Message Board Archive: Thread Number 35

About 20 years ago in a NYC bar I found myself in the restroom with
Larry Johnson and Professor Six Million when all of a sudden we heard
some Blind Blake being exquisitely picked on the guitar. My comment was
"That wasn't on the jukebox(mostly Chicago blues) cause I would have hit
those buttons!" Peering out the door I saw a baby faced 19 year old
whose thumbs I wanted to break! For morons or those with no powers of
deduction it was Ari himself. He asked if I had heard about 20 various
Yazoo records and I proudly replied that I had each one he mentioned.
Hating the subway I gladly accepted Ari's offer of a ride home--arriving
home I was GLAD just to be home. I knew Ari was one of the best pickers
I had heard and most likely the worst driver I had ever seen. Sadly, I
now live in Florida where every block is filled with a thousand Aris!
After almost 20 years we are still dear friends though there have been a
few changes. 1st-the loss of hair, his and not mine! 2nd-the graying of
hair, his again! 3rd-his moving to Philadelphia(Roy Smeck referred to it
as a graveyard with lights) and my emigration to Florida. What has
stayed the same is our deep love of the old country blues and ragtime
and this board should be supported with hopefully more people than can
fit around my computer.