Sharie 'n Keithie 'n Johnny with James Hunter at the Iron Horse...

Whew, that was close, getting through the Hartford rush hour traffic.....yeah, Keith, big traffic jam alert in the metropolis, so we had to leave early! Got to Northampton in about an hour - UPHILL!!!! We zoomed into Northampton center where we finally settled into a parking space across from the tony Hotel Northampton. Keith parked close enough that we could walk to the curb from there - nice job. No change for the meter, so I raced around the corner to an antique store to disappoint an eager salesperson by requesting four quarters for a dollar - we settled on 2 and five dimes. A quick pit stop in the hotel (Sharie's 2nd in an hour), a jaunt over to Turn It Up and then over to the Iron Horse Music Hall to wait in line. And what a line it was; characters welcome. Sharie, who had worried about US being the oldest, need not have fretted, for it looked like a hippie reunion (of course, I might have to be counted with THEM). Friendly folk.

At 5:30 the line begins to move and in no time we've called will for our tickets. Hmmmm, so you are three. Yes, square pegs in a hall of 2 or 4 seat holes (anyone remember Sarah Jessica Parker as one of the two nerdy leads in Square Pegs? Theme song by the Waitresses. No?). ANYWAY, we land a table near the stairs, not bad for a thressome. I point out my table-for-uno that I occupied the last time I saw Jimmy here. Okay, beers, burritos, cheeseburgers. Where the hell is the opening act!!!!

Serena Ryder (no relation, that I can find, to either Winona or EZ), comes out and, after blaming damn airports for being late, opens the show with an a cappella blues number that Keith hates, but I love. Great voice, interesting song choices, no backup band, just her accoustic guitar. Has a new album If Your Memory Serves You Well. Toward the end of Serena's performance, James Hunter slinks along the aisle toward the back, exchanges smiles with Sharie and continues downstairs to the artists' dressing room.

Showtime. He's got a new band this time around. Same youngish, dye-blond, trim beard, cigarette-behind-the-ear keyboard player, but new standup bassist, drummer, alto and baritone sax players - all dressed in dark suits without ties. The band from the album we are told, not the hired Yankee guns from the previous tour. James must be getting some respect. A quick hello-glad-to-be-back quips and Hunter launches into rather short, but very tight versions of his People Gonna Talk album. Immediately noticable is the rasp in Hunter's voice, forcing him to compensate with more uptempo arrangements, holding the notes for much shorter lengths than his recordings. A bit disappointing. He has lots of charisma, energy, style, but the ballads suffer. And Keith is aching for Mollena. Poor lad. Loved the band and James was ever the showman!

Keith's view - Thought he was a great entertainer, enjoyed himself on stage and it translated to the crowd. Voice a bit off (maybe more than a bit - listened to Mollena after we dropped you off!!). Can't handle back-to-back appearances. Would love to see him again on the first night of a tour, or after a layoff!! (Made it from THE PARKING SPOT to your driveway in 59 minutes. As Sharie so deftly commented, Psycho Driver!!)