Bob Ike's blog

too much?

A week ago marked 5 years since George W. Frayne IV (a.k.a. Commander Cody) ascended to the outer Ozone. He was 77. He’d been unable to tour for over 2 years, his last gig at Chan’s in Woonsocket Rhode Island. I meant for this post to go out that same day, but my screen crashed and I only got my laptop back yesterday. The NY Times had a nice obit the week he passed (1). He’s still remembered, as in this July piece from NPR (2).

Mr. Frayne, son of two artists, entered UofM Art school in ’62 (on full scholarship!). 9 weeks of boogie-woogie piano lessons at his Long Island high school gave him enough chops to hang with several frat bands, and in the kitchen of Phi Psy, washing dishes, he met John Tichy, who taught him the wonders of old country. CC & the Lost Planet Airmen wouldn’t get going for a few years, a momentous afternoon in the Jones Beach lifeguards’ bar including some TV watching of a Sci Fi series from the 50s featuring Commando Cody (3).

I’ll not get much into the history of that great band. Their mix of old country, boogie-woogie, and old-time rock and roll was unlike anything going down then, when the scene featured hard rock and blues. They call that mix “Americana” these days, and practitioners are legion. Tho’ big in their hometown, they found their fortune in Berkeley, cranking out 5 albums and for a while considered the hottest live act in the land. Warner Brothers used their crowd noise on other albums. Having attended many of those concerts, I can tell you that reputation was well deserved. They broke up in ’76, but all band members kept at it. The living members of the band still tour as the Lost Planet Airmen and even put out a CD last year (4).

I first saw the band at Hill Auditorium on 4/17/71, last day of my freshman year classes celebrated by a campus-wide blow out. I broke into the side door and was rapidly smitten by those 8 hippies wailing away. I celebrate the anniversary of that momentous encounter every year (5)

Let’s take a look at the ol’ Commander over the years.

Obviously, I can dole out only so much Commander Cody, here. This little sampler should be a good start.

“Hot Rod Lincoln”. A remake of a 1955 record the band probably found in some used record bin. They gave Commander talking songs, and this was one of them. Their only “hit”, which rose to #9 on the Billboard charts and ended the year ranked #69. Here see the Commander and the boys doing it before 17,000 at Crisler Arena in the rally for John Sinclair (6). They stole the show from a bill that include Bob Seger, Stevie Wonder, and John Lennon (yes, the Beatle).

“Beat me Daddy, 8 to the bar.” Is, IMHO, the best boogie-woogie number. This clip has the additona lfeature of George’s videography. He put clips from Hollywood movies over a number of CC&hLPA songs (7)

“We used to ride”. A good “looking back at our wild times” song. George cut this 10 years after the breakup. I’m not sure if he did the videography as he usually worked in black and white (8).

“Two triple cheese”. By this time, the only LPA around was Bill Kirchen, who helped out bigly here, get down on those French fries! The video won an Emmy and is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC (9).

Thanks for reading. Realize, there’s no status that can’t be elevated by listening to the Commander. So, please join Mr. Ozone and me in inviting you to listen away! Maybe you’ll have too much fun!(10). George, we boogie on in your memory.

(Addendum: Mr. Ozone is the work of Chris Frayne, George’s brother and another very talented artist. When he died in ’91 of multiple sclerosis, George took over the illustrating and you’d have trouble telling the difference)

References

1. Risen C. George Frayne, a.k.a. Commander Cody, Alt-Country Pioneer, Dies at 77. New York Times 9/30/21. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/30/arts/music/george-frayne-dead.html

2. American Routes Shortcut: Commander Cody. American Routes July 12, 2024. file:///Users/bobscomputer/Desktop/LITO/American%20Routes%20Shortcuts:%20Commander%20Cody%20%7C%20WWNO.html

3. Cult Cinema. Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (1953) Marathon TV Series chapters 1-12. YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1ov_bmZPJE

4. The Last Music Company. Lost Planet Airmen: Back from the Ozone. October 31, 2o23. https://www.lastmusic.co.uk/labelnews/lost-planet-airmen-back-from-the-ozone

5.Ike B. Two triple cheese… WordPress April 17,2021. https://theviewfromharbal.com/2021/04/17/two-triple-cheese/

6. Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. Hot Rod Lincoln. (from Ten for Two, premiered 4/1/72. Produced by John Lennon and Yoko Ono). Posted to YouTube by RW Ike 3/19/21. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8TeHA4UL_8

7. Commander Cody. Beat me daddy 8 to the bar. YouTube https://youtu.be/3Csbzh2r0oU?si=X_UnOla2mTCAEWoF

8. Commander Codyish. we used to ride version 2.0. https://youtu.be/H6Tt_EGGrT8?si=IC8ZqMr6wEJ6zh0U

9. revionxvideo. Two Triple Cheese Side Order of Fries – Commander Cody. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1Cvg5VCpT4

10. Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. Too Much Fun (Live (1973/Austin, TX)). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEh3HBeZNHE

see vee

Sorry, but this is a boring bit of using WordPress as a file systems. I like to have a copy of my CV attached to a URL for the times I wish to share it. Here’s the September 2024 version:

https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:1a30003a-a34e-32a8-9054-dd7b43bc80e0

CVIke091724 Download

the tyranny of game day

Ann Arbor is a different place on game day. The 110,000-faithful headed to the Big House take up a lot of space, from bars and restaurants and parking spots to simple space on streets leading to the game. It wasn’t much of a surprise when Kathy and I were making wedding arrangements in 1986 – we wanted a fall wedding – that the first question from every establishment we consulted was “is that a game day?”. Fortunately, 10/4/86 was at Wisconsin, a game Kathy watched downstairs while still in her wedding dress.

