speats

"Long distance information / Get me Memphis, Tennesee"

-Chuck Berry

Greetings from Memphis...here on business...always a bit weird to preface anything w/"I'm here on business"...sounds a bit pretentious don't it? But it's the gospel truth...anyway I'm rambling. Been here since Wednesday...leaving tomorrow night. On a bit of a spare rib-induced coma so forgive any incoherencies.

This town breathes history like L.A. breeds traffic jams...from Stax Records (aka Soulsville USA) to Beale Street to Graceland, its mecca for music junkies like me.

In between meetings I was able to squeeze in a bit of touristy history...explored Beale street last night...caught an Elvis show at a bar (tend to forget that this probably the only place in America besides Vegas or perhaps Reno or Branson) where you can catch such a thing. Chugged down a beer during a very respectable "Suspicious Minds" and then wandered further down the road.

It's a bit strange as I'm here with business colleagues who I don't know all that well so I was left to my own devices during the off hours. Anyway...not wanting to eat anywhere I readily could back home I made my way to Isaac Hayes's restaraunt...yep Black Moses has own place here....how could I resist?? Having met the man before I felt I owed it to him and myself to dine there...I was not disappointed. Ike's gold records adorn the dimly lit supper club and the service is almost as good as "Truck Turner" *** Local blues sensation Ms.Ruby Wilson took the stage(self-proclaimed Queen of Beale Street) and sang a rendition of"Wang Dang Doodle" that was as smoky as the bar be que'd chicken on my plate...my dining experience at Isaac Hayes was complete. I displayed little resistance in the adjoining gift shop and walked off with a copy of his cookbook. How could I not?

After today's meetings dinner came calling in the form of the overly-hyped Rendezvous bbq house (where the ribs are broiled with a dry rub - sauce is a purely an option)...how did it measure up? Pretty damn good..I had a good long meaningful date with a line of dental floss afterwards let's put it that way...But nothing compared to the company...half-way thru the dinner we were joined by a musician named James Alexander...better known as one of the original members of Stax funk pioneers The Bar-Kays (anyone over 25 and has seen "Spies Like Us" will know them by their instantly recognizable signature hit "Soul Finger")...talk turned to Stax records and how The Bar Kays played their part in the label's history and ultimately how "Soul Finger" came to be. I was speechless. I had a mouth full of spare ribs in my mouth and nothing to say. SOUL FINGER FOR GOD'S SAKE!
Moments like that I'll savor long after this trip is in the history books.

Tomorrow brings my first ever pilgrimage to Graceland...where I will bask in the King's glory and bow down in the place where Spinal Tap once harmonized "Heartbreak Hotel"...

I have nothing but a hunka hunka burnin' love for this town.

***("Truck Turner" is one of the baddest-ass films the 1970s ever produced starring Isaac Hayes...seek it out, sucker!)