Have to say I felt a little out of place at the Carter Albrecht memorial show at Club Dada last night. Don't get me wrong; it was an affecting, cathartic evening--even for me, someone who just said he felt out of place at the event--but I couldn't help but feel a little like a voyeur. No way around it, really.
While I knew pretty much every musician in the room last night, I never knew Carter. I came to Dallas about five months after his untimely death, so I never had the chance. And though I went to Dada last night to pay homage to the man I've heard so much about, and also to show my support for the still-grieving musicians who took to the stage last night, I just don't feel comfortable saying too much about it. Because, really, I don't think I have the right.
For those interested in reading a retrospective on Carter far more personal than anything I can offer, I highly recommend checking out former Observer music editor Sarah Hepola's blog. There, you'll find a piece we almost had here on our blog yesterday, but were unable to, simply because of some minor timing and communication issues. Still, a very worthwhile read, though, so check it out.
What I can offer, though, is a few bullet-point notes about the moving evening at Dada...
- Dada co-owner Ben Tapia told me that the framed photo that backed the evening's performers onstage last night (the same image as the one used in this post) will soon be hung over the front entrance of Dada in honor of Albrecht's contributions to the music scene.
- Perhaps the most heartfelt performance of the evening came from Danny Balis. His, like all of the performances on this night, was short (there were just too many acts on the bill for any particular set to last longer than four songs or so), but what was most remarkable about Balis' set wasn't so much his performance (even though it was, truly, great), but the respect the crowd gave it. Not a word was spoken throughout Dada during Balis' set--and more than a few tears--after a nightlong of buildup--finally gave way in the audience as Danny's baritone voice crooned them out.
- At the very end of the night, those who still remained at Dada were treated to a mini-Sorta reunion on stage as Balis, Trey Johnson, Chris Holt, and, I believe, Ward Williams took to the stage. --Pete Freedman
