The weathered Riverview Theater in Norfolk, VA (also legendary but nearly forgotten) hosted virtuoso Miles, without fanfare.  Driving by after taking the boys for cones at Doumar's, and glanced at it's disheveled marquee in disbelief: "BUDDY MILES TONITE!"... dumbstruck that this onetime session drummer for blues/funk icon Otis Redding --everyone's personal god of soul, was appearing and jumped the curb to inquire within.

Pulling up to the stage door, to ask a roadie about parking, with a fourth generation tape of "We Got To Live Together" blasting in anticipation of it all; you'd guess the visceral sound might seem purely domestic by metal standards today. Eager to see the current audience of this innovator, spanning jazz, R&B, funk, blues as an unsung pioneer of true "Black Rock"-- spent the cash at Doumar's, inquired at the deteriorated box office if they took checks or credit cards. The scruffy (35-ish?) pony-tailed dude in the cage allowed entry for only twelve clams. He said he'd pitch in the five short: vividly recalling the era of hey-hey days and digger's prices.

On entering the theater "improper" (some of the barely functional original old flip-seats now line the wall) we gathered to stand in the front third of the theater floor gazing at the stage. The rest of the group were ready when the sweet, beauteous Buddha, Funk Lord of a figure appeared, taking a seat behind his drums and began to play and sing. Buddy noted my green "Girl Scout Gone Bad" complete with logo T-shirt, quickly selected for just this effect. Of the hundred or so attending the unheralded (COAST FM vaguely announced the gig) it seemed just a handful were 50-ish. The (20-ish?) kids there, "Woodstockers" for their peace/love twirling-dance styling/granny dresses, must've resurrected parent's LPs (or 8-Tracks?) because requests rang out for "Them Changes". You can't keep a good sound down.

Buddy performed so kewl, with his vocals/drums as his three very average white band-mates allowed.  He also spent a good deal of time talking from behind his drums downstage. Of course he'd be "reminiscing" (name-dropping Dylan and Neil Young), as if not cognizant his own name is legendary. He also spoke for too long of the tragic shootings that week in Atlanta and most wrongly (and selfishly) assumed it would blend into the prized cut, "We Got to Live Together". This particular concert wouldn't have appealed to most audiences (even funk enthusiasts) BUT this was it, LIVE! Da' thang...

The band might well have been the reason that nothing much recognizable was played (okay, bias) but how could they possibly duplicate those riffs? They did a Miles original called "The Change" which was too similarly named to his signature piece. Whenever anything seemed remotely familiar it quickly morphed into some altogether different derivation. Foxy Lady done as a ballad? Well, you gotta' hand it to 'em for being experimental. You had to appreciate their humility for playing that old wreck of a house (not to mention this old wreck of a fan).  Since chump change was depleted I ran to Hurricane's across the street for a quick beverage and found lead singer, Bruce of Big Fun (né The Jailtones) who returned with me, remarking "This is da' real thang..." as we stood before the old proscenium, where Buddy had moved from his drums to front stage center, microphone in hand, dangling his feet: one hip Humpty.

With over 40 albums, a half dozen world tours, TV specials and commercials behind him and perhaps the most loyal of fans since Redding and Hendrix, this Riverview gig could have provoked tears from followers. The old theater itself was more a metaphor for the performance than the performer. It's been hard to register with people who this artist is/was for the last decade, since almost no-body had heard anything about him for as long. But something's happening. We're obviously not the only ones wanting an encore by this funk-force. Not long ago, you couldn't find Buddy on the web: it seems now he's getting where he could and should be. Maybe with a bit more mileage, you'll get that Live! album yet...

[Thanks to an anonymous fan AKA "gone" & the 'Net, We GOT IT! ]:

Subj: I have......
Date: 00-07-31 20:44:23 EDT
From: gone@gone.com (P.M. Franklin)
Reply-to: gone@gone.com
To: rk@rkpuma.com
In my possession as I write this-- BUDDY MILES LIVE!!! MiGawd, I've forgotten how good this thing really is. It arrived today, & I'm going to try to have it worn out by tonite. You'll have a copy soon, if you wish.

Naturally, I wrote him back and said indeed, "I WISH!":

Subj: It CAME!
Date: 08/10/00
To: gone@gone.com
Wow--- I expected a tape-- there it is with the original album cover on front of the CD package. I can't wait. Thankfully yours, R K
http://rkpuma.com

The back of the double album reads:
"In July of this year (1971) Buddy Miles and his band toured throughout the U.S.A. carrying along the spirits of untold thousands of enthusiastic fans in the wake of their joyous, driving music.  Buddy arranged to have concerts in Seattle, Santa Monica and Bakersfield recorded; the results of which are heard on this magnificent 2 LP set.   In length, sound and spirit, it is truly a Buddy Miles concert.  --Robin McBride"

Selections are listed as:
Joe Tex * Take It Off Him And Put It On Me * Down By The River * Wrap It Up
Place Over There * The Segment * Them Changes * We Got To Live Together

Trust us. This must be experienced in an atmosphere with fun friends, for fullest appreciation. Listening with headphones won't get it. Nothin' can bring ya's together if you're alone, babes. Comments on this unavailable magic may be posted here.

Buddy/Santana * Buddy/Be Here Now * Dig Music?