Last weekend I drove about 3 and a half hours out to Michigan. It was good to be home, but it was hotter than the inside of lit firecracker (or perhaps a match head?). Don't matter, I love summer.Anyway, on Saturday I went with my friends (thanks Tasha & Ryan: love y'all) to Eastern Market near Downtown Detroit. If you've never been, I encourage you to get out there and see the people, the culture, and the hustle (and bustle) that takes place in my hometown.After grabbing a few drinks from one of the local shops we stopped to give an old timer some props (and a few dollars)as he his guitar strummed through a busted amp and he sang Akon's lines from "I Wanna Love You". This was the beginning of a perfect afternoon.(Props to the Street Performers out there)There were people everywhere selling everything; fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, clothing, water, incense, and of course Red Wing gear (I'm not a huge hockey fan, but you gotta love your home teams).So, we made our way over to "Bert's Marketplace":http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/entity.php?id=5536 (2727 Russel ST.) where they were grilling up huge slabs of ribs, savory chicken, and the fattest burgers I have ever seen. Outside. In the sun and warmth of the summer afternoon, people were getting their Karaoke on. Yep, Outside.It was absolutely fantastic. Dudes and Babes were gettin their Prince (Happy Belated), their Morris Day and Time, and their Motown 60's on all day. That's not it, there were more than a couple rock fans in the audience, and Aerosmith and AC/DC (among others) made their way into the mix.I have to say that there were five major highlights to the evening. The first is actually a lowlight, but my GOD... 1.) A man who clearly lost a bet decided to sing Bill Wither's "Use Me". I promise you on everything I hold dear that there is *NO POSSIBLE WAY* he has *+ever+* heard this song. Every single word was off beat. I felt bad for the guy, but I felt worse cause I really love that song.2.) The next highlight came at the hands of a man doing his damnedest to get the crowd hype as he sang Mr. Goodnight's "Kiss". Great job, too (i think there was a jump split in his act).3.) A group of four who collectively upheld the city with a rendition of "Higher and Higher" by Jackie Wilson (Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner and Carl Smith). Beautiful.4.) It's actually amazing, but one of the founding member of the Philadelphia group The Delfonics came out and did two songs; one of them being a solo version of the group's hit song "La-La Means I Love You". The older ladies were swaying, singing, and boastfully shouting, "This is the 60's baby! That's *my* time! This *+MY+* music!" Can't argue with that.What could possibly top that? Nothing, right? Definitely not some guy trying to sing Sam Cooke. ESPECIALLY not trying to sing "A Change is Gonna Come". There's only one man that could sing that, right? Well, now there's two.5.) All I know is that a man named James delivered an incredible, soul-stirring re-visioned version of the song that almost made me cry. Seriously beautiful. He modified a few words, but kept it true to the man who wrote it.On a full stomach, in the sparkling sun, with a couple brews down, we took this as the crown of the day, and left the grill smoke wafting to the remaining tunes from the 60's, 70's, and 80's. If every weekend is half as good as those three hours, I can die happy at the end of summer.Love4Life
consumerx says
Never been to Detroit, but would love to visit and make some of the stops you've mentioned. Sounds like a real good time. Funny about the Karaoke. I've only done it once and I thought I should try Sinatra's "Summer Wind" because I'd heard it a million times and it doesn't move too fast. I was a half beat late on every darn lyric. But my favorite Karaoke experience was watching a chunky woman, who appeared to like other women, gesticulating wildly (arms and hips) as she sang Clarence Clemons "Stroke it"
brz says
Scribes
great post, and good to hear about Detroit. i live in Cincinnati, but i pass through Detroit quite a bit. Bert's sounds like it's worth checking out.
peace
brz
Scribes4life says
*consumer*: A nice slow tune is always better than...say...Bone or Twista, and definitely helps to know the words going in.
*squared*: you shouldn't be envious... just happy... for me. lol...sorry.
*brz*: I've been through Cincinnati a few times, but I haven't really been able to plant myself anywhere. I had (maybe have) family in Cleveland, and that's on the complete other side. stay up
I forgot to mention the Delfonics singer was William Hart.
getafade says
Your "hotter than the inside of lit firecracker (or perhaps a match head?)" analogy reminded me of what my weird uncle used to say in those situations: "hotter than a hooker's hole." LOL.
Scribes4life says
the match head part was a reference to "Summer in the City" by The Lovin' Spoonfuls, but nobody really noticed. Still not as funny as a hooker's hole, though.
