Couldn’t get no closer and couldn’t get no further away.” ― Larry Brown Summer. 1998. They emerge, four of them/four people; a couple bass players; maybe two guitar guys, I can’t remember really; but they come gently from the doors with the body of the drummer wrapped in an American flag.
Serge, I just read & I’m still crying. You captured everything so succinctly about a moment in time that was otherworldly, extra special, once-in-a-lifetime-if-you’re-lucky time that made and still make my life livable. So grateful y’all were a part of it. Love y’all. Laurie
wow, i cried reading this. amazing. i remember. i was wondering if anybody else did? i feel like Larry Brown just read that with me...or maybe kinda wrote it thru you. Badass and beautiful. I'm all shook up DB
Oh man. You write from inside. But do you realize that to many of us MARAH was/is the Blue Mountain of our lives. Best live band I’ve ever seen. I know I’m not alone in saying that, and I’m guessing you’ll read a lot of that in the comments here. And you let us in. Via your words. And, at least once, before a gig in the space beneath that barbecue place in NYC, via giving an older, never-was rocker and community theater actor a few minutes of your time as if we were buddies. You’re generosity of spirit shines through constantly. Thanks for letting us in and sharing with this community you’ve built through your music, your words and your soul.
Fantastic writing! Seeing Blue Mountain for the first time in Charlotte NC at the Milestone was a defining moment in my life! I bought the "Light Bright" cd off the merch table within minutes of the end of their set. Cary and Laurie were always so gracious and kind each time I spoke with them at later shows. I knew that first night I was witnessing greatness and I was never the same. I thought they were the best kept secret in this hemisphere...and I was right!
Thanks for writing what we have all felt while witnessing the grace and SOUL of the best band I have ever had the good fortune to experience and share with so many!
I loved the Jayhawks and was always so excited to be able to see them. They once came to Baltimore in a club called Bohagers. The opening band was Blue Mountain who I had never heard of. But I always go to see opening acts because you never know. When Cary, Laurie, and Frank came on stage they totally blew me away. Their passion and authenticity were amazing. Their live show was so good that about 3 songs into my favorite band the Jayhawks, I left. I knew I had seen something that would have me in search of bands that could meet their talent and passion. I found it in Marah but will always be thankful I had the opportunity to experience Blue Mountain. I had the opportunity to work the merch table with Cary when he opened for your brother and for me it was meeting royalty. Still listen to Dog Days regularly.
Damn dude. Right between the eyes and in the feels. I feel like we were there with you. Thanks for that beautiful piece of writing. With all the bullshit and nonsense we all deal with every day, to feel something real like this was a gift. Like someone else already said, you’re band gave us a lot of those same feelings. Being in those clubs as you guys played the first notes. Magic.
A wonderful piece of writing. Brought back so many memories of seeing Blue Mountain in Nashville. I live in New Orleans now and Cary will occasionally perform solo shows down here. I remember seeing y'all for the first time at Spaceland in L.A. and felt that I was also watching a band at the top of their game. My buddy and I shot a game of pool with you and Dave afterwards. He still talks about that night to this day. Later our paths would cross again outside a bar on Bedford Ave. You were hanging out with Dave and we talked about that night at Spaceland. I'll never forget talking with y'all. Thank you so much for your generosity and sharing your bountiful talent with all of us. Take care. PS- I have a lot of Gettysburg books as well and Larry Brown was the real deal.
Love it. Thanks the words/memories. I think I remember meeting you guys on Bedford. I have a vision of it for some reason. Spaceland is a little hazy to me now though. Were you there the night Elliott Smith was there playing pool as well? That was pretty hip.
I don't remember him being there but he could have been. My buddy was a mandolin player from Kentucky and was talking to Dave about the intricacies of that instrument. I think Dave became annoyed after a while. It was uncomfortably amusing. 😆 Anyway, my brother and I would see y'all at the Soft Spot on a regular basis and chat about music. Your Christmas show at Bowery Ballroom was epic as well. Man, those were some great times. Thanks again for everything. Take care and stay safe.
Just when I think ‘how could Serge top last weeks Thunder Pie?’ Here it is, perfect on so many levels takes the reader ‘there’. Captures the moment, just like many of your photos AND music. Oh and thanks to Arle for careful editing duties!
Serge, not only editing but lots of inspiration, I’m sure. I love that Thunder Pie gives us your unique take on everything, but you two are a great team; thank you both!!!
I love reading all of your work, Serge, but this one really got to me. Because that amazing feeling, that primal collective energy, that otherworldly high you describe at a Blue Mountain gig is exactly how I remember every Marah show I've ever been lucky enough to attend. Damn, I miss Marah shows ...
Thanks for writing this! Dog Days never tires for me. Only saw them them once in Lawrence, KS supporting that album but will never forget Carey coming out on stage with a big smile, leaning over and tapping his beer bottle to mine and then the band just took off on a blistering set. So great.
Serge, I just read & I’m still crying. You captured everything so succinctly about a moment in time that was otherworldly, extra special, once-in-a-lifetime-if-you’re-lucky time that made and still make my life livable. So grateful y’all were a part of it. Love y’all. Laurie
Oh, Laurie. Thank you so much. For everything/ for all of it. Love to you always.
wow, i cried reading this. amazing. i remember. i was wondering if anybody else did? i feel like Larry Brown just read that with me...or maybe kinda wrote it thru you. Badass and beautiful. I'm all shook up DB
Man, I was blinking away tears by the end. Fucking tour de force.
