Out of the clubs, back into an old theatre (circa.1914). The Somerville Theatre, not far from Harvard Square (I think) was built more or less for sound. It was a joy to play in it.

We had the double advantage of being joined by Jason Roboin, who did our house sound in North Hampton, Washington and here. He will join us as road manger for the rest of the summer.

Kenny White, a NYC-based singer/songwriter and tasteful keyboard player and guitarist opened for us in DC and here. He’s got a great voice of the James Taylor kind, and he pens a smart lyric.

By now I am getting used to life on the blue bus. Sleep comes easily, especially with the late hours we keep and after a nice (much needed) shower in the hotel room(s) we hold for that purpose. But just how soundly one can expect to sleep in a tour bus is another question, and I guess that answer depends largely on the condition of the roads and the skill level of our driver, Kevin, who does a good job. We probably average about six hours of sleep per night. We eat pretty well (always a challenge to avoid the dressing room catering booty that we bundle on board after every show) and there’s not a lot of opportunity for exercise. So, one can expect a certain bone weariness to set in, which seems to be what’s happening to me with two more shows to go on this leg.

Part of this road challenge is to find ways to preserve the little energy you have left and channel it towards the next show.

This afternoon, Mike, Alan and I were interviewed for a DVD that will be packaged with the Rubber Soul 40th anniversary CD on which the Junkies do a cover of Run For Your Life. The interviewer’s questions were far from thought provoking and so the three of us, falling into the center of an old sofa in the dressing room, came dangerously close to having a spinal tape moment preserved forever on DVD. I hope the editor will be merciful.

Someone jumped in front of a subway car in the station next to the theatre this afternoon. The emergency crew arrived followed on the scene by grief counselors for the witnesses who emerged from the subway obviously in shock a few yards from the blue bus. We don’t like to admit that, in many ways, we are fragile creatures, and being reminded of this is often a hard lesson. But the show must go on.

It went well with only a couple of songs moving a bit too slow, but Crazy Ed, a legendary fan, who is well-known to the band, said this show was his favorite compared to Annapolis, and North Hampton. He has noticed a marked improvement with every show.

We played Walking and Cheap for the encore.

Boston is an old diner with a well stocked bar. It’s clean, well appointed, and pleasing to the eye. Its owners are friendly. They are real people and they will treat you like you’ve been here a hundred times. They like your business. You can buy an exceptionally good home cooked meal, here, and they actually care enough to ask you which way you want your eggs poached. There is an exclusive table in this diner and those who sit at it call it the world. They will eat anything put in front of them and they use the well stocked bar to excess, which is okay as long as they remain intelligent.

On to Pittsburgh!