The Ottobar is a great venue and has been home to some incredible rock and punk shows in Baltimore over the past several decades. I've been lucky enough to go there since I was a teenager and have now had the opportunity to perform there several times myself.
Last week, my friend Mike Quindlen hosted a comedy show there and asked if I'd play some music beforehand. It was a great time. Not only did I get to play mostly my own songs and a few beloved covers, but I also got some good video and audio (a rare occurrence when you're used to performing in loud bars and breweries).
After messing around with the video and posting a few short clips on Instagram, I decided to just put the whole set online. I edited out a little banter and some guitar tuning, but otherwise, this is me playing some music, warts and all.
I'm really happy with this set. The audience seemed to be into the originals (even the bummer folk and country ones), and I had a lot of fun looping and jamming on some covers.
I closed with "All Along the Watchtower." I've always been reluctant to play this one because it was written by my favorite artist and has been covered by about a billion other musicians. Many of them are more talented than me. Many are not. I wanted to try something different with it, and I think I pulled it off. It's a pretty unique arrangement.
Is it as good as Prince at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? No. But it's pretty damn good. I hope you enjoy the looping and soloing. Lots of shredding. For a sad boy who spends most of his time strumming an acoustic guitar, I think I did pretty well.
Anyway, if you get a chance, check out the full set on YouTube. Give it a like, leave a comment, maybe even subscribe. Did I cringe writing that? Yup. But, you know... the algorithm.
Also, please check out Dear Phoebe and Stories to Tell. I'm really proud of those records and I think you'll like them. You can find everything at the new https://mikefinazzomusic.com.
