Every once in a while we get static from an alternative universe. It's best to ignore it.

I was reminded of one of my favorite Oscar Brand recordings today, AMERICAN DRINKING SONGS, with a album cover showing McSorley's Old Ale House in full swing. In fact I found that very album tacked to the wall at McSorley's as my brother and I paid the tavern a surprise visit. The old place looks pretty much the way it did 40 years ago. They clearly do not depend on our patronage. There's still sawdust on the floor, the old potbelly cast iron stove was still there, which fortunately was freshly coaled and we got to sit next to it. Alongside us was a large old orange tigercat. They still serve fresh onion, sharp cheese and crackers, not to mention light and dark ale. Women are now permitted, however, as patrons. The acoustics would seem quite good for raising a song or two, but I'd need a larger group of volunteers to do that. Maybe I'll try a raid next spring when I'm next in NYC.

Unfortunately I don't see a CD version of AMERICAN DRINKING SONGS on Brand's website, although maybe the songs are included on one of his collection CD's.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, still at large in NYC