...the gentleman arrive. They walk up, harmless as houseflies, to be cheered by their most devoted fans, friends and schoolmates alike. ThereÆs something you gotta know about these two gentleman that just walked up, beyond the microphones and cords and synthesizers. We have James Carson, resident genius of the Coleman-inspired free jazz sent from all the way back in the early days of the LA scenes (though no doubt heÆd have some words, better, to describe it, luckily IÆm the writer, of course, until he picks up a pen), and Nick Jones, our poet balladeer of the New England Conservatory. The way they both walk, humble first as always, shows that they are here to play. Anytime you have personalities like this together is a reason for musical excitement. The question? WhatÆs going to happen next? Nick Jones is ushering in the arrival of his second album titled ôThe Samo EPö. The moment the shows a go, Jones begins. The brittle guitar, always treble, always necessary, parries his voice. The 2 go at it, weaving into the silence of the place. No one can do anything. Playing his standard, ôThe Case For Right Nowö, I lean back and know whatÆs coming. The woman next to me leans forward. It is the nature of the beast, women hear and feel exactly where Jones is coming from. Poetics being his primary force, he sings of madness, arguments, and love. ThereÆs more of course. James Carson backs him up, mostly, until Carson releases whatÆs been in him in any Zeitgeist performance, and below the farmers hat he dons the chaos we know he owns comes through and words are useless. Hell, meaning is really: useless. Nick plays on...and the cafe is quelled, until of course, the angry cafe worker exclaims, right after the denouement of ôYou Winö to æbe a little quieterÆ. The crowd quells, and Jones delivers, leading in with one of his most casually beautiful of songs, ôBeauty of Aprilö. The whole place awaits his next falsetto. The song plays well...and by the end, Jones takes a sly smile, pauses, and then says, to the previously irate worker: ôIs that down enough for you?ö Without losing their ground, they both, simultaneously reverent about intensity, end with JonesÆs ôSiteö. Can you build a guitar and keyboard beyond the ground and into the sky? If you were there, youÆd be able to tell æem youÆre godamn right. ùDÆAbate