An Evening with Leon Redbone January 27, 2011
Posted by Matt in concerts, family.Tags: Buckman Center, Huey's, Leon Redbone, Memphis, priceless time with Dad
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As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I got my dad two tickets to see Leon Redbone in concert for Christmas this year and last night was the big night.
Mom and Dad drove over from Arkansas in the afternoon and when I left work, our whole family went out for dinner. Being averse to big chains, I like to choose restaurants that our fairly local, so we all met together at Huey’s, Memphis’ premier spot for burgers. When you visit Memphis, there are a few things you have to check out for the real Bluff City culinary experience: ribs (my choice is Central Barbecue, but there’s a different place on every corner), Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken, and a burger at Huey’s. I could probably add a ton of Honorable Mentions (The Arcade, etc.) but you get the idea. We had a fine meal, with great food and good conversation, but soon it was time to leave, so dad and I hopped in the car and made the quick jaunt to East Memphis.
The concert took place at the The Buckman Performing & Fine Arts Center, located at St. Mary’s Episcopal School, a location that I had never known of in the past. The auditorium was quite small and intimate, with probably about 200 seats and a small stage. We had the best seats in the house – front row, center stage, which placed us almost close enough to reach out and touch Leon himself.
He came on stage about 7:00, decked out in his trademark suit, fedora, and dark glasses, carrying a guitar and a cane. The show was split between the music, sung in his trademark baritone, and a great deal of comic banter – some with the piano player, some with the crowd, and much of it with just himself. He joked a good deal about not remembering the words to his songs in a good-natured grumble, while oftentimes taking a sip from what looked to be a double shot glass of amber liquid. I was particularly struck by his mastery of the guitar and we agreed that it and the piano melded very well.
I recognized several of the songs he played, both from the stack of CDs dad loaned me at Christmas and from those I’ve heard him play and sing over the years, including one that is a favorite with the kids – Polly Wolly Doodle. The highlight of the show may have come at the end, though, when he returned to the stage for an encore and, amid the calls for him to play various songs, dad called out “Shine on Harvest Moon,” and that was the final selection for the night. It was a great ending to a great night.
We had a lot of fun at Leon Redbone and I was really happy to get to spend the time with dad.
Thanks, Matt. What a wonderful gift and it was truly a memorable evening for me. He’s been a favorite of mine since he first appeared on SNL in 1975 and I certainly was not disappointed. The venue was perfect for his style (and for my loathing of crowds), our seats WERE absolutely the best in the house, and it was a delightfully perfect experience. You done good.