Many years have passed since. The season tickets we use to access the game were first acquired by Kathy’s dad – an Ohio orthopedic surgeon who nudged athletes to Ann Arbor – were first acquired in ’61. Every year at homecoming, they ask season ticket holders to remain standing according to the status of their holdings. Kathy is usually “the last man standing”. So, football Saturday has always been a big deal for us. And we thoroughly enjoy it, sitting amongst 110,000 of our best friends, enjoying the band, and – at least for the past year – enjoying excellent football.

But something seemed to happen this year. The drive into the B-school parking lot less from the stadium encountered construction at many stops along the way. The 1.3 mile walk from there to the stadium was o.k., although the “music” blaring from the frat houses along the way was an annoying feature that would only be amplified by the big scoreboards at the stadium. We enjoy negotiating the crowds to a tailgate dedicated to “Hero of the Game”, run by a friend of ours. The band always stops by, and the director – John Pasquale – gives his friend Kathy a hug. Carl Grapentine – Michigan’s golden throat announcer – gives notice as to how long it is to kickoff. We in the crowd respond, seeking the big steps into gate 1. Last week, some sort of security issue slowed the ascent of those steps to a crawl. By the time we got in, “band take the field” had long passed. We were in soon enough to hear more hip-hop from the big scoreboard. As the game proceeded, our sensibilities felt things like the 3-minute time outs (so many), the cheesy diversions during time outs, ostensibly to keep us entertained (kicking contests by students, etc), and the total absence of any music from the band in the quiet pauses, favoring instead all the raucous stuff from the scoreboard.

I actually bought a pair of noise cancelling headphones for the game. Our seats are kitty corner from the student section, but that big scoreboard blares everywhere. I do thank them for introducing me to “Mr. Brightside” (1). Our seats are in the same section I scrambled with my buddies to attain as we were trying to make the most of our senior class seniority in ’73. We still had to watch Bo’s boring teams, but we were in the stadium!

As youngsters, we wouldn’t have cared for obstacles for the game. After all, we each had our own bottle of Boone’s Farm. But as oldsters, all this crap makes sitting home by the TV all that more attractive. We did that today, sitting with my brother-in-law in his assisted living facility watching the game on their big screen. Kathy dampened some of my output. Yelling “Orji, Orji, Orji” might not be appropriate in a facility of older persons. But what we learned is that love of Michigan football never dies. Go Blue!!

References

The Killers – Mr. Brightside (Official Music Video). YouTube https://youtu.be/gGdGFtwCNBE?si=9A8Vwv309ccKpis9

stroke: room for improvement?

Come next month, I’ll have not seen a patient for 5 years. But those questions coming in from friends and relatives can still jog this old medical brain. A couple weeks back, Ron, who’s a distant cousin, good friend, and husband of much missed Barb (1), a nurse who used to field most of his medical queries, sent me his latest. Writing for his brother, still having quite a bit of trouble after a stroke, came a link to a recent paper addressing the use of etanercept (Enbrel) in post-stroke pain (2). While very familiar with Enbrel, I was not aware of this application. To quote the South Park kids, “I learned something today” (3) and want to pass it on.

A stroke is a horrible thing. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability. The annual incidence of stroke in the U.S. is about 795,000 (4). Whether embolic, thrombotic, or hemorrhagic (I’ll explain), that segment of brain suddenly deprived of blood flow stops sending signals to the portion of the body it controls, and there goes function. That sudden loss was so striking to the ancients who observed it, they considered it a strike from the hand of God, possibly a punishment. Several Brazilian neurologists published their contention that a clear description of stroke symptoms appears in the Old Testament, Psalm 137:5,6 (5). David writes (RSV)” 5 – If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right-hand wither! 6 – Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!”. The authors provide their neurologic version “If I forget you, oh Jerusalem, I will suffer a stroke of the left middle cerebral artery, causing motor aphasia and right hemiplegia, if I do not remember you, if I do not keep Jerusalem as my greatest joy.” They comment “Psalm 137 is a relevant contribution from Hebrew culture to the history of neurology.” Is this description of a punishment corresponding to the symptoms found in cerebrovascular stroke of the middle cerebral artery a coincidence? Or did the Hebrews know at that time that left hemiplegia may occur without aphasia, did they know of cerebral dominance about 600 years before Christ?” Interesting, to be sure, but maybe a bit too much inside baseball for what I want to communicate here. But just a few more basics. The sudden cessation of blood flow to a portion of the brain can come about from a plugging material arriving from another part of the body, like the heart in atrial fibrillation (embolic), from a clot forming in a feeding blood vessel (thrombotic), or from bleeding into the brain (hemorrhagic). “Clot-busting” interventions are fraught with hazard as they do nothing to those thrown plugs and can worsen the bleeding of a hemorrhagic. Some recovery is usually possible due to the brain’s incredible plasticity (ability to take in one part over functions handled by another). But post-stroke care still consists mainly of physical therapy. Recently, it has been understood that a stroke was followed by a fairly intense inflammatory response in the brain. Not a surprise, as our bodies respond to damage and death anywhere with inflammation to clean up the mess and start to effect repair. The brain response included high doses of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a prime inflammatory mediator. Similar high levels of TNF in inflamed joints led to development of an agent to block its attachment to cells: etanercept, a compound that transformed my rheumatology practice (6). Getting this agent into the brain and seeing if it made a difference in poststroke patients was the focus of the paper Ron sent me. I’m glad I finally read it. Here’s my reply to Ron.

