Every Day I Write the Book

Tonight was all about saying so long, farewell.

The first adieu was only temporary since Bistro Bobette isn't going away, just on vacation.

But they're doing it French style naturally, which means closing this Sunday and not reopening for over a month.

What a civilized way to handle summer.

So we slipped in early so I could prove to my partner in crime that they have the best hot dog in the entire city.

But first I had to kiss the Frenchmen: bartender and chef alike.

We caught their 5:00 drink special hour which fortified us to be told that they had no hot dogs in house.

Apparently Sausagecraft, who makes the dogs based on Chef's recipe, are also on vacation.

But I am nothing if not adaptable, so we instead got the portobella stuffed with ratatouille, spinach and covered in swiss cheese.

It was as delicious a way to get a plate full of veggies as any I've had lately and with all that cheese, especially satisfying.

The pork and veal pate's richness was perfectly set off by the pickled vegetables, grainy mustard and cornichons, ensuring that each bite formed a complete range of complementary flavors on a toasted baguette.

I always enjoy the music at Bobette, but I could tell tonight's was a different station than the usual Pink Martini.

The Saint Germaine station was a tad more sophisticated and nicely suited an early evening summer meal at a local French bistro.

By the time my rose' glass was empty, we had to be going so as not to miss a one-time shot.

Showing at Movieland tonight only was "Shut Up and Play the Hits," a documentary about LCD Soundsytem's final show at Madison Square Garden.

Besides the outstanding concert footage, particularly appealing to someone who never got to see them live, the documentary provided a look at the 41-year old behind the sound.

The man who decided to disband the group at the height of its success.

The man who, after playing a sold-out show last year, comes backstage and asks his manager, "Did we not just pull off a high school play at Madison Square Garden?"

But make no mistake, it was nothing like a high school play.

A better description would be frontman Murphy's own words. "We're the best LCD Soundsystem cover band ever," since his records came first and a band was only assembled much later.

The band, including the additional musicians for that night, was incredibly tight.

The songs are satiric ("Losing My Edge"), thoughtful ("All My Friends"), feature big names (The Arcade Fire, Reggie Watts) and are so dance worthy I never stopped moving in my seat during the show footage.

But then, that's what fans love about LCD Soundsystem.

It's dance music par excellence and the MSG crowd moved non-stop through three sets, two encores and 29 songs.

Personally, I'm also a huge fan of Murphy's voice, hearing a crooner who just happened to have chosen to do stellar synth-pop for dance-crazed fans.

By the end of the film, it was clear that even Murphy had some regrets about reclaiming a normal life and giving up a successful band.

If they're smart, up and coming dance bands will take Murphy's lyrical advice: "Then it's the memories of our betters that are keeping us on our feet."

Guys, if the memory of LCD, definitely a better, doesn't keep you on your feet, check your pulse.

As proof, when we walked out of the theater, I felt as let down as if I'd just seen an amazing concert and was immediately plunged into regret that it was over.

How else to recover but with some live local music?

Goldrush was doing a combination homecoming/going-away show at Six Burner.

Which means they hadn't played at 6B in well over a year and are about to leave on a mid-west tour.

You say goodbye and I say hello.

We arrived in time to score bar stools in view of the stage area and took the first bottle of Gavi that came our way.

As violinist Treesa and bassist Matt quickly finished up their dinner next to us, people began to stream in for the show.

By the time they began, the place was packed and the owner was beaming.

No doubt beer and small plate specials helped, too.

We couldn't resist the mussels with bacon and garlic in a Gruyere and wine sauce, even though we'd just eaten a couple of hours before.

Or maybe I just needed something savory after downing a box of Milk Duds at the theater.

The group had no drummer tonight, but I've always liked how much easier it is to hear Matt's upright bass when there aren't any drums, so I didn't mind too much.

Talking about their upcoming tour with a stop in her hometown in Kansas, Treesa noted that Prabir has more Facebook friends than there are people in that town.

Yikes. And no doubt true.

They rolled through new material (always a pleasure since I've been seeing them for years now), a few old songs  (would it be a Goldrush show without Prabir singing about rolling one?), tequila shots and their idols.

Goldrush are constitutionally unable to play a show without doing the Beatles and tonight we got the ubiquitous "Eleanor Rigby" (second time this week I've heard it live) and they closed with "I Am the Walrus."

By midnight they finished, saying a fond farewell as they head out on the road.

So to Bobette, I say a bientot until September.

To LCD Soundsystem, farewell and thanks for the memories. Everybody dance now.

To Goldrush, good luck and good fun, as if I need to tell you guys that.

And that's enough good-byes for a while.