Be Gentle

The heartbroken have no business at a Don Williams show. He is going to say everything you have been thinking about life and love and the complexity of it all, but in a way that will cut deeper than your inferior brain could have imagined- all in a buttery baritone that sends a generation or four back to their childhood and young love and new love and growing up and breaking up. A man of few words, Williams played and played at the Florida Theatre last Thursday night, with very few breaks or banter in between songs. When he did pause, the crowd erupted. It was a love-fest between us and him. We showered him with affection and he showered us with his gorgeous lyrics, perfect voice, and aw shucks sensibility.

The crowd was incredible, and crowds really do make 1/3 of the show. Sometimes a group is too drunk, or not loose enough, but this one was on point- like a three beer buzz on the beach in 80 degree weather. Even the shouted out comments from the back of the room were clever and interesting- a rare feat.

The other third of a good show – besides of course the act themselves – is the venue. And the Florida Theatre is probably the best live music venue in North Florida- rivaled statewide by only Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. The acoustics are outstanding, local beer is always on tap, the people are nice, and the place is flat gorgeous.

The 73 year old Williams played for a good hour and a half or more, seemingly building steam with every tune. The atmosphere was almost electric. It was the kind of show that you would be presumptuous to hope for- every song resonated with the crowd, which left the theater sated for the moment but ready for more. Who knows how long the Gentle Giant will continue to play? He retired in 2006 before returning to touring and recording four years later. I hope he plays until his days are done. The old man still has it, and those of us who witnessed that last Thursday are fortunate to have done so.