27/09/2023
Oh, Ophelia
On a rainy, windy day of the first day of Fall 2023, with tropical storm Ophelia battering Northeast USA, the Vinyl Listening Lounge Club settled down at Provost restaurant in Northeast Washington DC, for the latest vinyl listening session. This was just the beginning of a stormy and unpredictable evening.
The storm limited our in-person attendance with just a few guests. I opened the session in ZOOM. To my surprise, we had more guests online than we had in person.
Our online guests included a local DC radio DJ, Bill Washington and another global vinyl listener, Tod who tuned in all the way from Carlisle, in the United Kingdom. Additionally, we had listeners Zoom in from DC, North Carolina, Tennessee, and California.
We started off the session with;
• Showoff by Black Violin – I love their music and their performances.
• The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack
• Reverend Lee by Roberta Flack
• A Little Bit of Love by Brenda Russell
During this time, we were experiencing audio problems, in that the virtual attendees could not hear my audio music coming directly from my turntable with attached speakers. They could hear me speak but couldn’t hear my music. I’m blaming it on Ophelia.
• Compared To What by Les McCann
• Chameleon by Herbie Hancock
• Autodrive by Herbie Hancock
• Maggie by Redbone
• Just Let Me Be Close to You by The Valentine Brothers
Ophelia was in overdrive at this time in the session. I’m a bit frustrated with the inability of the virtual attendees to hear my music. I wished I had more tech skills to connect my turntable to the restaurant’s sound system. This is where you and our listeners make a difference.
DJ Bill stepped in and spun most of the selections from there. Where My DJ’s? I’m looking to collab with you. Be a Spotlight DJ on my upcoming sessions. Contact me.
• The Late, Late Show by Dakota Staton
• I Thank You by The Valentine Brothers
• No Problem by Sonny Rollins
• Pieces of Dreams by Stanley Turrentine
• Poinciana by Ahmad Jamal
• Cherokee by Ahmad Jamal
Our listener from the UK spun a tune. It could not be heard too. Ophelia continues her reign over Zoom, the waters and in the air.
Bill continued play with a few 45” records.
• Twilight Time The Platters
• Dedicated To the One I Love by The Shirelles
• Bang Bang by The Joe Cuba Sextet
• Tramp by Otis Redding & Carla Thomas
For the last song, our friend Tod, from the UK, got a good connection and ended us out with;
• The Same Old Song by The Four Tops
Despite the difficulties, everyone had a good and interesting time. To all the attendees, in-person and virtually, I thank you for your music, your input, and your support.
I hope to see you soon. Take care,
Earl
