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Musings of a Senior Scribe
Kindred Spirits
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! There's "Je Na Saia Quoi." (French) - a "something that can
not be adequately described or expressed" - literally..."I don't know
what" - or a "certain something" - "a quality or attribute that is
difficult to describe or express" about those people who keep giving
and going against the "odds." Life is not about what they need or want.
Despite the odds - pain, disease, missing senses, etc.- they get
up every morning and set a goal to be better than the day before...do
more...give another lecture, give another hands-on class....or in this
case - another song, another concert. I consider myself among these
people. We just can not leave well enough alone.
I've heard the name for some 30 years now. For these years, I've
watched people's faces light up when they told me of the concert. I've
heard the excitement in their voices when they told me - "He's playing
here!" He started playing in 1983. The band was formed in 1987. It was
disbanded in 1994. He's play our local - now defunct - Triangle Inn,
the Fraze, the Hobart Arena, and last Good Friday - the Thirsty Turtle.
They've opened for Air Supply. Jeff and I agree - "We just can't leave
well enough alone." It's about pushing the body into harmony with the
mind and spirit/soul. It's about testing the mind (brain) - of what is
it really capable? If we only use 10% of our mind - what's in the other
90%? It's about "Huang Chung" - perfect pitch - a mostly Buddhist
theory. The perfect balance between flat and sharp in music tones -
perfect balance between mind, body, and soul/spirit. It's about pushing
the body beyond endurance into another realm - if you will. Every step
gained toward excellence is a new experience from which to draw
encouragement, insight, and promise - that you can achieve more.
I've heard that music is over - it's finished...there are no more "good
bands." I've harped, argued, interjected, and otherwise stated -
"That's not true." In Darke County it's not always at the "forefront" -
if you will.
Good Friday found me at the Thirsty Turtle. In 2006 Erin Higgins joined
Jeff Madewell to form Higgins-Madewell. After the interview, I settled
in for one set. That turned into all three sets. It has taken me three
days to process all of this. I've listened to their CDs, spoken with
their manager, interviewed Jeff's daughter (his #1 roadie) Lindsay,
perused their website, and spoken with members of the audience. All
agree - there's just "something about them." There's music to nudge the
memory - from a time of youth and first loves to the carefree days.
I believe Jeff knows this. I believe Erin knows this. I believe they
show us the past in their music. In their song "Like a Stone" - I
believe they've laid out a path of hope and truth. An excerpt is -
"Give me a fire, family, and a few friends...Like a stone skippin'
across a quiet lake..I might sink to the bottom - but that's a chance
I'm gonna take...Just tryin' to make it to the other side."
With pride, daughter Lindsay says - "That's my Dad. I want to be just
like him in whatever I do." For now, she sees to the band's needs - set
up, tear down, load/unload, clean up, sales..whatever it takes to make
it all work. In Jeff's words - "You gotta stay positive." Erin agrees.
To Jeff, Erin, and Lindsay - "May the road rise up to meet you. May the
sun always shine warmly on your face. May the wind always be at your
back." If I don't see you again here - I'll see ya on the other side.
All my best.
Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the
furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next
time. Ever Toodles!!! MONA
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