So much is going on in my life right now, I haven’t got around to many posts of late. I need a clone (or maybe an apprentice), then I could keep the pub biz running, go fishing/clamming/crabbing, surf and paddle, hunt mushrooms, make knives (with Russell made-in America carbon steel blades and madrone handles, do the maintenance around the homestead, go on a kayak adventure I’ve got planned, walk the 10-mile sandy beach in Pt. Reyes, spend a week in Santa Cruz…it goes on…
Monday night on the way home I bought a bottle of Germain-Robin made-in-Ukiah brandy, then stopped off at the Sweetwater nightclub. It was local musicians night and there was a couple on the stage, a guy with acoustic guitar and a curly-haired girl, singing a duet. Jeez, did they sound good. They were doing “Let’s Stay Together,” one of my all-time faves, by Al Green, and they had it right. They were at the same time both channelling Al and giving it their own beautiful interpretation. The guy hit Al’s high note “I just cain’t see-ee-ee…,” the girl sang beautiful harmony. They were called Come Around Babe. I think they’re a brand new group, can’t find this song anywhere online. Here’s Al:
Let's Stay Together by Al Green on Grooveshark
It was around 10 when I started home and I went to my magic waterfall, took a couple shots of brandy, clothes off, and ducked under it. What’s usually a trickle was a pounding torrent, the full power of the mountain. It’s such a simple thing to do, the cold shock gives way to elation as soon as you’re out…oh boy am I glad I did this…I didn’t even play the radio on the way home, as “Let’s Stay Together” played over and over in my head…
I'm glad you enjoyed your brandy under the waterfall experience. It certainly sounds idyllic. However, to be ridiculously pedantic, Germain-Robin brandy, although one of the best brandies in the world, is not cognac. This term is legally restricted to brandies made in the Cognac district of France, from specified grape varieties in a specified manner. Most "real" cognacs are inferior to Germain-Robin brandy, so I think you chose wisely, if expensively.
Peter, you're right and I knew that, but forgot. Changed it. Thanks.
I don't know how you do it, Lloyd. I was reading this post just now and wondering how I might go about applying for an apprentice position and meanwhile Al Green was singing "Let's Stay Together" on the Pandora Phoebe Snow channel when I read your bit about the Sweetwater…coincidences do happen…
tj