There is a place in this world for a gambler
Aging is not for the weak. But every now and then, it comes with unexpected rewards. One of them is perspective, especially when it comes to music.
I’ve been around long enough to listen to and see an extraordinary range of artists, from Bing Crosby and David Crosby to Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Noah Kahan and the Taylors (James, Kate, Liv and also Swift). I’ve seen many great shows for many different reasons. But two stand above the rest, nearly 50 years apart.
In 1979, I had the immense pleasure of seeing Dan Fogelberg at Carnegie Hall. He was at the absolute top of his game, performing solo with only his guitars and piano on stage. The performance was intimate, powerful and unforgettable. The full show was released years later, courtesy of his wife, Jean, and that allows me to revisit it whenever I want.
Living most of my life in the New York metro area made it easy to see live music in venues both large and small. Since moving to the Lowcountry five years ago, finding live shows has been more challenging. Music streaming, while not always ideal for artists, at least makes it easy to keep listening to both old favorites and new discoveries.
What I’ve come to appreciate here is that when you do get to a live show, the venues often feel more intimate.
Two years ago, we saw Dawes at Victory North in Savannah, a small, mostly standing-room club. This old guy did upgrade to seats upstairs. The venue reminded me of seeing Carly Simon at the now-closed Bottom Line in Greenwich Village.
Last year, we saw The Lumineers at Enmarket Arena, another memorable experience.
Most recently, we attended a show at the Johnny Mercer Theatre in Savannah, a venue that reminded me in some ways of Carnegie Hall, though smaller. The artist was Brandi Carlile, performing in a way that brought me right back to that Dan Fogelberg concert.
Like Fogelberg decades earlier, Carlile commanded the room with little more than her voice, guitar and piano. Nothing else.
The performance was emotional, joyful and unforgettable, much like Dan’s had been.
Both shows also reflected the times in which they were performed. In Dan’s case, there was growing concern about nuclear power, even prompting a reference to Three Mile Island during “There’s a Place in the World for a Gambler.”
In Brandi’s case, many of her songs carried added emotional weight in today’s climate. Her smile and “Happy Pride” greeting before one song brought the audience to its feet in applause.
Aging can be difficult. It can also remind you how fortunate you’ve been.
Music has a way of doing that. It connects moments, memories and emotions across decades.
There is, indeed, a place in this world for a gambler, especially one grateful for a life lived joyfully and still hopeful for what lies ahead.
Kevin Fitzpatrick is a retired teacher who, along with his wife Sue (also a retired teacher) is enjoying exploring life in the Lowcountry and all it has to offer.
