Alan, Bob and Sean checked with each other to make sure they are together when the song ends. Alan's Walk on the Moon was well sung, the audience respectfully listening as the b’ys wove their harmonies to create a most welcome mood.
When the last note was played, Sean smiled and turned to Alan. “That was a very pretty song, Alan. I like it more and more each time you do it.”
Alan grinned the famous grin, but his mood rapidly changed to surprise as Sean continued.
"Yes I sure do like it a lot! It makes me want to take my clothes off!” he said as he fiddled with his jacket.
After the audience laughter died down, Sean began introducing the next song, Paddy Murphy. “This next song is about death,” he said, deadpan. "Death and alcohol, a pain-filled song," he continued. As he and Alan went on talking about drinking in college, Bob began messing about on the accordion. He didn’t look annoyed though, just reminding Sean they were there to sing. On this night, “Alan Doyle got loaded drunk.”
After Paddy, Everyone needed a rest. Alan explained how they hadn't performed this next song in over a decade. I sat on the edge of my seat - could it be? He went on to explain that he learned it from his Dad and he grew up hearing it. I almost flew off my seat!!!! I KNEW it was going to be Berry Picking Time! Sure enough, I squealed as the first notes of that old song came thru the speakers next to us. That song is one of my top 10 GBS songs I think. I learned it at age 17 from Vic's grandmom. She also used to sing Sweet Forget-Me-Not to us as we accompanied her on her many outings. I was in 7th heaven to hear Berry Picking Time, let me tell you! I had never heard it live before. Alan broke me out of my reverie when he stepped up the the mic after the song was done. “I didn’t know there was a rivalry between North and South New Jersey!” Those of us who new all shook our heads yes.
“Well I was out walking through the community before the show, as is my custom when we are playing in a new place. I’m afraid I may have started a civil war between North and South New Jersey,” he admitted. We all looked stage-ward quizzically.
“See, I have this sweatshirt that I got from my friend, Russell Crowe. It says North Bergen, that's in New Jersey! But it's in North Jersey. I didn't know about the North and South Jersey thing. So I go into this deli here in Collingswood and I ask the guy behind the counter, "Do you make Italian Hoagies?(he said 'subs' but we corrected him - 'hoagies' in this neighborhood!)
"So the guy behind the counter looks at this North Bergen shirt and says (in Alan's best Jersey accent - he was pretty good, too), 'Hey Joey! Getta loada dis guy. He thinks we can't make an Italian hoagie. Mr. North Bergen thinks he's too good for us. Do we make Italian hoagies? Look buddy, we can make an Italian hoagie as good or better than the ones in North Bergen! Do we make Italian hoagies? Just wait and see! What're think we are down here?" Alan said he thought was getting ready to have a row with the deli man at that point. |
