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| l-r: Jim Hoehn, random Pyrate, Mike Mangum |
Annie's Astronomy Lesson
The drive from Binghamton, NY, to Lansdale, PA, is pure pleasure. The aging engineering marvel called the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike, is intriguing. The beauty of the Poconos, and the amazing changes in terrain and climate, one sees by traveling through the Lehigh Tunnel, are fascinating. In what seems like a few minutes on the road, you end up in the flat lands of Pennsylvania's Delaware Valley. Experiencing the vast differences between Southern NY, and Southern PA, is well worth the two and a half hours it takes to make the journey.
Shortly, four Trop Rock music lovers from The Empire State, settled into their comfortable rooms in Lansdale. After shaking off the road dust, they set the GPS for Annie Della Porta's home in E. Norriton. Guests and musicians were beginning to converge, and before long everyone was chatting with friends, old and new, in Annie's back yard.
Jim Hoehn, and Mike Mangum were setting up the equipment for the night's entertainment. Everyone greeted Annie, and the other guests, got a refreshing adult beverage in their hands, and got the evening off to a rolling start.
In the waning daylight, Jim Hoehn kicked off the show with his wonderful mix of original songs and background stories. Warm and personable, it's obvious that Jim likes his fans, and really enjoys his music, writing, and the Trop Rock experience. He said not, but the audience thought his live performance is as good as, or better than, his CDs. Give Jim his guitar, and a few people to play for, and you're good for hours and hours of musical nirvana.
After Jim, Mike Mangum, had a hard row to hoe. To Mike's credit, he was up to the task in spades. A few songs into his segment, he broke his G-string, but it didn't slow him down. Without missing a beat, he invited Chris Sacks to come up and start his set early, and went to restring his guitar. He later resumed his set, and even gave us a very entertaining rendition of "Margaritaville" on his ukulele.
At this point, it was clear that either of the first two acts, would have made the trip worthwhile, by themselves.
Chris Sacks, and Kenny Polcak, then played as a duo, and flat out rocked the yard. Just as Jim and Mike before them, Chris entertained with his very human stories, and his excellent musicianship. To the crowd's immense pleasure, Chris' stories gave us all a glimpse into his interesting life and times.
Once again, Annie proved that House Concerts rule! Friday's party was a blockbuster. Three of the biggest names in Trop Rock all in one place, up close and personal. An impossible to beat combo. The food, which was provided by Annie and the guests, themselves, was fabulous. The music was absolutely the best ever, and we knew it was a great party when the cops showed up.
That's right. Nobody was an exciting night, topped off by a jealous neighbor calling the cops. The music had stopped before he got there. The officer laughed and joked with the unruly mob, and was offered food for being inconvenienced. A pyrate's best attempt to get him to cuff Annie, failed, and the smiling cop went back to fighting crime.
Under the stars, and with stars in the spotlight, it was an astronomy lesson from Annie. To sum up this suburban Philly House Concert, I'd say it was a huge success. It was a totally fun experience, that brought the artists and the assembled fans closer together than ever before. The warmth and companionship among the guests and artists, was palpable. Fantastic artists, amazing fans. One question springs to mind: Is it the music, or the fans, that seem to make every gathering in the name of Trop Rock, such a bonding experience?
Great night Annie! Thank you very much.
Don Da Pyrate, 9/16/12
