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Tonight I got to see my friend PJ performing live...finally.
The High Dive is kind of a small place, but very colorful and there's a
nice setup there. When we got there it was semi-crowded and I wasn't
quite sure where to go at first so I just headed for the stage area
ahead of me. Then I heard a voice behind me and saw PJ! He gave me a hug
and from the corner of my eye I saw my friend Kevin. What a surprise! I
wasn't thinking that anyone I knew could make it to the gig. So we all
joined him at the table he was sitting at and chatted.
I was nervous! I accidentally blew out the table's candle. Embarrassing.
LOL. I have 2 states of concert excitement. The silent one and the
overly talkative. I remember the first time I saw PJ I was very quiet,
the second time I was probably babbling much more than I should. It's
been awhile so I slipped back into quiet mode. He talked about his
family and about how he wanted to open up a Mexican restaurant using
recipes that his wife's grandmother passed down. Sounds like a good
bite. If this ever comes into reality I'm sure there will be a cluster
of us packing in the seats. PJ went to try and go to his sound check,
but was once again denied one. Poor guy. The opening act for him was
even able to get one! We went over some of his more memorable concert
experiences. He also brought up the Gorillaz, "Demon Days" is
apparently living in his cd player. I don't blame him, it's a great
record. Also noted that his kids also wanted the new Bon Jovi. I
remember feeling a little queasy about the mention of this preparing for
a possible Bon Jovi joke, but he was appreciative of the fact that
they're still doing their thing, stronger than ever.
PJ was talking about doing a bluegrass record. I'd really love to hear
that. The thing about PJ is that he was sort of like the gateway musical
drug that opened me up to other musical styles. I feel like I'm making
the transition to that kind of music anyways. Probably might buy a
country record before the year is over.
I was really happy to see that some other fans came by to see the show.
Peej was funny and admitted he had a horrible time with names and if he
were to do and introduction it would go something like "Dude...meet
dude. Dude. Dude. Dude, girl, dude." I would go with the "Hey
you!" and bring them together to see if they would introduce
themselves.
The opening act is this local singer, Sera
Cahoone. Not bad, but I wasn't really paying attention at that
moment. She played for half an hour. Afterwards PJ went to perform and I
found myself hopping on a chair closer to the stage. He only played for
half an hour as well, but it was packed with a handful of tunes. Several
were new ones that I haven't even heard of yet.
Setlist:
1. 3 Light Years & A Day - Just stunning.
2. Lyric Benson dedicated song (not recorded) - A song written
after the murder of this up and coming actress. It's such a sad story.
This song made me want to cry.
3. Medicated - Dedicated to his former "beyotch" of a
manager.
4. Everything Old Is New Again (not recorded) - PJ claimed he
wrote this a few days ago. Another nice little ballad.
5. Caroline (not recorded) - PJ wrote this one for a friend who
was stuck in an abusive relationship. Another heavy subject matter, but
all beautiful.
6. Visine - As powerful as ever.
7. Monkey (not recorded, well except for this live clip presented by
the Fillmore - it's not online anymore) - I've always wanted to hear
"Monkey" again. One of the many great song he wrote for his
wife. I think if I ever get married I need him to sing all of those love
songs.
PJ played by himself. Not even his laptop, which often backs him up,
wasn't in sight. It was just fine by me. If he wanted a giant 100 person
choir group I'd be okay with that as well. Just the acoustic guitar with
his little "Visine" guy was present. It really gave a chance
to display the power of his soulful voice. Which actually would be
better suited to the ballads in this particular setup. I really wished
his set was longer, but there was a curfew and another set of bands to
play later that night.
I planned to stay only through a little bit of Sarah
Betten's set, but after the first couple of songs I decided to stay.
I went to find my dad in the crowd to let him know I wanted to stay
through the whole thing. PJ stopped me on the way and asked if I was
leaving. Of course not, and especially not without a goodbye. I forgot
how much I enjoyed her stuff. Well, with K's Choice. Although I have 2
of her cds from back then I only recalled one song she played with her
guitarist Curt Hines, "Not An Addict." That was amazing. I
remember the first time I heard of her was back when PBS was doing this
program called On Tour. I think it was within the same episode of
a Tonic performance. Anyways, at the end of the night I decided to pick
up her new solo cd. It was also to benefit PJ from not having to lug her
merch to the airport with Curt. Curt channeled some old U2 into the set,
which was very cool.
Sarah Bettens
After Sarah was done I went
to the table PJ was sitting at and joined him. Almost burning my hair in
the process with the candle. PJ introduced me to the rest of the people
at the table who knew PJ from when he was touring with the Alan Parsons
Project. He said we knew each other for 10 years. Well, it's not 10, but
certainly it's been quite awhile. I think since 1998. We've been through
a lot. The funny part was when one of them asked if I was the one he was
doing acid with. LOL. PJ of course said "no" but then went on
saying "...well. I don't know. Maybe." There goes that theory
that people think I'm hooked up on drugs. I think it seems that way more
if I don't get enough sleep such as that night.
I was going to pick up some more copies of his Beautifully Insane
cd, but he refused to sell them to me. He said he would send me some.
He's making me feel so guilty! He left and went on to mingle for a bit
so I started talking with the rest of the gang at the table. I think I
switched over to talkative mood then. They wanted to know how I got into
PJ. I told them it was through his old manager (yes the one the song's
about)I do have to give him credit though for introducing me to PJ.
Otherwise I don't think I would've heard of him.
PJ came back and said he would introduce us to Sarah, of course we
already went and met her. I told PJ then that I had to get going (I hate
school and finals in particular). PJ kept rolling out the
compliments. He also mentioned something to the effect that you just
can't give up on what you love. He's said that to me before and I guess
he could sense that I was losing it. He could always set me back in line
We said our final goodbyes.
I hated to leave. I’m so used to someone forcing me out while seeing
him. It gives me no choice in the matter. LOL.
PJ is like an excited puppy. It's was nice to see him enjoying things
and being happy.
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