Shows here are had. Bands here are played. People, outside
they linger. Inside, I lift no fingers for I... am content? AM I content? Am I
content when I go here? What makes for an amorous concert-going experience? Is
it a $10 cover charge? A cool stage? What makes for a cool stage? This one was
wide, wooden and conveniently fit the totality of band members and instruments.
It is true that the Mercury Lounge has an admirably expansive selection of
bands of various genres in various contortions. It is also true that the last
time I partook of its stage, bands and cover charge, I stood at an intimate
arm's length from the players on stage and was thusly privileged to enjoy the
lilting sounds and up-tempo beats of
Stumblebum Brass Band. Sigh. As says Stumblebum
drummer Jonathan Levy, Mercury Lounge is A-OK with him because there are "not a
lot of places left that are exclusively music venues." And thus, in view of my
ambivalence, I defer to the musicmakers. Five stars for Mercury Lounge and 72
virgins in heaven!
