I do not have a reputation as a great lover of music, but that doesn't mean that I'm some Philistine out of touch with the local scene. Yes, your intrepid journalistic wunderkind has been known to take in a show, even to risk life and limb in a mosh pit, all for the sake of novelty. As a matter of fact, I just rolled on home from a quiet little rock soiree, and there's an act on the horizon that no one should miss.
No doubt some of you - at least those of you tapped in to the vibes of the community - are familiar with Cobalt Sky, Gary Black's music project. Some? No, I'm positive that everyone reading this has heard them, even if you can't place the name to the face. Gary's a busy boy, lending his talents to just about every event in town. You've heard his spicy licks at pop-up festivals in the park, at carnivals and fundraisers, and maybe you even caught a chord on a summer evening stroll through the 'burbs.
Well, Cobalt Sky had another show last night - a real quiet one, admission by invite or by sneaking in. Guess which route I took?
This was a very special show. Up until a few hours ago, I did not count myself a Cobalt Sky fan. Sure, Gary brings the thunder, but the lightning is nowhere to be found. The band has always been held back by their dismal lead singer - no names, I won't befoul this post by talking about him. But tonight was a reincarnation. You see, Gary is hooked up with Allison Levitt, a fellow aspiring journo. And as it turns out, Allison has been keeping secrets - namely, that her family contains her beau's salvation.
I'm talking about Roderick Butler - and yes, the same one, the refined genius who first graced the halls of Redgrove just half a year ago. We all knew about his gifts with numbers, but the boy's been hiding his pipes. I was wracking my brain the whole way home, and I can't think of anyone in this community with a voice as satin slick as that one. If you didn't hear it, you're missing out, friend.
But don't kick yourself much too hard because yours truly has seen into the future. Yes, I've looked forward to next week, to tryouts for the Winter Homecoming entertainment, and I see Gary and his band reaching for the brass ring yet again. What I saw was just an appetizer - and who knows? Maybe we'll all get to enjoy the main course together.
~S. Mills