David Ford’s mailing list sent me an email that he would be performing for one night in NYC and I forwarded it and we got a full house – mollyT, Mrs. Deveraux, rtb, violaleeblue and her beau. Rockwood Music Hall’s Stage 3 is an intimate room in the basement of the Orchard Street bar and it felt like we were a fourth of the audience.

I got there a little early and met up with Mrs. Deveraux and we caught up on each other’s lives while every so often I’d steal a glance at David. rtb soon joined us and we got on line and got a nice center table. Although the room is so small that every table is a good table. And the sound is excellent. violaleeblue and her boyfriend were right behind us and mollyT got there late but there was an empty seat next to me, so we pretty much all together for the show.

David started with Emily Grove right beside him and she joined him several times during the evening for a song here and there. There was much teasing when Emily said that it sounded good and David heard Emily as saying she sounded good. Jarrod Dickenson joined in for one song (“The Snake”), which David called their cover their version of soul.

David was in a very good mood, joking with the audience and telling stories. It was probably one of the best sets of his I’ve ever seen. He just seemed so relaxed and easygoing. He played with the melodies of some of the older songs and changed up tempos here and there. We heard enough of the older songs to keep us happy and enough of the newer songs to make us intrigued.

We also learned some new facts about some of the songs. Where the term ‘Throwaway’ comes from and that he now keeps in touch with Stephen’s widow.

Mrs. Deveraux had never heard him live before and, of course, she’s now a fan.

Set List

The Ballad of Miss Lily
Waiting for the Storm
One of These Days
Pour a Little Poison on Me
Throwaway
Go to Hell
The Snake
To Hell with the World
There is a Light
I Don’t Care What You Call Me
Stephen
State of the Union
The Way the Heart Breaks
I’m Alright Now
Everytime
Boys of Summer
O’Sullivan’s Bar

By Carene Lydia Lopez