The Living Rockumentary

You can enjoy our little advertisement here: Smith Daily Jolt

So, last night I ate 19 bowls of cereal and headed out to Harry's to see Dennis Crommett's show. I know he reads this Rockumentary so I don't want to gush too much but he is really excellent. I see a lot of performers at Harry's, as you may know, and there is a great selection of local acts here in Northampton that I enjoy. But, last night while watching Dennis, it occurred to me that for most of the performances that I see, I enjoy them on an intellectual level. Some bands I see and I admire their songwriting, some I am in awe of their energy, other times I enjoy a beautiful singing voice or a perfect stage presence. I wasn't noticing any of these particular things with Dennis (although he does have them all.) What I was doing was simply sitting there engrossed in his entire performance. I wasn't thinking about the way he wrote a song or the way he played the guitar. It was like when you see a great movie, you don't notice special effects, or background music, or acting. Dennis' songs seem so pure and honest, with no trace of self-conciousness or cynicism, that they flow out of him naturally. That's why all the details didn't present themselves to me.

There was a crowd of maybe 15 people there. But they were all sitting at the tables and for the most part listening to him. I once again felt like I was in a real performance venue, not a bar that has performances. There were the six tough guys in the pool room who were hooting and rubbing testosterone all over each other. I suppose they have a right to exist. Up where I was sitting, though, the room was transformed into a whole different place. For some reason whenever I hear Dennis' songs I picture a second story bedroom with a slanted ceiling and a window looking out at a moon and forest. There's a screen in the window and the sound of crickets. This mystery bedroom has dark blue wallpaper and a lamp with a golden shade. I don't know where that image comes from but that is where Dennis' songs live. It's that feeling of being at home but also being alone in the safety and isolation of a late night bedroom.

Dennis is the real thing. How can this guy not be a star? I think the only other local act that comes close is Lo Fine.

I can't wait for the Spanish for Hitchhiking album.

Which reminds me that Ken played a few tracks off of the new Tea Lights recording and they are really great. That's another album to look forward to. Who are these young whipper-snappers moving to town and putting us all in our place?!?