“You’re telling me!”
“Are you going to do it?”
“I need to clear it with Maddy first, then see if Rich is up for it. Paul and Grey are both away till tomorrow night.”
“And if Rich isn’t up for it?”
With a nervous laugh, Jake declared, “It could be the first and last solo Jake Power show!”
Giggling into her coffee mug, Lori asked, “How are you going to pull a set together at such short notice, rock star?”
“I’ll figure something out,” he muttered. “Somehow.”
Half an hour later, Jake had been given the managerial seal of approval, on the condition that he didn’t play any of the new, unheard material from Impossible Depths. Tracking Rich down proved to be more of a challenge. By lunchtime, Jake had left messages everywhere for his fellow bandmate but no one had seen or heard from him. Eventually, just after two, Rich called.
“Afternoon,” he called out cheerfully. “You were looking for me?”
“Everywhere,” grumbled Jake before quickly explaining about his dilemma.
“Shit. There’s no way I can be back in time,” apologised Rich. “I’m at my sister’s in Florida until Thursday. When Maddy said we had a few days off, I jumped on the first flight.”
“No worries. It was a big ask,” replied Jake, feeling the nerves beginning to swarm in the pit of his stomach. “The Jake Power Solo Show is about to debut.”
“You’re going to do it?”
“Don’t want to let Peter down. It took a hell of a lot for him to ask,” said Jake. “I’ll pull something together by tonight.”
“Let me know how it goes, buddy.”
“Will do,” promised Jake. “See you when you get back.”
Driving through the gates and security check at the airbase a few hours later stirred up old memories for Jake. Beside him in the passenger seat, Lori commented that it was the first time she had been to any kind of military base.
“I lived here for years,” recalled Jake, a hint of sadness to his voice. “We moved off base when I was about twelve, I’d guess. Feels kind of surreal being back here.”
It only took him a few minutes to find his way to the low building that housed the base’s main bar. As promised, Peter was waiting outside for him, casually leaning against the wall under a lamp post. Recognising the truck, he stepped forward to greet them.
Lowering the window, Jake called out, “Hi. Where should I park?”
“Round the back. There’s a couple of spaces back there. Will I send someone out to help with your gear?”
“Please.”
Show time was set for twenty-one hundred hours and, with half an hour to go, the room was packed. Word had travelled fast across the base that their entertainer for the evening was the lead singer with Silver Lake. In a small room at the back, little bigger than a broom closet, Jake was pacing back and forth nervously. Before the bar had opened, he had set up his guitars and microphones on the small stage, but had barely had enough time for a sound check.
“Relax,” said Lori as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Easy for you to say,” he muttered, burying his face in her neck. “I’ve never played solo before. Never!”
A knock at the door interrupted them as Peter stuck his head round, “Can I come in?”
“Of course,” said Lori before Jake could object.
Closing the door behind him, Peter said, “I can’t thank you enough for doing this.”
“Tell me that after I’ve played,” joked Jake. “This is scaring the shit out of me.”
“Why? There’s only a couple of hundred folk out front, said Peter, looking and sounding genuinely surprised to hear that his young brother was nervous. “I’ve watched you play in front of thousands.”
“Yeah, but there were four of us!” commented Jake, running his fingers through his hair. “I’ve never done it solo before.”
“You’ll be fine,” assured Peter and Lori in unison.
“When this is over, big brother, you’re buying me a stiff drink.”
“Deal,” agreed Peter. “Lori, do you want to come out and take your seat?”
“I’ll be right out,” promised Lori with a wink. “Let me grab my camera bag.”
“Camera?” exclaimed Jake, eyes widening.
Lori giggled, “Miss Lucy’s orders.”
A couple of minutes after nine, Peter climbed up onto the low stage. For a second, he got a taste of how his young brother felt as everyone in the room turned to stare at him. Swallowing hard, he announced, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome someone very special out onto our humble stage. He’s an international rock star. A local hero and my kid brother. Give it up, guys, for Jake Power from the mighty Silver Lake!”
