Twice in one week, I found myself talking to my Crow Follow conspirator Tim Sprague about that ineffable quality of "Vibe"– with a Capital V - as it relates to shows. It’s difficult to describe the elements that result in a noticeable "Vibe" – they vary, like not being able to ID the components of a great cocktail that you chose on a whim – but you know it when you feel it. It pushes a good show to greatness. It elevates a present crowd to one that, as Lou quipped, is “grooving on the street.” It is like a brilliant flash of improvisation, genre free, the ghost of a ghost who shows up out of nowhere and just hangs out. When it shows up you hope you feel it.

The "Vibe" at I Am Not Gone, the Asa Brebner memorial show at the Burren was built on collective relationships, comradery and love. Larry Newman acted as the man behind the curtain – herding a wild pride of cats to play Asa’s American songbook. Anthony Kaczynski kicked it off with "You Won’t Know Me". Randy Black hit the heart on "Roses I Never Bought You"; Garr Lange flew in from Florida and brought the blues of "Tit for Tat". The Darlings got a lot of love and made the scene with "Brake My Own Heart". Frank Rowe and the Classic Ruins were a perfect fit for "Indian Amusement Park". Kenne Highland’s Air Force hard rocked "I Love You". Robin Lane tapped the theme of the night with "I’m Not Gone" and Susan Boucher brought things to a rock and roll conclusion with an ass kickin’ "Jack’s on Drugs" The "Vibe" was all smiles, mostly laughs and a few tears. Asa’s big heart, streetwise observation and nudge, wink and wisecrack attitude floated through the room. The "Vibe" was gigantic.