression of music (definitely wanted to hear more- this stuff feeds my soul). Imelda's band was fantastic! What a treat...
Birthday...
Submitted by friarmac007 on March 18, 2010 - 03:23Brad, You're right. Post only once a week, as you'd probably have to write "filler" about what was eaten, drank, etc., and we get tired of reading it.
I won't post anything else here, as I already posted something about Nashville on the previous week's blog, but you may want to update this posting to remove any mention of H**py B**th**y as I've heard a certain fellow if paid to go after royalties every time it is sung at a paid event, unless Verve is owned by Warner/Chappell, then I guess everything is kept in the family.
I do want to say one thing that I didn't mention before, your playing was tremendous. Playing drums for jazz is different. At our local jazz festival (the W.C. Handy Music Festival, Florence, Alabama) we get to hear some of the best jazz drummers, and your playing ranked up there with the best.
Do tell Jamie, while it is nice seeing him at the Hollywood Bowl or at the Academy Awards, performing a song or two, please don't wait almost four years before he comes back. I'm 60 now, and have a so-so heart... If there's anything he needs to help him get back sooner... His wish is our command....
Loved you in Atlanta
Submitted by geekvixen on March 18, 2010 - 01:07I'm surprised the blog didn't include any description of the lengths you all went through just to make it to Atlanta for the show. Maybe those hard times are better left forgotten? My husband and I took the day off from work and drove 3 1/2 hours to attend the concert. It was worth every sacrifice made by us and most definitely by all of you! This was our second concert but not our last!
Hello from Toronto
Submitted by jazcan on March 17, 2010 - 20:27Thanks to all of you for putting on such an AMAZING show at Massey Hall. I took my 15 year old son and he had such great time. He was hootin' and hollerin' louder than anyone and was really thrilled to meet you and shake your hand after the show. All the best on the rest of your tour and remember when crossing the border again Saturday(Vancouver) to make that toilet stop beforehand (lol)
Thanks, from Canada
Submitted by KatieFS on March 17, 2010 - 20:09Your show in Toronto was amazing. It was my first time seeing Jamie (and company) in concert, and I have to say, it was the best concert I've ever been to. Imelda was brilliant as well. My 13 year old daughter loved the show too. All the best for the rest of the tour. Have a blast!
thanks for Nashville!
Submitted by starsmaycollide on March 17, 2010 - 17:25My husband and I drove from Birmingham to see you guys in Nashville last Saturday. Thanks for the great show! And we had fun singing Happy Birthday, so you're welcome :)
I hope that when your manager puts some pepper on the map to decide on dates when you come back to the US, that it will include the South, so we can see you all again!