August 5, 2007
Good Music, Warm Beer
It was one hot night at The Baggot Inn
By Stephen Bailey

Photo Gallery

You know it's hot in a bar when going outside on an August night in NYC is 'refreshing'. I was at the Baggot Inn (82 W 3rd St, NYC) to support two of my friends. Jon D'Angelo is a blues man, a gifted guitarist and pretty much a staple performer here. He's here just about every week either at their open mic or as a feature or both. Up to this point I'd been far too negligent about coming out to see him here. Even though I see him almost every week at The Peoples Open Mic in Hoboken, I wanted to catch him on what is more or less his home turf.

Troy Wise is a guy who uses music as personal therapy. He's told me that he will play and sing just about anywhere, any time simply as a way to wipe away life's stress. He's a rare performer that has the nerve to learn as he goes. Whatever changes or strides he makes in his craft are left out in the open, on stage for everyone to experience. He's also adopted an odd signature tune in 'These Boots Were Made for Walkin''. It all began as a sing-a-long one night in Hoboken and just kinda stuck.

Stylistically, these two are quite different. Jon has mastered the art of low-down, some times dirty, often cool blues. Troy is more along the singer/songwriter, spill your guts, folk lines. What they have in common is an unwavering support of local musicians. I go to a lot of shows and I will randomly run into either one of these guys all the time. And I have said many times that the most important criterion I use to deem a performer worthy of support is how well they treat others in the community.

Now, about the heat in this place. I walked in and within a matter of maybe 2 minutes, I was soaked in sweat and had to step back outside. There were apparently unrelated but simultaneous problems with the air conditioning and the refrigerators here tonight. So the air was thick and the tap beer was warm. Bottles were on ice, but I had a couple of Jack & Cokes. I was swallowing them like water trying to stay cool while there was still ice to be had. As bad as it was for me, on stage was worse thanks to the lights. Both Troy and Jon looked like they were melting but pulled off their sets like pros.

I made a quick escape to Señor Swanky's to partake in some refreshing Margaritas. More on that later. For now I was enjoying my sweaty time in this place that rumors say will be the next to fall on the New York University greed ax. It seems that the school is expanding once again and has shown an interest in the property where The Baggot Inn is housed. They've already bought the old Fire and Rescue House a block away. That brings up a whole other set of questions like is the city of New York and the school so hyped for development that they feel the need to shut down much needed services for the sake of money? Um ... yes.

So get to this classic Village pub while you can and let's all hope NYU stops its expansion. They should have the AC fixed and the beer cold by now. Even with that little setback, this is a great place to hang and if it is to go away, it would be yet another massive loss for the city.

Links:
Baggot Inn
Jon D'Angelo
Troy Wise
Photo Gallery
Stephen Bailey