Well, Ron, getting stuck in the back of the plane for the ATL-DTW last leg of our Mexico trip last night finally gave me a chance to look this over. Had it been a manuscript sent to me for review, I would have scrawled red ink all over it and sent it back to the editor to have the authors make some major revision, but they got it into Cereus, which is not a bad journal. What they describe are the effects of injecting Enbrel (etanercept) deep enough into spine to get it into blood vessels that run right up to the brain. The justification for this is the fact that strokes bring out an inflammatory process, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a major mediator in this process. Enbrel blocks the attachment of TNF to cells, and is something I used since 1998, when it first became available. It was the first “biologic” (an agent grown in living tissue rather than made in a test tube) and is remarkably effective in rheumatoid arthritis. It really transformed my practice, as patients came back happy instead of just enduring their burden ever so slightly modified by my ministrations. Many other biologics followed, all very expensive ($1000/mo and up) with a few peculiar side effects and conferring an enhanced susceptibility to infections. RA patients just inject themselves in the leg once a week. That wouldn’t work for post stroke inflammation, as TNF is too big to leave the central nervous system and Enbrel won’t cross that barrier. Hence the perispinal injection (7). That must be delivered by a doc, and I’m guessing this is a thing now. When I Googled to find difference between perispinal and intrathecal injections (intrathecal injections are a spinal tap where the drug is delivered right into the cerebrospinal fluid – some chemotherapies go this way), up popped a choice “perispinal etanercept near me”. The author’s very sloppy table did describe 4 studies where this treatment seemed to have an effect.

I even found a YouTube describing the whole process (8).

Thanks for making me dive into something I really knew very little about. Hope this helps.

Bob

My bottom line, stroke patients having troubles with pain or slow return of function should consider this therapy.

References

1. Ike B. bye, Barb. WordPress 6/7/23. https://theviewfromharbal.com/2023/06/07/bye-barb/

2. Joseph AM, Karas M, Jara Silva CE, Leyva M, Salam A, Sinha M, Asfaw YA, Fonseca A, Cordova S, Reyes M, Quinonez J, Ruxmohan S. The Potential Role of Etanercept in the Management of Post-stroke Pain: A Literature Review. Cureus. 2023 Mar 1515(3):e36185. doi: 10.7759/cureus.36185.

3. I’ve learned something today – South Park. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBOhUtHg6bM

4. Stroke facts. [ Feb; 2023]. 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm

5. Resende LA, Weber SA, Bertotti MF, Agapejev S. Stroke in ancient times: a reinterpretation of Psalms 137:5,6. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2008 Sep;66(3A):581-3. doi: 10.1590/s0004-282×2008000400033.

6. Burness CB, Duggan ST. Etanercept (SB4): A Review in Autoimmune Inflammatory Diseases. BioDrugs. 2016 Aug;30(4):371-8. doi: 10.1007/s40259-016-0188-z. Erratum in: BioDrugs. 2016 Oct;30(5):481.

7. Tobinick EL. Perispinal Delivery of CNS Drugs. CNS Drugs. 2016 Jun;30(6):469-80. doi: 10.1007/s40263-016-0339-2.

8. Perispinal Etanercept Treatment for Stroke clinical trial – Griffith University. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dKdeAHp2K8

Robbie!

For my 72^nd birthday, my sweetie pointed the Jeep east to head for Lake Orion, an hour and a half drive from here. This town, in the far north ‘burbs of Dee-troit, near Pontiac, is pocked by many little lakes that many live around. They’re nice lakes, too. Bob Seger lives less than 20 miles from the Lake Orion venue. The goal of the trip was seeing Robbie Fulks at 20 Front Street, which might have been a machine shop once upon a time but now is a fine coffee shop and a performance space greatly enhanced by some curved heavy wooden pews that I’m sure started in a church somewhere (1). The nearby lakeside restaurant (Orion Boat House (2)) and luxurious country B’n’B (3) made the outing all that much more special.

Robbie’s used to commanding a stage all my himself, and did so admirably. I don’t think he required the stage floor marks the management had provided. Most of the small crowd knew his songs, enough to sing along when required and then hum to ourselves the rest of the time. You can hear all his songs from this set on Setlist.Fm (4), but can you capture a Robbie concert with just recordings? The biting wit, those flashing eyes, those dramatic pauses. Robbie is best experienced live, but please go out and buy his records! (5). His songs are sweet, humorous, and poignant, exhibiting superb musicianship all along the way.

How did this son of York Pennsylvania become a leading light in bluegrass? When Robbie was 13, his dad took a position at a Quaker school in Durham, North Carolina and settled outside of Creedmoore, just between Durham and Chapel Hill (6). That’s an area known as the “Research Triangle”, with Winston-Salem as the 3^rd corner, full of eggheads but with enough bluegrass and old country music for young Robbie to cut his chops. Dad was also a major musical influence, a bluegrass musician himself, who had Robbie playing banjo three years before he took up guitar. With his genes and his deep interest in reading, he proved Ivy League smart and went to Columbia. The NYC music scene proved more attractive than the classroom. He spent a lot of time trying to sign up for lessons with Dave van Ronk in Greenwich Village, never connecting with him by enjoying many opportunities to play there. He left Columbia after 2 years, hung around NYC for another year, then split for Chicago where he joined a bluegrass band, Special Consensus.

