One of many brilliant lines Victor Mecyssne, or, as this article explains, Victory Anthony has written. Had the article not had "Ragtops" in the headline I might have missed it altogether. Instead, last night I spent 2.5 hours enjoying some of the best music I've had the pleasure of hearing during my tenure in Nashville. My first experience with the Victor Vibe was in college. He was on the same bill with The Habaneros at Billy Block's Western Beat. It did not take long to be sold on the image. Folk jazz stylings being backed up by some great musicians (more on that later). If memory serves, my first visit to the Bluebird was to see him play solo. It was that show where I'd hear "Pear Shaped Woman" for the first time after it was loudly requested by a woman in the audience. I almost wonder if that same woman was in the audience, again there was a loud request for it. "A girl ain't worth a nickle if she's as thin as a dime" is one of many Victor lines that works on so many levels.

Victor's greatest asset is the imagery in his writing. He has a gift for words and then backs that with the music that paints a picture that stays long after the song has left. I'd like to believe that historians can look back and get a glimpse into what Nashville was like through Victor's words. His songs about Nashville are not direct in reference, but, anyone who lived here during the time the songs were written know exactly what he's talking about (though he does make reference to the Scene in one of his songs).

After graduating from college I found out Victor was routinely playing Monday's at the now defunct Radio Cafe. Playing for tips I spent many a Monday that fall and winter enjoying the songs and sounds in the great atmosphere of the Cafe. Mack was there last night... and made his presence known by asking "play a train song!". It was a chance to hear many of the songs that eventually comprised Skinnybones, Victor's third and unfortunately at this point last album.

I was able to attend the CD release party at Tower Records (also now defunct) for the Hush Money (2nd) album. That too was a great show with Jeff Coffin blowing hard. If Coffin was not with Bela Fleck then it would only be a short time before he'd be a Flecktone. They were handing out free t-shirts with the pronounciation of Victor's name. Seeing as he changed his name I decided it might be fun to wear the shirt out... if anything a walk down memory lane. Walking in, Pam Atha, longtime vocalist with Victor exclaimed "you've got the t-shirt! That's great". Stick Davis while he was taking a break gave me a thumbs up for the shirt. After the show Victor also complimented me on the shirt... a woman wanted to get a picture of the shirt and it ended up that Victor got in the picture with me pointing to the shirt. I probably should have asked about getting a copy of the picture but with my luck I'll probably have some person come up to me and say "hey, I saw you in this picture with Victor and you were wearing his t-shirt". Nashville is kinda small that way.

It was a walk down memory lane. So many great songs. I thought about all of the good times (and not so good) I've had listening to Victor's music. It was hard to believe it was at least 10 years ago that I saw him for the first time and this would probably be the last time I'd see him on stage with all of the talented musicians that as he put it "was blessed to play with". Already I've mentioned saxophone player Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck) and Jeff "Stick" Davis (bass, Amazing Rhythm Aces). Also there was Charlie Chadwick (bass, Gypsy Hombres), Rick Lonow (drums, Burrito Deluxe), Ericson Holt (keyboards, toured w/ Deana Carter back in the day), Rick Hoke (sax, clairinet, harmonica) and the guitar player whose name I'm forgetting. Plus Pam. After three songs Victor announce "I guess you realized you're in for it tonight". It was old school Victor. Hoke and Coffin at one point did a duet during "Where Does My Paycheck Go"... Hoke started in on the clairnet and Coffin followed with a New Orleans style follow/parody that dropped everyone's jaw... Victor was laughing. It was hard not to. It was brilliant and one of those moments when you realize how lucky you are to live in a town this talented. It was also clear why everyone played with Victor. Everyone was having fun. It's not your normal Music Row writing, nevermind stylings.

The second set kicked off with Victor playing a few songs with just his acoustic guitar. You could hear a pin drop, or a can of soda open at the bar as was the case during Victor's version of Walter Hyatt's "Going to New Orleans". As many times as I've heard it this one was special. At least one person was in tears by the end of it and I could not help but think of how apropos the song was considering the circumstances.

I don't remember the last time I've laughed so hard during a show but with everyone having so much fun on stage it was hard not to feel part of that fun. Unfortunately the night had to come to a close. The crowd wanted more and after Coffin told Victor "there are still people here, why not" Victor launched into "Stagger Lee". You had to be dead to not walk out of that show feeling on top of the world. It's one of those moments I'll never forget.

Made up Band Name of the Day: Vestiges of Dewey