11 Jan 2003, Slim's, San Francisco, CA, USA
After sharing an early breakfast, all four of us left
for San Francisco. Chelsea had kindly agreed to
taking me sightseeing and of course Pier 39 and
Fisherman’s Wharf were number 1 on my list.
I was lucky enough to spend about an hour on Pier 39
watching the Sea Lions do their thing which is an
amazingly magical sight for anyone of any age or walk
in life but I was doubly blessed by being able to
share that experience with two of the most amazing
people I know, Doug and Chelsea. Then us girls went
off to check out the shops and wander around at our
leisure, chatting like sisters or at the very least,
close cousin’s (no, not the kissing kind :), enjoying
an afternoon of pure relaxation. We tried
unsuccessfully to hook up with Elinor and Anne at Pier
39 but alas, it was not to be.
The Wharf and Pier were everything and more of what I
imagined them to be, and Chelsea, the only regret I
truly have is that I didn’t try harder to get you to
sing with that jazzy group we saw on the way to
Fisherman’s Wharf. I truly regret that. We lunched
at Scoma’s, which was an experience in itself. White
tuxedoed waiters pampering us, a seafood salad that
was as big as my head (not my ego though :) and the unbelievable company of Chelsea who’s personality would brighten any room.
We all met later on at the Marriott Sports Bar and
Grill where our illustrious Doug looked right at home.
I met Chuck’s lovely wife Sue and we all had the
opportunity to regroup, catch up on daily doings and
then off we went to Slims.
The lineup at Slims was vastly different from the
Catalyst. The energy level was edgier and I suppose
the Staff could sense this edge and worked hard at
trying to keep everyone in line, confiscating anything
that did not belong on a public sidewalk and keeping
the walkway clear of us human debris. I had the
pleasure of meeting Scott, Louise, Vic, Elinor, Anne
and Stu. Plus the list members that I had met the
previous day were all in attendance so we were one
very happy, chatty, excited group. Upon entering
Slims I realized it was a more intimate setting than
the Catalyst, the stage was better proportioned for
viewing and now that I knew what to expect on some
levels I was even more excited than the previous
night.
The opening act was an incredible band, which if the
cd is to be believed is named Eric McFadden.
Definitely had everyone warmed up and grooving to his
Latin sound.
Then the expectant hush once everyone knew the Dixie
Dregs were going to start in minutes. It was so
packed in Slims that you did not have room to move
your arms and were surrounded front, left, right and
behind by everyone pressing in to get closer to the
stage. That was a little unsettling when you can feel
the mood being way edgier than at the Catalyst but
then once again, the lights and sound exploded and
there they were, playing, smiling and just being
amazing yet again and the whole room settled into this
dreamy, individual state of intense listening. One
thing I noticed at these “gigs” is how little everyone
moved around and almost no one was talking, other than
to yell, clap, scream and whistle at the end of every
song. It is such a deep, personal experience that it
stops being a show and actually becomes something
absorbed into each person, in his or her own unique
way.
I was truly amazed again at the dynamics of the whole
group though when Steve gets going over his solo’s,
there is no doubt as to who the master of his craft
is. I saw some guy’s and gals that were packed like
sardines into this venue and you knew that we were all
there to see this amazing group and I could feel the
energy switch to this solemn, awestruck, truly
appreciative crowd, myself included.
After the first encore song, I stepped out with Sue
for a breath of fresh air and realized I had hit
sensory overload. I had about 5 hours sleep in almost
44 hours, had seen two amazing opening acts in as many
day’s, had met the kindest, most warmhearted folks one
could wish for, visited places I had only read about
and seen Steve and the Dregs create music that mere
words are insufficient and it was done less than four
feet from myself. I literally had no room in my heart
and mind for more.
I did not have the opportunity to say good-bye and to
thank the list members for being there and for being
the wonderful, generous folks they proved to be and
how much this weekend meant to me on so many levels.
The memories of my very first Dregs concerts, meeting
my first set of list members and seeing a small corner
of California is indelibly imprinted on my mind.
Thank you one and all!!!