Posted on: May 10th, 2010 European Adventure
“Jay, I’m going to walk over to that vending machine real quick,” Monte said shortly after I was to start dictating for the Italy blog.
“No dude! Don’t write everything I say.”
Apparently the trip to the vending machine wasn’t intended as part of the verbatim notes. But alas, as Jay is simply doing his job, the short jaunt will remain logged. Much as the past 11 days in Switzerland and Italy will remain in fond memory. Forever.
I return, donning espresso and euro-potato chips.
And so it begins…
Reflection
Looking back over the last two weeks of this sleep depravating Euro-tour, I have come to realize that I like travelling in Europe. Hmm, why is this? Well, let’s break it down.
Switzerland: Alps. Casino (Grand Casino Basel). Nice room. Nice venue. No sleep (jet lag). Low flying aircraft. Thanks for coming.
Soave, Italy: Immediate lunch and wine, as typical of the area. Old friends, familiar faces. Little sleep. Much music. Many notes were played on the guitar. More wine. Typical of the region. Pasta. Cheese. This goes on for four days. Family arrives. Their exuberance shown through a heavy film of narcolepsy. Closed down the Soave Guitar Festival playing my song, Six-String Wooden Friend with Tommy Emmanuel. Awesome.
Rome, Italy: The gig in Rome seemed in jeopardy as our Italian-only speaking driver couldn’t quite come to grips with his Italian-speaking navigation system. After countless u-turns and much nervousness we managed to pile into the high-speed bullet train. Well, not really a bullet train, more like a bb gun train from Padova down to Rome.
State of the art facility, built by world famous architect whose name escapes me. A very impressive structure to say the least. Mainly meant for symphonies and music of the classical variety. The odd thing was that there was a musician union strike on this day and I was the only act performing. I was envisioning massive picketing at the front door and hecklers urging me to cancel my performance in support of the dropped-wages strike. Turns out to protest, the talented members of the symphony performed on the sidewalks just outside of the massive auditorium. Certainly a unique atmosphere as we navigated our way back into the venue just before the show…apparently we were the only ones making any money that night. Sorry my fellow Roman music counterparts.
It does take a little getting used to, dealing with European audiences. Their enthusiasm comes in the form of complete silence during each song, followed by abrupt applause at the end of every song. In other words, respectful. Which is good for me, but probably bad for someone like MGMT. Anyway, the show was great despite that I walked on stage half asleep.
The next day, I lost another rhythm section as my drummer and bass player flew back to America.
We roamed all over Rome. They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it was seen in a day. About 10 hours. Countless corridors of the Vatican, with thousands of people crammed all around us. Then we visited the ruins, where you could see the dawn of underground sewage. Oh yeah, there were some cool crumbling buildings as well. And then we passed by some really old, run down stadium. Where I guess they used to play football or something, but with lions.
Next stop: Vasto, Italy
The Teatro Rossetti was built in 1812 and I was thrilled to help celebrate it’s 198th year with music that finally fit what the original intent of the theater must have been. That is, not to have the building house classical music, as is it’s main agenda. But instead, to rock in such a way as to shake the very foundation that the building stands upon. Oh yeah, and did I mention that I was tired? The kind of tired that can only be described as a kind of a “too-much-walking-around-Rome-the-day-before” hangover.
The next day, on our way back to Soave, we stopped for lunch in Porto Recanati, at the recommendation of Pierpoalo Adda. The Adriatic Sea changed colors about 12 times while we sat and looked out the window, as a brief rainstorm came through the area. By the way, it should be assumed that at all times food related there is wine. Good and plenty.
Fontaniva, Italy: The last gig of the tour. Beautiful theater, with a state-of-the-art sound system. Which basically described every theater we went to. That’s one thing I love about Italy is the sound system is always high-end.
Prior to gig, Gelato was had. And in accordance with ancient local laws, highly concentrated, somewhat-coffee-flavored caffeine is compressed and liquefied into a tiny cup (aka cappuccino) was also consumed.
The show was great, I wasn’t tired for the first time of this entire tour. I was finally comfortable on stage. Now that I hit my stride and I can share the best of me with all of Europe, I am leaving. Immediately. But not before….
A weeks worth of walking in 5 hours in Venice.
Side Note: Entreprenureal Idea. Start a taxi service in Venice. As there are literally no cars allowed.
We dragged our tired bodies to one last great Italian feast at our dear friend Manfredo’s house. Much wine, much food, and many laughs were had by all. We toasted to our journeys end and our quick return to our increasingly growing stable of close friends in Italy.
So now, if Iceland will put a cap on that effing volcano we can get home at a reasonable hour…
“That’s about it.”
Tommy sat in with Monte on a few songs at the Church clinic/concert
Lookin tough...
Soave Castle in the background!
