Live from My Living Room: The Joys of Reopening Your World

My wife Camille and I had a few (vaccinated) friends over for dinner on Saturday night. The deal was that they had to sing — and play — for their supper. Luckily for us, they’re talented musicians — fellow writers who moonlight as The Deadliners. And even more lucky for us, Zoe Fitzgerald Carter just released her own album, Waterlines, which I’ve exulted over on these pages — and she treated us to a couple of songs from her new LP, as well a new tune and some classics like John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery.”

One of the greatest losses I felt during the Covid lockdown was the disappearance of live music. So to hear talented musicians play in our own living room was a magical experience. One of our bedazzled guests, Cheryl Nardi, compared it to Christmas as a child.

Zoe was backed on guitar by my longtime friend Gary Kamiya, and his finger-picking — mostly by ear — astounded me. The group was rounded out by Mark Schapiro on harmonica and Mark Hertsgaard on rhythm guitar.

If Zoe comes to a saloon near you in the future, you should buy a ticket. In the meantime, treat yourself to her new album. Here’s one of my favorite songs on it.

And, oh yes, what did I serve for dinner? I’ve been doing a lot of master chef Ottolenghi during the pandemic and this recipe is especially yummy. Chicken marinated in Pernod, olive oil, fresh orange and lemon juice, brown sugar, thyme and garlic — and dotted with slices of tangerines and fennel (which caramelize beautifully after the dish is popped into the oven). I served it with rice pilaf and a green salad.

The musicians obviously were deeply inspired by the feast.

Live from my living room: Zoe Fitzgerald Carter, backed by Gary Kamiya. (Photo by Louise Rubacky)