cruise on down to the gulf
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=JFFSDlP6ZRY]
Sunday night, Taylor Hicks and company played the Orange Beach Amphitheater on the Alabama gulf shore. It was a concert to remember - the undisputed highlight being an encore performance of Dion’s “Abraham, Martin and John” backed by his long-time performing partner, Jon Cook.
But the show making the buzz is the “drop-in” later at the Flora-bama Lounge and Package. Sentimental reasons alone would have been enough to make this worth catching: the place where Hicks wrote his first song at age 19, a place where he learned how to hold the attention of a diverse and rowdy crowd, the chance to play with just about every guy he’d ever played with before, a chance to take a stage that had been literally washed off the map when Hurricane Ivan hit two years ago. Two years that have seen both the Flora-bama and Hicks’ career spring to new life.
But that’s just the worm. The tequila shot came from the stage. As you’ll see in this reader report, it was heard far and wide. Brace yourself for a lot of rapture - it was that kind of night:
Born in the Florabama
- by Orca
Sunday night, after pummelling a 7,500 strong, cheering Orange Beach audience with a rocking category 4 performance at the Wharf Amphitheatre (I know he pummelled and rocked ‘em because I was listening on the cellcert and simultaneously hitting myself in the head with a hammer at my stupidity for not being there, particularly when he and Jon Cook performed Abraham, Martin and John acoustically, but that’s another story…), the hurricane that is Taylor Hicks went home to his beloved Florabama and continued to raise the assault to a category 5 hit, with a little help from a some of his best buds. Sorry, for the long, run on sentence, I’m not a writer, but I believe in this blog and what what and supporters are trying to do for Hicks, because I believe in and support Taylor Hicks 1000%, and given that, how could I say no when what asks me to tell you what? Now, I wasn’t there in person, but was privileged, and eternally grateful, to get a “live” call from a couple of fabulous friends who were there (along with another dozen of my extremely smart friends) on the beach in that hot, loud, sweaty, crowded, fantastically fun, drunken madhouse roadhouse as it was all happening. As much as I feel I will now willingly give my left foot (and right foot should they both need a foot someday) to them, this event will go down in my personal history journal as one of my life’s biggest regrets. I had the chance to go. There was absolutely no reason for me not to go. I just didn’t go. From the first day I ever heard of the Florabama Lounge & Package, and Taylor Hicks’ connection to and love for it, and descriptions of it, I knew I had to experience it before I die. And I missed my first crack at it - and what a massive crack it turned out to be. Oh me of little faith. No, that’s not true, I had faith, I just momentarily wimped, but it’s a mistake I will never repeat again. Ever.
I’m basking in the afterglow of the OB cellcert (innocent of the fact that it was only foreplay at that point - the real sex was still to come), half a bottle of red down, but at the same time contemplating breaking open the bourbon to burn off the green jealousy blotches creeping up my neck. I’ll get by, Somehow… Phone rings, 2240 hrs PST. Shit, a last minute sick call at the hospital for night shift. I’m not going. I’m not. I pick up the phone and hear screaming and music. No one says anything, just screaming and music. “Seven Mile Breakdown”. It’s Wynn Christian and Spoonful James from the freakin’ Florabama!!! LIVE!!! O Rapturous Joy - I have friends who like me!!! They really like me!!! OK, I know it’s not all about me, but right at that second, it really felt like it was. And then I hear a distinct Voice I know so well, and it’s singing “Bring It on Home To Me” by Sam Cooke. I hear Taylor shout “Welcome to the Florabama - have ya’ll ever been to the Florabama?” I am euphoric, but refuse to die yet - I just got there. I’m alone, but not alone. I don’t want to be alone. It’s not fun being alone at times like this. I get on the boogie board and start babbling. There is no one there. ACK!!! This is for ALL of us - where the fuck IS everyone???? No matter. I will just babble senselessly. With no words spoken to me as yet, I know I’ve been called on a mission: Play by play. In case the folks on the other end are too drunk by the end to remember any of it. Hopefully some of them are not too drunk to operate cameras…this is a major event, people!
