Lisa Hilton at Zinc Bar recap June 9, 2011

Later recaps: January 2014, January 2015, January 2016, January 2018, January 2019

(If you’re friends with me on Facebook, I cross-posted pictures from this show in a photo album.)

Last night, my dad and I went to see pianist Lisa Hilton perform at Zinc Bar down in Greenwich Village.  It was the first of two concerts I’m going to in four nights.  I’ll be seeing Shilts at Houndstooth Pub on Saturday night.  (6/15 UPDATE: Here’s how that show went.)

We left Wantagh at about 5:15.  Thanks to delays for seven exits on the L.I.E. (Long Island Expwy., I-495) and volume on Park Ave./Union Square E./Broadway, we didn’t get to West 3rd Street until 6:30.  We parked by Mercer Street, three blocks east of Zinc.  We walked in the high heat and humidity past Zinc to Ben’s Pizzeria on the corner of MacDougal Street for a few slices of pizza.  Eating was a challenge because we sat a table that was right next to a fan.  (Ben’s was open-air with no air conditioning; hence the large fan set on high.)  I had to weigh down my plates and napkins.  The pizza made it worth it.  After that, it was back to Zinc just before 7:00 as another band was finishing up.

Lisa was scheduled to play two sets, but she and her band seemed to combine the two into one long set.  That set began at 7:20.

Lisa’s band was made up of JD Allen on the tenor saxophone:

Ameen Saleem on acoustic bass:

And Jaimeo Brown on drums:

The set lasted about an hour and 45 minutes with 15 songs played.  Here’s the set list:
1. City Streets (without JD)
2. Underground*
3. Someday, Somehow, Soon*
4. Just A Little Past Midnight*
5. So This Is Love
6. Boston+Blues* (+ = and)
7. Come & Go*
8. Midnight in Manhattan
9. Meltdown
10. Seduction (Lisa solo)
11. Moon River (Henry Mancini cover) (Lisa/JD duet)
12. Blue Truth*
13. Early Morning Impressions
14. Wake Me Up When September Ends (Green Day cover) (without JD)
15. Jack & Jill*

*From Lisa’s latest album, “Underground.”

Lisa spoke to the audience between each song:

Lisa & JD during their “Moon River” duet:

Lisa rhythmically swayed her right arm at one point in “Jack & Jill” while playing with her left hand:

The final note of the night:

I spoke to Lisa afterward.  We were both glad to finally meet each other in person after six years when first interviewed her at WCWP.  (Those interview occurred in November 2005 and August 2006.)  Then we posed for this picture:

Lisa asked me what my favorite song was.  I told her it was hard to pick one favorite.  So, I chose three: “City Streets,” “Underground,” and “Jack & Jill.”

It was certainly an interesting two hours at Zinc Bar.  Thanks to Lisa and the band for a really good show.