He finally got a record contract in the late 90s, but still had to spend 3 years in Nashville writing songs for a Music Row publisher to make ends meet. They never sold a song of his, and Robbie documented an experience in a song (7). During those years, Robbie fronted a series of hard-hitting country-rock bands across America and beyond, his blistering guitar chops and madcap levity (the latter frequently testing, if not violating, standards of taste) winning him a modest-sized but ardent fan base. Robbie’s groups geared themselves to the alt.country base, satisfying a small bunch, but seldom selling 10,000 albums. In 2009, Robbie got sick of it and decided to return to his bluegrass and country roots, performing solo or in small groups. That’s how we always see him.

He seems a man at peace these days. He wasn’t expecting that move to LA to take, but seems to love it there. Of his two boys, one is a math whiz able to criticize his dad on his economic decisions, while his younger is a musician. His current tour has him playing with all sorts of great musicians, from Bill Kirchen to Mary Gauthier. Maybe he’s 60 and never been on Ed Sullivan, but I think he knows how good he is and he is happy to display that for his public. Please join us.

References

20 Front Street. https://www.20frontstreet.com

2. Orion Boat Hpuse. https://lakeorionboathouse.com

3. Maple Cove Bed & Breakfast & August House. https://www.maplecovebandb.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=GBP

4. Robbie Fulks setlist. 20 Front Street @ 20 Front Street Lake Orion Michigan. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/robbie-fulks/2024/20-front-street-lake-orion-mi-6b557e5e.html

5. Robbie Fulks. Discogs.com. https://www.discogs.com/artist/898909-Robbie-Fulks

6. Tony Scherman. Robbie Fulks is Bringing it All Back Home. Stereophile 6/6/23. https://www.stereophile.com/content/robbie-fulks-bringing-it-all-back-home

7. Robbie Fulks – Topic. Fuck This Town. YouTube https://youtu.be/Yi7SHB9ifKk?si=dy4gVZZCfz2ZfHmd

curry fish!

Too hot? Tempted for take-out again? Michigan’s Gretch shut down everything 5 years ago and we’re still adjusting.. So much no touch you couldn’t tell what’s touch into what. Keep Mr. Corona away! With it, the cornocopua of take-out offers variety that maybe ol’ home cookin’ doesn’t. That same March was when ordered begain to change starting from March—May 2020, in the early months of the pandemic, spending on delivery through third-party apps started to become more popular for both full- and quick-service restaurants (1). At quick-service restaurants, third-party delivery spending in the United States tripled from about $0.4 billion in the December 2019–February 2020 period to about $1.4 billion 3 years later (October–December 2022).. Although total spending through apps has declined since peaking in early 2021, it remained higher through the end of 2022 than before the pandemic, with the increase more pronounced for quick-service restaurants than for those offering full service (2). Caution persists with bag pick up or direct pick up from the server recommended.

Habits to obtain this slate of food were hard to break. Homemakers tried to duplicate these and other treats, but home cooking expenditures flattened to pre-COVID levels by October 2024 (2). Families blessed with a library of cookbooks can tip back to treats of their youth. Then there’s that usage to make the same treat you’ve been ordering. Why not have as much curry as you want? For us, that treat’s an easy one: right from the Jamaican Jerk Pit comes a curried meat and beans dish (3)

That used to be a curried goat dish, but no more than just dishes with meat.

While making curried Korean lamb slabs as a trial, which came out well, we decided that much more fish might be available and stretched out to this new recipe. So, we stuffed in a bunch of tilapia, a lovely bland fish that marries with the curry and vegetables. I’m sure goat will work if I can get my hands of it.

“Curry” is a big deal in this recipe. The name comes from ‘cairn” by which Brits whipped up a collection of spices like they and already know (4). Here is my recipe.

Getting ready for this recipe caught up with a shirt that could save Clorox and other items to get it straight. My own pants got so much turmeric, they required special treatment. But all is clean.

The counter takes its toll. No goat there (that’s for another day). Ya go through a lot of Curry Powder. A little hot powder helps, so from Mexico we dig out some some Chimisa.

Once you’ve got the spice, then there’s the rest

After that, the recipe is straight forward and even. No restriction on eating some of the curried fish.

Do this with it:

-season goat or tilapia with salt and pepper. set aside.

-heat oil med, add meat, sauté

-continue till meat is brown

-add curry, Chimisa, stir for 2’

-add garlic, ginger, white pepper, onions, thyme, paste, scallions and Scotch Bottom

-stir for about minutepour into

– pour in just enough water to covert goat/meat and bring to a boil, simmer till tender )2 hours or more).

-about 15-20 minutes before removing from stove, add potatoes and boullion. Cook till potatoes tender.

-adjust cover tight

-get cover right

Here’s an all goat reciped by anther purveyor (5).

And here’s what ya get:

Mm mmm mmm.

I found that Jamaican Jerk Pit finishes their “specials” board with that goat (6)!