For the record, a synoptic play by play of my play by play:
-the place is an absolute nuthouse! VERY VERY VERY loud. Tons of drunk people and hotter than hades
-Taylor came off the stage after seven mile. Terrific screaming going on. GOD I WISH I WAS THERE
-He’s baaaaack…friggin’ hotalicious crazy harp Gonna Move coming to me LIVE from the freakin’ Florabama! (eta: the first of many prolonged, incredibly delicious jack-hammering harp attacks to come…)
-Taylor’s singing “that’s where it’s at pretty baby”
-back to Gonna Move - more harp. Crazy harp!!
-”smoke from a distant fire”
-More Harp. HOT harp. AGAIN - GAH!
-JAYSUS…he’s STILL blowin that harp!!
-”say yeah” call and response
-AAAAAACCCCCKKKKKKKK MORE HARP!!! OMG - I have never heard it this good!!!
-Eastbound & Down - shout out “Florabama!”
-More harp. God I’m dead.
-Gonna Move again. Big finish….long (vocal) wail..more harp…moaning something now (Taylor and me)
-right into When The Saints Go Marching In - “I’m heeeeeeeeerrrrrre in AlaBAAAAAmAAAAAA”
-chickin’ pickin’ (Rick Carter on guitar)
-MORE harp!!! I’m already DEAD Taylor….
-more Saints…crowd sings along
-Harp/guitar duel. I need oxygen. STAT.
-crowd sings along. Taylor joins in
-Big finish for Saints with a last shot of harp. Just awesome…I cannot BELIEVE that harp!
-Taylor says “I wrote my first song here when I was 19″
-can’t tell what song is going on now, but it’s slow and sweet and he’s harping again…ok, it’s The Weight
-morphs into Tupelo Honey now - mostly Taylor’s voice pure and clear - back to The Weight. I am just so blown away right now. Oh SA-WEET ending!
-I hear my friend make a strangled sound and plaintively says “please sing it, please”. I don’t know what this was about, but I want him to sing it too please.
-Taylor says “it’s not the first time I fucked up a verse at the Florabama”
-tinkering around…he’s either changed his mind or he’s figured out how to start Call Me The Breeze now! hahahahahhaha!
-”I might go down to the Florabama”
-He’s lovin that harp and I am PISSED OFF that I’m not there, but SO GRATEFUL to be hearing this.
-HARPITAUR!!!
-Taylor called someone up on stage and said she gave him his first gig at the FB. They sing together.
-EVERYBODY is drinking Bushwackers. I want a Bushwacker too…
-Clay Connor on stage playing
-break time - friends go for Bushwackers. I will get one there one day, I swear.
-break over, Wynn and Quinn (Borland) getting ready to play. Friends have moved to front of stage. 2 feet from Wynn “how cool is that?”
-Spoonful James starting up…bluesy and jazzy…piano…now Big Legged Woman! Thumbs up - very cool!
-a little bit of “Badge”, now something I don’t know the title of, but I know it’s on SJ’s cd that I have
-some funky guitar and “Mr Quinn Borland on bass”
-Sneakin’ Sally Thru The Alley. Who’s on piano???
-”Play the Blues!”
-Zippy D is there. He’s going to play! Friend: “OMG I have died and gone to fucking heaven”
-Wynn introduces the band
-crazy piano - Brian Less??? No, it’s Loren Gold!
-shout outs for Jager Bombs
-Taylor is back!
-Rockin’ Pneumonia - Hey Pocky Way - funkity funky bass and honky tonk piano “make it funky!” - Fire on the Bayou
-mad bad ass Zippy drums
-Taylor: “It’s good to be back home. With my buddies. We’re gonna have a jam session!”
-Friend: “I can’t begin to tell you how many people are crammed on this tiny stage”
-Feelin’ Alright - KICK.ASS. guitar - OMG!
