[2023-09-14] Gov't Mule and patchouli
The highlight at tonight's Cityfolk Festival was Gov't Mule, an American band that's been playing blues-rock together for more than 20 years. It's led by Grammy-award winning guitarist and vocalist Warren Haynes, who previously played with the Allman Brothers Band and members of the Grateful Dead. Gov't Mule put on a strong performance, led by the virtuous play of Haynes.
As I stood listening to the concert, I could smell a pleasant scent. Later, when I had moved to another part of the park, a couple passed by, and I once again smelled the familiar odor. I stopped them and said:
— I'm not sure which one of you smells so good, but one of you does.
— It's my husband (the woman said).
— What is it?
— It's patchouli, an essential oil (the man replied).
— I was standing behind you at the concert and I smelled that scent. It reminded me of a Simply Red album I bought in 1989—A New Flame. The liner notes had a scent on them then and still do now, more than 30 years later.
— We love Simply Red (the man noted). I'm going to go home and smell that CD.
— I don't usually like scents (I explained), but I did this time.
— Old women come up to him in grocery stores and ask him what he's wearing (the woman offered).
— Well I'm not an old woman in a grocery store.
— Oh, of course not (the woman laughed).
— I'm a volunteer, but I do like that scent. Enjoy the festival.
We can have awesome exchanges with strangers if we just have the courage to start a conversation.
