We first saw the Canadian band Lee Harvey Osmond when they opened for the Cowboy Junkies at the Capitol Theatre on Mama's birthday a few summers ago. Then we had the opportunity to see them play at our friends Pete & Lindsey's house. We kept looking around the room and thinking how awesome it was to be able to see such talented and seasoned musicians in such an intimate setting - I think there may have been less than 25 people there the last time they visited. These guys are the real deal. Big time musicians. We were thrilled when Pete & Lindsey announced that LHO would return to play their living room again.
Carter: The show was awesome. The lead singer Tom Wilson and the drummer Ray Farrugia were there, and also Aaron Goldstein, who played guitar and pedal steel. Tom's son Tommy played the bass. He let me hold his bass after the show. It was red and gold and it looked like an Iron Man bass.
Mama: They had just come from playing the Philadelphia Folk Festival, and had to leave as soon as they loaded out to head back to the Philly area.
Carter: I wonder if they got any sleep?
Mama: I don't know, but I am so glad they fit a visit to York into their schedule. And especially since it was to play at P&L's house.
Carter: Pete & Lindsey's house is a place where you can hang out with all different kinds of people. And they have a birch beer keg. AND a popcorn machine. I know how to work both.
Mama: Pete & Lindsey got a grant from the York City Artist Homestead Program when they bought their house. The program encourages homeownership within the City of York for artists looking for live/work space. Lindsey is an artist and both she and Pete are musicians. The first floor of their house is used as gallery and performance space. Lindsey's work, as well as that of other featured artists, is on display. They host bands who are traveling through or near York while they tour, giving the bands additional performance opportunities, and even a place to stay (their third-floor rock hostel is outfitted with bunk beds to give musicians a night off from crashing in their vans). The house is also set up for recording, if the bands are so inclined.
Carter: Pete & Lindsey also sometimes play music with the bands. So in the middle of the Lee Harvey Osmond show, Tom Wilson called for Pete to come and play his sax with them. It was amazing.
Mama: It was really cool. When they finished their second set, our friend requested their version of John Henry, which Tom Wilson came out into the middle of the room with all of us to sing a capella. It felt like we were transported to some tent revival in the middle of a field in the old south somewhere. It was magical.
Carter: The pedal steel had the name Carter on it. So I told the guy it was mine, and he couldn't say "I don't see your name on it." But he didn't let me have it.
Mama: I really enjoyed getting to hang out and talk with them a little bit while they were packing up.
Carter: This was a great concert. I'm very happy that I get to do this stuff even though I'm a kid.
Favorite songs at this show: Cuckoo's Nest, You Drove Me Crazy Now I'm Going to Stay That Way, and of course, John Henry.
Final note (Mama): Tom Wilson has an amazing head of hair.
Generations: Carter and his Mama with Tom Wilson and Thompson Wilson.
Check back soon for our reviews of these live shows: Carolina Chocolate Drops at the Capitol Theatre, Rhett Miller at the Capitol Theatre, Spoon at The Forum in Harrisburg, PA, Hoots & Hellmouth at the Mother Earth Harvest Fair, Jason & Grant from Ghost Hunters at the Pullo Center, The Felice Brothers at the Capitol Theatre, Rusted Root at the Pullo Center, and Aortic Valve at ourhouse.
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