References

Kerry Breen. Do I need to be worried about ordering takeout during COVID-19? Today.com 12/19/20. https://www.today.com/food/do-i-need-be-worried-about-ordering-takeout-during-covid-t203507

2. Z Marechesi K. Pandemic-Related Increase in Consumer Restaurant Spending Using Mobile Apps Continued Through 2022. 1/23/24. USDA. Economic Reseaerch Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2024/january/pandemic-related-increase-in-consumer-restaurant-spending-using-mobile-apps-continued-through-2022/

3. Jamaican Jerk Pit. DOORDASH. https://www.doordash.com/store/jamaican-jerk-pit-ann-arbor-238151/?cursor=eyJzZWFyY2hfaXRlbV9jYXJvdXNlbF9jdXJzb3IiOnsicXVlcnkiOiJqYWltYWljYW4gamVyayBwaXQiLCJpdGVtX2lkcyI6W10sInNlYXJjaF90ZXJtIjoiamFtYWljYW4gamVyayBwaXQiLCJ2ZXJ0aWNhbF9pZCI6LTk5OSwidmVydGljYWxfbmFtZSI6ImFsbCJ9LCJzdG9yZV9wcmltYXJ5X3ZlcnRpY2FsX2lkcyI6WzEsMTc3XX0=&pickup=false

4. Sukhi. What is curry? Your comprehensive curry guide. https://sukhis.com/full-curry-guide.

5. Lesa. Curry Goat Recipe. Curry Fish Recipe. Jamaican Food and Recipes. https://jamaicanfoodsandrecipes.com/curry-goat-recipe/

6. Jamaica Jerk Pit. Menu. http://jamaicanjerkpit.com/menu/

Firefly

Here ya go folks. Plop this in and play it (or at least click on the links)(1)*. It’ll make you happy and I sense we all need more of that kind of thing. You’ll be hearing what Kathy and I heard at every Friday happy hour at the Firefly Club in the 90s. It was wonderful. The proprietress of the club, Susan Chastain, had been a barmaid at the other jazz club in town, the Bird of Paradise, and the owner decided to let her sing. She decided she could do better and the Firefly Club was born. Beside a great selection of locals, she drew some major jazz names whose posters adorned her wall. Wynton Marsalis would stop in after his gigs at Hill Auditorium, as did many lesser lights. The Easy Street Jazz band (2) was led by Paul Klinger, who had an administrative post at the U. He could do trumpet and played a great bari sax, all the while seeking out obscure sheet music for the band. They played Friday afternoons. On piano, he had Professor Jim Dapogny, who made his academic hay in the music school as the world’s expert on Jelly Roll Morton. On his own, he’d organized the Chicago Jazz Band, a more high-powered organization with several records (3). Here’s one of their albums. They’ve recorded 10.

Jim became a good friend then passed several years ago of the metastatic colon cancer he’d had for a decade (4). As we were both “doctors”, we enjoyed swapping jokes and insults around that topic, although I always called him “Professor”. Rod McDonald, who’s still alive, on guitar and banjo, has been a stalwart research scientist in pulmonary. Mike Jones, clarinet, now deceased (Parkinson’s), supported his music habit as an ophthalmology technician while Chris Smith – whose dad Bob played with Kathy’s uncle Bob in a much-loved band the Gaslighters at Bimbo’s pizza parlor in the 60s and 70s – playing trombone and tuba, paid the bills as a tech in our pathology department.

Here’s a Gaslighters album from 1975 (autographed!):

Listening and clapping as they crunched the peanut shells on the floor, the patrons would laud them. Here find the excerpts from their album

Chris’ “office” was on the rounds I made in the hospital and I stopped into see him often. He now teaches the jazz course in the music school Dapogny used to teach, introducing the music students to old time jazz and making them play it, at least once a year on a public stage at the Blue Llama, AA’s current premier jazz club (5). The Firefly lost that title when the State closed Susan down for taxes in 2009 (6). Worried there’d be no place to play – at least not as cool – the band found Zal Gaz Grotto on the west side (7). Paul died in June 2019, followed by a lively memorial service at the Zal June 19 (8), where all these bands have played since the Firefly closed This music ain’t Vince Giordano (9), but it’s pretty good and plenty happy. I hope you’ll give it a listen.

If you want to hear them live, most members of these bands continue on as members of the Easy Street Band (now led by trombonist Terry Kimura, who was a shaky, nervous, skinny music student when Dapogny first put him in front of the band). He’s gained some weight since, and is very much in charge, with a sense of humor we didn’t appreciate back in the day. He maintains the band’s very active Facebook page (10).Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings (Phil is fictional, but theband says he lives in Florida) show up on Sunday afternoons to play their 20’s and 30s repertoire. Chris Smith, pushing their rhythm section with his tuba, leads the band now . Mondays are traditionally the evening where jazz musicians stretch out, taking a break from theirreular gigs, and in AA they can do that with the Paul Keller Orchestra, a full powered big band (11). Paul is the Godfather of AA jazz, responsible for many young careers when he’s not touring as Diane Kraal’s bassist.

Easy Street (Klinger’s band) came and went, all 40 plus years of them, before social media really got going. Here they are ~2010.

But thanks to their fans, they’ve got 32 entries on YouTube, including 2 full albums (1). Plenty of tunes to keep your toes tapping and your heart light. Listen away! And if you ever land in AA, check out Zal Daz Grotto. It’s in a brick ranch house that looks like it escaped the bulldozers that “developed” Stadium Drive. Their auditorium, where the bands play, reminds me of my junior high school, although we didn’t have a reproduction of Gilbert Stuart’s George Washington in the corner of the stage. There’s a bar and a small kitchen. Yes, they’re a Masonic outfit.

You won’t have to wear a fez to get a drink, but you’ll have to have a membership card! Like mine! But the bartender will want you to present an up-to-date card. No other rituals were performed while I attended. You don’thave to know the secret handshake – like got my Uncle Jim his job at Interior – to get in.

*I implored you to listen, but now you have to work. Here are links to their 32 YouTube entries (after references).

