A Weekend in Sound & Sight
Live Soul, Classic Cars, and Vinyl Treasures
There's something about September that makes everything feel more alive. Maybe it's the crisp edge creeping into the air, or the way the light hits differently as summer officially waves goodbye. This past weekend brought all of that into sharp focus.
Sunday night found me at The Music Hall Lounge, an intimate venue where you can practically feel the artist's breath between songs. Kendra Morris was there supporting her new album on Colemine Records, and from the moment she stepped up to the mic, we knew that we were in for something special.
There's a reason Colemine keeps releasing essential soul music: they have an ear for artists who understand that real soul comes from a deep and honest place, and they scour the country looking for talent, just like Kendra Morris. She's got this incredible range that can go from a whisper to a roar without ever feeling forced. Every song was special.
The crowd may have been on the small side, but everyone was absolutely locked in. All of us were fans who knew what we were getting into. You could tell by the way people nodded along during the quieter moments and the genuine appreciation and applause after each song. After the show, I chatted briefly with Kendra, and she's exactly as warm and authentic as her music suggests. Those kinds of encounters remind you why live music matters. #SupportLiveMusic 🎶
It was a great way to end the night, but the weekend's soundtrack started earlier that day under a completely different sky…
Sunday morning brought one of those perfect September days – warm sun, clear skies, and the kind of weather that makes you want to be outside soaking it all in. The Rye Lions Annual Car Show at Parsons Field was the perfect excuse. Walking around with my parents, taking in rows of carefully restored classics, felt like stepping into a different time.
There's something magical about car shows. Each vehicle represents someone's labor of love, stories from when they first bought the car, and hours spent in garages bringing metal and chrome back to life. The variety was incredible – sleek Mustangs, powerful muscle cars, mostly Camaros, and elegant Cadillacs, each one telling its own story. But the real gem was my friend Steve's Ford Model T, the only one at the show. He'd recently inherited it from his dad, and seeing him proudly talking about it with other enthusiasts was one of those moments that makes you smile.
The 1950s and ‘60s music playing over the PA system provided the perfect soundtrack, creating a seamless blend of visual and audio nostalgia. But the best discovery came from just asking questions. I learned that my dad's first car was a black 1941 Ford, something I'd never known after all these years. His favorite car, though, was his 1962 Impala SS 409 that still makes his eyes light up when he talks about it.
Spending time with my parents like this feels more precious as they get older. Just walking around together, talking cars, seeing how they're doing – these simple moments matter more than I probably realized when I was younger. The warmth of that September sun and the easy conversation reminded me to pay attention to these times while we have them.
Later that evening, after Kendra's show, I found myself looking through my weekend vinyl haul, and it struck me how each purchase connected to the day's themes of craftsmanship and timeless appeal.
I'd picked up three reissues that span three different decades, each considered a classic in its own right. There's Sonny Clark's "Sonny's Crib" from Blue Note, a 1958 jazz album pressed on 180 gram vinyl with all the care that the legendary label deserves.
Then there's the gold vinyl reissue of Buckingham Nicks from the 1970s. This pre-Fleetwood Mac gem feels both intimate and expansive. The gold pressing isn't just aesthetic; there's something about how it catches the light that matches the music's warm, pop sound.
And finally, Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms" from 1985. Mark Knopfler's guitar work on vinyl has this presence that streaming can't match. This album is special – after 'Walk of Life', each track is my favorite, and it reminds me of when I first heard this entire record on my birthday in August 1985.
There's a thread running through all of this: the car show, the live music, the vinyl collecting, it's all about preservation and appreciation. Whether it's Steve caring for his dad's Model T, Kendra keeping real soul music alive, or reissuing these classic albums on vinyl for new (and older) generations to discover, it's all about recognizing when something special deserves to be maintained and shared.
This past weekend reminded me that the best ones aren't necessarily about doing the most things, but about paying attention to things that matter most. Good music in small rooms, time with family, and the satisfaction of holding something real in your hands, whether it's the steering wheel of a classic car or a piece of vinyl that's going to sound perfect on my turntable.
As summer officially ended and I dropped the needle on that Sonny Clark record last night, I couldn't help but think about how some things get better with time and attention. Here's to more weekends just like this one.
Thanks for reading. - JB
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