On the first hot & steamy summer night this year, a friend “twisted my arm” whim to see some live music in NYC on a whim.


Nestled near Katz’ deli on Houston St, the Mercury Lounge looked dark and dingy while the sun shone bright on the East Village neighborhood out front.

About 6:45 pm Jerry Joseph chatted out front with a young lady friend photographer and seemed pleased our bunch was joining his audience.


Over the next two hours, JJ rocked about a dozen songs hard, real hard.  His guitar playing and singing were terrific. Playing during daylight hours ain’t cramping this guy’s style.


JJ played one of my favorite songs on his “Two Balloons” and a whole bunch of new ones (to me at least).  The sign of a great show…is always when you can get into the songs without ever hearing them before.


JJ has dazzled me on the small stage on the other coast a few times before (click here to read) so no surprise by me that I was smiling wide.