Key West June 28, 2014. A very hot Summer day at the Schooner Wharf where one Michael McCloud is on the stage playing in denim and a very large hat. http://michaelmccloudmusic.com I have seen this local musician play many times over the years and talked to him on this day about all the music he plays. He is quite the character and will even slip in some things he says to the uninitiated audience as dry jokes using altered facts. As I sat next to my new local friend at the bar we discussed some of the things Michael was saying at the song breaks. Too funny.
I really appreciated Michael’s version of the Stephen Stills “Treetop Flyer.” As I talked to him about it later he told me how Stephen didn’t know it but that he taught him how to play some lead parts on guitar. I told Michael I appreciated the song and I really liked the way he played it. All that said I was holding a new copy of his new “2014” cd and I mentioned that he should play “Third Rate Romance” off the new recording. The song written by Russell Smith and made famous by the Amazing Rhythm Aces back in 1975. I remember plugging too many quarters in the juke box in Mississippi to hear this song, over and over. Michael broke into talking about Canada and Jesse Winchester with all the connections of this song. I threw in the Knoxville, Tennessee connection. I never tire of talking about music , bands, and history. It was a good day in paradise and I really enjoyed my time on this tropical sunny day watching live music. Until next time, I’ll see ya down the road..
Sittin’ at a tiny table
In a ritzy restaurant
She was starin’ at her coffee cup
He was tryin’ to keep his courage up
By applying booze
The talk was small
When they talked at all
They both knew what they wanted
There was no need to talk about it
They were old enough to scoff it out
And keep it loose
She said, you don’t look like my type
But I guess you’ll do
Third rate romance
Low rent rendezvous
He said, I’ll even tell you
That I love you
If you want me to
Third rate romance
Low rent rendezvous
And they left the bar
They got in his car
And they drove away
He drove to the Family Inn
She didn’t even have to pretend
She didn’t know what for
Then he went to the desk
And made his request
While she waited outside
And he came back with the key
And she said, give it to me
And I’ll unlock the door
She kept sayin’
I’ve never really done
This kind of thing before
Have you
Third rate romance
Low rent rendezvous
And he said, yes I have
But only a time or two
Third rate romance
Low rent rendezvous