I dont think I have had a day that good in years lol sound like perfection, now Im jealous of you lol. I know Im late with my reply but hey at least its still summer time lol Maybe I need to go make some memories soon.
I hear you on missing summer, though; the heat is starting to wane, the nights are growing colder, and my sleeves have gone from short to long as September counts down to cooler (read more wintery) weather.
"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."
Last weekend I drove about 3 and a half hours out to Michigan. It was good to be home, but it was hotter than the inside of lit firecracker (or perhaps a match head?). Don't matter, I love summer.Anyway, on Saturday I went with my friends (thanks Tasha & Ryan: love y'all) to Eastern Market near Downtown Detroit. If you've never been, I encourage you to get out there and see the people, the culture, and the hustle (and bustle) that takes place in my hometown.
After grabbing a few drinks from one of the local shops we stopped to give an old timer some props (and a few dollars)as he his guitar strummed through a busted amp and he sang Akon's lines from "I Wanna Love You". This was the beginning of a perfect afternoon.
(Props to the Street Performers out there)There were people everywhere selling everything; fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, clothing, water, incense, and of course Red Wing gear (I'm not a huge hockey fan, but you gotta love your home teams).
So, we made our way over to "Bert's Marketplace":http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/entity.php?id=5536 (2727 Russel ST.) where they were grilling up huge slabs of ribs, savory chicken, and the fattest burgers I have ever seen. Outside. In the sun and warmth of the summer afternoon, people were getting their Karaoke on. Yep, Outside.It was absolutely fantastic. Dudes and Babes were gettin their Prince (Happy Belated), their Morris Day and Time, and their Motown 60's on all day. That's not it, there were more than a couple rock fans in the audience, and Aerosmith and AC/DC (among others) made their way into the mix.
I have to say that there were five major highlights to the evening. The first is actually a lowlight, but my GOD... 1.) A man who clearly lost a bet decided to sing Bill Wither's "Use Me". I promise you on everything I hold dear that there is *NO POSSIBLE WAY* he has *+ever+* heard this song. Every single word was off beat. I felt bad for the guy, but I felt worse cause I really love that song.2.) The next highlight came at the hands of a man doing his damnedest to get the crowd hype as he sang Mr. Goodnight's "Kiss". Great job, too (i think there was a jump split in his act).3.) A group of four who collectively upheld the city with a rendition of "Higher and Higher" by Jackie Wilson (Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner and Carl Smith). Beautiful.4.) It's actually amazing, but one of the founding member of the Philadelphia group The Delfonics came out and did two songs; one of them being a solo version of the group's hit song "La-La Means I Love You". The older ladies were swaying, singing, and boastfully shouting, "This is the 60's baby! That's *my* time! This *+MY+* music!" Can't argue with that.What could possibly top that? Nothing, right? Definitely not some guy trying to sing Sam Cooke. ESPECIALLY not trying to sing "A Change is Gonna Come". There's only one man that could sing that, right? Well, now there's two.5.) All I know is that a man named James delivered an incredible, soul-stirring re-visioned version of the song that almost made me cry. Seriously beautiful. He modified a few words, but kept it true to the man who wrote it.On a full stomach, in the sparkling sun, with a couple brews down, we took this as the crown of the day, and left the grill smoke wafting to the remaining tunes from the 60's, 70's, and 80's. If every weekend is half as good as those three hours, I can die happy at the end of summer.Love4Life
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Comments (17)
Alright, I wasn't gonna go there, but getafade inspired me. I've got a buddy, who's a bit of a country boy, who has two good ones.
Hotter than a blistered piece of p*ssy in a pepper patch
Hotter than two rats f***ing in a wool sock.
LOL... now, that's fuckin HOT!
great story S4L! that's amazing that you caught a Delphonic doing karaoke!!! what bliss.
I dont think I have had a day that good in years lol sound like perfection, now Im jealous of you lol. I know Im late with my reply but hey at least its still summer time lol Maybe I need to go make some memories soon.
thanks for the great post
Do it NOW! Of course, memories have no seasonal bounds, babe!
awwwww you called me Babe lol
i love this song. her voice really fits the city, DOWN BUT NOT OUT.
the live music sounds awesome
sorry this comment is super late- I MUST MISS SUMMER ALREADY...
It's never too late to comment around here.
I hear you on missing summer, though; the heat is starting to wane, the nights are growing colder, and my sleeves have gone from short to long as September counts down to cooler (read more wintery) weather.
"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."
~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book