@ the Blue Note, plus lyrics!

It was a fun date at the Blue Note NYC on December 30th. Cold as it was outside the band and I loved making music for the sold out(!) house that filed in for the first set. We had a warm, vibrant crowd at the second show as well. Many jazz greats have performed at the Blue Note and it's an honor to sing on that stage. In the band picture below you can see that Chris Botti's drummer left his gear behind us. Located in the heart of Greenwich Village it is the prototypical jazz room... dimly lit with an intimate, cozy ambiance. They've made nice upgrades to their sound and lighting since my last gig there. A special thanks to Ryan Ramirez for doing an excellent job running the board and the lights!

There's no place like New York City for the holidays, and the Blue Note was basking in a seasonal glow. I had a terrific band with me... Ted Rosenthal on piano, Dave Finck on bass, Jerry Holland on guitar and Warren Odze on drums.

After each set I had the chance to meet and greet an audience of new and old friends upstairs near the green room. If you were at the show and took some photos I would love to see them. Please send them to me at sony@sonyholland.com - Thanks to my Auntie Susan Evans for these two shots!
 
One of the songs that was a crowd favorite was Jerry's passionate ode to NY, THIS CITY IS MINE. I've had plenty of requests for the lyric, so here it is:


THIS CITY IS MINE
words & music Jerry Holland
c. Heebalibra Music, BMI


I took that long flight home from L.A.
Out of a daydream back into the fray
My city's rhythm is fast paced and real
Caffeine, ambition, concrete and steel

Step into the mix on 6th Avenue
Adrenaline flows as I take in the view
A thousand memories come on like a song
I know in my heart this is where I belong

This city is mine
I feel it's power flow through my veins
Running through me like a subway train
Upper West Side down to Washington Square
And I don't care
This city is mine, mine, all mine...

Stockbroker, streetwalker, lawyer and bum
Brownstone, bodega, skyscraper, slum
Bright neon billboards and red flashing lights
Hot hectic days and the cool jazzy nights

Sushi, Souvlaki, rice and red beans
Big yellow taxi's, long black limousines
Racin' through Harlem into Chinatown
Don't say a word puttin' her down

This city is mine
Music so loud y' get high on the beat
Feels so alive just to walk down the street
Like you're up on the Empire State
Isn't it great
This city is mine, mine, all mine...

No, I'll never forget her
No matter where I may go
Save a space for me on the broken sidewalks of Broadway
And wait for me on the streets where we used to run

This city is mine
I feel it's power flow through my veins
Running through me like a subway train
Upper West Side down to Washington Square
And I don't care
This city is mine, mine, all mine...

This city is mine
Music so loud y' get high on the beat
Feels so alive just to walk down the street
Like you're up on the Empire State
Isn't it great
This city is mine, mine, all mine...