To a rowdy cheer and a lot of whistling, Jake stepped nervously out of the shadows and onto the small stage. He settled himself on the stool that had been placed centre stage and reached for his favourite acoustic guitar. With a nervous smile towards the small audience, he bowed his head and began to play an acoustic version of Dragon Song. It wasn’t a variation that Lori had heard before and she sat as mesmerised as the rest of the crowd. Jake’s strong vocal rang out across the bar-room, showing no hint of the nerves that had been tormenting him all day.
As the cheers died away at the end of the song, Lori watched as her fiancé took a deep breath then let his shoulders relax. A good sign.
“Good evening,” began Jake, gazing out across the crowded room. “For those of you who aren’t familiar with Silver Lake, that was Dragon Song, our first hit single and standard show opener.”
A loud, raucous chant of “Silver Lake, Silver Lake, Silver Lake, Lake, Lake,” came from a group in the middle of the room.
“Whew, some fans!” laughed Jake. “I’m going to play a mix of stuff for you tonight. My brother didn’t give me much notice for this so the set list is kind of fluid, shall we say. I’ve picked some fan favourites, some personal favourites and a few classics, just to be safe. Be gentle with me, folks. This is the first ever Jake Power Solo Show.”
“First of many!” yelled an airman from the bar.
“Let’s see how this one goes first!” said Jake. “Here’s a Bon Jovi classic. Wanted Dead or Alive.”
While Jake relaxed into his performance, Lori quietly slipped out of her seat and moved over to the side of the stage to capture the intimate moment for Lucy. It had been a long time since she had shot a show; a long time since she had done any professional photography. Her hands shook a little momentarily as she realised it was the first time she had ever attempted to photograph her rock star on stage. If Jake noticed her, he never let it show.
“Ok, folks. Still with me?” asked Jake after the sixth number on his list. The hastily handwritten set list was taped to the floor at his feet. Taking a sip from his water bottle, Jake reached over to change guitars. “The next two numbers are acoustic favourites in the Silver Lake set. Both of these are very personal to me, not just because I wrote them, but because they were written for a very special person in my life. The first one is Stronger Within and the second will be Lady Butterfly.”
Watching as Lori lifted a different camera from the table in front of her, Jake added, “Mz Hyde, these are for you, li’l lady.”
Swiftly, Lori set up the camera on a small table top tripod, pressed record, then sat back to enjoy Jake perform the two Silver Lake favourites. Perhaps it was the more intimate setting or the fact that the whole show was so stripped back, but Lori felt that she had never heard Jake perform the songs with such soul and passion. Around her, the audience was hanging on his every word. No one was singing along. It was simply her man and his music. As the final notes of Lady Butterfly died away, the place erupted and everyone was on their feet cheering.
“Thank you,” said Jake humbly. “Now, how to follow that?”
He glanced down at his set list, then winked over at Lori.
“Can you guys keep a secret?” he asked, fla
shing the crowd a “Power” smile.
“Yeah!” came a call from the back of the room.
“We’ve a new record due out in a couple of weeks and I was warned not to play any of the new material but, what the hell! I’m among friends, right?” he said. “This is on the new record, just don’t tell the guys I played this. Or our manager, Maddison. She’ll skin me alive! This is a track called Depths.”
Focussing his attention, Jake began to play a very soft, eerie intro piece and to whistle with an almost ghost-like quality. When the lyrics began, he kept his vocal soft but slightly higher in his range than the norm, maintaining a haunted edge as the lyrics spun a tortured tale of drowning and despair. From her seat, Lori recognised the lyrics, but not the arrangement. The song was more than half way through before the penny dropped – the album version was probably the heaviest track on Impossible Depths. If she was honest, she preferred this version.
When the song was over, Jake changed guitar again, “Now, remember that one was just between us. The album version’s a little different.”
