LOCATION: Trinity House Theater, Livonia, MI
LINEUP: Linford Detweiler
REVIEW BY: Carrie
The warm up was wonderful...some of the best guitar playing I have ever heard. His name was Jason Dennie.
Linford played on an old upright piano and we all took a moment to think about the dear upright pianos and the long road they have traveled on over the years. They are simply not appreciated today for the beautiful instrument that they are. We discussed Linford's Amish roots, we had the opportunity to ask questions...always kind of fun. He is currently reading a Wendell Barry novel.
I was able to give a spoken request for him to play a song. I asked for my personal favorite, Put on Your Dancing Shoes, from Grey Ghost Stories. I wonder if he has ever seen the musical Into the Woods, something in the melody takes me back to that lovely story and musical score...alas I forgot to ask...but the music was so simple and beautiful. Someone else requested Jack's Valentine, which is always a favorite.
His poetry reading was very good...I enjoyed listening to his poems and really would like to try and get copies of them at some point to add to my poetry section. Listening outloud to someone read their creations is really quite unique. My favorite poem was about a gang going around stealing books...I think you would have to hear the poem and I am surely not doing it justice.
Still the words are rolling around in my head somewhere, settling in
and the joys of phrases and musical moments of the evening will drift back
to me over the cold days ahead. I am grateful for the evening. I did miss
Karin's beautiful spirit but do appreciate the chance to hear the Linford
play the piano. Here is a person born to do what he is doing...he remembers
the first time he touched a piano, the first chord he ever played (E minor
I think), his first memories of seeing the piano and the first time he
heard they were bringing a piano into his home. How good to know there
are people out there that live their purpose and bless the world by doing
so...