Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Sing us a song, you're the piano man....

We arrived at the Chart Room on the waterfront in Bourne without dinner reservations and were relegated to a dark corner table with little of the wonderful view of the harbor that all other patrons enjoyed. But not to worry. Good food, good company and, because our lousy table was located right next to the piano, good music.

According to the menu, the Chart House building is a "...New Jersey Central Railroad Barge built around or before the turn of the century. This covered cargo barge was surveyed out of the railroad fleet and towed along with five other barges to Red Hook Harbor in 1953 where this particular barge was used as a machine shop to aid in the production of vessels for the Army and Navy during the Korean War."....."The piano is in the diesel engine rebuilding area."

Well, it sure was hot enough at our table, one given out sparingly (and reluctantly) for dining. Marguaritas, wine, Cajun pork chops, baked stuffed shrimp, sliced marinated sirloin. We notice a bespeckled gent take a seat at the well-worn piano and start to play a medley of New York-themed tunes - New York, New York; Sidewalks of New York; New York State of Mind - Eddie Sheed certainly has a sense of humor. Our applause was acknowledged with a nod and a request for suggestions. I offered Fats Domino; he responded with "Ain't That a Shame" and "Whole Lotta Lovin' For You." Judi's suggestion of Simon & Garfunkel brought "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." He accepts our drink offer by ordering up a Dogfish Head. Beatles, Broadway show tunes, some blues - Sheed has an impressive catalog of songs which he plays in an easy, interesting style. Thoroughly enjoyable. Next time we'll eat outside for the view during dinner and then inside for the nightcap and entertainment.

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