References

Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. Collections. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=EasyStreetJazzBand

2. Roger Le LeLievre. Paul Klinger’s Easy Street Jazz Band marks 40 years of Dixieland. Ann Arbor News 7/11/10. https://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/easy-street-jazz-band/

3. James Dapogny’s Chicago Jazz Band. Discogs.com. https://www.discogs.com/artist/3746732-James-Dapognys-Chicago-Jazz-Band

4. Neil Genzlinger. James Dapogny, Who Resurrected Jazz of the Past, Dies at 78, New York Times. 3/19/19. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/19/obituaries/james-dapogny-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.CE4.TF7Q.sD_CG-X6z_Ax&smid=url-share

5. Blue Llama Jazz Club. https://bluellamaclub.com

6. Lee Higgins. State treasury officials auction off Firefly Club’s assets. Ann Arbor News. 10/9/09. https://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/state-department-of-treasury-officials-auction-off-assets-of-firefly-club/

7. Zal Gaz Grotto #34. https://zalgaz.org/

8. Jacob Hamilton. Memorial for Ann Arbor jazz musician Paul Klinger at Zal Gaz Grotto Club. LMLive.com. https://www.mlive.com/galleries/GQ7PKJ2OBJGHJEYCWSM7TEQVNU/

9. Vince Giordano. Quality Shout. Stomp Off Records, 1993. https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B005BYVB9Y

10. Easy Street Jazz Band. Facebook.com. https://www.facebook.com/p/Easy-Street-Jazz-Band-100068572974471/

11. Paul Keller Orchestra. Paulkellerjazz.com. https://paulkellerjazz.com/pko.php

*YouTube entries (32 songs, 2 extended playlists, and 2 full album entries):

Laura Beth Lyman. Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube (23 song playlist). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26PS00ujNIE&list=PLlQbquw05ke9IK0ra-YDfebul2_VHAjgz&index=25

Laura Beth Wyman. Paul Klinger’s Easy Street Jazz Band at Zal Gaz Grotto in AA. MARGIE – Easy Street Jazz Band (July 2015). YouTube. (features stalwarts on clarinet (Toledo’s Ray Heitger on clarinet) and NYC’s Duke Heitger on trumpet). https://youtu.be/76f8QhHor8U?si=32xyjjKNCaQ4mymB

SallyPatriot. GOODY GOODY. Paul Klinger’s Easy Street Jazz Band at Zal Gaz Grotto in AA featuring Susan! YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76f8QhHor8U

Laura Beth Wyman. I’M CRAZY ‘BOUT MY BABY – Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwQqH7_Y7rg

Chris Smith. The Easy Street Jazz Band. LIVE AT THE BIRD OF PARADISE. Live at the Bird of Paradise. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbAwh5-7HEY&list=PLl6t1hjjNV8c8Y6bGxGCcAXsHzZEqn-mG (whole album)

Laura Beth Wyman. SWEET LORRAINE – Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YifWvgHECI8

Laura Beth Wyman. THANKS A MILLION – Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qifL41Te1K0

Laura Beth Wyman. MOONGLOW – Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/26PS00ujNIE?si=9Cvy8PVQQ-zBsjAh

Laura Beth Wyman. SQUEEZE ME – Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/l2Qoy1qqySY?si=5zjKI_rFyPukWbB_

Laura Beth Wyman. MY BABY’S GONE – Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/dm3dH3IOo7M?si=FPM5Phj7ImqImqJU

Laura Beth Wyman. MARGIE – Easy Street Jazz Band (July 2015). YouTube. https://youtu.be/yl7w82Dobmo?si=6_Wjn_95VHr0YGhu

Laura Beth Wyman. I WANT TO BE SOMEBODY’S BABY DOLL – Kerry Price w/ Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/M8g0nYpSAsE?si=7zJjDxY_Iy3zC63i

Laura Beth Wyman. A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND Kerry Price w Easy Street Jazz Band (July 2015). YouTube.

Laura Beth Wyman.. ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE – Easy Street Jazz Band (Mar 2018). YouTube. https://youtu.be/BscEVpPC3s0?si=_6IOR_3kv8MkVv7K

Joshua Gidney Music. MY FUNNY VALENTINE with Easy Street jazz band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/YicF6IIe7fE?si=iVan0xkvN6m98QPi

Joshua Gidney Music. Blues jam with Easy Street jazz band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/11Y4cmf-Y3Y?si=Kiihoo4SRPvlJcNl

Laura Beth Wyman. WHO’S SORRY NOW? YouTube. https://youtu.be/mU5ZlzJ92d4?si=a6NKwloYZLkfzF7k

Laura Beth Wyman. PENNIES FROM HEAVEN – Sarah D’Angelo w/ Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Tji3FXtcOBg?si=0_8ncFAqfs-zRN2I

Laura Beth Wyman. BASIN STREET BLUES – Easy Street Jazz Band (July 2015). YouTube. https://youtu.be/27RqJEvwlpc?si=njmgqGs7SI-EZyHE

Laura Beth Wyman. THE ALBATROSS – Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/58Eb17QeaQ4?si=HxubxBesS9GeFX3I

Laura Beth Wyman. I HAD SOMEONE ELSE LONG BEFORE I HAD YOU – Kerry Price w/ Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/T6lQejJz6EI?si=kkrPCUSaEwno6KGF

Terry Kimura. “YOU KEEP COMING BACK LIKE A SONG (I. Berlin). Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/GinpQ2XSP2o?si=S70wT8q6z7bOjHRg

Laura Beth Wyman. YOU’VE GOT TO SEE YOUR MAMA EVERY NIGHT – Kerry Price w/ Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/fRG6puwEy3M?si=ym_PVAnPYtGsYQNF

Laura Beth Wyman. RITZI MITZI – Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/IfmX2rmtSc4?si=3hUDYTeQb_TOco-s

