Mahon About Town Nantucket Blog

Island piano player Jamie Howarth told me he had been working on some Grateful Dead original recordings, his secod commercial application of software he created to clean up old recordings better than anyone else has yet been able to do.

When Frank Conroy passed away, Jamie contacted me to ask if I had any old tapes of the Frank Conroy Band at the Roadhouse from 78 to 80. I did, some beat up old cassettes recorded probably right from the recorder with no external mic. Jamie processed about a dozen songs in just a few days, in time to be given to Frank’s family after the service. What I could not bear to listed to before, I now play when I want to think of those halcyon Roadhouse nights of straight ahead jazz.

I picked this up on YACK today - I’ll summarize.

On Jan. 23, Warner/Rhino will release a 3-CD set of music recorded at the Dead’s 1976 New Year’s show at the Cow Palace, San Francisco, restored by Jamie Haworth. But even sooner, Live At The Cow Palace, New Year’s Eve, 1976 will be streamed in its entirety New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day beginning at 3:01 AM.

You can read more in an article written in the Independent by Mary Lancaster about a year ago.

I checked out some of the previews online, and the sound is warm and silky. Makes me want to roll one. Thanks Jamie.

The long awaited and much anticipated Pi Pizza is reopening tomorrow, that’s Saturday, December 30th, for lunch and dinner, at 2 West Creek Road, the former home of West Creek Restaurant. Halle-pizza-lujah.

I’ve been dropping in every few weeks for the past 6 months, hoping to feel the heat and smell the wood-fired brick oven; Pi always appeared to be just a few weeks away from opening. But as owner Evan Marley explained to me, he wanted it to be right, and as he plans to be there (West Creek) and here (Nantucket) for the “rest of his life”, what’s the rush.

Actually called Pi Pizzeria, Evan made his island reputation at Fahey and Fromagerie’s several years ago, and then to an even wider audience at the Nantucket Wine Festivals. He’s been working on his own place ever since. But not just pizza at this one - Italian dishes such as (fill in the blank) cacciatore’s and parmesans and spaghetti and __________, all accompanied by a fully Italian wine list.

When you walk in, the take-out counter is to the left, dining room center, and an expanded (from West Creek days) cozy bar seating maybe 8.

Joining Evan is Maria Costanzo, who will be running the take-out half of the restaurant, head chef Patrick Matecat, who worked with Evan at Fahey’s, and Kerry Carven as bartender, formerly at 21 Federal and still Director Big Brothers Big Sisters.

More after I’ve had a chance to go, but don’t wait for me. Get on over to Pi Pizza.

THE NEW FAST BOAT
Flint Ranney has sent along this photo of the new SSA fast ferry Iyanough on trial runs rounding Brant Point.

ONE RESTAURANT OPEN ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Stubby’s at 8 Broad Street will be open on Christmas day from 6:30 am - about 8-10 pm with coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and pastries, as well as the regular take out menu.

Island piano player Jamie Howarth told me he had been working on some Grateful Dead original recordings, his secod commercial application of software he created to clean up old recordings better than anyone else has yet been able to do.

When Frank Conroy passed away, Jamie contacted me to ask if I had any old tapes of the Frank Conroy Band at the Roadhouse from 78 to 80. I did, some beat up old cassettes recorded probably right from the recorder with no external mic. Jamie processed about a dozen songs in just a few days, in time to be given to Frank’s family after the service. What I could not bear to listed to before, I now play when I want to think of those halcyon Roadhouse nights of straight ahead jazz.

I picked this up on YACK today - I’ll summarize.

On Jan. 23, Warner/Rhino will release a 3-CD set of music recorded at the Dead’s 1976 New Year’s show at the Cow Palace, San Francisco, restored by Jamie Haworth. But even sooner, Live At The Cow Palace, New Year’s Eve, 1976 will be streamed in its entirety New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day beginning at 3:01 AM.

You can read more in an article written in the Independent by Mary Lancaster about a year ago.

I checked out some of the previews online, and the sound is warm and silky. Makes me want to roll one. Thanks Jamie.

The long awaited and much anticipated Pi Pizza is reopening tomorrow, that’s Saturday, December 30th, for lunch and dinner, at 2 West Creek Road, the former home of West Creek Restaurant. Halle-pizza-lujah.

I’ve been dropping in every few weeks for the past 6 months, hoping to feel the heat and smell the wood-fired brick oven; Pi always appeared to be just a few weeks away from opening. But as owner Evan Marley explained to me, he wanted it to be right, and as he plans to be there (West Creek) and here (Nantucket) for the “rest of his life”, what’s the rush.

Actually called Pi Pizzeria, Evan made his island reputation at Fahey and Fromagerie’s several years ago, and then to an even wider audience at the Nantucket Wine Festivals. He’s been working on his own place ever since. But not just pizza at this one - Italian dishes such as (fill in the blank) cacciatore’s and parmesans and spaghetti and __________, all accompanied by a fully Italian wine list.

When you walk in, the take-out counter is to the left, dining room center, and an expanded (from West Creek days) cozy bar seating maybe 8.

Joining Evan is Maria Costanzo, who will be running the take-out half of the restaurant, head chef Patrick Matecat, who worked with Evan at Fahey’s, and Kerry Carven as bartender, formerly at 21 Federal and still Director Big Brothers Big Sisters.

More after I’ve had a chance to go, but don’t wait for me. Get on over to Pi Pizza.