Took in an Ellis Paul show to ring in the New Year at Club Passim.

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Ellis Paul will have 7 shows in 4 days at Club Passim this weekend to celebrate his 25 years of touring. We caught show #2 tonight with the family. Less shooting photos, more reliving my early 90’s. Great show Ellis, here is to 25 more.

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We all have artists we connect with that stay with you for whatever reason. I can pin point mine to different times in my life. The first time I heard U2’s Joshua Tree I as in awe, at 14 it seemed like it was the first time I heard my music. The Eagles are the soundtrack of my family growing up. Pearl Jam’s Ten was part of my transtion from a High School kid to independence and college. Then there is Ellis Paul. Unlike U2, Eagles, Pearl Jam and others… I met Ellis, early. I was in my early 20’s, he was in his late 20’s, not that far off. He was real. Seemed like a kid, just a bit older than me, with talent and drive. It was simple, he played a guitar and sang songs he wrote, I was impressed. He was doing what he wanted to do and his passion was contagious, it still is.  I saw him play outside somewhere in Boston, my friend Greg dragged me to see him, that was the first of 20 something times I have seen him. A number that is not impressive to loyal fans, might get me just out of  ‘rookie status’, but still for me it is a lot. Last night was my first time at his famous Club Passim New Year’s Eve show. We have tried over the years to make this show, but we always found reasons, kids, crowds, sleep, cold… not to head to Cambridge on NYE. That ended when my wife gave me tickets for Christmas. Not only had she gotten tickets, she contacted a few people in Ellis’s circle and verified it would be OK for me to bring my camera. Not that Ellis does not allow people to take photos, but she explained this is what I do. So my gift from her was simple, I got to do what I do, while Ellis did what he does, it was pretty cool. I hung in the back for some songs and got my shots. Briefly talked to Ellis, showed some photos to Flynn (who opened and sounded great) and their manager Ralph, who could not had been nicer. I enjoyed the night, with my camera in my hand, with music I love, with my wife at my side, not a bad way to start the year. I hope you all celebrated the New Year as you wanted. If you know how to get in touch with Bono, let my wife know, Father’s Day is only 6 months away, I already have tickets to the show.

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