A date with my ex

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the day I was watching Tom Hanks on SNL (The 5-Timers Club was the opening sketch). Midway through the episode, Mr. Hanks introduced some tall, shy, lanky lady with long curly hair and a huge mouth as the musical guest. This was the first time I saw Edie Brickell. More importantly, this was the first time I heard Edie Brickell.

At that time I was a metal head with a mullet to prove it. Folk-Rock had no place in my personal discography. Somehow with that SNL performance Edie fired a direct hit to my heart. I ran out to buy Ghost of A Dog and Shooting Rubber Bands at the Stars the next afternoon. I made room in my CD collection between Black Sabbath and Carcass for Ms. Brickell. Edie was my new high school sweetheart.

(On a side note, part of the whole intoxicating nervous energy that she displayed on that night was caused by the backstage presence of Paul Simon (another member of SNL's 5-timers Club) who also hit it off with Miss Brickell. Ya da ya da ya da... they are married and have 3 kids blah blah blah.)

Throughout high school and college (the first time) Edie's songs would cause an instant smile on my face. The way the sweet softness of her voice and her lovey-dovey-la-la-la lyrics contrasted with my daily intake of Deicide and Descendents served as a sort of balancing force, I suppose. For whatever the reason, Edie Brickell was solidly my #1 favorite female recording artist.

Fast forward to 2006 and Edie is back with all the original New Bohemians. My sister and I made a date with my old high school sweetie, Edie, at the Fine Line in Minneapolis. This would be the first time I'd see her in person. When she took the stage a mere six feet in front of us, I pointed toward the stage, turned to my sister with a goofy smile and said, "It's Edie!" My sister gave me an understanding smile back to me, humoring me in my schoolboy crush moment.

Then Edie started to sing. Let me tell you. Her voice is still so perfect, so soft and pretty, so... never mind. I'm getting pathetic. Edie live sounds 100% just as good as Edie on the CD. Ahhh...

I spent the rest of the night in awe. I watched with a smile as Edie sang each verse while redirecting my attention to guitarist Kenny Withrow during all his leads. The Bohemians were outstanding.

It was a great first date with my ex.

Oh yeah, it was also nice to be one of the YOUNGER people in the crowd for a change!