Baltimore, Maryland

Ryan Newman: a man and his ice cream cone.

I discovered the joys of the chocolate sundae for breakfast courtesy of Dave Alima, our very old friend and former publicity czar. The Charmery is his new ice cream parlor on West 36th Street in Baltimore. Dave and his wife Laura started churning in a funky-in-a-good-way neighborhood in Baltimore. I think he shows more aptitude for ice cream than he did as our tour manager! Oooh, ouch! But I couldn’t resist!

Mighty cute for an Oompa Loompa.

It was comforting to remember, as I shoveled chocolate sauce into my mouth, that I was just two blocks from Johns Hopkins, but it’s good I didn’t have a heart attack because the medical school is on the other side of town. Personally, I can’t resist the cocoa bean; why even try? The other cats in the band licked up cones and bowls of Vibes Alive, a totally original flavor Dave named after a Groundation Song. What does it taste like? You’ll have to stop by his place and try it. I will confess Dave and Laura spilled the beans about some pretty serious secret desserts they’re working on. I’ll admit I waddled out pretty wired on the old choco, but I’d swear I saw an Oompa Loompa taking a smoke break by a tiny door in the back.

What bay did you say this was?

I like horns, I can’t lie. When I see a band has some horns, I always stick around. We share the burden and the uncommon joys of the fellowship of the wind instrument. I’m pretty sure bassoonists feel it as much as trumpeters. There’s  sometimes a bit of competitiveness, but it’s low key most of the time. Mutual respect: that’s usually the tone backstage.

No, we’re not going to take your wallet.

If that’s not an obvious lead in to the subject of John Brown’s Body, it’s not for lack of trying. Playing shows with them was inspiring: energized, positive, celebratory. They can really play; we let them know we hear that, and they let us know the attitude is reciprocal.

Respect has a way of radiating outward. Of course, the center of respect in the reggae world is Bob Marley. With almost all other figures in the culture, opinions are less unanimous. I don’t doubt some serious heads disagree with some aspect of Marcus Garvey or Peter Tosh or even Haile Selassie. I don’t believe in sanctifying people. Bob made plenty of mistakes, that’s not the point. You don’t have to be perfect to deserve respect, but in our lives we watch for those noble qualities in the people we meet, and acknowledge when we see them, and try to embody them. Dedication, humility, love. Reinforcing these qualities in each other.

Our show at Soundstage in Baltimore was awesome. The crowd was incredible, as they had been the night before in Philly. Baltimore’s got a rep. I think The Wire has something to do with that. What-everrr.  Anyhow, it was all good when we were there. Doctor Robinson and I hoofed it over to An die Musik to watch Cacaw play experimental jazz music. I took pictures of historic ships and checked out the bagpipe player. What’s the big deal?

No ma’am, we’re musicians. JBB and us.

New York, also awesome. Dramatic, sublime, the view right across the East River to Brooklyn, with the Bridge soaring overhead and boats, many of them historic-looking, ferrying people between the harbors. An epic horn battle ensued over Bob’s “Wake Up and Live”: Me and Doctor Robinson, Brian Landrus, who plays with Portlandian Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding, and the entire horn section from John Brown’s Body. No one survived to tell the tale except for a handful of superfans. Thank you Philippe and friends and especially Rachael. Thank you for your spirit and kindness, and congratulations on your fiftieth show!

You guys back East really love your old ships, don’t you.