It’s two o’clock in the morning and the moon is shining bright
I just get to wonderin’ where my baby is tonight
I wrote this one many moons ago in New York City. It’s a standard 12-bar blues. I was just playing it again yesterday. I used a different sort of rhythm, and for some reason I played it very slow.
Anyway here’s to the good ol’ days and here’s to the blues too.
Since I wrote this song back in New York I’m throwing in an exerpt from my novel Up in the Bronx.
“Something has to happen,” he told himself, reminded himself, repeated to himself – like a silent prayer, like the fingering of rosary beads – as he passed through the grand hall of Grand Central Station.
A familiar feeling slowly came to him. A tension, an energy. It belonged to the City. Everyone was moving toward something, going somewhere, waiting for something, or someone. For Jack, his something and someone was going away. Maria. Leaving him with her love as her gift. Last night they had made love slowly and sweetly, and he could still recall the feel of it, even as he walked through the big station. They had made love to their own world, and had said goodbye to it. It was over. Sweetly. Lovingly. But over. Jack glided through the traffic of people, the swarms of faceless people rushing in streams past each other – each on to their own destinies, their personal illusions. Jack passed along with the others through the great lobby of Grand Central Station. He raised his eyes to examine the high marble walls and painted ceiling. His heart felt lighter. He proceeded through the lobby and out through the swinging wooden doors onto a sunny 42nd Street. Another day.
I guess Jack is ready for a change, although your song suggests otherwise. Happy New Year, Stephen.
That’s true. I have a music CD soundtrack for the novel, but this blues is not on it. It takes place/refers to an earlier period in my life. Anyhow Jack Isaacson isn’t precisely me. I suppose that sounds confusing; after writing the book and carrying it around (editing) for ten years, I almost think that the characters are real people from my life. Happy New Year, Amy.
Oh, I guess I thought this song was on the CD. The melody seemed to fit, but maybe not the lyrics. Now I see. Thanks.
Enjoyed both the song and the excerpt from your novel. There is something about the city that dictates a different sort of rhythm. And over the years, it seems to me that it’s become more intense.
I agree. I’m never quite sure whether changes I observe are due to differences in time or in place. NYC seems to amaze me even more than it used to.
Great excerpt, makes me want to read more. I can’t listen to the song clip right now because my other half is still asleep, so I shall try and remember to pop back later to listen once he’s awake!
hi Bumba / Stephen,
actually reading your book [amazon.com: Stephen Baum, UP IN THE BRONX] I’m excited about your chapter X and XI = the description of a winter day of Maria and Jack – with snow fall in the morning, visiting the Zoo watching swimming seals in icy water in the afternoon – and the finish of the young lovers in the bedroom at night …
Up in the Bronx
+
Thank you Frizz. I wanted to put a picture of the zoo entrance on the cover, but didn’t have a good enough photo. I’ll try to send you one that my friend took.
…words and song both “shining bright”!
Thanks Marina.
hey: Howlin’ Wolf would applause!
I played with my e-guitar some licks to your song – now I’m feeling alright!
I guess this song should be performed before “Where did you sleep last night?” Seriously, though–if she’s not home by 2:00 AM, she’s up to no good. Bet on it.
Precisely. She was up to no good.
Looks like a beautiful parting – for Jack. I wonder how Maria is taking it – probably just as well.
Well captured in words not pretentious – loved it
Thank you Eric. No sense reading the rest of the book. Unless you want to and, if you like, I’ll post you a copy. Let me know.
Wow!That’s very kind of you. Thank you. Do you have an eVersion?
I actually have an extensive hard copy library – both my room and my son’s have built-in floor-to-ceiling shelves and full. I am also storing some in a good friend’s place.
I’ve since switched to eBooks.
I think I had one, or that I should be able to obtain one fairly soon. As you can see I’m a little lo-tech.