Laura Beth Wyman. ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE – Easy Street Jazz Band (Mar 2018). YouTube. https://youtu.be/BscEVpPC3s0?si=esFxOFQkQztoQtyi

Laura Beth Wyman. WHO’S SORRY NOW – Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/mU5ZlzJ92d4?si=OiEVEOFLcbpHTRx6

Laura Beth Wyman. FIREFLY – The James Dapogny Quartet. YouTube. https://youtu.be/x98X8wba7X0?si=PvQPPLu7MlyJj4hC

Laura Beth Wyman. ORY’S CREOLE TROMBONE – Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/CBFxMksxKKc?si=fmEMYiASF6UTUEDo

Laura Beth Wyman. GET RHYTHM IN YOUR FEET – Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Xa1s2Mb4phE?si=ezqEKmMX9jlCzg0q

Laura Beth Wyman. SENTIMENTAL GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA – Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/K_8GLqacItU?si=_z6i_VJC9GjCgc6m

The Turfmonster. Jazz (Easy Street Band). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tji3FXtcOBg&list=PLFFrUfrwIbiJnpxDp_OF9KKWpYm1pIU0- (11 song playlist)

Laura Beth Wyman. CAUTION BLUES – Easy Street Jazz Band. YouTube. https://youtu.be/konxKdRzZtU?si=6g5MG-J_8CfSTA9l

LJKNTK. Easy Street Jazz Band – I’VE GOT A FEELING I’M FALLING. YouTube. https://youtu.be/4GPpA38BNDQ?si=CAX_kZicJ6t8iK5U

“peas and news”

The beauties of fresh live things coming together in the farmers markes. Include brand new things just waiting for each other. Those potatoes just barely out of the box(“new potatoes”) whereas peas from the pod are also “new”. Awaiting is a nice fish, available from the freezer at the market. And voila, we got “peas and new potatoes” and spring is here

Peas and new potatoes
1 # small potatoes, quartered
1 C shelled peas
1 T butter
1 T all purpose flour
1 C milk
S&P to taste

Step 1. Place potatoes in large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer till tender, about 15-20’, drain

Step 2. Meanwhile, bring in a medium saucepan of water to a boil; add peas and simmer until just tender, about 6-7 minutes. Drain and set peas aside.

Step 3 add butter to the same saucepan, melt over medium heat. Stir in flour to make a thick paste; gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add potatoes and peas, simmer, stirring often, until potatoes are heated through, about 5’. Serve immediately.

Note: one pound of fresh paes equals about 1 C of shelled peas.

Berta Rowland. All Recipes

pick away ?!

Too hot? Tempted for take-out again? Michigan’s Gretch shut down everything 5 years ago and we’re still adjusting.. So much no touch you couldn’t tell what’s touch into what. Keep Mr. Corona away! With it, the cornocopua of take-out offers variety that maybe ol’ home cookin’ doesn’t. That same March was when ordered begain to change starting from March—May 2020, in the early months of the pandemic, spending on delivery through third-party apps started to become more popular for both full- and quick-service restaurants. At quick-service restaurants, third-party delivery spending in the United States tripled from about $0.4 billion in the December 2019–February 2020 period to about $1.4 billion 3 years later (October–December 2022).. Although total spending through apps has declined since peaking in early 2021, it remained higher through the end of 2022 than before the pandemic, with the increase more pronounced for quick-service restaurants than for those offering full service (Z). Caution persists with bag pick up or direct pick up from the server recommended

Do I need to be worried about ordering takeout during COVID-19?. Kerry breed. Today 12/10/20. https:.today.com/food/do-i-need-be-worried-about-ordering-takeout-during-covid-t203507

Habits to obtain this slate of food were hard to break. Homemakers tried to duplicate these and other treats, but home cooking expenditures flattened to pre-COVID levels by October 2024. Families blessed with a library of cookbooks can tip back to treats of their youth. Then there’s that usage to make the same treat you’ve been ordering. Why not have as much curry as you want? For us, that treat’s an easy one: right from the Jamaican Jerk Pit comes a curried meat and beans dish

That used to be a curried goat dish, but no more than meat.

“Curry” is a big deal in this recipe. The name comes from ‘cairn” by which Brits whipped up a collection of spices like they and already know. Sukhi. What is your comprehensive curry guide. https://sukhis.com/full-curry-guide.

Here is my recipe (next page).

Getting ready for this recipe caught up with a shirt that could save Clorox and other items to get it straight. My own pants got so much turmeric, they required special treatment. But all is clean.

A counter with food on it

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A couple of jars on a counter

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Once you’ve got the spice, then there’s the rest

After that, the recipe is straight forward and even. No restriction on eating some of the curried fish.

JAMAICAN CURRIED FISH
3 3 1/2 #tiliapa or goat
frozen green peas,
¼ – ½ cooking oil
1 C rice or cauliflower rice
2 t minced garlic
1 med onion, sliced
wrap in cheesecloth;
peas and rice, shallots, chopped
thawed4-5 T curry powder
cook all 12-10’ w/ Chimisa Brand Med Hot
1 t white pepper
1-2 t fresh thyme
2 green onion
sliced 2-3 med potatoes
1 T tomato paste
1 Scotch bonnet pepperSalt to taste
2 C chicken broth

season goat or tilapia with salt and pepper. set aside.

heat oil med, add meat, sauté

continue till meat is brown

add curry, Chimisastir for 2’

add garlic, ginger, white pepper, onions, thyme, paste, scallions and Scotch Bottom

stir for about minutepour into

pour in just enough water to covert goat/meat and bring to a boil, simmer till tender )2 hours or more).

