So Old Man shows up around 9:30, goes in back, puts on what looks like a wool suit, sits down at a chair on the stage (a small platform about 6 inches off the ground with some speakers in the corner) and starts playing his banjo. Most of the audience was standing, so it was difficult to see him. I got a few glimpses of his banjo, but that was about it. Mostly I just saw his head. Jenny couldn’t see him at all.

He sounded drunk, but I think that may be the natural cadence of his voice. I enjoyed hearing him talk about Nova Scotia. He lives in Chester. I’m always missing Nova Scotia.

He seemed like a nice guy, personable and friendly, intelligent and self-deprecating. His banjo style is a mix between picking and strumming, always melodious. His songs were entertaining and easy to hum along to, sincere but not too serious. It made for an enjoyable evening.

I loved the sound of his banjo. He had moments where he really picked the hell out of it, and other moments where he’d fall into quiet solos which would hush the audience, everyone leaning in to listen. His voice would go low too, almost moving at times.

In the past month I’ve seen Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Old Man Luedecke. I enjoyed Cohen the most (better than anything I’ve heard from his records) and Luedecke second best. Yup, I enjoyed him more than Bob Dylan. Dylan was impressive, but I saw him in a large area and the sound sucked. Unless it’s in a small venue, or you’re close to the stage, it’s almost not worth going.

Someone should invite Old Man Luedecke to Alaska. I think he’d fit right in. Real good music.

My work here is finished.