Enjoying Midlife Crisis at Maxwell’s Cigar Bar
Because my filter hasn’t been changed since I was about 4 and still got spankings, I mentioned to the band at the break that their name of “Midlife Crisis” reminded me of sad, middle-aged dads playing in a garage.
But as I reflected on my experience at Maxwell’s EXTREMELY COOL, BECAUSE IT WASN’T AT ALL TRYING TO BE Cigar Bar, and continued to sink myself down into the brown cushy easy chair and put my feet up on what might have been called an “ottoman,” but in this case deserved the more humble title of “foot rest,” I decided that the band name was just perfect.
Because, I thought, what formerly very respectable woman my age travels around to cigar bars and the like wearing outfits meant for a 20-year-old and “dancing like nobody is watching” (as the Hobby Lobby sign would say), or, rather, “dancing like people might be watching, but, if they seem at all judgey, screw them”)? Well, the answer is, maybe one who has had a midlife crisis, that’s who.
Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for a well-meaning, yet unoriginal and overly-well-paid and enthusiastic company speaker to say, “….But, the Chinese sign for ‘crisis’ is the same one as for ‘opportunity’!!!” And, that is actually true.
A midlife crisis is a wakeup call to the fact that you only get one life and it’s ending fairly soon and very few things matter except the love you give and receive. And, once you are “woke,” you may find that it is the most joyful time you’ve ever had. I will share the secrets to my joy, and I will tie it into my favorite songs of the evening, so that this is a more of an actual “review” and not just a self-absorbed diatribe by a would-be Marianne Williamson or Mr. Rogers:
1. Fulsom Prison Blues – this is a standard JC cover, and, for me, I judge a band’s version by the train sounds placed strategically throughout, and they had them.
Trains pass by all the time in terms of regrets and missed opportunities and loss, but you are on a train RIGHT NOW, and you haven’t hit the depot yet, so enjoy every moment – that cup of coffee in the morning, those blues songs and the fact that you can pull up whatever you want right on Spotify, making love with your sweetie any damn chance you can, the beautiful trees and tie-dye sky, hanging with like-minded music people and enjoying virtual and sometimes real community.
2. Ain’t No Sunshine – I hear this song covered all the time. The climax of this song to me is the “I know, I know, I know, I know” part and when the singer gets really into it, so, well, you just know he personally “knows”. And that happened, so I had some sunshine.
Well, this just ain’t true (sorry, English teacher). People come and go all the time as their life journeys cross yours, but there is plenty more sunshine to be had even when they leave, even if it doesn’t seem like it at first.
3. Pretty Woman – I liked that this band did this song more Roy Orbison style than Van Halen, because I like Roy’s warbellier voice and the there is a greater buildup to the end. I really got into this one.
Okay, well, yes, aging sucks, but no matter how old or what your flaws, you are still beautiful/handsome/hot in many ways, so rock what you got and just don’t worry about the rest. You might be surprised at who finds you attractive and why.
4. Suzy Q – this song is silly, and I feel bad for my friends named Susan who always get called this. But, it does have a nice swingy dance beat, and this band captured that, so I danced and danced and found a like-minded dancer lady to just have fun and be silly with.
It is okay to have fun. Find people to laugh with and laugh long and hard even for no reason (damn it – why do I keep thinking of Hobby Lobby signs?)
5. Night Moves – this song is so full of metaphor and imagery and strategically placed pauses and huskiness that it is one of my all time favorites. This band captured all of that, and I am very picky on covers of this song. Why? Because it reminds me of my very first boyfriend and his 1968 mustang..
Memories are sweet. Also, see #3.
6. Ice Cream Man – I used to have this on a 45 and this was the B side, but the only side I played. Since I was maybe in 7th grade, I really did think it was about ice cream, and my little church girl, flowery dress self sang happily along, which now strikes me as quite humorous.
Like what you like and sing your song. It doesn’t make a damn bit of difference what people think about your choices.
8. LaGrange – This song seems like it is in some sort of secret guy code. I do not understand it. But, the band caught that sort of lurid undertone. Have mercy!
I’ll keep this one simple: People of the opposite sex are impossible to understand. You will be eternally frustrated, so just let them do their thing.
7. Breakdown – this is not my favorite Tom Petty song, but this band did capture that Tom Petty heartful snarliness, so I didn’t hate it as much as I might have.
If you had one or are having one because every year is getting shorter and you never seem to find the time (sorry, wrong song), your breakdown really is alright, but come back soon, please! We miss your bad self!
There were many more great songs, plus Charlie Korch did some rocking drum solos, Mike Fermil did a chameleon thing to catch all the original singer personalities and played with strength and conviction just the way I like, Andrew Firstmannis kept the rhythm rocking on his bass AND the always cool Darryl Lee showed up and sat in for a few songs.
It was just that kind of fun and casual vibe where it felt like you were watching your brother’s band play in the basement, except that this band was actually good and the smoke did not have an herbal element to it. And, if you are going through midlife, that’s the kind of place and vibe that you need to return to get your groove on again.
So, you’ll continue to see me at places like the Cigar Bar, listening to great music, doing my thing and loving life and people. Outside my kids, my midlife crisis was the best thing that ever happened to me, and yours will be, too. Thank you to this band for reminding me of that.
