OOC: The family and I went out last night on short notice, so this had to wait until this morning. Apologies. ;)
Baron Jonson and The Silver Spirits - Live At Grey Ghost
March 1st, 2012
The stage was already prepared. He could see it from where he and the band were standing. The seats were slowly getting filled and he was counting time down until show-time. Baron had just had a slight argument with his father, but all was resolved now. He was happy for that, because his nerves would have been shot if the fight had not been worked out. Now it was just him, his band, and the audience.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Baron Johnson and The Silver Spirits!"
The band all exchanged a look of confirmation and stepped up onto the stage. Baron took the microphone as everyone else got themselves prepared.
"Hello everyone. I'm Baron Johnson. These fine fellows behind me are The Silver Spirits. That's Miller Benson on guitar over here, and Alan Mason on drums. We want to welcome you to opening night here at The Grey Ghost Concert Hall. My father and I have worked very hard to get this place up and running, and it's nice to see all of you folks here to see the show. Thank you."
He smiled as the crowd politely applauded and then turned to the band behind him. "Let's go guys!"
They opened with the same song they had opened Total Annihilation 5 with. It had become their own tradition to open with "Mystic Devil." It just got the entire room in a good mood for the rest of the show.
"I thought I could break out and live like a rebel
but baby I soon found you were a conniving devil
You were playing with star dust and breaking the blade
I thought you were perfect but you fell under the grade
Mystic Devil! You took my heart and my soul!
Mystic Devil! Took it and gave it away!
Mystic Devil! Now I can never be whole!
Mystic Devil...there's nothing left to say.
Trust me now, but don't trust me then
You say it's coming, I ask you when
There's trouble brewing beneath the ground
They say it's nothing but I've been around
Mystic Devil! You tried to bring me down!
Mystic Devil! The drinks are on me!
Mystic Devil! Order another round!
Mystic Devil...There's nothing left to see!"
Baron loved playing the solo for this song, because he had come up with it by complete accident. The more he thought about it, he realize most of his best work came by accident. He wondered if it was like that for everyone. He turned and looked corner crowd and flashed a grin at them as he let loose.
The song came to an end and he went straight to the mic.
"How are you all doing tonight anyway? Huh? Well, we want you feeling good and enjoying yourselves here tonight you know. So, here's another fun one."
This song, "Ashes to Ashes" was one he had co-written with the band a long time ago. It was actually one of their oldest bits. He still loved to play it though and when Miller broke into the opening riff, Baron couldn't help but smile again.
"Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust
You said to get on with my life, and I know that I must.
Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust
But you have broken me and you shattered my trust!
Eye for an Eye and Tooth for a Tooth
You gave me everything but you couldn't give me the truth!
Eye for an Eye and Tooth for a Tooth
You said it was obvious but you didn't have any proof!"
This song was much more country, and folky than the last. Baron had never gave the band any specific genre label, and the band tended to like it better that way. If a song was good, then they would play it.
Through out this song, Baron was looking around the building trying to see any imperfection he might have missed when the place was being built. For the most part, he felt everything was running smoothly.
"Alright, this next one is called "Fire.""
This song was Baron's view on politics turned into a song. He had to admit it was heavier than most would like, but it was honest. That was enough for Baron.
"Broken cities and dying towns,
If you need me, I'll be under ground
The King is missing and he's hiding away
He's safe for now but his death awaits
The people run scared and poor, searching for an unlocked door
But no help will come to them, they remain the nations whore
Old men with aching bones, sit upon their broken thrones
But from the sky will rain a vengeance, and they have been forewarned
There's fire in the clouds and the buildings burn!
Make your way through the crowds, the claim it's your turn!
The waters wash out the rot, but look how much of it we have got!
The flame is small but it sill burns hot, and I promise I have not forgot!"
The next 3 songs ran just as smoothly as the first three, and the band were having a great time. The crowd seemed to be enjoying it as well, and some people were beginning to dance. Baron took the mic once more.
"How are we doing? (he pauses as the crowd cheers) Good, good. Well, we got a little bit of a surprise for you tonight. (again) Yea, it's a good one. Here tonight, to perform for you all for the first time in years, is my father...Johnny Johnson!"
Baron took a step back as the crowd lit up and Johnny walked up onto the stage. It was quite a sight to see as the man walked up and took the mic as if he had been performing every night, rather than just having taken a nearly 4 year hiatus.
Baron watches as Johnny spoke to the crowd.
"Hello everyone. Nice to see you all again! It's been a while, I must admit it...and it's good to be up on a stage again. This was sprung on me by Baron at last notice, so no guarantees that I'll be any good. (The audience laughs.) Okay, this song is called "The Grey Ghost." My friend Jack Jameson wrote this one, a long time ago."
Baron loved this song, and always had. His band; The Silver Spirits, were even named after the song.
"Let us raise our glasses and give a toast
to the lonely fool, the crazed Grey Ghost.
He rides alone and he rides free
I wonder if he rides with me.
So raise your glasses, and give a toast
to the lonely fool, the crazed Grey Ghost.
He sheds his blood just to save his soul
But deep inside there is a hole.
So raise your glasses and give a toast
to the lonely fool, the crazed Grey Ghost!"
Johnny sang expertly, and Baron loved playing back up to him. Any signs of rust on his fathers vocal chords were either not there, or Johnny had covered them up very well.
It was also nice to see Johnny enjoying himself on stage again. It had been a long time and he had always missed playing live, it as his passion after all. His health wouldn't permit a tour of any kind, so something like this was just what the old man needed.
"Thank you!" called Johnny before waving Baron up to the mic. "I want Baron to sing this one with me, it's one we wrote together."
Baron took the mic and chuckled, he knew what song Johnny was talking about.
"This one's called "Redemption", and it's brand new."
They both took a step back and then forward again as the music began.
"Everything just seemed to go wrong, and I don't know if I can live that long
to fix everything that I have broken
To sing a song of happiness, is to lies and I'm not impressed
so fix everything that you have broken
The stars and moon up in the sky, saw the truth and they saw the lie
so fix everything that you have broken
There was a smoke that clouded the direction, and I know I'll never find my redemption
to fix everything that I have broken
The mind is different when it grows old, and the heart of ice just sits in the cold
But I keep searching for Redemption
There was salvation in her eye's, but somehow I knew that wasn't right
She'll keep searching for Redemption
She did everything to keep my chin up, but in the end I had had enough
She'll keep searching for Redemption
I had hope and my faith was strong, but truth be told I had waited too long
But I'll keep searching for Redemption"
Baron and Johnny took turned with each verse, and then shared the last one. As the last note rang out, they exchanged a hand-shake turned hug, and Johnny left the stage with his arms raised.
"Give it up for Johnny Johnson everyone!" Baron yelled before turning to the band and nodding.
The final song began quietly and slowly grew. As it did Baron spoke to the audience one more time.
"This song is about those dark places. You know what I'm talking about, those places we go sometimes. Those deep, dark, shadowy places we go. We tell ourselves that these places are filled with light and color...until the night is revealed to us. Good night everyone, thanks for coming out."
Alan hit the bass drum and the song was off.
"I saw rainbows where the sky was black
And I can't believe that I fell for that
You always begged me! Not. To. Leave!
But you were just using me, abusing me.
I looked through memories, to find where I went wrong
The only thing I could find, was that you just never belonged
I was blind to reason, and I just couldn't see it!
Like a pond in a dessert plain, nothing seemed fit.
I saw rainbows where the sky was black
And I can't believe that I fell for that
You always begged me! Not. To. Leave!
But you were just using me, abusing me."
With that, the band took their bows and raised their hands, and then left the stage.