Utah Phillips in Maine

Subject: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: kendall
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 02:02 PM

For all you Utah Phillips fans; He was here at the Chocolate Church in Bath on Friday evening, and although he has had some health issues, he has never sounded better. There are very few people who can make me laugh right out loud, but Utah is one of them. He was "wired" and on the top of his form. He performed for almost 2 hours and he got two standing ovations.

Yesterday, Jacqui and I had the enormous pleasure of escorting him, his wife Joanna and his sister Debra down to Pemaquid Point. They were enthralled by the sheer beauty of the Maine coast on a beautiful late fall day. Then, we were invited to a lobster feed at the home of some friends who own a big beautiful home on the Sheepscot River.
After dinner, Utah and I got talked into telling some yarns which were enjoyed by all, including him and me.
Jacqui and I had never met Joanna or Dedra before, and we were instantly connected. Two very lovely ladies

We made solid plans to do a performance in California next March, so all you Utah fans, here is your chance!
To share the stage with one of my few heros is a real hoot.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: jacqui.c
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 02:19 PM

Kendall, being a Mainer, tends not to get too effusive in his praise of others.

The enthusiasm he shows in his post can only confirm that we witnessed a superb performance from a real master. One small example - "So many Republican Christians, so few lions".

The icing on the cake was the private performance from Utah and Kendall after dinner last night. They complement each other so well, they had the rest of us in stitches most of the evening. It was one of those times when everyone is sorry it has come to an end and leaves you wanting more.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: Amos
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 02:44 PM

Name the place, name the time, SKipper. I'll be there with me ears on.

Very glad to hear ya got together!


A

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 02:59 PM

It is the first time I have seen a performer successful at getting the audience to sing along. The age mix was reassuring - 6 weeks to 70+ years and every age in between. Charlie Ipcar got some fine compliments from Utah on stage as well as over dinner.

My favorite moment? "So Long, It's Been Good To Know You" with the audience harmonizing (? - you had to be there) on the chorus and Utah's hilarious non-stop patter before each verse. A golden moment.

So who else is headed out to LALALand for the festivities?

SINS

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 04:18 PM

I am sick with envy. Skipper, they tell me my life is going to get easier after the middle of next week. Can I stow away in your guitar case?

I want to be Utah Phillips when I grow up.

Mick

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: KT
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 05:25 PM

When in March??

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 06:15 PM

WOW! Wish Art Thieme could've been there, too...three heroes in one room would be triple wondrous. Wish there was video of the private aftermath performance.:-)

Good to hear Utah is able to get out and about still.

kat

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 07:02 PM

It was one fine evening at the Chocolate Church and I've seldom seen the place more packed with enthusiasm. It's rare that people drive more than an hour in Maine for a concert and I bet there were some there the other night that drove in from Aroostook County.

I have fond memories of providing Utah a "Seven Wonders Tour" of Lansing, Michigan, when I used to live out there. One of the seven wonders was the picket line at the local community college. Another was the Board of Water & Light, an art deco Egyptian tomb-like building with incredible murals painted by George Pollack, brother of Jackson Pollack, portraying the workers who ran the place. Elderly Instruments was probably another wonder and I'm no longer sure what the others were.

Anyhow, it was good to see that Utah is still full of piss and vinegar, and that people still find him irresistible.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: Deckman
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 07:48 PM

I'm green with envy. Few are the equal of Bruce, but Kendall, I'll bet that he shut up and listened to YOU. Did he do "Moose Turd Pie?"

Or " The Telling Takes Me Home, or The Goodnight Trail?" So many, many wonderful songs from such a wonderful man.

I wish I was travelor, which I'm not. Oh well, maybe in my next life. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 08:18 PM

Charley, one of them surely was the Travelers Club International Restaraunt and Tuba Museum. One must not visit the area without eating there.

Mick

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: open mike
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 09:31 PM

reminder--you do not have to wait until marche to hear Utah in California@@!
He will be in Chico on December 3rd...
i will refresh that thread.
glad you had such a good time,
Kendall.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 11:04 PM

Yooooouuuhhh

A bath in melted chocolate with Phillip from Utah

Ghoul pool predicts he explodes or drowns before reaching California.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: kendall
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 08:26 AM

?????

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: Big Mick
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 08:39 AM

Classic Gargoyle if I ever saw it.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 11:44 AM

No - gargoyle wannabe.

I was a "fly on the wall" at dinner before the concert. What fun to watch two men, each in awe of the other, trading stories. Utah had his "groupies" on one side of the table; Kendall had his on the other. Tall tales, silly aphorisms, great food, pure childlike joy. You should have been there, Mick.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: Big Mick
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 06:14 PM

I know I should have, Mary m'love. They say that my life gets better after this Thursday. We are finishing the project which has taken almost all of my time since I have been on the East coast. I intend to not miss these chances again. Bruce Phillips, as you might guess, is one of my all time heroes. Right up there with Cap'n Morse, and that is a tall cotton.

Mick

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 06:39 PM

durn! Saw Utah a number of times years ago, but Maryland/Wash DC hasn't been on his agenda since he resumed some touring...

I'd happily travel 'some'...but 2500 miles is a bit far!

I still get mileage out one of his un-recorded songs, which Kate Wolf sang FOR him many years ago.... "Aces, Straights & Flushes"

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: Melani
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 10:10 PM

What part of California, Kendall? The SF Bay Area is lovely in March (hint, hint)...

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: kendall
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 08:09 AM

Nevada City. We would also like to be able to get around to see some other Mudcatters while we are there.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in Maine
From: jacqui.c
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 08:18 AM

And if that gig goes well there might be a possibility of arranging one in Maine, maybe during the summer so that Utah can get to go out on a boat.