-crowd singing. Unbelievable piano! Jeez, why aren’t we all there? Note to self: discard regular hammer - upgrade to ballpeen hammer…
-Eastbound & Down again - crowd singing acapella
-Taylor: “one more time!”
-crowd sings acapella again with Taylor
-Taylor talking, muffled…”I love all ya’ll motherfuckers”. That’s my bad boy I love!
-thank you shout outs to the FB and crowd. Everyone still singing EB&D - crazy guitar again
-HARP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG FUCKING WILD CRAZY HARP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-”say YEAH” call and response
-no words for this guitar…Taylor and his boys know how to kill an audience
-gospel like organ winds down Feelin’ Alright….shit, now back to hot harp and say yeahs! DEAD
-and the assault continues…DO.NOT.STOP.
-YEAH! OMG OMG. That’s all folks…I need a ciggy…
I have NEVER heard Taylor play harp like that. He oughtta do that more often. Off the charts. That harp does things to me. I’ve seen Taylor in concert 11 times and loved every second of every one, but I MUST see Taylor in a setting like this one day. THIS Taylor is totally free and wild and spontaneous. THIS Taylor sent me to this wonderful world in which I now exist. THIS is the Taylor Hicks I heard on the live Open Door Cafe set and two 2005 Workplay sets, that sent me over the edge. THIS is the Taylor Hicks I believe to my soul in.
As I sat listening to the start of the third set with Spoonful James, I could immediately tell when Taylor took the stage. There was an instant kick up in the band, like they were all sucked together and ramped up 1,000 notches. I could feel the energy surge from 2,000 miles away in another country. Amazing! This was the night of the year. I’m so happy Taylor had such an incredible night with his friends, and that more people got to see him unrestrained and natural. There is so much in him still to come out and it’s going to come from his roots like this, with friends, old and new, who gel with him like this. His absolute joy is infectious. His absolute passion is undeniable. I pick up on the feeling and energy, and it was just oozing with an unbelievable force on Sunday night. No, not oozing - slamming me bodily. Next time, I’m going to be there in person for the full course gourmet pounding.
a couple other things:
Hicks and Cook, a few years back, on the southeast bar circuit:
(Smith’s Old Bar, Atlanta, GA, date unknown)
[audio=http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/6/3/1140363/mp3s/Abraham%2C%20Martin%2C%20and%20John.mp3]2007 Mullet Toss recap
categories: music
tags: Flora-bama, Orange Beach, taylor hicks
posted by what at 02:00 am
Oh my Orca — you did a marvelous job TWICE giving us an outstanding recap of the WONDEROUS NIGHT AT THE FLORABAMA. Thanks for taking the time to beauty of that night. With fans like you, who connect with on site attendees and put what you are hearing to words, Taylor’s fame will spread far and wide. What a magical night and probably so therapeutic for Taylor, the bands and Taylor fans!!
Thanks again.
I only have one question after reading that. YOU COULD HAVE GONE AND YOU DIDN”T GO?????? WTF???????? Not to rub it in…but WTF????????
I’m feelin’ you, Orca. Thanks for the write-up.
Geographically speaking, this unrestrained pummelling happened in my frickin backyard.
Could you pass me that hammer, please?
Great recap Orca - thanks for sharing that ’slice’ of what it was like there that night.
You have to think, whatever Taylor’s all-time favorites things are to do - this type of scenario has to be right up there at the top; a night in an old haunt, surrounded by best friends/music buddies, no media, no constraints, raucous full-house - just put it all out there and play ’till your hearts content.
Definitely at the top of my list as a ‘must see’ sometime!
Well, all I can say is…my heart rate is up and I’m out of breath ~~ and this was my second reading!
What must it have been like to be there, be there, be there?
Orca,
I could have gone, too, but decided upon Dallas instead. Mistake. Big mistake. Pass the hammer, please.
Hi Orca !!
I love your recap.
