Albany and the Tri States

This was to be our first 'official' musical stopover. In planning the trip, we want to see and hear as much live music as we can and wonderfully, we have a friend in these here parts who fronts a band, organises gigs and is a generally great guy. But I digress a little. Albany is where the first of the driving road trips comes to an end. We arrived at the hire car return desk just after midday and were taxi'd to our hotel in the city.

The lobby of the hotel was so retro. Just like those 50's and 60's movies.

The previous nights storm had cleared the air and the humidity was almost gone. Bags in room and away to find a watering hole. After an hour of chilling out it was time to call our friend Alex, who had been bouncing around "virtually" for the past month in expectation of our arrival. He is another mate from previous trips to Jamaica, something that also defines our trip and our friends. The excitement grew until he arrived through the door with the biggest smile ever. Troy and Albany are two of the Tri States that inhabit this part of New York State and Albany is the State Capitol. Is is very pretty and the architecture, both old and new, compliment and great wee place to live.

Alex and his boys made us feel real welcome and he even arranged for a pal to call by in his 80's Corvette. After cruising through the local roads in this machine I was well high. A personal highlight I must say as the Corvette has always been a fantasy car of mine. Thanks Alex.

Next day we walked the city and prepared for our first musical evening. All over the city there are random piano's which attract players and crowds alike, to just stop, play, listen and sing. The sun shone and Jake became part of the fun.

Alex fronts a band and was playing with two other bands at the Trick Shot club outside of Albany. To reduce the whole evening to a few words and photographs doesn't do it justice, but it's enough to say that Flakjacket

and Last Daze, 

are two excellent groups and hopefully we will hear more about both in the future. All too soon the gig was over and Alex's son Jacob ran us back to hotel for our last sleep before the train to Toronto. We had a great great time and our departure from there again brought tears and hugs. Thanks again mate for everything.