Michael Kentish and Jérôme Li-Thiao-Te put on a great show last night. It was the first time these two accomplished musicians played a full set together, and Jerome's fiddle playing well-complemented Mike's lyrics and voice. The duo mostly played Kentish originals like "Pure," "Casa Retro," "The Gift," and "Charlotte;" with a few well-chosen covers thrown in such as "Accidents Will Happen" by Elvis Costello, "Airbag" by Radiohead and "Everlong" by the Foo Fighters. Hopefully, Jerome will sing a couple next time too.  The big surprise of the night was that Sugar Rae made an unannounced return courtesy of technology, and sang harmony with Mike on his new song "Treading Water."

I was also reminded last night of random acts of kindness by strangers, or at least of people I barely know yet. A woman I met at a Mookie Brando gig a few weeks ago, and with whom I had a lengthy conversation at the bar, remembered my birthday and sent me a gift. We had been speaking about GMOs, organics, and other environmental issues when I mentioned organic cornmeal could not be found in Hungary. Szonja remembered this and sent her friend Eric Bosque to the gig last night with a pack of bio kukoricadara! It reminded me of something that happened 20 years ago at Bates College. The Bates Outing Club held its Secret Santa party and I drew my friend Mike Ireland. To me, it seemed Mike had everything, and I had no idea what to get him. After asking around, his friends unanimously said, "Ruthie." I did not know Ruthie Loescher, but apparently they had been dancing around each other for some time without being able to get together. As a Secret Santa present, with Ruthie's consent, I set up a blind date for them. Not having the best family life to go back to during the holidays, I regularly stayed at the college during the breaks. Ruthie, whom I had met only once, somehow heard about this and sent me  a couple homemade carrot cakes through the post for Christmas. Thanks Ruthie and Szonja.

Jérôme Li-Thiao-Te drags his violin everywhere he can find people enjoying Music. In Budapest since 2008, he happily joined the Last Drops, Home Sessions, One More Round, The Poosta Ramblers, Madame Yeti Woman and enjoys playing with Zöldhullam and friends. From classical to contemporary music (taking part ...in Grecsó Zoltán's Willany Leó Improvizációs Táncszínház), spoken word, barn rock, bluegrass and pop music, he likes to jump from one world to another. Michael Kentish has played with The Tea Thieves, Fabulon, Shameless, Pupilla Project and caracasUnderpop. He is also currently playing with The Random Chocolates, Mookie Brando and Poniklo Imre. This year he signed a deal with Speegra Publishing in the UK and there are plans for a full album soon.

BTW, Ruthie and Mike are still married.

Set List

1.        Pure
2.        So Much More
3.        Hyperballad (Björk)
4.        Gift Exchange
5.        15 Minutes (Kirsty MacColl)
6.        Casa Retro
7.        Nobody's Fault But My Own (Beck)
8.        Wrong

9.        Accidents Will Happen (Elvis Costello)
10.        Gravel
11.        Fires
12.        I'm The Man Who Loves You (Wilco)
13.        Lost in Time
14.        Everlong (Foo Fighters)
15.        Empty Heaven
16.        Treading Water (featuring Sugar Rae Hammond on vocals)

Encore:
17.        Charlotte
18.        Airbag (Radiohead)