They're Heeeeeere!

The ghostly visitation of fall browns is by far one of the greatest parts of the season. Albeit not always large, the early agents of this migration get a lot of my love. A pre-dawn hike and the sun rises on a plunge stacked with fish. The mountains, the critters and the fish .... life is good!

Fishing From a Pier

Isn't part of my lifestyle BUT hangin' out by a pier is. After getting my car jump-started; this being after flying in from Montana I stumbled home to find the best fireworks display I have ever seen: The Santa Monica Pier's 100th Year Anniversary Celebration! Then it was off to an Astra Heights rehearsal. Had to have the car jump started again after rehearsal thanks Mr. Irwin.

Patti Smith on the Santa Monica Pier

The night before leaving for Montana, I had a get-together near the pier. As expected, Patti Smith performed as scheduled and it was wonderful. The lights on the ferris wheel (pre-programmed and very psychedelic), the pleasant temps and the sound of surf. As I was cleaning up my pad to prepare for the gathering, I heard the band soundchecking. Much to my surprise, Patti was doing her own check. I ran and snapped this shot of her, Lenny Kaye and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Later that evening at my apartment, Lenny would grace us with his presence as he popped-in for a sip of Rudi Protrudi's Makers Mark. Good times to say the least!

The Rock Hugger

Yes we embrace rock and roll but we also embrace ROCK! This cat really gives me hope that I too can squeeze in a cast to a large fish on the far side of the stream against the cliff wall enshrouded in cactus - NO PROBLEM!
* The embed was disabled click on the image to go to YouTube's page *

Spinal Dan up to 11

Lefsetz's ever-popular missives often include emails from well-known people. This one is in response to a lengthy set of responses to a highly-laudatory Steely Dan 'discussion". It's very hard not to find this 100% classic. Almost as classic as classic rock.

From: Harry Shearer
Subject: Re: More Steely Dan

Only because of you did I realize, after returning from New Orleans, that the Dan tour you wrote up from the Beacon was now at the (ugh) Gibson. So i bought a last-minute ticket, steeled myself for the drive to the (ugh) Valley, and ended up luxuriating in internet request night. My only odd note, in the midst of rejoicing in the music, and the playing: it's the only rock (?) show I've seen in years where I thought (and a friend I met in the lobby afterwards concurred), "should be louder".