Settling himself back on the stool, he introduced the next song, “I’ve been a huge fan of this band since I was a kid and was fortunate enough to get to share the stage with them on their last tour and again last week in New York. I’ve an enormous amount of respect for these guys. It was an honour to be asked to play and record this with them. This is Weigh Station’s Broken Bottle Empty Glass.”
Almost an hour later, Jake reached the final number on his list.
“Guys, you’ve been incredible tonight,” said Jake sincerely. “When Peter called this morning and asked me to play here tonight, I almost refused. I’m glad I didn’t. This has been a very special evening for me. Thanks to each and every one of you for being a part of the first ever Jake Power Solo Show. I’m going to leave you in true Silver Lake fashion. This is Flyin’ High.”
With a well-earned beer in his hand, Jake sat down beside Lori and his brother and said simply, “Well?”
“I don’t know how you do it,” declared Peter, shaking his head. “When I think of the wailing and caterwauling that used to come out of your room. How did you ever transform it into that?”
Laughing and blushing, Jake replied, “A lot of caterwauling practice!”
“I’ll second that,” giggled Lori as she placed her hand on his thigh. “You were amazing up there tonight, rock star.”
“You’re biased.”
“No, she’s right,” said Peter. “I can’t thank you enough for this.”
“Couldn’t see you stuck,” answered Jake. “Did you get enough photos for Lucy Lou?”
“I hope so,” said Lori. “And some video too. I’ll sort it all out tomorrow.”
“You didn’t video Depths, did you?” he asked, panic rising in his voice.
Lori shook her head, “Your secret’s safe.”
Around them, the bar was beginning to empty. Only the table of bona fide Silver Lake fans were still drinking and chatting. They kept nodding and pointing towards where Jake and Lori were seated. Finishing his beer, Jake excused himself and stepped back up onto the stage to pack up his guitars. It was the catalyst the fan table needed and one of the younger looking fans came up behind him.
“Excuse me, Jake,” he said politely. “My buddies and I were wondering if we bought you a couple of beers would you play another couple of songs?”
“Well, I don’t know,” began Jake. “It’s getting late and we’ve an hour long drive home.”
“Just a couple? It’s not every day your rock idol plays your local bar,” pleaded the young airman hopefully. “Please?”
“Idol?” laughed Jake, genuinely amused by the thought. “Ok. Buy me a beer and I’ll be over to your table in a few minutes.”
“For real?”
“For real. Just let me pack up some of my gear first,” agreed Jake. “And, if you and your friends don’t mind, I’ll bring Mz Hyde over too.”
“Thanks, sir.”
With all bar one of his guitars packed up and stowed in the truck, Jake led Lori over to join the six young airmen at their table. As promised, a chilled bottle of beer was waiting for him.
“Thank you,” said Jake, raising the bottle politely to them. “Did you enjoy the set?”
“It was awesome,” declared one of them before blushing with embarrassment.
“Glad you enjoyed it. Now, you said I had to earn this beer,” teased Jake. “Did you have something in mind for me to play?”
Suddenly, with their “idol” sitting among them, their earlier bravado evaporated and all six of them exchanged anxious glances before one of them said, “How about Out Of The Shadows?”
“Ok, guys,” agreed Jake, lifting his guitar.
“Jake,” interrupted Lori softly. “Any objections if I record this one for Lucy?”
“Go for it, li’l lady,” he replied with a relaxed smile. “An exclusive to keep my little sister happy.”
The six fans sat bewitched as Jake calmly played and sang the Silver Lake song just for them. Over at the bar, Peter was keeping an eye on them, smiling proudly at his young brother. He knew the six young airmen well and guessed they would be bragging about this moment for weeks to come.
“Ok,” declared Jake when the song was done. “Anything else?”
“I saw you guys play Atlantic City and you played an amazing solo,” began one of the boys. “Could you play it?”
With a heavy sigh, Jake stared down at his guitar, then looked over at Lori for reassurance. She could see a mix of emotions in his eyes and was unsure as to how he was going to react to the request.
