To Omagh and yonder

Turning halfway to 84 in Copenhagen was a fun little glitch.It was the last night of a month long tour around Europe with Jolie Holland and band, and in the middle of the show, they stopped proceedings to wish me a happy day of birth.

Then the band kicked into a free-form jam while the drummer, Mike, read out a poem he wrote in my honour.

It went as follows:

“We never did get those keys to the tower,

We barely had time for a shower.

And our sleep, it was cut even shorter

– but that’s the pizza we ordered.

The van is jampacked to the rafters,

It’s only safe parking we’re after.

Had to drive through the night to the border

But i guess that’s the pizza we ordered.

Irish eyes, full of soul, and good humour,

On a roll, where control is a rumour.

You know the dough isn’t rising

It’s no longer surprising,

And so…

So from Omagh, to Tucson and yonder

Through the valleys and mountains we wander,

And though the routing is whack,

There’s no turning back,

Looking forward to more…

Of the pizza we ordered.”

Thanks, Mike!

The next day, the band dispersed to their various homelands: New York, Portland, and Denmark, while I stopped off in London for three days of mayhem with Howe Gelb and Giant Sand, the Tucson warriors.

I joined the band for a couple gigs and a day recording in the studio before catching our late flights homeward.

And now I am home what’ll I do?

Well, I know wher I’ll be on May 5. And that’s straight to Ophelia’s to catch The Breeze play another show on their current tour of UK and Ireland in support of their fantastic debut album which they just released.

Surely you know the breeeze too? The band that comprises of Stevey ‘Malojian’ Scullion, Declan ‘Sticks’ McManus, and none other than Chris Coll, who just so happens to do the artwork for the boneyard column each week.

Yes, that Chris Coll.

Same guy.

You’re looking at his artwork right now next to these ramblings.

Well, in case you didn’t know, he’s not only a great artist but also an equally great musician and songwriter.

And if you haven’t already got their album, what are you waiting for?

It’s available down at Boneyard records, so pick yourself up a copy, bring it to Ophelia’s on Sunday, and get the boys to sign it.

It’ll be worth money some day.