Inside Track: Amazing Grace (Leaving New York)
First of a few tracks culled from the final recording sessions in my emptied, echoing apartment.
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One final ride on the Q, to and from my Brooklyn apartment of 17 years, through my home city of 30 years. On to the next, now, far away.
Recorded a bunch of tracks in the almost-vacated apartment leading up to my final departure, as I readied the space for a final showing and handoff to new owners. The Breedlove guitar was courtesy of my friend Rob, who also happened to be my neighbor across the fence for the last five years. Like the best coincidences, my wife Catherine's and my friendship with Rob and his wife Erica was a random occurrence that in retrospect seems like no coincidence at all.
Guitar strings were courtesy of Christopher at Psychic Records on 7th Avenue between 12th and 13th Streets. Best record store in the Slope.
In any event, after movers re-moved all our material possessions, the home became an emptied echoing space that begged for sound and melody. Rob came through with the guitar, and here we are.
I've played Amazing Grace to myself, for myself, for many many years. Tracks like this you don't much play, though, so much as don like armor to repel the chaos and crowds that comprise most of modern existence. On this last day in my apartment for good, this was the first track I played, and also marked the first time I've been recorded playing it live.
So long, NYC.