DOMODOSSOLA, 3/6
Kind of a weird one. But then again, I was rather ethereal myself. We had a nice lunch just outside Cantu, at the home of Massi, Flav’s musical partner in crime, his g.f. Anna cooked lasagna and Massi made sure I had seconds, so...oof. And a cake, too. Ahhh! So, no need to say, I zonked out in the car. We arrived in Domodossola as the sky was settling into the vibrant blue of twilight in the clear mountain air. We worked our way into the village to arrive at the niche called L’Oste, which is short for osteria, which is not where you get oysters, but is traditionally a working man’s pub. L’Oste is a neighborhood place, where you can watch the football match, have a glass of nice wine, munch some bar snacks...and see live music. There were two important matches in succession, so soundcheck was going to be MUCH later. Unf. the food menu there is limited to panini or focaccia, and I was craving something more so the guys and I went in search of. We found a cool place, obv the hip bar on the corner had taken over the stuffier restaurant next door and chaos was the result as staff, furniture, etc. was splayed all over creation...not so much a work in progress (which would match the construction that means all over Domodossola you are walking on boards next to freshly dug ditches) but just...an anthill....but the food was good, and the wine wonderful. We stumbled back to the venue and set things up but we still had a couple of hours to kill til showtime. Which meant, for me, another opportunity to sleep. My body was still craving rest to get over my last couple weeks’ worth of ailments. So, it was in a state of pure post-sleep surealism that I rose at 11.15 in our tiny hotel and walked to the club, and walked straight onstage and went into it. Pretty odd little show, I was kind of stuffed in a corner, often with no light~! The bar was full of people and very noisy, but I still put on a two hour show, instead of one audience for the whole thing like the night before in Cantu, there were people kind of coming into the corner where the music was happening, watching a bit, moving on, and being replaced. People loved it...the bar owner in particular was extremely....demonstrative!--whooping and hollering like a crazy fella, he was thrilled to have me playing it seems. After my set, a guy in his 60s started DJing with great...60s music! hahah. The PA was still on so I played barrelhouse piano along with Kinks, Hollies, Box Tops etc. songs....which I have to say was pretty fun. Then I scampered off and went to bed.
Waking up today, it’s the first day in the last couple of weeks where I don’t feel like going back to bed as soon as I get up. I’m not feeling drained, exhausted, beaten up, or frail. I’m still coughing a bit, and not breathing 100% clearly, but...hey. It’s a big improvement. Driving thru the alps listening to
Lucio Battisti, heading to Gialuca’s family restaurant for what’s sure to be a great Sunday meal.
Love
KS
on the highway to Seveso, ITALY
