Monday, December 19, 2022

Old North and Dave's Tiny Desk

 











One of my friends named Dave owns and operates a business exporting foods internationally. His wife Linda is celebrating her birthday in a most understated way as the Old North neighborhood is celebrating the holiday season. Santa is having his picture taken with kids and the beginning of Winter in Saint Louis is upon us. (Before I forget again --- I want to say Happy Birthday to Linda.)

Dave has orchestrated a Tiny Desk series of musical performances in his office space on 14th Street, just a few blocks from Crown Candy and across the street from Central Print.

Marie Oberkirsch at Central Print was kind enough to run a press proof of my granfather’s book plate from an 80 years old letter press plate I had hangin on a wall in my apartment. The plate will be a Christmas gift for my son who shares my grandfather’s name – John Benjamin Morgan.   (John Benjamin Morgan,1887-1943 was born in Kinmundy, Illinois and went to medical school at Saint Louis University and was a doctor in Cleveland.)

The Tiny Desk Concert line up includes an opening act of Walter Greiner with Paul Niehaus IV. Greiner is a fan of Mark Twain and Civil War era. He himself has the appearance of being from a time in American before my grandfather was born. Paul Niehaus IV has a Leon Redbone vibe with a musical diversity moving from instrument to instrument. The balance of the day features Blues from Benbow City Shuffle, Noddin’ Dave’s OMG (Original Music Group) and Barefoot Jones (another ensemble of Dave’s bandmates).

The 5+ hours of music and periodic visits from visitors to Old North added up to a beautiful day. It was a day full of private emotion for me. Inexplicable except for maybe a few lines that come to me partially plagiarized and partially heartfelt on this chilly December 17, 2022.

I should be at an all time low, but instead I’m full of hope.

The blues ain’t nothing but a botheration on your mind;

Truth in the words at a tiny desk I find.

Saturday reflection helps me unwind.

Junk food to the Chinese;

Listening to music as we please.

Drum from Tanzania (rhymes with Lasagna);

Big Foot Boogie and good on ya.

Betwixt the Stars and the Moon I dream she loves me too;

If you go down to Deep Ellum, you better put your money in your shoes.

Sidewalk sale, two for a dollar on the tag.

Chasing rewards in the wind. Fighting a way out of a paper bag

Thought she was loving me but she was leaving all the time.

Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery
Make me a poster of an old rodeo. Just give me one thing that I can hold on to

To believe in this livin' is just a hard way to go

It's a wonderful life and teacher says:Whenever a bell rings an angel gets her wings.












I am grateful and hopeful for joy and times ahead. Thank you. 

Rise up and wipe the cobwebs from your eyes. 





















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