Ida Wished Me Well

on Monday, January 15, 2007

The Wonderful Ms. Ida McBeth

Serendipity is the act of accidentally finding something wonderful. Not too long ago, I found myself with a mixed group of people wandering the streets of Kansas City on a dark, cold autumn night. I have to admit that I did not know much about Kansas City and what little I knew was gleaned from travel books just days before I arrived. I heard they had a Jazz Museum but was disappointed to learn that my group’s itinerary did not enable us to visit the museum. Our group had one night on the town and I was determined to make it a musical one.

The problem was that none of us knew where to go. As we walked, though, we came across an establishment called Jardines. We went in hoping for dinner and music but the place was packed and the waitress told us it was standing room only or an hour wait for a table. The rest of the group did not want to wait and we all left.

After further aimless wanderings and differing opinions and suggestions, I told the group, I wanted to go back to the Jardines and take my chance with the waiting instead of wandering blindly. Only Tracy said she wanted to do the same and so we left the group on the sidewalk still debating their options.

We scurried back to the Jardines and to our surprise, the waitress told us straight off that there was a table for two available for dinner but warned it was a bit loud as it was actually next to the stage and by the loudspeakers. We took it and the position could not be better. These were front row seats. When the guest singer took her seat and started singing, she was practically spitting in our food. It was difficult to hold a conversation except during the interludes but it did not matter as we were here for the music.

They announced that Ms. Ida McBeth was taking the stage. I had no idea who she was at that time but she, her music and the Jardines would be my serendipitous discovery of the trip. She amazed us both with her rich vocals and her range of music genres including jazz, blues, pops, show tunes, R & B and even gospel. We did not at all mind her spitting in our food. Close up we could enjoy the emotions and expressions that lit up her face as she sang. During the intermissions was when the locals, told me that they were very proud of their Ida and many felt she was the best singer in town.

I had a chance to talk to Ms. McBeth, take her photo, and get a signed autographed copy (“Wish You Well! Ida”) of her CD “Special Requests” in which I just love her version of “I can’t make you love me” The Jardines was a warm and friendly place too. The fact that I cannot remember the food merely shows how enraptured I was with the place, people and the music. From now on, Kansas City is music city for me and the lucky place where I got to learn about the wonderful Ida McBeth. The locals say, “Come prepared to be Ida-lized”.



Kansas City - Alive with Music at the Mall


16 comments:

Marie-Hélène Raletz said...

Thanks for the story, and the video.
Mrs Ida has a very rich voice, and the music is fantastic indeed.
I love discovering new artists.
Serendipity also happens on blogs :)
Merci, Ecureuil Gris Solitaire!
Marie

Jess said...

The discovery of music makes so many memories better, doesn't it?

(By the way, aren't you cute! Although I kinda miss the tail.)

Jo said...

LGS, isn't serendipity wonderful? That place looks fantastic, just the sort of place I enjoy. Ida is fantastic. I played the video twice and turned the sound up loud.

It sounds as if you had a wonderful time. Lucky you! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Cheers,
Josie

Jocelyn said...

I love the promotion you're giving to good artists and places in this post! Very fun.

Dave said...

I could spend hours listening to that music. I have always enjoyed listening to blues & Jazz in an intimate bar/restaurant setting.

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Le nightowl,
merci de vos commentaires aimables. Il me donne beaucoup de plaisir de partager une telle musique avec d'autres pour leur plaisir. Je pense, nous que tous les deux ont été inspirés par hommage récent à Ella par notre ami commun, des « coeurs ». Je conviens que le hasard heureux se produit également sur des blogs et j'attends avec intérêt plus de vos photos et qui sont présentés à vos artistes français préférés. De nouveau, merci.
Je fais des excuses si quelque chose de étrange est écrit ci-dessus et blâme le Google traduis la fonction.

Votre ami, Ecureuil Gris Solitaire


daysgoby
Thank you. thank you. Even my make-belief tale is blushing. Music is important to me. I think life should have been a musical.

Josie,
I even just enjoy using the word, serendipity. I did have a good time - much prefer an intimate setting for music than the large concerts. Glad you liked Ida.

Jocelyn,
Thanks for the positive feedback. I will try to highlight more places and artistes.

Dave,
You have an interesting new look. The list of our common, sometimes quirky interest grows longer.

Marie-Hélène Raletz said...

Ecureuil Gris Solitaire,

Le Google n'a pas fait un trop mauvais travail, pour une fois :)
J'ai bien compris le sens général de ton commentaire.
Merci beaucoup de ton intérêt pour mon petit blog, j'apprécie tout particulièrement ton humour et la qualité de traitement de tes sujets.
J'espère que Google sera compréhensible, pour la traduction, cette fois encore :)
A bientôt!

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

le nightowl,
I understood it. At this rate, I might just learn French! Merci beaucoup.

Marie-Hélène Raletz said...

De rien :)

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