"A Beautiful Cat"

I won't easily forget what it was like the first time I saw them...

Downtown DC has a small venue called the Black Cat, small, dimly lit, split in two, into a bar and stage area. If you are lucky enough, there is a line when you show up and you will inevitably get the chance to meet someone. This night I was serenaded by an Elvis impersonator, pick a song, any song and this man supposedly knew it. Not knowing much Elvis, I did not pose a big challenge to his questionable talent. Who knows, maybe DC needs another Elvis impersonator. He is the only one I have ever met there. Meet the man holding the door: The man holding the door doesn't even really work at the Black Cat. He is a homeless man who lives on the doorstep next to it. This didn't stop him from creating the Black Cat's own personal advertising slogan, sang slightly off key in more of a subtle shout that echoes on 14th Str NW, "Black Cat, Black Cat, come see the homeless Black Cat." He does accept donations and he's got a kick ass cane.

Inside was the first and last time, I ever saw Orchestra Morphine perform. The night is almost indescribable. OM was formed after the passing of Mark Sandman of Morphine on July 3rd 1999. when he died suddenly on stage while on tour in Palestrina, Italy. On stage, OM takes Sandman's music and personifies his absence and loss. Takes his music, which itself, always rid you of any inhibitions, and puts you right on a cliff looking down at those very same inhibitions Morphine would make you lose, and you just have to stare at them…aren't they beautiful, weren't they beautiful?

"They" are those nights when you got to go see Morphine live in all their mystery. Dark lustful music created by a sax, bass and drums, deep voiced lyrics, a crowd swaying to the rhythm at Mark's mercy.

" They," are those nights you spend alone staring up at the ceiling listening to music.

"They," are those insane moments when you let go of all around you and float to the sound of your own choir.

Unfortunately, there are no more Morphine tours like the one I had the chance to catch in DC in 1999. However, just released on September 26th (2 days after Mark's birthday) is a live bootleg recorded in Detroit by a fan (yes, a fan) remixed by Mark himself prior to his passing. It is a fitting tribute to what on album was pure magic, but live was pure heaven. The emotions felt at a Morphine venue, or an Orchestra Morphine venue, are emotions you feel at the best and worst times of your life. This music takes you to those levels, I kid not.

Check out Morphine's official website which is a great flash site with music, images, OM, and on and on. Well worth it. Dreamworks Records has some stuff worth checking out too. Oh, and check out one of their CD's, you will never regret it. Trust me.