Most of you don't know because this is my first birthday writing my report but I have a tradition of going home (to Pennsylvania) to see my parents (now parent) on my mothers birthday which is only a few days before my own. Today is my birthday and in rural Pennsylvania away from the city you visit family and such stuff. One of the things that I have always loved to do is visit some of the small town antique stores as I love old stuff. I'm not really an antique guy... in fact my furnishings are more steel and leather but I have a real fondness for old stuff. Old tools, old pieces of wood and steel, old photos but especially old gear. I came across (or received) 3 really cool things while here in small town USA. First I received a photograph of a childhood friend who died many years ago. I'll tell you why this is so unusual. My friend was black and born in the 19th century. One of his family friends had heard that I was looking for a photo of him and now I have it. It's one of the reasons that I so love the interviews with the southern blues men. I don't know exactly where Mr. Coalman was born but it had to be Louisiana or Mississippi. When I hear the interviews with the older guys it brings back great memories. I don't have a scanner on the road with me so I photographed it. I was told that "Mr. Coalman" was the small toddler in the photo but upon examination of the photo I spied my friend standing behind the toddler. I was confused at first because everyone in the family photo was so dressed up and I thought for the time looked wealthy. I then realized that the photo had to be taken in the 20's and looked again at the men in the photo and there he was. Now I didn't know Mr. Coalman until he was well retired but there he was. What a terrific gift! Nothing can top this!
But the rest of the weekend has been great as well. Yesterday I purchased an old Kay archtop in it's original simulated alligator case and leather strap. It is almost remarkably new (first few frets are worn and the action is slightly high) but it is sweet and loud...and really really clean! The one in the photo and the video are slightly different (and not nearly as clean) from mine.
Today I went to an antique mall just to get out of the house for an hour. After walking around one guys shop where there was just a ton of old electronic gear an old album jumped off of the shelf at me... Now I rarely ever look at LP's anymore, I have about everything... but I found the original 1964 recording of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Sweet Emma Barrett! It was calling my name. Needless to say I paid the full asking price of .50 and went merrily on my way (the cover is much nicer that the one shown that I plucked from the internet). Tomorrow I hop a plane back to sunny AZ and back to work for me. Thanks to you who have offered birthday wishes. I hope I can continue to find entertaining music to share with you.Best
Bman
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