MUSIC APPRECIATION
Good Folk
And the music they provide
One of the many highlights of Saratoga Springs, NY, is a small music venue serving wonderful music for over 60 years. Caffe Lena has occupied a second-floor space on Phila Street for its entire existence.
Taking in a concert is closer to the experience of listening to a wandering minstrel than mingling with a stadium full of rabid fans of an over-amplified band one can barely see. From anywhere in the room, patrons can see everything the performers are doing, and if there is any audible distortion at all, it is intentional.
The talent on display is a wonder to behold. One rarely needs to worry about the quality of any performance, even if the performer is previously unknown. There is a high bar for the acts performing there.
No seats are more than 40 feet from the stage. Those of us with hearing loss can read the lips of the performers even if the sound waves are not easily deciphered. The performers often take advantage of the intimate setting to provide details about songs and their lives.
After Mira made a joke about returning after their break and playing all the same songs, Chuck said, “At a recent show, we had just finished the song you just heard, and a man in the audience shouted, ‘That was great! That song. Do it again! Do it again!’
“Before I could react, the woman with him sang out, ‘You never say that to me!’”
Unlike arena shows, one does not need to choose between two tickets and a new refrigerator. Caffe Lena is home to great musicians at reasonable prices. Fortunate patrons are treated to the benefit of the labors of people who have dedicated their lives to music.
One can stick around after the show and talk to the musicians. Yes, they’re selling CDs and vinyl and hoodies, but they are quite affable and willing to speak with those they’ve just entertained. You might even get a hug.
The definition of “folk music” is pleasantly stretched. It would be difficult to categorize the sound produced by Roomful of Blues or Joe Louis Walker as “folk,” but the music is no less enjoyable.
Part of the experience is meeting the people at your table, should your group not fill all the available chairs.
On Good Friday, Sherry and her friend sat with us to watch The Sea The Sea. She mentioned that she had not seen them before. “Oh, you’re in for a treat,” I said. “Their harmonies are heavenly.”
“How appropriate on this day.”
The conversation continued and I let it be known that I was an engineer.
“Oh, how boring!” she said with a smile. My compatriots smiled as well.
As our discussion wandered into birding at a nearby cemetery, Sherry said, “Oh, my Grandfather is buried there.”
“How does he like it?”
“I haven’t heard any complaints.”
One’s tablemates are frequently a fine warmup act. It’s another enjoyable part of the experience at Caffe Lena.
By the way, the most famous of Caffe Lena’s debutants bombed when he performed on July 7th and 8th in 1961. It appears the audience did not fully appreciate his genius at the time.
Chin up, Bob. We’ve all been there.
