Jeff Black entertained the small and appreciative crowd on Sunday afternoon with his unique mixture of storytelling, songs, sense of grace and humor. Folks at the break commented at how amazed they were when Jeff's voice would change gears mid song - from soft and lilting to a heart pounding boom that would stop folks in their tracks, to say to themselves, WOW, where did that come from? And is this guy ever good!!!
Jeff entertained us with stories from his past: bike riding with buddies on hot summer days, his favorite job ever at a gas station, the time he opened for a mouse. His stories, like his songs, were well recieved. Okay, so we blew our first audience participation moment. A note to all future Jeff Black audiences.....when it's time for you to choose the entree at the Top Topic Diner...make sure you tell them to FRY IT!!!!!!!
At the break, I asked Jeff to play a song that's been in my head for days. The song, "Better Way" is from his latest "Tin Lily". He smiled wide when I told him how much the song has been hitting me lately. He said he loved the song too, and the really cool thing is the way the song can mean completely different things to people. ( "Like impressionistic art" is how one writer described some of Jeff's songs.) The "salty" lyrics and mixed company kept the song off the setlist for the day. Or did it?
After the concert ended and all had said their thanks and goodbyes, there sat the four of us. Gracious hosts Greg and Lois, Jeff Black, me. They asked if I could do them a favor. While saying "sure" my eyes and mind went to the 30 now empty chairs in their living room. So I said the first thing that popped into my head: "need help busting down the chairs?" Greg said "oh, no.....not at all...can you snap a photo of us with Jeff?" Which of course I did. Jeff got a kick out what I thought the favor was going to be....and laughed as he repeated my just spoken words "busting down the chairs".
As I was about to say my own goodbyes, Jeff said "wait, I'm going to play that song for you, if you have the time".
And so it was that after an already amazing few hours spent listening to (and enjoying) this amazing artist, after spending some quieter moments chatting after all had left, it was about to happen. A very one on one performance of a current favorite song. It was a "Somebody Pinch Me" moment in this music lover's life. Jeff talked more about the song as he searched for the right key on his guitar. "It's really such a simple song" he said with a smile. Like it was a mystery to him how such simple lyrics could turn into so powerful a song. He went on to say "something just happened" in the studio when Sam Bush and friends got hold of it.
Jeff started and stopped the song twice, saying he'd been playing it alot lately on the piano and wanted to find the right key. He found it, and for the next few minutes, Greg and Lois and Jeff Black and I basked in the simplistic beauty of a soft and beautiful acoustic version of "Better Way".
As for the "salty lyrics" Jeff explained that he tried to find other lyrics that would work, but nothing "said it quite like those did." So it won't ever see radio airplay. I'm pleased as punch he left em in.
So thanks to Jeff for the great time Sunday afternoon. If you get the chance to see Jeff Black in concert, by all means request Better Way. Thanks again to Greg( Happy Birthday Greg) and his delightful wife Lois for allowing all of us a chance to see amazing artists like Jeff in such a warm and intimate setting. Great Job!!!
Setlist coming soon.......
Maybe I'll have better luck next time!