Hey - You listened to Taylor at the Florabama on MY PHONE !!!!
So glad the call make ut thru to you !
Holy Mother! I am breathless just reading that! My Fucking job…(excuse me, but sometimes you just gotta say it!)
“‘Holy Mother! I am breathless just reading that! My Fucking job…(excuse me, but sometimes you just gotta say it!)
MelissaD1 said this on September 4th, 2007 at 1:47 pm’”
I repeat what MelissaD1 said WHOLE-HEARTEDLY, and agree with her 1,000,000,000%!!!
Of course, being in the ABSOLUTELY WRONG PART OF THE COUNTRY sure the hell does not help, either, considering that I live in CT…
GAH!!!!!
Noooo….the “ABSOLUTELY WRONG PART OF THE COUNTRY” is up here in Washington State. You can’t get any further from the FloraBama and still be in the US. Sorry…just pouting….
I enjoyed Orca’s PBP/recap both times I read it. What I didn’t enjoy was not being there in person. That hammer is getting plenty of use. Next!
I swear…next time he plays in alabama, I’M GOING…
Orca, you did a fabulous job with this! The excitement of this event comes through with every word. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You do live in Canada, you know? And, I think you were the one meant to get this phone call so we could all experience it through your words!
Orca, I almost went too. Had a hotel room and everything but decided at the last minute that it was too far to go and I was just too tired. Been kicking myself in the ass ever since. Ouch.
Are there more pictures anywhere?
“‘Noooo….the “ABSOLUTELY WRONG PART OF THE COUNTRY” is up here in Washington State. You can’t get any further from the FloraBama and still be in the US. Sorry…just pouting….
KimLoree said this on September 4th, 2007 at 3:24 pm’”
KimLoree:
Geographically-speaking, I have to give you that, yes, the gorgeous state of Washington is indeed the “ABSOLUTELY WRONG PART OF THE COUNTRY” regarding Alabama…
Unless, of course, we are talking about Alaska…
BUT for the continental 48, then yes, Washington does truly take the prize…
**************************************
Orca, you did indeed do a fabulous job with the pbp…
I. am. speechless. Great recap, as if I was there….
I will give up my first born to be able to see Taylor in this kind of setting.
Awesome, Orca. Simply awesome. Thank you, dear.
“I hear my friend make a strangled sound and plaintively says “please sing it, please”. I don’t know what this was about, but I want him to sing it too please.”
That would be Pink Houses by John Mellencamp. Taylor started to sing it two or three times before he uttered the “It’s not the first time I’ve fucked up a verse at the Florabama” - they decided to just do Breeze instead. LOL!
- Friend
Orca, you did an amazing job of describing the evening. I have been in an absolute daze since seeing Taylor at the FloraBama. It was everything I wanted from the experience and more. I was so fortunate that I had wonderful friends to sit and talk to in the slow decay of the orgasm that was the music gift of the weekend from Taylor. I am so happy that you were there with us if only on the phone, and I really felt your presence as we all hugged close the the stage with you cuddled close by, each of us making sure that the phone was functioning and that you and the boogie were there with us. And yes, start a fund and begin to save for the next time he is anywhere near his home…. something happens to the boy that is magical in Alabama.
“wild crazy harp”, I get. “No constraints - wild full house”, I get. “Therapeutic jamming”, I soooo get. “Kicking myself in the ass” is outside my own personal physical capabilities, but I get the sentiment. “Being in a daze” is so much a part of my way of life that it’s not even worth mentioning. But, “musical orgasm gifts”? Have mercy on my delicate nature and tell me that’s just the bushwackers talking.
Just so I don’t need to use that ballpeen hammer, can I ask somethings mundane? Whose on drums and upright in the picture above? Who’s on electric bass on the pictures I haven’t yet got?
That looks a tiny bit like Mitch on stand-up bass. Does he play such an thing?
And I forgot to mention it before (what with all the ass-kicking) but may I just say how hilarious that picture of Taylor is! Love it.
