TEMPEST AT CANAL STREET TAVERN

After waiting months for this day to arrive, I awoke Friday morning to the realization that I was very sick! I had been under the weather all week, but it escalated into a real illness that morning! I had a fever and my sinus cavities were pounding. Nothing was going to stop me from going to Dayton to see TEMPEST. Nothing! I loaded up every drug I could lay my hands on, Alka Seltzer cold remedy, liquid fever relief for children, ibprophen, and nasal spray (I could not breath through my nose). As we left I remembered the  Hydocodeine from the eye incident! Naturally I tossed it into my bag..

I have talked non stop about this band to Poo-Poo since seeing their appearance at the Dublin (Ohio) Irish Festival last summer. I had purchased one of their albums at the concert and Joe had listened politely to it once  and that was it.

It is difficult to describe this band. Celtic Music. What is that? My head becomes flooded with Irish whistles, brodhrans, the concertina. The type of haunting music that sends chills down your spine. TEMPEST does not use any of those instruments, yet they are without  doubt the leading Folk Celtic Rock band in the history of the genre.

It was with apprehension that I entered Canal Street Tavern with Poo-Poo in tow. I had been extolling the intensity of this bands live performance verses the studio album reassuring myself.  I was extremely nervous that he would not agree. Therefore my opinion regarding music  would become invalid and suspect at best. The venue was so tiny!!! Twenty tables with people milling around as if old friends chatting and becoming reacquainted. All of the tables were taken, so we claimed two chairs at the bar directly in front of the stage.

We ordered a pitcher of beer. I had popped one of the hydocodeine before going as  my head was killing me. I knew it would help me through the night. It did. I was feeling much better, so I had a beer.

Around 10:30 they took the stage. I had another beer.

For the next two hours they rocked the house down. Traditional Folk Music is the launch pad for this band. They add a great bit of many styles of music, taking from jazz, bluegrass, acid rock.....it is just indescribable, incredible....and mold it into the most forceful, dynamic, explosive, electrifying, animated, and high intensity band I have ever seen. I thought they were great on a large stage with thousands of people. It was totally exhilarating in a small bar sharing the intimate experience with 150 other people.

The best part of it all was when Poo-Poo turned to me and yelled, "Allman Brothers at Filmore East" and nodding at the band, as they jammed on and on and on.

I should not have had that third beer. I definitely should not have had that fourth. By the time they had finished the first set and were back onstage and well into the second set, I was unable to take any more pictures. Poo-Poo took over for me. 

After it was over, Poo-Poo was a fan. We went to the merchandise table to buy the 15th Anniversary set and talk to the band. I should not have been allowed. I should have remained sitting at the bar, propped up. But no, I was right over there gushing over them and babbling about God knows what.  Ireland I think and The Dublin Irish Festival. And I just happened to set my beer down on the table that the guitar player was sitting and naturally knocked it over on them.

I hope they forgive me. I suppose I will find out if I am banned when I try to attend another of their performances.