“Big ask,” he eventually said, pausing to take a mouthful of his beer. “I declared that night after the show that I’d never play it again. Paul said “Never say never.” Looks like he was right.”
“If it’s too big an ask….”
Jake shook his head. “I’ll give it my best shot.”
“Why’s it so hard?” asked one of the six bluntly.
His friend hit him hard on the shoulder and told him to “Shut the fuck up.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s ok,” said Jake quietly. “The solo’s on the new record as a tribute to our friend and manager, Gary. He was killed out on the Coastal Highway at the intersection with Route 9. The last thing he said was to waken him when we got to the beach. We never got him there. It’s called At The Beach.”
Before any of them could say another word and before his nerve gave out, Jake began the delicate French air intro. Without a word, Lori left the camera recording.
Keeping his head bowed, Jake allowed his hair to cascade over his face. Hidden under this veil, he focussed on the acoustic version of At The Beach. He was still acutely aware of everyone’s eyes on him, but he remained calm, keeping his emotions in check. Part way through the number, he felt composed enough to raise his head and smile at Lori. The ghosts of the song were being laid to rest as he played. For the first time, he enjoyed playing it. In his head, he could still hear Gary, still see him smile. When the song returned to the lilting French air, Jake bowed his head again, but this time there were no tears, only smiles.
“Well done,” whispered Lori when he finally looked up.
“Thanks,” he said simply, reaching over to kiss her. Laying his guitar against the chair, he lifted his beer and drank deeply from the bottle.
Peter chose that moment to come striding over. “Guys, the bar manager needs to lock up in ten minutes.”
“Time for one more?” asked one of the airmen hopefully. “Mz Hyde, you choose one.”
“Your call, li’l lady,” agreed Jake, winking over at the airmen. “Bet I know what she’ll pick.”
“Oh, you do, do you?” giggled Lori, knowing full well that he expected her to request Simple Man. She paused for a few seconds, then said, “How about Bad Company’s Shooting Star?”
“Lord, I’ve not played that for years!” exclaimed Jake as he reached for his guitar. “But, your wish i
s my command, Mz Hyde. Jesus, I hope I can remember the words!”
He began the intro, then paused, unaware that the camera was still recording. “This could be a fail of epic proportions.”
With a deep breath, he started the song again. From the looks on his young audience’s faces, it was obviously a song most of them were unfamiliar with. Only one of them seemed to know it. When Jake reached the final chorus, the boy joined in, harmonising perfectly.
“Well done,” complimented Jake with a nod towards the younger man.
“Thanks. My dad loves that song.”
“Christ, now I feel old,” laughed Jake, passing the boy his guitar pick. “On that note, I’m done, guys.”
While Jake went to put his guitar back in its case, Lori discretely switched off the camera. The six younger men finished their drinks and rose to leave.
“Can I borrow all of you for a moment?” asked Lori as Jake returned to the table. “Last photo of the night. Peter, can you come over here too?”
“Yes, ma’am,” sighed her future brother-in-law.
With the seven members of the air force grouped together and Jake positioned in the centre, Lori expertly fired off a few shots.
“Anyone else need a keepsake photo?” she asked.
“Can you email me a copy of that one?” suggested one of the boys.
“Sure. I’ll send it over to Peter tomorrow,” promised Lori. “Guess it’s time we headed home, rock star.”
Guitar case in hand, Jake draped his other arm around his fiancée’s shoulders. “Thanks for the beer, boys. I’ll see you around. Stay safe.”
“I’ll walk out with you both,” offered Peter.
Beside the truck, in the dark, Jake hugged his brother.
“Thanks for inviting me along tonight,” Jake said sincerely. “It’s taught me a few things. Laid a few fears to rest.”
“Will you come back another time? Maybe bring the rest of the band?”
“Don’t push your luck,” joked Jake. “We’ll see in the spring. Things are a bit busy over the next few months.”
“Safe journey home, guys.”
“Night.”
Impossible Depths (Silver Lake series Book 2) Page 36