• THE ARK, ANN ARBOR 2/27/00

FROM: Sharon
The Ann Arbor/Ark concert was indeed a very big deal, to JP fans as well as Ark fans, the Ark is equivalent to the home of folk music and a springboard for many great talents. In the area many of the shows there are put on by WDET public radio. Of course venues of this type need support and JP having such a great heart, and whom I feel is a great inspiration and supporter of new artists did a charity show at the Ark----at the show in his words I remember: "I remember playing here when it was in an old house down the street, and you had to step over people to get to the stage", JP was even gracious enough to participate in a meet and greet if you had floor tickets after the show. I was not able to get those seats but there is no bad seat at the Ark and in my view no bad seat at a JP show. We sat on the risers left stage, and had a perfect view. Songs were old and new---another song that sticks out in my mind as bringing down the house was an awesome rendition of "ain't hurtin' nobody" , JP and Maura did do a couple of songs together. It was just a fantastic show. I have enjoyed every show I have ever attended of JP's, which is every show done in the metro-Detroit area in the past 13 years when I was first introduced to his music by my then boyfriend now husband. My son who is now 18 has been coming with us since he was 6 or 7, as he grew up listening to JP  cassettes, and began singing along to illegal smile at 6 going around the house singing: "hot dog bun, my sister's a nun". I also introduced my best friend to his music and If possible she as big a fan as I, and my son has my mother listening to JP as now he drives her around in the car. How many shows can you attend with your husband, best friend, mother, and  teenage son? ------that is the scope of JP's music something for everyone. I must tell you all this was the best JP concert I have ever had the pleasure of attending. It is a small club, sponsored by a local public radio station and he did the most amazing version of Lake Marie I have ever heard, It showcased the talent of not only JP but his band as well---------Maura O'Connell has a spectacular voice. 

"YEAH LITTLE BUDDY GONNA GET YOUR CHANCE -
MAKE THE PUBESCENTS ALL WET THEIR PANTS"