About 15-20 minutes before removing from stove, add potatoes and boullion. Cook till potatoes tender.

adjust cover tight

get cover right

references

take a tip?

Too hot? Tempted for take-out again? Michigan’s Gretch shut down everything 5 years ago and we’re still adjusting.. So much no touch you couldn’t tell what’s touch into what. Keep Mr. Corona away! With it, the cornocopua of take-out offers variety that maybe ol’ home cookin’ doesn’t. That same March was when ordered begain to change starting from March—May 2020, in the early months of the pandemic, spending on delivery through third-party apps started to become more popular for both full- and quick-service restaurants. At quick-service restaurants, third-party delivery spending in the United States tripled from about $0.4 billion in the December 2019–February 2020 period to about $1.4 billion 3 years later (October–December 2022).. Although total spending through apps has declined since peaking in early 2021, it remained higher through the end of 2022 than before the pandemic, with the increase more pronounced for quick-service restaurants than for those offering full service (Z). Caution persists with bag pick up or direct pick up from the server recommended

Do I need to be worried about ordering takeout during COVID-19?. Kerry breed. Today 12/10/20. https:.today.com/food/do-i-need-be-worried-about-ordering-takeout-during-covid-t203507

Habits to obtain this slate of food were hard to break. Homemakers tried to duplicate these and other treats, but home cooking expenditures flattened to pre-COVID levels by October 2024. Families blessed with a library of cookbooks can tip back to treats of their youth. Then there’s that usage to make the same treat you’ve been ordering. Why not have as much curry as you want? For us, that treat’s an easy one: right from the Jamaican Jerk Pit comes a curried meat and beans dish

That used to be a curried goat dish, but no more than meat.

Here is my recipe (next page).

Getting ready for this recipe caught up with a shirt that could save Clorox and other items to get it straight. My own pants got so much turmeric, they required special treatment. But all is clean.

Once you’ve got the spice, then there’s the rest

After that, the recipe is straight forward and even. No restriction on eating some of the curried fish.

JAMAICAN CURRIED FISH
3 3 1/2 #tiliapa or goat
frozen green peas,¼ – ½ cooking oil
1 C rice or cauliflower rice
2 t minced garlic
1 med onion, sliced
wrap in cheesecloth; peas and rice
shallots, chopped
thawed 4-5 T curry powder
cook all 12-10’ Chimisa Brand Med Hot
1 t white pepper1
2 t fresh thyme
2 green onion, sliced
2-3 med potatoes
1 T tomato paste
1 Scotch bonnet pepper
Salt to taste
2 C chicken broth

season goat or tilapia with salt and pepper. set aside.

heat oil med, add meat, sauté

continue till meat is brown

add curry, Chimisastir for 2’

add garlic, ginger, white pepper, onions, thyme, paste, scallions and Scotch Bottom

stir for about minutepour into

pour in just enough water to covert goat/meat and bring to a boil, simmer till tender )2 hours or more).

About 15-20 minutes before removing from stove, add potatoes and boullion. Cook till potatoes tender.

adjust cover tight

get cover right

Here’s an all goat reciped by anther purveyo, followed by other recipes.

1.Lesa. Curry Goat Recipe. Curry Fish Recipe. Jamaicain Food and Recipes. https://jamaicanfoodsandrecipes.com/curry-goat-recipe/

2.Sukhi. What is your comprehensive curry guide. https://sukhis.com/full-curry-guide

3. Jamaican Jerk Pit Jamaican Jerk Pit. https://www.doordash.com/store/jamaican-jerk-pit-ann-arbor-238151/?cursor=eyJzZWFyY2hfaXRlbV9jYXJvdXNlbF9jdXJzb3IiOnsicXVlcnkiOiJqYWltYWljYW4gamVyayBwaXQiLCJpdGVtX2lkcyI6W10sInNlYXJjaF90ZXJtIjoiamFtYWljYW4gamVyayBwaXQiLCJ2ZXJ0aWNhbF9pZCI6LTk5OSwidmVydGljYWxfbmFtZSI6ImFsbCJ9LCJzdG9yZV9wcmltYXJ5X3ZlcnRpY2FsX2lkcyI6WzEsMTc3XX0=&pickup=false4.

4.Marechesi K. Pandemic-Related Increase in Consumer Restaurant Spending Using Mobile Apps Continued Through 2022. 1/23/24. USDA. Economic Reseaerch Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2024/january/pandemic-related-increase-in-consumer-restaurant-spending-using-mobile-apps-continued-through-202/

5. Today 12/10/20. Karry Breed. https://www.today.com/food/do-i-need-be-worried-about-ordering-takeout-during-covid-t203507

6. I found that Jamaican Jerk Pit finishes with that goat!

Jamaica Jerk Pit. Menu. http://jamaicanjerkpit.com/menu/

Kerry Breen. 12/1-/20/2020.

7. I found that Jamaican Jerk Pit finishes with that goat!

Jamaica Jerk Pit. Menu. http://jamaicanjerkpit.com/menu/

Kerry Breen. 12/1-/20/2020.

Learn how to cook Jamaican curry goat with this recipe

Recipes

Lesa. Curry Goat Recipe. Curry Fish Recipe. Jamaicain Food and Recipes. https://jamaicanfoodsandrecipes.com/curry-goat-recipe/

I found that Jamaican Jerk Pit finishes with that goat!

Jamaica Jerk Pit. Menu. http://jamaicanjerkpit.com/menu/

Kerry Breen. 12/1-/20/2020.

Mm mmm mmm.

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