Hey Joe/Locomotive Breath from Sunday night

Some of the sets we play are planned out in advance, but some numbers are ready at our disposal to be played at a moment's notice. "Hey Joe" is one of them. Since the lyrics are adapted and dedicated to our Summer Camp counselor, Joe Lstiburek, we generally pull out that chestnut only when its namesake is within earshot. Another one that keeps our band quick to the draw is Jethro Tull's "Locomotive Breath," which is sung by guest vocalist Danny Greenblatt. Part of the way through our performance of "Hey Joe," I noticed Danny was sitting off to the side of the band with his hands folded in his lap. This, to me, is the telltale sign that Danny's here for one reason only: to sing his song. These two songs are played in the same key, and I could start off the long intro to "Locomotive Breath" on my own and the rest of the band would follow in due course. So, that's what we did. Danny has always said he needs no attention drawn to him before he starts singing, only copious amounts of bourbon. That's the way he likes it, and we like it that way too. This is from our Sunday prime-time set.