And We Danced: Last Friday, Todd (sans trademark) and I went to see the Smithereens at B.B. King's with Forgotten New York king Kevin Walsh and his friend Mary Beth [sp.?]. Kevin's written a review of the 'Reens' excellent performance for his blog, but I'd like to add here that the opening act was also a real treat: Eric Bazilian, the hit songwriter ("One of Us") and former member of the Hooters (making a point in the photo at left).

I must admit, at the time of the Hooters' hits, I was too busy becoming a '60s garage snob (and following similarly-styled new acts like the Mosquitos) to fully appreciate them. Hearing Eric play ringing Big Star-via-Replacements chords on his Gibson and singing new, heart-on-sleeve tunes like "Ella Fitzgerald" and "Insomnia" (both of which may be heard on his MP3.com site), I realized I'd overlooked a genuine talent. Not to mention the goosebump feeling of hearing "And We Danced" live and realizing it was one of the most exhilarating pop tunes of its time—a feeling accentuated by lindying with Todd. Outrageously, it was the first time we'd danced together outside of wedding receptions. Great power pop, with its defining quality of wistfulness, was made for moments like that.
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