Seriously, please kindly shut up about being in the wrong part of the CONTINENT of North America: I down some sake, insert the Sword of Soul in my belly as I sit here in freaking Japan, missing it (almost) all and NOT pouting, just quietly—and with great samurai style—disemboweling myself with envy…
Excellent job, Orca, thanks for helping us feel the excitement.
Keep your eyes peeled for video. It’s on the private fan download sites already. At some point it’s bound to occur to people that getting it out to the general public is useful too.
I think we can all agree that this is where Taylor is in his element. I want more,more, more of this type of events… and I want to be able to be there, damn it! Thanks for the GREAT recap!
Aahhh, Amy, my friend - the mystery of the plaintive “please?” is solved! Cheers to you, dear. The next Bushwacker is on me!
So many mysteries solved now - havingfun, you are also on my Christmas card list - eternally grateful to you and Legacy for having the foresight to purchase cellphones that can call Canada!
Reading back on my pbp, it seems I fixated quite a bit on the harp thing…he really was having an affair with it that night. Perhaps that was Taylor’s way of expressing his joy at just kicking back with his friends at home.
Question, because my memory isn’t great: Rick Carter. Was he the guitarist that Taylor brought out with him at the Birmingham show?
Sorry Basenji…I keep forgetting about people like you and Katja. But then again….if I recall correctly, I think you got two concerts while you were here…and I’ve still only had my measley ONE. So pull out the sword and hand it over.
Ohhhhh and Claire. And I definitely didn’t mean to say you are “forgettable”. I just meant that when I’m feeling sorry for myself…I forget that there are people in worse predicaments. I’m just having severe concert withdrawls…and as much as I appreciate the videos…it’s like giving methadone to a heroin addict.
And marymagdalene…I thought about Alaska after I posted…but there’s no damn edit button here.
Alright…I’ll get my whiny butt out of here now.
Loved the recap. Lord how I want to see him in concert again. And seeing him do his thing, unleashed and untamed in a small venue, is the best of all.
(One year ago today, the best concert experience of my life: LiMBO and Taylor Hicks at Herman’s Hideaway.)
Loved reading your recap!! Out of breath here too - oh to have been there - wow Taylor - you just keep on amazing us and we become more and more addicted….
Damn. I’ll have what she’s having. And make mine a double.
Orca…read your recap on Boogie earlier, and reread it here, again….you and me both…THIS is what I want to see someday….unrushed, unrestrained….SOMEDAY.
orca,
What a crazy thrilling breathtaking trip you took us on!!! I think I would have given up a few concerts to be there that night….it is my dream to see Taylor that way. I was thinking of going but didn’t…I’ll regret it always….had tears in my eyes and a big smile on my face listening to the celcert. Next year at the Florabama for sure….
I’ve waited to read this recap. In fact I read snippets and hints that something amazing happened at the Flora Bama and I didn’t want to know about it. After Dallas I didn’t want to read any other recaps. I knew I would be reading about something I would have killed to experience. How do you make it happen? Is it just being in the right place at the right time, do the stars have to be lined up, does some music god have to be smiling down and pick you out to be the recipient of the magic, or is it just like winning the lottery, a one in a million chance?
Ok, enough whining, after The Right Place in Dallas I shouldn’t feel left out (but I do). Thank you Orca for taking me to a place I hope to be in person some day. Thank you for expressing the music through your words. I almost felt as if I were there. What I want to know is when will Taylor realize that’s what we want, we are not the AI audience and never will be.
Now I have to search for the media.
Last year I missed Workplay and Smith’s Olde Bar. This year I missed a couple of other impromptu sessions. But this time? Pass the cig, and I was there! It was incredible!
just got around to reading this….brings the night all back. I remember getting home after work and reading this….and thinking like so many others, why wasn’t I there??? Reading this now, on the 14th of September brought it all rushing back and I can STILL feel the excitement coming through from your recap…..aahhh, but there’s always next time, right???