Elliott Smith Cover Night At Radio Bean With Phil Yates, Hana Zara, Invisible Homes, Joshua Glass, Eastern Mountain Time And Phil Yates

Words by Tim Lewis.

I had a good time seeing and hearing music tonight. I did not know the songs of Elliott Smith, but had a deep respect for the artists who wanted to play his songs tonight. Though them, I got a hint of what he brought to the world.

I chatted with Phil and Joshua Glass a bit, then a friend showed up out of the blue. Apparently no one was home, and Tim’s Living Room was moved to the Bean. Christopher Larrow showed up,and there was an open seat at the bar. Cool, see lovely local music, my friends.

Hana Zara opened with a song I did not know, like all of them, but her playing was so nimble, I caught the flow and loved every moment. She said she was surprised when the next song started in F but when the lyric kicked in, it produced a sweet harmonic effect. She was right, and Twilight smoked. I missed the name that foloowed, but think it was Rose Parade, from what she said and sang. Whatever it was, it was sweet.

Ater that, Phil Yates came on to play a song. My notes say it was a bouncy song. Any way, Phil played his heart out and it sounded great. The timing was odd, but I was beginning to learn Elliott.

Next up was a guy playing acoustic guitar, like almost everyone this night. He had a nice style and voice. Billed as Invisible Homes, He was a guy named Sean. The bar was at peak loudness, and drink desiring, so his pretty sweet set got lost a bit, but he played and sang well. I did not know the first two songs, or the third, but his off-kilter pop was fun, The third was something like Miss Misery.

Phil came on again to play Some Some song.

Joshua Glass broke up the singer/acoustic guitar thing and filled in with a singer/keyboard player thing. He played two majestic songs. The first was something about Drink Up, and then followed with something about Cathy’s Clown.

Next up, Phil came up and played Division Day.

Next up, a guy named Sean (?) played as Eastern Mountain Time. He had a great voice and guitar style. His voice was deep and the guitar restrainedly ferocious. He played three really solid songs, ending with the biggest lie.

Phil came on and closed with Ballad of Big Nothing.

In the end, I gained an appreciation for Elliott’s songs, but it was the people who played it, that really attracted me. I think the way his influence plays out within the artists I love, will attract even more than his songs. Most of us will never get higher accolades than that.

After the last note, tab closed before, I dragged Chris down Church st to see if Hana was still on at the 1/2 Lounge. It looked vacant, rats.

We headed back to my place. There was much lugging of speakers and the sound changed a bit.

This post was originally published by Tim Lewis at his personal blog, https://timstriangletribune.wordpress.com.