Roots on the Rail: Day Two
Saturday: November 6
Do You Know The Way To Santa Fe? (apologies to Burt Bacharach)
OK, upfront, to the uninitiated, sleeping on a moving train, is not easy. We were all uninitiated, but who cares, we can sleep when we are dead.
Most started arriving in the club car between 7:00 and 8:00 for a breakfast of waffles, fruit, cereal, etc. and coffee, I think the volume of coffee consumed at breakfast, probably equaled the wine and beer consumed the night before (rethinking that, nope, probably not).
Around 4:00AM, Lynn Neal, a high school friend of Karin’s from Barnesville, and her partner, Susanna joined us. Lynn, a geologist by trade, was serving the role of naturalist on the trip, explaining and answering questions about the landscape and much of what we were going to see on the trip; The Painted Desert, Petrified Forest and Grand Canyon. During causal conversations, much of the life of teenage girls, years ago in Barnesville 25+ years ago was discussed and may references from “Ohio” casually were talked about.
Late morning, we arrived in Albuquerque and had the option to stay on the train and arrive in Santa Fe late in the afternoon, or take a chartered bus and arrive a little afternoon and have time to explore. Most opted for the bus, when we hit the beautiful square in downtown Santa Fe; Michael & Marilyn Wilson, and new friends, Jennifer (from Denver), Karen (from Bloomington, IL) and I had a wonderful relaxed lunch in an old Spanish inspired hotel, more great conversation and lots of laughter.
We then set off to explore, first to the beautiful St. Francis Church, a stroll thru the square where local artisans and craftsmen were selling their handmade wares on sidewalks and in parks. While looking for the Georgia O’Keefe museum we came across an photographic gallery that was amazing, they were displaying a huge selection of museum quality images from heroes of mine; Cartier-Bresson, Harry Callahan, Lee Freelander (add many others). Just to stand there and see the images was one thing, but to be able to do this along with a photographer that I respect as much as Michael, to discuss them with him, to see the wonderment, excitement and joy in his eyes as he viewed them was just icing in the cake.
We were invited to another gallery (next to New York, Santa Fe has the largest concentration of art galleries in America) to see an exhibition of Charlie’s (Hunter, the owner of Roots on the Rail, our host) train inspired paintings. After a little more hiking, we found it (and a much needed coffee shop along the way), his work was beautiful, a mix of modern impressionism and romanticism of the train and American Southwest.
After a short bus ride, we arrived at The Santa Fe Brewing Company for the first show of the trip. After a nice dinner, Lucy open the evening with about a 20 minute set, she is so enjoyable, a clear and pristine voice, delivering thoughtful, well written and crafted songs. She has such a charming, disarming presence, as much as I like her music, her stories rival it for the enjoyment in her set.
With almost no break, Molly Felder and Bill DeMain (Swan Dive) were up next, delivering their very special kind of pop music, some bossa nova inspired, many would sound relevant if they were being played in a French bistro in the 20’s. All are wittily written and beautifully crafted, many with a sly twist or off center take on life, love and romance. Molly & Bill have a wonderful stage presence and comfort together and Bill’s lyrics are specifically written for Molly and her voice, and they are perfect together.
Alright, the reason, the force, the music that brought people here from all over the country and from Sweden, Germany and the UK…Over the Rhine. This was the first time I have seen the current formation, a trio, with Nick Radina joining Karin & Linford on cuatro and percussion. And I loved it. It was a very full, big sound for a trio and fit the new songs perfectly and the arrangements for some of the older stuff adapted very well. The set was about half/half newer and older and was an outstanding night of music.
The show was open to the public (train travelers had reserved seating) and the club was packed, the audience was great; quiet and attentive but involved and appreciative, just how it oughta be.
We arrived back at the train, which was docked in Santa Fe, after midnite and most opted to go straight to bed (including me), it was much easier to sleep on a stationary train than a moving one. Trust me.
Lucy Wainwright-Roche
Swan Dive
Molly Felder
Bill DeMain
Over the Rhine
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“Roots on the Rails” conducts about four of these trips a year featuring different routes and musicians. They are now in the initial stages of planning another trip with OtR, possibly for next September.
Contact Sarah or Charlie @ (and PLEASE tell them that you were referred by Bill Ivester and read about it here)
Roots on the Rail: http://www.rootsontherails.com/
Roots on the Rail (Facebook): http://www.facebook.com/search.php?q=roots%20on%20the%20rails&init=quick&tas=0.6926599160176896#!/group.php?gid=9411601292
what we need is music 