15 Responses to “European Adventure”
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Jani Schofield Says:
May 10th, 2010 at 2:01 pmYour a lucky kid, Monte. Your mom and I would love to see some of the sites you saw. Glad you had such a good time., Call me ahead if you need a place to stay and if I’m not booked you can stay at one of my places. Love to you , Allegani
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Alberto Malagoli Says:
May 10th, 2010 at 2:02 pmso, if you liked Italy.. come back soon!
here you have few but great fans, and this year I could not see any of your shows..
anyway, keep rock!
greetings from Italy! -
mewzikbiznis Says:
May 10th, 2010 at 2:21 pmThanks very much for the beautiful photographs and narrative. Glad your family was able to spend time with you, and the volcano ash left a departure window. ‘Til soon, I hope. Love to all
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John Says:
May 10th, 2010 at 2:24 pmMan, that was just like my week! Except for all of it. I do have a stenographer typing this, though, which is lucky because my spelling is so atrocious I couldn’t possibly spell “atrocious.”
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Tony Barker Says:
May 10th, 2010 at 4:02 pmWelcome home, my friend! Glad you had a good trip. Tammy and I are looking forward to seeing you again when you’re in our neck of the woods!
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Laura Marie Says:
May 10th, 2010 at 10:39 pmHeading to Italy in two weeks. Wish I was playing but I’m just as happy to be going there on vacation. Love the pics!!!
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Jeff Jones Says:
May 11th, 2010 at 5:12 pmThat sounds dreamy, man. My dream is to go there someday and catch every show you play. Well, other than, ya know…cashing in a record winning lottery ticket. Then the European tour is a go for sure!
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Tisha Says:
May 12th, 2010 at 4:31 pmyou’re funny. if this music thing doesn’t work out, you can always do standup.
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crazy dave Says:
July 12th, 2010 at 3:24 amGreat post Monte. Keep’em coming…come back to So-Cal soon too!
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scott floberg Says:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:25 pmHey Monte just have to tell I”m a huge fan ever since I found you on you tube a couple years ago.WTF dude how do you do it LOL I mean I’ve been playing for thirty four years,I even bought a Alvarez DY91after i saw you, she is a beauty. but it sounds nothing like yours.Well i just have to say i will be happy to die trying to learn some of your licks.If you ever come to Connecticut please shoot me an email would love to see you live. Thanks Scott
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Joe Bernstein Says:
August 8th, 2010 at 8:52 pmHello Monte, or best said, thank you Monte Montgomery. I can say with certainty that music plays a strong role in a persons outlook on life, ones motivation for success as well as, helping one make a complete change in ones life, direction and attitude. Your music, soul and emotion , combined with the connection with your band is what rock and roll is all about. Thanks for bringing it back to life, As a guitarist, well, you have laid the ground for countless of young aspiring musicians. Right when one thought everything has been done before, you went on to show that there is allot more to see and hear. For me and the many people I have turned on to you, our lives have forever been touched. Chills, thrills, tears and pure energy. We are totally behind you and I can say, in 2010. I am proud to be a fan of Monte Montgomery. What an awesome feeling. Thank You - Sincerely, Joe ( Physician - Musician )
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Tom Tewell Says:
August 13th, 2010 at 6:18 pmMonte, man, been following you since ‘98. Why for you never play in Illinois? Never mind, I know why, it is the butthole of America. I keep forgetting… but if you ever come this way, expect to see an old crotchety dude near the stage, checking out your equipment ( guitars and amps I mean, shame on all you people with filthy brains) BTW my wife will be with me so ease up.
Gettin serious again, i mean, DAMN, come on, are you some space alien or what? No one can play the guitar like that.
C ya.
T. -
Al Lieberman Says:
August 15th, 2010 at 3:34 pmA friend from many years ago recently posted your music/video clip on facebook. I never heard of you before, but really liked what I heard. I see you’re booked in Lexington KY this fall, however, if you can continue up to Columbus OH, you can bet I’ll be there in the audience. Hope you can make it this way sometime.
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crazy dave Says:
August 18th, 2010 at 4:50 amJust got the excellent news that you’ll be coming back to play at the Mint in LA next week!!
I can’t even tell you how excited I am to hear that you’ll be playing here again, but this time w/ your band! I can only thank you 1000x’s for wanting to come back and amaze again. Thanks for making my life so much better with your music. I’ll be bringing along my fam & friends & won’t get out of hand this time, promise. And if you guys can play “bringing me down” that would be beyond awesome…that jam never get’s old! -
Lois Says:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:05 pmMonte: We’re big fans and enjoyed your set at the Union Room last night. Wish you hadn’t been so dismissive of the request for Sara Smile. My husband is a musician and figures you just got sick of playing it. However, it sure sounded sweet at the Hotel Utah when we saw you there. Your last song of the set at the Union Room was incredibly beautiful…thanks for that.
