It was a slow Wednesday night in advance of what will surely be a busy weekend of days and nights. We are due. I reference weather, especially.
But at Ziggy’s in Hudson, singer Kyle’s biggest fan, (longhaired country boy or older man?), who is one of those consistently there every midweek, was sitting there again, front and center, clapping on much more than one occasion. Also, Arlo Guthrie vibes. Reminded me of the River Falls venue that has a big picture of him on the wall right by the front door, along with a backstory of when he visited the area way back in the day. The clerk was more than willing to share the tale of this story-teller when I asked.
Kyle lent his rich and husky voice, with piercing notes on occasion, to his cover of Hotel California, moving into the classic guitar solo with quick plucking notes, then really rocking out, even though not electric. There was banter between him and a couple at the bar, with Kyle alluding to the idea that his version was unlike hardly any other you’d find. She pegged him for (another) request, another Eagles song, and he thought a moment then confirmed they’d negotiate. Then rip through it.
Another singer who was at the bar, who I’d not seen for years, Lori, said she as I knew was no longer a karaoke-meister, being one of the first in the area, and nevermore got behind the mic either to do that. That’s because she now fronts a relatively new group, The Luck Band, or Luck Duo, (and its 50/50 if you would be the frontman or woman for a twosome), and when there is a rare night off, they just stay in, or once in a great while take in someone else’s band. To wit: They have three shows in three days on this three-day weekend, ending late Sunday, and then have a day of rest, a day or two late.
What you (over)hear traversing the downtown on a slow Wednesday. A man said to his mates that he hadn’t been at Mancini’s, in St. Paul of course, for a while, but hey was here. Could that be Bennett’s steakhouse, as in rail and chop shop? Even though that’s been in existence for a decades shorter time.
Then there’s what she said. Only heard Kia referenced (car or furniture?) But her friends from the Cities won’t come here. At least not much. Now that is role reversal.
So I will now reverse this. For more on what’s happening over the long weekend, see the Picks Of The Week department. I will reference an event at its end that is a followup to one that created a procession from Hudson all the way to Baldwin, all at one time!)