“…knowing that the key to unlocking doors of the universe are to never fucking shut them in the first place.”
Love that so much, so resonant. The openness to receive the beauty of the universe.
Thanks for this one.
Thanks, my man. Means a lot.
:)
Oh man. You write from inside. But do you realize that to many of us MARAH was/is the Blue Mountain of our lives. Best live band I’ve ever seen. I know I’m not alone in saying that, and I’m guessing you’ll read a lot of that in the comments here. And you let us in. Via your words. And, at least once, before a gig in the space beneath that barbecue place in NYC, via giving an older, never-was rocker and community theater actor a few minutes of your time as if we were buddies. You’re generosity of spirit shines through constantly. Thanks for letting us in and sharing with this community you’ve built through your music, your words and your soul.
That made my evening. Thanks, Tom. Much love.
Love this and loved this band.
Thanks a lot, Al.
Fantastic writing! Seeing Blue Mountain for the first time in Charlotte NC at the Milestone was a defining moment in my life! I bought the "Light Bright" cd off the merch table within minutes of the end of their set. Cary and Laurie were always so gracious and kind each time I spoke with them at later shows. I knew that first night I was witnessing greatness and I was never the same. I thought they were the best kept secret in this hemisphere...and I was right!
Thanks for writing what we have all felt while witnessing the grace and SOUL of the best band I have ever had the good fortune to experience and share with so many!
oh shit! Thank you for reminding me of Slobberbone. playing them on repeat now.
Excellent band. :)
I loved the Jayhawks and was always so excited to be able to see them. They once came to Baltimore in a club called Bohagers. The opening band was Blue Mountain who I had never heard of. But I always go to see opening acts because you never know. When Cary, Laurie, and Frank came on stage they totally blew me away. Their passion and authenticity were amazing. Their live show was so good that about 3 songs into my favorite band the Jayhawks, I left. I knew I had seen something that would have me in search of bands that could meet their talent and passion. I found it in Marah but will always be thankful I had the opportunity to experience Blue Mountain. I had the opportunity to work the merch table with Cary when he opened for your brother and for me it was meeting royalty. Still listen to Dog Days regularly.
This makes so much sense to me/ that you would have seen them and understood, Fletcher. It doesn’t surprise me at all. But it makes me happy.
Damn dude. Right between the eyes and in the feels. I feel like we were there with you. Thanks for that beautiful piece of writing. With all the bullshit and nonsense we all deal with every day, to feel something real like this was a gift. Like someone else already said, you’re band gave us a lot of those same feelings. Being in those clubs as you guys played the first notes. Magic.
Steve, thank you so fucking much for your words. They seriously made me happy. I'm glad you wrote 'em.
and sorry about the "you're" error. that was some bush league BS.
A wonderful piece of writing. Brought back so many memories of seeing Blue Mountain in Nashville. I live in New Orleans now and Cary will occasionally perform solo shows down here. I remember seeing y'all for the first time at Spaceland in L.A. and felt that I was also watching a band at the top of their game. My buddy and I shot a game of pool with you and Dave afterwards. He still talks about that night to this day. Later our paths would cross again outside a bar on Bedford Ave. You were hanging out with Dave and we talked about that night at Spaceland. I'll never forget talking with y'all. Thank you so much for your generosity and sharing your bountiful talent with all of us. Take care. PS- I have a lot of Gettysburg books as well and Larry Brown was the real deal.
Love it. Thanks the words/memories. I think I remember meeting you guys on Bedford. I have a vision of it for some reason. Spaceland is a little hazy to me now though. Were you there the night Elliott Smith was there playing pool as well? That was pretty hip.
I don't remember him being there but he could have been. My buddy was a mandolin player from Kentucky and was talking to Dave about the intricacies of that instrument. I think Dave became annoyed after a while. It was uncomfortably amusing. 😆 Anyway, my brother and I would see y'all at the Soft Spot on a regular basis and chat about music. Your Christmas show at Bowery Ballroom was epic as well. Man, those were some great times. Thanks again for everything. Take care and stay safe.
It’s as if you stole all of my thoughts and feelings the 10 seconds before Marah kicks in on stage and wrote it all down in this essay, nice one!
I like that. I'll take it. Thanks a lot, Kyle.
Just when I think ‘how could Serge top last weeks Thunder Pie?’ Here it is, perfect on so many levels takes the reader ‘there’. Captures the moment, just like many of your photos AND music. Oh and thanks to Arle for careful editing duties!
Thank you so much, Tom. And YES...Arle helps me so much every single time I write something! Nice one for the shout out!
Serge, not only editing but lots of inspiration, I’m sure. I love that Thunder Pie gives us your unique take on everything, but you two are a great team; thank you both!!!
I love reading all of your work, Serge, but this one really got to me. Because that amazing feeling, that primal collective energy, that otherworldly high you describe at a Blue Mountain gig is exactly how I remember every Marah show I've ever been lucky enough to attend. Damn, I miss Marah shows ...
Thanks my brother. Miss you too.
Thanks for writing this! Dog Days never tires for me. Only saw them them once in Lawrence, KS supporting that album but will never forget Carey coming out on stage with a big smile, leaning over and tapping his beer bottle to mine and then the band just took off on a blistering set. So great.
Exactly. Thanks for reading.